There were many food stalls lining both sides of the street envious of this place. The elderly couple's business was already better than most people's, and even now, with business slowing down, they were still better off than them!
Qingyan looked around and took in the envious looks in the eyes of the stall owners. She felt that the place was too clean, and the people who came out to buy things were all dressed so neatly.
"Auntie, why are you wearing such thick clothes in this hot weather?" Qingyan looked at the stall owner with a blank expression. When the emperor went on his inspection tour, he allowed Xiaoguai to wear whatever she wanted. At this moment, she was wearing the jewelry of an unmarried princess in her hair. Looking at Qingyan's blank expression, the old lady couldn't help but sigh at how lucky the child was.
The old man, who was preparing to cook noodles on the other side, did not hear Qingyan's question.
"Alas... His Majesty is coming. The prefect said we can't lose face for the county. Ordinary people can't afford to make new clothes, so they have to wear the outer garments they prepared for the New Year to do business!" The old woman sighed, and Kangxi's brows furrowed.
"You old woman, what nonsense are you babbling about!" The old man ladled out the noodles, just in time to hear the old woman's words, and glared at her angrily. "Master, Madam, don't listen to this old woman's nagging, we're living a comfortable life!"
Looking at the old couple, Qingyan couldn't help but wonder what the prefect was up to.
"Tulichen!" Upon hearing Kangxi's summons, Tulichen bent down to listen to Kangxi's whispered secret order, then turned and left.
Qingyan was secretly delighted to discover this situation. According to Song Aili of Yuelai Inn, the local magistrate had deliberately increased taxes by more than three times the amount required by the state.
"Little darling, how many times?" Kangxi asked, looking at Little darling.
Qingyan's little thoughts could not be hidden from Kangxi and Yinzhen at all. She reached out her small hand to run her fingers through her hair, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
"Three times!" Qingyan's face tightened, and she uttered two words.
It is true that Emperor Kangxi would get angry at Qingyan, and someone will definitely be in trouble. Emperor Kangxi's implicit approval of the opening of Yuelai Inn throughout the Qing Dynasty was also in the hope of having a well-connected channel for information among the people.
Kangxi nodded, indicating that he understood.
Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief; she had won her gamble.
After breakfast, Kangxi released Yinzhi and Qingyan, and had several guards accompany them. They agreed to meet at noon in a private room at the Yuelai Inn.
"Well done!" Yin watched Kangxi and Consort Tong leave, then lowered his voice to praise Qingyan.
Qingyan smiled smugly. This was nothing. Kangxi had changed the prefect here, which would also ensure her interests.
"I'm also furious. Yuelai Inn is a prime target for exploitation. The manager said that the owner is a first-rank official in the capital. The prefect said that this is the kind of person who should be paid tribute, because the Crown Prince is behind him!" Qingyan muttered softly.
After hearing this, the shopkeeper was forced to pay a year's worth of taxes, causing the shop's revenue to plummet instantly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Yin frowned.
Qingyan thought of the old man and woman who ran the beef noodle stall. They were only in their forties, but their faces were weathered and they looked like a couple in their fifties. Their skill was a family heirloom, but now they could barely make ends meet.
"Don't talk nonsense!" Yin scolded in a low voice.
Crown Prince!
This was absolutely a minefield for Kangxi, something none of his princes could touch. Xiao Guai had to be absolutely safe and sound; otherwise, Kangxi would turn his suspicious gaze towards Qingyan.
Qingyan pouted; she wasn't lying.
"Sisi, look!" Qingyan walked slowly down the street, looking around curiously. There were many alleys on both sides. In one alley, a little child with tattered clothes was being carried away by two yamen runners.
"Su Peisheng, have someone secretly tie up those two men and send them to the camp, and send that child to Father Emperor!" Seeing the scene before him, Yin knew that his position as prefect was over; these people were simply heinous criminals.
"!" Su Peisheng, accompanied by a pair of guards, prepared to clean up the mess.
Just as Qingyan turned her attention to the other thing, Yin led her forward.
"We can't get involved!" Yin didn't want to get involved with the Crown Prince's affairs. Kangxi and the Crown Prince were an awkward father and son. Kangxi still cherished the Crown Prince. No matter which prince got involved, they would become cannon fodder.
Qingyan turned to look at him, her almond-shaped eyes filled with disbelief. Was this really Sisi?
Wasn't Si Si selfless and unafraid of offending powerful figures?
"We must prioritize our own safety!" Yin smiled calmly. His past actions had caused him great suffering, which was why he had changed his strategy in this life.
Her attention was quickly drawn to another stall, where an elderly woman with gray hair, wearing a light blue velvet cheongsam, sat on a small stool. With her aged hands, she held scissors in her right hand and red paper in her left, and quickly cut out an intricately patterned paper-cut window decoration.
"Fourth Brother, look!" Qingyan has loved these little things since she was a child. Yin glanced at the old lady's craftsmanship out of the corner of his eye, but didn't say much. Xiao Guai's attention would soon be diverted.
This is not something he can control.
"Go see!"
Qingyan released Yin's large hand and ran over. Sulan and Suxin followed their master. At this moment, Yin was glad that he had made her change into soft little boots before coming out, instead of wearing flowerpot shoes like his mother.
"Auntie, how much are these window decorations?" Qingyan squatted down and looked at the many window decorations on the white cloth. She was moved by the exquisite craftsmanship. Such exquisite window decorations could only be made by machines in modern times.
"This?!" The old lady just wanted to use her skills to supplement her family's income. Her son and daughter-in-law were also doing small business on the street. During this period, everyone's income was not very good.
I had just set up my stall today when I met this little girl dressed in luxurious clothes. She was looking at the paper cuttings on the ground with interest. These are very common in ordinary households, but noble people have people specially made to cut them in their mansions.
She stretched out her little hand and pointed to the paper-cut window decorations of blooming hibiscus and magpies with red plum blossoms, asking a question.
In the corner, a stack of zodiac animal patterns caught her eye. Years ago, she had bought similar paper-cut window decorations at the supermarket and given them to foreign students at the English Corner. Those paper-cut window decorations were not as exquisite as the ones in front of her.
"It does have a certain rustic charm!" Yin nodded, looking at the paper-cut window decoration Xiao Guai was pointing to. The little guy's eye for detail was getting better and better.
These things aren't as exquisite as those in the palace, but they're still quite nice.
Qingyan instantly felt several pairs of burning gazes on her back. She turned around to look and saw Yin's left hand patting her shoulder.
She looked up and met his gaze; the soothing look in his eyes calmed Qingyan's heart. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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