jdhmnovel Chapter 175 Epidemic
Chapter 175 Epidemic
Autumn turned to winter, the cold wind howled, and the earth was gradually covered in snow, a scene of silver and white. This year, the Empress Dowager issued an unexpected imperial edict: no more grand birthday banquets would be held, and expenses should be reduced instead. Thus, the Empress Dowager's birthday was spent in a relatively low-key atmosphere, with only a simple family dinner enjoyed with the Emperor, Empress, and four concubines.
On this day, the sunlight shone brightly on the snow. Su Nuannuan, dressed in a thick brocade coat, was happily building a snowman in her yard with her two adorable children, Cheng'er and Yao'er. The children's rosy cheeks were filled with innocent smiles, and their little hands, though red from the cold, were still busy with great enthusiasm.
Suddenly, Su Nuannuan inadvertently looked up, her gaze sweeping across a corner of the courtyard. She saw Tingfeng, hiding in the shadows, subtly gesturing to her. The gesture seemed to contain some kind of message, and Su Nuannuan instantly understood, realizing that Tingfeng must have something important to discuss with her.
"Cheng'er, Yao'er, our snowman is finished! Look how beautiful it is! But now, you two need to go back to your room with the nannies to change your clothes. If you keep playing like this, you'll catch a cold." Su Nuannuan smiled and squatted down, gently stroking the two little ones' heads.
"Okay!" the two little ones responded in unison, their laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells.
Then, Su Nuannuan stood up, turned to Jin Mama and Ru Mama beside her, and whispered, "Jin Mama, Ru Mama, please take them back and change them into clean and warm clothes. Then let them warm up in the room first, and come to the main hall to find me when they are warm."
"Yes, Your Highness," Jin and Ru replied respectfully.
Just as Granny Jin and Granny Ru were about to bend down and pick up the two adorable little ones, they heard a childish but firm voice: "Granny, we can walk by ourselves, we've grown up."
Granny Jin and Granny Ru were taken aback and were momentarily at a loss for what to do. They subconsciously turned their gaze to Su Nuannuan, who was standing to the side.
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and said gently, "Then let them walk by themselves! But be careful. It's okay if they accidentally fall, but please don't bump your head."
After saying that, Su Nuannuan turned her gaze to the two little ones again, her eyes full of love and praise, and softly praised them, "Cheng'er and Yao'er are so wonderful. They don't need to be carried anymore. It seems that you have really grown up and become much more sensible!" Receiving such affirmation from their mother, the two little ones' faces immediately lit up with bright smiles, and they were overjoyed. They walked with their heads held high and chests out, as if they had suddenly become little adults.
After watching the two little ones happily follow the two nannies into the distance, Su Nuannuan's expression instantly turned serious. She turned around, hurried into the inner hall, and loudly ordered, "Jinse and Yaoqin, you two must guard the entrance carefully and not slack off in the slightest!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jinse and Yaoqin replied in unison, then quickly walked towards the palace entrance. Upon reaching the entrance, they stood on either side, guarding the palace with full concentration.
At that moment, a dark shadow flashed by like a ghost and appeared in front of Su Nuannuan in the blink of an eye.
It turned out that Tingfeng, who had been hiding in the shadows to protect Su Nuannuan, had finally appeared. He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a proper salute to Su Nuannuan, and reported in a low voice, "Your Majesty, we have just received news that an epidemic has broken out in the outskirts of the capital, and the situation is quite serious. The Duke specifically instructed me to inform Your Majesty that you must be extra careful and pay attention to your own safety."
"Is the imperial court aware of this?" Upon hearing that it was an epidemic, Su Nuannuan was startled and quickly asked. Her beautiful face was filled with worry.
Tingfeng quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the court is already aware of the situation, and a new plan will soon be issued in the palace."
After receiving the confirmation, Su Nuannuan breathed a slight sigh of relief, but her expression remained solemn. "Very well, I am aware of the situation." With that, she gently waved her hand, and Tingfeng silently retreated to a hidden place.
Su Nuannuan composed herself, took a deep breath, and then shouted loudly, "Jinse! Yaoqin!"
"Miss."
Su Nuannuan looked at them with a serious expression and said slowly, "I just heard from Tingfeng that an epidemic has broken out in the outskirts of the capital. From today onwards, Cuiwei Palace will be sealed off immediately, and no one in the palace is allowed to go out without permission."
However, Yaoqin looked troubled upon hearing this and said anxiously, "But Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince comes to Cuiwei Palace every day to learn foreign languages with you. What should we do?"
This problem was indeed thorny. Su Nuannuan frowned, racking her brains for a solution, when she heard Li Quan's voice from the doorway: "Your Majesty, Yingqiu, the lady from the Empress's side, has arrived."
As soon as she finished speaking, the cotton curtain was slowly lifted, and Ying Qiu stepped lightly into the hall. She respectfully bowed to Su Nuannuan and said, "This servant greets Consort Zhuang."
"Miss Yingqiu, please rise." Su Nuannuan raised her hand slightly and asked in a gentle tone, "Does Her Majesty the Empress have any instructions?"
Yingqiu bowed her head and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress has specially sent me to invite Your Majesty to Anning Palace for a chat."
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan nodded gently and replied, "Alright. You may return to the palace to report first. I will tidy up and then arrive."
After Ying Qiu turned and left, Su Nuannuan, with the help of Jinse and Yaoqin, quickly changed into a more dignified and elegant outfit. A short while later, a beautifully decorated sedan chair stopped at the palace gate. She gently lifted her skirt, gracefully sat inside, and slowly made her way towards Anning Palace.
Finally, the sedan chair landed smoothly in front of the Anning Palace.
Su Nuannuan gracefully stepped down from the sedan chair, straightened her clothes, and then walked lightly into the palace. Upon seeing the Empress sitting on a small couch, she immediately knelt down and respectfully greeted her, "Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Upon seeing this, the Empress quickly rose from the couch, personally helped Su Nuannuan up, and said with a smile, "Please rise, Consort Zhuang."
With the Empress's help, Su Nuannuan stood up and softly thanked her, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After the two were seated, Su Nuannuan spoke first, asking, "I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned me for today? I hope Your Majesty will enlighten me." With that, she looked at the Empress with bright eyes, awaiting her reply.
The Empress slightly furrowed her delicate brows, parted her lips slightly, and first let out a long sigh, as if her heart was burdened with a thousand worries and ten thousand sorrows.
Then she slowly and deliberately said in a soft but solemn tone, "Just now, the Emperor sent someone to deliver a message, saying that a sudden epidemic has appeared in the outskirts of the capital, and its spread is very serious."
His Majesty has specifically ordered me to pay close attention to all matters concerning the inner palace and manage them properly to prevent the spread of the epidemic into the palace.
At this point, the Empress paused slightly before continuing, "Even if His Majesty had not given this instruction, as the head of the six palaces, I should naturally do my best to manage the harem in an orderly manner. However, the epidemic has come so strangely and is truly unusual. I fear that if I become too busy, I will not have time to take care of the Crown Prince. After much thought, I can only humbly request that my sister, Consort Zhuang, lend a helping hand and look after the Crown Prince for a period of time. What do you think, sister?"