After a few days of visits, Yin and Qingyan returned to Yangzhou. The two learned some things while they were away, such as that some children of officials would go missing during festivals.

Those people wouldn't go too far; the children they stole from officials were all from collateral branches, not a single girl from the direct line was stolen.

This phenomenon puzzled Yin greatly. Could it be that these people had spies among the officials?

"Fourth and fourth, they're all from collateral branches?" Qingyan was stunned. Looking at the information from the investigation, she felt a chill in her heart.

The reasons for each girl's disappearance were different; some were even abandoned by their families in their teens.

This really opened her eyes; she had never seen parents like this before.

"Little darling, don't find it strange, it's just human nature." A cold smile appeared on Yin's face.

"Fourth Brother, do we have to hand over this entire investigation?" Qingyan asked curiously.

"Of course, hand it over!" Yin looked at the palace not far away, his mind in turmoil.

Logically, this should all be due to someone sabotaging things behind the scenes, or someone "coercing" them.

Inside the imperial palace, Kangxi overheard the truth about the princes' whereabouts from his subordinates and felt somewhat angry. These people really didn't take her seriously, especially those low-ranking officials who were actually preparing to embark on such a path.

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince and his wife have arrived!" Li Dequan entered the hall and reported to Kangxi.

"Send Qingyan to Lanya's side." Kangxi nodded.

Qingyan entered the side hall and noticed that Consort Tong's complexion was very poor, with dark shadows under her almond-shaped eyes, which puzzled Qingyan greatly.

"Mother, what's wrong with you?" Qingyan felt very sad looking at Consort Tong.

"Come here!" Consort Tong beckoned to her, and Qingyan obediently sat down to the side.

Consort Tong forced a smile as she looked at Qingyan's bewildered expression.

"Mother, what happened?" Qingyan asked, puzzled as she looked at Consort Tong, who seemed to have been struck by a blow.

"Little Darling, are you investigating a missing person case?" Consort Tong asked directly.

Before leaving the palace, Qingyan had personally come to pay her respects to Consort Tong; she had never done so before.

Consort Tong smiled bitterly. If the Prince found out that the Tong family had also gotten involved in this matter, wouldn't he be furious?

"Mother, what's wrong with you?" Qingyan asked, puzzled.

Consort Tong smiled helplessly: "The collateral branches of the family have gotten involved, so I've been confined to my quarters!"

What?!

Qingyan was greatly surprised that Consort Tong's family had intervened.

"Mother, you can't say things like that!" Qingyan quickly reassured Consort Tong.

"Alright, I'll just tell you something, so as not to make Yin worry." Consort Tong smiled wryly.

The atmosphere inside the side hall was very oppressive, and Qingyan didn't know how to ease the tension.

"Alright, don't look so worried, Mother is fine!" Consort Tong looked out the window.

"Mother, what exactly is going on?" Qingyan was stunned. Ever since she went out to investigate, she had been in a daze. Yin and the others had thrown tantrums for no reason, and Consort Tong had been confined to her quarters.

"The less you know, the better!" Consort Tong said to Qingyan.

Qingyan was someone she had personally mentored, and she didn't want the little girl to get hurt.

"Yes!" Consort Tong's heart was heavy, but in the end, she changed the subject.

Qingyan didn't say much, and continued the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, following up on Consort Tong's topic.

Around noon, Kangxi brought Yin through the main hall. Seeing Yin's tired appearance, she sighed helplessly.

"Alright, let's have a meal together as a family of seven," Consort Tong said with a smile.

Seeing his mother's haggard appearance, Yin felt very sad. Since the Tong family had encountered some trouble, the Emperor had to set an example and issued an imperial edict confining his mother to her quarters.

"Alright, what could be the big deal? The two children can stay with me to keep me entertained, and you two still have to help with errands!" Consort Tong was in a bad mood for a moment, but after seeing Yin and Qingyan, her mood gradually changed.

"Alright, what are you two doing looking like that?" Consort Tong herself didn't think anything of it, but the two little ones looked displeased.

Kangxi was slightly relieved to see the interaction between the mother and son. Previously, she had been in a bad mood because she had discovered that the collateral branch of the Tong family had colluded with Cao Yin to set up such a big scheme. She hadn't slept well for several days.

After a night of passion, Yin and Qingyan returned to the villa. After taking a bath, they lay side by side on the bed, looking out at the bed curtains.

"Fourth Prince, what about Mother?" Qingyan understood that Consort Tong had clearly been implicated, which happened to coincide with the time when Emperor Kangxi was in the worst mood.

"I will send someone to take care of her. Father will not make things difficult for Mother. The Tong family is too disappointing!" Yin saw that Consort Tong had not been moved from the palace and was kept by Kangxi's side, which was a kind of indirect protection.

The officialdom in the south is bound to descend into chaos; the southern tour will not be peaceful.

"Will any women come to inquire about the news tomorrow?" Qingyan wasn't stupid.

"Yes, be more careful when you speak!" Yin nodded helplessly.

The women in the south are known for their scheming and inquiries, and they'll ask even more questions at Qingyan's place.

After a good night's sleep, Qingyan got up early, had breakfast, and sat down to wait for the arrival of the women. She had already made preparations for their arrival.

"Master, the matriarch of the Cao family and the ladies of the house have come to pay their respects!" Su Lan walked in, and Gao Sheng reported.

Qingyan glanced at Sulan curiously, then placed her finger on her chest and pointed outwards.

"Suzhu, go and invite them," Qingyan ordered.

Su Lan walked to her side and, while she was picking up her teacup, whispered something to her.

"Master, they went to Consort Tong's place first. His Majesty has issued an imperial decree that no outsiders are allowed to disturb Consort Tong's ailing body!" Shu came ahead to report the news, asking Su Lan to give Shu Yun a heads-up.

"Okay, I understand!" Qingyan nodded.

A moment later, the matriarch of the Cao family led the women onto the hall.

"Greetings to the Fourth Princess Consort!" The Old Madam and the others respectfully bowed.

"Grandma, you're making me feel terrible! Suhua, all of you, hurry up and help Grandma up!" Qingyan glanced at Suhua.

For the time being, the old lady's health had survived two critical illnesses, but seeing that her complexion wasn't so good, Qingyan felt a little more confident.

"My lady, I know I was wrong!" Su Hua quickly stepped forward and helped the old lady up.

After everyone was seated, the old lady and Qingyan exchanged pleasantries. After being reminded by Sisi, she became anxious, afraid that she might have done something wrong.

"Grandma, how are you feeling?" Qingyan asked with a smile.

"Fourth Princess Consort, my health is still excellent!" The old lady forced herself to come over, just to find out news for her sons.