Chapter 112 The Empress is Confined to Her Home Again
"Nannan".
Kangxi's voice carried a hint of weariness.
He pressed his throbbing temples and said in a deep voice.
"I am tired."
Jiang Nan immediately understood and swallowed back the sarcastic words that were about to come out.
She understood that Kangxi did not want to, or rather, could not, completely punish the Empress at this moment.
Deposing the empress is a major national event and should not be decided lightly.
Based solely on the slanderous words of a few servants in Kunning Palace, and the target of their accusations was Qin Huai'an.
Such weak evidence was far from sufficient to convince Emperor Kangxi to depose Empress Hesheli.
Well, at least we've already been slapped hard enough today. After this battle, all of Hesheli's trusted palace servants have been wiped out.
Emperor Kangxi didn't even glance at the distraught Empress.
He turned to Liang Jiugong and said in a deep voice.
"Liang Jiugong, convey my decree."
"Yes, sir!"
Liang Jiugong bowed and accepted the order, lowering his head even further.
"Empress Hesheli has been misled by slander and palace servants, confusing right and wrong, defaming concubines, and losing the dignity of the Empress. From this day forward, she shall be confined to Kunning Palace to reflect on her mistakes. No one is allowed to visit her without my decree, and all personnel of Kunning Palace are strictly prohibited from entering or leaving at will."
Jiang Nan wasn't surprised when she heard this; it wasn't the first time the Empress had been confined to her quarters, and she was already quite experienced with it.
Kangxi paused slightly, then his tone suddenly turned stern, carrying a sense of menace.
"Qin Huai'an and the eunuchs and maids involved in the case at Kunning Palace have deceived their superiors and framed their master. Their crimes are unforgivable. They shall be immediately taken to the Shenxing Division and beaten to death!"
"Your servant obeys the decree."
Liang Jiugong quickly agreed and waved for the guards to drag the ashen-faced Qin Huai'an and the others out.
The hall instantly became mostly empty.
Only the empress with her head bowed and her two trembling personal maids remained.
After dealing with all matters, Kangxi turned to Jiang Nan, his tone returning to gentleness.
"Nannan, you are carrying the imperial child and your body is heavy, so you should go back to Yongshou Palace to rest first. I will come to see you tomorrow."
"Your Majesty, I obey."
Jiang Nan obediently agreed.
She understood that Kangxi would personally escort Niohuru back to Yikun Palace, as a gesture of reassurance.
Kangxi glanced at the vacant-eyed Empress one last time, a complex emotion flashing across his face, but ultimately said nothing more.
It was clearly more important to appease the wronged Niohuru clan than to comfort the empress.
"My beloved consort, I will escort you back to Yikun Palace."
"Your Majesty, I thank you."
Niohuru concealed the resentment in her eyes and bowed respectfully.
She saw things clearly: the Empress had completely lost the Emperor's favor, and all she needed was a pretext for her death so she could exact her revenge.
Emperor Kangxi stepped out of the side hall first, followed closely by Empress Niohuru, who was supported by palace maids.
As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, he looked at her still swollen cheeks and spoke with a hint of apology.
"I'm sorry to have troubled my beloved concubine today."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for making the decision for me."
Niohuru bowed respectfully, concealing all her thoughts completely.
On the other side, Jiang Nan walked out of the palace gate with the help of Chunlan and Fangruo, followed closely by the palace servants of Yongshou Palace.
Watching Kangxi and Niohuru's departing figures, she gently touched her swollen belly.
He smiled contentedly and said in a cheerful mood.
"Let's go back to the palace. I'm getting a little hungry."
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The following evening, the main hall of Yongshou Palace was brightly lit.
The imperial edict had been issued, and the news that the Empress was confined to Kunning Palace spread like wildfire throughout the six palaces.
Although the specific details are unknown, yesterday there was a large-scale beating of palace staff to death at Kunning Palace.
The fact that Consort Jin led a large group of people to Kunning Palace made it clear to all the concubines.
The Empress must have done something to offend the Emperor again, and it is most likely related to Consort Jin.
When they saw the lingering redness and swelling on Consort Niohuru's cheeks as she came to pay her respects with the others.
They were horrified and lowered their heads, not daring to ask a single question.
With her pregnant belly protruding, Jiang Nan, supported by Chunlan and Fangruo, slowly walked into the main hall and took her seat in the main seat.
