Chapter 158 Jiang Nan: Somewhat impatient

Jiang Nan knew that although Ma Jiashi dared not say anything openly, she had been sterilized for many years and inevitably harbored some resentment towards her.

Since they are one of our own, we should at least try to reassure them.

She sat down, holding her son, and called out in a gentle, soothing tone.

"Ma Jia Shi".

Ma Jia was secretly grieving when she heard the voice, so she immediately composed herself and responded respectfully.

"I am here."

"Please be patient."

Jiang Nan looked at her calmly.

"I have advised His Majesty today that I will be visiting Yikun Palace more often in the coming days. Chunlan has also examined your pulse repeatedly, and your body is indeed in good condition, your womb is warm, and you could conceive at any time. You should seize the opportunity in the coming days. I can tell you with certainty that you will definitely conceive a child of the Emperor this year."

These words are like a spring flowing into parched land.

Ma Jia suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly sparkling with surprise and hope, the gloom from before vanishing completely.

Her voice trembled with excitement, and she bowed deeply.

"This concubine...this concubine thanks Your Majesty for your kindness and for planning for this concubine."

Jiang Nan waved casually, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalant friendliness.

"There's no need for such formalities."

She thought to herself, "Since I've done this favor, I should make sure the other party is fully aware of and appreciates it."

After calming Ma Jia, Jiang Nan turned to Zhao Deli, who was standing to the side, and gave him instructions.

"Zhao Deyi, go and summon Consort Wang and Consort Dai Jia."

"Yes, sir."

Zhao bowed swiftly and exited the side hall.

Jiang Nan adjusted her posture to make Erhe in her arms more comfortable, and said to Niohuru and Majia.

"Please sit down, don't be so formal."

She looked around the familiar side hall, where everything was furnished with traces of her life over the years.

His tone carried a genuine sense of emotion.

"I've lived in Yongshou Palace for many years and I'm used to every blade of grass and every tree. When I heard that we were going to move to Kunning Palace, I was really reluctant to leave."

Niohuru sat down below her and replied upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, you jest. The Forbidden City may be vast, but where isn't your residence? If you wish to visit Yongshou Palace, would anyone dare to stop you?"

Upon hearing her flattery, Jiang Nan revealed a smile that combined languor and authority.

"Sister is right. I was mistaken. There is indeed no place in the harem that I cannot go."

As they were speaking, footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Consort Wang, holding the hand of the now graceful and elegant eldest princess Ruixue, entered together with Consort Daijia.

———————

After the group bowed,

Consort Dai Jia was the most lively and couldn't keep a secret.

She looked at Jiang Nan, her eyes slightly red.

With a tone of dependence and reluctance, she blurted out the question.

"Your Majesty, if you move to Kunning Palace, will you no longer need me?"

Hearing Dai Jia's tearful question and seeing her slightly red eyes, Jiang Nan's heart softened.

This innocent and carefree young lady.

She has almost watched him grow from the naive fourteen-year-old when he entered the palace to the twenty-one-year-old he is now.

She knew that Daijia was very dependent on her.

Jiang Nan smiled and waved at her.

"come over."

Dai Jia followed her instructions and obediently approached Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her eye, her tone filled with affectionate reproach.

"Look at you, how old are you, why are you still crying like a child? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you for sticking to me like this?"

Her voice softened.

"I'm just moving to Kunning Palace, not leaving the Forbidden City. If you miss me, you can come and pay your respects anytime. Who would dare stop you?"

Hearing this, Daijia felt somewhat relieved, tried hard to hold back her tears, and nodded.

At this moment, Erhe, who had been being held by Jiang Nan, looked up at Daijia and then at his mother.

Suddenly, she spoke in a serious tone, her sweet, childlike voice full of earnestness.

"Your Highness, don't be sad. You still have your son. If you miss your son, come and see him. He will play with you."

He was usually close to Lady Daijia, who often played and joked with him.

Jiang Nan chuckled at her son's precocious manner and gently tapped his forehead.

"You little rascal, you're acting all grown up. What do you mean, 'play with Lady Daijia'?"

Erkh defended himself with righteous indignation.

"Your subject is not wrong, Consort Daijia likes to play with your subject."

"Alright, alright, our Erhe is the best, the most skilled at making people happy, okay?"

Jiang Nan couldn't help but chuckle and shook her head; she also wanted to bring her girlfriends to live with her.

However, Kunning Palace is different from other palaces. It is exclusively for the Empress, and even the Imperial Noble Consort is not qualified to live there.

She turned her gaze to Consort Wang, her expression gentle yet carrying a hint of solemn entrustment.

"After I move to Kunning Palace, Yongshou Palace will be handed over to you."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wang immediately rose and said with trepidation.

"Your Highness, this...how can this be? Yongshou Palace is Your Highness's former residence, of extraordinary significance, and the responsibility of the head of the palace is immense. Please, Sister Dai Jia..."

Jiang Nan gently waved her hand, interrupting her, her tone calm yet unquestionable.

