On the eve of the imperial selection, Qingyan received many invitations from the wives of members of the imperial family, either to hold banquets or to watch operas.
She knew these were just excuses. They wanted her to agree to let the young ladies from her family enter the Fourth Prince's harem. The Third Prince's harem was basically full. Now, the only option they could choose was the Fourth Prince's residence. The Fourth Prince had no women around him and had few affairs. Qingyan was also a soft-hearted person. After analyzing the situation, this was the best choice.
Under Consort Tong's instructions, Qingyan rarely left the residence, and even the time for her to go to the palace to pay her respects was different from others.
"Little Darling, who sent these?" Yin walked in from outside. Little Darling looked helplessly at the invitation in her hand. These were all sent by the wives of the Iron-Cap Princes. Even if Qingyan didn't care about the monks, she still had to go for the sake of the Buddha.
"My consorts, Fourth Prince, do you think I should go?" After washing up and changing into his everyday clothes, Yin walked to Qingyan's side.
Yin sat down beside her and pinched her little nose. She was almost seven months pregnant, and the two children already required extra care. Now, the princesses and their wives were trying to make things difficult for Qingyan, which instantly put Yin in a bad mood.
“No, I’ll have Su Peisheng go and tell you. Didn’t your mother tell you to be extra careful?” Yin persuaded Xiaoguai. “Su Peisheng, you go and thank these wives for their invitations. Tell them that your mother has decreed that Xiaoguai is not allowed to attend any more gatherings of officials’ wives before giving birth.”
Upon hearing this, Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief. With Consort Tong's decree in hand, he could finally relax. With her decree in hand, no one would dare to provoke her anymore. Those princes' wives would certainly have to consider whether they could stand against Consort Tong.
1. At night, the officials' wives all knew that Qingyan needed to rest. Their scheme to make Qingyan develop feelings for the ladies from their respective families before the selection of candidates had completely failed.
That day, when Yin returned, Qingyan was pouting and staring at the chessboard with a wronged expression. Sulan and Sushu stood at the door, their faces full of anxiety but unable to say much.
He stepped into the inner chamber and immediately sensed that something was amiss, as if something unpleasant had happened.
"Master, Madam is here!" Su Lan saw Yin appear and, as if seeing hope, immediately complained to him.
The appearance of the Jue Luo clan is definitely not a good thing. She hopes that Qingyan will say a few good words for the Jue Luo and Ulanara clan's candidates during the selection process, so that they don't have to go to the Fourth Prince's residence to help, as long as they can enter the residences of imperial relatives and clansmen.
With the combined backgrounds of both companies, this is a very difficult task.
In particular, the Jue Luo clan had long lost a pillar who could stand firm in the court. Fei Yanggu and his two sons were only very kind to Qingyan and completely ignored the other concubine daughters. During the selection of concubines, many people compared Qingyan to them.
Qingyan and several other consorts were basically raised and educated by people personally appointed by Emperor Kangxi. Their participation in the imperial concubine selection was merely a formality, and they did not actually participate in the selection process.
Therefore, they lacked an understanding of the cruelty of the talent show. The concubine's daughters, on the other hand, hoped to change their fate through the talent show and were even more ruthless in their actions.
"All of you, leave!" Yin waved everyone away. Xiao Guai needed to calm down; the question raised by Jue Luo Shi was probably quite serious.
A moment later, only the two of them remained in the inner chamber. He sat behind her and gently embraced her.
"Little darling, don't worry too much, I'll handle it!" Yin understood the selection process. Those young ladies simply wanted a better future. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince both hoped that someone would enter their harem, while Kangxi hoped that the princes would behave themselves.
"Really?!" Qingyan didn't believe Yin. Yin rarely encountered disputes among the women.
"The news that the Crown Prince is going to the Imperial Garden can be considered a reward for them!" Yin smiled coldly. Such news would be easy to spread within the palace; it would be fine to use the Third Prince's people to pass on the message.
"Um!"
"Tomorrow, let's go to Mother's palace to watch the play!" Yin believed that the ladies-in-waiting from the Jueluo and Ulanara clans would be more reserved. With the Fourth Prince Consort setting such a high standard of conduct, they couldn't tarnish the reputation of Qingyan.
Before the election, Fei Yanggu must have told these people that anyone who dared to tarnish Qingyan's reputation would certainly not have a good outcome.
*****************
Early in the morning, Qingyan got up, changed into her usual clothes for entering the palace, and stepped onto the carriage to enter the palace, wearing soft, layered soles.
Many officials' wives received the news and quickly sent people to inquire about the Fourth Prince's wife's visit to Chenggan Palace. Those who were able also sent messages to the young ladies-in-waiting in Chuxiu Palace, urging them to present their best selves.
These messages were blocked by Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong. Many spies in the palace were also watching closely. The servants that the ministers bribed were mostly in sinecure positions, and some capable ones were simply discarded by Emperor Kangxi.
"Xuan Ye, did the Fourth Prince really release the news?" Consort Tong looked at Kangxi with a smug expression. Yin held the Third Prince's spies in his hands and directly ordered the news from Yuqing Palace to be released.
Consort Tong thought that Yin's methods were immature, but he had grown up after all.
Emperor Kangxi nodded. He was quite satisfied with the occasional minor incidents his sons would cause, finding them harmless and insignificant.
"In a little while, Xiao Guai will enter the palace. Keep a close eye on him. Xiao Guai is quite far along in her pregnancy. Those who are blind to reason with him should be dealt with directly!" Kangxi was very concerned about the birth of the princes' legitimate sons. From the Prince of Zhi to the Crown Prince, they had all disappointed him. Yin Zhi was also a man who favored his concubines over his wife. He had no choice but to place all his hopes on Yin Zhi.
Before breakfast, Qingyan entered Chenggan Palace. Looking at the nutritious breakfast prepared by the nannies, Consort Tong looked at her with even more kindness.
"Little darling, come quickly and have your meal with your mother," Consort Tong said softly.
As Qingyan's sedan chair stopped at the entrance of Chenggan Palace, the concubines received the news. Some prepared to pay their respects to Consort Tong and chat with Qingyan.
"Mother, those young ladies..." Qingyan was very uneasy. What Yin had done might give Kangxi an opportunity. He had touched the palace, which was clearly a taboo.
Consort Tong smiled and thought that Yin had been spoiled by them. Kangxi felt that Yin had grown up and had fulfilled his responsibilities as a husband and father when his wife and children were in trouble.
"Don't worry, we can just watch the show!" Consort Tong's words reassured Qingyan, and Kangxi and Consort Tong did not misunderstand Yin.
Qingyan also laughed. Her heart had been in her throat the whole way, and she didn't have much of an appetite for the breakfast prepared by the mansion.
The breakfast on the table was mostly beneficial for pregnant women, showing that Consort Tong had truly gone to great lengths for the sake of her two children.
After breakfast, many palace concubines arrived at the outer palace, all waiting for Consort Tong to appear. Since the Fourth Prince's wife was heavily pregnant, they were careful to speak subtly; if their words provoked her, Consort Tong would certainly not dare to act rashly, and they would be in deep trouble. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)
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