His posture was languid, yet he exuded an imposing aura.
"Your humble servant greets Consort Jin. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The concubines curtsied and greeted the emperor in unison.
"Get up, everyone."
Jiang Nan spoke calmly, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Niohuru's face.
Looking at Niohuru's naturally funny face, she couldn't help but hold back for a while before finally managing to speak.
"Sister, is your face... feeling any better?"
Before she could answer, she began to scold him with a tone of disappointment and frustration.
"You know perfectly well that the Empress hates you to the bone. Even if you had no choice but to go when she summoned you, you should have sent someone to deliver a message to me. With me watching over you, how could Empress Hesheli possibly lay a finger on you? You're too honest."
Niohuru lowered her head slightly, a warm feeling flashing through her heart, her tone calm.
She knew in her heart that if Jiang Nan hadn't intervened, given her situation at the time, her fate would most likely have been tragic and unpredictable.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now. Yesterday's matter was due to my negligence. I thought it was just a question, but I didn't expect it to escalate to this extent. I really don't want to trouble Your Majesty with my own affairs."
"Never mind."
Jiang Nan waved her hand.
"Anyway, the Empress is now under house arrest, so no one in the palace will dare to touch you again."
She turned her gaze to the concubines, her tone becoming admonishing.
"My body is getting heavier and I'm losing energy. You all should behave yourselves and not cause me any trouble. It's not easy for me to be pregnant with the dragon's child. You know my temper if you upset me over trivial matters."
The concubines quickly curtsied in response.
"Your Majesty, I understand. I will certainly behave myself and not dare to disturb Your Majesty's health."
Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction.
"Then you may all disperse and return to your respective palaces."
The concubines, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, bowed and took their leave.
Niohuru also got up and prepared to leave with the others.
"elder sister."
Jiang Nan called out to her.
"Please stay here and sit with me in Yongshou Palace for a while."
Niohuru paused, then obediently replied.
"yes."
Jiang Nan then addressed Wang and Dai Jia.
"You may all return to the side halls to rest."
Lady Wang and Lady Daijia quickly agreed and left with their respective palace servants.
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Jiang Nan, supported by Chunlan Fangruo, got up and led Niu Kulu into the inner hall.
After Fangruo served hot tea, she and Chunlan quietly closed the palace door and retreated outside.
Jiang Nan looked up at Niohuru across from her, her expression serious, and cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Sister, there are no outsiders here. Tell me the truth, after what happened yesterday, are you planning to take advantage of the Empress's current weakness to exact revenge?"
Niohuru met Jiang Nan's gaze without flinching, frankly admitting it, a hint of murderous intent flashing in her eyes.
“My sister has keen insight. I do indeed have this intention. I still have people lying in wait within Kunning Palace. Now is the perfect time to make a move.”
She paused, her tone filled with humiliation and hatred.
“Not only did she cause me to be childless for life, but yesterday she also tried to take my life. Although I am not afraid of death, I do not want to die before Hesheli.”
Jiang Nan put down her teacup, slowly shook her head, and spoke in a calm tone.
"Sister, I understand your eagerness for revenge. But it would be too hasty and too conspicuous to act now."
"If the Empress were to suddenly die in her confinement, even the Emperor would suspect you first. Although the Heseri family has lost the Emperor's favor and its prestige has declined significantly due to the Songgotu incident, Heseri Gabula is still a first-rank Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, with many former subordinates in the army. Losing in the palace intrigue is simply a matter of inferior skills, but if the Empress were to die mysteriously, it would be a complete breakdown of relations and an irreconcilable blood feud. The Heseri family will definitely retaliate with all their might, and even without solid evidence, they would rather kill the innocent than let you go."
Niohuru was silent for a moment, then asked in return.
"In your opinion, sister, if I wait until things have calmed down before seeking revenge, won't the Hesheli family hold me responsible?"
"Yes, I still will!"
Jiang Nan said with a confident tone.
"The Hesheli family isn't stupid. As long as the Empress dies, the first person they'll suspect will be you, and of course, me too. But time can heal many wounds, and it can also create many unexpected events."
Jiang Nan wasn't heartbroken for the Empress; she didn't care at all when Empress Hesheli would die. What she was heartbroken for was herself.
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