Chapter 46 The Empress Can Only Rely on Her Father's Favor

A large group of people from Yongshou Palace escorted Jiang Nan as they proceeded in a grand procession to the gate of the Imperial Garden Selection Palace.

Zhao Deyi took a deep breath and deliberately straightened his slightly hunched back.

He pierced through the palace walls with his high-pitched but not harsh voice, loudly chanting greetings into the courtyard.

"Consort Jin has arrived!"

This announcement was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Jiang Nan nodded to herself, quite satisfied with Zhao Deyi's perfectly timed display of pomp and circumstance.

Tsk, if she were the empress, she would be announcing her arrival right now.

Ultimately, the difference between "到" and "驾" (meaning "to arrive") represents the strict hierarchical divide within the imperial harem.

She thought this to herself, but her face remained completely calm.

She held the chubby orange cat firmly in her arms, and the cat purred contentedly as she gently stroked it rhythmically.

It blended strangely with her relaxed posture at that moment.

Jiang Nan stepped into the courtyard, her eyes sharp as she quickly scanned the furnishings inside the hall.

Emperor Kangxi, dressed in a bright yellow robe, sat upright in the main seat, his expression dignified.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang sat slightly to the side, exuding a serene aura that had been refined over the years.

Empress Hesheli was indeed also serving on the other side of Kangxi.

Her face appeared calm, but her tightly pursed lips resembled a taut bowstring, and her back was slightly taut.

Every detail reveals his inner unease and discomfort.

Jiang Nan, holding the cat, walked to a spot about five steps away from the Emperor and stopped.

She could not perform the grand ceremony like ordinary concubines, but the necessary etiquette could not be omitted.

She slightly bent her knees as a simple greeting, her voice clear and melodious.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

As for the Empress, she deliberately paused for a moment, as if she had just noticed her, before slowly adding her own words.

"May Your Majesty the Empress be well."

The chubby orange cat in her arms seemed to sense a subtle atmosphere and lazily meowed, as if greeting its owner.

Kangxi's lips twitched almost imperceptibly as he watched her arrive at the talent show carrying a cat.

A helpless smile flashed in his eyes, and he nodded.

"Once you're here, just sit down and relax."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked at the cat in her arms with great interest, a kind smile appearing on her face.

"Consort Jin has arrived. Oh, and she's even brought a little one with her? This cat is quite plump; I think it's a lucky one."

Jiang Nan immediately seized the opportunity, putting on a sweet and charming smile.

He took two steps forward, gently lifted the cat, and showed it to the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty is wise. This cat is so well-behaved and gentle. It's so soft and fluffy to pet, it's the best way to relieve boredom. Would you like to hold it?"

She secretly figured that most elderly people preferred furry creatures.

Perhaps this will even lead to a cat-loving relationship with the Empress Dowager?

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was amused by her bold yet natural suggestion and waved her hand.

"I'm old and my hands and feet aren't as nimble as they used to be, so I can't carry this fat guy anymore. You can keep him for yourself."

Just as this warm atmosphere was about to spread, a voice carrying obvious suppressed anger suddenly broke through.

"Concubine Jin!"

Empress Hesheli could no longer contain herself and sat up abruptly, trying her best to maintain the dignity of the empress.

But the harshness in his tone was undeniable.

“The imperial selection is a solemn matter concerning the imperial heir and the foundation of the nation. As a concubine who assists in managing the six palaces, you should be even more careful in your words and deeds and set an example for all the women to be selected. What kind of decorum is it to bring a beast with you? If these women to be selected see this, won't they think that our royal family is frivolous and disorderly, and become a laughing stock for no reason?”

She was labeled as undignified and a laughingstock.

She intended to use this important occasion of the imperial concubine selection, in front of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the other young women.

Severely suppress Jiang Nan's arrogance and re-establish the unshakeable position of the Empress.

Jiang Nan rolled her eyes inwardly. Here it comes again, the Empress's daily nitpicking has begun.

