Inside the study, Qingyan sat upright in a chair, writing Buddhist scriptures. A faint sandalwood fragrance wafted from the incense burner to her right.
Su Lan stood behind her, fanning her with a round fan.
From a distance, it's a beautiful picture.
"Your Majesty, outside, His Majesty has issued an edict reprimanding Princess Dong'e!" Su Lan dislikes Princess Dong'e and has repeatedly come to cause trouble for Qing Yan.
These servants couldn't retaliate; the grudges between their masters were far deeper than they imagined.
Qingyan put down his brush and said, "Give the order not to cause trouble. Why issue an imperial decree to reprimand her? Did Princess Dong'e do anything out of line?"
Yesterday at the teahouse, what Dong'e Gege did went beyond what a concubine should do. This good reputation should have belonged to the primary wife. Dong'e Gege's suggestion will only cause trouble.
"Yes, it's about giving alms at the temple. I heard that quite a few pastries were sent out yesterday, and those people treated Princess Dong'e as if she were on a memorial tablet." Su Lan sneered.
In the early morning, when they went to collect their daily supplies, the two maids beside Dong E Gege mocked them quite a bit, and even used a condescending tone to belittle the other female relatives accompanying the emperor.
Now that Dong'e Gege has been reprimanded, they are even happier, finally relieved that there will be no more chaotic noises.
"So, it was another matter of spending money to buy reputation? In the end, the shopkeeper actually sold it?" Qingyan remembered that the shopkeeper was a very principled person, so why would he sell it?
"Of course not. The shopkeeper instructed Ling Er to dispose of all the pastries, but Ling Er disobeyed and sold them to Princess Dong'e. Now, His Majesty has investigated and found out. The shopkeeper who took the money was beaten to death at the entrance of the commercial street, and all the servants serving on the commercial street were made to watch the execution." Su Lan felt that these people's deaths were not worthwhile. Princess Dong'e was simply using human lives to buy her reputation.
The servants felt a growing apprehension towards Dong E Gege, believing that she knew the danger but still acted willfully, not only harming their personal attendant who deserved punishment but also causing someone's death. The common people receiving charity outside were unaware of these secrets, and they hoped for a good meal that evening.
Qingyan sighed, feeling very depressed. At that time, she had also had similar thoughts, but looking at Yin's eyes, she didn't dare to say anything more.
Dong E Gege did something she dared not do, although the final result was less than satisfactory.
"Enough, stop gossiping. Anyone who dares to discuss this matter will be given ten strokes of the cane," Qingyan said directly.
"!" Su Lan shut up.
Seeing Qingyan start copying Buddhist scriptures again, she quickly went out to give instructions. The servants in the courtyard tensed up, afraid of being caught by Qingyan and punished.
The maids in the other courtyards were not so at ease. They were all muttering behind her back, saying that Dong E Gege was ruthless, that she could actually "force" someone to this point.
The eunuch that Yinzhi sent to handle the matter was also arrested by Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi would never tolerate anyone trying to harm him. Even if Yinzhi wanted to buy a title, he would have to see if Emperor Kangxi would approve.
At this moment, Yinzhi paced back and forth in the study, while Dong'e Gege's eyes were red from crying. Yinzhi understood that although Kangxi had reprimanded Dong'e Gege, he was actually reprimanding him, because Dong'e Gege was incapable of completing these tasks.
When the pastries were delivered to the temple, the abbot came out to oversee the distribution of the alms. In some cases, it was Yinzhi who did something practical for everyone.
This news reached Emperor Kangxi, who became even more furious.
Yinzhi's actions were a direct insult to him. When Kangxi arrived at the Summer Palace, he never once gave away the goods from the commercial street. It was clear that the royal family was wasting resources while the common people were not provided with enough to eat and wear.
Once the rumors spread, the people in the south would definitely become restless again. Kangxi wished he could just strangle Yinzhi. This troublesome fellow dared to cause trouble here.
"Alright, I understand you've been wronged!" Yin Zhi sat down next to Dong E Gege and comforted her gently.
Yinzhi's face was very bad. After breakfast, Kangxi's reprimanding decree came immediately. Two hours had passed since then, and the princes around him should have heard it and felt that they had done something wrong.
"Master, it's all my fault. I've caused you trouble, and I've made them suffer too!" Dong'e Gege knew Yinzhi too well. Her personal maids had all been punished, and Yinzhi was a man who cherished women. To prevent the two maids from taking this opportunity to climb into his bed, Dong'e Gege took the initiative.
Yinzhi sighed. Dong'e Gege was still too soft-hearted. The servants had done a poor job, so it was only right that they were beaten to death.
"Don't feel guilty. They made a mistake and implicated the master. It's only right that they were punished!" Yin Zhi comforted Dong E Gege, telling her not to overthink it. Looking at Dong E Gege's red and swollen eyes, Yin Zhi felt a pang of sadness. If it had been the Crown Prince who did this, Kangxi might have even praised him.
Over the years, every prince has been treated unfairly. The crown prince is the most important son in Kangxi's heart, while the other princes are all cannon fodder for the crown prince.
"Master, my sister will definitely forgive me when we get back. I'm the one who caused you trouble. Please punish me first, Master?" Dong'e Gege used a feigned retreat to advance, letting Yinzhi punish her first.
Lady Dong'e was waiting for Princess Dong'e to make a mistake during the journey. If Yinzhi did not punish her immediately, Princess Dong'e's life would certainly not be easy after returning to the capital.
"Fine, if you're going to overthink it, there's nothing I can do. Just punish me as you see fit." Yinzhi also wanted someone to take the blame, and Dong'e Gege was the perfect pawn. "It's just that you're being wronged!"
"No, as long as I can help you, I'm happy even if I suffer some injustice." Dong E Gege quickly shook her head, firmly expressing her thoughts.
Yin Zhi felt a warm current rise in his heart. Who could like a girl like this more? Dong E Shi didn't have this awareness. She always had a stern face, as if someone owed her something. Wasn't it just because of what happened back then that she was in a difficult position?
"Don't worry, after we return to the capital, I won't let the Fujin make things difficult for you. She should even reward you for helping me cover up the truth." Yinzhi was satisfied and began to praise Dong'e Gege.
"Master, I'll be content as long as my sister doesn't punish me." Upon hearing Yinzhi's words, Dong'e Gege immediately became terrified. The Third Prince's wife was ruthless, and most of the women who were favored by Yinzhi did not have a good ending.
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