Chapter 102 Is Xiao Zhaoren going to die?

The next morning, Jiang Nan was sitting at the dining table, leisurely eating her breakfast.

A bowl of soft and fragrant rice porridge, and a few plates of delicate and refreshing side dishes.

A steaming basket of freshly steamed crab roe soup dumplings.

She ate slowly, her posture relaxed and content.

Chunlan stood by, carefully serving the dishes.

Zhao Deyi stood not far away with his hands at his sides and a bow, reporting in a low voice the latest developments at Kunning Palace from the previous night.

Jiang Nan picked up a soup dumpling and gently blew on it.

As she listened, she took small sips of the juicy flavor, and the delicious taste made her squint her eyes slightly.

Zhao Deyi spoke calmly and steadily, and then the Empress woke up. Kangxi bestowed upon her the name Chenghu.

When Jiang Nan heard the name Cheng Hu, her chopsticks, which were picking up side dishes, paused slightly.

It seems that this child's fate is ultimately unchangeable. I wonder if he can survive for more than three years in this time and space.

The thought flashed through her mind, but her face remained expressionless.

He continued to put the food into his mouth, chewed it carefully, and swallowed it before wiping the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief and speaking in a calm tone.

"I understand."

She looked up at Zhao Deyi.

"The Empress's accusations, the Emperor's bestowal of a name, is there anything else?"

Zhao Deyi quickly replied.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty issued an edict this morning, stating that the morning and evening greetings to the Empress should be temporarily suspended as a sign of consideration for her during her postpartum period."

Jiang Nan nodded upon hearing this.

This is good news. At least Wang Shi and Dai Jia Shi can have more free time and spend more time with her in Yongshou Palace to relieve her boredom.

"Yes, it's good that it's stopped; everyone can have some peace and quiet."

She put down the handkerchief, as if she had thought of something, and asked again.

"Has Sister Niohuru arrived yet? And what about Lady Wang and Lady Daijia?"

Zhao Deyi's face broke into a smile.

"Your Majesty, the three masters have arrived and are waiting in the side hall. Knowing that you are having a meal, they did not dare to disturb you."

A genuine smile appeared on Jiang Nan's face.

This is a tacit understanding that Yongshou Palace has developed in recent months.

Ever since the advent of playing cards, as long as Jiang Nan hasn't spoken, [the situation has been as follows].

The three women, Niohuru, Wang, and Daijia, would gather in the side hall almost every day without fail, either playing cards or chatting, forming a small clique.

Yesterday, the Empress gave birth, and Jiang Nan didn't specifically say to stop; they still came as usual.

"Alright, I've used up almost all of mine."

Jiang Nan stood up, and Chunlan quickly stepped forward to help her.

She is now six months pregnant and her movements are a little cumbersome, but she looks great.

The group moved to a side hall.

Sure enough, the three of them were already sitting and waiting, with Daijia holding the three-month-old princess in her arms.

Upon seeing Jiang Nan enter, the three of them quickly stood up to pay their respects.

Jiang Nan waved casually and smiled.

"Alright, alright, there are no outsiders here, so let's skip the formalities."

Her gaze fell on the adorable little baby in Dai Jia's arms.

His gaze softened instantly, revealing obvious affection.

"Sister Daijia, have you had enough? Quickly bring the little princess to me. I've missed her terribly since I last saw her."

Lady Wang smiled gently, knowing that her daughter's favor with Consort Jin was even more beneficial to her and her son.

Jiang Nan took the little princess from Dai Jia's hands, held her skillfully, and teased her with her head down.

The little princess opened her big, dark eyes and wasn't afraid of strangers.

When Jiang Nan teased it, it started babbling in baby talk and waving its little fists, looking incredibly cute.

"Oh my, look at our little princess, she's getting even plumper and whiter, just like a little glutinous rice ball."

Jiang Nan smiled broadly, gently tapping the child's tender cheek with her finger.

Enjoying the pure dependence and interaction of a baby.

This adorable little cub is really fun to play with.

However, at this moment, the little dumpling was innocent and cute just a moment ago.

The next moment might bring you a surprise; poop and pee might come out of nowhere.

She teased the child for a while before handing him back to Wang.

She didn't sit down but addressed the three of them.

“Let’s not play cards today. His Majesty must be in a bad mood because of the matter of the eldest son. Let’s not be too noisy, lest we offend His Majesty. Let’s just sit and chat about everyday things.”

