I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

August of the first year of the Kangxi reign.

As the autumn wind rises, the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City appear somewhat desolate.

A few withered yellow leaves swirled on the white marble steps in front of the Qianqing Palace.

The Minister of Rites, holding the imperial edict, knelt beneath the steps, his voice booming and penetrating through the layers of palaces.

"Empress Dowager decrees: The Emperor is already nine years old. In order to consolidate the foundation of the country and unite the imperial relatives, the Empress Dowager has chosen Hesheli, the daughter of Gabula, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, as the Empress. The engagement shall be made first, and the grand wedding shall be held when the Emperor reaches the appropriate age. The Ministry of Rites shall select an auspicious day for the betrothal ceremony. This is the imperial decree."

As the last word was uttered, the entire court seemed to fall silent for a moment.

On the dragon throne, Hong Xiguan remained expressionless, even feigning the appearance of a bewildered child.

But in his mind, a barrage of thoughts was flying everywhere.

It's a sure thing! This is a complete success! No wonder she's Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang; this is a textbook example of how to "cling to someone's coattails".

Sony, that old fox, has finally been dragged down by the old lady.

The content of the imperial edict was very particular.

The terms used were "chosen queen" and "pre-arranged engagement".

This is similar to paying a deposit to reserve a property in modern times, but the property certificate hasn't been issued yet.

However, getting engaged at the age of nine? If this happened in the previous life, it would definitely be a legal case.

But then again, this Hesheli is the same age as me, a nine-year-old little girl... What a sin! Am I flirting with the edge of crime?

No, I'm nine years old now too. This is called childhood sweethearts, this is called innocent and carefree childhood friends!

Hong Xiguan tried to comfort himself.

Although it may seem outrageous, for him right now, it's a life-saving charm.

This marriage took place a full four years earlier than is historically documented.

The butterfly's wings flapped.

The direct consequence was that Hong Xiguan finally had a bulletproof vest in front of Ao Bai, this fierce tiger.

……

Below the imperial court.

The ministers had varying expressions.

Standing at the very front, Ao Bai's usually arrogant face was now clouded with gloom.

He raised his head slightly, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over the high dragon throne, then glancing at the direction where the emperor was ruling from behind a curtain.

The Empress Dowager's move was ruthless.

This is clearly an attempt to win over Sony and put a noose around Ao Bai's neck.

Ao Bai took a step forward, and his armor clanged like muffled thunder.

"The Empress Dowager!"

His voice was rough and carried an undeniable air of authority: "His Majesty is still young, not even ten years old. To discuss marriage at this time is far too hasty! It might harm the Emperor's health and is also contrary to ancestral customs!"

[Here it comes, the villain's standard line: "You're getting anxious, Ao Zhongtang? Your anxiety means I've done the right thing!"]

Hong Xiguan sat on his high throne, not only calm but also wanting to take out a bag of melon seeds to crack open.

He knew that in such high-level games, there was no need for a bronze-level player like himself to speak up.

The support player, who's a master-level player, is sitting right behind me!

really.

From behind the curtain came Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's calm and indifferent voice, which also carried an irresistible air of authority.

"Ao Shaobao is mistaken."

"According to the old Manchu custom, early marriage is the norm. Emperor Taizong's daughter was already married at the age of thirteen; the late emperor married at fourteen. Now, the emperor is merely arranging a pre-arranged marriage to secure the country and consolidate its foundation. How can this be considered contrary to ancestral rules?"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang paused, her tone turning cold: "Does Grand Tutor Ao really think that arranging an empress for the Emperor as soon as possible is detrimental to the stability of our Great Qing Dynasty?"

Once such a serious accusation is leveled against someone, even someone as arrogant as Ao Bai wouldn't dare to confront him head-on at this critical juncture.

After all, the right to interpret "ancestral rules" belongs to the Aisin Gioro family.

Early marriage was common among Manchus. In an era when medical conditions were largely dependent on chance and life expectancy was pitifully short, sexual maturity meant the ability to have children, and having children meant the continuation of the family line.

Getting engaged at eight and getting married at twelve or thirteen is standard practice.

Ao Bai's face turned red, and the veins on his thick neck bulged, making him look like a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey.

But in the end, he still lowered his head.

"Your subject... dares not."

[Beautiful! KO! The old lady is awesome and powerful!]

Hong Xiguan mentally gave Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang a huge shout-out.

