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

Seeing this suffocating scene, Hong Xiguan's initial thought of "wanting to protect Suksaha" completely vanished.

It's beyond saving.

There's no need to protect it anymore.

If Suksaha is kept alive, even if Aobai is eliminated in the future, Suksaha may rise to power under the guise of being a "victim," and might become the next powerful minister.

Moreover, Ao Bai is now unstoppable, and forcibly protecting him will only bring trouble upon ourselves.

Su Zhongtang, I'm sorry.

I'll borrow your life for a while!

Only if you die will Ao Bai become completely arrogant, think that I am weak and easy to bully, and expose his flaws.

This is called... playing hard to get!

Hong Xiguan took a deep breath, his face showing a look of utter shock, his voice trembling:

"Since...since all my ministers say so...then...let's take Suksaha into custody for now."

"As for whether to kill or not... this is a matter of great importance, please... allow me to think about it some more."

Instead of issuing a direct order to kill, he used a delaying tactic.

This isn't about saving Suksaha, but about maximizing the benefits of this matter.

First, lock him up, making Ao Bai feel that victory is in sight, but just one step away. This feeling of suspense will make Ao Bai more impatient and more crazy.

For Hung Hei-kwun, this was also a risky move.

After eliminating Suksaha, Aobai's power will expand to an unprecedented level, even directly threatening the imperial power.

This is like walking a tightrope on the edge of a cliff; one wrong step and you're smashed to pieces.

But Hong Xiguan didn't care.

Because once Suksaha dies, he will immediately launch an attack on Oboi, giving him no chance to threaten the imperial power!

......

To make this "feigned indifference" drama more convincing, Hong Xiguan decided to give Ao Bai a special treat: a love potion.

The following afternoon, an imperial edict arrived at Ao Bai's residence: the Emperor summoned him.

Ao Bai dared not delay and immediately prepared to enter the palace.

The young eunuch leading the way was meek and obedient, but instead of taking Ao Bai to the Qianqing Palace where they usually held meetings, he led him through a maze of turns towards the Imperial Garden.

"Um?"

Ao Bai frowned slightly and slowed his pace.

"Is the Emperor not in the Qianqing Palace?"

The young eunuch bowed and said with a fawning smile, "Reporting to Your Excellency, His Majesty is in high spirits today and is practicing wrestling in the Imperial Garden."

"Lianbuku?"

Ao Bai's doubts deepened.

At this critical juncture, Suksaha was still imprisoned, and all the officials were waiting for the emperor's final verdict. How could this young emperor have the mind to play wrestling?

Years of military service instilled in Ao Bai an instinctive vigilance. As he walked, he casually glanced around, his gaze sweeping across the artificial hills and bushes along the roadside like a hawk's, not even missing the shadows of the palace walls.

He was on guard against an ambush.

However, even as he stepped into the gate of the Imperial Garden, he didn't see a single guard with a sword. Instead, he could hear the noise of young boys from afar.

"Good! That was a great move!"

"Oh dear! How could you be so clumsy! You tripped him!"

In the open space of the Imperial Garden, several thick felt carpets were laid out. A dozen or so young guards, shirtless, were wrestling in pairs.

Meanwhile, the young emperor of the Qing Dynasty, dressed in a light training uniform, was sweating profusely as he gestured and pointed at the movements, occasionally even stepping in to demonstrate himself.

"this……"

Ao Bai stopped and stood aside, observing coldly.

The group of boys, all with delicate skin and tender flesh, looked quite energetic, but in the eyes of Ao Bai, the true "Number One Warrior of Manchuria," it was no different from children playing house.

His moves were flashy, but his lower body was unstable and he had no killing intent whatsoever.

Two boys even fell together, rolled around in a ball, and tickled each other, which made Hung Hei-kwun laugh out loud.

"snort."

Ao Bai sneered inwardly, his tense nerves instantly relaxing.

Are these the Emperor's personal guards?

These brats who haven't been weaned yet, I could take down ten of them with one hand!

It seems this young emperor is truly indulging in frivolous pursuits and is not a cause for concern.

"Your subject Ao Bai greets Your Majesty!"

Ao Bai deliberately made his footsteps louder and strode forward to pay his respects.

Hong Xiguan seemed to only then notice Ao Bai's arrival. He quickly wiped his sweat, ran over excitedly, and pointed at the group of boys, asking:

"Lord Ao! Look at my 'Skilled Wrestlers' guards, how are their martial arts skills? These are warriors I personally selected!"

Ao Bai glanced at the group of boys who were still laughing and joking, and forced a perfunctory smile onto his face:

"Excellent, excellent. With such talented young men protecting His Majesty, I am at ease. They are truly... promising at such a young age."

He said they were "young and promising," but in his heart he thought they were "a bunch of good-for-nothings."

Hong Xiguan seemed oblivious to the perfunctory tone in his words, and was instead pleased, waving his hand dismissively: "Disperse, all of you! I need to discuss serious matters with Ao Zhongtang!"

……

Wine and dishes had already been prepared in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden.

Hong Xiguan dismissed his attendants and personally poured Ao Bai a cup of wine. His expression suddenly became somewhat solemn, even carrying a hint of... regret.

"Lord Ao, I have summoned you here today because of the matter of Suksaha."

Ao Bai's eyes narrowed, and he put down his wine cup.

The main event is coming.

Hong Xiguan sighed, picked up his wine cup, and drank it all in one gulp, as if trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol.

"Lord Ao, I won't hide it from you. During this period, I specifically reviewed the daily records of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Shizu."

"Only now have I realized that this Suksaha... is actually a traitor who has served three masters!"

Hong Xiguan, his face contorted with indignation, slammed his fist on the table: "He was Dorgon's confidant back then, acting arrogantly and domineeringly alongside Dorgon. After Dorgon fell, he was the first to jump out and betray his former master, hoping to curry favor with the late emperor!"

"Such a disloyal, unjust, and fickle villain! I was almost fooled by his facade of loyalty! It's infuriating!"

These words struck a chord with Ao Bai.

Throughout history, emperors have always detested this kind of "traitorous minister".

Ao Bai was secretly delighted; it seemed the young emperor had finally "gotten the hang of it."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Ao Bai immediately seized the opportunity. "This Sukesaha is a treacherous villain! He can betray Dorgon today, and he can betray Your Majesty tomorrow! If this man is not eliminated, the Qing Dynasty will never be at peace!"

Hong Xiguan nodded, leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and adopted a sincere demeanor: "Lord Ao, let me speak from the bottom of my heart."

"Previously, Suksaha secretly reported to me that you, Ao Zhongtang, wielded too much power and wanted me to join forces to eliminate you..."

Upon hearing this, Ao Bai's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

You damn Suksaha! Even on your deathbed, you still want to bite me!

Seeing Ao Bai's expression, Hong Xiguan continued his theatrical performance: "Back then, I was young and naive, and almost believed his lies. It wasn't until this land enclosure case, after reading the impeachment memorials from my ministers, that I finally understood!"

"So it turns out that Suksaha has been doing so many bad things behind the scenes! Only now do I realize that all along, the only one who truly cared for the Qing Dynasty and for me was you, Ao Zhongtang!"

This tall hat is so comfortable to wear.

Although Ao Bai was arrogant, he also liked to hear nice words, especially from the emperor. This gave him a false sense of satisfaction that "although I am a powerful minister, I am also a loyal minister."

"Your Majesty is wise! Heaven and earth bear witness to my utmost loyalty to Your Majesty!" Ao Bai was so moved that his beard trembled.