After lunch was prepared, Qingyan and Lady Yingenjueluo changed their clothes, and Sulan and others set the food on the table. Kangxi sat in the main hall and laughed.
"This is what a commoner's day is like, with the sisters-in-law preparing the meal and three generations of the family gathered together," Kangxi said with a smile.
Born into royalty and enjoying privileged lives for over a decade, they now bear their own responsibilities upon reaching adulthood.
Yin and Yin complemented each other, and as the news arrived, Kangxi became increasingly uneasy.
"Baoqing, the fourth prince has brought the message. You need to contact the Xishan camp and make sure to arrange patrols properly to prevent any more incidents involving clay figurines." Kangxi understood the parents' concerns; since all those killed were boys, the parents would be even more vigilant.
At the dinner table, everyone was listening to Kangxi's arrangements, and the delicious food on the table didn't attract much attention.
"Come, let's see what Xiaoguai has prepared for lunch. Both of their dishes are new." Consort Tong disliked having these kinds of questions at the dinner table. After all, women preferred to live peaceful lives and should no longer be involved in the power struggles of the court.
"Yes!" Yin and the others agreed.
As the youngest child, Yinxiang saw the octopus slices on the table and quickly ate two slices. The green wasabi almost brought tears to her eyes.
Waaaaah!
"Fourth Sister-in-law, this is so spicy!" Yinxiang's teary eyes amused the princes present.
Emperor Kangxi burst into laughter. Since his southern tour, he had rarely been able to eat in a relaxed manner. Each meal was a reward for his ministers or a meal with the retired emperor and others.
In reality, the banquet was ostensibly an honor for the officials, but Emperor Kangxi also had to accompany them one after another, so he was genuinely uncomfortable.
After lunch, Yin and Qingyan returned to their room, where she immediately collapsed onto the soft couch.
Several hours have passed since early morning, and the feeling remains the same. After all, there is not a trace of happiness on Qingyan's face.
In the kitchen, what Ingenjueluo said touched Qingyan deeply.
If she hadn't had Fei Yanggu's guidance, would she have been just like the Yingenjueluo clan, a hothouse flower who needed to rely on the family's power?
The way the Jue Luo clan treated her mother was quite common; every married daughter would want to visit her maternal family.
"My little darling!" Yin pulled her into his arms, picked up a cup of tea, and fed her.
Every time she cooks, she gets exhausted.
Um?!
Qingyan regained her senses, and her eyes became clear.
"What do you plan to do with this clay figurine? It's said that three lives have already been lost as a result?" Qingyan asked softly.
The appearance of each clay figurine represents the departure of a small life.
"Yes, Father Emperor's intention is to gradually suppress the situation and not allow similar situations to occur again. I must say, Suo'etu chose a good time." Yin's face was cold. He felt that Suo'etu had gone too far, actually using a young child as a target.
Yin was furious that the rumors involved the royal family and were targeting the twins.
"We must find out who's behind them, otherwise, the twins will be considered a jinx!" Yin said with a headache.
Qingyan laughed coldly and said directly that it was either the Crown Prince or someone from the Hesheli clan. Who would dare say there was no framing involved?
Moreover, if the royal family doesn't expose the truth, will everyone really not know?
"No!" Qingyan shook his head and said, "The Yuelai Inn received some information, but the signs are aimed at the struggle among the royal princes."
Twins are considered auspicious; many people would love to have twins born into their household.
"Little darling, did the shopkeeper send a message?" Yin looked at Qingyan's expression and realized that they must have offended Qingyan.
A slight smile played on her lips; of course, it was they who had provoked them.
"Hmph, everyone is discussing when the war between the princes will become clear. Do you really think those few clay figures can hide it?" Qingyan felt a little uncomfortable. Everyone knew, and those families certainly knew too.
Behind them might represent the opposing factions. The several similar clay figure incidents that occurred later were probably the White Lotus Sect's attempt to cause trouble for Kangxi.
The people at Yuelai Inn released the neighbors of those families and learned that their families or Qin Juan had connections with the White Lotus Sect. Judging from this alone, it was clear that they had nothing to do with Yin and the others.
"That's what everyone says?" Yin was stunned.
After a moment of silence, Yin sighed. The next few things were done by Mingzhu.
"Never mind, Mingzhu imitated Suo'etu's methods. If the Sticky Rod Office hadn't been keeping a close watch on Suo'etu's residence, they probably wouldn't have been able to see it!" Yin smiled bitterly.
The princes never asked their own nephews for help, but the powerful forces behind them didn't have that concern.
Ultimately, they would all have to take the blame, and when Yin thought about this, he felt that they were truly pathetic.
From birth, they had no way to truly control their own future. Every step they took, apart from what Emperor Kangxi had planned, was mostly a contest between these court officials.
"No wonder Father Emperor said that. He was clearly hinting to the princes to prepare for a storm." Yinlai took charge of the Xishan camp, and every time he went to the camp, he would summon Saito.
“There are some things that are difficult for a prince to do, but it’s different for a subject. Besides, Saito is the commander of the new army. He has the skills and experience. The military camp is different from other places. What’s needed is this kind of military merit,” Yin said.
When Fei Yanggu sent his two sons to the battlefield at a young age, outsiders thought he didn't care about his children at all. But when the two were ennobled at a young age, everyone began to envy them.
As Kangxi's empire became more secure, the borders gradually quieted down, leaving little opportunity for further conquests.
Every time Emperor Kangxi went on a campaign, he would choose several princes to accompany him. Many people say that the princes went to the campaign to gain prestige, but that's not the case. They all hoped to have an opportunity to explore the world.
"Heh!" Qingyan sneered, "We can't drag my family into this; the waters in the south are too deep!"
She dislikes using her brain, yet she's struggling agonizingly in this vortex; it's truly unbearable.
"Alright, let's talk about it in a couple of days!" Yin seemed uneasy, as if something was about to happen.
These past few days have been too peaceful here. Yinsi has been in Yangzhou for several days now, and some officials will surely send someone to the Eighth Prince's villa. After a few days of negotiations, Yinsi should be able to reach an understanding with the Crown Prince.
After all, the Eighth Prince's wife was a restless person, very similar in temperament to the Guarjia clan.
Qingyan thinks highly of them. The Crown Princess would definitely think that the Eighth Prince's wife is easier to control than Dong E Shi. Prince An taught the Eighth Prince's wife how to navigate among the nobility, but he did not teach her to restrain her own nature.
In royalty, showing off will always be a fatal flaw.
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