Chapter 182 The Poor Tongjia Clan
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang held her great-grandson in her arms, her heart melting.
"Very well, I have been thinking of Erhe as well!"
Her wrinkled hands gently patted his back, then touched his little face, examining him carefully.
"Let the old master take a look. Hmm, he seems to have lost a bit of weight? Is he working too hard in the study?"
Her question was half-true and half-false, carrying the unique tenderness that an elderly person feels for their grandchildren.
Jiang Nan casually bowed to the side.
Without waiting for Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang to greet him, he found a comfortable spot on the other side of the kang table and sat down.
He casually picked up a piece of milk bun from the box on the table, took a bite, and mumbled something.
“Grandmother, in the Imperial Study, who would dare to mistreat this eldest prince? If he doesn’t bully others, the tutors should be burning incense in gratitude.”
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked at Jiang Nan's uninhibited manner and gave her a reproachful look.
"Nonsense, Erhe is such a sensible child, how could he bully others?"
She said that, but the smile in her eyes deepened.
She is 64 years old, and only Sumala can keep her company and have a few heartfelt words with her.
Emperor Kangxi held her in high esteem, while everyone else treated her with utmost respect and deference.
Who has ever spoken as freely and equally as Jiang Nan?
It was precisely because of this rare frankness that she especially liked it when Jiang Nan brought her child to visit her.
This down-to-earth atmosphere made her truly feel that she was still a living, breathing person.
"My grandson didn't bully anyone."
Erhe raised his head in Xiaozhuang's arms, his little face serious.
"My grandson is very hardworking, and all the teachers praise him. It's just that studying is a bit tiring."
As she spoke, she even gave a small yawn, making her appear even more pitiful and adorable.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang immediately hugged him tightly, feeling sorry for him.
"If you're tired, rest more and learn slowly. How could our Aisin Gioro family's children not be smart? It's not a big deal to miss a little bit."
What she said was rather unreasonable.
He completely forgot how strictly he had disciplined his son Fulin and grandson Xuan Ye back then.
Hearing this, Jiang Nan couldn't help but chuckle, swallowed the pastry in her mouth, and teased.
"Grandmother, you're really showing favoritism to the extreme. When the Emperor was studying as a child, you didn't do this, did you? I heard you were supervising him with a ruler in hand. How come it's like you're letting him learn slowly and without any rush when it comes to your great-grandson?"
Empress Xiaozhuang was not angry when she saw through her words; instead, she was smug and self-righteous.
"How can that be the same? The emperor is the crown prince, who will be responsible for the country in the future, so he must be strict. Our Erhe is still young and growing, so he can't be overworked."
As she spoke, she gave instructions to Sumala.
"Go quickly and bring over the newly arrived candied fruit and milk tea. Give Erhe a hot bowl of it too, and add plenty of sugar."
Sumala smiled and agreed, then left.
Jiang Nan shook her head and chuckled as she looked at Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's unprincipled pampering, but she also felt a warm glow in her heart.
"Grandmother, I have come today to tell you some good news."
Jiang Nan deliberately kept everyone in suspense.
"Oh? What good news?"
While tidying up Erhe's messy braids, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang asked casually.
"Today, I made a decision and set new rules for the tutors and princes of the Imperial Study. From now on, they will have a day off every seven days, called a rest day, so that they can relax a bit."
Jiang Nan spoke with a hint of smugness on her face.
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked at Erhe, whose eyes had lit up instantly, and then at Jiang Nan, who looked like she wanted praise.
He immediately understood that the Empress had prepared this for Erhe.
She pointed at Jiang Nan, her tone full of helplessness, yet also revealing an undisguised smile and indulgence.
"You're quite the advocate, aren't you afraid the Emperor will blame you?"
Jiang Nan waved her hand dismissively, her tone full of playful teasing.
"I will report to him later. Besides, today is my first day off. Otherwise, how could you see your beloved little darling? And from now on, with more days off, I can bring Erhe to your palace more often and enjoy some of the exquisite food there!"
Her absurd reasoning amused Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.
"You're quite the smooth talker! But I think your idea is not bad. If the emperor is unhappy, just say that I ordered it. Let's see if he dares to disobey?"
Jiang Nan was delighted to hear this.
They secretly grumbled, "How dare Kangxi disobey? This is a real bloodline suppression!"
He immediately smiled and nodded.
Erhe, who was in Xiaozhuang's arms, also spoke up, his little brows furrowing.
“If Father Emperor does not follow the example of Ancestor, then I will ignore him.”
When Empress Xiaozhuang heard her great-grandson say this, it seemed as if she felt sorry for her.
Feeling even more satisfied and joyful, he couldn't help but hug Erhe tightly.
Inside the warm pavilion, laughter and cheerful voices filled the air, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
——————
It was dusk when we returned from Cining Palace.
The main hall of Kunning Palace was brightly lit, and the daily evening prayers were being held as usual.
With Chunlan's support, Jiang Nan walked in slowly, her bright yellow casual clothes highlighting her dignified bearing.
She calmly sat down on the phoenix throne, her gaze sweeping over the concubines bowing below.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well."
"Get up, everyone, sit down."
Jiang Nan waved her hand casually, a hint of interest hidden in her eyes.
After everyone took their seats in order, the hall fell silent.
Jiang Nan's gaze swept across the crowd, as if searching for something.
The final image focuses on a woman sitting in the back row, dressed in the formal attire of a concubine, with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
"Which one is from the Uya clan?"
Jiang Nan spoke, her voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.
The woman whose name was called trembled almost imperceptibly.
He immediately stood up, stepped forward, and respectfully performed a grand salute in the center of the hall.
His voice carried just the right amount of tension and respect.
"This humble servant, Wuya, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be well."
Jiang Nan carefully examined the woman kneeling below.
Is this the birth mother of the future Yongzheng Emperor?
She was indeed pretty, with a calm and composed air about her, unlike the petty and unassuming air of a typical palace maid.
Thinking of the title "De" that Emperor Kangxi bestowed upon her in history, Jiang Nan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Emperor Kangxi's judgment of people... was truly absurd.
A woman who could survive to the end in this cannibalistic harem, and even remain as Empress Dowager after her son ascended the throne.
How could she be a simple character who stands on his own merits?
Don't even mention that she can kill people and act to deceive the emperor.
This forbearance and scheming alone are far removed from the virtues of gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility.
"Get up."
Jiang Nan spoke in a flat tone.
"I heard that you were originally a palace maid serving Princess Tongjia in Chengqian Palace?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Uya stood up and bowed her head in response.
Jiang Nan turned her gaze to Tong Jia, who was sitting in the front row and looked somewhat uncomfortable.
A hint of excited smile appeared in his eyes.
"Sister Tongjia, a palace maid in your Chengqian Palace has now risen to become a mistress and is even serving as a concubine alongside you. Tell me, are you happy or resentful at this moment?"
All eyes immediately focused on Tongjia.
Tongjia felt her face burning. She forced herself to stand up, managed a smile, and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Your Majesty, I am naturally happy for her."
"Happy?"
Jiang Nan raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying undisguised skepticism.
"Since you're happy for her, why did you punish her so severely before? I heard that it was precisely because you disciplined her that the Emperor took pity on her, specially promoted her, gave her a title, and freed her from your misery?"
She paused, her gaze fixed intently on Tongjia's ashamed and indignant face.
"I see you're so angry your face is red, which is quite a sight. If you insist that you're happy for her, I'll reluctantly believe you are!"
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