Chapter 74 Kangxi is completely under his control

"The key to winning people's hearts lies in smallpox."

"Your Majesty, I have a way to prevent smallpox. If this method works, you can then promote it throughout the land in the name of the Emperor, so that all the people can be spared the suffering of smallpox. Tell me, how can you not win the hearts of the people and gain prestige?"

Emperor Kangxi paused abruptly in his teacup.

Shock instantly welled up in his eyes.

"Nannan, do...do you have a way?"

"certainly."

Jiang Nan nodded firmly.

“Cows can also get smallpox, but the smallpox from cows is transmitted to humans with very mild symptoms. With careful care, it is almost impossible to die. More importantly, people who have had cow smallpox will never be infected with real smallpox again.”

Kangxi frowned immediately and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"This claim... I've never heard of it before. Is there really such a rumor circulating among the common people? How do you know this?"

Jiang Nan rolled her eyes at him in her heart. She knew this from her past life. As long as it works, why worry about so much?

“The King of Hell told me this in a dream. He also said that there is no such saying in the common people because no one dares to try it.”

"After all, it's a gamble with lives. But Your Majesty, while the common people dare not try it, you can. Aren't there death row inmates in this prison? Let them try it—first, let them test whether they will die from smallpox, then let them come into contact with real smallpox patients to see if they will be infected. Just two steps, and we'll soon see whether it works or not."

Kangxi remained silent, clearly deep in thought.

After a while, he looked up at Jiang Nan, his eyes now showing a hint of seriousness.

"Nannan, if this method can really prevent smallpox, then you have done me a great favor."

"That's natural."

Jiang Nan smiled and changed the subject.

"However, let Tu Hai handle this matter. Keep it secret for now and don't make a fuss. Once you have the results, then have him report them at the court meeting."

Kangxi was taken aback, but then he understood what Nannan was thinking.

Tu Hai is now like family to Nan Nan, so having him handle this matter would both earn him credit and put Nan Nan at ease.

He couldn't help but chuckle and reached out to ruffle Jiang Nan's hair.

"As you wish. Tomorrow I will secretly summon Tuhai and have him personally oversee this matter."

Jiang Nan was satisfied. She looked up at Kangxi and couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the bridge of his nose with her fingertips.

"Your Majesty, your acne scars are actually not ugly at all."

Kangxi stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, letting her fingertips rest on the bridge of his nose, his voice lowering slightly.

"I used to think this was a flaw, but now that you've pointed it out, Nan Nan, I don't think so anymore."

"It wasn't a flaw to begin with."

Jiang Nan withdrew her hand, her tone becoming more serious.

“You survived smallpox and still managed to sit firmly on the throne. These psoriasis scars are proof of your good fortune. When our prince grows up, I will tell him that his father was a hero who came back from the brink of death.”

Kangxi felt a warmth in his heart when he saw the earnestness in her eyes.

He reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Alright, when our son grows up, I will tell him personally that his mother helped me get rid of the treacherous minister Ao Bai and that she is a heroine.”

Jiang Nan tried her best to remain serious on the surface, but she was secretly suppressing a laugh.

I'll have you, little emperor, completely under my thumb. You must be feeling pretty good about it right now, right?

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The next day, the afternoon sun brought a lazy warmth.

Jiang Nan had just finished her meal at Yongshou Palace and was wondering if the Emperor was summoning Tu Hai to discuss the smallpox experiment.

Then, the palace maid beside Lady Wang rushed in, her face ashen and her voice trembling.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The King's water has broken, and the bed is all wet. The midwife says he should be giving birth soon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan put down her teacup, her expression remaining relatively calm.

The other day I had Fangruo take inventory of the things in the delivery room. Mugwort, scissors, and clean cloths were piled up like a small mountain.

"I know, why are you panicking?"

She turned to Fangruo and Chunlan, who were standing to the side, and gave them instructions.

"Fangruo, Chunlan, you two go and keep an eye on things."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Fangruo and Chunlan's expressions turned solemn, and they immediately accepted the order, leading several palace maids who had been selected beforehand, and hurriedly headed towards the west side hall.

After they left, Jiang Nan remembered that she had something important to discuss with Zhao Deyi.

