Chapter 19 Kill Ao Bai, I, Your Majesty, Will Also Go!
Seeing that Wang was nervous and about to leave, Jiang Nan grabbed her arm and said irritably.
"Sister Wang, why are you in such a panic? So what if he's here? It's mealtime, and the Emperor's arrival is a good opportunity to add more chopsticks. What's the big deal? Sit down, sit down!"
Wang was so anxious she was almost crying, and whispered.
"Your Majesty! The Emperor must be looking for you. It's against protocol for me to be here; it's truly inconvenient..."
"What's the inconvenience? It's broad daylight."
Jiang Nan waved his hand dismissively.
"Maybe the Emperor is here to discuss some serious business, or maybe he's just strolling over for a meal. Since you're here, it'll be a good opportunity for the Emperor to see you and the baby in your belly. Isn't that a good thing?"
She said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if the emperor's visit to her place was just a casual drop-off.
Wang was stunned, but a feeling of indescribable emotion and sorrow welled up in her heart.
Jiang Nan actually agreed to let her appear before the Emperor? And he even wanted the Emperor to care about my child?
Since she entered the palace, when has she ever received such care?
They might not even get to see the emperor once a month, and even if they did, it was just a routine matter of receiving his favor.
They barely exchanged a few words, let alone showed any warmth.
"Your Majesty..." Her voice choked, and her eyes reddened again.
Just then, the sound of a eunuch announcing his arrival came from outside the hall.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Jiang Nan then slowly put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief.
He gave Wang a reassuring look, then got up and led Wang and a group of palace servants to the palace gate.
Emperor Kangxi, dressed in a dark blue casual robe, strode in.
His face showed a hint of fatigue from his busy work, but his eyes were unusually bright, suggesting he was in a good mood.
He immediately spotted Wang Shi standing next to Jiang Nan, looking somewhat uneasy with her head down.
He paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but quickly regained his composure.
"Wow, it's quite lively here."
Kangxi spoke casually, his gaze sweeping over the dishes on the table before finally settling on Jiang Nan's face with a hint of teasing.
"I'm busy discussing state affairs with my ministers at the front, and you're having a good time eating and drinking in the palace, with people to chat with. You seem to be living a very comfortable life."
Jiang Nan bowed and returned the greeting with a smile.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's good fortune, Your Majesty has handled the affairs of the court so well, that we women in the harem can enjoy our lives in peace, right? Your Majesty, you are the pillar of the harem. Only when you are well can the women in the harem be well!"
Her words were both flattering and somewhat illogical, which made Kangxi laugh and scold her.
"You're full of twisted logic."
But the expression on his face was noticeably more relaxed.
Jiang Nan seized the opportunity to speak.
"Your Majesty, have you had dinner yet? If not, how about we eat together? I'll have the kitchen prepare a few more of your favorite dishes."
Emperor Kangxi waved his hand.
"I have already used it."
His gaze once again fell on Wang Shi, who was so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet, and he frowned slightly.
Jiang Nan immediately caught his glance and replied in a natural tone with an undeniable familiarity.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is pregnant with the Emperor's child. Since you're already here, before she leaves, wouldn't it be nice to touch the baby and say a few words to it? This is your imperial heir."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.
This Jiang Nan, really... seizes every opportunity to seek benefits for others!
But he was in a good mood at the moment, and with the plan to eliminate the Ao already agreed upon, everything seemed more pleasing to him.
He didn't want to offend Jiang Nan at Yongshou Palace, so he went along with her words and said calmly to Madam Wang.
"Wang, you should go back to your palace first. I... will come to see you later."
Although the tone was calm, the phrase "I'll see you later" was an immense blessing and surprise for the Wang family.
She quickly curtsied, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take my leave."
She stole a glance at Jiang Nan, her eyes filled with endless gratitude.
With the help of a palace maid, he lowered his head and carefully retreated.
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After Lady Wang left, Emperor Kangxi sat down in the main seat, took the hot tea offered by the palace maid, and blew away the foam.
Jiang Nan leaned closer and asked curiously.
"Your Majesty, what brings you here at this hour?"
She could tell that Kangxi seemed to have come for more than just a casual visit.
Kangxi put down his teacup, looked up at her, and his eyes flashed with an uncontrollable light, sharp and excited. He lowered his voice.
