Consort Zhuang doesn't want palace intrigue; she just wants to raise her child and live a caref

Chapter 383 The Empress Dowager's Days Are Numbered

"Your Majesty, I've found out." Li Desheng tiptoed into the room and said in a low voice.

Su Nuannuan was intently arranging the flowers in her hands when she heard the sound. Without looking up, she casually asked, "What time is it?"

"Your Majesty, it's tomorrow morning, at Qixiang Tower," Li Desheng replied respectfully.

Su Nuannuan raised her head slightly, glanced at Li Desheng, and then continued to put the flowers in the vase, saying, "Go to Qixianglou and ask which private room she booked, and then book the room next door."

Li Desheng hesitated for a moment, as if he had something difficult to say, but finally spoke up: "Your Majesty, this Qixiang Pavilion is Third Master's territory..."

"Third Master? Which Third Master?" Su Nuannuan stopped what she was doing and looked at Eunuch Li with a puzzled expression.

"He's the Empress's third brother," Li Desheng quickly explained.

"Oh, it's Third Brother." Su Nuannuan suddenly realized, "He's expanded his businesses again. There are probably only a few places in the capital that he doesn't own!"

Li Desheng smiled ingratiatingly and said, "This old servant doesn't know."

In truth, he knew exactly what was going on, but he couldn't just say such things carelessly. If it got back to Third Master's ears, his life would be in danger.

Su Nuannuan didn't pay attention to Li Desheng's reaction. She thought for a moment and said, "In that case, go find my third brother and tell him about your prince's matter. He will naturally make the arrangements."

"Yes, this old servant will take care of it right away." Li Desheng quickly bowed and then slowly retreated until he was completely out of the room before straightening up and leaving quickly.

Watching Li Desheng's departing figure, Su Nuannuan turned to Jinse and said, "Let's go to Cixi Palace to see the Empress Dowager." As she spoke, she handed the flowers she had just arranged to Jinse.

Jinse quickly accepted the vase with both hands, half-squatting and bowing, saying, "Yes."

After Su Nuannuan left the room, Jinse followed closely behind her, clutching the vase of flowers tightly in her hands.

Once outside, Jinse handed the vase to a young palace maid, who carefully accepted it. Jinse then turned and helped Su Nuannuan into the sedan chair.

Now, the eunuchs who carry Su Nuannuan's sedan chair have been replaced by young and strong ones. The previous eunuchs who carried the sedan chair were older, so Su Nuannuan rewarded them with some silver and let them leave the palace to enjoy their old age.

As for where these eunuchs went after leaving the palace, Su Nuannuan didn't pay much attention. After all, the silver she gave them was enough for them to live on for the rest of their lives, as long as they didn't squander it recklessly.

Before long, the sedan chair came to a smooth stop outside Cixi Palace. After alighting, Jinse reached out and helped Su Nuannuan slowly down from the sedan chair.

The young eunuch guarding the palace gate saw Su Nuannuan from afar and, like a startled bird, hurriedly stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Greetings to Consort Zhuang, may Consort Zhuang be blessed." After saying this, he quickly turned around and, as if his feet were greased, ran into Cixi Palace to report Su Nuannuan's arrival to the Empress Dowager.

Su Nuannuan walked gracefully into Cixi Palace. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager reclining on the bed, she hurriedly stepped forward, knelt on both knees, and respectfully performed a grand salute, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

The Empress Dowager raised her hand slightly and said weakly, "Sister Zhuang, you may rise."

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan slowly got up, walked to the Empress Dowager's bedside, gazed at the Empress Dowager's pale face, and asked with a worried expression, "Empress Dowager, I haven't seen you for several days. How did you become so ill?"

The Empress Dowager sighed softly and said in a slightly low voice, "Sister Zhuang, I'm afraid my health is failing. You should hurry up and let Jingcheng get married, lest he have to observe three years of mourning if I suddenly pass away one day."

Su Nuannuan quickly waved her hand and comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. You will definitely get better. Please take good care of yourself."

As for Jingcheng's marriage, I will make proper arrangements, so you don't need to worry about it." After saying that, she reached out and tightly grasped the Empress Dowager's somewhat withered hand, as if this could convey some warmth and strength to the Empress Dowager.

"I don't need to worry about anyone else, but I'm really concerned about Jingcheng!" The Empress Dowager said, holding Su Nuannuan's hand tightly with a worried expression.

"Sister Zhuang, you must listen to me. I know my own health condition perfectly well; I'm afraid I can only hold on for another two months at most. So, in these short two months, Jingcheng must get married no matter what."

"I absolutely cannot delay his marriage," the Empress Dowager said earnestly, her tone revealing a hint of urgency.

No sooner had she finished speaking than the Empress Dowager suddenly began to cough violently again. The sound of her cough made her chest tremble slightly, as if she were coughing up her lungs.

"Empress Dowager, please stop talking and lie down to rest. Your health is the most important thing!" Su Nuannuan felt heartbroken upon seeing this, tears welling up in her eyes, and gently comforted her.

"Sister Zhuang, don't cry, I'm fine." The Empress Dowager forced herself to smile and comfort Su Nuannuan, but the smile seemed somewhat pale and weak.

"Sister Zhuang, I'm a little tired and want to rest for a while. You should go back now," the Empress Dowager said softly, slowly releasing Su Nuannuan's hand.

"Your Majesty, I understand. Please rest assured and take your leave." Su Nuannuan wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, slowly stood up, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and then turned to leave.

"Go..." The Empress Dowager waved her hand weakly, watching Su Nuannuan's figure gradually disappear into the distance until it vanished through the door. Then, with Yingchun's help, the Empress Dowager slowly lay back down on the bed, closing her eyes tightly, seemingly utterly exhausted.

Su Nuannuan slowly walked out of Cining Palace and sat in the sedan chair she had come in. The sedan chair bearers carried the sedan chair steadily through the palace corridors and courtyards, finally arriving at Cuiwei Palace.

As soon as the sedan chair stopped, Li Desheng hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, everything has been arranged with the Third Master."

Su Nuannuan nodded slightly to indicate that she understood, and then instructed, "Go to Prince Yong's residence again and tell him that I will invite him to dinner at Qixiang Restaurant at Chenshi tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Desheng replied, turned and left in haste, clearly not daring to delay in the slightest.

After Li Desheng walked away, Su Nuannuan turned to Jinse standing to the side and asked softly, "Can you tell what illness the Empress Dowager has?"

Jinse bowed respectfully and replied, "Your Majesty, I only briefly observed the Empress Dowager's complexion and symptoms. It seems to be tuberculosis, but since I have not personally taken the Empress Dowager's pulse, I dare not make a definitive statement."

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but sigh and murmur, "If it's tuberculosis, then the Empress Dowager's days are probably numbered."