flstandardbreds Chapter 135 Setting off again for the imperial palace
Chapter 135 Setting off again for the imperial palace
After leaving Anning Palace, Su Nuannuan stopped, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled. She repeated this several times, seemingly trying to expel all the pent-up emotions from her body. Having done this, she turned and stepped into the sedan chair that was already waiting there, heading towards Cuiwei Palace.
"Your Majesty, when shall we depart?" Upon seeing her mistress return, Yaoqin hurriedly stepped forward to inquire.
Su Nuannuan slightly raised her hand, signaling Yaoqin to calm down. She then gently sat down, picked up a teacup from the small table beside her, took a sip of tea, and answered unhurriedly, "We will depart tomorrow. Her Majesty the Empress has already agreed. However, we are not going to my private estate, but to the imperial palace. Moreover, we will be traveling with the Empress Dowager." After speaking, she gently placed the teacup back in its place.
Upon hearing this, Yaoqin couldn't help but look puzzled: "Go to the imperial palace? Why not go directly to Your Majesty's estate?"
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and explained, "Your Majesty's move is also well-considered. If I were to leave the palace directly for my private estate, it would inevitably cause criticism and damage my reputation. However, if I go to the imperial palace first, the situation would be quite different. I only need to inform the Empress Dowager, and once she approves, I can find a pretext to go out. Of course, I must go and return on the same day, and I must not stay overnight."
After speaking, Su Nuannuan pondered to herself, silently calculating the distance between the palace and her estate. After some consideration, she realized that traveling between the two places in a single day should not be a problem. Thinking of this, she felt a little relieved.
It was early summer, the weather was pleasant, and the sunlight was gentle and warm. Therefore, when the Empress Dowager decided to go to the imperial palace for recuperation, the Emperor and Empress had not originally planned to send any of their concubines to accompany her.
However, things took an unexpected turn—Su Nuannuan requested to leave the palace, and it just so happened that the timing was right, so this was the only arrangement.
It's worth mentioning that every autumn, Su Nuannuan would accompany the children to the imperial palace to recuperate. When the Empress Dowager's birthday approached, they would return to the palace and then begin preparations for spending the New Year there.
The next day, the sky was clear and cloudless, making it an ideal day for a long journey.
After carefully dressing up, Su Nuannuan led her two lively and adorable children into her luxurious carriage. With a command, the long procession of vehicles slowly started moving, embarking on the journey to the palace.
During this trip, Su Nuannuan did not choose to ride in the same carriage as the Empress Dowager. After all, the two children she was traveling with were naturally active and exceptionally mischievous, and if they shared a carriage, it would inevitably disturb the Empress Dowager's rest.
After a long and arduous journey, the massive convoy finally entered the palace around noon.
Su Nuannuan quickly got out of the car, bowed, and explained to the Empress Dowager that the two children had fallen asleep in the car and had not intentionally not come to pay their respects.
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly, indicating that she understood, and then instructed the palace maid beside her to lead them to Caiwei Palace to rest.
For the past two years, whenever the Empress Dowager came to stay at the imperial palace in the autumn, Su Nuannuan and her companions were always arranged to stay in this palace called Caiwei Palace. The environment here is quiet, peaceful and elegant, and it has become their cozy residence during their stay at the imperial palace.
Therefore, when I started organizing these items, everything went smoothly and effortlessly. Before long, everything was neatly arranged.
Just then, Zhixiang walked in with light steps. She bowed her head respectfully and asked in a soft voice, "Your Highness, what would you like to have for lunch today?"
Su Nuannuan shifted her gaze from Jinse and Yaoqin to Zhixiang and replied, "Then let's make cold noodles!" At this moment, Jinse and Yaoqin were carefully placing the two adorable children gently on the small couch.
Because they woke up earlier than usual today, the two little ones had already succumbed to sleepiness and drifted off to sleep before they even arrived at the palace.
Upon hearing her mistress's instructions, Zhixiang dared not delay and immediately turned to prepare lunch. Jinse, on the other hand, went to the incense burner and skillfully lit the mosquito-repelling incense. This incense was made by Zhixiang herself, and its subtle fragrance not only repels insects but also brings a sense of tranquility.
Since it's early summer now, the indoor temperature is quite pleasant, not as unbearably hot as midsummer, so there's no need to place ice basins to lower the indoor temperature for the time being. Moreover, it becomes especially cool and comfortable here at night.
After enjoying a simple and delicious lunch, Su Nuannuan slowly walked to the outer edge of the small couch, then gently lay down, closed her eyes, and officially began her afternoon nap.
As for Jinse and the others, they can take a short nap if they feel sleepy, but one of them must stay behind to keep watch and ensure the safety of Su Nuannuan and the children.
As a result, none of the three were sleepy at all. Each of them held a sewing basket and found a suitable place to sit down. Then, the three of them began to embroider with methodical precision, while chatting in hushed tones.
Time passed quietly, and about an hour later, Su Nuannuan, who had been sleeping soundly, slowly woke up. At the same time, the two adorable children, as if by telepathy, also opened their sleepy eyes.
As they slowly sat up, they initially looked around at their unfamiliar surroundings with a sense of bewilderment. However, when their eyes fell upon their mother, who was smiling at them, their two exquisitely beautiful faces instantly blossomed into radiant smiles.
Then, the two of them stood up at the same time and ran towards Su Nuannuan with cheerful steps, and rushed into her warm embrace like swallows returning to their nest.
"Ouch! My darlings, if you keep bumping me like that, I'm going to fall to the ground!" Su Nuannuan hugged the two little ones with a doting expression and said softly with a smile.
At this moment, Jingyao blinked her big, bright eyes, stretched out her chubby little hands to gently stroke her round little belly, and said in a childish, coquettish voice, "Mother, my tummy is hungry..."
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly turned to Yaoqin, who was waiting for orders, and instructed her, "Go to the small kitchen and bring the noodles that the children like to eat."
Just as Su Nuannuan stood up, Jinse and the others, understanding perfectly, put down what they were holding and quickly stepped forward to serve her.