In the 54th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, after the first month of the lunar calendar, the atmosphere in the capital began to change.

He Zhuo instructed his family members, and also sent Hongyu to give instructions to his son's family, telling them to stay home as much as possible and keep a close watch on the household.

As expected, in May of the 54th year of Kangxi's reign, Kangxi deposed the crown prince again and even killed two ministers who pleaded for the prince's life, causing tension to rise in the capital.

"Quickly, fetch me a basin of water; my forehead is covered in sweat," Yinzhi roared as soon as he entered the courtyard.

"What's wrong? It's not that hot today!" He Zhuo helped drag the armor.

"Yesterday, Father Emperor said he would depose the Crown Prince. Today, he not only killed two ministers who pleaded for him, but also said that anyone who pleads for him will suffer the same fate. It's really..." Yinzhi sighed for a moment.

"This time, I think Father Emperor has really given up. He was seriously ill last time, but he's perfectly fine this time. He seems to be in good spirits."

"I reckon that if I hadn't given up back then, this would have been my fate."

"By the way, make sure to tell the people in the manor not to go out and wander around these days. Also, tell Hongfang and the others where they are."

He Zhuo handed Yin Zhi a cup of tea and nodded, saying, "Alright, let the servants go and deliver the message. I won't go."

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the 58th year of Kangxi's reign. As Kangxi grew older, his suspicions deepened.

They also became increasingly sentimental about the past. Li Xu's family could be said to have grown up alongside Kangxi, and now, because of Kangxi, they had become favored ministers of the generation.

Nalan Mingzhu passed away last year, and he died peacefully.

Consort Wenxi's health deteriorated, and she passed away before the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was paralyzed and bedridden, and Emperor Kangxi visited her every day, bringing her soup and medicine without stopping.

It's important to know that Emperor Kangxi was already over 65 years old. Among the four consorts in the harem, Consort Rong was the oldest, more than five years older than Kangxi. As people get older, they inevitably experience some discomfort. The four consorts serving the Empress Dowager was just a pretense; they would chat with her, reminisce about their youth, and tell her anecdotes about the young princes and princesses, which the Empress Dowager enjoyed listening to.

He Zhuo discovered that the Empress Dowager would fall asleep while listening to stories, indicating that she was already on her deathbed. The Fifth Prince and his wife were even granted special permission by Emperor Kangxi to live in the Empress Dowager's palace and to show their filial piety by her bedside every day.

If not, the Empress Dowager passed away after more than two months.

The capital was shrouded in white, and Emperor Kangxi was heartbroken. For several days, he lost his appetite and did not want to see anyone. It was Princess Rongxian who comforted him. The princess had been summoned to the palace since the Empress Dowager fell seriously ill to serve her and tell her interesting stories about the grasslands.

Before the mourning period for Consort Wenxi was over, the Empress Dowager's three-year national mourning period began, and there was not a glimmer of light in the palace.

After losing his wife and mother in succession, the once robust man became emaciated and devoid of any energy.

The Empress Dowager's funeral was elaborate, and most of the four consorts and six concubines in the palace were already old and found it difficult to cope. After the mourning period, Consort De fell ill. In recent years, Consort De had focused her attention on her youngest son, but unfortunately, Emperor Kangxi's feelings for this son were lukewarm, and the Fourteenth Prince did not have any particularly outstanding talents.

Her power in the palace was greatly diminished, her maternal family was wiped out, and she was depressed and frustrated. Once she fell, she never rose again.

Three days after the Empress Dowager's funeral, Consort De passed away.

Kangxi originally intended to visit her, after all, she was someone he had favored for many years, but the imperial physician said that she had long suffered from liver qi stagnation and was in a bad mood, so he withdrew his foot from the door.

However, in consideration of Consort De's two sons, Emperor Kangxi still granted her a dignified funeral.

In accordance with the Empress Dowager's mourning period, the imperial concubine selection was postponed to the following year.