Chapter 25 Serious Nonsense
"Nannan!"
When Kangxi spoke, his tone became more relaxed.
"You just said that among all the civil and military officials, there might be some relatives of yours. I'm actually quite curious. Tell me, who is it?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan blinked, a sly smile appearing on her face, and replied half-jokingly.
"Your Majesty, what I was saying just now was... I was just angry with Lord Suo and I made a boast to embellish my own reputation. My family is just a minor branch of the Guarjia clan. How could we possibly be related to any important official in the court?"
She said this, but her eyes darted around as if she had suddenly remembered something, and she pretended to ponder.
"However... I vaguely remember that I heard my elders mention that our branch of the family seems to have some connection with Lord Tuhai in the court? I don't know if it's true or not, or if I'm just remembering it wrong."
Her words were spoken lightly, yet they were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.
A glint flashed in Kangxi's eyes, and he immediately understood her intention.
He smiled almost imperceptibly as he turned his gaze to a minister standing below with his hands at his sides.
"Tu Hai".
Guarjiatuhai, whose name was called, was slightly taken aback, then immediately stepped forward and bowed in response.
"Your subject is present."
Jiang Nan also turned her gaze to him.
This man, Tu Hai, appeared to be around forty years old, with a square face and slightly dark skin.
His brows exuded a resolute and composed air, and although he wore the official robes of a civil official, he could not conceal the competence and dignity of someone with a military background.
Oh? This is Tuhai, the one who pacified the Chahar region in history and was later granted the title of Third-Class Duke?
He seems like a pragmatist, unlike the old hands at Sony.
Jiang Nan quickly went through a blurry historical memory in her mind.
Kangxi looked at Tuhai, then glanced at Jiang Nan, a hint of mischief in his eyes, and spoke.
"Tu Hai, take a close look at my Consort Jiang and see if she has any connection with your family. I think it's quite possible."
Upon hearing this, Tu Hai was completely stunned.
How...where do you even begin to explain this?
The Guarjia clan is a large Manchu clan with many branches scattered throughout various regions.
How could he possibly know which branch of the family this Consort Jiang, who had risen to fame overnight, belonged to?
It's like a relative fell from the sky.
He subconsciously looked up and carefully examined Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan was also looking at him curiously, and even gave him a friendly smile like that of a family member.
Tu Hai was extremely nervous, but he forced himself to respond cautiously.
"Your Majesty... the Guarjia clan is so numerous and powerful that I... I dare not make a judgment. Perhaps Her Majesty has misremembered?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan immediately stood up and gracefully walked to Tu Hai.
With a confident expression on his face, he began to spout nonsense in a serious tone.
"Uncle? Don't you remember your niece? When I was little, I think I saw you from afar during a clan ancestral worship ceremony. You were so dashing back then, and I remember you very well."
Tu Hai felt a chill run down his spine and broke out in a cold sweat when she called him "uncle." He quickly bowed.
"Your Majesty is too kind to me. I truly do not recall such a thing... My father never mentioned it either..."
He tried desperately to remember.
I can't for the life of me figure out where I got this cousin who could have such an audacious niece.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Nan immediately adopted a disappointed expression, but her tone remained warm.
"Ah, that's true. I suppose my branch is too remote and insignificant to be of any interest to you, so it's normal that you don't remember it. I'm sorry for being so abrupt."
Her words, a feigned retreat, made Tu Hai's heart skip a beat, and he quickly replied.
"Your Majesty is too kind. I had no such intention. It's just... I really have no recollection of it."
Emperor Kangxi sat behind his desk, watching Jiang Nan blatantly lie.
Her acting was superb, and Tu Hai was completely fooled, almost bursting out laughing.
This girl... she lies without even thinking.
If I hadn't investigated her background beforehand, I'm afraid I would have been fooled by her too.
He found it amusing, so he went along with it and spoke up.
"Since Consort Jiang says there is a connection, it must not be unfounded. The Guarjia clan are all related, they are one family. Tuhai, I think you should acknowledge this relative. From now on, you should take good care of Consort Jiang's relatives outside the palace."
Upon hearing that the Emperor had spoken, how could Tu Hai dare to refuse? Countless thoughts raced through his mind in an instant.
Does the Emperor mean he wants him to support Consort Jiang? To find her a powerful family to rely on?
He immediately realized that this was not a simple recognition of kinship, but a political arrangement deliberately made by the emperor.
He quickly bowed in response.
"Yes, Your Majesty! It is my honor to be addressed as Your Majesty's uncle. Upon returning to my residence, I will carefully examine the family genealogy. If there is indeed a connection, I will certainly follow Your Majesty's decree and take good care of Your Majesty's family."
He was determined to find this lineage, even if it meant tearing the family genealogy apart.
The emperor has his eye on this niece, a concubine he has chosen.
This was by no means a bad thing for his career, or for the entire Guarjia clan.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan's face immediately lit up with a bright smile, and she gave Tu Hai a curtsy.
"Then I'll be here. Thank you in advance, Uncle."
Emperor Kangxi nodded in satisfaction as he watched the scene of the uncle and nephew recognizing each other come to an end.
Jiang Nan seized the opportunity to speak again.
"Your Majesty, now that I have recognized my uncle, may I take him to a side hall for a private chat? This will allow you to focus on your affairs of state."
She wanted to seize the time to agree on a story with her newly recognized cousin and deepen their relationship.
Kangxi was in a very good mood at the moment, and the task of dealing with Aobai's cronies was left to his trusted ministers and generals.
He needs some time to process today's victory.
He waved his hand and said, "Granted. You may go."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Jiang Nan smiled and agreed, then winked at Tu Hai.
"Uncle, please come with your niece."
Tu Hai quickly bowed to Emperor Kangxi and followed Jiang Nan into the East Warm Pavilion of the Imperial Study.
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Upon entering the warm chamber, they dismissed everyone around them, leaving only the two of them.
Jiang Nan's smile faded slightly, replaced by a serious and direct expression.
She invited Tu Hai to sit down, and then sat down opposite him, getting straight to the point.
“Uncle, let’s be frank. Just now in front of the Emperor, I was being presumptuous. You and I have never met before, let alone have any family ties.”
Upon hearing this, Tu Hai was not too surprised, but his expression became more solemn, and he cautiously replied.
"Your Majesty flatters me. It is my honor to have gained Your Majesty's favor. But I wonder... what is the reason for Your Majesty's actions..."
Jiang Nan smiled, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable weight.
"This is the Emperor's will, and also my niece's will. The Emperor needs to give my niece a family of sufficient stature, and you are a capable minister whom the Emperor values and trusts. If we become family, the Emperor will feel more at ease in giving important positions to the Guarjia clan."
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