As dawn broke, Fei Yanggu and his two sons rested at Yinzhen's villa. When the news spread, the princes were all surprised. Yinzhen was a rigid and overly disciplined man who rarely interacted with Fei Yanggu and his two sons.
In Jiangnan, Yinzhen actually broke this rule and allowed Fei Yanggu and his two sons to stay overnight.
"Your Majesty, the Third Princess Consort has arrived. She says she wants to have some private words with you, but... Dong E Qishi is also nearby, saying he has something to discuss with Your Majesty!" Su Lan walked in from the doorway, bowed, and quickly reported.
Qingyan was taken aback, quickly placed the teacup on another high table, and turned to look at Yinzhen.
"Is the Third Princess Consort coming to see me?" Qingyan asked in surprise.
Qingyan never expected that one day, Lady Dong'e would come to see her personally and have a private conversation, which was even more unusual.
“Yes, Master!” Su Lan nodded cautiously.
She leaned back in the armchair, her face instantly scrunched up. This time the problem was serious. Dong Eshi probably wasn't here to have a private chat; she would likely be asking her about what happened the day before.
"Go and let them in," Qingyan said helplessly. "Father, you and Fourth Prince should go to the study. Third Prince's wife will definitely ask about yesterday's events."
"A flower boat?!" Yinzhen stood up, turned around and looked at Qingyan, asking.
She nodded. The matter of the pleasure boat would definitely be a thorn in the side of the Third Prince's wife. Should she hint at it?
"Just say it directly, but don't say that we saw it with our own eyes." Yinzhen believed that Yinzhi would definitely not say anything more.
On the pleasure boats, the singers were mostly daughters of minor officials. If word got out, those officials would definitely say that this was blatant arrogance.
Those officials tolerated the girls performing on the ship, but they were being trained specifically for the princes of the royal family. It was their good fortune that they were able to enter the princes' residences.
Any woman who dares to disrupt this will surely become the public enemy of the officials in Jiangnan; the officials need such a marriage alliance.
Qingyan sat upright in the main seat. Sulan brought her a glass of chilled plum juice. When the Third Princess Consort entered, Qingyan noticed that her makeup could not hide her haggard appearance and her eyes were full of fatigue.
"Third Sister-in-law, what's wrong?" Qingyan quickly came to greet her. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Dong E forced a smile, looking at Qing Yan who was still secretly happy, and sighed endlessly in her heart.
"Yes, sister-in-law envies you," Dong Eshi said bitterly, then sat down helplessly to the side.
"Envious of me?" Qingyan asked, somewhat puzzled.
After the two sat down, Dong Eshi began to talk about what had happened recently. Yin Zhi was often away from home, which puzzled Dong Eshi even more.
Her words subtly implied that if Qingyan learned any news, he should share it.
"Yes, Fourth Prince can accompany you every day. Whenever he has time, he will go out with you." Dong Eshi understood that Yinzhi basically went to pleasure boats. Moreover, these pleasure boats should be those of officials. The women who actually serve are the legitimate daughters of minor officials. These women are specially trained for the princes and are different from the dignified and elegant primary consorts.
After her marriage, Lady Dong'e studied Chinese classics extensively, hoping to have conversations with Yinzhi. However, she often felt powerless to do so.
"Third Sister-in-law, the Master only went out with us because of the children." Qingyan dared not accept this envy. After all, Kangxi valued the princes' ability to handle affairs more. If they all listened to their wives, Kangxi would definitely be annoyed. Rather than being punished behind his back, it was better to be well-behaved.
Dong Eshi was alarmed, realizing she had said the wrong thing. Qingyan certainly didn't want others to talk about her, so she quickly changed her tune, acknowledging her mistake.
“Sister-in-law, you know that Third Sister-in-law speaks too directly, and sometimes she says things without thinking. If you think it’s wrong, just point it out.” Dong E’s wife quickly stepped forward to persuade her.
When Dong Eqi arrived at the villa, she had a private conversation with Yin Zhi in the study all night. When she came out in the morning, Yin Zhi had a smile on his face. She had not seen Yin Zhi in a good mood for several years.
The atmosphere in the villa immediately changed; Consort Dong'e was confined to her quarters by Dong'e Qishi.
"Third sister-in-law, this... it's not something Grandpa and I can say about Third Brother's affairs," Qingyan explained helplessly. "You are his brother and sister-in-law, we... shouldn't interfere."
Qingyan's troubled expression softened Dong'e's heart, and she agreed, since someone had already informed on the shady dealings on the pleasure boats.
“Someone told me before that Third Prince went to a pleasure boat. Father Emperor has repeatedly ordered that the princes must not go to pleasure boats. Even if Third Prince socializes with literati and goes to such a place, it can only be said that Third Prince has the habits of a literati,” Dong Eshi explained directly.
Qingyan wondered if Dong Eshi's explanation was to verify something.
"Yes, sister-in-law is right." Qingyan could only agree with Dong Eshi for a few words.
Dong E regretted bringing up this topic with Qingyan. Dong E Qishi prepared to discuss it in detail with Fei Yanggu in person, as it would be good to have Yinzhen as a witness.
"Sister-in-law, your sister-in-law also needs your help." Dong'e looked at Qingyan, recalling how Consort Dong'e had almost offended the people at Linglong Pavilion by spending money on jewelry. "As for Consort Dong'e causing trouble at Linglong Pavilion..."
Lady Dong'e also felt humiliated, and moreover, the concubine was actually causing trouble behind her back. She sent the head steward to apologize in person, but received no response.
Today, the Third Princess Consort finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked the question.
“Oh, I rarely manage Linglong Pavilion anymore; the managers handle it all,” Qingyan explained. “Besides, you’ve made amends for the matter concerning the concubine, so they shouldn’t bring it up again.”
Qingyan quickly persuaded the Third Prince's wife, saying that the concubine had only had a conflict with the shop assistant, and that the Third Prince's wife had made amends afterwards. They wouldn't tell anyone, after all, the royal family's reputation was the most important thing.
"Third Sister-in-law, when did Lord Dong'e arrive?" Qingyan asked quickly, feigning ignorance.
"Father arrived yesterday evening, but because it was late, he didn't come to see Lord Ulanara." Dong Eqishi was preparing to talk to Yinzhi, but since the father-in-law and son-in-law hadn't reached an agreement, they wouldn't come in person.
Qingyan understood why Dong Eqishi had come. No wonder Kangxi hadn't reacted; it was clear he intended for Dong Eqishi to be the bad cop.
After Dong E reprimanded Yin Zhi seventy times and Yin Zhi calmed down, Kangxi stepped in to quell the situation.
Everyone knows that the relationship between the Third Prince and his wife is not good. If Dong Eqi goes too far, it will eventually destroy the couple's already fragile relationship, which has nothing to do with Emperor Kangxi.
Once Qingyan understood, he instantly grasped Kangxi's intention.
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