Chapter 133 Let me trick the Empress

The following morning, inside a side hall of Yongshou Palace.

A game of Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game) had just ended, and Jiang Nan leaned lazily against the soft pillows in the main seat.

His gaze swept over Niohuru, who stood to the side, hesitant to speak, her expression revealing her urgency, and he understood.

She knew that her elder sister was already impatient and wanted to ask her permission to take action against Empress Hesheli.

Jiang Nan put down the few candied fruits in her hand and spoke.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Dai Jia, help Sister Wang back to rest. I need to discuss some matters with Sister Niohuru."

Upon hearing this, Lady Daijia and Consort Wang obediently rose, bowed, and took their leave. Soon, only Jiang Nan and Lady Niohuru remained in the hall.

Jiang Nan stood up and said to Niohuru.

"Sister, please come with me to my bedchamber to talk."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Niohuru responded in a low voice and followed Jiang Nan into the more private bedroom.

Jiang Nan gestured to Fang Ruo and Chun Lan, who were standing by.

"You may all leave. Close the palace gates. Do not disturb us without a summons."

"Yes, sir."

Fangruo and Chunlan bowed and withdrew, gently closing the heavy palace door.

The hall was suddenly empty except for the two of them; the light was dim, making it seem somewhat secluded.

Jiang Nan sat down on the couch by the window and gestured for Niohuru to sit as well.

After taking her seat, she got straight to the point, her voice calm.

"Sister, are you in such a hurry that you can't wait any longer and are already seeking revenge against the Empress?"

When Niohuru realized that her thoughts had been exposed, she no longer tried to hide them.

The hatred that had been suppressed in his eyes for so long surged up, and he nodded forcefully.

"Your Majesty, please understand. Your Majesty... truly does not wish to wait even a day longer. Originally, I intended to discuss this after Your Majesty finished your postpartum confinement, but Your Majesty's health is exceptionally good, and you have already returned to normal in just two days. Your Majesty believes that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications."

Jiang Nan nodded slightly, indicating her understanding of this deep-seated hatred.

She changed the subject, her tone becoming more serious.

“I understand my sister’s feelings. Empress Hesheli’s death is not a pity. But I’m thinking that it would be a shame to let her die so easily. Before she dies, why not make the most of her resources and take this opportunity to see if we can uproot the entire Hesheli family?”

Niohuru was shocked upon hearing this.

She came from a long-established noble family and was well aware of the advantages and disadvantages involved.

The Hesheli family was deeply entrenched; to touch them would be tantamount to the Qing Dynasty cutting off its own arm, which was extremely difficult.

She asked cautiously.

"How does Your Majesty intend to... utilize this?"

Jiang Nan leaned forward slightly, her eyes flashing with calculation.

"What I want is for the Empress to expose to the world all the insidious schemes she has used against you, Prince Chengrui, and the other concubines in the harem. Not to be dealt with in private within the harem, but to expose her to the princes, ministers, and nobles, so that the entire Hesheli family will suffer a great disgrace and be forced to shut themselves out of the court and the world. Then, the Emperor will have every reason to completely crush the Hesheli family."

Niohuru was deeply moved; this was indeed a ruthless move that struck at the heart of the matter.

But after a moment's thought, she realized the matter was too difficult and spoke with some doubt.

"Your Majesty's plan is brilliant! But the Empress is no fool; how could she easily admit to such a serious crime?"

Jiang Nan smiled knowingly.

"Therefore, we cannot expect her to admit it voluntarily. Instead, we must force her to admit it and make her slip up in the heat of the moment."

She paused, then continued.

"I have some ideas, but we still need to carefully plan how to implement them. However, there are some things we can prepare in advance."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders! I will gladly die for you!"

Niohuru immediately expressed his opinion.

Jiang Nan pondered for a moment and then asked.

"Have you heard about the incident where Lady Wanliuha of Yanxi Palace drugged Lady Nara?"

Niohuru nodded.

