Chapter 45 My Special Interviewer
Emperor Kangxi was both angry and amused by her arrogant and trouble-seeking demeanor.
The heaviness in my heart was somewhat dispelled.
He shook his head helplessly: "You... all you know how to do is talk. What's the use of just scolding? If the Empress doesn't give up her harmful intentions, my harem will never have a peaceful day, and my offspring..."
"Your Majesty, please don't be anxious."
Jiang Nan interrupted him, her tone resolute.
"Please rest assured. To tell you the truth, even the King of Hell has told me that you will have so many sons that it will give you a headache, with them lining up to name you! It's just that the time is not right yet, but when the time comes, they will come naturally."
These mystical words left Emperor Kangxi speechless and staring wide-eyed.
"You're spouting nonsense again, talking about the King of Hell. I think you're becoming more and more unruly."
"I just wanted to cheer you up because you looked so worried."
Jiang Nan smiled and placed a piece of food on Kangxi's plate. Then, she changed the subject and became more serious.
"You think the women in the harem are too simple, that they are all little lambs to be slaughtered? I don't think so."
She suppressed her smile and said seriously.
"I have reminded these concubines many times—if they cannot stand on their own two feet and cannot protect their children, to put it bluntly, they deserve it; it's just survival of the fittest. But not all of your concubines are pushovers. Lady Magiya is gentle, but what about the others? Is Consort Niohuru an easy person to deal with? And what about the young ladies who will be entering the palace soon? Will there be few with complicated family backgrounds?"
A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she continued speaking.
"Since the harem is destined to be filled with infighting, let them fight it out. As long as no one dies, no harm is done to the court, and no one gets involved and troubles Your Majesty, a little jealousy and scheming is fine with them. I'll keep an eye on things from behind, and if necessary, I'll take sides and clean up the mess. I'll make sure these trivial matters don't disturb your peace. You just need to focus on making your mark in the court. Leave these petty squabbles in the harem to me."
These words are both realistic and domineering.
They viewed the power struggles within the imperial harem as a controllable game of chess.
And she was the one who controlled the situation.
Emperor Kangxi was stunned.
He had never heard any concubine dare to speak so frankly about the infighting within the harem.
Strangely enough, these words miraculously calmed his anxiety.
Looking into Jiang Nan's eyes, one could see a calmness and confidence unlike that of an ordinary woman.
His last worry vanished.
"Alright, Nan Nan, I trust you. As you say, the affairs of the harem will be handled as you see fit. I'll leave this mess to you."
Emperor Kangxi nodded solemnly.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Jiang Nan immediately beamed and didn't forget to flatter him.
Kangxi suddenly remembered something and added.
"By the way, the talent show will begin in a few days. There are quite a few women this time, with different family backgrounds and appearances, and I can't possibly watch them all by myself. You should come with me to take a look and help me make your selections."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and deeper meaning.
"Select a few capable ones for me."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had heard something interesting.
"A talent show? I can watch the fun—oh no, I mean, I'll oversee the selection? Very well, I like this. Your Majesty, rest assured, I may not have many other skills, but I do have a good eye for people. I guarantee I'll pick out a few... capable individuals who can both entertain you and annoy the Empress."
She rubbed her hands together, looking eager to try, which made Emperor Kangxi laugh heartily.
———————
On an autumn morning, the air was slightly cool.
Inside Yongshou Palace, when Fang Ruo dug Jiang Nan out of bed, she was still in a dazed and resistant state.
What a tragedy... the exploitation in feudal society truly began from the very beginning...
She closed her eyes and let the palace maids do as they pleased.
Since Emperor Kangxi issued an edict a few days ago lifting the Empress's confinement, this damned system of morning and evening greetings has returned.
However, today was special; she didn't have to sit idly in Kunning Palace listening to a group of women pay their respects to the Empress.
Instead, they went to observe a large-scale live talent show.
