The day before his departure, the innkeeper of Yuelai Inn personally delivered the account book and a list of debts owed to him in the south. Qingyan opened the list and found that everything written inside was related to the minister in the south who controlled the finances.

Several people were familiar with Qingyan, but the Cao family was not among them.

"Fourth, the Cao family isn't even mentioned." Qingyan was somewhat puzzled.

Based on the timeline, the Cao family is currently experiencing a shortage of funds and, in order to save face, is further exacerbating internal strife.

Similar to the Kangxi era, Kangxi would visit the emperor every autumn and make a southern tour every few years. As a result, the Ministry of Revenue was in poor condition and often struggled to make ends meet. After Yin took control of the Ministry of Revenue, he could only make up the shortfall by borrowing money. Even if he managed to save up a few hundred thousand taels of silver, it would soon be spent on Kangxi's birthday banquet or some rewards.

Therefore, he particularly disliked the practice of living beyond one's means, and would rather work harder to cover all the losses and save money for consumption.

"Little darling, don't let this list leak out." Yin was somewhat dissatisfied when he saw the names on the list.

They were essentially the Cao family's henchmen, likely at the Cao family's deliberate request. After all, it was common for subordinates to buy jewelry from Linglong Pavilion as tribute to their superiors.

"Si Si, of course I know. These ornaments are all recorded in detail. I also want to see who uses them." Qing Yan discovered that some of the jewelry used in these ornaments exceeded the order grade.

Yin coldly laughed and said, "The new rule of Linglong Pavilion is that a legitimate female member can only order first-class jewelry once a year. Which of those powerful officials' wives doesn't want as many as possible?"

Besides being pampered, women care most about their headwear and clothing. In particular, when officials' wives gather, they always choose different clothes and headwear, never the same. Therefore, many officials' wives have mentioned that they are always missing a piece of clothing in their wardrobe and a headwear set in their jewelry box.

"The Cao family has clearly sided with the Crown Prince, and Father has not given any hints, hehe..." Xianyan, whom Yin had placed in Jiangnan, kept sending back messages. Yin was worried that those jewelry pieces would have a negative impact on Linglong Pavilion, so he directly ordered people to keep an eye on them.

Qingyan lowered his head and drew a person's name on it. This person was from a collateral branch of Ulanana, and judging from the appearance, it should be for a legitimate daughter of marriageable age.

"Si Si doesn't want to implicate the family." Qing Yan values ​​his father and brothers the most, and there have been instances where collateral branches have caused the clan leader to be punished.

Yin took the list, looked at the names on it, and patted her little hand.

That person did not get close to the Emperor, but was instead taken to the Crown Prince's side as a concubine. Even the Crown Princess believed that Qingyan had prepared this, hoping to gain favor with the Crown Prince.

"Little darling, have your father-in-law remove this family from the list." Yin had no choice but to instruct Qingyan to quickly send his father-in-law to deal with the potential threat.

She was stunned; Yin rarely allowed people to abandon their families.

Abnormal behavior is demonic!

Qingyan asked in confusion, "Sisi, this family doesn't have much status in the clan."

"Anyone who has sided with another prince should be dealt with. Father Emperor believes in the loyalty of Father-in-law and his two sons, but the censors will not." Yin was very careful. The Crown Prince's position was unstable, and the officials were being torn apart by the princes' scrutiny.

Kangxi was somewhat petty, which made Yinzhi think more deeply.

"Yes, I'll have Sulan inform Father." Qingyan understood that the situation couldn't be delayed, so she quickly instructed Sulan to inform Fei Yanggu of this matter at lunchtime.

She leaned weakly against Yin, the situation was somewhat delicate, even such a small matter as ordering hair ornaments could reveal such information.

“The smaller the details, the more clues they can give,” Yin said, holding Qingyan’s slender waist.

On the imperial carriage at the very front, Kangxi also received the same list. He stared coldly at the list, feeling uneasy.

He was deeply saddened that Cao Yin, whom he had personally selected, had been corrupted by the officialdom of Jiangnan.

"Xuan Ye, you should rest too." Consort Tong watched as Xuan Ye sat upright on the cushions since morning, reviewing memorials one by one, and his face grew increasingly gloomy.

She noticed that most of the memorials Kangxi was reviewing came from Jiangnan, and his expression was not good. She was worried about Cao Yin.

In her youth, she was raised in the palace for a period of time and had a happy relationship with Emperor Kangxi as his study companion. Both Cao Yin and Wei Dongting were given important positions; Cao Yin held the power to control the finances of Jiangnan.

"You should take a look too," Kangxi said with a sigh.

Having held the reins of finance in Jiangnan for many years, Cao Yin gradually became more cautious and began to expand his own power. Recently, he even showed goodwill towards the Hesheli clan, and even the collateral branches of the Ulanara clan were dragged into it.

"Feiyanggu will probably find out soon. Just watch his actions. He won't hold back for Xiaoguai," Kangxi said with a smile.

Consort Tong looked at the list. She knew some of the names. Granny Cao hadn't kept the women in line, which had also emboldened Madam Cao.

"Will we stay at the Cao family's residence again during this southern tour?" Consort Tong asked cautiously.

During each of his southern tours, Emperor Kangxi would often stay at the Cao family's residence to support Cao Yin. As a result, the Cao family's several receptions of the emperor became a well-known story.

"Of course we won't stay there. The imperial palace in the south has been renovated. Fourth Prince's reminder was correct; it gave the Cao family too much face," Kangxi said regretfully.

The Cao family failed to recognize their own status and built a temporary palace in Yangzhou.

Not far from the Cao family's residence, it was clearly a warning to them.

If you do your job well for Emperor Kangxi, you will receive his praise. But if you do too much, you will only provoke his displeasure.

"Lanya, you don't need to grant the nanny's audience on the first day. Have Shu tell the nanny that you should spend more time with me." Kangxi gave Consort Tong an excuse.

Consort Tong's eyes flashed; was she preparing to take action against the Cao family?

“Xuan Ye, Granny Cao’s health is not good, so why do this…” Consort Tong was very grateful to Granny Cao. During the most difficult years of Kangxi’s reign, Granny Cao postponed her departure from the palace and stayed by his side.

Kangxi shook his head. The old nanny was the most careful and cautious person. Cao Yin's affairs outside must have been kept from the old nanny.

"The imperial physician personally examined the old woman and concluded that she has at most four months to live," Emperor Kangxi sighed helplessly.

During this southern tour, Emperor Kangxi hoped to see Granny Cao one last time, and even Empress Dowager Tong expressed her gratitude to Granny Cao.

"What about Mother...? Should we allow them to meet?" Empress Dowager Tong wanted to meet with Granny Cao outside, but they were worried that Cao Yin would find out.

"No, it would be good if Mother could just send a letter. We can't afford any more complications. Cao Yin is standing next to Empress Hesheli." Kangxi said with some emotion.

Consort Tong put down the letter in her hand, pondering how she should meet the officials' families when she traveled south.