Please enter the main text.
At this moment, Dong Ewanting felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She couldn't believe that the Fourth Prince, whom she had always kept hidden in her heart, already had someone he loved, and that person was someone she didn't even like.
"No!" Dong'e Wan Ting looked at her father. Why was there always someone opposing her? At home, Dong'e Shi would take away the things she liked. Now, even her marriage had to be left behind.
At this moment, Dong Eqi's face darkened. Qingyan was the fourth wife of the Emperor's bedchamber. Who would dare to interfere?
"How dare you, child! You won't listen to anything I say!" Lady Dong'e didn't like Wanting. She had other daughters, but none of them were like Wanting, always causing trouble behind her back.
"My dear mother, I... I didn't mean it that way." Dong'e Wanting could hear Madam Dong'e's words and shrank back. It wasn't that she didn't know what was good for her; she just hoped that she could leave the mansion as soon as possible.
Dong Eqishi looked around the study and the atmosphere gradually became awkward. Ever since Wan Ting was born, she had been raised by Madam Dong E's side and received the same education as Madam Dong E. After all, the legitimate and semi-legitimate daughters of the Eight Banners were precious, and these women were the first choice for the Emperor's betrothal during each imperial selection.
"My lord, the Fourth Prince will be here soon!" Outside the door, He Shun, following Yin Zhi's instructions, went to the study and informed Dong Eqi in advance that he must not be impolite.
At this moment, Qingyan felt uneasy, as if something was about to happen. She stared with her round, watery eyes, her small hands clutching Yinzhen's sleeve, looking like a punching bag.
"Little darling, we're just going to celebrate a birthday!" Yinzhen laughed, and the little girl became nervous.
Yinzhen remembered that Qingyan hadn't been taken to the socialite gathering by any elders, so he held Qingyan in his arms and began to gently comfort her.
Whenever they attended a gathering of socialites, they would almost always wear makeup. Every time Yinzhen saw Dong Eshi, her face was almost always covered in heavy makeup.
"Fourth Sister, what do you think I should do if Lady Dong'e doesn't like me?" Qingyan was unsure. Ever since she transmigrated, she had always been ostracized. Therefore, she was afraid that it was because of her. Lady Dong'e and Lady Juelu were about the same age. What if Lady Dong'e disliked her?
Yinzhen patted her back; at that moment, the lively commotion outside could no longer attract her attention.
"How could that be?" Yinzhen was puzzled. Consort Tongjia liked Qingyan very much and wished Qingyan was her daughter. Was she so discouraged that she didn't even have this much confidence?
Qingyan lowered her head, not out of fear, but because she felt utterly inferior in the face of Jue Luo's刁难 (difficulties/difficulties). Furthermore, Dong E's poetry and prose were outstanding; how could the old lady, to save face for her granddaughters, not make the other socialites participate as well?
"It is said that Lady Dong'e and Mother had a very good relationship and grew up together!" Qingyan lowered her head, feeling sad.
He held ivory fruit toothpicks with fruit stuck in them. These were specially prepared by Shu Rong. Qingyan was usually not very well-behaved when riding in the carriage, but she would quiet down when there was something to eat.
Qingyan gazed at the fruit platter, most of which was part of the allowance that Yinzhen had taken from the palace. In late autumn, strawberries and similar fruits were simply unaffordable for anyone outside the royal family.
"I had strawberries planted in a greenhouse!" Yinzhen specially prepared a greenhouse in the Prince's residence, hoping that Qingyan would not feel uncomfortable when she entered the residence.
The carriage slowly came to a stop at the Dong E residence. Dong E Qishi and his wife came to greet them personally. Dong E Wanting dressed up even more and waited in the corridor that the old lady had to pass through.
Even though Dong E Qishi and Madam Dong E warned her, she didn't take it to heart. Dong E Wanting secretly cheered herself on. If she could really get into the Fourth Prince's residence, Dong E Qishi would definitely take care of her.
Qingyan was unaware that another test awaited her at the Dong'e residence. Yinzhen got out of the carriage first, and Dong'e Qishi and Lady Dong'e greeted Yinzhen with a double greeting.
"This servant greets the Fourth Prince!" Dong E Qishi and his wife were uneasy. Time was short, so they had to instruct the steward to keep Dong E Wanting under control and not let her appear in front of the Fourth Prince.
Otherwise, Dong E would arouse Kangxi's suspicion, as the princes were not people they could choose.
"Get up and kowtow." Yinzhen waved his hand dismissively, and Qingyan stepped out of the carriage. Without relying on a servant, he helped Qingyan off the carriage.
"Greetings, Lord Dong'e, Lady Dong'e!" From now on, Qingyan's status will be very high. However, since the imperial decree for the marriage has not yet been issued, she must perform the proper courtesies.
Dong Eqi and his wife dared not accept the full ceremony, for this princess had pleased the Empress Dowager, Emperor Kangxi, and Consort Tongjia.
In the well-informed households of the ministers, who did not treat these women, who were secretly chosen as the wives of the emperor, with utmost respect? Dong Eqi felt even more honored, for it was an honor for the old lady to have two princes attend her debut performance.
"He Shun, take these two to see the old lady!" Dong Eqi specially borrowed He Shun from the Third Prince's side. Today, there were many people at the mansion, and the steward could not receive them all. "Fourth Prince, today, there were many people at my mansion, and I have not been able to take good care of them. I apologize to you here first."
"My lord, there's no need for such formality. It was Yinzhen who was a bit rash. I was just visiting the old lady. I have other matters to attend to today, so I won't stay for my meal!" Yinzhen quickly explained. He would be leaving soon after to see the old lady and the Third Prince.
Dong Eqishi and Lady Dong E exchanged a glance. Dong Eqishi was very surprised. The other princes wished they could stay here longer and try to get to know more important ministers, but the Fourth Prince did not have this idea.
"Fourth Prince...this..." If outsiders, especially the censors, saw what Yinzhen did, they would definitely have other ideas.
"That's settled then. He Shun, take Master to see the Old Madam!" Yinzhen pulled Qingyan away, while Dong Eqishi felt uneasy, sensing that something was about to happen.
Qingyan surveyed the courtyard before her. As expected of the residence of Consort Dong'e's relatives, it was filled with poetic and picturesque charm in every corner.
The Manchu officials would not use the winding bridges of the Jiangnan water towns to lead to the main courtyard. Inside the courtyard, the old lady's birthday celebration had already been celebrated with red silk decorations, and even the branches after the leaves had fallen were adorned with silk flowers.
Looking at the pink peach blossoms, each one hanging high on the branches, from a distance, it really felt like springtime.
"It's really great!" Qingyan said softly.
Yinzhen smiled and stroked her hair. If she liked it, he wouldn't mind decorating her courtyard.
"Ah!" A girl's voice interrupted.
Qingyan turned her head and saw a girl of about 7 or 8 years old lying on the ground not far from her. She was dressed in pink, wearing a light dress, with pink crystals adorning her hair, and her fair, oval face was lightly powdered.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
