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

They sent the two brothers away.

Hong Xiguan stood up and walked to the window.

Looking out the window, I saw the Plain Yellow Banner guards standing tall and straight, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Sunlight shone on their armor, reflecting a dazzling golden light.

That was the radiance of power.

It is also a ray of security.

Hong Xiguan let out a long breath.

Anyway, the first stage goal has been achieved, at least I don't have to worry about someone slitting my throat in the middle of the night when I sleep.

only……

Hong Xiguan looked down at his small, twelve-year-old body, and then thought of his nine-year-old "fiancée" whom he had never met, and his lips twitched involuntarily.

This wicked feudal society...

For the sake of the Qing Dynasty... no, for the great cause of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming, I have even sacrificed my dignity this time. I will definitely settle this score with that old bastard Ao Bai in the future!

This day.

The wind in Qianqing Palace seemed much gentler than usual.

A profound maturity beyond his years appeared on the young emperor's face.

But beneath that profound depth lies a modern soul, rants and rave about this messed-up world, and... the ambition to make a name for himself on this stage.

Now that we're on this pirate ship, let's capsize it!

Let the sky of this great Qing Dynasty change its color!

But before that...

First, you have to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager and act like a good boy.

"Guards! Prepare the carriage for the Cining Palace!"

Hong Xiguan straightened his clothes, instantly switching to actor mode, and walked out with an air of utter indifference... no, with a dignified and steady gait.

The play must continue.

......

Cining Palace.

The fragrance of sandalwood rose from the gilded bronze incense burner with its animal-head design, casting a misty, ethereal glow over the deep palace, the heart of the Qing Dynasty's power.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang sat on a soft couch, holding a string of sandalwood prayer beads in her hand, her expression as calm as still water.

Hong Xiguan sat at the lower end of the table, holding a teacup in his hand, but had no interest in drinking it.

He's here today to "check the accounts".

Since he's sold himself to Sony as their grandson-in-law, he should at least know what the price was.

"Grandmother," Hong Xiguan put down his teacup, the porcelain clinking crisply, "I want to know, what exactly did we promise the Sony family?"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang slightly raised her eyes, her gaze carrying both the loving kindness of instructing a younger generation and the ruthlessness of a politician, and slowly began to speak:

"I promise that when you marry and assume power, Empress Hesheli will become the Empress and rule the world."

"That's just the surface; the substance is far more substantial."

At this point, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang paused and emphasized, "Sony's original first-class earldom is promoted to first-class dukedom, and he is also granted an additional first-class earldom, which will be hereditary."

"Furthermore, after your wedding, the father of Hesheli, your father-in-law Gabula, will be granted the title of First-Class Duke, and will be allowed to participate in central decision-making. Any member of the Hesheli clan who passes the imperial examinations or joins the army will be given priority in being employed by the Six Ministries."

Hong Xiguan remained calm and nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is wise."

But his heart was racing like a stampede of horses.

Wow! Wow!

This isn't a wedding ceremony; it's a merger and acquisition of a listed company!

Hereditary succession? Is this the legendary "Iron-Cap Prince" treatment?

This long-term guarantee not only secured Sony's livelihood for this generation, but also ensured the livelihoods of its descendants—a classic case of "when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs benefit!"

If this happened in later generations, it would definitely be considered a radish job posting and would be bombarded with criticism online. But this evil feudal society... it's surprisingly appealing!

Sony, that old fox, made a killing!

However, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang had not finished speaking.

She gently moved a Buddhist rosary bead, as if she were talking about something trivial.

"In addition, I have also issued a special decree that if Sony is found guilty of conspiring with other countries or being jealous of the princes and nobles, he shall be executed according to the law. However, for any other mistakes or crimes, he shall be pardoned twice."

"boom!"

Hong Xiguan's pupils contracted slightly.

Even those who were mentally prepared were still taken aback by this extravagant gesture.

Holy crap?! Resurrection coins?! And two of them?!

This is practically official cheating! With these two get-out-of-jail-free cards, won't Sony be able to walk around like a madman in the government from now on?

Even if he got drunk one day and relieved himself anywhere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, probably no one would dare to punish him.

This old lady really went all out to win over Sony in order to counter Ao Bai; she practically offered up the very foundation of the Qing Dynasty in a deal.

Although he was inwardly complaining about the overflowing energy, Hong Xiguan's face revealed a hint of respect at the right moment.

"Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted, and I admire you. Only with such great favor can the Sony family be completely devoted to our Great Qing and become a sharp sword in my hands."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang nodded in satisfaction.

After discussing the conditions, the topic shifted to the engagement ceremony, also known as the "betrothal ceremony."

Logically speaking, this was a major event in the emperor's life, and the procedures were ridiculously complicated.

"As for the betrothal ceremony," Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang said calmly, "you are a young ruler and have not yet assumed personal rule. It is not appropriate for you to appear in public too frequently. I will appoint a Grand Minister to perform the betrothal ceremony on your behalf."

Upon hearing this, Hong Xiguan's eyes lit up: "Grandmother is so kind! I was just worried that these formalities were too much of a hassle. Since we can find someone to practice for us... oh no, to do it for us, that's perfect!"

Nice! Absolutely nice!

I originally thought I would be manipulated like a puppet all day long.

Now it's great! We can directly switch to "entrustment mode" and don't need to go online to get engaged in person. This service deserves five stars!

……

We left the Cining Palace.

It was still early.

The glazed tiles of the Qianqing Palace gleamed in the sunlight, yet exuded a sense of desolation.

Hong Xiguan walked on the imperial road, with eunuchs and palace maids following at a distance behind him.

His steps appeared light, but his mood gradually darkened.

Sony has it all figured out.

The defenses of the Qianqing Palace were also changed to the Plain Yellow Banner.

It appears that the safety rating has jumped from one star to five stars.

but.

Something's not right, something's still not right!

Hong Xiguan squinted at a patrol of Plain Yellow Banner guards in the distance.

Their armor was gleaming, and their expressions were arrogant.

Are these people surnamed Aisin Gioro? No, their surname is Hesheli!

Today Sony is protecting me for its own benefit, but what if Aobai offers an even higher price tomorrow? Or what if Sony suddenly collapses? Will these people still listen to me then?

It's better to rely on yourself than on others; a borrowed knife is never as reliable as a dagger held in your own hand.

And, most importantly.

Hong Xiguan was a Han Chinese!

Although he wore the skin of a Manchu emperor, he had Han blood flowing in his veins and dreamed of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming.

These Manchu noble sons, whether from the Plain Yellow Banner or the Bordered Yellow Banner, were essentially a group with vested interests.

Talk to them about opposing the Qing Dynasty?

That's like an old man eating poison; he's tired of living.

I need a team, a team that is loyal only to me, a team that has no roots in this world and can only survive by relying on me!

The best would still be the Han Chinese!

In Hong Xiguan's mind, a plan gradually took shape.

……