Chapter 28: Nine Dragons
Yinxiang entered Yonghe Palace and performed a ritual of two kneels and six bows to Empress De; Lin Qingyu performed a ritual of four respects, two kneels and two bows to Empress De.
Lin Qingyu handed over the cup and saucer held by a maid beside her to offer tea to Empress De, who seemed not to have noticed at first. Lin Qingyu remained kneeling, holding up the cup and saucer.
Yongzheng saw it from the side, a flash of shame and anger in his eyes, so fast that no one noticed.
Of course, this has something to do with De Fei playing with her own mother-of-pearl inlaid jewelry and flower butterfly nail covers, Lin Qingyu holding up the cup and lowering his head, while those eunuchs, maids, and wet nurses did not dare to look directly at their masters.
The hand behind his back was clenched so tightly that the veins were bulging, revealing the depth of anger in his heart. His heart was even more cold and indifferent.
De Fei didn't see it, so she didn't see it. Lin Qingyu lowered her head with a calm face, indicating that she was not in a hurry. She did not believe that there was any place in the palace without Kangxi's eyes and ears, and when the time came, it would be spread out, and De Fei herself would suffer.
"Oh, look at that, such a big person in front of me, and I didn't even notice! Ah, people get old, their eyes aren't as good as they used to be!" The Empress Dowager seemed to have just seen Lin Qingyu, her eyes filled with pity and apology as she looked at her. She handed over the teacup and brought it to her mouth, but in fact, she didn't drink a sip, only touching her lips."
Lin Qingyu saw it and didn't say anything! If you don't drink, then don't drink, just drag it away. Anyway, whether or not to drink has no effect on oneself, showing a carefree attitude.
To be honest, Lin Qingyu really didn't like her from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps in the eyes of the Fourteenth Prince, she was a good mother; perhaps in Kangxi's eyes, she was a decent concubine; perhaps to the many palace maids, she was a legendary woman; but to Lin Qingyu, she was just a hypocritical and awkward woman.
The coldness and disdain in the eyes of De Fei had not escaped Lin Qingyu. Although she clearly disliked herself, even to the point of loathing, yet wore a face full of kindness and warmth, which to Lin Qingyu seemed gloomy, making her heart feel chilled to the bone, with goosebumps on her arms.
Moreover, when she first came in, De Fei looked at Yongzheng's eyes with a truly cold and detached gaze. Lin Qingyu had been drinking the spring water from space since then, her eyes were especially useful, and she believed that she wouldn't misjudge.
Although it has long been known from history that De Fei and Yongzheng were not in harmony, the data is the data. Seeing it genuinely, my heart can't help but feel a bit sour.
The imperial concubine handed the cup to the nurse beside her, then turned around and looked at Lin Qingyu with a kind and gentle face, saying: "Good child, get up quickly."
"Thank you, Imperial Mother." Lin Qingyu also didn't stand on ceremony, only speaking after she stood up.
Lin Qingyu presented her own handmade embroidery, a pouch embroidered with orchids and a cheongsam embroidered with purple butterflies, but Empress De only glanced at it and let the nanny take it away.
Looking at De Fei's nonchalant expression, Lin Qingyu thought that perhaps after they left, the embroidery she had painstakingly made in a month would either be thrown away or burned, and probably wouldn't have any other outcome.
Lin Qianyu's light is really painful to think about, and her fingers hurt. If possible, Lin Qianyu really wants to take it back and put it in her space as a collectible, rather than wasting it!
De Fei gave a pair of bracelets, Lin Qingyu's little self in her heart raised an eyebrow, indicating that she was not knowledgeable enough to see what material this pair of bracelets were made of?
"What's wrong with you all? Sit down!"
It turns out we have to stand up for ourselves? Without your approval, can we do it?
"Yes!"
No matter how much Lin Qingyu scolded in her heart, she couldn't show it. No matter how depressed she was, she had to thank him. Then, they sat down separately with Yongzheng.
