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

Consort Qin glanced at Su Nuannuan, her face showing helplessness, and said in a low voice, "Sister, don't you know? Imperial Physician Zhang has already been imprisoned by the Emperor! Alas, I really didn't expect such a thing to happen..." As she spoke, Consort Qin gently shook her head, her face full of regret.

"Uh... I've been busy taking care of the child all day, and I really haven't had time to think about anything else." Su Nuannuan's face showed a little embarrassment as she smiled awkwardly and explained.

Consort Qin, standing to the side, frowned slightly, shook her head gently, and said to Su Nuannuan earnestly, "Sister, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but in this harem, if you're not well-informed, you can sometimes get yourself killed!"

Su Nuannuan quickly bowed and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Consort Qin. I will definitely pay more attention in the future." After saying that, she said no more, because she caught a glimpse of the Empress looking in their direction out of the corner of her eye.

Just then, Consort Mei suddenly cried out, followed by an extremely loud baby's cry that pierced the sky. The cry was as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song and as full of vitality as a fledgling phoenix's first cry.

"It's born! It's born!" The palace servants waiting outside immediately beamed with joy and shouted excitedly. Before long, an experienced midwife came out quickly, carrying a delicately swaddled baby.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Mei has given birth to a little princess!" The midwife, beaming, bowed to the emperor, who was seated in a chair, and loudly announced the good news.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's previously tense face instantly broke into a joyful smile, and he hurriedly waved his hand, gesturing, "Quick! Quickly bring the little princess here so I can see her!"

This was the first princess he had ever welcomed! Everyone was immersed in the joyful atmosphere brought about by the birth of a new life.

"Granny, quickly tell me how Consort Mei is doing?" the Empress asked anxiously to the midwife beside her. However, before the midwife could answer, a palace maid rushed out of the room in a panic, then knelt down with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Mei... has passed away!"

These words were like a bolt from the blue, instantly shattering the previously joyful atmosphere.

The smiles on the Emperor and Empress's faces vanished instantly.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor slowly shifted his gaze to the infant princess in her swaddling clothes, his eyes revealing a complex emotion that was difficult to describe.

Then, he took a deep breath and said in a low, slightly sorrowful voice, "Promote Consort Mei to Imperial Concubine Mei, and bury her in the Imperial Concubine Garden according to the standards for an imperial concubine."

Upon hearing this news, Su Nuannuan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow. She thought to herself, at such a critical moment, the Emperor actually chose to abandon the adults to save the child.

At the same time, the scene of her childbirth involuntarily surfaced in her mind, and she wondered if she had also encountered a similar difficult choice, which led the original owner to choose to run away, and ultimately she took over everything.

Thinking this, Su Nuannuan's resolve hardened—no matter what, she would never bear another child for the Emperor. It was a matter of life and death, far too dangerous. Besides, she already had a son by her side, which was enough.

"Your Majesty, the princess lost her mother at birth. This child is truly pitiful! Do you think we should arrange a foster mother for her? In this way, someone can take good care of the little princess as she grows up." The Empress frowned slightly, looking at the little girl in the swaddling clothes with a look of pity.

"Hmm..." After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor turned his gaze to the Empress and slowly said, "Then why not let this little princess be raised by your side, Your Majesty? After all, in this harem, you are the legitimate mother." As he finished speaking, a hint of expectation appeared in the Emperor's eyes, as if he hoped that the Empress would agree.

Upon hearing this, the Empress quickly bowed and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am naturally very willing to raise the princess. However, I am not only preoccupied with caring for Jingyun, but also have many complicated palace affairs to attend to, making it difficult to spare enough time and energy to wholeheartedly care for the princess. Therefore, in my opinion, it would be best to find a reliable foster mother for the princess who has the time and leisure." After saying this, the Empress sighed softly, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

The Emperor listened to the Empress's earnest words and nodded slightly in agreement. He thought to himself, "Indeed, I may have been too demanding of the Empress before, putting too much pressure and responsibility on her."

It's important to understand that although the princes and princesses in the palace are raised by specialized wet nurses, this does not mean that the birth mother can completely stand aside.

After all, maternal love is irreplaceable for children, providing them with warmth, care, and proper guidance. Without this protection and discipline from their mothers, even children of noble birth may be susceptible to the influence of unscrupulous and malicious palace servants, potentially leading them astray.

Thinking this, the Emperor's gaze began to sweep over the assembled concubines. He scrutinized each woman, silently pondering which one would be suitable to be the princess's foster mother…

The pregnant concubines appeared quite calm. However, the childless concubines could hardly conceal their excitement; their faces flushed slightly, and their eyes shone with expectation and longing. They secretly wondered if, if they could raise a princess, perhaps the Emperor would visit their palace more often?

The Emperor took in everyone's expressions, seeing right through the thoughts of these concubines. He knew their schemes were nothing more than using the princess to vie for his favor. Unfortunately for them, he would never let them succeed so easily. In his eyes, his children were not tools in the power struggles of the harem; they deserved pure love and care.

Finally, the Emperor's gaze slowly settled on Su Nuannuan. This Consort Zhuang was usually low-key and humble, and never participated in the intrigues of the harem.

"Consort Zhuang, the princess will be raised under your name from now on," the Emperor suddenly said. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

These words struck Su Nuannuan like a thunderbolt. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed at herself and stammered, "Your Majesty...you said you would let me raise the princess?"

Before the Emperor could answer, the Empress, who was standing to the side, smiled and nodded, softly echoing, "Consort Zhuang, that is indeed His Majesty's intention."

Hearing the Empress's confirmation, Su Nuannuan was still somewhat dazed. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously asked, "Really? Then... then I'll take the princess away now?"

The Emperor nodded slightly, and said in a serious yet gentle tone, "Consort Zhuang, you must take good care of the princess." After saying this, he did not linger any longer, turned around and left, leaving the concubines looking at each other, some with envy and some with jealousy as they gazed at Su Nuannuan.

"It's true! Oh my! I really have a sweet and soft little girl!" Su Nuannuan's face was filled with uncontrollable joy as she excitedly and carefully took the little princess from the midwife.

The little girl was exquisitely beautiful, with skin as delicate as snow, and her cherry-like lips moving slightly—she was incredibly adorable. Su Nuannuan gently stroked the little princess's soft hair, feeling the warmth and purity of that new life.

The four women, including Yue Niang, who remained in Cuiwei Palace, never imagined that their mistress would return with a princess after a trip out.