The three of them naturally nodded in agreement.

Jiang Nan then looked at Niohuru, her tone as usual but with an unquestionable air.

"Sister, please come with me to the inner palace for a chat."

Niohuru understood immediately, and roughly knew what Jiang Nan wanted to ask.

As expected, when the eldest son got into trouble, Jiang Nan suspected her first, and then calmly replied.

"yes."

Jiang Nan took the lead and walked towards the inner hall.

Niohuru followed closely behind.

Upon entering the inner hall, Jiang Nan gave instructions to Zhao Deyi and Chunlan, who were standing by.

"You all go out and keep watch, and close the palace gates. If the Emperor comes, Zhao Deyi, you can announce it loudly from outside."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Deyi and Chunlan bowed in agreement, then quietly withdrew and gently closed the palace door.

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The inner palace immediately fell silent, leaving only Jiang Nan and Niohuru.

After the two were seated, Jiang Nan looked directly at Niohuru and got straight to the point, her voice low but clear.

"Sister, you were the one who caused the Empress's pregnancy to go wrong, weren't you?"

Niohuru showed no sign of panic upon hearing this.

She met Jiang Nan's gaze calmly, nodded, and spoke in a similarly calm tone.

“Sister, you have such discerning eyes. It was I who did it.”

She paused, her tone becoming solemn, even carrying a hint of a vow.

"Sister, rest assured. You could have easily ruined me because of the matter of the palace maid, but you didn't make a big fuss. From that moment on, I was determined to follow your lead and have no other thoughts."

Jiang Nan felt a little smug, waved her hand casually, and kept her face expressionless.

She recalled that after Empress Hesheli died, she had only been empress for less than half a year before she also died of illness.

He then changed the subject, staring intently at Niohuru.

"I brought this up today not because I fear you might use any tricks against me, but mainly to remind you. The Empress is foolish, not stupid, and Lady Hesheli is not simple either. They must now be convinced that you were responsible. The fact that a perfectly good legitimate son could not be raised properly is enough to drive the Empress and the Hesheli family crazy. Next, they are very likely to launch the most insane revenge against you."

She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice.

"Poisoning, creating accidents, even... bribing assassins. Now that you are a concubine, you are a big target. There are many people and eyes in Yikun Palace, and it is hard to guarantee that there are no spies they have bribed or planted. You must be extremely careful. You must be vigilant in everything you do, from food and drink to daily life and travel. You cannot be careless."

Niohuru listened attentively, a hint of seriousness flashing in her eyes, but no fear.

“Your sister’s reminder is well-deserved. I’ve taken note of it. It won’t be so easy for Hesheli to take my life. She’ll resort to these underhanded tactics. I will be extra careful. I will have someone watch the small kitchen in Yikun Palace around the clock, and I will increase the number of guards when I go in and out. I will never let her succeed.”

Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Jiang Nan softened her tone, which carried a hint of awkward concern.

"You know that much. Just don't let the Empress kill you. If you die, I'll be missing someone to talk to and have fun with in this harem. How boring would that be?"

Hearing this unusual concern, Niohuru felt a warmth in her heart.

She remained silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was filled with hatred and determination.

"To be honest, sister, I am not afraid of death. Since I dared to do this, I have thought about the consequences. If it really comes to the point of mutual destruction, I have a way to drag Hesheli down to hell with me."

Her eyes turned deep and unfathomable, filled with a fanatical madness.

"The reason I didn't take her life directly is because I wanted her to live, to suffer unbearable pain every day from the son she couldn't raise, to endure despair and hatred every day, to suffer endless torment, until finally... she completely broke down and went mad."

Even Jiang Nan raised an eyebrow upon hearing these words, almost startling her.

"Since you know what's going on, I won't say any more. I'm even thinking of making you empress after Empress Hesheli dies or is deposed."

Niu Kulu suddenly stood up, feeling that Jiang Nan was testing him.

"Your Majesty, I am alive only to avenge my family, and I have no desire for the position of Empress. If I can see Hesheli die in despair and pain, I will have no regrets in this life."

"Oh dear, what are you saying? I am too... I can't be an empress like this. Never mind... we'll talk about it later."

Jiang Nan looked at the stubborn Niohuru helplessly.

It seems that she has ruined Empress Xiaozhaoren. Is she trying to make Jiang Nan take over the position of the future empress?

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Jiang Nan: I'll do this for Emperor Kangxi: let's make Niohuru the Empress.