"Now that you're married, you must get along well in the future. As for Fourth Brother's household, since he has fewer children, you absolutely cannot rely on being newlyweds and having the Empress Dowager's favor to block Fourth Brother from visiting his concubine's quarters. After all, the continuation of the imperial bloodline is a major matter. It can't be hindered by petty jealousy."
What does this mean!!!!!!!
Lin Qingyu said she understood helplessness. Was De Fei hinting that she couldn't give birth herself?
"Hmph, I'll definitely give birth to a dozen kids and exhaust her. Lin Qingyu was arrogant. Dear, you're not a mother pig's..."
Lin Qingyu's heart was racing, but her face turned red as she looked at Empress De with a bashful expression and said: "Empress is right! Father's children are indeed fewer. I will definitely give birth to several more big fat boys for Father, it would be best if we can fill a round table of eight seats. That would be perfect, each one looking exactly like Father. You don't like my father? Then I'll have more children that look just like him, and that will show you! Qingyu is delighted."
De Fei's mouth twitched, and just as she was about to say something, Lin Qingyu's cheeks flushed red, and she glanced at Yongzheng with a fleeting gaze. She then continued in a twisted tone: "Mother De, please rest assured. Qing'er is a kind-hearted and magnanimous child, who wouldn't even dare to step on an ant normally. Once Qing'er gives birth to the child, I'll definitely advise Father to visit the concubine's quarters more often. Isn't that right, Mother De? Qing'er is very kind, isn't she?"
Lin Qingyu finished speaking, her big watery eyes sparkled as she looked at Empress De, with an expression of waiting for praise.
De Fei's eyes flashed, and Lin Qingyu's appearance made her feel a pang of heartache. You're really something, Lin Qingyu, completely misinterpreting what I said. According to you, by the time the child is born, the yellow flowers will have wilted. Lin Qingyu responded with a perfect answer, and De Fei couldn't catch any mistake, so she could only change the subject with a gloomy expression.
"Yongzheng, he's always been a stubborn kid. Fourth brother's family, you must take good care of him in the future."
Lin Qingyu looked at Empress De with a worshipful expression: "Empress Dowager, you're too modest! My husband is born of you, so naturally he has the same temperament as you, and they all get along extremely well. Qing'er, being able to marry into our family is truly a great fortune."
Yongzheng, who was sitting on the other side, had a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.
De Fei was suffocated. Lin Qingyu's reaction, why is it different from the hidden, difficult and refuted expressions of others? She wanted to cause dissatisfaction between Lin Qingyu and Yongzheng, so she left Yonghe Palace with a hasty expression. This way, she can go and tell on Lin Qingyu to the Emperor, complaining about her grievances. It's also good to take the opportunity to praise her beloved Fourteenth Prince.
De Fei was about to say something when a eunuch came in and reported: The 14th prince, the 14th princess, and Niohuru Gege have arrived.
De Fei immediately ignored Lin Qingyu and turned her head to look at the door with a happy and excited expression. Compared to when Yongzheng entered, Lin Qingyu couldn't help but feel indignant in her heart.
He held the teacup calmly, drinking tea with a peaceful face, his eyes and complexion as calm as usual, without any change. He had seen such situations and scenes countless times before, and was already used to them.
Is it...? Lin Qingyu's heart was filled with doubts as she looked towards the door.
"Mother, your son has come to see you." Before the person had even entered, a quacking sound with a hint of longing and in the midst of changing pitch came from outside.
That voice was so unpleasant that Lin Qingyu wanted to cover her ears.
The two maids standing by lifted the curtain and a man and two women walked in.
The boy, about 15 or 16 years old, had the phoenix eyes unique to the Aixinjueluo family, and was naturally the Fourteenth Prince. The girl wearing a bright red princess dress, about 14 years old, with a round face like an apple, had a straightforward and strong, intelligent expression, and was naturally the Fourteenth Princess!
Another woman wearing a pale pink cheongsam was indeed Niú Jiǎo Yùyǎ, Lin Qīngyù found it unbearable to watch.
