Chapter 23 Sony? I'm giving you face!
Inside the Imperial Study in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
After Kangxi issued several decrees to purge Ao Bai's cronies and reclaim military and political power,
The entire Forbidden City and even the previous dynasty were like a lake with a boulder thrown in, with undercurrents surging and people filled with anxiety.
The Imperial Guards moved with hurried steps, and the messengers rode swiftly, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed to foreshadow an impending storm.
Emperor Kangxi sat behind his desk, picked up a cup of warm ginseng tea, and gently blew on it.
His expression appeared calm, but his eyes gleamed with a sense of control and a barely perceptible excitement.
Jiang Nan sat on an embroidered stool not far below him, also holding a cup of tea.
Seemingly relaxed, he was actually listening intently, observing the workings of the empire's power core with great interest.
This Imperial Study was where Emperor Kangxi reviewed memorials and summoned important officials to discuss confidential matters after court sessions.
Not long after, a slightly nervous voice came from outside the Imperial Study to report.
"Your Majesty, the regents, Lord Sony and Lord Ebilun, along with the ministers of the Six Ministries, request an audience."
A knowing glint flashed in Kangxi's eyes. He put down his teacup, his voice calm and even.
"Announce."
The heavy palace doors were pushed open, and a group of important court officials, led by Sony and Ebilun and followed by the six ministers, filed in.
They all had solemn expressions and walked with heavy steps.
They were clearly quite shocked by the earth-shattering news and the series of thunderous decrees they had just received.
Sony, who was at the head of the group, was quite old and frail, with white hair and beard.
Supported by a young eunuch, he was out of breath after walking just a few steps, as if he might collapse at any moment.
Deep within his cloudy old eyes flickered surprise, anger, and a trace of deep worry.
He just received the news.
Ao Bai was actually killed by the emperor in the Wuying Hall.
His corpse was to be displayed on a pole, and at almost the same time, his granddaughter, Empress Hesheli, was confined to the Kunning Palace by the emperor.
The reason was... forcibly breaking into the Qianqing Palace?
The deeper reason was that a bondservant who had just been promoted to the rank of concubine publicly insulted the empress.
It all happened so fast, so strangely.
During the morning court session, Ao Bai was still full of vigor and seemed to be in a confrontation with him. How could he have been beheaded in the blink of an eye?
When did His Majesty acquire such ruthless methods?
And his granddaughter, how could she be so impatient as to do something so stupid as to force her way into the Qianqing Palace, giving others a handle to use against her?
Sony was in turmoil, but having served three dynasties, he knew that the most important thing at this moment was to stabilize the situation.
To test the emperor's will and to salvage the situation for the Hesheli clan.
He had neither the will nor the power to fight for power, but he had to pave the way for his only granddaughter before he died.
To preserve her status as empress and the glory of the Hesheri family.
He walked shakily to the imperial desk, and with the help of a young eunuch, he struggled to perform the grand salute.
Emperor Kangxi raised his hand, his tone indifferent.
"Mr. Sony, you are old and frail. Please excuse the formalities and take a seat."
Immediately, a young eunuch brought over an embroidered stool.
After expressing his gratitude, Sony rested for a while, half-sitting and half-leaning, until his breathing calmed down a little.
He raised his eyelids, glanced at the seated Kangxi, and then quickly scanned Jiang Nan, who was sitting to the side, fiddling with the lid of a teacup. A fierce glint flashed in his cloudy eyes.
He cleared his hoarse throat and spoke first, his voice carrying the composure characteristic of an old minister.
His words were full of almost obsequious flattery.
"Your Majesty, this old minister... Your Majesty, congratulations! This scoundrel Ao Bai is a wolf in sheep's clothing, arrogant and domineering because of his merits, disrespectful to the emperor and father, and has long harbored rebellious intentions. Today, Your Majesty is wise and decisive, and has executed this traitor in one fell swoop in the Wuying Hall. This is truly a blessing for our Great Qing Dynasty and a good fortune for the country. Your Majesty is truly divine and martial, and has the legacy of the Taizu and Taizong Emperors."
