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

Qianqing Palace.

The ground is paved with gold bricks, and the glazed tiles gleam in the sunlight, reflecting a majestic and dazzling light.

Wohe, the imperial bodyguard, has officially started his post.

He was dressed in a brand-new yellow jacket, with a sword at his waist. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree in front of the vermilion palace gate, occasionally looking down at his new boots, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of pride.

Damn, this outfit is way cooler than the previous one!

This feeling is even better than drinking three large bowls of iced plum juice!

Before, when I was on guard duty, I was like a wooden stake, and even the palace maids passing by wouldn't bother to look at me.

Now, hey! Royal guards!

Look at the eunuchs and old guards around me; the way they look at me is completely different now! Envy! Jealousy! And... awe!

This is the respect the Emperor has shown me!

Since His Majesty values ​​me so highly, I, Wohe, must be on my best and make sure there are no mistakes!

He stood like a statue, his eyes fixed straight ahead, scanning his surroundings warily.

afternoon.

A burly figure, with a powerful stride and an aura of domineering authority that kept strangers at bay, walked straight toward the gate of the Qianqing Palace.

The person who arrived was none other than Ao Bai, the most powerful minister in the court and the regent!

He walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, his eyes never straying to the side. Wherever he went, the palace servants all lowered their heads and gave way, remaining silent as cicadas in winter.

According to palace rules, regardless of rank, one must be informed before entering the palace for an audience.

However, as a regent minister, Ao Bai held the positions of Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard and Grand Minister of the Interior. He entered and exited the palace as if it were his home, completely disregarding this rule!

At this moment, Ao Bai held his head high, puffed out his chest, and looked straight ahead, treating the Qianqing Palace as his own backyard, and was about to step in!

The guards and eunuchs around him were already used to this man's mannerisms, and they all wished they could bury their heads in their crotches, afraid of being swept away by his fierce and menacing gaze.

But today is destined to be different.

Just as Ao Bai was about to step onto the three white marble steps in front of the Qianqing Palace.

"stop!"

A sharp shout rang out, clear and resonant like metal striking stone, suddenly exploding with a deafening roar!

Like a javelin, Wohe took a step to the side, stretched out his right arm, and firmly blocked Ao Bai's path.

Who is this guy?! He's so strong!

The guards and eunuchs around were all stunned, their eyes wide open as if they had witnessed the most incredible thing in the world.

Ao Bai's steps also suddenly stopped.

He slowly lowered his head, his eyes, like those of a fierce tiger, fixed intently on the arrogant young man before him.

He couldn't remember the last time he had been stopped in the Forbidden City.

"What are you?" Ao Bai glared at him with his bull-like eyes.

Wohe was startled by the terrifying aura, but he remembered the emperor's words, "Do not disappoint my expectations," and a surge of passion welled up inside him!

So he straightened his back and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Excellency, I am Wohe, the newly appointed Imperial Guard! I am here on duty by order of His Majesty!"

Excellent! Stand tall! Don't lose your spirit!

Today, I am the face of the Emperor!

Ao Bai frowned slightly, snorted coldly, and said, "I am the regent! I wish to petition the Emperor in person! Do you dare to obstruct me?!"

Woch refused to budge an inch.

"In reply to Lord Ao! The palace has its rules, and the country has its laws! The duty of the Imperial Guards is to protect the Emperor's safety and safeguard the strict palace security! No one, without prior authorization, may enter the Qianqing Palace! This is a rule established by the late Emperor!"

Pretty!

They even know to bring up "ancestral family rules" to intimidate him!

This young man has potential! I'll definitely give him a bonus later!

Hong Xiguan was sitting in the South Study at this moment, seemingly reviewing memorials, but in reality, all his attention was focused on the outside of the hall.

Hearing that Wohe had stopped Ao Bai, he quickly peeked through the crack in the door to gleam at the melon.

Normally, Ao Bai shows no respect for his superiors when he visits the emperor. Today, it's a good opportunity for Wohe, that dog, to bite Ao Bai and teach him to be more polite next time!

Ao Bai's face darkened completely. He glared at Wo He and said, word by word, "I have matters of great importance to discuss with the Emperor! If you delay, can you bear the responsibility?!"

Woch met his gaze without fear.

"Matters of national importance must be governed by law! Otherwise, how can we demonstrate our authority to the world?!"

"What a sharp-tongued little beast!"

Ao Bai was so angry that he laughed, and slowly raised his large, fan-like hand, preparing to teach this arrogant brat a lesson.

Everyone thought that the next second, Woch's head would be smashed like a rotten watermelon.

But just as the hand was about to fall, Ao Bai stopped.

His hawk-like eyes swept over Woch, then glanced at the palace behind him, a look of concern on his face.

A new guard couldn't possibly have such audacity!

There must be someone behind him!

Was it that old man Fei Yanggu who taught him?

Or is it... that little emperor sitting on the dragon throne?

Ao Bai suddenly realized that the water in this pool was deeper than he had imagined.

So he withdrew his hand, then flicked his sleeve heavily, snorted coldly, and strode away.

"That scoundrel actually left?"

Hong Xiguan was somewhat surprised, not expecting Ao Bai to be so tolerant.

After thinking for a moment, he asked Cao Yin to call Wohe in.

Inside the Southern Study.

Woch knelt on one knee, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

This was the first time he had been summoned by the Emperor alone since becoming a royal bodyguard!

Today... I stopped Ao Bai!

I actually... defied Ao Bai, who held immense power in the court, in front of everyone!

What will Your Majesty think of me?

Will he blame me for being reckless and causing him trouble? Or...?

Wokh felt uneasy, as if he were carrying fifteen buckets in his hand, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Hong Xiguan personally descended the royal steps, came to Wohe's side, and reached out to help him up.

"Woch, you did a very good job today."

Hong Xiguan praised her with a tone of satisfaction and a composure beyond her years.

A simple sentence, like a warm current, instantly flowed through Woch's entire body!

He felt a surge of heat in his eyes and almost burst into tears on the spot!

Your Majesty... Your Majesty doesn't blame me!

Your Majesty is praising me!

Hong Xiguan turned around and addressed Cao Yin, Li Xu, and the others standing to the side, saying loudly, "Did you all see that?"

"This is the true warrior of my Great Qing! This is how my imperial guards should be!"

"Faced with power, remain neither servile nor arrogant! Uphold the law and never yield an inch!"

Looking at Wohe again, Hong Xiguan's eyes revealed undisguised admiration: "Cao Yin, Li Xu, you should both learn from Wohe! Learn his loyalty and courage, learn his integrity!"

Cao Yin and Li Xu immediately bowed and replied, "Your servants obey!"

Their eyes were filled with admiration as they looked at Woch.

Your Majesty... Your Majesty actually wants his Haha Beads to learn from me?!

They were all the emperor's closest confidants!

This...this is an incredible honor!

Woch felt dizzy, as if he had drunk ten pounds of strong liquor.

Happiness came so suddenly!

I felt like I was about to float away.

Damn, this feeling is a million times better than being surrounded and screamed by those princesses in Xiyuan!

Worth it!

What I did today was totally worth it!

Even if it were just a matter of contradicting Ao Bai, even if he beat me to death on the spot, it would be worth it to get these few words from the Emperor!

Wohe was almost overwhelmed by Hong Xiguan's combination of public praise, and he could hardly suppress the smile on his face.