"You gave birth to the eldest princess, Ruixue, and have rendered meritorious service to the royal family. In this grand conferment, you are promoted to the rank of Consort, which is perfectly justified. You are the most suitable person to serve as the head of Yongshou Palace. Sister Daijia's family background and qualifications are not enough. This time, the number of Consort positions is limited, and I cannot guarantee that she will be granted the rank of Consort."

Her gaze swept over the two of them, and she spoke earnestly.

"You have all been with me for many years, and I know your personalities well. But Wang, you must remember that if you are promoted, you must not become arrogant or put on airs towards Dai Jia."

Consort Wang curtsied respectfully, her tone sincere.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will never forget my roots. My sister Dai Jia and I are like sisters. We have supported each other for many years. In the future, in Yongshou Palace, we will continue to live in harmony and will never fail Your Majesty's trust."

Seeing her earnest words, Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction.

"Yes, I am relieved that you think this way. In any case, never forget the friendship we have now."

——————

The following morning, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict in the front court.

Tong Guowei's eldest daughter, of the Tongjia clan, entered the palace that very day, was granted the title of Gege (a concubine rank), enjoyed the treatment of a consort, and was given residence in Chengqian Palace.

This imperial decree did not cause much of a stir in the Kunning Palace.

Zhao Deyi mainly felt that the joy of moving to a new house should not spoil the Empress's mood.

Jiang Nan stood in the center of the main hall of Kunning Palace, looking around at the palace, which was even more spacious and magnificent than Yongshou Palace.

With its vermilion beams and pillars, and gold-paved floors, the grandeur of the palace indeed echoes the imperial court's governance.

Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction. She had been to the main hall many times before, so there was nothing special about it. She then quickly entered the sleeping quarters.

The thought of Hesheli hanging herself here made me feel that the sleeping quarters were somewhat ominous.

She felt no fear whatsoever at the bedchamber where the hanged man lay.

She even felt a little disdainful.

She was never afraid when she was alive, so why would she turn into a vengeful ghost after she died and seek revenge?

Daijia followed him into the bedchamber, looking like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time.

They looked around the huge bedroom, occasionally exclaiming in amazement and chattering incessantly.

Jiang Nan was getting a headache from her nagging and spoke up helplessly.

"Can't you be quiet for a bit? I've seen you jumping around since this morning. What's so special about the bricks and tiles of Kunning Palace? If you keep making such a racket and disturb Hesheli's peace, she might come looking for you tonight."

Upon hearing this, Dai Jia shrank her neck, exaggeratedly covered her mouth, and whispered something to Jiang Nan.

"Your Majesty, please don't frighten me. I'm easily frightened. If I'm really scared, I won't dare to sleep alone at night. Instead, I'll come to Kunning Palace and sleep in Your Majesty's bed."

Jiang Nan was amused by her playful antics and waved her hand as if shooing away a bird.

"Alright, alright, let's go back to Yongshou Palace. You've seen what you needed to see and looked at what you needed to look at. I didn't prepare any meals for you today."

Dai Jia then smiled and curtsied before taking her leave.

Su Jing, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, handled matters with utmost care.

He had already ordered that all the curtains, bedding, utensils, and even all the furnishings in the bedroom be replaced with brand new ones.

The goal is to ensure she lives comfortably without leaving any trace of the previous owner.

After Dai Jia left, Jiang Nan deliberately walked to the beam where Hesheli had hanged herself.

He clicked his tongue and tilted his head back to examine it carefully, his expression unchanged, showing no sign of apprehension.

Chunlan, who was following behind, couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, are you... really not afraid at all?"

Jiang Nan withdrew her gaze, glanced at her, and spoke with a hint of disdain.

"What's there to be afraid of? Your Majesty has even walked through the gates of hell, why would I be afraid of a mere wisp of a dead soul in the Forbidden City?"

Chunlan smiled, carefully choosing her tone before reporting.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing... His Majesty issued a decree this morning in the imperial court that Princess Tongjia will enter the palace today, enjoy the treatment of a concubine, and be granted residence in Chengqian Palace."

As she spoke, she observed Jiang Nan's expression.

Jiang Nan waved his hand dismissively.

"What? You're only telling me now? Are you afraid I'll be unhappy? Chunlan, don't you know me? I'd love to see some fresh faces and have some fun."

She thought to herself, "The hidden dangers of incestuous marriage, that palace maid Wuya who climbed into my bed in Chengqian Palace..."

The drama that follows is sure to be very exciting.

She was so looking forward to it, why would she stop her?

Even if Emperor Kangxi wanted to pass the empress position to Lady Tongjia right now, she would probably applaud it.

After all, it would be more interesting and enjoyable for her to challenge a high-ranking queen if she remained at a low rank as before.

Unfortunately, Emperor Kangxi had no such intention.

Since she didn't have the opportunity to participate herself.

Then I'll sit back and watch them compete, occasionally acting as a referee, finding it quite entertaining to see them vying for attention.

Of course, it would be even more interesting if someone dared to provoke them out of ignorance.

It's a good opportunity to let them experience the thunderous methods and absolute authority of the Empress.