A few days later, news from Jiangnan kept flowing into the capital, making Lady Yin Genjue Luo even more troubled. The manager of Linglong Pavilion came to visit her personally. The manager had a habit of never visiting customers in person.
After seeing the shopkeeper off, Madam Yin Genjue Luo's face darkened.
That night, Lady Yin Genjue Luo walked into the study with a very bad expression. Seeing that the princess was in a bad mood, Ke Erkun quickly asked what was wrong.
"Princess Consort, who has upset you?" Korkun respected his wife very much. The First Princess Consort was his legitimate daughter and had been pampered by him since childhood.
"It's not just about who's being mistreated, but also about how you should clean up these collateral branches of your family!" Lady Yin Genjue Luo said indignantly. "My daughter suffered in the royal family, not for you to treat her like this."
Although Yin favored his primary consort, other concubines were vying for his affections. Furthermore, the couple only had one daughter and no legitimate son to rely on, so the primary consort's position was not secure.
How long can a man's affection last?
"Master, we can't help our daughter, but we also can't hold her back like this!" Madam Yin Genjue Luo said helplessly.
She was deeply troubled, worried that her daughter would be disliked by Yin, yet also hoping that her daughter could help her son.
"The manager came in person?" Ke Erkun understood that the manager of Linglong Pavilion coming to denounce the matter in person was probably ordered by Yin himself.
Lady Yin Genjue Luo's face was very downcast. She knew that if she became a competitor with the princes, they would definitely suffer.
"Did your daughter say anything?" Korkun pointed to the chair opposite him, gesturing for Madam Yingenjueluo to sit down first, so the two could discuss what to do next.
"Not yet. You know what your daughter is thinking. Outsiders all think she's doing well. Even the collateral branches often visit her." Madam Yin Genjue Luo rarely confided in Ke Erkunshu about these things. She hoped for a balance in the family, but if something happened to her daughter, she wouldn't stand idly by.
Korkun fell silent. Recently, he had been trying to get closer to Fei Yanggu, but he was no longer in the capital. Now, he was practically blind to the truth.
Thousands of miles away, Kangxi was not in a good mood, as the officials in the harbor had to keep a close watch on him.
"Fourth Brother, what... is this?" Qingyan had just returned from strolling in the garden with the twins when Yin handed her a note.
Several names were written densely on the note, and Qingyan gave him a strange look.
Uh... this is...
"Little darling, this was sent by Father Emperor. My elder brother and I both have some. I think it's necessary to investigate their spending habits," Yin instructed repeatedly.
Qingyan handed the children over to Sulan and went directly to her study. Yin was frowning and secretly intervened in the military camp, investigating the behavior of these people in the camp.
Even if some people have climbed to their current positions by relying on their families, some people with real military achievements have probably been suppressed.
“Big Brother has been investigating everyone and will get his hands on the truly outstanding people,” Yin said, pursing his lips. “Actually, several collateral branches of the major families behind them have been included.”
Perhaps there are some talented people among them, but they are definitely a minority.
"Squeeze them in?!" Qingyan was stunned. Everyone knew about Saito and Eshuo's abilities.
Yin nodded, and the officers in the naval port began a competition, supposedly using a sand table simulation, but I didn't think it was very reliable.
"I've discovered some clues. These people have probably put in a lot of effort. The direct descendants of the family have paved the way for them to get these positions," Yin pointed out.
She instantly understood that since they had used connections, they would definitely buy some expensive items, and the lady's diplomacy became an important channel.
The lady of the house ordered most of her diplomatic gifts from the Linglong Pavilion; previously, she had rarely concerned herself with such matters.
"I'll try my best to find some. We rarely pay attention to these things before, so those ladies will definitely feel comfortable buying them," Qingyan advised helplessly. "I think it would be better to look elsewhere!"
Yin's face turned cold. He had already sent Erlu to make preparations, hoping to find a flaw.
From the inner chamber opposite, the laughter of the twins echoed into the study. Qingyan looked out and thought it was good that the twins were growing up carefree.
"Don't worry, I'm looking!" Yin fell silent. Erlu gave him some account books, which only contained some superficial information.
The wealthy families of the Eight Banners were quite well-off, so it was understandable that they would spend a little more.
She walked behind him and looked at the list Erlu had found. She smiled helplessly. It was clearly the expenses of each residence, and Erlu had even found all the expensive items.
On the contrary, Qingyan did not value these things. Expensive headdresses and jewelry were common among the women of large families, but everyday items such as tea and water were not necessarily so.
"There's something wrong here!" Qingyan looked down and saw Iltai's list. He looked at Qingyan in confusion and pulled her onto his lap.
Qingyan carefully examined it, then took a brush and drew several horizontal lines on the tent.
He wondered if Qingyan had misread it; the table was filled with tea and various tonics, things that every household had.
"Hmph, you're looking at the quality!" Qingyan muttered directly, "Even the finest tonics can be... you know!"
Their superiors might not be wealthy, and their female relatives might not be able to afford these things. Some officials also appreciate tea, so if someone from below sends them tea, which isn't anything expensive, they can easily accept it.
Yin admitted that her idea made some sense and was reasonable.
“I’ve seen the gift list. Many people send these kinds of gifts. The tea from Yangzhou is definitely better than anywhere else.” Qingyun took out the gift list sent by the families of officials from the south. It listed tea and tonics.
Yin lowered his head and remained silent, as if he were thinking about something.
"Little Darling, are you sure this will be the norm?" Yin was worried about the individual exceptions.
"Hmm, more or less. I asked the manager of Yuelai Inn to inquire, and it turns out that tea shops and pharmacies usually keep a large quantity of these items as gifts for the officials' families," Qingyan said directly.
The actions of the officials' wives directly crossed Yin's bottom line.
"They've already sent them all, and they've still been delivered to you?" Yin didn't want to be pushed away again; the Crown Prince was keeping a close eye on him and Yin.
"They've all been given out; all my sisters-in-law received these gift lists!" Qingyan quickly replied. She didn't like accepting gifts from others, and she didn't need these things.
"That's good, don't worry about it!" Yin said with a smile.
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