Chapter 97 Playing Dou Dizhu? Guaranteed to Lose

After New Year's Eve, it was early spring of the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

Not long after promising Emperor Kangxi that he would not cause trouble for Empress Hesheli.

Jiang Nan told Emperor Kangxi that she needed to focus on her pregnancy and requested a leave of absence, so she stopped attending the daily morning and evening greetings.

The atmosphere within the Forbidden City is now somewhat delicate and tense due to Empress Hesheli's impending childbirth.

However, the Yongshou Palace remained a scene of joy and harmony.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly. Inside a side hall of Yongshou Palace, four people sat around a square table.

Jiang Nan, who was six months pregnant, sat in the main seat.

He stared intently at the wooden card in his hand, his brow furrowed.

Niohuru and Wang sat on either side, their expressions focused.

Dai Jia, holding the little princess born to Wang, who was already babbling, sat on an embroidered stool behind Jiang Nan.

While coaxing the child, he watched the card game with a smile.

"A pair of Aces!"

Jiang Nan threw down two cards with great momentum.

Niohuru looked at the cards in her hand and asked cautiously.

"Little sister, how many bills do you have left?"

Jiang Nan shook the small hand of cards she had left, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.

"It's not enough to cover the expenses!"

Niohuru smiled, pursing her lips.

"Then...this concubine cannot afford it."

Wang quickly took over.

“Take charge! I’ll take on two of you.”

Jiang Nan looked at the royal flush in his hand, then at the single card, and his face fell. He said sullenly.

"I...no, if you're so capable, then go ahead and pay it all out at once."

Wang smiled and executed a beautiful combination.

"Airplanes have wings, Your Majesty, you've lost again."

Jiang Nan watched as Wang's hands were emptied in an instant, speechless and facepalming.

"Oops, I lost again. I should have gone for the Royal Flush. Why can't I ever beat you guys with the stuff I made?"

She turned to look at the little princess in Daijia's arms, who was babbling and learning to speak, seeking comfort.

"My little darling, look! Your mother is so lucky! She beat me again."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang smiled shyly, looking at her daughter with tender eyes.

Just then, Liang Jiugong's clear voice rang out from outside the hall.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan immediately pouted and muttered under her breath.

"Here we go again? We've only played a few rounds..."

She really didn't want to play cards with Kangxi; he was too clever, and his card counting and memorization skills were top-notch.

Playing against Emperor Kangxi would almost always result in a loss, so there was really no sense of accomplishment in it.

Emperor Kangxi strode into the side hall, a relaxed smile on his face.

Niohuru, Wang, and Daijia immediately rose and bowed.

Jiang Nan, relying on her pregnancy, simply raised her hand lazily as a greeting.

"Rise, all of you. There's no need for such formalities."

Emperor Kangxi waved his hand, his gaze lingering for a moment on the exquisitely beautiful little princess in Lady Daijia's arms, revealing a look of affection.

He then landed on the card table, full of enthusiasm.

"Oh, playing around? Is there any room left for me?"

This playing card game is a novel invention by Jiang Nan, with simple yet varied rules.

Emperor Kangxi found it very interesting after interacting with it, and felt a sense of strategic planning.

When he wasn't busy with official duties, he also liked to come to Yongshou Palace to join in the fun.

Jiang Nan rolled her eyes and complained.

"Your Majesty, why are you here again? Why don't you stop playing? You're so good at it, I always lose when I play cards with you, it's no fun at all."

Emperor Kangxi was amused by her frankness, walked over to her, and teased her on purpose.

"Oh? So in Nan Nan's mind, I'm that amazing? I always thought you thought you were the smartest."

Jiang Nan snorted and retorted stubbornly.

"I am naturally clever. I just don't bother to memorize or count the cards. If I were to get serious and memorize all the cards, you might not be able to beat me."

Kangxi raised an eyebrow, then sat down in the seat that Wang had offered, and smiled.

"Alright, then I'll have to see for myself today how seriously Nannan memorizes the cards, and see if she can beat me this time."

Seeing his posture, Jiang Nan knew she couldn't avoid it, so she immediately resorted to cheating.

She tugged at Kangxi's sleeve and shook it, her tone carrying a hint of coquetry.

"Oh, Your Majesty, I was just bragging. I really can't outwit you. Why don't you go and play with the little princess, or go to Kunning Palace to see the Empress? She might give birth anytime soon, why don't you go and keep an eye on her?"

Kangxi patted her hand, his tone calm.

