As the imperial concubine selection drew closer, many concubines began to scheme, using various means to invite Emperor Kangxi to their palaces. Some even arranged good opportunities for their family's daughters to be selected for the imperial concubine selection, and some even resorted to violence.
On this day, Qingyan went to Chenggan Palace to pay his respects. Consort Tong happened to be looking at the list of people sent by Emperor Kangxi. It contained a list of many girls who could be used, and some of them were even intended to fill the princes' harems.
"Mother, you've been busy all morning, please take a rest!" Qingyan asked Sulan to make some white fungus and lotus seed soup in the small kitchen, hoping to relieve the pressure on Consort Tong.
"Yes, it's my daughter-in-law who cares about me the most!" Consort Tong smiled. It's hard to find someone as considerate as Xiao Guai. It's a blessing for Yin to have such a consort.
She opened the documents of the imperial concubines, which recorded not only the families the concubines came from, but also their fathers' ranks and names.
Qingyan stood behind her, looking at the things on it, and felt a sudden tension in her heart. Could it be that she, too, could not escape such a fate?
The later Yuanzheng was the most brutal, and she was somewhat unsure of what to do.
"Little darling, come to your mother's side!" Consort Tong called Qingyan to her side and explained to Little darling one by one that none of these young ladies-in-waiting came from the Fourth Prince's mansion.
Qingyan looked at Consort Tong with a puzzled expression. Since no one was allowed to enter their inner quarters, why did Consort Tong want to summon her to the palace?
"This time, both the Empress Dowager and His Majesty felt that since you are pregnant again, sending concubines into the palace again would likely harm the child, so they stopped allowing anyone to enter. This is the explanation given to the outside world!" Consort Tong understood that as long as Fei Yanggu was alive, Kangxi would not allow Yinzhi's harem to become chaotic.
Fei Yanggu's shadow guards and the Aisin Gioro family complement each other. The next successor is Saito, so Xiao Guai's life can be considered stable.
Qingyan laughed. It turned out that the children had brought her such a great benefit.
After lunch, Qingyan helped Sulan prepare to leave the palace and return home. As they approached the palace gate, they saw the Third Princess Consort coaxing a girl dressed in a light green palace maid's dress as she walked out.
At the entrance, the two wives met, and their maids bowed in greeting.
"Third Sister-in-law, did you come back from Rong'e's palace?" Qingyan bent down and asked Dong'e.
Dong Eshi noticed Qingyan's protruding belly. She was really lucky; they married into the royal family at almost the same time, yet their fates were so different. She couldn't help but feel envious.
Yin was the ideal husband in the hearts of many socialites, and he doted on Qingyan with utmost care and affection.
"Hmm, Fourth Sister-in-law, you're already so far along in your pregnancy, and you still have to go to the palace to pay your respects to your mother? Recently, there's going to be a selection of concubines, didn't your mother tell you?" The Third Princess Consort always couldn't stand seeing Qingyan comfortable.
The thought of the imperial concubine selection made the Third Prince Consort very anxious. She hoped that things would be settled as soon as possible. Of course, she also hoped that Xiao Guai would be selected as a concubine. If Qingyan had a miscarriage due to the affairs in the inner palace, perhaps Kangxi's goodwill towards Qingyan would have completely plummeted.
"No, Grandmother and Father Emperor think the safety of the imperial offspring is the most important thing. They are afraid that if I get too busy, it will be bad for the children. So they are not planning to send anyone to the manor for this year's imperial concubine selection!" Qingyan instantly understood why Consort Tong had given them a heads-up in advance.
Someone like the Third Prince's wife, who was just watching the show, would definitely not let her off the hook.
Consort Tong's instructions were for her own good, but Lady Dong'e was very disappointed. There wasn't a trace of sadness on Xiao Guai's face.
"Third Sister-in-law, who are these two behind you...?" Qingyan was not one to suffer in silence. Seeing Dong E's expression, she immediately prepared to retaliate.
Dong E smiled awkwardly. These two were personally selected by Consort Rong, and one of them was a concubine's daughter of Lady Ma Jia.
This girl was specially raised by Lady Ma Jia for the Third Prince. Every move she made, even the emphasis in her speech, was in line with the Third Prince's aesthetic taste.
“It was given to my husband by my mother. Recently, Father Emperor has given my husband a lot of things to do. In order to make him feel at ease, I had to ask my mother to find two very handsome men!” Dong Eshi was even more annoyed when she saw Qingyan’s disdainful look. “Sister-in-law, your mother is not planning to find someone for your fourth brother. You should take the initiative and try to make a good impression on your mother.”
Qingyan smiled and left.
After the carriage slowly departed, Qingyan leaned back on the cushion, looking at the palace walls outside the window. Dong'e Shi clearly didn't want anyone else to enter the mansion, but Consort Rong's words made her happily welcome people back to the mansion.
"Your Majesty, is it inappropriate to just leave the Third Princess Consort there like that?" Su Lan asked softly.
How many spies are there in the palace, waiting for their master to make a mistake?
"Sushu, go to the Imperial Hospital and invite Imperial Physician Yuan to the residence. Tell him I'm not feeling well!" Qingyan hadn't considered the consequences of her actions. Now, after thinking it over, she realized that without a suitable excuse, things could really go wrong.
Su Shu quickly agreed and left the carriage, preparing to deal with the trouble for her master.
On the other side, the Third Princess watched Qingyan's departing carriage, a slight smile playing on her lips. Qingyan was still young, and had actually done something so irrational.
After Dong Eshi prepared to return to her residence, she sent a servant to convey a message that Qingyan had disrespected his sister-in-law. Qingyan quickly followed up by saying that he was feeling unwell.
Many people speculated about what the Third Prince's wife said that caused the pregnant Fourth Prince's wife to have a miscarriage.
Upon hearing that Qingyan had not returned to the mansion and had immediately summoned the imperial physician, Yin quickly asked Kangxi for leave and rushed back to his residence.
As soon as he entered, he saw Qingyan happily eating fruit soup from a small white porcelain bowl, and his heart immediately settled down.
"Little darling, what's wrong with your health?" Yin saw that she looked well, but he was still worried. The little one had a very high tolerance for pain; he was afraid she might really be feeling unwell again.
Qingyan put down her bowl, pouted, and immediately complained to Yin, starting to talk about the Third Prince's faults. It was really infuriating.
As soon as he finished speaking, Yin firmly shut Qingyan's mouth, his anger showing no sign of abating.
“Four…” Qingyan muttered softly.
Yin pinched her little nose and said, "From now on, no matter what happens, you are not allowed to use your body as an excuse."
She lowered her head, looking like she had admitted her mistake, hoping he would stop nagging.
"You're admitting your mistake now, but who knows what you're really thinking inside." Yin took her little hand and pulled her onto his lap.
Qingyan made a face at him, her little mouth slightly upturned, and she knew he definitely wouldn't say anything more to her.
"No, Imperial Physician Yuan will be here soon. Fourth Prince, you have to put in a good word for me." Qingyan clenched her little fist and pinched it next to her cheek, trying to look cute.
Cough cough.....
He pointed to his mouth, letting Xiao Guai figure it out herself.
Thud!
Qingyan gave him a kiss; the deposit had been paid, and he needed to fulfill his duty. (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.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com