flstandardbreds Chapter 350 Encounter on the Road
Chapter 350 Encounter on the Road
After explaining everything that needed to be explained, Su Nuannuan got up at the crack of dawn the next day.
"Your Majesty, it's still early. Would you like to rest a little longer?" Hearing the noise inside, Tingxue quickly got up from the small couch and walked lightly to Su Nuannuan's bedside, softly suggesting.
Su Nuannuan slowly shook her head and said softly, "I have something on my mind and can't fall asleep. I'd better get up. Go and prepare for me to wash and change."
"Yes," Tingxue replied, then quickly walked to the door and gently pushed it open. Just then, she saw Jinse holding a basin of water, standing quietly at the door.
"Sister Jinse, when did you arrive?" Upon seeing this, Tingxue hurriedly stepped forward, took the basin of water from Jinse's hands, and asked with concern.
Jinse smiled slightly and replied softly, "I just arrived. I was about to ask if Your Highness had gotten up yet when you opened the door."
"Sister Jinse understands Her Majesty best." Tingxue said softly with a smile on her face as she held the basin of water, as if she had recited these words countless times in her heart.
Upon hearing Tingxue's words, Jinse's lips curled into a gentle smile. She glanced back at Tingxue and softly instructed, "Tingxue, you help Her Highness wash up first. I'll go tidy up the bed." Jinse's voice was as gentle and soothing as a spring breeze.
Tingxue quickly replied, "Okay." She obediently walked to the sink stand, placed the sink steadily on it, and then began preparing toiletries for Su Nuannuan. Her movements were skillful, quickly and accurately arranging the towels, comb, and other items neatly, everything appearing orderly.
Meanwhile, Jinse went to the bedside and carefully tidied the bed. She spread the quilt out and placed the pillows just right, making the whole bed look neat and comfortable.
A moment later, Zhixiang came in carrying a tray filled with congee, pastries, and pickled vegetables. The food on the tray emitted an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.
"Your Majesty, please have some breakfast first!" Zhixiang said softly, then gently placed the tray on the table.
"Alright, leave it there for now! I'll have my meal later," Su Nuannuan said as she finished her final makeup.
Chika carefully placed the tray on the table, and gently took out the three breakfast items one by one, arranging them neatly on the table.
Finally, she placed the bowl and chopsticks in just the right place, nodded in satisfaction, bowed, and left.
Zhixiang turned and left the room, hurrying towards the small kitchen. She needed to tidy it up and put everything away. Last night, she had already loaded everything she could take onto the carriage; now she just needed to check it one last time to make sure nothing was left behind.
After a quick breakfast, Su Nuannuan stood up, straightened her clothes, and left her room. She then went to the gate of the estate and gracefully boarded the carriage. The carriage slowly started moving, the sound of its wheels ringing out crisply in the morning air.
The carriage traveled along the road and soon encountered a young eunuch from the palace. Upon seeing Su Nuannuan's carriage from afar, the eunuch immediately reined in his horse, jumped down, and hurried towards it.
"Is that the carriage of Consort Zhuang?" The little eunuch stood some distance away from Su Nuannuan's carriage and shouted at the top of his lungs, while bowing respectfully.
Upon hearing the shout, Li Desheng, who was driving the carriage, immediately stopped what he was doing and reported to Su Nuannuan inside the carriage: "Your Majesty, there is a little eunuch blocking the road ahead."
Upon hearing Li Desheng's words, Su Nuannuan frowned slightly and said softly, "I heard you." Although her voice was not loud, it carried an imposing aura.
As they spoke, the carriage slowly pulled up in front of the young eunuch. Li Desheng skillfully reined in the carriage, bringing it to a steady stop.
"Are you out of your mind, daring to stand in front of the carriage!" Li Desheng shouted angrily at the eunuch.
Upon seeing Li Desheng, the young eunuch quickly bowed again and said, "This servant greets the Noble Consort Zhuang and pays respects to Chief Eunuch Li." He recognized Li Desheng, so upon seeing him, he knew that the person sitting in the carriage must be the Noble Consort Zhuang.
Su Nuannuan sat in the carriage without showing her face, but asked in a low voice, "You little eunuch, what brings you to stop my carriage halfway?" Although her tone was calm, it gave people an invisible sense of pressure.
"Your Highness, the Emperor requests your return to the palace, saying he has important matters to discuss," the young eunuch replied respectfully, bowing his head.
Su Nuannuan sat upright in the carriage, her voice calm and gentle: "I understand, I will go back now."
Upon hearing this, the young eunuch looked up in astonishment, his gaze fixed on the carriage. He wondered to himself, why was the Empress Dowager Zhuang's reaction so different from what the Emperor had said?
According to the Emperor, Consort Zhuang was unwilling to return to the palace and even told him to prepare himself for rejection. But now, Consort Zhuang not only didn't hesitate at all, but readily agreed.
This is so unexpected!
The little eunuch's face showed obvious surprise. He stared wide-eyed at Su Nuannuan in the carriage in disbelief.
Seeing this, Li Desheng's face darkened, and he sternly questioned the young eunuch, "What, you don't believe the words of the Imperial Concubine?"
The young eunuch was startled by Li Desheng's reprimand. He trembled and quickly shook his head, denying, "This servant did not, this servant did not."
Su Nuannuan seemed to notice the commotion outside the carriage. She smiled slightly and said softly, "Since you've met me halfway, then come back to the palace with me!"
"Yes," the young eunuch bowed and replied.
Then he went to the horse he was riding, stepped on the stirrups, and mounted it.
The group continued their journey towards the capital without stopping. The wheels rolled, the horses' hooves clattered, raising clouds of dust.
Su Nuannuan sat upright in the carriage, slightly lifting the curtain to watch the scenery rushing past the window, lost in thought. She turned to Jinse beside her and said softly, "Jinse, do you think His Majesty's sudden request for me to return to the palace might be because Lord Qu's memorial has already been delivered to the capital?"
Jinse pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement: "In my opinion, that should be the case. After all, given His Majesty's temperament, he would not easily invite Your Highness back to the palace unless absolutely necessary."