At least it's a change of workplace, which is better than having to see the Empress's sour face in Kunning Palace.
She tried to comfort herself.
Fortunately, there was little entertainment at night in ancient times, so she was forced to develop the habit of going to bed early; otherwise, she really wouldn't have been able to endure getting up early every day.
Fangruo deftly combed her elaborate double buns, reminding her of the steps as she did so.
"Your Majesty, today is the day of the Emperor's selection of consorts, so you must be on your best. The Empress Dowager will also be there in person to oversee things."
"Okay, I understand."
Jiang Nan responded lazily.
But involuntarily, classic scenes from "Empresses in the Palace" started playing in my mind.
Talent shows... I wonder if Xia Dongchun will jump out and shout something?
Whose concubine are you? Pouring such scalding hot tea on me, are you trying to kill yourself?
Sister Xia is a tough woman who doesn't talk much... no, she talks quite a lot too.
He's a typical bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong, and he treats people differently based on their status.
As she thought about these things, her muddled mind gradually cleared, and a mischievous thought popped into her head.
The Emperor asked me to help choose someone, someone capable...
We can't just look at the surface; we need some special testing methods.
She suddenly opened her eyes, a sly glint in her clear pupils, and called out loudly.
"Zhao is triumphant."
Zhao Deyi, who had been waiting outside, immediately jogged in and bowed in response.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Jiang Nan tapped the dressing table surface lightly with her fingers and said casually.
"Go, find me a cat. An orange tabby, the chubby kind."
Zhao Deyi was taken aback, somewhat confused.
"Your Majesty, are you thinking of getting a cat to relieve your boredom?"
Do we need a cat at this critical juncture?
"Um."
Jiang Nan nodded, spouting nonsense with a straight face.
"I suddenly feel stifled in this palace and want to get an orange cat for company, to pet and cuddle its soft fur. Go and do it now, I need to see it before I leave the palace."
Cats are such great temperament testers.
People who are afraid of cats are mostly timid, easily startled, and not very useful.
If someone is scared by a cat but tries to remain calm, then they probably have a decent personality and aren't a coward.
She was making her own plans.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go to the Imperial Household Department to inquire."
Although Zhao Deyi was puzzled, he dared not disobey his master's orders and quickly withdrew.
After Jiang Nan finished her breakfast at a leisurely pace, she rinsed her mouth.
Zhao Deyi also returned just then, followed by two eunuchs, each carrying one or two cats in their arms.
They were all orange, but varied in size.
Jiang Nan walked over and looked at it with great interest.
Her gaze fell on the largest, golden-furred, chubby orange cat.
The cat seemed to have just woken up, its eyes half-closed, with an air of nonchalant indifference.
This is it! With its size and presence, it's clearly a boss among cats, calm and collected. It'll definitely be great for testing purposes.
She pointed.
"Take this one, it looks lucky. Send the others back."
"Yes, sir."
The eunuchs withdrew in response.
Jiang Nan took the chubby orange from Zhao Deyi.
It felt heavy and soft in my hand, and the cat just let out a lazy meow.
He adjusted himself into a comfortable position in her arms, showing no signs of shyness.
Wow, not bad, you have a good temper and are quite calm.
She stroked the cat's head contentedly; the soft touch made her feel a little better.
Alright, today you will be my specially appointed interviewer.
"Fangruo, Zhao Deyi, it's getting late, let's set off."
Jiang Nan, holding the cat, stood up, her face showing an expectant expression as if she were about to participate in an interesting activity.
"The Emperor and the Empress Dowager should be arriving soon; it wouldn't be good to be late."
The group then escorted Consort Jin, who was holding a fat orange cat, and marched in a grand procession toward the selection venue.
We walked into a palace garden somewhere in the Imperial Garden.
The autumn sun was shining brightly, and the cat in her arms was warm and soft. Jiang Nan suddenly felt that today's class seemed quite promising.
Especially when you can create some fun for yourself.
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