Chapter 1441: The Empress Hesheli, gentle on the outside but firm on the inside

After Empress Hesheli departed.

A flash of playfulness crossed Gu Hanyuan's eyes.

Kangxi did not know that Hesheli was eavesdropping.

Yet she could not escape Gu Hanyuan's perception.

That Hesheli stopped at such an opportune moment and lingered to eavesdrop was entirely his doing.

This was the result of Gu Hanyuan's careful deliberation after learning of Hesheli's temperament through the Empress Dowager.

Those who do not understand Hesheli would only think she is gentle through and through.

In reality, however, she is extremely firm on the inside.

She is a typical woman who is gentle on the outside but firm on the inside.

Hesheli comes from a family of profound learning; she has read poetry and books since childhood and understands propriety and righteousness.

She would not sell her body and soul just to survive.

Her affection and loyalty toward Kangxi are also beyond doubt.

Even if Kangxi were eventually persuaded by Gu Hanyuan to send her over.

The most likely outcome would be that after a single night of pleasure, one would only receive her corpse.

Hesheli is willing to make sacrifices to repay Kangxi's affection and loyalty.

But she would absolutely be unable to accept the reality of losing her purity afterward.

Her choice is therefore clear at a glance.

Gu Hanyuan does not wish for such a woman to meet such an end.

Moreover, the family Hesheli belongs to is worth winning over; it could mean fewer obstacles and more assistance when taking over the Qing Guo in the future.

Of course, it is still too early to discuss this.

Kangxi naturally rejected Wutian's proposal.

"It is too early to speak of this. It is not certain that I cannot deal with Gu Hanyuan."

Kangxi's expression became much more confident.

It was as if he had already put the matter of Hesheli to the back of his mind.

He smiled indifferently:

"Of course, my desire to seek talent remains unchanged; the position of Imperial Preceptor will always be kept vacant for you."

Gu Hanyuan's eyes flickered slightly.

Kangxi's confidence was clearly not a bluff.

It is just unclear whether he has truly found other ways to restrain him or has once again obtained the support of the two people in the "Qing Ancestral Shrine."

It is unlikely that Huang Taiji would risk his life to intervene.

But Dorgon might not be the same.

As long as Xiaozhuang sincerely begs him, the possibility that Dorgon would disregard the danger and Huang Taiji's obstruction to help Kangxi is not low.

As for other methods of restraint, they remain unknown in the absence of intelligence.

After this, I will have the "Earth Net" investigate carefully; I will surely find some clues.

Gu Hanyuan said with great interest:

"Oh? Your Majesty is so confident; I shall wait and see. As for the position of Imperial Preceptor, Your Majesty already knows what I seek, so there is no need to repeat it."

Kangxi said with an unhappy expression:

"Must it really be the Empress?"

Gu Hanyuan keenly sensed that although Kangxi was still reluctant.

His tone had clearly softened.

Gu Hanyuan said meaningfully:

"If it were before today, I might not have insisted on the Empress just for the sake of cultivation. But having seen the Empress's beauty, elegance, and her gentle-outside-firm-inside nature today, I find it difficult to forget."

Upon hearing this, Kangxi was stunned, and his face became even uglier.

"Allow me to consider it further."

Kangxi's hesitation was completely different from before today.

Previously, Kangxi and Hesheli indeed shared a deep affection.

But as the saying goes, the heart of an emperor is the most cold and thin.

Hesheli, now having a flaw, had her status in his heart greatly diminished.

It is precisely because Hesheli sees things so clearly.

That she would have such negative and pessimistic thoughts.

The fate of an Empress who has lost the Emperor's favor is self-evident.

Kangxi's hesitation at this moment is more about considering his dignity as an Emperor.

After all, an Empress, the Mother of the Nation, is different to him than ordinary concubines.

Furthermore, Kangxi now has a bit more confidence.

He is no longer as subservient as he was before.

Naturally, he is unwilling to compromise easily.

Gu Hanyuan's grasp of the human heart remains precise.

He guessed Kangxi's thoughts with high accuracy.

After a moment of thought, he decided to temporarily ease the pressure on Kangxi.

If the plan proceeds smoothly.

The strong sense of contrast will only make Kangxi more dependent on him.

Gu Hanyuan said indifferently:

"I do not wish to make things difficult for Your Majesty; please take your time to consider."

He paused.

And added teasingly:

"The Tong Jia sisters are enough for the time being."

Kangxi's breath hitched.

But he soon regained his calm.

Perhaps it is precisely because he has been stimulated so many times.

He has gradually become accustomed to such humiliation.

Moreover, he had already abandoned the Tong Jia sisters.

Even if he occasionally feels some regret, there is no need to care too much.

Therefore, Kangxi only smiled faintly:

"As long as you are satisfied, sir."

Seeing Kangxi's manner of skipping over the topic.

Gu Hanyuan naturally changed the subject:

"Come to think of it, the Jianghu experts Your Majesty has recruited have some ability."

"Oh? You have also heard of the assassins breaking into the palace today?"

Kangxi's expression was slightly surprised.

It was not that he thought Wutian would not know about the assassins.

But rather that he felt such a small matter was not worth his attention.

However, mentioning those recruited Jianghu experts.

Kangxi felt a little proud.

After all, this was the "Sticky Pole Office" he had personally facilitated and formed.

And the Sticky Pole Office did not disappoint him.

A large number of Imperial Guards could only block the assassins but were helpless to capture them.

The Sticky Pole Office acted extremely quickly and captured most of the assassins.

This strength made Kangxi quite satisfied. ===== CHAPTER 1443 =====