Chapter 64 Cultivating Morality and Character? A Holiday?

Seeing the person being dragged away, Kangxi turned to face outside the palace, his voice regaining its imperial dignity and decisiveness as he issued an edict.

"Liang Jiugong, convey my decree: Empress Hesheli has failed in her duties, neglecting her duties and lacking virtue, which has allowed treacherous officials to run rampant and nearly caused a great disaster. From this day forward, she shall be confined to Kunning Palace to reflect on her mistakes and focus on her pregnancy. She shall not step out of the palace gates without my decree. All affairs of the inner palace shall be temporarily managed and decided by Consort Jin, Guarjia. All concubines in the six palaces shall be at her disposal."

This decree once again stripped the Empress of her power, confining her to the inner palace.

The turmoil seems to be subsiding.

However, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang spoke again at this moment, her voice calm and soothing.

"Xuan Ye, since the Empress has already admitted her mistake, confinement to her quarters to reflect on it is sufficient. It's also good that she is currently pregnant and needs to rest."

The conversation subtly shifted to Jiang Nan.

"Consort Jin... although she was forced to protect herself this time, which is understandable, her words were too harsh, her actions were unrestrained, and she lost her composure in front of the Emperor. She cannot go unpunished. So, I hereby issue the Imperial Decree: Consort Jin, of the Guarjia clan, shall be deducted three months' salary and shall spend ten days in seclusion in Yongshou Palace to reflect on her mistakes, calm her mind and cultivate virtue, so that we may observe her future conduct."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi's gaze sharpened slightly, and he instantly understood the profound meaning behind his grandmother's words.

This was to appease the Hesheli family and give the court officials a seemingly fair explanation.

This is also an opportunity to smooth out Jiang Nan's overly sharp edges.

To prevent her from becoming arrogant because of this incident and becoming the target of criticism from the previous dynasty.

He remained silent for a moment, then bowed in response without objection.

"Grandson...will obey the imperial decree of the Empress Dowager."

————————

Inside the East Warm Pavilion of Yongshou Palace, the air was filled with the gentle fragrance of incense, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Jiang Nan sprawled out on the chaise longue covered with soft satin, completely disregarding her image.

One arm was behind her head, while the other hand absentmindedly twirled the glistening grapes on the plate.

But they didn't eat it.

She squinted, listening to the conversation between the two people beside her.

Wang sat on the embroidered stool by the couch, holding needle and thread in her hands, but her mind was elsewhere.

A deep, unyielding worry lingered between his brows.

She glanced out the window every now and then toward the direction of Kunning Palace, and finally couldn't help but lower her voice and speak.

"Sister, regarding today's events... Her Majesty the Empress vomited blood on the spot. If the imperial fetus is truly in danger, what will happen to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor...?"

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear—she was afraid that Jiang Nan would be blamed.

In contrast to her deep anxiety, the newly promoted Consort Daijia presented a completely different picture.

She sat in the chair below, her back ramrod straight, her large eyes surprisingly bright.

It was brimming with almost overflowing worship and excitement.

Upon hearing Wang's words, she immediately responded, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Sister Wang is overthinking it. How majestic Her Majesty was today! You saw it with your own eyes. The Empress was speechless when Her Majesty questioned her, her face turning pale and then red. In the end, she was so angry that she vomited blood and fainted. And Her Majesty's words to Wanyan Shi, 'Take her away and beat her to death,' were truly thunderous and unparalleled in their domineering power. My heart almost jumped out of my chest at that time. I just felt... I just felt that Her Majesty was so admirable."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but look at Jiang Nan with those bright, sparkling eyes again, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Jiang Nan was amused by her undisguised admiration.

He lazily opened his eyes, glanced at her sideways, and a comfortable smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh, Dai Jia, if you keep looking at me like that, I'm starting to suspect you have some improper thoughts about me. If the Emperor sees this, he'll probably be jealous!"

Dai Jia blushed instantly at her words.

She lowered her head shyly, fidgeting with her handkerchief, her voice barely audible.

"Your Majesty, you are teasing me. I just... I just think Your Majesty is amazing."

Jiang Nan chuckled softly, closed her eyes again, and spoke with a nonchalant clarity.

"Sister Wang, there's nothing to be afraid of. The sky over this harem won't fall down. Even if it does, there are tall people to hold it up. Besides, the fault doesn't lie with me; it's all the Empress's own doing."

She was referring to Emperor Kangxi, who had already reported it in advance, and since it wasn't her fault, he naturally had to clean up her mess.

Wang sighed, still worried.

“That makes sense, but the Empress is carrying the legitimate son, and her status is extraordinary. What if… I mean what if, something happens to the imperial fetus? The spittle of those officials and censors from the previous dynasty would probably be directed at Your Majesty. It would be a troublesome situation.”

Jiang Nan chuckled, not even lifting an eyelid.

"The Empress has done such a dirty thing that the Hesheli family can barely cover it up. If the imperial heir gets sick from it, they can only swallow their anger. Are they going to make a big fuss about it in the court just because the Empress has moved to my palace?"

Wang remained silent, knowing that what was done was done and there was no point in saying anything more. She could only silently pray that nothing bad would happen.

Looking at the Empress, Daijia felt that she acted openly and fearlessly, and her admiration for her grew stronger.

————————

Just then, the chief eunuch Zhao Deyi hurriedly entered from outside.

His face no longer held its usual smooth smile, but instead carried a hint of solemnity and unease.

He walked to the bedside, bowed, and his voice was a little dry.

"Your Majesty..."

Jiang Nan opened her eyes, glanced at his appearance, and raised an eyebrow to ask.

"What's wrong? Did the sky fall or the earth collapse? Look at your face, you look like a wilted eggplant."

Zhao Deyi swallowed hard and spoke with difficulty.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have just issued decrees at the same time."

"oh?"

Jiang Nan sat up a little straighter, showing some interest.

"How so?"

"The Empress Dowager has issued an imperial edict..."

Zhao Deyi paused, carefully observing Jiang Nan's expression.

"It is said that Your Majesty has acted improperly and used excessive language in front of the Emperor. You are hereby ordered to stay in Yongshou Palace for ten days to reflect on your mistakes, calm your mind, and cultivate your virtue."

He practically squeezed out the last four words through gritted teeth, then lowered his head, not daring to look at Jiang Nan.

The warm room fell silent instantly.

Wang's face turned pale instantly, and she looked nervously at Jiang Nan.

Dai Jia also suppressed her earlier excitement, and worry appeared in her eyes.

Jiang Nan was stunned for a moment, then a very strange expression appeared on her face.

It was as if he wanted to laugh, but also as if he found it absurd.

She even raised her hand to pick her ear and asked Zhao Deyi a question in return.

"That's it? Nothing more? Ten days of seclusion for reflection? Self-cultivation and moral refinement?"

Zhao Deyi quickly added.

"There is also the Emperor's decree. The Emperor said that the Empress needs to rest and recuperate. From today onwards, all matters concerning the inner palace will be decided by Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan burst out laughing, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

"Hahaha... I thought it was a big deal. Sister Wang, Sister Dai Jia, look at this, this is not a punishment, it is clearly... a demotion in name only."

She stopped laughing, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Reflecting on my mistakes behind closed doors? Cultivating my moral character? Ha, it's just a way to give the Hesheli family and those in the previous dynasty who are watching me a way out. It's a fair exchange, and it looks better on the surface. In reality, I still hold the reins of power. Reflecting on my mistakes is just a way for me to avoid the limelight. What's the difference between this and a vacation? It's painless and insignificant. It's really hard for the Empress Dowager to come up with such a term to scold me."

————————