Chapter 141 Empress Xiaozhuang: You want to be the Empress?

Kangxi's voice was cold and resolute as he loudly proclaimed the imperial edict.

"By imperial decree, Empress Hesheli, who has been in charge of the Phoenix Seal, has shown no benevolence, has harmed concubines, and has secretly damaged the imperial heir. The evidence against her is conclusive, and she has failed my expectations. From this day forward, she shall be confined to Kunning Palace to reflect on her mistakes. No one is allowed to enter or leave Kunning Palace without my decree."

He paused, his tone becoming even more stern.

"Hesheli Gabula, as the Empress's father, failed to properly educate his daughter and indulged and protected her. He cannot escape blame. He is hereby removed from his position as Grand Minister and the Hesheli family's hereditary position as the Banner Commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner. Gabula is ordered to stay in his residence to reflect on his mistakes and await further investigation."

The imperial decree caused a stir throughout the hall.

Although the Empress's position was retained, the Hesheri family held the greatest real power.

The important position of Grand Minister and the hereditary position of Banner Commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner were stripped away in one fell swoop.

This is practically breaking the backbone of the Hesheri family.

From then on, the power of the Heseri family, a branch of Sony, plummeted, and it became difficult for them to regain their former glory.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Everyone in the hall, regardless of their thoughts, bowed in unison.

Empress Hesheli heard this decree.

Hearing that her father had been dismissed from his post and that her family's hereditary military rank had been revoked made her even more desperate than if she had been stripped of her official position.

Her family suffered this catastrophic disaster because of her.

Her vision went black, and before she could even cry out, she fainted and collapsed to the ground.

Jiang Nan watched coldly and then spoke.

"What are you all standing there for? Help the Empress back to Kunning Palace to rest and recuperate!"

Emperor Kangxi waved his hand, signaling Liang Jiugong to do as he was told.

"Help him down and take good care of him."

He had a deep meaning behind the word "take care of".

After hearing Kangxi's tone, Jiang Nan exchanged a knowing glance with Niohuru.

Empress Hesheli is completely finished, even though she still holds the title of Empress on the surface.

Even if Niohuru no longer tries to kill her.

Emperor Kangxi would not tolerate the continued existence of an empress who had harmed concubines, cut off off offspring, and whose family's power had collapsed.

Her death was only a matter of time; it was just that Kangxi would end her life in a slightly more dignified way, by dying of illness.

As for the Hesheri family, it was a complete disaster.

At this moment, Gabula is probably still foolishly performing his duties in the palace, completely unaware that the storm is about to break.

When the decree of dismissal reaches his ears, he probably won't even know how he lost his job.

All that remained was a bellyful of confusion and helplessness.

He was just going to work and suddenly he was told he didn't have to come anymore. Who can he complain to?

——————

The hustle and bustle of the full moon banquet gradually subsided as the guests left.

Jiang Nan approached Xiaozhuang and gently took the sleeping Erhe from Xiaozhuang's arms.

The little one was still fast asleep, even his eyebrows exuding peace.

Seeing how she protected the child, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang smiled gently, her hand lightly brushing the edge of Erhe's swaddling clothes, and softly scolded her.

"Girl, wasn't this whole show orchestrated by you from beginning to end?"

Jiang Nan made no attempt to hide her cunning, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Your Majesty, you truly have discerning eyes. How could I possibly hide my little schemes from you?"

"You always act so impulsively."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang shook her head helplessly, but her tone was full of indulgence.

"You've suppressed the Empress so much, are you planning to set your sights on the Empress's position next?"

These words immediately made Jiang Nan wrinkle her nose, and she waved her hand exaggeratedly.

You can't ask for the position of empress; you have to let Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Emperor Kangxi give it to you. If she asks for it, it means she's greedy for power.

Doing this would inevitably make Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Emperor Kangxi wary of her.

"Oh, my Empress Dowager, please don't flatter me to death. I'm just worried because I've offended the Hesheli family too much. They're always keeping an eye on me, so I decided to settle things once and for all to avoid future troubles. Besides, this is a good thing for the Emperor and the court."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone sincere yet languid.

