jdhmnovel Chapter 24 Summoned by the Queen Mother
Chapter 24 Summoned by the Queen Mother
After learning about Consort Mei, Su Nuannuan waved for Li Quan to leave.
She leaned back lazily on the soft couch, casually picking up a travelogue from the small table beside her. Just as she was about to continue reading, her thoughts, like a wild horse, suddenly and without warning, drifted to the phoenix crown worn by the Empress Dowager. Thinking of this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but mutter to herself, "That phoenix crown is truly hideous!"
To be honest, the Empress Dowager's phoenix crown wasn't actually that ugly.
Its main body is made of pure gold and is dazzlingly bright; it is also surrounded by a whole circle of round and white pearls, each of which exudes a soft and charming luster.
The phoenix tail section was equally exquisite, with delicate gemstones cleverly inlaid within, their interplay enhancing its luxurious and noble appearance. Even the phoenix head was adorned with dazzling gemstones, making the entire phoenix crown appear both heavy and incredibly magnificent. However, even so, compared to the kingfisher feather phoenix crown that Su Nuannuan had seen in her previous life, it was still far inferior and incomparable.
Shortly after lunch, the head eunuch from the Empress Dowager's palace rushed over.
"Your Majesty, Chief Eunuch Hu from the Empress Dowager's palace has arrived," Jinse said respectfully as she tiptoed into the room.
"Oh? Please invite him in!" Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan gently placed the embroidered handkerchief she was working on aside, sat up straight, and replied.
Not long after, a slightly plump, fair-skinned middle-aged eunuch walked steadily in. Upon entering, he bowed deeply to Su Nuannuan and exclaimed, "This servant greets Consort Zhuang!"
"Rise. Steward Hu, is there something important that the Empress Dowager needs to instruct you on?" Su Nuannuan asked with a smile and a gentle tone.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests that Consort Zhuang come to Cixi Palace for a chat at the end of noon," Chief Steward Hu replied respectfully, bowing deeply and clearly.
"Thank you for informing me, Your Excellency. I am aware of this matter. I will certainly go to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager at the end of noon." Consort Zhuang nodded slightly, a smile on her face, her tone gentle yet firm. Her beautiful face revealed a hint of composure and confidence, as if she had anticipated this summons.
After Steward Hu slowly withdrew, Jinse approached Consort Zhuang and asked cautiously in a low voice, "Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly summon you?" Jinse's eyes were filled with doubt and worry.
Consort Zhuang gently raised her jade-like hand and stroked the exquisite hair ornaments on her head. A faint, cold smile appeared on her lips: "Heh, what else could it be? It's nothing more than wanting to teach me a lesson and give me a warning."
After all, I first gave birth to a son, and now I've adopted a princess; I hold quite a few bargaining chips. The Empress Dowager naturally has to remind me of the duties I, as a concubine, should uphold.”
Upon hearing this, Jinse couldn't help but mutter softly, "Isn't the Empress Dowager being a little too cautious..."
Consort Zhuang's eyes flashed, and she quickly glanced around. Seeing that no one else was around, she replied in a low voice, "Better safe than sorry! It's always better to nip those wrong thoughts in the bud than to wait until the princes and princesses grow up and develop unwarranted ambitions, trying to covet the throne."
"Jinse, the next time you leave the palace, remember to ask my third brother to purchase a set of tools for making jewelry and headdresses for me," Su Nuannuan said softly.
"Your Majesty, why do you suddenly want these things? If you need any style of jewelry or headdress, you can simply instruct the Imperial Wardrobe to make them. Why bother Your Majesty to do it yourself?" Jinse asked, her face full of doubt.
Su Nuannuan shook her head slightly and chuckled, "Those people in the Sizhen Pavilion can't make what I want. Also, have my third brother send some feathers of various colors into the palace."
Jinse gaped in surprise and asked incredulously, "Your Majesty, do you intend to use these feathers to make jewelry?"
Su Nuannuan smiled mysteriously and lowered her voice, saying, "It's a secret for now. But I can tell you in advance that this is a birthday gift that I have carefully prepared for the Empress Dowager."
Jinse nodded in sudden realization, "Your Majesty, isn't the Empress Dowager's birthday in winter? It's still a long time away. Isn't it a bit too early to start preparing now?"
Su Nuannuan gently stroked the silk handkerchief in her hand and said slowly, "It's not early at all. The gift I designed is quite complex and exquisite, and it will take a lot of time and effort to complete."
Upon hearing this, Jinse quickly replied, "I see. Then everything is up to Your Majesty's arrangements. It's just a pity that I've been leaving the palace quite frequently these past two days, and I'm afraid I won't be able to go out again for a while. I'm afraid I'll have to wait at least ten days before I have the opportunity to leave the palace again."
"It's alright, just don't forget when the time comes. Tell my third brother to do it as soon as possible and to make sure everything is complete."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will never forget," Jinse said, bowing.
At midday, sunlight streamed down the palace's cobblestone streets, casting a golden glow. Su Nuannuan, dressed in a pale purple gown, walked gracefully ahead, followed closely by her personal maid, Tingxue. The two were slowly making their way towards Cixi Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager.
Su Nuannuan brought Tingxue along on this trip. The reason was simple: she saw Tingxue staying indoors all day making clothes and was worried that she was overworking herself, so she thought of taking her out for a walk to loosen up her muscles and bones.
But who would have thought that Tingxue would no longer make clothes for her master, but instead devote herself to sewing new clothes for the two little princes and princesses.
Tingxue was initially reluctant to go out, but she couldn't resist the tempting offer from her mistress—if she accompanied her on this trip, she would receive brand-new, never-before-seen baby clothes upon returning. With such an enticing offer, Tingxue naturally couldn't refuse.
Before long, the two arrived at the gate of Cixi Palace. A young eunuch stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing Su Nuannuan in the distance, he quickly bowed and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Consort Zhuang has arrived!"
At that moment, the Empress Dowager was chatting and joking with her maid, Song, when she heard the chanting coming from outside the door. She couldn't help but smile and turned to Song, saying softly, "Look at our Consort Zhuang, she really is a punctual child."
As they spoke, Su Nuannuan stepped into the hall. A bright smile graced her face as she playfully teased the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty summons me, how dare I not come on time? If I were truly late, wouldn't I be blamed by Your Majesty?" With that, she gracefully bowed and respectfully greeted the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager quickly waved her hand and said, "Consort Zhuang, you may rise. Song, go and bring a stool for Consort Zhuang."
Su Nuannuan straightened up, gave a slight curtsy, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for offering me a seat."
After respectfully bowing to the Empress Dowager to express her gratitude, Su Nuannuan turned to face Song, the old woman who had just brought her the brocade stool, bowed slightly, and gracefully raised her hand to give her a small salute.
However, this seemingly ordinary action caused Granny Song to panic as if facing a formidable enemy.
She waved her hands repeatedly, her face full of fear, and hurriedly dodged to the side, muttering, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! This old servant is not worthy of such a grand gesture from Your Majesty."
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but smile slightly and said softly, "Granny Song, you're too kind. This is just the proper etiquette."
Meanwhile, Song Mama, who had already dodged away, was still patting her chest with lingering fear. After catching her breath, she smiled and replied, "Your Highness Consort Zhuang is too kind to this old servant. It is my honor to serve Your Highness."