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

"Welcome back to the palace, Your Highness, Fifth Prince, and Little Princess!" As soon as Su Nuannuan stepped through the vermilion gates of Cuiwei Palace, she heard the orderly and respectful welcoming voices of the palace servants guarding the palace.

Su Nuannuan nodded slightly, a faint smile on her face. She wore a gorgeous brocade phoenix-tail dress, the sleeves of which fluttered in the wind. The dress was embroidered with exquisite landscape patterns, which further accentuated her graceful figure and elegant demeanor.

Seeing this commotion, Li Quan quickly stepped forward. He first glared at the palace servants standing on both sides, then said to Su Nuannuan with a fawning expression, "Your Majesty, these servants are really ignorant, always making up these fancy things. What if they frighten Your Majesty and the young masters?" After saying that, he didn't forget to give those palace servants a fierce look.

Then, Li Quan raised his voice and shouted at the palace servants, "What are you all standing there for? Get out of here! Don't get in my way!" Upon hearing this, the palace servants lowered their heads and dispersed as if they had been granted a pardon.

After the palace servants left, Su Nuannuan turned to Li Quan and said softly, "Alright, Li Quan, go and take the two boxes of things I brought back to the East Side Hall. Remember, make sure they don't get bumped or knocked over."

Li Quan quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will take care of it immediately. Please rest assured, Your Majesty." Then, he beckoned to several strong palace servants, and together they walked towards the place where the boxes were placed. Before long, they lifted the two heavy wooden boxes and carefully carried them towards the east side hall.

"Yuenniang, Honglian, you two take the child back to your room to rest. Zhixiang, you will continue to be in charge of the small kitchen from now on. Tingxue, please help out Yueniang and Honglian as much as possible. As for Jinse and Yaoqin, they will remain by my side to serve me." Su Nuannuan instructed everyone methodically.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the four replied in unison.

At this moment, Jinse saw that Su Nuannuan had slowly sat down on the small couch, and hurriedly stepped forward to bow and say, "Your Majesty, please rest for a while, and let Yaoqin and I tidy up and put these items away properly."

After speaking, a second-class palace maid followed closely forward, carrying a tray with an exquisite teapot and teacups. She gently placed the teacups on the table, then carefully poured Su Nuannuan a cup of perfectly warm tea from the teapot. Having done this, the maid respectfully withdrew.

"The journey in the carriage has been quite bumpy, and I'm really tired. I'll take a short rest first, and you all can stop your busy work and find a place to rest. Those things are just there; they won't grow legs and run away." As Su Nuannuan spoke, she slightly adjusted her posture, leaning back more comfortably against the cushions.

"Your Highness, we are all martial arts practitioners, so this little bit of fatigue is nothing. It will make us feel more at ease if we tidy up these items sooner." Yaoqin replied softly with a smile.

"Very well, since that's how it is, then go with you." Su Nuannuan waved her hand lightly, indicating her agreement. After speaking, she gently closed her eyes, preparing to rest and recharge her energy.

"Your Majesty, why don't you go to bed and rest? Lying like this isn't very comfortable." Yaoqin looked at her mistress with concern. Her beautiful face looked a little tired, and she was closing her eyes, preparing to take a nap. Yaoqin spoke softly and carefully reminded her.

"It's alright, I just want to take a short nap. You all go about your business." Su Nuannuan didn't open her eyes, but waved her hand, her tone gentle yet firm.

Seeing that her mistress had made up her mind, Yaoqin said no more. She respectfully bowed and then turned to busy herself with other matters with Jinse.

Time flies, and it was already the next morning. After breakfast, Su Nuannuan was happily playing with her two adorable children.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Li Quan quickly entered the room, bowed, and reported, "Your Majesty, the Lady of the Duke of Zhenguo has arrived."

This Lady Zhenguo is none other than Su Nuannuan's biological mother. Just yesterday, when she heard that her beloved daughter had returned to the palace, she was extremely anxious and did not hesitate to send a servant to deliver a visiting card to Su Nuannuan.

Before Su Nuannuan could even open her mouth to respond, the Duchess of Zhenguo had already walked slowly into the house with light steps.

As soon as the Duchess of Zhenguo entered the room, her eyes eagerly searched for Su Nuannuan's figure. She quickly walked forward, and after arriving in front of Su Nuannuan, she first bowed gracefully, and then respectfully said in a soft voice, "This humble woman greets Consort Zhuang."

Seeing her mother perform such a grand gesture, Su Nuannuan panicked and hurriedly stood up to greet her, extending her hands to help the Duchess of Zhenguo to her feet. However, the Duchess of Zhenguo seemed to have anticipated this, subtly and gently avoiding Su Nuannuan's hands. Then, she said in a gentle but firm tone, "Your Majesty, you mustn't. Now you are the esteemed Consort Zhuang, your status is supremely honorable. If the rules of the palace are broken because of me, then I would truly deserve to die."

After saying these words, the Duchess of Zhenguo added, "Thank you for your consideration, Consort Zhuang."

Watching all this unfold before her, Su Nuannuan felt a pang of sorrow. She knew perfectly well that her mother's cautiousness and adherence to palace rules stemmed entirely from her deep love and care for her. Thinking of this, Su Nuannuan's eyes gradually welled up with tears…

After the Duchess of Zhenguo was seated, Su Nuannuan stepped forward gracefully, slightly curtsied, and bowed to the Duchess of Zhenguo, saying softly, "Daughter greets Mother." Her delicate figure and gentle tone evoked feelings of tenderness in everyone.

Upon seeing this, the Duchess of Zhenguo was startled and quickly stood up. She reached out and grabbed Su Nuannuan, who was bowing, and scolded her, "Oh dear, what are you doing? Get up quickly." Her words were full of tenderness for Su Nuannuan.

At the same time, the four maids, Jinse, Yaoqin, Yueniang, and Honglian, did not dare to be negligent. They all stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the Lady of Zhenguo, and said in unison, "This servant greets Madam." Their movements were uniform and showed that they were well-trained.

The Duchess of Zhenguo smiled at the four people bowing before her and said softly, "You may all rise." Her tone was as gentle as a spring breeze.

After receiving permission from the Duchess of Zhenguo, the four quickly thanked her, then stood up straight and quietly stepped aside with their hands at their sides.

At this moment, the Fifth Prince, who had been playing quietly for a while, saw that no one paid attention to him. So, the little guy couldn't wait to open his mouth and make a clear and loud "ya" sound, as if he was trying to attract everyone's attention.