As everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of dawn, three comfortable carriages were parked in the middle of the courtyard, with the two behind them being loaded with supplies.
Emperor Kangxi personally directed the servants to begin packing things, including food, clothing, and daily necessities. A few days earlier, Kangxi had specially arranged a banquet and prepared a lot of jewelry. Linglong Pavilion dispatched a lot of exquisite jewelry from Yangzhou, and the sets were packed in mahogany boxes and sent to the third carriage.
Exquisite palace attire was also included, and the Yuelai Inn prepared some delicious snacks, so at least for the whole day, there was no need to cook.
The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager Tong returned to Beijing ahead of schedule, enjoying the journey. They planned to return as soon as the imperial entourage arrived, just in time for autumn. During the Lunar New Year, Emperor Kangxi secretly left the palace to spend a reunion year with his parents.
For many years, Kangxi could only learn about his parents through the Dragon Guards. Now, he could finally have a home.
"Xuan Ye, we'll head back now. Remember, the rules absolutely cannot be broken!" The Emperor glanced at the three women, while Empress Dowager Tong smiled and gave Consort Tong some instructions.
Emperor Kangxi merely nodded slightly, but did not give a reply.
"Some of the rules in the south still apply. Don't always think that one side is wrong," the Emperor Emeritus instructed directly.
"Yes! I will handle it!" Kangxi had been an emperor for many years and was used to not being told what to do.
Even if the Empress Dowager were still alive, she would not dare to interfere with Emperor Kangxi anymore.
As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent. The Emperor Emeritus was speechless, but he also understood that he was no longer in that position, and his orders were no longer effective.
Qingyan rolled up her handkerchief and silently repeated to herself that she was not there, not there!
Wang Shunxi stood respectfully beside the carriage. He was chosen by the Empress Dowager to serve the Emperor Emeritus in Jiangnan. In the small courtyard, the Emperor Emeritus had many rules, and they lived as if they were in the palace. Sometimes, when the two of them quarreled, the Empress Dowager would have to give in first.
The Emperor Emeritus helped him directly into the carriage. Qingyan looked up and saw that Wang Shunxi had never been very noticeable. He was just a forty-year-old eunuch who had been selected directly from the Imperial Household Department to be by the Emperor Emeritus's side.
Empress Dowager Tong was very reluctant to part with the children, and Consort Tong, with slightly red eyes, wanted to keep Empress Dowager Tong with her.
"Mother, when we return to the capital, I will take you to Changchun Garden for a while. Why don't you stay here?" Kangxi was also reluctant to part with his mother, as it was such a rare opportunity to be with her.
"This..." Empress Dowager Tong also wanted to stay, and she looked towards the Emperor Emeritus.
"Alright, you stay here. Let Huiying and Huiyun stay and serve. The rest of you come with me to the capital." The Emperor lifted the curtain and, seeing the Empress Dowager and the others, immediately gave in.
He might encounter some dangers on his journey to Beijing. After all, not everyone wants him to survive; quite a few people probably want him to disappear.
Empress Dowager Tong, accompanying Emperor Kangxi's entourage, was at least absolutely safe.
"Yes." Kangxi was pleased. The escort team that was escorting the Emperor Emeritus back to the capital was basically composed of Kangxi's personal guards. There was absolutely no chance that anyone would betray him or encounter danger.
The carriage set off, and everyone respectfully saw it off. After the Emperor Emeritus left, everyone felt much more relaxed.
"Lanya, these two were sent by Tong Guogang. I rarely contact your father's side." Empress Dowager Tong replied, finally having some time to talk to the children.
Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong led everyone to their seats, all wearing relaxed smiles.
Yin and his wife were still somewhat reserved, while Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen sat on Empress Dowager Tong's lap.
“This is the eldest son, this is the fourth son, and Xiao Guai is Fei Yanggu’s daughter,” Kangxi said, pointing to Qingyan.
Empress Dowager Tong looked Qing Yanlai up and down; his features resembled those of Fei Yanggu.
"Did your father come along?" Empress Dowager Tong's voice was very gentle and elegant.
Qingyan nodded quickly, and a smile finally appeared on her face.
“While Fei Yanggu is outside, his two children are in charge of the new army and are protecting him in the surrounding area,” Kangxi praised directly.
Consort Tong nodded with a smile. Fei Yanggu was Emperor Kangxi's study companion and grew up with him. Back when they were studying, he often went to Lingkun Palace to beg for food.
"When we have dinner, have Fei Yanggu bring his two sons in as well. The First Princess Consort is also here; it's not time to avoid suspicion yet," Empress Dowager Tong ordered.
"Yes!" Madam Yin Genjue was very happy. This dinner showed that her family had not been excluded.
Yin and Saito had an excellent relationship, and some of Yin's personal guards were sent to the new army for training. Therefore, the group often got together for meals.
“Mother, I’ll have Li Dequan inform her later that Fei Yanggu is much more well-behaved now, completely different from when he was young.” Kangxi was very satisfied with Fei Yanggu’s demeanor. “Let the eldest son’s wife and Xiao Guai prepare dinner together, and let us live like ordinary people.”
After the Emperor Emeritus left the courtyard, everyone seemed to relax a lot.
Yin smiled and, after the Emperor Emeritus left, the mood of the three of them, father and sons, improved even more.
"Even after becoming emperor, he's still so mischievous, causing trouble with the children as well." Empress Dowager Tong laughed.
Consort Tong laughed unkindly, but the Emperor Emeritus in the courtyard didn't utter a single sound of laughter.
"Mother, what's wrong with that? Yin and Yin are just being irresponsible in front of you." Kangxi pulled both children into the water.
Empress Dowager Tong shook her head and said, "Leave all three children with me. You've all had a long day, so go and get some rest." Seeing that Yin and Yin didn't look well, Empress Dowager Tong told them to go back and catch up on their sleep.
“Grandma, we’re not very sleepy,” Yin replied politely, still not letting go.
"Alright, lunch will be in your own rooms, dinner will be here. Yin and Yin will take your wives back to rest first, the children will be left here." Kangxi sent the four of them back directly.
Yin brought Qingyan back to her room, and she changed into her sleeping robe and went out to sleep.
"Little darling, after lunch, you need to go with your sister-in-law to discuss dinner," Yin instructed repeatedly.
At this moment, Qingyan was already half asleep. Hearing his words, she nodded instinctively.
He watched as Qingyan fell asleep instantly, sighed, and then hugged him and fell asleep as well.
As lunchtime approached, Qingyan finally got up. The fatigue of the past few days vanished. She sat cross-legged on the bed, stretching as if she had finally come back to life.
"Fourth Brother, I'm so tired. Life is so good. I'm finally alive again," Qingyan muttered softly.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, his right hand stroking her back to help her relax.
"Get up quickly, didn't we already have lunch? Are we still going to your sister-in-law's?" Qingyan patted Yin's chest and complained.
If Kangxi hadn't given the order, they certainly wouldn't have slept during the day.
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