Chapter 33 Your Majesty, You Need to Put in More Effort

After giving the instructions, Jiang Nan showed no fear on her face, but rather a hint of eager excitement and mockery.

Hesheri, Hesheri, are you trying to frame me?

She sneered inwardly. "I'll play along with you. Life in this deep palace is so boring. I'll see what kind of show you can put on. I want to see how you plan to throw this dirty water on me."

But before I can play with you, I still need to go to the Qianqing Palace.

I will not publicly accuse you, but I can let Kangxi know about this in private.

It wasn't to save Cheng Rui, who died young, but rather... to sow discord.

Plant a thorn in Kangxi's heart beforehand, so that he can see the true face of your virtuous empress.

By the way... we should also clear her name, lest we end up pinning the blame on her and Emperor Kangxi really suspects her.

Having made up her mind, she immediately stood up and said to the worried Wang Shi beside her.

"Sister Wang, you should rest well in the palace and not go anywhere. I'm going to the Qianqing Palace."

Wang was taken aback.

"Sister, didn't you say... that without evidence, it's not advisable to make a fuss?"

Jiang Nan's lips curled into a sly smile.

"Openly accusing His Majesty is obviously not an option, but I can still give His Majesty a private reminder. I can't just stand by and watch His Majesty's eldest son possibly get into trouble, and I know about it but don't report it, can I? As for whether His Majesty believes me, whether he wants to intervene, and whether he can intervene, that's beyond my control."

Her words sounded noble, but they were all calculated.

Wang seemed to understand but didn't quite, yet she still nodded.

"Little sister, please be very careful."

"rest assured."

Jiang Nan responded and turned to give the instructions.

"Fangruo, you stay in the palace and assist Zhao Deyi in keeping a close eye on the household and everyone."

"Yes, sir."

Fangruo quickly agreed.

"Chunlan".

Jiang Nan looked at the newly arrived female doctor.

"You will come with me to the Qianqing Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Chunlan responded calmly, without asking any further questions.

Jiang Nan, accompanied by Chunlan, left Yongshou Palace and headed straight for Qianqing Palace.

The sun was still scorching, but with something on her mind, she didn't find it so unbearable.

Upon arriving at the gate of the Qianqing Palace, the head eunuch Liang Jiugong saw her from afar and immediately greeted her with a smile and a deep bow.

"Oh, Consort Jiang, what brings you here today? His Majesty just finished reviewing a batch of memorials and is resting. You can just come in."

Jiang Nan is now a frequent visitor to the Qianqing Palace, and Liang Jiugong, knowing the importance of this master, is extremely attentive to her.

Jiang Nan nodded to him in return, and without much further conversation, led Chunlan directly into the East Warm Pavilion.

——————

As expected, Emperor Kangxi was resting and drinking tea on a soft couch by the window. When he saw her come in, a smile appeared on his face, and he put down his teacup.

"Nannan? I heard you've been avoiding the heat lately, staying cooped up in Yongshou Palace every day and never even stepping out. Why did you brave the sun to come here today? Is something the matter?"

Jiang Nan walked up to him, but did not sit down casually as usual.

Her expression was somewhat serious. She glanced at the palace maids and eunuchs standing beside her and said to Kangxi.

"Your Majesty, I have come today because I have something to discuss... and it's a rather embarrassing matter. Would you mind having someone else leave first?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi raised an eyebrow and looked at her. Seeing that she didn't seem to be joking, he waved his hand.

Liang Jiugong immediately understood, and quietly led all the servants out, gently closing the door behind them.

Chunlan also obediently retreated to a distant corner and stood at attention with her hands at her sides.

"Alright, now there are no outsiders."

Kangxi sat up straighter and looked at her.

"What shameful thing is that can't be heard by others?"

Jiang Nan pursed her lips, seemingly considering her words, then looked directly at Kangxi, her tone calm yet weighty.

"Your Majesty, what I am about to say is without any evidence, but merely my speculation and hearsay. Whether you believe it or not, I only ask that you keep it in mind, so that if anything happens in the future, you will not blame me for not warning you today."

Kangxi's expression turned slightly serious.

"you say."

Jiang Nan took a deep breath and lowered her voice.

"Your Majesty, your beloved Empress Hesheli may no longer be able to tolerate Prince Chengrui. She may be... preparing to take action and send your only son to his death."

The warm room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Kangxi's gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared intently at Jiang Nan.

His face betrayed no emotion, but Jiang Nan, who knew him well, could sense that the pressure around him had dropped.

He did not immediately question or refute, but remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice somewhat low.

"Nannan...didn't you already know about her ruthlessness?"

His words were almost an admission of Jiang Nan's guess.

Jiang Nan sighed.

"Yes, Your Majesty knows. I just didn't expect her to be in such a hurry. Her legitimate son is still in her womb, and she's already so eager to clear obstacles for him?"

Kangxi's fingers unconsciously caressed the white jade thumb ring, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Having a legitimate son, she naturally dislikes all the illegitimate sons, especially Chengrui, who holds the title of eldest son. However… I originally thought she would wait until the child was born before…"

"wait?"

Jiang Nan scoffed and interrupted him.

"Your Majesty, do you think that, given the Empress's temperament, she would keep an eldest son to cause trouble for her legitimate son? Moreover..."

She abruptly changed the subject, her tone carrying a hint of self-deprecation and coldness.

"I reckon Her Majesty the Empress is trying to kill two birds with one stone this time. If Prince Chengrui goes, the blame for plotting against the imperial heir will most likely fall on my head. After all, Her Majesty the Empress has always disliked me."

Upon hearing this, Kangxi's eyes darkened, and his pupils contracted slightly. Jiang Nan's words had completely awakened him.

Yes, Hesheli hates Jiang Nan to the bone, and she could very well use this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

The thought of this possibility instantly filled him with intense anger and chill.

He looked at Jiang Nan and saw that there was no fear on her face.

Only calmness and a hint of watching the show?

"I... understand."

Kangxi's voice regained its calm, but carried an oppressive feeling of impending storm.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Nan suddenly leaned closer, her tone both provocative and playful, yet incredibly serious.

"Your Majesty, I'm risking your scolding to bring this to you today. I've delivered the message. If you had known beforehand, and Chengrui still ended up in trouble, and the Empress had managed to smear him..."

She drawled out her words and blinked.

"Then your image of being wise, powerful, and infallible in my heart will be greatly diminished, and you might even lose face! You'd better work harder!"

Emperor Kangxi was both amused and exasperated by her irreverent teasing, and glared at her irritably.

"In Nan Nan's eyes, am I so useless? I can't even protect my own son and harem?"

Jiang Nan's smile faded, she shook her head, and her tone became more realistic.

“Your Majesty, this is different. The court is the court, and the harem is the harem. You were able to act arbitrarily in the court, executing powerful ministers, because you held the moral high ground and the power you were gradually reclaiming. But this harem…”