Just a few days after the banquet, bad news came from the Cao family: Granny Cao had passed away, which greatly saddened Emperor Kangxi.

When the news arrived, Qingyan happened to be paying her respects to Consort Tong. She noticed that Consort Tong did not show any surprise.

It seems that Consort Tong already knew in advance.

"It's good that the old nanny left now; it's better than watching Cao Yin and the Cao family decline later," Consort Tong said helplessly.

Qingyan's heart skipped a beat, wondering if Cao Mama's disappointment was genuine.

A few days ago, she went to the Cao family banquet in person. Cao Mama was in very good health and did not look like someone who was seriously ill. However, in just a few days, Cao Mama passed away.

"You've changed into mourning clothes, go with Yin to pay respects." Consort Tong sent Qingyan back immediately.

Upon arriving at the villa, Qingyan saw Yin changing into mourning clothes, and she went into the inner chamber.

"Little darling, have you heard about Granny Cao?" Yin understood Kangxi's implication: with problems arising in the Cao family, Granny Cao's name probably wouldn't last much longer.

A few days ago, he agreed to let Qingyan attend the banquet, also to give Granny Cao one last glorious opportunity.

He waited for several days, and when the bad news came, he felt a sense of relief.

"Was it done from over there?" Qingyan didn't understand. Why would Granny Cao choose to leave when she was enjoying herself?

Yin shook his head with a wry smile. He figured that Cao Mama's decision to leave at this time was probably to buy Cao Yin some time.

If Cao Yin had been able to return to his hometown with the imperial family, he could have avoided the most brutal struggle for the throne.

In fact, Cao Mama ultimately chose to help Cao Yin. Kangxi was very disappointed in Cao Mama, largely because of her choice.

Yesterday, Empress Dowager Tong visited Granny Cao. The two of them secretly investigated for a long time, and Granny Cao fell ill in the evening.

This morning, Cao Yin took leave and prepared to return to his hometown with his wife, children, and elderly relatives.

"Let's go take a look first, and we'll talk about the rest when we get back." Yin hurriedly urged Qingyan to change into plain clothes, and the two went directly to the mansion.

When Qingyan visited again, he never expected to see such a scene. Previously, the red lanterns that had been hanging high had all been replaced with white ones. There was a constant flow of people at the main entrance, and everyone was dressed in plain clothes, hoping to see Granny Cao off. After all, Granny Cao was Emperor Kangxi's wet nurse and had a relatively high status.

Furthermore, given Cao Yin's current position, even if he has to observe mourning for several years, Emperor Kangxi certainly wouldn't mistreat him.

Qingyan pondered for a moment and couldn't help but admire Granny Cao's idea.

She traded her advanced age and life for the safety of the entire Cao family.

“It must be that the Emperor bestowed a favor upon the Cao family. After all, Cao Yin was the one who accompanied Father through the most difficult years. I think Father would leave them a way out.” Yin understood that Kangxi was sentimental and would definitely take drastic measures to prevent the Cao family from being completely wiped out.

As Qingyan stepped into the Cao family's gate, she felt a little stiff. The entire courtyard was covered in white, and even the trees were adorned with white silk flowers.

"Fourth Master, Fourth Princess, please come in quickly." Cao Yin stood at the entrance of the main courtyard to greet the guests.

When Qingyan looked up, she saw that Cao Yin's hair had turned gray overnight, and his face looked exhausted, as if he had aged a lot.

"Lord Cao, please accept my condolences," Yin said sincerely.

Cao Yin nodded slightly. Several princes came to offer their condolences, but Yin didn't even wear the yellow sash of a prince, nor did she wear any bright colors. Qingyan's headdress was carved from white jade, making her even more meticulous compared to the other female relatives.

"Fourth Master, please come in first. Mother's passing was too sudden, and the mansion was not quite ready. The other gentlemen are all in the side hall." Cao Yin made way for him, and Yin led Qingyan into the main hall to offer incense to Granny Cao.

Standing behind Yin, Qingyan noticed that all the female members of the Cao family were kneeling in the hall. Madam Cao, dressed in mourning clothes, was kneeling at the very front of the hall, followed closely by several beautiful women.

Those women were much younger than Madam Cao; they were probably Cao Yin's favored concubines.

"Fourth Brother, who are those people?" Qingyan asked directly, using the convenience of the space.

“It should be one of Cao Yin’s concubines. Father Emperor investigated and found that three of Cao Yin’s previous favorite concubines were personally trained by the White Lotus Sect,” Yin replied quietly.

Inside the main hall, the women were all weeping, as if they were heartbroken.

Qingyan couldn't help but wonder why the newly arrived concubines, who probably hadn't spent any time with Granny Cao, were now crying with tears streaming down their faces.

The scene before her reminded her of Consort Ling, recorded in Qing Dynasty history. Wasn't she the one who rose to power by stepping on the dead?

"Fourth Prince, those women cry so beautifully." Qingyan watched as Yin moved among the officials, and took the opportunity to observe the women of the Cao family.

Soon, Yin led Qingyan around the main hall and to a side hall specially set up for the princes.

"Fourth brother, you're late." Yin Zhi said sarcastically as he looked at Yin Jin.

"Third Master, please don't be offended. I went to pay my respects to Mother. You were late because you were waiting for me," Qingyan stopped Yin from explaining.

Yin Zhi's lips twitched; Qing Yan's words were too tricky.

“My sister-in-law is very filial.” Dong Eshi had no choice but to step in and speak up for her.

Consort Rong disliked Consort Dong'e, and every time she went to pay her respects, she would bring her maids back to her residence two or three times out of ten.

Over time, apart from going to the palace to pay her respects according to the rules, Dong Eshi would not go there much else.

Qingyan smiled slightly, which was considered a reply to the Third Princess Consort.

Yin Genjue Luo sat to the side, adjusting the pear blossom white jade hairpin in her hair. It was a gift from Qing Yan, and she had always loved it, keeping it by her side at all times. Who would have thought that she would have to use it today?

"Alright." The Crown Prince spoke up as he watched the women arguing. "We're still in the Cao family, so let's all behave ourselves. Crown Princess, you should say something too."

The Crown Princess's face was not in a good light. The sisters-in-law checked and balanced each other, and no one could become too powerful.

Her status as the Crown Prince's primary consort only gave her an advantage among the wives of officials; her words carried little weight among her sisters-in-law.

Yin didn't speak, but held her right hand with his left, telling her not to bother with those people.

"Alright, Father Emperor might come over to pay his respects in person later, so everyone be respectful." The Crown Prince had received the news that Kangxi had already left the imperial palace to come and pay his respects to Granny Cao.

Yin played with the thumb ring on his hand, while everyone else was very nervous. Even the Third Princess Consort was looking at her headdress in a bronze mirror to see if there was anything that didn't conform to the rules. After looking at it several times, she changed her earrings to a pair of silver ones.

Previously, Dong Eshi had hung up a pair of cloisonné enamelware and some red ones, but now she dared not take the risk.