Kangxi soon learned of the Gioro clan's use of the Eastern Pearl jewelry. He secretly shook his head; Fei Yanggu's favor towards Qingyan was unparalleled. Therefore, it was certain that this scheme would fail.
He specially dispatched an envoy to instruct Yin to keep an eye on the movements at Ulanara's residence, as he needed to protect his own wife.
When Yin received Kangxi's letter, his mouth twitched. In the distance, Qingyan was working. He had to admit that he felt much more comfortable after coming here.
"Master, Third Master has arranged to meet you at the teahouse today!" Su Peisheng rushed up and whispered.
Every month, Third Master would meet with Fourth Master to spend a day at the teahouse.
"Qingyan, change your clothes, let's go out for a bit." The previous times, Yin hadn't taken Qingyan with him, but last time, Yinzhi came out with Dong'e Shi, which made Yin feel all sorts of awkward.
Qingyan raised her small face, looking confused. The matter of the Jueluo family had caused quite a stir. Whenever Qingyan went out, she would be pointed at and gossiped about by the noble ladies. They knew in their hearts that the real victim of the whole thing was actually the little girl in front of them.
"I..." Qingyan wanted to refuse. She wanted a peaceful life and didn't care about being the center of attention all the time, so she was even less inclined to go out.
Yin held Qingyan's little hand. He knew all about what had happened to her in the past few days. She had been ostracized by the socialites, who even brought up the fact that the Jue Luo family didn't like her. It was inevitable that the young girl would have some kind of trauma.
"Qingyan, don't worry about what others think. Just be yourself." Yin sighed, looking at Qingyan who came out of the inner chamber after changing her clothes. Her face was tense, and there was a look of fear in her eyes.
Qingyan nodded. She understood that she just couldn't get over her own hurdle. She could usually persuade others, but when it came to herself, she could only find it difficult to listen.
The carriage slowly drove away from the Ulanara residence. This was the second time Qingyan had left the residence in the months since the incident occurred.
The lively scene outside made Qingyan feel a little lost. Yin held Qingyan's small hand, as if giving her strength.
Yin hoped that Lady Dong'e wasn't someone to be disliked, otherwise... He wouldn't mind causing some trouble for Yin Zhi.
When they arrived, Yinzhi and Dong'e were already waiting in the private room. This time, Yinzhi was worried that Qingyan would not easily go out. He had heard what those people said about Qingyan, and her reaction of rejecting outsiders was normal.
"Third Brother, Princess Dong'e, are we late?" Yin looked at Dong'e suspiciously. In his previous life, he did not have a good impression of Dong'e. She was sharp-tongued and mean. At the palace banquet, Qingyan was often squeezed out by Dong'e to the point that he could not even speak.
Dong E looked up and sized up Qing Yan. Outside, the more people talked about the matter between Qing Yan and the Jue Luo mother and daughter, the more disagreements there were.
"This humble woman greets the Third Prince!" Qingyan learned etiquette from her nanny, and she would not make the slightest mistake when she was outside, for fear of bringing shame to the Ulanara family.
Yin gazed at Qingyan with a smile in his eyes. The last time they met, Dong Eshi did not bow to Yin, as if she had already married Yin Zhi and become his primary consort.
At this moment, Yin Zhi stood awkwardly to the side, realizing that his woman was unruly and not as sensible as his younger brother's wife.
Fortunately, neither of them cared much about those rules, otherwise... there would definitely have been bad rumors about Dong E Shi.
"This humble woman greets the Fourth Prince!" Under the Third Prince's glare, Dong Eshi dared not think too much and quickly got up to greet Yin. The first impression of her being unruly had already been formed. Would Yin still believe her?
After the ceremony, Dong Eshi's feelings underwent a significant change, and she began to feel dissatisfied with the banquet.
"Princess Ulanara, seeing is believing! I never expected you to be so dignified and well-mannered!" Dong Eshi emphasized the last five words.
Having lived in the Dong'e residence for several months, Yinzhi had gradually come to understand Dong'e's actions. On one hand, he hoped that Dong'e could learn from Qingyan and consider his needs more. On the other hand, Yinzhi also approved of her approach, as it ensured that he had a reliable maternal family to support him, which was also a good thing.
Qingyan caught a glimpse of Yin's clenched fist and unusually pale face. She quickly placed her warm little hand on his hand to tell him not to get involved. Men shouldn't get involved in women's wars.
"Princess Dong'e? I've never heard of you. The noble ladies of the Upper Three Banners are all dignified and elegant, and would never stay at home like the women of the Han Banners." Qingyan's words were a veiled criticism of Dong'e, implying that she was not like a noble lady of Manchuria and was entirely to cater to Yinzhi's preferences.
"You..." Dong Eshi was annoyed. The noble ladies of the Manchu Eight Banners looked down on the Han Bannermen. Qingyan's words had turned her into one of those Han Bannermen women who didn't care about them.
This is an insult to a noblewoman from the Upper Three Banners!
Yinzhi looked at Yin with a hint of sympathy. With such a fierce wife, his life must be difficult.
"Third Brother, are we still watching the play in the private room today?" Yin smiled coldly. He would never back down from his Qingyan. He was watching someone make things difficult for her, but he could do nothing about it.
Yin Zhi sighed helplessly; this was the only way.
"Princess Ulanara, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince have something to say. Shall we go to the inner chamber to chat?" Dong Eshi invited Qingyan, thinking that if Qingyan refused, it would be Qingyan's fault if word got out.
"Of course!" Qingyan agreed with a smile, but a sense of malice emanated from Dong'e Shi, and Qingyan's spatial dimension issued an alarm early on.
With a look of repeated unease in her eyes, she knew she had to break free from the encirclement she had created for herself.
He noticed the determination in Qingyan's eyes, and could only nod.
"Go ahead." Yin could only compromise, watching Qingyan's departing figure, the panic in his heart subsided.
The inner chamber is quite different from the outside. Outside, only a mahogany screen separates the entrance from the octagonal table inside. However, the interior is decorated more warmly, with the same luxurious feel as the study of high-ranking officials. The furniture that comes into view is mostly made of mahogany.
At that time, there was still more rosewood from Hainan.
"Princess Ulanara, I've always wanted to get to know you!" Dong E looked at Ulanara with icy eyes. How much of a future could a daughter who wasn't even liked by her own mother possibly have?
Originally, her cousin was not much younger than Yin, and her father held the official rank of second grade, making her perfectly capable of serving as Yin's wife.
Unexpectedly, Qingyan emerged like a dark horse, winning the favor of Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tongjia.
Qingyan sipped her warm tea, not taking Dong Eshi's words to heart. Those socialites had already said too many sarcastic things like that.
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