She didn't rush to refute immediately, but instead lowered her head and gently scratched Fatty Orange's chin.

Watching the cat comfortably squint its eyes, he slowly raised his head, looking completely unconcerned.

His mocking gaze calmly met the Empress's eyes, which held a hidden rage.

After a while, a bright smile finally appeared on her face, her tone carrying an almost naive doubt.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand what you're saying."

She deliberately dragged out her words, making sure each one was clearly audible to everyone present.

"First of all, the Empress Dowager just praised the cat for being lucky, and the Emperor didn't say that I couldn't hold it. How come when it comes to you, Empress, this little thing that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor both think is lucky and harmless has become an improper and laughable animal?"

She took a small step forward, and the cat in her arms meowed, making her appear even more relaxed.

This contrasts sharply with the empress's tense demeanor.

Jiang Nan deliberately tilted her head, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery and disdain.

"Could it be... that in your eyes, Empress, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's tastes and preferences are not as proper and dignified as yours? Aren't you meddling too much in the affairs of the Empress? Even things that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager find pleasing are deemed improper by you?"

This series of rhetorical questions, each word piercing the heart, directly distorted the Empress's accusations into a challenge to the authority of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

The Empress's face turned deathly pale instantly, her breath caught in her throat, and she abruptly stood up, pointing a trembling finger at Jiang Nan.

"You...you are being unreasonable. I never meant that. Don't make false accusations."

The smile on Jiang Nan's face vanished instantly, replaced by a pitiful and aggrieved expression.

She no longer looked at the Empress, but turned to Kangxi and the Empress Dowager, raising her voice with an unmistakable accusation.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, you are both very discerning. If the Empress considers it improper for me to bring a docile cat today, then I would like to ask: two months ago, in front of Yongshou Palace, the Empress was caught red-handed with irrefutable evidence. She sent people to make witchcraft and sorcery to frame me, and may even have indirectly caused the death of the Crown Prince. What kind of vicious act is this? Does this conform to her so-called royal decorum?"

She turned around abruptly, her eyes sharp as knives, piercing straight at the Empress.

"Your Majesty, you should first ask yourself honestly whether what you've done is worthy of this phoenix robe you wear? Is it worthy of the title 'Empress Dowager'? The reason you can still stand here today is not because of your dignified bearing, but because of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's tolerance, and of course, because of your illustrious family background and Lord Suo'etu's rescue of you from the pit. You should be burning incense and praying to Buddha just to keep your position as Empress."

"You...you..."

Empress Hesheli was so angered by these words that her blood boiled and her body swayed violently.

It was only thanks to the quick reflexes of the nanny beside him that he was able to catch her and prevent her from collapsing to the ground.

Jiang Nan thought to herself, "Is that all? He dares to boss her around. He's a typical example of someone who's both incompetent and loves to play around."

The entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence; even the sound of everyone breathing could be clearly heard.

The eunuchs and palace maids outside were so frightened that they fell silent, each keeping their heads down.

I wish I could shrink myself into a shadow and hide away.

Looking at the scene before him, Emperor Kangxi felt a mix of emotions.

I felt both satisfied with Jiang Nan's words and secretly annoyed that she was too bold.

He even publicly exposed the Queen's shortcomings during the talent show.

He had to put on a stern face and say in a deep voice.

"Enough, Consort Jin, your words are inappropriate and unbecoming. The auspicious time for the imperial concubine selection has arrived. All of you, be quiet."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang gave the Empress, who was so angry she almost fainted, a deep look.

He glanced at Jiang Nan, who looked completely innocent, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

She remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke softly, making the final decision.

"Alright, let's not dwell on the past. Consort Jin, now that the cat has been brought here, keep a close eye on it and don't let it disturb the selection process."

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A heartfelt thank you to Cotton, Qingmei, and Chaochaomu for the book reviews. One cent for each review. I'm still short of spicy snacks, my darlings, please send some more?