Chapter 5 If there's no imperial concubine rank, then give her the rank of concubine.
Emperor Kangxi was amused by her undisguised ambition and bluntness.
"The title of Consort? You really have no manners. Your family is merely a collateral branch of the Guarjia clan. If I were to directly bestow upon you the title of Consort, wouldn't those ministers of the previous dynasty, especially Sony and Ebilun, immediately submit memorials and start a huge uproar? You would be drowned in their spittle!"
He pointed out the biggest obstacle in reality.
Jiang Nan had already prepared her explanation. She moved forward slightly, lowered her voice, and analyzed the situation as if she were doing it for your own good.
"Your Majesty, you can't say that. Think about it, I'm now bearing the title of Mandate of Heaven. If this position is too low, wouldn't it make it seem like you don't value Mandate of Heaven enough? And this would also be embarrassing for the King of Hell, wouldn't it?"
Her eyes darted around, and she began to paint a rosy picture, her tone becoming even more seductive.
"Besides, my family is not prominent, but Guarjia is a major Manchu clan. If you were to give me a sufficient rank now—such as the rank of concubine—it would be a huge honor for the Guarjia clan. Wouldn't the prominent figures in the main branches of the clan rush to curry favor with me for the sake of their own glory and future? As long as my position is secure, wouldn't the entire Guarjia clan be more at your service and support you more in the court?"
She raised her head and looked intently at Kangxi, as if everything she did was for his sake.
"Your Majesty, you're trading a concubine's rank for a devoted woman who can also help you win over a powerful Manchu clan's 'Mother of Heaven.' This deal seems like a sure win. Even the King of Hell would praise your brilliant decision."
Kangxi was both annoyed and amused by her bold, straightforward, and even somewhat mercenary analysis.
This girl actually linked the promotion of officials in the harem with the power of the court.
It's like you're doing a business, making sure you make money without ever losing anything?
However, it must be admitted that her words, while illogical, do contain a strange and unsettling truth.
He could indeed grant a concubine's rank, and he could also keep her in check.
He kept a woman with a miraculous constitution that made her immune to poison and who could also be connected to the Guarjia clan by his side, even though she was not of a very high rank.
It satisfies both his curiosity and a certain secret expectation.
Or perhaps the Guarjia clan will indeed play some unexpected roles in the future.
He pondered for a moment; the hall was so quiet that the sound of the wind blowing outside the window could be heard.
Jiang Nan held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest; success or failure hinged on this moment.
Finally, Kangxi raised his head, looked at her with deep eyes, and slowly spoke, with a hint of indulgence that was barely perceptible.
"Fine, considering your extraordinary encounter and your silver tongue, I will grant your request and bestow upon you the title of Consort."
Jiang Nan's eyes lit up instantly, and she was overjoyed, almost cheering.
She truly rose from a dying palace maid who had climbed into the emperor's bedchamber to become a concubine.
"but."
Kangxi then changed the subject, his tone taking on an imperial majesty.
"I can give you this, and I can take it back. From now on, you must be careful with your words and actions in the palace. Do not take advantage of your special status to act recklessly. If I find out that you are using the idea of the Mandate of Heaven to do something rebellious, I will not let you off lightly!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, long live the Emperor!"
Jiang Nan immediately assured him, her face beaming with an undisguised radiant smile.
"I will definitely behave well and try my best not to disappoint you or bring shame to the King of Hell!"
Kangxi shook his head helplessly as he looked at her smug expression, almost as if she were dancing with joy.
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But deep down, I felt that perhaps this different voice was truly needed in the depths of the palace.
"Liang Jiugong!" he called out.
The palace doors were immediately pushed open, and Liang Jiugong bowed as he entered.
"Your servant is here."
"Reveal my imperial edict."
Kangxi restored the emperor's composed tone.
"Palace maid, Guarjia Jiangnan, is gentle and virtuous, and greatly pleases me. Therefore, she is hereby conferred the title of Consort and granted residence..."
Kangxi paused for a moment, then pondered.
Most of the main positions in the six palaces of the east and west are empty, so we can't let her live in a bad place.
"He was granted residence in the main hall of Yongshou Palace."
Yongshou Palace is in a good location, not too far from Qianqing Palace, and currently no high-ranking concubines reside there.
Liang Jiugong was greatly shocked, but dared not show it on his face and immediately bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will go to the Imperial Household Department to deliver the decree and have someone clean Yongshou Palace immediately."
Manager Liang sighed inwardly as he withdrew.
My God!
The palace maid was directly promoted to the rank of concubine and was also granted residence in the main hall of a palace.
This is unprecedented in the Kangxi era. This Consort Jiang Nan... no, Consort Jiang is truly about to rise to the top in one step.
Kangxi looked at Jiang Nan, only to find her winking at him with a smug look.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This woman's arrival is likely to stir up an unpredictable storm in the harem.