Lin Qingyu originally guessed that since there were people in the palace monitoring Xiunv's movements, then with Nalan Xue's performance and background, it was a certainty that she would be kicked out.
After the engagement, Lin Qingyu was busy tidying up the space, learning etiquette, and embroidering gifts. She didn't even ask about the other girls who were also selected for the show.
This is... I'm really shocked all of a sudden...
What the... Nima's, Niuhuru Yaya, Qianlong's mother, actually became the consort of the 14th prince?
Where have all these butterfly wings fanned off to?
Lin Qingyu now wonders if Nian Xiyao will tell Fourteen that his own father is the next emperor - Yongzheng Emperor. Will he help Fourteen Brother to seize that position?
Fourteen and his wife paid their respects to Empress Dowager De, then exchanged greetings with Yongzheng and Lin Qingyu before taking their seats. The empress dowager beamed with joy as she chatted warmly with Fourteen and his wife.
Niǔ gǒu lù yù yǎ zhì jìn le wū zǐ, jiù yǎn shén guǐ yì de dīng zhe lín qīng yù kàn. Lín qīng yù zì hē zì de chá, yī diǎn yě bù zài yì. Kàn ba, shǐ jìn kàn ba, jiě yòu bù huì shǎo kuài ròu.
English Translation:
As soon as Niǔ entered the house, she stared at Lin Qīngyù with an eerie gaze. Lin Qīngyù continued to drink her tea, completely unfazed. Go ahead and stare, sister won't lose any flesh.
"Niǔ gǒu lù gé gé, zěn me jiù dīng zhe yé de fú jūn kàn?" Yìn zān méi tóu wēi zhòu, zhè shí sì jiā de gé gé zhēn de mào shī.
Translation:
"What's wrong with you, Niǔgǒu Lù Gé Gé? Why are you staring at my wife?" Yìn Zān frowned slightly; this 14th household's princess was really reckless.
As soon as these words came out, De Fei and others who were speaking looked at Niu Cui.
The button turned around, not panicked, and said in a soft voice: "As for the fourth Beile's words, the fourth Furen had chosen the show with the slave servant together, and the slave servant was concerned. Now looking at the fourth Furen's face, the slave servant is very happy! You know, when our master got married, our Furen almost couldn't get up the next day. So..."
This sentence is very good and powerful!!!!!
Lin Qingyu's face turned pale with a cold sweat. The implication was not only that the Fourth Prince was no good, but also that the Fourteenth Prince was very capable.
As soon as the words were spoken, Yongzheng's face turned black.
Yin Zhen glanced at Niu Kui, who received praise from his own father and looked self-satisfied. The 14th Fu Jin's face was flushed with shyness, but a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.
A moment of silence in the room.
"Hehe……" Lin Qingyu's face was slightly embarrassed, and she said shyly: "My father-in-law, don't look at his serious and solemn face, he's actually very considerate and gentle. Mother Empress shouldn't laugh! Qing'er secretly tells you, our family's father is the most tender and loving, not like others who are impatient and violent. Emperor Mama is truly wise, assigning Qing'er to my father-in-law, Qing'er is so grateful to Emperor Mama! Next time I see Emperor Mama, I must kowtow several times."
As soon as this was said, except for Yongzheng's eyes flashing with a smile, the expressions of the others were really interesting!
"Fourth Sister, what do you mean by this?" Yongzheng asked with a hint of malice in his eyes.
"Fourteenth brother, fourth sister didn't mean you!" Lin Qingyu looked innocent and apologetic at the fourteenth brother, "Did you mean to say that you are also this kind of person? Sorry, sister didn't know, if I had known earlier, I wouldn't have said it..."
"You... you..." Yongzheng's whole body trembled with rage.
"I know I'm good, but I didn't expect Fourteenth Brother to also know that Fourth Sister is a good person. Fourteenth Brother is really great!" Lin Qingyu's eyes shone brightly as she looked at Fourteenth Brother, her face filled with emotion.
De Fei saw her precious son in this state and scolded: "Bullying your younger brother, don't you have any discipline?"
