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

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects." The voices of the concubines echoed softly throughout the palace.

"Rise, all of you!" The Emperor sat firmly in the head seat, raising his hand slightly to signal everyone to rise. His dignified yet gentle gaze slowly swept over each person present.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The concubines rose in unison and gracefully took their seats. A faint scent of perfume and a tense atmosphere filled the palace.

Just then, Li Desheng clapped his hands lightly, the crisp sound breaking the brief silence. Immediately afterwards, a group of well-trained eunuchs filed in, carrying exquisite trays. On those trays were displayed a dazzling array of precious gifts.

Upon seeing this, the Empress was secretly startled, knowing full well the extraordinary significance of these gifts. She quickly rose again and respectfully bowed to the Emperor, expressing her gratitude for this favor.

Meanwhile, seeing the Empress's actions, the other concubines naturally dared not be negligent and followed suit, bowing respectfully, fearing that the slightest mistake would constitute a grave offense of disrespect.

Li Desheng stood aside and began to loudly recite the list of rewards. As his melodious voice rang out, one rare treasure after another was named, eliciting gasps of amazement from everyone present. After all eighteen rewards had been recited, the Empress expressed her gratitude and rose, followed by the other concubines, who all seemed relieved.

However, Su Nuannuan wasn't fully focused on the rewards at the moment. She was looking down, absentmindedly considering whether she should take this opportunity to leave the scene.

Just as she was hesitating, she suddenly heard Consort Qin speak first: "Your Majesty must have much to say to Her Majesty and the Empress. I fear that my presence here would disturb Your Majesty's presence. I shall take my leave now." After saying this, Consort Qin respectfully stepped forward, bowed, and then turned and left.

Upon hearing Consort Qin's words, Su Nuannuan was overjoyed. She felt this was an excellent opportunity to escape, so she quickly stepped forward, imitated Consort Qin's manner, bowed to the Emperor, and softly said, "This concubine also takes her leave." Immediately afterward, the other concubines followed suit, and the sounds of "This concubine (concubine) takes her leave" echoed throughout the palace.

The Empress sat quietly on her phoenix throne, her gaze slowly sweeping over the departing figures of the concubines. She secretly wished she could keep them there, and almost cried out, "Don't go! The Emperor and I don't have many intimate conversations; I'd much rather listen to my sisters' casual chatter."

However, these words remained only in her mind, never uttering aloud. After all, as the empress of a nation, some words could not be easily spoken.

And so, the Empress could only helplessly watch as the concubines walked further and further away until they completely disappeared outside the Anning Palace.

After leaving Anning Palace, Yaoqin softly called out, "Your Majesty."

Su Nuannuan was slightly taken aback, then replied, "What is it? Let's talk about it when we get back to the palace. We need to hurry to the Forbidden City."

After Su Nuannuan finished speaking, she gracefully boarded the sedan chair and then instructed Yaoqin beside her, "Be quick and don't waste time."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Yaoqin quickly replied, then turned to the four eunuchs responsible for carrying the sedan chair and shouted, "Please bear with us, Your Majesty is in a hurry to return to the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured, we will ensure you are safely escorted back to Cuiwei Palace," the head eunuch replied respectfully. Immediately afterward, he gave a command, and the other three echoed in unison, together lifting the sedan chair and steadily moving forward.

Although the sedan chair moved at a slightly faster pace than before, it remained stable. Su Nuannuan sat upright inside, feeling no bumps whatsoever. Before long, the sedan chair arrived at the gate of Cuiwei Palace.

Once the sedan chair came to a stop, Yaoqin carefully helped Su Nuannuan down from the chair. Then, she took out four red envelopes that she had prepared beforehand and handed them to the four eunuchs who had worked hard to carry the sedan chair. She smiled and said, "Thank you all for your hard work today. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs' faces immediately lit up with smiles, and they all bowed and thanked her: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. It is our honor to serve you. If you need anything in the future, please just give the order."

Su Nuannuan nodded slightly in satisfaction, then entered Cuiwei Palace accompanied by Yaoqin. The four eunuchs, meanwhile, left happily, clutching their red envelopes. Such rewards were commonplace for them, but receiving a gift from Consort Zhuang always made them especially joyful. In the inner palace, gaining the favor of one's master was no easy feat.

Just as the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair had not completely left, Yaoqin emerged from the palace once more. She approached the crowd with a beaming smile.

Yaoqin parted her lips slightly and said softly, "Your performance this time was excellent, and Her Majesty is very satisfied. Therefore, Her Majesty hopes that from now on, you will only need to carry Her Majesty's sedan chair. In a moment, I will ask Eunuch Li to go and find your steward to inform him of this matter."

Upon hearing this, the four eunuchs carrying the sedan chair were overjoyed and quickly replied in unison, "We thank Miss Yaoqin!" They were secretly delighted, never expecting such an opportunity to come their way.

After the four men carried the sedan chair away from Cuiwei Palace, they deliberately sought out a secluded spot where no one else was around to stop and discuss how much of a tribute they should offer to the head eunuch. After all, they were now the exclusive sedan chair bearers for Cuiwei Palace, and naturally, they couldn't forget to show their respect to the head eunuch. Otherwise, if the head eunuch were to speak ill of them to Consort Zhuang one day, causing them to lose this cushy job, it would truly be a loss beyond their control.