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

Chapter 282 My Fifth Brother Bullied Me

After Su Nuannuan left with Jinse and Yaoqin, the Empress's smile vanished. Her face was ashen as she said to Yingqiu, who was standing to the side, "Go, have someone investigate where these rumors about Consort Zhuang are coming from in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Yingqiu quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, this servant will make the arrangements immediately." After saying this, she turned and left quickly, not forgetting to call Yingchun in before leaving to take her place in serving the Empress.

After Su Nuannuan returned to Cuiwei Palace, Yaoqin immediately stepped forward to pay her respects and then reported, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, should we investigate the source of those rumors?"

Su Nuannuan sat upright on the small couch, gently waving a fan in her hand, and said unhurriedly, "We don't need to pay attention to these things. Her Majesty the Empress will naturally investigate the ins and outs of this matter."

Yaoqin was still indignant after hearing Su Nuannuan's words. She stomped her foot and said, "These concubines are utterly despicable!"

"I'm not angry, so why are you?" Su Nuannuan smiled faintly. "They're just envious of me. They feel uncomfortable if they don't throw some mud at me. However, I do hope they can all be as clean as they claim."

Upon hearing this, Yaoqin snorted coldly, "Hmph, what is there to envy about them? All of this was planned and accomplished by Your Majesty yourself, and has nothing to do with them."

Su Nuannuan nodded gently, "Indeed, this is all I deserve. After all, I am self-aware, I know how to act, and I know how to be on good terms with the Crown Prince and the Empress."

Just then, Jinse, who had been silent all along, suddenly interjected, "From what I've observed, Her Majesty the Empress still has some genuine feelings for you."

Su Nuannuan smiled slightly, "This sincerity is something I earned with my own sincerity. I have always treated Her Majesty the Empress with sincerity, so naturally I have received her response in return."

After saying that, Su Nuannuan seemed to suddenly remember something important. She frowned slightly and quickly asked, "By the way, where are Cheng'er and Yao'er? I haven't seen them."

Seeing this, Yaoqin smiled slightly and replied softly, "Your Majesty, I heard from Eunuch Li that the young prince and the princess went to the East Palace."

At this time, the Eastern Palace was bustling with activity.

Canglan Jingyao blinked her big eyes, looking at Canglan Jingyun with curiosity, and asked in a sweet voice, "Crown Prince, is my sister-in-law pretty?"

Cang Lan Jingyun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile. He affectionately patted Cang Lan Jingyao's hair and replied with a smile, "Of course your sister-in-law is beautiful. Moreover, she is not only outstanding in appearance, but also has a particularly good personality. You will definitely like her."

Upon hearing this, Canglan Jingyao's eyes lit up even more, and she said excitedly, "What good is it if I like it? The important thing is that my Crown Prince likes it!"

Hearing this, Canglan Jingcheng couldn't help but laugh. He teased, "You little rascal, you really know how to make fun of your Crown Prince brother. Look, you've made his face turn red!"

Upon hearing this, Canglan Jingyao immediately became displeased. She angrily raised a finger and waved it in front of Canglan Jingcheng, emphasizing, "Who is a little girl? This princess is only one month younger than you, just one month!"

Seeing this, Canglan Jingcheng refused to back down. He crossed his arms and said seriously, "No matter what, you are younger than me, so you are a little girl!"

"Crown Prince, Fifth Brother bullied me!" Canglan Jingyao's voice was tinged with sobs, as if she had suffered a great injustice. A few crystal tears still clung to her large eyes, making people feel pity for her.

Cang Lan Jingcheng glanced at his green tea sister and didn't know what to say about her.

The Second Prince Canglan Jinghan and the Third Prince Canglan Jingyu, who were sitting to the side, watched this scene with great interest, both with faint smiles on their faces.

Canglan Jinghan spoke first, saying, "Fifth brother, as the older brother, you should act like one." Although his tone was somewhat teasing, it also revealed a hint of reproach towards Canglan Jingcheng.

Immediately afterward, the Third Prince, Canglan Jingyu, also said with a smile, "Big sister, you can't always bully your fifth brother." His words also carried a hint of teasing.

However, Canglan Jingcheng and Canglan Jingyao completely ignored their words. They both snorted at each other in unison, and then, as if in a fit of pique, turned their heads away and refused to look at each other again.

Crown Prince Canglan Jingyun looked at his two childish younger siblings and felt utterly overwhelmed. He couldn't help but recall that back on the estate, they weren't like this, constantly bickering and making a ruckus.

At that time, Canglan Jingcheng was focused on his culinary career, while Canglan Jingyao was engrossed in her medical studies. Both of them were very busy and had no time to bicker like they are now.

Now that they're back in the palace and can't go out freely, life is already boring enough. If the two of them don't bicker a bit, they won't be able to get through it.

Canglan Jingyu suddenly seemed to have something important to ask Canglan Jingyao. He hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered his courage and said, "Elder sister, do you know..." He paused again, as if considering how to phrase it. After a long while, he continued, "Do you know that you are not Consort Zhuang's biological daughter?"

Canglan Jingyao was not surprised. She smiled slightly and replied, "Of course I know. My mother told me everything when I was nine years old."

Her tone was calm and composed, as if it were no big deal. Then she added, "I am very grateful to my mother for adopting me; otherwise, I might not have grown up, or even if I had, I wouldn't be as safe and sound as I am now."

Canglan Jingyao's words revealed her gratitude to Consort Zhuang, while also demonstrating her maturity and understanding.

Canglan Jinghan looked at his younger sister, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He said softly, "Elder sister, no matter what gossip you hear in the palace, don't believe it easily, understand?"

His tone was serious and earnest, clearly worried that Canglan Jingyao might be affected by some unfounded rumors.

"Don't worry, Second Brother, I won't believe those rumors in the palace," Canglan Jingyao assured him.