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Jiang Nan followed a clever young eunuch assigned by Liang Jiugong, walking briskly along the palace path leading to Yongshou Palace.
The early summer sun shone through the tall palace walls, casting bright patches of light, and the air was filled with the fresh fragrance of grass and trees.
She took a deep breath and felt that the air itself carried the sweet scent of freedom.
"It's so good to be alive..."
She thought to herself, "It's better to be a master!"
She counted on her fingers.
Empress Hesheri was naturally the head of the household.
There was also a woman from the Niohuru clan who enjoyed the status of a concubine; she later became Emperor Kangxi's second wife, Empress Xiaozhaoren.
Jiang Nan is now the undisputed third-in-command of the harem.
As for the future Empress Xiaoyiren, of the Tongjia clan, she's probably playing in the mud somewhere right now.
She would have to wait until at least ten years after the Kangxi Emperor's reign to enter the palace.
The other women in the harem now are mostly concubines without official titles, even if they are lucky enough to have children.
At most, he could be granted the title of "Consort," or at most, "Attendant-in-Waiting."
She set a new record for the fastest promotion in Kangxi's harem.
"That... young eunuch?"
Jiang Nan was in a great mood and looked at the little eunuch leading the way.
The young eunuch immediately stopped, turned around, and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty is too kind to this humble servant. My name is Xiao Lizi. What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Eunuch Liang specifically gave these instructions.
This newly appointed Consort Jiang is an extremely unique figure in the Emperor's eyes, and must not be neglected.
"Little Chestnut, what a nice name."
Jiang Nan asked with a smile.
"Let me ask you this: I am now a concubine, according to the rules, how many people in Yongshou Palace can serve me?"
Little Chestnut replied hastily.
"Your Majesty, according to palace regulations, a concubine may have one head eunuch, two palace eunuchs, and two sweeping eunuchs. As for palace maids, there is one head maid, two personal maids, four maids responsible for daily life and hairdressing, and four maids for general tasks. In addition, the small kitchen will also be equipped with corresponding cooks and servants. Furthermore, Your Majesty, as the head of a palace, you should refer to yourself as 'this palace'!"
Jiang Nan's eyes widened as she listened.
Good heavens! This is me?
Head eunuch, head maid, senior palace maid, junior eunuch, lowly palace maid...
Suddenly, more than a dozen people were surrounding her?
This...this is practically an ancient version of a luxurious nanny team!
"This is terrible, this is terrible..."
She muttered to herself.
"Am I now living the legendary aristocratic life? And I'm still called 'Empress'? Having everything done for me? Am I about to retire and live a life of leisure?"
Just thinking about this kind of life makes me feel incredibly happy.
However, this excitement didn't last long.
A thought arises, and it's like a bucket of cold water being poured over it.
Queen Hershey.
That ruthless woman who decisively ordered her disposal shortly after she gained the Emperor's favor, before she even met the Emperor a second time.
Not only did she survive, she also transformed into a concubine and moved into the main palace.
This was like a slap in the face to Hesheli.
That noble and proud empress must have already smashed several sets of porcelain in anger by now, right?
She'll definitely keep a close eye on me from now on and try to ruin me.
"but…"
Jiang Nan thought about it again.
"After all, Hesheli needs to maintain her image as a virtuous and gentle queen mother, so she probably wouldn't dare to go too far on the surface. If poisoning or assassination doesn't work the first time, she probably won't use it again in the short term, as the risk is too great."
What methods will she use?
Countless classic scenes from palace dramas flashed through Jiang Nan's mind in an instant.
Deliberately making things difficult during greetings? Picking a fight and forcing someone to kneel?
Using palace rules to oppress people?
Or... withhold her allowance? Make things difficult for her?
If you deliberately cause her trouble, make her kneel for several hours as punishment...
Jiang Nan shuddered at the thought.
Her seemingly invulnerable nature might not be able to protect her from physical torment and chronic wear and tear.
If she contradicts the Empress, she will be charged with disrespecting the Empress, a serious offense.
Even if Emperor Kangxi wanted to protect her, he would probably have to consider the immense power of the Sony family behind Hesheli.
Emperor Kangxi was only fourteen years old at the time. Although he was in power, he did not actually hold real power because of Oboi.
In many situations, we probably have to compromise with reality.
"Forget it, forget it, I don't want to think about such discouraging things."
Jiang Nan shook her head, deciding to put her troubles aside for the time being.
"When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. The most urgent task is to consolidate our position and keep Emperor Kangxi, the big boss, in check."
As long as the emperor favors her, Hesheli will have to be wary of harming her.
With that thought, she cheered up again and followed Little Chestnut with light steps.
She walked toward the palace that would soon belong to her—Yongshou Palace.
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