Looking at Ao Bai's expression, as if he had swallowed a fly but couldn't spit it out, he felt much better about the humiliation he had suffered these past few days.

……

Since the objections were ineffective, it's time to cash in the chips.

Politics has always been a transaction.

Since Sony has sold its granddaughter, it should naturally show some sincerity.

a few days later.

Outside the Qianqing Palace.

A series of synchronized footsteps broke the morning's tranquility.

No longer those annoying Bordered Yellow Banner guards.

Instead, a group of elite Plain Yellow Banner soldiers, dressed in bright yellow armor, with solemn expressions and sharp, capable eyes, appeared.

A total of 190 people!

Neatly arranged, like an impregnable wall, it completely surrounded the Qianqing Palace.

The leader was a middle-aged man, burly and with a kind face, who looked like an honest farmer dressed in official robes.

But the sword he carried at his waist was that of the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard.

This man was none other than Sony's eldest son, Hesheli Gabula.

That is, Hong Xiguan's future father-in-law.

Behind him followed a young man with sharp eyes, a commanding presence, and a quick wit in every gesture.

That was Sony's third son, Soetu.

"Your humble servant Gabula greets Your Majesty!"

"Your humble servant, Songgotu, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

The two men pushed over mountains of gold and jade pillars, and kowtowed respectfully.

The manners were impeccable, without a single fault.

Especially Gabula, who kowtowed repeatedly, showing no awareness of being the "father-in-law of the emperor," and was as humble as a newly arrived eunuch.

Hong Xiguan sat behind his desk in the imperial study, toying with a jade pendant in his hand, scrutinizing the two people in front of him.

Is this my cheap father-in-law? His appearance... is too ordinary, isn't it? He doesn't have the aura of a cunning old fox like Sony, nor the domineering presence of a powerful minister like Ao Bai.

No wonder history says he was a loyal subject; he was clearly an honest man.

"Rise."

Hong Xiguan said calmly, trying to make his voice sound as authoritative as possible.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The two stood up, hands at their sides, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Hong Xiguan put down the jade pendant and asked casually, "I remember that the original guards of the Qianqing Palace were mostly from the Bordered Yellow Banner. Now that you, the Plain Yellow Banner, have taken over the defense, where have all those Bordered Yellow Banner guards gone?"

This is a crucial question.

The Forbidden City is only so big. The Upper Three Banners have a total of 570 Imperial Guards, plus 90 guards from the imperial family. The movement of these hundreds of armed personnel is a matter of great importance.

Gabula stepped forward, bowed, and replied.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the guards of the Bordered Yellow Banner have been ordered to be transferred to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Meridian Gate, and various places in the outer court. Now, the inner courtyard of the Qianqing Palace is under the command of the Plain Yellow Banner guards, ensuring Your Majesty's safety."

His answer was very official and appropriate.

But Hong Xiguan understood.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony...that's where court was held, the core of the outer court. The Palace of Heavenly Purity is the inner court, where the emperor slept and worked.

Good heavens, that was a shrewd trade! That old fox Sony used the space of the outer court to exchange for the security of the inner court, driving the people of the Bordered Yellow Banner to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Now it's even easier for Ao Bai to go to court to arrest people and carry out political persecutions, and no one dares to stop him.

This is both a compromise and a deal.

Hong Xiguan knew exactly what was going on.

Although Ao Bai was arrogant, he knew he couldn't push the emperor too far. Since that old codger Sony had already sent his granddaughter into the palace, he had to give him some face.

As long as he still holds real power in the outer court, he can sleep soundly as long as the emperor can, and he won't bother to care.

"Um."

Hong Xiguan nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"Very well, Gabula, you are my future father-in-law. I entrust my safety to you with peace of mind."

Upon hearing the words "father-in-law," Gabula trembled with fear and was about to kneel down again.

"This servant dares not! This servant would gladly die a thousand deaths!"

Looking at this overly honest Tartar, Hong Xiguan found it somewhat amusing.

Alright, alright, stop banging your head. If you keep banging it, the floor tiles will crack. There are advantages to being an honest person; at least you don't have to worry about him stabbing you in the back.

"Song'etu".

"Your servant is here."

"I've heard you're quite skilled in horsemanship and archery. From now on, you'll stay by my side and accompany me in my studies and martial arts practice."

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!" A hint of joy flashed in Soetu's eyes.

Being promoted from a first-class bodyguard to an imperial bodyguard means becoming a close advisor to the emperor, a starting point for rapid advancement!

……