Chapter 87 Give Me More Eunuchs
The next morning, Yongshou Palace was already brightly lit.
Jiang Nan was in high spirits as the palace maids helped her dress and do her makeup, preparing to go to Kunning Palace for her morning and evening greetings.
The thought of the Empress being released from confinement and being able to come to her for fun filled her with barely concealed excitement.
"Chunlan."
She adjusted the jade ornaments in her hair in front of the mirror and asked casually.
"How is Fangruo now? Is she badly injured?"
Chunlan quickly replied.
"Your Majesty, Sister Fangruo's injuries are not too serious. I have carefully applied the medicine. However, her back is burned red and she needs to lie down and rest for a while. She cannot move easily."
Jiang Nan nodded, her tone carrying a hint of regret, as if she were enjoying the drama.
"It's good that she's alright. It's a pity that the grand performance I'm going to put on in Kunning Palace today is sure to be spectacular, and she won't have the chance to see it in person."
Upon hearing this, Chunlan couldn't help but whisper a word of advice.
"Your Majesty, please be a little more restrained today. After all, the Empress is the Empress and is carrying the imperial child. Last time you angered the Empress to the point that she vomited blood. If she faints on the spot this time, it will be a real problem."
Jiang Nan glanced at her sideways and waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'm not going to hit her. I'm just trying to annoy her. She won't die. Besides, I don't intend to kill her. If she dies, where will I find amusement in the future? I'll just give her a good thrashing, make her think, and make her understand who's in charge in the harem now. And incidentally, I'll also vent the anger that Suo'etu caused me yesterday."
Seeing that her mistress had a plan in mind, Chunlan felt a little relieved and couldn't help but smile.
"This servant knew it. Your Majesty may seem carefree on ordinary days, but you are never confused when it comes to important matters."
"Yo ho."
Jiang Nan chuckled, then turned and poked Chunlan's forehead. Chunlan was using words to pressure her into behaving herself.
"Chunlan, your flattery skills have improved a lot, and you're becoming more and more capable in your words and actions."
Amidst the laughter and conversation, her expression turned slightly serious, and she raised her voice.
"Zhao is triumphant."
Zhao Deyi, who had been waiting respectfully outside the bedchamber, immediately trotted in and curtsied.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Jiang Nan pondered for a moment, then gave the instructions.
"Yesterday I had a good time, but I also offended the Hesheli family to the core. That old dog Suo'etu outwardly admitted defeat, but I don't know how much he hates me inside. Although the Emperor and the Empress Dowager have spoken, they dare not act openly, but there's no guarantee they won't resort to desperate measures and do something underhanded, leaving me with no way to prove anything. My safety is now the most important thing."
Zhao Deyi's expression hardened.
"What does Your Majesty mean?"
“From today onwards, the regulations for my travels will be raised by three levels.”
Jiang Nan's tone was resolute.
"From now on, whenever I step out of Yongshou Palace, I must be surrounded by two or three capable and reliable eunuchs in all four directions, forming a protective circle around me. Also, send a few sharp-eyed and quick-footed eunuchs to clear the way ahead. Keep your eyes peeled, and if you see anything suspicious, whether it's a person or an object, clear it away immediately. If any unfamiliar face tries to get close to me, arrest them without asking for permission. Make sure that not even a fly is allowed to get near me."
Zhao Deyi hesitated slightly.
"Your Majesty, we may not have enough manpower... and these regulations are also excessive..."
Jiang Nan interrupted him impatiently.
"If you don't have enough manpower, go to the Imperial Household Department. A few more eunuchs won't cause any trouble, will it? I'll handle things with the Emperor myself. Go to the Imperial Household Department now and relay my message: have Su Jing immediately select a group of clean-cut, honest, and reliable eunuchs and send them over. Remember, they must be absolutely reliable, and their backgrounds must be crystal clear. If any of the people sent cause even the slightest mishap, I will hold Su Jing solely responsible. Do you understand?"
Seeing that his master had made up his mind and thought things through, Zhao immediately bowed and replied.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand. I will go to the Imperial Household Department immediately and carry out Your Majesty's instructions flawlessly."
He understood that after yesterday's battle, the Empress's safety was indeed of paramount importance and could not be delayed for even a moment.
Moreover, with more manpower, his power in the palace naturally increased.
Zhao Deyi accepted the order and hurriedly went to the Imperial Household Department.
After he left, Chunlan asked in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, do you think... the Hesheli family would really dare to harm you in the palace?"
Jiang Nan chuckled, her expression serious.
"Whether he dares or not is up to him. I only have one life, and I have plenty of good fortune. I can't gamble my safety on whether Suo'etu is smarter. It's always better for me to be more cautious."
Chunlan nodded thoughtfully.
"Your Majesty is far-sighted; it was this servant who was short-sighted."
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Zhao Deyi hurried along the road to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The newly appointed chief eunuch, Su Jing, was surprised to hear that Zhao Deyi from Yongshou Palace had arrived.
He rushed out to greet them personally, his face plastered with an almost fawning smile.
"Eunuch Zhao, what brings you here? Please come in and have some tea."
Zhao Deyi was now full of confidence, but he still maintained a polite demeanor and nodded slightly.
"Steward Su, you're too kind. Tea is unnecessary. I'm here to convey a message from Consort Jin."
Su Jing's expression turned solemn, and he quickly bowed.
Please make a public announcement.
Zhao Deyi composed himself, straightened his back, and cleared his throat.
With the dignified bearing of someone conveying an imperial edict, he faced Su Jing, the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, and spoke clearly and slowly, word by word.
"Chief Steward Su, Her Highness Consort Jin's imperial edict—"
As soon as he spoke, Su Jing and the eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department around him immediately lowered their hands, bowed, and listened intently.
"Her Majesty said: You all know what happened in the palace yesterday. The Forbidden City may seem peaceful, but I don't tolerate any nonsense and will not allow the slightest mistake."
"The Imperial Household Department shall immediately select twenty eunuchs. They must be of good character, with clear backgrounds, clean hands and feet, and quick-witted and reliable. From this day forward, these people shall protect me on all sides as I go out, forming a guard to clear the way and keep out any outsiders. If any suspicious person approaches, they shall be arrested immediately without asking permission."
"Su Jing, you personally select and carefully screen this person for me. If any of the people sent here are unclear or if my guards make the slightest mistake in the future... I will not ask anyone else, but only you. Do you understand?"
After Zhao Deyi finished speaking, he looked calmly at Su Jing. Although there was no fierce look in his eyes, there was an undeniable pressure emanating from him.
After hearing this, Su Jing understood perfectly.
His ability to rise to power quickly after Feng Yuheng's downfall was entirely due to Consort Jin's patronage and his own cleverness.
The fact that Her Majesty is now sending more people is both an expression of trust and a test.
He immediately patted his chest and guaranteed it.
"Don't worry, Eunuch Zhao, I would never dare to be negligent. Please report to Her Majesty that I will personally select those capable eunuchs with clean backgrounds who will follow the rules and be efficient after entering the palace, and send them to Yongshou Palace immediately. I would not dare to make the slightest mistake."
Zhao Deyi was quite satisfied with Su Jing's tact and nodded.
"Hmm, Steward Su is a wise man. Then I will go back and report. You must send the person here as soon as possible, as Her Majesty will be arriving at Kunning Palace soon."
"Yes, yes, yes, I will take care of it immediately and will never dare to delay Your Highness's important business."
Su Jing readily agreed and personally escorted Zhao Deyi to the door before turning around and making arrangements with great efficiency.
He knew perfectly well that only if he completed this task would he truly be secure in his position as the chief steward.
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