Chapter 34 Venting the Impotent Rage
She paused, then pointed it out without any hesitation.
"The harem is the Empress's territory, which she has cultivated for nearly three years. If she is truly determined to harm people in secret, you may be able to guard against her for a while, but not forever. You can't possibly keep an eye on every concubine and every prince every day, can you?"
"Without solid evidence, how could you possibly touch the Empress Dowager? Moreover, she is carrying your beloved son, whom everyone is eagerly anticipating. Even if you are lucky enough to catch her in the act, given her status and the power of the Hesheli family, the person you ultimately push out will most likely just be a scapegoat."
Her gaze was clear and calm as she looked directly at Kangxi.
"The Empress is still the Empress. Without irrefutable evidence, your grandmother, the Empress Dowager, will not allow you to touch her, nor will the ministers of the previous dynasty who value rules and etiquette. This matter is very difficult to handle."
Jiang Nan's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing most of the anger and imperial majesty that had just risen in Kangxi's heart.
Kangxi remained silent for a long time before slowly exhaling, his eyes becoming complex yet resolute.
"I... understand, Nan Nan, thank you for telling me this."
"Mr. Hesheli...you'd better not actually do it..." he thought coldly to himself.
Otherwise, even if I can't harm you, I will never let you get away with it.
Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Jiang Nan said no more and bowed.
"Then I shall take my leave."
After saying that, she turned around and, with Chunlan in tow, left the Qianqing Palace as decisively and swiftly as she had come.
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Emperor Kangxi sat alone on the couch, his face gloomy, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, making a dull sound.
He felt a surge of anger mixed with a sense of powerlessness.
He knew Jiang Nan was right. Even if he was the emperor, he was still facing an empress who was pregnant with a legitimate son and came from a prominent family.
Without irrefutable evidence, he would find it difficult to easily sway his position.
After a long silence, he suddenly stood up and called out loudly.
"Liang Jiugong".
Liang Jiugong, who had been waiting outside the hall, immediately responded and entered.
"Your servant is here."
"Prepare the carriage."
Kangxi's voice was devoid of emotion.
"I will go to Zhongcui Palace to see Chengrui."
Liang Jiugong was slightly taken aback, then immediately bowed.
"Yes, sir."
Emperor Kangxi's feelings toward his eldest son, Chengrui, were complex.
This was his first son, and the joy of having a son was genuine.
But what followed was that the child was bedridden from birth.
The imperial physicians repeatedly hinted at the grim reality that his child was born with congenital deficiencies and might not be able to grow up.
As a father, he felt sorry for his eldest son, who was frail and sickly and whose future was bleak, and who was an emperor.
He is more of a regrettable symbol than an heir worthy of much emotional investment.
He subconsciously avoided looking at the child, afraid that if he invested too much emotion, he would eventually have to face the pain of losing him.
Even if he doesn't grow up, he's still my son, of the Aisin Gioro bloodline. How can I allow others to harm him at will?
At this moment, the anger of having his sore spot overwhelmed his resistance.
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The imperial carriage soon arrived at Zhongcui Palace.
Upon hearing of the Emperor's sudden arrival, Consort Ma Jia hurriedly led her palace servants out to greet him.
With a mixture of surprise and unease on his face, he knelt down to pay his respects.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Get up."
Kangxi's voice was calm as he walked straight into the palace.
"How is Chengrui today? Has the imperial physician said there has been any improvement?"
Ma Jia followed behind him, her voice low and soft, carrying a lingering sorrow.
"Your Majesty, it's still the same... It's good one moment and bad the next, never quite getting better. The weather has been so unpredictable lately that I can't be exposed to the wind. I just took my medicine and went to sleep."
Emperor Kangxi did not stop.
"I'll go see him."
Ma Jia quickly led him to the side hall.
The hall was filled with the smell of medicine, and Prince Chengrui was sleeping in a small cradle.
Her face was pale, her brows were slightly furrowed even in her sleep, and her breathing seemed a little weak.
Seeing his son's frail appearance, Kangxi felt a sudden pang in his heart.
An indescribable feeling of heartache and frustration welled up inside me.
This is his eldest son, who once carried his initial expectations.
Hesheli! How could you not even tolerate a child like this?
Anger surged within him, desperately needing an outlet.
He turned around abruptly, his gaze sweeping over the old women standing at attention in the hall, his eyes suddenly turning sharp.
"Summon all the servants who attend to Prince Chengrui, including his wet nurses."
Upon hearing this, Ma Jia's face turned pale instantly, and her voice trembled.
"Your Majesty...you...you're going to...?"
Kangxi gave her a cold glance, and the chill in his eyes silenced Ma Jia instantly, daring not to ask another question.
He had nowhere to vent his anger, and he couldn't take it out on the imperial physician because his child was sick and weak.
It naturally poured out onto these poorly serving servants.
My son is so sick, how have you servants been taking care of him?
Liang Jiugong immediately understood.
He immediately went out and brought in the two nannies, two wet nurses, and a young eunuch who were in charge of taking care of Chengrui.
The group knelt on the ground, trembling with fear and bewildered.
Kangxi looked at them, his eyes devoid of any warmth, his voice icy.
"Liang Jiugong".
"Your servant is here."
"Drag these good-for-nothings to the Imperial Prison."
He practically spat out those words through gritted teeth.
"Immediately—strangle them, and replace them with a new batch of capable and sensible servants to serve the prince."
"Yes, sir."
Liang Jiugong felt a chill run down his spine, but dared not hesitate for a moment. He immediately waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs behind him to step forward and arrest the person.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!"
The kneeling men were instantly terrified, crying and begging for mercy, their voices filled with anguish.
Ma Jia was so frightened that she knelt down with a thud, pleading with tears streaming down her face.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please have mercy! Chengrui... Chengrui can't live without these wet nurses. The child is still young. If the nurses are suddenly replaced, he will cry and fuss because of the unfamiliarity. His Majesty, please spare the wet nurses for the sake of the child."
Upon hearing the words "the child can't bear it," Kangxi regained his composure, took a deep breath, and forcefully suppressed his surging murderous intent.
He changed his tune, saying, "Fine, the wet nurse stays, the rest of you—drag them away."
"Yes, sir."
Liang Jiugong breathed a sigh of relief.
He quickly signaled the eunuchs to drag the two deathly pale old women and the little eunuch who was so frightened he almost collapsed out.
The pitiful pleas for mercy gradually faded into the distance.
Inside the hall, only the wet nurse, still shaken, knelt and wept, kowtowing in gratitude.
The pent-up frustration in Kangxi's chest eased slightly, but he remained irritable, and added to Liang Jiugong.
"Go to the Imperial Household Department again and select two of the most skilled and capable nannies to take care of children. I don't want useless people. If they still can't serve well, they'll bring their heads upon me."
"Yes, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I will certainly send the best."
Liang Jiugong quickly agreed.
Kangxi took one last look at his son, who was still sleeping soundly in the cradle, completely unaware of the bloodshed that had just occurred, and felt a mix of emotions.
He turned to Ma Jia and said.
"I've just come to check on you. Please take good care of me. If you need anything, just have the Imperial Household Department provide it."
His tone softened somewhat, but remained distant.
"Yes... Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off..."
Ma Jia replied, her voice choked with emotion.
Kangxi said no more and strode away from Zhongcui Palace.
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