His praises made it seem as if the execution of Ao Bai was a joyous occasion for all.
They made no mention of the dangers involved or the suddenness and ruthlessness of Kangxi's methods.
Kangxi listened expressionlessly, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, without responding.
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Sony abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming heavy and carrying a hint of grievance, as if he were relying on his seniority.
"But... Your Majesty, this old minister has heard that you recently promoted a palace maid from a bondservant background to the rank of concubine?"
His gaze swept over Jiang Nan again, his contempt and hostility undisguised.
“Your Majesty, it is not that this old minister is being presumptuous. A bondservant is of lowly status. Even if one is fortunate enough to serve Your Majesty, a little gold and silver is enough. To directly promote one to the rank of concubine is… against propriety. Many daughters of high-ranking officials in the previous dynasty entered the palace, yet they are now only concubines without any official title. Your Majesty's lavish treatment of a bondservant would surely chill the hearts of those ministers who have devoted themselves to the Qing Dynasty.”
Kangxi raised his eyelids, his gaze coldly fixed on Sony, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Does Lord Sony mean... that I should go back on my word and retract my order?"
Sony quickly bowed, his posture impeccable even though he was seated.
"This old minister dares not, for His Majesty's words are law and cannot be changed. However... this is ultimately His Majesty's family matter, and this old minister should not presume to speak further. But..."
His voice suddenly became choked with sobs and grief, and tears seemed about to fall.
"But Your Majesty the Empress, she is the granddaughter of this old minister. She married the Emperor at the age of thirteen and has always upheld the virtues of a wife, serving as a model for the nation. She has never committed any immoral acts. This old minister has heard that yesterday, a madman openly insulted the Empress in front of all the concubines in Kunning Palace. This is an unforgivable crime of disrespect and should be severely punished according to the law to serve as a warning to others."
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, his body trembling slightly, and his finger pointing in Jiang Nan's direction.
"But Your Majesty... not only did you not punish that insolent scoundrel, but you also confined the humiliated Empress to the palace! Your Majesty! How will the people of the world view my Hesheli family? How can this old minister... this old minister have the face to stand in this court? I might as well just smash my head against this hall and die."
His performance was accompanied by tears and snot.
He vividly portrayed the image of an old minister who suffered a great injustice, who was loyal to the emperor and loved his country, but was instead disappointed by the emperor.
The Imperial Study was completely silent; all the ministers held their breath and dared not utter a sound.
Anyone could see that Sony was using this as an excuse to vent his frustrations, ostensibly to defend the Empress.
In reality, they were taking advantage of the fact that Ao Bai had just died and the court was not yet stable to put pressure on the emperor.
To test the emperor's bottom line and to fight for the right to speak for the Hesheli clan.
Kangxi's face darkened completely.
Jiang Nan, who was sitting to the side, heard Sony directly point the finger at her.
He even called them "bondservant slaves" with a mocking smile.
She put down her teacup, slowly raised her head, and met Sony's hostile and contemptuous gaze without flinching.
Old man, you think you're so great?
——————
In the suffocating silence, a clear female voice, tinged with a lazy sarcasm, rang out.
It rang slowly and steadily.
"Sony, sir."
Everyone's heart skipped a beat, and they instinctively looked up.
Consort Jiang, who had been sitting quietly to the side, had raised her head at some point.
Instead of showing any fear or apprehension, his face held a hint of mockery, a half-smile.
His sharp gaze was fixed on the aged and decrepit Sony.
Jiang Nan slightly raised her chin, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable sharpness.
"Originally, when the lords and the emperor are discussing important matters of the court, I, a mere woman in the inner palace, should not interrupt. However, what Lord Sony just said touched upon me in every word, and if I do not speak up, I would seem guilty."
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