"There are imperial physicians and nannies guarding Kunning Palace. Someone will come to inform us when the baby is born. There's no need to rush. Come on, let's start."

Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Jiang Nan had no choice but to resign herself to shuffling the cards, warning Kangxi as she did so.

"Then it's settled, Your Majesty. You must go easy on me and not keep trying to outmaneuver me. Otherwise, I really won't let you play cards anymore. You can play with Liang Jiugong by yourself."

Kangxi found her acting spoiled extremely amusing and laughed heartily.

"Alright, alright, I promise you, I'll be careful and try to...lose gracefully."

These words made Niohuru and Wang unable to help but lower their heads and chuckle.

Liang Jiugong stood by with his hands at his sides, watching the emperor and empress interact so easily and casually, his face also full of smiles.

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Under the eaves outside the hall, Chunlan was carefully pouring freshly brewed Biluochun tea into an exquisite official kiln covered bowl.

Just then, a figure quietly approached.

It was Xiaolian.

She greeted him softly with a humble yet warm smile on her face.

"Sister Chunlan."

Chunlan looked up at the sound and saw that it was Xiaolian. Without stopping her work, she casually replied.

"It's Xiaolian. Is there something you need?"

Xiaolian took a step closer, her gaze falling on the tea tray in Chunlan's hands.

His tone carried just the right amount of flattery and a hint of eagerness.

"Sister, let me handle this tea-serving task. You've been busy all day, take a break."

Upon hearing this, Chunlan paused slightly, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

She looked at Xiaolian with scrutiny and her usual caution, shook her head, and spoke in a calm but unquestionable tone.

"No need. I always make sure Your Highness's tea and snacks are prepared by me personally. I appreciate your kindness."

How could Xiaolian not hear the distance and wariness in those words?

But she was prepared. Her smile remained unchanged, her tone became more sincere, and even carried a hint of coquetry.

“Sister, you’re being too cautious. It’s just a few steps. How could I possibly spill the tea? Besides, you’re right here watching me carry it in. What could possibly go wrong under your nose? Even if I’m ignorant, I wouldn’t dare to act recklessly in Yongshou Palace, in front of the Emperor and the Empress. I was just trying to repay the Empress for saving my life and to do my best.”

Chunlan looked at Xiaolian's face, which was both ingratiating and incredibly sincere, and her heart wavered for a moment.

Xiao Lian has indeed behaved well and dutifully in Yongshou Palace these past few months, and she has also been very diligent.

She got along well with Fang Ruo and Zhao Deyi.

If I keep refusing, it seems too heartless, and I'm afraid it will hurt our relationship.

After all, they were serving in the same palace.

After hesitating for a moment, Chunlan sighed and softened her tone.

"Alright, you're right. Then I'll trouble you to make this trip. Please be careful and make sure there are no mistakes."

She solemnly handed over the tea tray in her hand.

Xiao Lian was overjoyed, but showed no sign of it on her face.

He quickly accepted it with both hands, as if it were a precious treasure, and repeatedly assured it.

"Don't worry, sister, I will be very careful and won't cause you any trouble."

Chunlan nodded, watching Xiaolian carry the tea tray and walk briskly towards the entrance of the side hall.

She then turned and headed towards the small kitchen—the Empress would need some snacks after the mahjong game ended.

She has to oversee the preparations.

Xiaolian held the warm tea tray, feeling the warmth from her fingertips, but her heart couldn't help but beat faster.

She walked step by step toward the door that led to both opportunity and risk, her mind churning with thoughts.

For months... she has been meek and submissive, always eager to do the dirtiest and most tiring work, and fawning over Chunlan and Fangruo.

It took so much effort to earn this little bit of trust.

Those who serve others will always be lackeys!

Look at Consort Jin, wasn't she just a palace maid back then?

Now he can sit high above others, playing games at the same table as the emperor, and even the empress has to avoid his sharp edge.

She believed she was pretty and intelligent, so why couldn't she take a chance?

What she lacks is an opportunity.

An opportunity to get the emperor's attention.

Today is the best time.

She knew she was playing with fire.

The Empress is so shrewd that if she is not careful, her thoughts will be seen through, and then she will face utter ruin.

But she was unwilling to accept it.

Let's take a gamble! If we win, we can escape slavery and become masters of our own destiny.

If I lose... at worst, I'll just have a worthless life.

A strong ambition and a desire to change their fate ultimately overcame their fear.

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Xiao Lian sounds like a minor character, so I'd better send her offline.