Lin Qingyu looked at Empress De with a wronged expression and complained, "Empress Dowager, you are framing me. I was clearly praising the 14th prince for being a good person, where did I bully him? Isn't the 14th prince a good person?"
"Empress Dowager, I still need to go and pay respects to Honorable Empress Dowager Rong, Virtuous Empress Dowager Yi, and Good Empress Dowager Liang, and offer tea to the Crown Prince and my brothers. I will take my leave first!"
Yin Zan finished speaking, bowed and left without paying attention to De Fei's sudden change in expression. Lin Qingyu saw this and quickly bid farewell to De Fei, then chased after him.
After leaving Yonghe Palace, Yin Zhen and Lin Qingyu went to Rong Fei, Yi Fei, and Liang Fei's places one after another, then headed towards Yuqing Palace.
As soon as I entered the main hall of Yuqing Palace, I saw a row of princes sitting inside. The crown prince and all the princes above six years old were there. Among them, the one sitting in the upper seat, wearing a bright yellow robe with arrow sleeves and holding a cup, was the most eye-catching Crown Prince.
After Fourth Brother and all the other brothers had exchanged greetings, it was Lin Qingyu's turn to serve tea.
The first one is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Lin Qingyu walked up to the front of the Crown Prince's seat, knelt down, took over the teacup and said: "Your Highness, please have some tea."
The prince took over the tea and drank a mouthful, saying: "Brother and sister, please get up!"
His voice is very gentle, giving people a feeling of spring breeze.
Lin Qingyu looked up quietly, and what entered her eyes was a handsome face with a long face, similar to Kangxi by 80%. The glass-like eyes revealed confidence and majesty, not at all the tyranny, arrogance and excessive indulgence described in history books. At this time, the curtain of seizing the throne had just been opened, his position was very stable, and he didn't have the distress and anxiety of being forced and framed later on.
The prince handed the cup to a eunuch beside him, picked up a palm-sized red box with one hand, and smiled: "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Lin Qingyu held the box and thanked the prince before placing it on a tray held by a maid.
Then it's Big Brother!
Da A Ge Yin Yan, 30 years old this year, has some military qualities on his body, and the whole person is refreshing and elegant. Due to long-term riding and sunbathing, he appears dark-skinned. Lin Qingyu took a look and brought some subtle good feelings.
Third Brother Yin Qi, at the age of 27, he is one of the most ordinary-looking among several brothers. Perhaps due to reading a lot of books, he has an air of bookishness, giving people a different perspective.
The fifth brother had a faint scar on his face, but it didn't affect his good looks at all. However, he himself was obviously very self-conscious about it, and as a result, the whole person seemed somewhat gloomy.
The Seventh Prince, although crippled in the foot, was different from the Fifth Prince's gloominess. He was very gentle, but had a sense of detachment. Perhaps it was because he was born with a disability and got used to it since childhood.
Lin Qingyu saw the Eighth Prince, Yi Xun, and only then did she understand what a humble gentleman was like. He was warm and refined, giving people a feeling of wanting to get close to him. However, Lin Qingyu really didn't have a crush on this type of man, so she quickly shifted her gaze away.
Jiu Ge, dressed in a bright red outfit, was stunningly beautiful. His long eyelashes on his heart-shaped face formed an alluring curve, and his peach blossom eyes were narrowed like a Persian cat basking in the sun! The adorable expression on his face made Lin Qingyu almost unable to move her eyes away. She thought: What a cute bottom, or perhaps a queenly bottom!
The Tenth Brother is unexpectedly handsome, with a lovely and delicate face. He looks like a 15 or 16-year-old young man, despite being 21 years old.
Thirteen A'ge Xinxiang, elegant and refined, looked just like the great hero in the martial arts drama Lin Qingyu had watched in her past life, with a face full of chivalrous spirit. This was what Lin Qingyu thought a heroic knight should be like.
Because Yinzhen was ranked fourth, he only had to kneel down for the Crown Prince, Da A Ge and San A Ge. For the rest, just a slight bow would do. So after one round, it wasn't very tiring.
