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

"Your Highness, this servant has come to collect the Fifth Prince's toys." A young palace maid dressed in a light blue palace dress entered the hall. After bowing respectfully to Su Nuannuan, she spoke softly.

Only then did Su Nuannuan notice the two small, exquisite, and lifelike animal models that had landed on the small couch. She straightened up slightly, reached out her fair and delicate hand, and gently picked up the two animal models, then placed them softly on the small table beside her.

Upon seeing this, the young palace maid quickly stepped forward, gently and swiftly picked up the two small animal models, bowed to Su Nuannuan again, and then turned and left the hall.

However, not long after the young palace maid left, a series of light footsteps approached from afar, and then the door was gently pushed open, and Tingxue walked in with a smile on her face.

"Why did you come at this time?" Su Nuannuan raised her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Tingxue, who was holding an exquisite sewing basket, and asked in a puzzled voice.

Upon hearing this, Tingxue first placed the sewing basket in her hand steadily on the table beside her, and then softly replied, "Sister Jinse and the others have all been sent out by Your Majesty to handle some matters, so of course this servant must stay by Your Majesty's side to serve you wholeheartedly." After saying this, she playfully winked at Su Nuannuan.

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but smile slightly. Her gaze lingered on Tingxue for a moment before turning to the sewing basket filled with colorful silk threads and various embroidery needles. She thought to herself, "Looking at you, you don't seem like you've come here specifically to serve people. You're clearly just looking for an excuse to keep me company!" However, she didn't say it aloud, but her smile grew even gentler.

"I really don't have anything to worry about here. You can go ahead and do what you need to do!" Su Nuannuan said softly, waving her hand gently.

“Absolutely not, Your Highness! This servant must stay by your side at all times until Sister Jinse and the others return.” Tingxue looked at Su Nuannuan with a firm gaze and replied resolutely.

Seeing Tingxue's resolute and unquestionable expression, Su Nuannuan knew that saying anything more would be futile, so she stopped insisting and simply let her be.

"Alright, alright, since that's the case, then please fetch me the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone first," Su Nuannuan instructed softly.

"Yes, Your Majesty, please wait a moment." Tingxue responded and then turned around to prepare the necessary items with nimble movements.

Before long, Tingxue returned quickly, carrying a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone in both hands. She carefully placed them on the table and arranged them neatly.

"What painting does Your Highness intend to create this time?" After everything was settled, Tingxue couldn't contain her curiosity and asked.

"I want to draw a few small and cute animals, and then have Li Quan carve them into exquisite wooden trinkets for my two children to play with." As Su Nuannuan spoke, she reached out and slowly unfolded the snow-white Xuan paper, carefully laying it flat on the table.

At this moment, Tingxue had already nimbly picked up the ink stick and began to concentrate on grinding ink for Su Nuannuan.

When the ink was fragrant and the shades were just right, Su Nuannuan gracefully picked up her brush and gently dipped the tip into the glossy black ink until it was fully saturated. Then, she took a deep breath, steadied herself, and with a slight turn of her wrist, began to sketch and depict various adorable little animal figures on the pristine white Xuan paper.

Su Nuannuan lightly raised her jade-like hand, and her brushstrokes flowed like clouds and water across the pristine white paper. In no time, a lifelike wolf leaped onto the paper.

After meticulously depicting the wolf, Su Nuannuan didn't stop. Instead, she continued to wield her paintbrush, and a majestic tiger gradually emerged before her eyes. Next, a massive elephant, a powerful lion… various animals were sketched in turn. Finally, the once blank paper was filled with all sorts of animal images, but the most eye-catching were the twelve zodiac animals.

Surprisingly, while the other animals are all in their usual, common forms, the twelve zodiac animals have two unique versions: one is their normal form, which is no different from reality; the other is an adorable Q version, each one small and exquisite, full of endearing clumsiness.

At this moment, Tingxue, who was sewing clothes for Su Nuannuan, kept a close eye on Su Nuannuan's every move. When she caught sight of the Q-version twelve zodiac animals, she put down her needle and thread without hesitation and hurried over to Su Nuannuan's side.

"Your Majesty, may I have this version of the twelve zodiac animals?" Tingxue asked expectantly, pointing to the cute zodiac animal designs, unable to hide her excitement.

Hearing Tingxue's request, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but feel curious. She put down the calligraphy brush she was holding and asked softly, "What do you need these for?"

Upon hearing this, Tingxue's excitement deepened, and she quickly explained, "Your Majesty, look, this version of the twelve zodiac animals is just too adorable! I was thinking that if we could carefully embroider them onto the clothes of our young masters, it would definitely add a touch of childlike fun and warmth to them."

After hearing Tingxue's words, Su Nuannuan instantly recalled the exquisite dolls she had seen in her previous life, and her heart stirred.

"Alright, no problem. I'll draw another meticulous copy of this drawing for you. Not only that, I'll also create another drawing for you."

"Next, all you need to do is make it according to these blueprints," Su Nuannuan said with a gentle smile, her words conveying warmth and kindness.

"Make them? Your Highness, do you mean to turn these cute little animals into soft and comfortable pillows?" Tingxue blinked and asked curiously.

"Hmm...you could say it's similar, but it's not a pillow. It's a small, adorable doll. I happen to have some outdated fabrics in my storeroom! You can use those fabrics to make it. As for how to cleverly match the colors and patterns, that's entirely up to your creativity and ingenuity," Su Nuannuan explained patiently.

"Your Majesty, you are so kind to me." Tingxue said with joy and tears of gratitude in her eyes, her voice slightly choked.

In truth, she was well aware of her own problem: she was not very willing to interact with others. Otherwise, she wouldn't have volunteered to serve Su Nuannuan when the Zhenguo Duke's mansion was selecting maids.

She would rather serve one master wholeheartedly than have to frequently socialize with all sorts of people just to gather intelligence. After all, every interaction with strangers left her feeling exhausted, as if she were being drawn into one complex and unpredictable vortex after another.

"You're already moved?" Su Nuannuan looked at Tingxue in front of her and couldn't help but smile, revealing a beaming smile.

"Your Majesty~" Hearing Su Nuannuan's teasing, Tingxue blushed and called out coquettishly. She lowered her head, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her clothes, her heart pounding like a deer.