"Your Majesty understands. Your Majesty handled the matter swiftly and decisively. That Wanliuha clansman was incredibly audacious, and Your Majesty actually punished her with a severe beating. Just hearing the name of this palace punishment is enough to intimidate anyone."

Her tone was filled with admiration for Jiang Nan's methods.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Jiang Nan's face.

The punishment of being "reddened by a foot" was not her original idea.

They quickly changed the subject.

"The medicine that was administered was delivered to Yongshou Palace by the palace servants of Yanxi Palace yesterday. The medicine's name is... Datura."

She picked up a cup of warm tea and gently swirled it, as if carefully considering her words.

"This medicine is very interesting. Long-term use in small amounts will not be fatal, but it can slowly erode the mind, causing panic, vivid dreams, easy waking, poor mental state, anxiety, and even... hallucinations."

She looked at Niohuru with interest.

"I was thinking, since my sister is going to drug the Empress, why not use this drug? When the Empress is tormented by this drug and becomes delirious and suspicious, I will find a suitable opportunity to trick her in public. When she loses her composure, she may let slip the secret, and I may be able to use it against her."

Niohuru's eyes gleamed brightly; this scheme was extremely ruthless, prioritizing winning hearts and minds.

She immediately pressed for more information.

When does Your Majesty intend to make your move?

Jiang Nan smiled slightly, confident and composed.

"My little prince Erhe will have a full moon celebration. When the royal family, nobles, and ministers gather together, that will be the perfect opportunity for me to make the Hesheli family... cut themselves off from the world in front of everyone."

———————

After Jiang Nan finished speaking, she got up and walked towards an inconspicuous rosewood cabinet on the inside of the bedroom.

Use a small key that you carry with you to open one of the drawers.

Take out a small purse that is tightly wrapped in oil paper.

She walked back and handed the medicine packet to Niohuru, her tone calm but unquestionable.

"Here, this is datura. Instruct your capable subordinates to prepare it, and be extremely careful when using it, lest you accidentally kill the Empress. This medicine can be mixed into the sandalwood incense she burns daily, or a small amount can be added to her tea. It is colorless and odorless, making it extremely difficult to detect. Once the symptoms gradually appear, the Empress will only think that she has been worrying about something, and when the imperial physician examines her pulse, he will most likely only think that it is caused by the depression she felt after Chenghu's untimely death, and will not suspect anything."

Niohuru extended both hands and respectfully accepted the heavy package of sharp weapons.

She responded calmly.

"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, and I understand. I will certainly arrange appropriate personnel and act with caution."

After saying that, she carefully put the medicine packet into the wide sleeve of her palace dress and hid it properly.

Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction when she saw that she was obedient.

"You can initiate this matter at any time. I am also thinking of putting more pressure on the Empress to increase our chances of success. I plan to bring in another person to help us as well."

Her gaze shifted to the outside of the hall, as if with a deeper meaning.

"Would you be willing to accompany me to Zhongcui Palace, elder sister?"

After a moment's thought, Niohuru immediately understood Jiang Nan's intention.

Consort Ma Jia, the birth mother of the stillborn Prince Cheng Rui, lived in Zhongcui Palace.

If we're talking about hatred towards Empress Hesheli, Lady Magiya's hatred was probably no less intense.

With her on the scene, the accusations against the Queen will be even more convincing.

Thinking of this, Niohuru nodded, her eyes flashing with approval and interest.

"Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted. I am willing to accompany Your Majesty and also visit Consort Ma Jia."

"Okay, let's get going."

Jiang Nan was the first to stand up and straighten her clothes.

The two walked out of the bedroom, and Jiang Nan gave instructions to Zhao Deyi, who was waiting outside.

"Zhao Deyi, prepare two palanquins. I wish to travel with my sister to Zhongcui Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will make the arrangements immediately."

Zhao bowed in agreement and then jogged off to arrange the ceremonial procession.

Before long, two exquisite sedan chairs were ready in front of Yongshou Palace.

Jiang Nan and Niohuru boarded their sedan chairs respectively.

Surrounded by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, they slowly made their way towards Zhongcui Palace.