On the morning of the fifth day, Qingyan got up early and personally woke up the twins. They were dressed in matching sibling outfits that she had designed. Yiken'e's outfit was light blue, while Hutulifengshengzhalafen's was light pink. There were also special snaps between their legs, which she left for them to use the restroom.

Having gotten up too early, Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen leaned listlessly on her shoulder, while Yiken'e raised her right hand and rubbed her eyes.

The twins rarely get up at this hour. In order to take the children to the imperial palace to pay their respects, they have to go there early. Yesterday, they had just returned from the imperial palace in the suburbs. Yin made a special trip to the imperial palace to send over all the calligraphy that could be handed over.

After he returned, he sat alone in the study for an hour, while she played with the children in the flower hall.

"Mother... I'm sleepy," Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen pouted.

Qingyan sighed. The audience was early, and there was nothing he could do about the children's tantrums.

She carried one child in each arm and got into the carriage, while the two children slept soundly beside her.

Su Lan wanted to accept it, but Qing Yan shook his head at her. Both children were grumpy when they were woken up, and they would definitely throw a tantrum if they were woken up. Kangxi and Consort Tong also liked to spoil the children. In the past, when they heard the two little ones complaining, how could they not scold them?

"Alright, when we get to the palace, you can just stand outside the gate and don't go in." Qingyan didn't want her people to go in.

Su Lan agreed. Every time her master wouldn't let her in, it meant something serious had happened.

Later, the carriage stopped directly in front of Consort Tong's door. Su Lan lifted the curtain, and Shu took out two large cloaks.

"Fourth Princess Consort, first put cloaks on the two little pearls." Shu helped wrap the two children up. "Sulan, don't go in, go to the small kitchen to help Shuzhu."

"Yes!" Su Lan quickly left, while Shu Ze carried Yi Ken'e and took the two sleepy little ones into the inner chamber.

Qingyan safely placed the children in the cradle, and then followed Shu directly outside.

"Madam, the master said that during the audience, you will be allowed to observe from the sidelines and sit with the First Madam," Shu quickly instructed.

Consort Tong specifically instructed Shu to give her proper instructions before the banquet began.

"Yes, I understand, Aunt Shu. Have people already come to the palace?" Qingyan asked, looking at Shu.

Shu nodded. Madam Cao was the first to arrive. Consort Tong had just finished her breakfast and seen Emperor Kangxi off when Madam Cao arrived.

Madam Cao?!

Qingyan looked at Shu Dao in surprise: "Didn't Granny Cao just leave? Madam Cao is coming again?"

Seeing her surprised expression, Shu couldn't help but shake his head. His mistress was right; the Fourth Princess Consort was being protected too well.

They left the inner chamber one after the other, bypassed the flower hall, and returned to the entrance of the main hall. Qingyan stood respectfully at the entrance, and Shujin reported.

"Master, the Fourth Princess Consort has arrived!" Shu did not mention that the twins had come, after all, the two children were not in good spirits, so it was better not to face the female relatives.

Madam Cao wore an elegant white dress embroidered with lotus patterns in silver thread. Her headdress was made of mutton-fat jade and silver thread in the shape of lotus flowers. She wore a lotus-patterned earring on each ear. Her face was lightly made up, with even her lips painted pink.

"Greetings to Mother!" Qingyan observed carefully and noticed that Madam Cao was only in her forties, but her makeup and attire were quite good.

"Yes, let's start the kowtow." Consort Tong looked at Qingyan with a smile. She had specially arranged for Shu to intercept Xiaoguai at the door, just so that she wouldn't bring the two children in.

With people observing mourning present, it's still quite delicate to see children.

Madam Cao rose to greet Qingyan, but Qingyan quickly stepped aside and only accepted half of the greeting.

"Madam Cao, please rise quickly." Qingyan saw that Madam Cao had a faint smile on her face, but her eyes were devoid of any emotion.

After the two sat down, Qingyan looked towards the door, wondering why no one had come to her rescue. It was so embarrassing.

Upon arriving, Qingyan asked directly, "Madam Cao, Granny Cao has just passed away. Why are you paying your respects according to custom?"

Consort Tong was also curious, as Madam Cao's actions had given Consort Tong a bad reputation.

"Fourth Princess Consort, Mother instructed me that even if she passes away, I must still pay my respects according to the rules. After all, Nie Nie will have very little time in the south, and I must follow the rules." Madam Cao smiled calmly.

Qingyan smiled awkwardly. Madam Cao dismissed Granny Cao, so even if she had complaints, she couldn't say anything more.

Everyone knows that Qingyan often complained about the relationship between Granny Cao and Emperor Kangxi, even though it was disrespectful to Kangxi.

Fortunately, the Crown Princess, the First Princess Consort, the Third Princess Consort, and the Fifth Princess Consort entered, which finally eased the awkward atmosphere.

After everyone paid their respects, the Crown Princess and Lady Dong'e inquired about Lady Cao's recent situation, while Lady Yin Genjue and Qing Yan sat to the side, chatting about the children.

"Little darling, where are the twins?" Madam Yin Genjue knew that Qingyan was not in the other courtyard, so she would definitely bring the children with her.

"It's in the inner chamber; Mother wouldn't allow it to be brought here," Qingyan said as she got out of bed.

Yin Genjue Luo nodded. Even Songkelierha did not come over. The arrival of Madam Cao made many people wonder why the royal family had not issued an edict to allow the Cao family to observe mourning in peace.

Consort Tong, holding her teacup, listened to the conversation between the Crown Princess and Madam Cao with a smile. Originally, the Crown Princess wanted to find a handle on Consort Tong's harsh treatment of officials' wives, but now that she had asked, it was Madam Cao who had given the instruction.

In an instant, a hint of annoyance flashed in the Crown Princess's eyes, but she still wore a smile on her face.

"Your Highness, Madam Cao has arrived so early!" The Crown Princess and Consort Tong are not on good terms; they only get along superficially.

Madam Cao lowered her head, not wanting to get involved in the feud between Consort Tong and the Crown Princess.

"Yes, I came straight here after breakfast," Consort Tong said with a smile. "You didn't arrive late either. Back in the palace, the Crown Princess arrived right on time."

Consort Tong was annoyed by the Crown Princess's words, and her speech inevitably became barbed.

The women present were instantly shocked. Even the Crown Princess was startled by Consort Tong's actions. Normally, Consort Tong was very cautious and rarely embarrassed the Crown Princess.

"During these past few days of rest, the Crown Prince has visited many places. Even His Majesty said that the Crown Princess needs to be properly restrained. It's not enough to just keep a few 'skinny horses' in check to bring peace." Kangxi repeatedly reminded Consort Tong that she must make the Crown Princess understand the importance and urgency of the matter.

Is it a good reputation for the prince to be seen strolling on a pleasure boat?

After she finished speaking, the Crown Princess became nervous, worried that Consort Tong would directly reveal the Crown Prince's whereabouts.

The Crown Prince returned to his villa that night, and the two of them had a big argument, but the Crown Prince didn't take it to heart.