After Kangxi returned to the capital, he summoned the eldest prince, Yinti, to the Qianqing Palace overnight, followed by several ministers who were overseeing the country with him.

"Yinti, it's certain that there will be poor harvests in various regions, and famine will follow soon. How are you preparing? How much silver is left in the national treasury?" Kangxi asked the eldest prince, sitting behind the imperial table with a stern face.

"Your Majesty, since the defeat of Galdan, the national treasury has been empty. I have ordered all regions to submit this year's grain taxes as soon as possible. Now, North China is suffering from a severe drought, while other places are not. Therefore, we can slightly increase the taxes in other places, which can then be used to alleviate the disaster in North China," Yinti said, bowing his head and cupping his hands.

Several adults quickly came out to reconsider, expressing their approval of Prince Heshuo's idea. Currently, North China is experiencing a severe drought, resulting in poor harvests and the emergence of disaster victims. The national treasury does not have sufficient funds to provide disaster relief, so they have no choice but to increase taxes in other areas that have not yet experienced the drought.

Seeing that everyone was saying the same thing, Kangxi also felt that this was the only way. However,

"Yinti, have you considered how many layers to add?" Kangxi asked. Increasing taxes is not a simple matter; if done poorly, it can easily cause local unrest.

"I haven't calculated it yet, Your Majesty. Please give me a day or two, and I will submit the proposed tax increase and the provinces to Your Majesty for your review," said Yinti.

Kangxi nodded, then said, "You may all leave, but Yinti shall stay."

After bowing to Emperor Kangxi, the ministers took their leave. In truth, if they left at this time, it would already be dark outside, and their own carriages would undoubtedly still be waiting outside the Shenwu Gate. If the emperor wanted them to stay, some of them could have stood there until midnight.

"Yinti, you're telling me there's a demonic star descending to earth?" Kangxi asked. "Do you know that spouting such nonsense risks inciting unrest among the people?"

"Your Majesty, I am not speaking nonsense. I heard it from outside. I did not invite the Grand Astrologer to observe the stars. I only reported the rumors circulating among the people to Your Majesty," Yinti said respectfully.

"Yinti, I am merely reminding you not to act based on hearsay, and not to follow the crowd without clear evidence! Go!" Kangxi waved his hand and said.

"Your subject takes his leave. Father, please rest early." Yinqi raised his hands, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Kangxi, and then withdrew.

Just then, the quartz clock on the wall behind Kangxi began to chime, indicating that it was past 11 PM.

"Your Majesty, this servant will help you to rest early," Liang Jiugong said to Kangxi as soon as everyone had left.

"Hmm, the eldest prince, Yinqi, is ultimately not wise enough," Kangxi said.

When Emperor Kangxi returned to court, the inner palace began to stir with unease. After all, the emperor's incognito visit had lasted rather long, and the concubines were quite worried that he might bring back a favored concubine. Therefore, they dared not sleep, remaining in their respective palaces, waiting for news from the Qianqing Palace about the emperor's whereabouts or whether he had already retired for the night. Only then did they dare to turn off the lights, undress, and loosen their hair before going to sleep.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor won't be summoning anyone today. He's probably discussing matters with the regents. Why don't you rest?" said Granny De to Consort De, who was chanting sutras with her eyes closed.

"Of course I know, but I've gotten used to resting after His Majesty has fallen asleep. It's alright, I can manage," Consort De said with her eyes closed. Her beautiful, dignified, diamond-shaped lips moved as she spoke, a truly captivating sight.

“Yes, Your Highness. I have inquired about what Consort Niu mentioned in detail with the Imperial Household Department. All the people she left behind were eliminated without exception. How could that thing have entered the Fourth Prince's residence? It's truly puzzling,” said Granny De.

"It seems there are still people we don't know about. Is Consort Qi still alive?" Consort De asked, opening her eyes. Back then, Emperor Kangxi sent Consort Qi to the Cold Palace, and there was no news that she had died there.

"We'll have to ask. They've been in that place for so many years; almost everyone who's stayed there has had enough." Granny De said.

"Go and see her tomorrow. If she's still there, you might as well ask her. Although she certainly won't say, what if I forgive her?" Consort De said. The grudges of the previous generation should not be passed down to the next. Now, the bewitching incense from back then has actually flowed from the Imperial Household Department into the Fourth Prince's residence, so I must find out the truth no matter what. Although I know it's inextricably linked to the Fourth Prince's wife, I still need to get to the bottom of things.

“Yes. This old servant will go and see the former Consort Qi.” said Granny De.

"If she hadn't done those things back then, she would probably be a concubine by now, and there would be no chance for Guo Luoluo Shi," Consort De sighed.

"Yes, but she's narrow-minded and can't tolerate the Empress's favor. She had to do such a thing, which angered the Emperor," said the old nanny.

"Hui Rong, help me up. I just remembered I haven't finished copying a section of scripture, so I'll just finish it," said Consort De.

Meanwhile, Fourth Master had already gone to bed with Lanqin. After being separated for so long, Fourth Master was clearly getting restless, but Lanqin was eight months pregnant, so it was inconvenient for Fourth Master to use force. He could only hold Lanqin from behind and insert himself diagonally, wriggling around.

Having been apart for so long, both of them were itching to get intimate. However, considering Lanqin's pregnancy, Fourth Master didn't dare to go too far, and only made love briefly before stopping.

After the maidservants came in to help them wash up, the two lay down on the bed fully clothed. Lanqin nestled in the Fourth Master's arms, and the two began to talk.

“Master, Lanqin believes that these two incidents must have been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes; it’s really unusual,” Lanqin said.

"Yes, I think so too. I can't think of anyone else with such abilities besides her. But the people in charge of guarding her courtyard reported that she has never taken a single step out. How could she do so much?" Fourth Master said.

Lanqin also knew that if she wanted to accuse someone of doing something wrong, she couldn't just rely on guesses or suspicions; she had to have solid evidence before she could take action.

"My lord, I'm sleepy, let's go to sleep." Lanqin believed that the Fourth Prince would investigate, and she would investigate as well. As long as she found evidence against Ulanara, it wouldn't be too late to make a move then.

"Yes, don't worry. I only have my own plans in mind!" Fourth Master lowered his head and kissed Lanqin's hair.

Lanqin smiled slightly. She knew that men had their own affairs and wouldn't be interested in the underworld matters between women in the inner quarters every day.