After resting for two days, the group emerged from the villa. Qingyan leaned against the carriage, closing her eyes to rest. The three children were taken to Fulin and Consort Tong's carriage, following behind Kangxi's carriage.
"Fourth Prince, now that Mafa has returned to the capital, will the Empress Dowager go to see him?" Qingyan asked.
Although the two's seclusion was a royal secret, the Empress Dowager should have heard something about it. Yin played with Qingyan's small hand and pondered.
It's clear that Fulin intends to stay at Changchun Garden when he comes to the capital. There are many people and gossips there, and the guards are all illegitimate sons of powerful families, so news might get out.
"They should have a residence in the capital. We live outside the palace, and we can take the children there to visit often." Yin was Consort Tong's son, and was considered her closest relative.
Qingyan leaned against him, looking at the memorial in his hand. The people from the Sticky Rod Office were investigating hidden residences in the capital. Most of the five-courtyard houses already had owners, and most of them were officials.
"Why are you investigating this? Are you going to buy it for Granny Ma?" Qingyan asked, puzzled.
Yin nodded. These were his gifts to Mafa and the others. Among the princes, he had the best life.
"Little darling, let's buy two courtyards, as close as possible to each other." Yin roughly calculated that he should have enough silver on hand.
She tilted her head and looked at the location she had chosen; this was a place worth investing in.
"No need. There are so many properties in this area. Just buy them all if you see something suitable, and use the manor's money." Qingyan hoped to convert all the silver into real estate, since silver would depreciate. Real estate, on the other hand, wouldn't. "I put all of last year's dividends into the manor's accounts. Buying some real estate is a way to preserve its value."
Yin sighed and patted her little hand. His salary was fixed. Fortunately, he was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, which included some tribute. Otherwise, their mansion would really have to rely on Qingyan to survive.
Qingyan didn't mind. The two of them busied themselves with the mansion together, undisturbed by anyone else. This home belonged only to the two of them.
As evening fell, the carriage slowly pulled up in the courtyard of the Yuelai Inn. The innkeeper had known in advance that Qingyan and her party were coming, so he had cleared out the back courtyard early on. The carriages entered through the side gate, so they could get in without having to go around the front courtyard, thus avoiding being seen by many people.
The carriage stopped, and Yin got off first. He found that the courtyard was a well-maintained four-courtyard complex. The front gate had been closed, and the previous guests could not enter at all.
"Master, you've arrived?" The manager first greeted everyone. Tu Lichen escorted Fulin and Kangxi to the fourth courtyard. Qingyan and Yin were seated in the second gold position. The manager waited to the side, preparing to report on the operation to Qingyan.
"Hmm," Qingyan nodded slightly and entered the study with Yin. "Have the identities of all the guests outside been investigated?"
The innkeeper dared not neglect the task. Starting a month ago, the identity of every person who moved in was verified. Tu Lichen specially assigned two people to keep an eye on things, as this last four-courtyard house was not usually rented out as a whole.
"Master, it has all been verified. This residence has been under special surveillance for a month now." The innkeeper respectfully said. "However, the magistrate here has been keeping a close eye on the inn, so I can only let you enter through the side gate. That is where the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles gather, so it won't seem out of place for a few carriages to go in."
Upon hearing the shopkeeper's words, a hint of appreciation flashed in Qingyan's eyes. This shopkeeper was indeed clever, as he knew how to avoid risks.
"Wait," Yin interrupted the two, "Let's go to Father Emperor's place together."
Yin did not allow Qingyan to make a decision easily, as it might involve the Crown Prince, who was a fatal weakness that absolutely could not be touched lightly.
When Qingyan was stopped, she was startled and realized she had almost fallen into a pit.
The two men led the shopkeeper into the fourth courtyard. At this time, four elderly people were playing with three children. When Kangxi saw Yinhe and Qingyan bringing people over, a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes.
"Father, the shopkeeper has come to explain, but I think it's best for you to make the decision yourself," Yin replied respectfully.
Kangxi sighed and could only nod. The innkeeper quickly dispatched the prefectural magistrate's yamen runners to keep an eye on the people coming and going from the inn. Since yesterday morning, the yamen runners had been sitting in the restaurant across the street.
"Have you been sitting all this time?" Kangxi asked.
"Yes, the two teams kept a close watch for 12 hours straight." After the shopkeeper finished speaking, Kangxi waved him away.
He asked Li Dequan to invite Yin and his wife as well, and his face was very unpleasant.
Fulin caught a glimpse of Kangxi's trembling hand out of the corner of his eye, and sighed inwardly. Back then, in Kangxi's generation, only Fuquan could compete with him, and Fuquan did not want to shoulder too much responsibility.
Now that the Crown Prince has been the heir apparent for decades, it's understandable that he might have some ulterior motives.
"Tulichen, go investigate!" Kangxi concealed the news of his inspection tour. He calculated that he could keep it a secret for ten days. Based on the time the news was sent, it should have been discovered on the second day after they left.
Tu Lichen walked into the courtyard with a gloomy face, summoned the Dragon Guards, and prepared to send them back to investigate whether anyone was causing trouble behind the scenes again.
"Little darling, tell the shopkeepers below to be careful. This shopkeeper did a good job, so give him a reward." Kangxi was very satisfied with the shopkeeper's keen observation skills.
Fu Lin nodded. The shopkeeper was very clever and had someone lead their carriage in from the alleyway next to the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles. This would not only prevent the yamen runners from noticing them, but also confuse the attention of the officials' spies.
Qingyan quickly got up and agreed. She whispered a few words to Sulan, who then hurried out to tip the shopkeeper.
Later, Yin entered with Lady Yingenjueluo and found that Kangxi and the others had furrowed brows, so he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.
"Eldest son, fourth son, depart directly in three days." Kangxi shortened the journey directly. Fulin and Consort Tong could not be exposed in public. The court officials had heard rumors, but had not actually seen them.
Fu Lin nodded. Their identities were somewhat sensitive, and they couldn't afford to cause any more trouble for Kangxi.
"Yes, Father Emperor, it's only about a three-day journey to reach Saito's new army." Kangxi summoned Saito ahead of time, so it seems that Feiyanggu was involved in escorting Fulin and Consort Tong.
"Fyangu's two sons are here too?" Fulin was very interested in Saito, the boy looked exactly like Fyangu back then.
"Well, the new army is doing well under the two children's care. After Xiao Guai married into the royal family, that guy Fei Yanggu has become even more troublesome." Sometimes Kangxi was helpless with Fei Yanggu and could only let Yin suffer on his own.
Sometimes, Yin would be nagged by Fei Yanggu, but Kangxi would just sit on the dragon throne and watch the show with amusement.
After speaking, Yin cast a sympathetic look in Yin's direction. Xiao Guai's father was simply a strange character. He didn't seem to care much about his son, but he would nag Yin about Qingyan, his legitimate daughter, whenever Yin was even slightly unhappy with her.
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