"I've come to tell you what I think of what you said today. I've decided to take action on it all tomorrow."
Jiang Nan's eyes lit up: "Really? Your Majesty, you've already made a plan so quickly?"
Kangxi picked up his teacup, took another sip, and the sharp light in his eyes grew even more intense.
He put down his teacup, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, producing a steady and rhythmic sound.
"Since we've decided to take action, we absolutely cannot delay."
Kangxi's voice was deep and decisive, carrying a maturity and ruthlessness that seemed incongruous with his youthful appearance.
"I have placed the Empress under house arrest today. This matter cannot be kept secret for long. Sony of the previous dynasty will receive the news by tomorrow at the latest."
He frowned slightly, analyzing the situation.
"Although Sony does not wield military power like Aobai, his protégés and former subordinates are all over the court, and he has a great influence among the Manchu nobles. He is truly a deeply rooted and powerful figure. I have embarrassed his granddaughter this time, and he must be resentful. If he realizes that I intend to take action against Aobai, or even if he only has doubts, he may temporarily join forces with Aobai, or secretly obstruct me... There are too many variables, and I am afraid that something unexpected will happen, and it will backfire."
His gaze fell on the twilight that was beginning to set outside the window, as if he could already see the undercurrents of the previous dynasty and the clash of swords.
"Therefore, we cannot wait any longer. I have decided that tomorrow... after the court session tomorrow, I will summon Oboi to the Wuying Hall for an audience under the pretext of discussing military affairs in the Northwest."
He turned back to look at Jiang Nan, his eyes resolute.
"We laid a trap right inside the Wuying Hall and captured and killed this scoundrel in one fell swoop."
Jiang Nan was deeply moved and couldn't help but interject.
"Your Majesty, why not simply poison the food and wine at the banquet? Wouldn't that be much easier?"
Kangxi slowly shook his head, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes at Ao Bai's shrewdness and experience.
"No. Ao Bai is a seasoned veteran and extremely suspicious. He is always accompanied by a trusted eunuch who tastes his food before he eats it. This method is too risky. If it fails, it will alert him and make him more cautious. Even if it succeeds, Ao Bai's sudden and suspicious death will be used by his followers to stir up trouble and incite public opinion, which will not be conducive to my quick control of the situation. What I want is a clear and just execution, or a violent resistance during capture, which will force me to kill him. Only in this way can I deter villains and smoothly consolidate power."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan secretly clicked her tongue in amazement.
Good heavens! This is the pomp and circumstance of Ao Bai. Does he even have to have someone taste the poison before he eats?
This is no different from being an emperor. If you didn't know better, you would really think that he, Ao Shaobao, was the master of the Forbidden City.
She suppressed her inner complaints and pressed for an answer.
"Then... Your Majesty, are all those tools ready?"
She was referring to the pile of underworld equipment she had contributed.
Kangxi nodded, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Liang Jiugong has secretly arranged for reliable people to take care of it. Lime powder, soybean oil, fishing nets, crossbows... and the sulfuric acid you mentioned last time... I have given orders to find it. Everything can be prepared tonight and secretly transported into the Wuying Hall for ambush."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan's eyes lit up dramatically, and she rubbed her hands together excitedly.
"Your Majesty is wise. Then... I will sneak to the Wuying Hall early tomorrow morning and hide in a secluded corner."
Emperor Kangxi immediately frowned and resolutely refused.
"Nonsense! Why would a woman like you go and get involved in such a dangerous matter? What if you are exposed, or if a fight breaks out and swords don't have eyes and you get hurt? Just stay in Yongshou Palace and wait for news."
Jiang Nan immediately put on a wronged and unconvinced expression.
"Your Majesty, you are turning your back on me after you've served your purpose. I was one of the planners, after all. You promised to let me participate, and your word is law. Rest assured, I will keep a low profile, just like your young lads, and I will not make a sound. I will go alone, without taking anyone with me."
She got more and more excited as she talked, and even started to daydream.
"Maybe...maybe I can be of help at a critical moment. Think about it, aren't I immune to all poisons? If the situation is urgent, I'll take that basin...uh, sulfuric acid? Yes! sulfuric acid! I'll rush out and splash it on Ao Bai's old face, and I guarantee he'll feel the ultimate pleasure."
Kangxi was both annoyed and amused by her eagerness and even her desire to stir up trouble.
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