As the sun set, Emperor Kangxi, accompanied by Consort Tong and Empress Dowager Tong, strolled through the garden. Li Dequan whispered a few words in his ear, and Kangxi smiled helplessly.
After Yinqi left, Kangxi was worried that Yinqi might send him back directly.
As expected, Yinqi was sent back.
When Yinqi suddenly appeared before everyone, Consort Tong was very surprised. Yinqi had actually sent his younger brother back.
Empress Dowager Tong patted Consort Tong's hand, telling her to calm down.
"Father, your son..." Yinqi felt humiliated. Yin rarely used such methods, and he would always help his brothers whenever possible.
"Alright, go back and rest now," Kangxi said, waving his hand. "In a few days, I will send you out on business again."
He couldn't dampen Yinqi's enthusiasm for his duties; at the very least, he needed to gradually cultivate Yinqi's ability to leave the Empress Dowager's sphere of influence.
"Yes!" Yinqi's mood improved, and Kangxi did not blame him.
Kangxi shook his head as he watched Yinqi's cheerful figure disappear. Yinqi had been spoiled rotten. Consort Tong noticed Kangxi's perfunctory attitude and looked at him with puzzlement.
"Xuan Ye, this fifth prince..." Empress Dowager Tong felt that Yinqi had been raised to be a bit too straightforward and didn't quite seem like a prince.
Kangxi smiled wryly. Back then, the Empress Dowager had pressured him into making a choice. If Yinzhi and Yinqi had been switched, he would probably have had an even bigger headache.
"Grandma made me choose between Yin and Yinqi back then. I guess I'm sorry to Consort Yi for letting the Empress Dowager raise the fifth prince like this." Kangxi shook his head with a wry smile. No one could know that he would also have worries in the dead of night.
Empress Dowager Tong smiled reassuringly at Emperor Kangxi. The Grand Empress Dowager had already made preparations, and they could not refuse. She could use any means to make them compromise.
On the other side, Yin held his pocket watch and calculated the time. Yin Qi had already returned to the villa. He leaned against the cushions, his legs crossed on the table, while Qing Yan lay fast asleep on his lap.
She hasn't slept well these past few days. When she's out and about, she'll seize every opportunity to catch up on sleep. For the rest of the trip, Qingyan will be there to help her.
He placed his left hand on her hair, stroking it gently. Before falling asleep, she removed her headdress, nestled comfortably on his lap, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
The Ministry of Revenue submitted another memorial, which detailed the Crown Prince's expenses in the south. With Kangxi away, the Crown Prince was like an unbridled wild horse, constantly increasing the amount of rewards and using the national treasury's silver to pave the way.
It was already dusk outside, and they still had an hour's journey to reach the Yuelai Inn where they would stop to rest. Yin sighed. If it weren't for Qingyan, they would have to carefully budget even for the cost of their lodging.
To avoid leaks, they couldn't use the post stations, and in the past, when similar situations occurred, they would just make do for the night in the wild.
"Fourth Brother, what happened again?" Qingyan opened her eyes and found him looking worried again.
She sat up, glanced at the folded document on the table, quickly scanned it, and simply smiled.
Is the Crown Prince causing trouble?
"Not surprising?" Yin asked in return.
Qingyan nodded. The Crown Prince's life had always been extravagant, and the expenses at Yuqing Palace were even greater than those of Emperor Kangxi. Upon arriving in the prosperous Jiangnan region, the Crown Prince's expenses once exceeded the limit.
"Of course, if you look at the Crown Prince's expenses in the palace and calculate it, this amount is already very frugal," Qingyan said calmly. "If they feel it's abrupt, the ultimate reason should be found within themselves."
Qingyan shrugged helplessly. Kangxi's indulgence over the years was definitely a major contributing factor.
"Little darling, after we arrive, we'll start restocking again. Are you ready?" With Yinqi being sent back, one uncertainty was over.
Qingyan nodded. From the moment they arrived in the county town, they had to be extra careful.
She looked out of the car window and saw that they had entered the county town. The streets were bustling with people, but there were no one peeking around. This seemingly peaceful place was actually a place with turbulent undercurrents.
On the street, the stall owners did not leave, but continued to sell their goods. There is a night market here every day, and the vendors will not leave until 9 pm.
As dinner time approached, the number of people strolling around actually increased. Seeing the surging crowd, Su Peisheng quickened the pace of the carriage, weaving through the flow of people.
"Little darling, let's stroll through this night market tomorrow too." Yin's lips curled into a smile, though the night market gave off an eerie feeling.
After a full night's rest, Qingyan got up early. After washing up, she followed Yin out of the Yuelai Inn. There were only two or three breakfast shops open on the street, and the nearby residents had not yet gotten up.
At a wonton stall, Qingyan looked at the wontons in the pot and pulled him to sit down.
"Boss, ten bowls of wontons, please," Qingyan called out directly.
Yin looked at her with doting eyes. Seeing Yin's expression, the stall owner quickly got to work.
The two of them, like newlyweds, began to whisper to each other. Today, Qingyan wore a vermilion short dress and a long gown. Her hair was styled into a bun with a cloisonné hairpin adorned with the character "福" (fortune) and five precious stones. A tassel hairpin with the character "福" was attached to the edge of her left bun, and the delicate pearls swayed back and forth with her movements.
"Little darling, why are you out dining?" Qingyan rarely ate out, so his actions today surprised him.
"Try it out, the wontons here are really good." Qingyan didn't say much, but listened to the gossip of the diners not far away.
As the carriage entered the county town, she felt there was an eerie atmosphere there.
Sure enough, the two diners were still talking about going to a nearby temple to pray for blessings, saying that the temple there was very effective.
etc!
A treasure map?!
Qingyan turned her head and saw that the man in front of her moved his mouth but did not make a sound. She understood lip reading and realized that he had said three words.
"Fourth Brother, is there a treasure map here?" Qingyan instantly woke up. If the temple really had the Cangbo Map, it would be an unexpected surprise.
"It's a lie. This temple was left over from the previous dynasty. How could it be..." Yin suddenly remembered that this temple had always been one of the royal temples, and after it was built in the south, its incense offerings were always very prosperous.
Back when that small imperial court was in power, it was exclusively for royal use.
"Little darling...we'll go take a look in a few days!" Yin had to ask for permission first, as Kangxi had given prior instructions not to disturb former officials who had shaved their heads.
Um?!
Qingyan looked puzzled. Did they need to be allowed to find out the truth?
"That's what Father means, so let's wait a little longer!" Yin muttered.
Qingyan agreed, and Kangxi must have his own reasons. It's good to let Yin go and ask for instructions.
The wontons were served in a clear chicken soup with fourteen or fifteen wontons inside. Su Peisheng ate two first. Yin was talking to her, but kept glancing at Su Peisheng out of the corner of his eye. After seeing that he was alright, he started eating.
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