"Zhao Deyi, go to the Qing Palace and tell them that Consort Wang has gone into labor. Tell the Emperor to come over and share in the joy, and stop reviewing those worthless memorials in the palace."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Deyi quickly withdrew.

After making the arrangements, Jiang Nan stood up, straightened her clothes, and slowly walked towards the west side hall.

As the head of Yongshou Palace and the concubine who was in charge of the Phoenix Seal, she should have been present both morally and logically.

Upon arriving outside the West Annex Hall, they saw Consort Daijia pacing anxiously back and forth.

He would occasionally listen intently to the sounds coming from inside the bedchamber.

When she saw Jiang Nan arrive, she felt like she had found her pillar of support.

She rushed over, her little face pale with fright.

"Your Majesty, you've finally arrived! Sister Wang is screaming so pitifully inside. I... I heard from my mother that childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell for a woman, and if she's not careful... I'm so worried."

Hearing the cries of pain coming from inside the hall, Jiang Nan felt a chill run down her spine.

That scream... was really scary.

However, it seems that people say you shouldn't shout during the early stages of labor and should conserve your energy?

In her past life, she was a lowly female food delivery driver. She had dated before, but she had never experienced childbirth.

After a short while, the cries of pain inside the hall seemed to subside, turning into suppressed groans.

It's likely that Fangruo or Chunlan were inside offering comfort and guidance.

Jiang Nan felt a little relieved and patted Dai Jia's hand, trying to reassure her in a relaxed manner.

"You still don't trust Chunlan's medical skills? Don't worry. Even if something really happens, with Chunlan's abilities, she can snatch the person back from the jaws of death. Let's not just stand here and wait; it'll probably be quite a while."

She pulled Dai Jiashi to sit down on the chair that had been prepared for her.

Listen carefully to the faint cries of pain coming from inside, and look at Daijia's tense appearance.

Jiang Nan's fear of giving birth in the future also surged up genuinely.

Just hearing Wang's cries of pain during childbirth makes one's legs go weak.

She had previously boasted to Emperor Kangxi that it would take two years to produce one child?

Looking back now, it was like I dug my own grave and jumped into it.

No, no, that's too terrible. Maybe we can consider it if this one I give birth to is a prince…

Why not just have Chunlan figure out a way to sterilize her?

Her fear of pain instantly overwhelmed her longing for many children and blessings.

But she's immune to all poisons, so medication probably won't work on her. Will we have to rely on physical methods?

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Before long, Liang Jiugong's high-pitched voice rang out from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Jiang Nan and Dai Jiashi quickly stood up and bowed.

Emperor Kangxi walked in hurriedly, his face showing obvious tension and anticipation.

"No need for formalities. How is it inside? How long have you been inside?"

Jiang Nan stood up and responded.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry. It just started. The delivery room is full of blood and qi. Why don't you go to the main hall to rest first? Chunlan and Fangruo are inside, along with some quick-witted palace maids. They should be fine. This child will probably take a while to be born."

Kangxi shook his head, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed palace doors.

“I’m not at ease waiting here.”

There was a hint of vulnerability in his words.

Seeing his insistence, Jiang Nan stopped trying to dissuade him. If the child were a healthy boy, it would be of great significance to him.

Unfortunately, history tells Jiang Nan that this Wang woman gave birth to the eldest daughter of the emperor.

That's good. Let him experience firsthand how difficult it is for a woman to give birth, so he'll cherish her more in the future.

"Your Majesty, please don't panic or panic. Take it easy."

Kangxi nodded and sat down on a chair to the side.

But his tense body betrayed his inner anxiety.

"I understand."

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Oh dear, I've made a mistake. Historically, the mother of Emperor Kangxi's eldest daughter was Consort Zhang. This is quite a blunder. Consort Wang in this novel is the same as Consort Zhang in history.

There was a small mistake, so I'll explain it now; it would be too much trouble to fix it now.

Additional note: In the Qing Dynasty, children were generally assigned a title based on their birth order starting at age 10. Before age 10, they were usually called "Imperial Daughter" or "Gege". After age 10, they would be assigned the title of "Princess".

Of course, it all depends on the emperor's decision.

The princess can be named in advance, and she can be officially named a princess in advance.