Chapter 26 Find a female physician to send to the palace

Jiang Nan knew perfectly well that if Kangxi needed people, the concubines in the harem would be a convenient tool to use against him; their fates were intertwined.

“Uncle is a wise man and should be able to see that it is no accident that my niece is standing in the Imperial Study today. You have also seen how much the Emperor values ​​my niece. It is good for you, my niece, the Guarjia clan, and the Emperor if we support each other.”

Tu Hai suddenly felt enlightened, all his doubts vanished instantly, replaced by a tremendous sense of opportunity and responsibility.

He immediately stood up and solemnly bowed to Jiang Nan.

"Your Majesty's foresight is truly admirable. I understand. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I know what to do. Upon returning to the palace, I will immediately find out the connection between Your Majesty's family and properly settle Your Majesty's father and mother. I will never allow Your Majesty to be looked down upon in the palace because of your family background."

Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction.

“I trust my uncle with his affairs. In the future, if the court faces difficulties, or if any women of marriageable age in my family wish to enter the palace to seek a better future, you may send someone to Yongshou Palace. As long as they are women of the Guarjia clan and of good character, I will take care of them as appropriate.”

She paused, her tone carrying a detached confidence.

“My niece’s path is different from that of ordinary concubines in the harem. She doesn’t care who serves the emperor; what she cares about is truly sharing the emperor’s burdens and contributing to the Qing Dynasty.”

Tu Hai was deeply moved and his opinion of his newly recognized niece rose even higher.

Jiang Nan looked at him, then suddenly lowered her voice and dropped a bombshell.

"Uncle, do you know that today Ao Bai was executed? I was involved in the whole plan, and many of the key things were suggested to the Emperor by me."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Tu Hai looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

All Tu Hai knows is that Ao Bai was executed today in the Wuying Hall.

Little did they expect that Consort Jiang was behind it all.

And judging from this, she's one of the core planners?

At that moment, Tu Hai understood completely.

The young concubine before us has gained favor not merely through beauty or luck.

She was a formidable figure who could truly participate in the most crucial power struggles and directly influence the emperor's decisions.

The Emperor's feelings for her were far more than ordinary romantic love; they were akin to the trust between comrades-in-arms.

A virtuous wife, this is a true virtuous wife. Even if she were not the empress, her position in the emperor's heart would probably far surpass that of the empress.

Tu Hai made a quick judgment in his mind, and his attitude became even more respectful, even showing a hint of awe.

He took a deep breath and bowed solemnly once again.

"Your Majesty's good intentions are fully understood by your subject. Your Majesty, please rest assured, your subject knows how to act from now on. If necessary, your subject will definitely communicate with Your Majesty through reliable channels."

Jiang Nan smiled slightly as she looked at his completely subdued appearance.

Jiang Nan picked up her teacup, seemingly remembering something unintentionally.

He put it down again, looked at Tu Hai, and his tone became slightly more formal.

"By the way, Uncle, since we are family, I do have a small matter I would like to trouble you with."

Tu Hai's expression immediately hardened, and he bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty is too kind. Please give me your orders, and I will do my utmost."

Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction.

"After you return to your residence, secretly look for a female physician for me. Her medical skills must be superb and reliable, preferably from a family of doctors. Once you find a suitable candidate and ensure her safety, then send her to the palace for me."

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Tu Hai's eyes, but he did not ask any further questions and immediately agreed.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I understand. I will handle this carefully and find a reliable person with a clean background and superb medical skills for Your Majesty."

The Empress is seeking a female physician? It's to improve her health.

Or... is there another ulterior motive for doing something clandestine?

Tu Hai pondered to himself, but knew that it was not advisable to ask too many questions about palace affairs; he only needed to carry out the tasks assigned to him.

"Okay, then from now on, I'll have to rely on you a lot, Uncle."

This dramatic scene of family recognition before the emperor has finally come to a true close.

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With Tu Hai seeing him off, Jiang Nan left the Imperial Study alone.

The early summer sun was already quite scorching, shining on the majestic palace walls of the Forbidden City and reflecting a dazzling light.

As she walked along the long palace path, her mind was still rapidly replaying everything that had happened that morning.

Ao Bai was executed, Sony vomited blood, Ebilun was imprisoned, and Emperor Kangxi personally sent her a high-ranking uncle, Tu Hai…

There's a lot of information... I need to digest it properly.

She rubbed her temples, feeling a slight headache.

As she was thinking, her stomach betrayed her and growled.

Damn! I almost forgot about the important matter; my ancestors are starving!

She instantly forgot all the power struggles and quickened her pace, wanting only to get back to her Yongshou Palace for a meal.

Neither Ao Bai nor Sony nor Tu Hai were as important as her lunch.

As soon as she stepped into the threshold of Yongshou Palace, Fangruo, who had been anxiously waiting like an ant on a hot pan, immediately came to greet her, her face full of worry and lingering fear.

"Your Highness, you're finally back! You disappeared without a trace this morning. I was so worried, afraid something had happened to you."

Jiang Nan looked at Fang Ruo, who was on the verge of tears.

He waved his hand dismissively and walked inside, talking as he went.

"Relax, relax. Didn't I already say I'd be back for lunch? What could possibly go wrong? In this Forbidden City, who would dare lay a finger on me now?"

The arrogance in her tone returned, along with a hint of smugness after accomplishing something big.

"Besides, I accomplished something of immense importance today, it was exhilarating!"

Fangruo followed behind her, feeling both curious and helpless.

"My dear Empress, nothing is more important than your health and safety. You mustn't act alone like this next time; you should at least bring a few capable people with you..."

"Okay, okay, stop nagging."

Jiang Nan interrupted her nagging, plopped down on the soft couch in the main hall, and felt so hungry that her stomach was sticking to her back.

"Hurry up, stop talking nonsense. I'm starving. Is lunch ready? Set the table now."

"It's been prepared long ago and kept warm, just waiting for Your Majesty to return."

Seeing that she was indeed hungry, Fangruo dared not ask any more questions, quickly responded, and turned to give instructions to the palace maids waiting outside the hall.

"Quickly, serve the meal!"

Upon receiving the order, the small kitchen and dining room of Yongshou Palace immediately sprang into action.

Soon, palace maids and eunuchs filed in carrying all sorts of dishes.

They quietly filled a round rosewood table to the brim.

Jiang Nan's eyes lit up, and she immediately moved closer to the table.

Today's lunch was once again exceptionally lavish.

A bowl of rich, creamy crucian carp and tofu soup, a plate of glistening braised lion's head meatballs, a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a basket of translucent crab roe soup dumplings, and several delicate snacks and seasonal fruits.

Not bad, not bad. Although it can't compare to a Manchu Han Imperial Feast, we're living a pretty comfortable life.

She nodded in satisfaction, picked up the ivory chopsticks, and prepared to start eating.

Fangruo stood to the side, skillfully serving her food and soup, and couldn't help but ask a question in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, you just said... you did something of immense importance? What was it?"