Chapter 178 All the Women in the Harem Deceive the Emperor

After the meal, Jiang Nan was about to get up and take her son for a walk in the palace to aid digestion.

Zhao Deyi quietly stepped forward and reported in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, news has come from Chengqian Palace."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan's eyes flickered slightly, but her expression remained unchanged; she simply waved her hand casually.

He gave instructions to Fang Ruo and Su Peisheng, who were standing to the side.

"Fangruo, take Erhe for a stroll and serve him carefully."

"Yes, sir."

Fangruo respectfully agreed and took Erhe's little hand.

"Your Highness, would you mind accompanying me to see the koi?"

"good!"

Erhe happily agreed and left with Fangruo, with Su Peisheng quickly following behind.

Wait until her son's figure disappeared into the dining room.

Jiang Nan picked up the teacup and gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid, her tone languid and casual.

"Tell me, what new amusement has come from Chengqian Palace this time?"

Zhao bowed deeply, lowering his voice even further.

"Your Majesty, Li Guiping just sent a letter saying that... the palace maid Wuya has been promoted to a concubine by the Emperor and given to reside in Yonghe Palace."

Jiang Nan paused slightly as she fiddled with her fingers, her eyebrows raised, her tone filled with surprise and interest.

"Oh? It's done so quickly?"

She put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, and asked with great interest.

"I am indeed quite curious, what kind of magic did this servant Li Guiping use?"

Zhao Deyi looked troubled, carefully choosing his words, and replied in a low voice.

"Yes...it was all staged, and that's how it happened. Yes..."

Jiang Nan found his hesitant manner amusing and interrupted him directly.

"Alright, just speak plainly. Is there any secret that I cannot hear from you?"

Seeing this, Zhao gritted his teeth and blurted out everything.

“Li Guiping made Nawuya kneel under the corridor of the East Annex Hall early in the morning, and then found an opportunity to lead the Emperor there. As expected, the Emperor asked about it, and Li Guiping replied that... it was because Princess Tongjia punished Nawuya to kneel for three hours every day... The Emperor felt sorry for her and elevated her status.”

Jiang Nan only heard the gist of the story.

But knowing Kangxi's personality, she instantly filled in the blanks in her mind.

She was stunned at first, then burst out laughing as if she had heard an extremely funny joke.

"What kind of audacious plan is this, that would be so outrageous as to be considered outrageous?"

She shook her head with a smile, her eyes full of mockery.

"It's just acting to deceive the emperor, right? Look how scared you are. What's so hard about it?"

Zhao Deyi said awkwardly.

"It's because this servant is cowardly. What have I thought about?"

Jiang Nan waved her hand, her smile undiminished, finding the matter increasingly interesting the more she thought about it.

"Interesting, very interesting."

A mocking smile played on her lips.

"Isn't acting to deceive the emperor commonplace for women in the harem? You just don't know it."

She stood up and strolled slowly, her tone as relaxed as if she were commenting on a poorly written play.

"In order to please the emperor, which woman in the harem doesn't put on an act? Pretending to be pitiful, acting weak, acting affectionate—which of these isn't deceiving the emperor? It's just a matter of who can act more convincingly and whose methods are more skillful."

"I just didn't expect it!"

She stopped and looked in the direction of Chengqian Palace, her eyes filled with a desire to see a good show.

"Our wise and mighty emperor was completely fooled by two servants with such a crude trick. And that cousin Tongjia, she was just sitting in the palace and a pot fell from the sky. She was inexplicably branded as ruthless and domineering, ruining the reputation of palace maids. She is probably still in the dark and dreaming that her emperor cousin will take pity on her."

The more she thought about it, the more amusing it seemed.

"This play is quite a spectacle. If it weren't for the life of that servant Li Guiping, I would have loved to go and share it with the Emperor right away, to see how he made a fool of himself, and to see just how he, with his keen eye, saw through such a wonderful play."

"What a pity," Jiang Nan sighed regretfully.

The pleasure of watching Kangxi make foolish mistakes, and the jokes about Lady Tongjia, can only be enjoyed by her alone for the time being.

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The following day, Jiang Nan had breakfast in Kunning Palace.