"As for the position of Empress? I don't care for it at all. Being bound by rules all day long would exhaust me. I just want peace and quiet so that no one gets in my way while I'm taking care of my child. Let whoever wants to be Empress be it. The power in the harem is only good for dealing with some trivial squabbles. I really can't muster the energy for it."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang gazed into her clear and honest eyes, and seeing no pretense in them, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I was just asking casually. If you really want it, I think you are capable of handling it. You are good at managing people and affairs, so I will grant your wish and we can discuss it later."

Jiang Nan didn't care whether Xiaozhuang's test was genuine or not.

Whether she becomes empress or not, she's still the boss.

Even if Niohuru became empress, would she dare to put on airs in front of her?

If she dares to get too arrogant, she can give Niu Kulu a good lesson and treat it as a source of daily amusement.

She smiled at Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.

"Oh dear, are you praising my competence? I can't take your praise. Don't let me misunderstand that you dote on me. If I take it seriously, I'll just stay in Cining Palace every day, eating and drinking for free. Don't complain that I'm bothering you then."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was amused and laughed out loud, then reached out and gently patted the back of her hand.

"You're so sweet-talking. Quickly take the child back. Be careful on the way, don't let Erhe get too much sun. When it gets cooler, bring the little prince to keep me company and chat more often."

"Your Majesty, I obey!"

————————

Jiang Nan readily agreed, her eyes darting around as she thought about escaping the summer heat.

Looking at Kangxi, she put on a pitiful expression.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say. Look at the Forbidden City now, it's like a giant steamer. I'm about to melt from the heat. The Empress Dowager is old and can't stand the heat, and Erhe is always sweating. You need to find a cool place for us to escape the heat."

Kangxi deliberately put on a stern face and reached out to stroke Erhe's soft cheeks.

"I think you just wanted to find a comfortable place, and only then did you think of your grandmother and the child, didn't you?"

"Your Majesty, you have wronged me greatly."

Jiang Nan immediately raised her voice, her tone assertive and self-righteous.

"Your Majesty, this is out of filial piety. Besides, finding a cool place will make it easier for you to handle state affairs. Don't you want to live a more comfortable life?"

Emperor Kangxi was amused by her appearance and chuckled. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke.

“There is indeed a place to go—Yingtai. It is an island in the middle of the lake built by the late emperor. It is surrounded by water and is very cool in the summer. In previous summers, I often stayed there for a few days.”

Yingtai?

Jiang Nan's eyes lit up, and she thought to herself, "Isn't this the Zhongnanhai of later generations?"

An island in the middle of a lake? That must be a great place to escape the summer heat.

She immediately nudged Kangxi's arm with her elbow, her tone filled with excitement.

"Then I would like to go. How about I accompany the Empress Dowager first, while you stay in the Forbidden City and handle state affairs in peace?"

Kangxi raised an eyebrow, feigning displeasure.

"My place has become your private domain?"

"It's not exclusive!"

Jiang Nan immediately became serious and started analyzing on her fingers.

“Think about it, once you go, all the ministers from various departments will have to go with you to submit memorials and documents. Yingtai is such a small place, with people coming and going and making noise, how can there be any peace and quiet? The Empress Dowager needs to recuperate, and Erhe is also afraid of noise, so this is disturbing them.”

As she spoke, she turned to look at Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, her eyes questioning.

"Empress Dowager, don't you agree?"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang smiled as she watched the two bickering, and chimed in to help.

“Your Majesty, Consort Jin is right. You are in the Forbidden City, where state affairs are of utmost importance. I will take them out for a stroll to relax. With me here, nothing will go wrong.”

Kangxi sighed helplessly as he watched the old man and the young man form a united front, but he wasn't really angry.

He had originally wanted his grandmother to escape the summer heat, and Jiang Nan's words resonated with him.

As they were talking, Niohuru stepped forward and curtsied.

"Your Majesty, if you go to Yingtai to escape the summer heat, I would like to accompany you and serve you, so as to help take care of Your Majesty and the young prince."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was happy to have a large and lively crowd, and waved her hand.

"Everyone, go! It'll be more lively with more people."

Since his grandmother had already spoken, Emperor Kangxi had no choice but to nod.

"Alright, you all go first. I'll come to Yingtai to find you after I've finished dealing with the affairs of state."

Jiang Nan immediately beamed with joy, and bowed to him while holding the child.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I promise that I will stay with the Empress Dowager and will never cause any trouble."

Looking at her excited expression, Kangxi thought, "This Nan Nan always manages to make asking for benefits sound so reasonable, yet it's impossible for anyone to refuse."