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

Chapter 325 Wutong Courtyard

After touring the Prince Yong's Mansion, Su Nuannuan strolled to the courtyard her son had specially prepared for her.

"Mother, this is a residence that your son has specially arranged for you. You can stay here every time you come to Prince Yong's Mansion." Canglan Jingcheng pointed to the elegant courtyard and introduced it to Su Nuannuan with a smile.

Su Nuannuan looked up and saw an antique-style plaque hanging above the courtyard gate, with the three characters "Wutong Courtyard" written in a vigorous and elegant style. She smiled slightly, revealing satisfaction, and said, "Good, Jingcheng, you're really thoughtful."

"Mother, I have some important matters to discuss with my master, so I cannot stay here with you any longer." Canglan Jingcheng bowed to Su Nuannuan, his tone revealing a hint of apology.

Su Nuannuan quickly waved her hand and smiled, "It's alright, you go and do your work. Your mother doesn't need you to stay here." She knew that her son, as a prince, was very busy, so she naturally wouldn't insist that he stay.

"Little Yuanzi, I'm entrusting my mother to your care." Canglan Jingcheng turned around and instructed Little Yuanzi, the eunuch who was following behind him.

Xiao Yuanzi quickly replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will make sure everything is arranged perfectly for the Noble Consort." He secretly vowed in his heart that he would never let the Prince and the Noble Consort down.

Canglan Jingcheng nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly heard a shout from behind: "Brother, wait for me!" It turned out that Canglan Jingyao had seen her brother about to leave and hurriedly chased after him.

"Mother, I must also return to prepare for my journey to the border. In two days, Jianping will personally come to fetch you to the residence." Canglan Jingyao turned her head, smiled, and respectfully bowed to Su Nuannuan before speaking.

Seeing this, Su Nuannuan smiled slightly, waved her hand, and said gently, "You all go ahead and do your work! In two days, your mother will come to your residence on her own, so you don't need to come and pick her up."

After Su Nuannuan finished speaking, her gaze fell on the two children. She gently waved to them, indicating that they could leave. Then, she led a group of people slowly into the Wutong Courtyard.

This courtyard is called Wutong Courtyard because there is a tall wutong tree planted in it. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that the phoenix alights on the wutong tree, so it is only natural to arrange for Su Nuannuan to live in this courtyard.

Standing in the courtyard, Su Nuannuan looked up at the towering sycamore tree before her, a wave of emotion washing over her. She murmured to herself, "I still prefer the grape trellis in Cuiwei Palace."

However, what was said in jest was taken to heart by the listener. Little Yuanzi, who was following behind Su Nuannuan, kept her words firmly in mind, and at the same time, a small plan quietly formed in his mind.

Little Yuanzi thought to herself, "It seems that the grape trellis won't be built this year. We'll have to wait until next spring to plant the grapes and build a beautiful grape trellis for the Empress then."

“Your Highness, look at this paulownia tree! It’s so tall and magnificent. Look how lush its branches and leaves are! There’s a large shady spot in the courtyard!” Jinse stood beside Su Nuannuan, pointing at the paulownia tree and saying to her with a face full of joy.

"Your Highness, is there anything else you think needs to be added to this courtyard? This servant will go and prepare it right away." Upon seeing this, Xiao Yuanzi hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Su Nuannuan, and then asked with a smile on her face.

Su Nuannuan stood in the center of the courtyard, slowly turning her body to take in every blade of grass, every brick and tile. She carefully observed her surroundings, as if trying to etch every detail into her mind. After a while, she stopped, gently shook her head, and smiled at Xiao Yuanzi, saying, "It's fine, we don't lack anything right now."

Hearing Su Nuannuan's words, Xiao Yuanzi breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly replied, "Your Highness, all the items in this courtyard were carefully selected by the Prince himself from the storeroom!" As he spoke, Xiao Yuanzi's voice unconsciously rose eight octaves, his tone filled with pride and smugness.

As he spoke, he bowed deeply, a fawning smile on his face, as if he wanted Su Nuannuan to have a deeper impression of the prince's good intentions.

Standing to the side, Li Desheng looked at his apprentice, a slight, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. He knew that Xiao Yuanzi was using this opportunity to curry favor with Su Nuannuan and also to show off in front of him. So, Li Desheng chuckled and scolded, "You little rascal, you sure know how to flatter your master."

Xiao Yuanzi wasn't annoyed by his master's teasing. Instead, he chuckled, revealing two tiger teeth, and said, "This servant is just telling the truth." His tone was relaxed and natural, making it seem as if he wasn't embarrassed or uneasy at all.

Su Nuannuan sat on the small couch by the window, her gaze falling on the tall sycamore tree outside. A smile involuntarily appeared on her lips as she softly said, "Jingcheng is so thoughtful."

"If Your Highness wishes to acquire any items in the future, please just give the order to this servant," Xiao Yuanzi said with a fawning expression.

"Alright, Her Majesty doesn't need any more right now. She'll come to you when she does," Li Desheng quickly said. He didn't want this little dumpling to keep bothering him, in case she displeased Her Majesty, that would be troublesome.

"Yes, then this servant will take his leave." Seeing that his master had spoken, Xiao Yuanzi dared not say anything more, quickly bowed, and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute." Just as Xiao Yuanzi turned to leave, Su Nuannuan suddenly turned around and called out to him.

"Does Your Highness have any further instructions?" Xiao Yuanzi immediately stopped, bowed, and asked Su Nuannuan with a fawning expression.

"I see there's a small kitchen in this courtyard. Go and prepare some more beef. I'm planning to make some beef jerky so your prince can take it with him when he leaves," Su Nuannuan said calmly.

Xiao Yuanzi looked troubled after hearing Su Nuannuan's words. He hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously, "Your Highness, buying beef is a matter of luck. After all, the court does not allow the slaughter of cattle, except for injured ones."

Su Nuannuan then remembered that cattle were a luxury item in ancient times, a source of labor, and could not be slaughtered at will. She couldn't help but feel annoyed; how could she have forgotten this?

However, Su Nuannuan did not give up. She thought for a moment and then said, "If I can find it, I'll buy it. If I can't find it, I'll buy two pig hind legs first. I need them."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will arrange it immediately. Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

"That's all, you can go back to your work!"