Chunlan helped her change into the bright yellow Empress's everyday clothes.

Once the kingfisher feather inlay is put on, the overall demeanor becomes solemn and dignified.

Normally, she could do whatever made her comfortable in her own palace, but today was different; she was there to cause trouble.

The audience was still court officials instructing the princes, so it could barely be considered a formal occasion.

The necessary pomp and dignity must be maintained without any shortage.

After dressing neatly, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror for a moment, admiring the elegant yet dignified figure in her eyes, and nodded.

"Zhao is triumphant."

“Your servant is here,” Zhao Deyi immediately bowed and replied.

"Prepare the carriage and proceed to the study."

Jiang Nan spoke calmly, with an unquestionable tone.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Deyi understood immediately and withdrew to arrange the Empress's full ceremonial regalia.

Jiang Nan waited for a while before taking Chunlan's hand and slowly walking out of the main hall of Kunning Palace.

Outside the palace gates, the Empress's entourage was already prepared.

Golden gourd, battle-axe, flag, umbrella...

It gleamed in the morning light, solemn and majestic.

As always, the eunuch Changshun led the way, singing loudly.

"Her Majesty the Empress is departing—"

The imperial carriage was steadily raised, and the large entourage proceeded towards the Imperial Study located on the east side of the Qianqing Gate.

Jiang Nan rarely uses such formal empress regalia on ordinary days, so the scale of the entourage she's mobilizing today is truly impressive.

She sneered inwardly: such a grand display to visit a scholar in the Imperial Study is quite a show of respect.

When the Empress travels with her entourage, the commotion is naturally quite significant.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the ears of Emperor Kangxi, who had just returned to the Qianqing Palace after court.

Emperor Kangxi had just sat down behind his desk and hadn't even had a chance to pick up the first memorial.

Liang Jiugong hurried along, his face showing urgency, and reported this.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened."

Emperor Kangxi frowned and said unhappily.

"What kind of behavior is this, all this panic? What serious incident could possibly happen?"

Liang Jiugong took a breath and said urgently.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress... Her Majesty the Empress has set off with her full entourage towards the Imperial Study!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi shuddered almost reflexively.

He suddenly stood up from the dragon throne.

"Nan Nan went to the study? What is she doing there? Who has upset her this time?"

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Ultimately, this led to a consensus known to everyone in the harem and even the court, yet no one dared to speak it aloud.

When the Empress goes out, she is either killed or injured!

The sudden downfall of the Hesheli clan, a long-established noble family, serves as a stark warning to the entire court and the public.

Nan Nan would never make such a big fuss to find a group of teachers for no reason.

Liang Jiugong had a bitter face.

"This servant...this servant doesn't know either. Everything is peaceful at the Imperial Study today; I haven't heard of anything unusual. But...but judging from Her Majesty's demeanor, heading straight for the Imperial Study, she certainly isn't going there to offer comfort!"

He put it tactfully, but the meaning was crystal clear.

Kangxi glared at him, annoyed.

"Nonsense, do I need you to tell me? Don't I know her?"

He was extremely anxious and didn't care about approving any memorials.

He walked quickly outside while giving instructions repeatedly.

"Quickly! Get ready! I need to go to the Imperial Study immediately! If you're even a fraction of a second late, who knows if your mistress will tear the roof off the Imperial Study? Which of those Hanlin scholars can withstand her torment?"

"Yes, sir!"

Liang Jiugong quickly responded and jogged to catch up with Kangxi.

He instructed the eunuchs to quickly prepare the emperor's palanquin.

Emperor Kangxi felt both anxious and helpless.

What's Nan Nan up to now?

Why are they suddenly eyeing the study?

Did any of those masters offend Kunning Palace by being blind?

Or... for Ilhé?

The thought of his son made Kangxi's heart leap, and he quickened his pace.

He knows Nan Nan too well. She may seem lazy on the surface, but if you really touch her sore spot...

When it comes to violence, they show absolutely no mercy.

It doesn't matter if you're a high-ranking scholar in the imperial court or a tutor to a prince.

If he doesn't keep an eye on things today, I'm afraid several masters will have to resign due to illness tomorrow!

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