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

Chapter 286 Meeting Gift

While they were chatting, the people in the Queen's Kitchen had already quickly and efficiently laid out the breakfast, which was a feast for the eyes and a delight to the senses.

Seeing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. She picked up her chopsticks, looked around curiously, and then turned to the Empress, asking in confusion, "Why hasn't His Majesty come?"

The Empress smiled slightly and explained, "The Emperor's attendant, Xiao Yuanzi, came early this morning to deliver a message saying that the Emperor's memorials are piling up and he can't keep up with the review, so he can't have breakfast with me."

Upon hearing this news, Su Nuannuan was secretly delighted. Since the Emperor wasn't coming, she could enjoy her breakfast more freely.

So, after enjoying breakfast with the Empress, Su Nuannuan and the Empress moved together to the front hall, where they sat down leisurely and began to savor the fragrant tea.

Time passed quietly, and before long, Jingyun and the Crown Princess walked in together.

"Your subject (daughter-in-law) greets Your Majesty." Canglan Jingyun and the Crown Princess bowed respectfully to the Empress.

At the same time, Yingqiu quickly stepped forward and presented the prepared tea to the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess smiled gracefully, took the tea from Yingqiu's hand, and then carefully presented it to the Empress, saying softly, "Mother, please have some tea."

The Empress looked at the Crown Princess with delight, her eyes filled with affection and satisfaction. She slowly reached out and took the teacup from the Crown Princess, taking a small sip. The fragrant tea filled her mouth, and the Empress couldn't help but smile. After finishing her tea, the Empress returned the teacup to Yingqiu.

Immediately afterward, Yingchun stepped forward, carrying an exquisite tray with a gift prepared by the Empress for the Crown Princess. The Empress took the gift from Yingchun, smiled, and handed it to the Crown Princess, saying softly, "Your mother didn't prepare anything special for you, just a red envelope with ten thousand taels of silver in it, as a small token of her appreciation." With that, the Empress gently placed the red envelope in the Crown Princess's hand and tenderly patted the back of her hand.

After serving tea to the Empress, it was time to pay respects to Su Nuannuan.

"Your son (daughter-in-law) greets Consort Zhuang."

When Su Nuannuan heard the Crown Prince and Crown Princess call her "Consort Zhuang," she was so startled that she almost stood up from her stool.

It should be noted that only one's own children, or children temporarily raised under one's name, can call oneself "Mother Consort So-and-so"; others should call oneself "Empress So-and-so".

"Your Highness, you mustn't call me that! Why doesn't Her Majesty the Empress do anything about it?" Su Nuannuan quickly waved her hand and said.

"Your Highness, this decision was made last night after careful consideration and repeated deliberation between me and the Crown Princess," the Crown Prince said earnestly.

Seeing this, the Empress smiled slightly and said softly, "Since they are willing to address you as 'Mother Consort,' then you should accept it gracefully."

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan was overjoyed and quickly sat up straight, gracefully accepting the bow from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Then, the Crown Princess stepped forward, took an exquisite teacup from Yingchun's hand, carefully presented it to Su Nuannuan, and said respectfully, "Please have some tea, Mother Consort Zhuang."

Seeing this, Su Nuannuan smiled, gracefully extended her hands, took the teacup handed to her by the Crown Princess, took a small sip, and then handed the teacup to Yaoqin beside her.

Immediately afterwards, Jinse stepped forward and presented Su Nuannuan with the gift she had prepared for the Crown Princess.

Su Nuannuan smiled as she accepted the wooden box from Jinse, then handed it to the Crown Princess with both hands, saying softly, "This is a small token of my appreciation for the Crown Princess. I hope the Crown Princess will not find it offensive."

The Crown Princess hurriedly bowed and accepted the wooden box with both hands, repeatedly expressing her gratitude: "Thank you very much for the gift from Consort Zhuang. Your daughter-in-law is unworthy of such a gift."

After the Crown Princess put away the gifts, Canglan Jingyun stepped forward again and bowed to the Empress and Su Nuannuan, saying, "Empress Mother, Consort Zhuang, I still need to take Qingyou to serve tea to Father Emperor, so I will take my leave first."

"No rush, I have another great gift to give to Jingyun." Su Nuannuan said softly, a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked at Canglan Jingyun, who was about to turn and leave.

Upon hearing this, Canglan Jingyun stopped and turned around, looking at Su Nuannuan expressionlessly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Seeing this, the Empress couldn't help but ask curiously, "Didn't you already give Jingyun a gift before his wedding? Why are you giving him another one now?"

Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and explained, "This gift is different from the previous ones, so it is naturally useful to the Crown Prince." After speaking, her gaze swept over the group of palace servants in the hall as if she were not paying attention.

The Empress was incredibly intelligent and immediately understood Su Nuannuan's meaning. She then instructed Yingqiu, "Yingqiu, take them outside and wait. No one is allowed to approach this place without my permission."

Ying Qiu accepted the order, led a group of palace servants out of the main hall, and closed the hall door behind them.

After Ying Qiu and the others left, Su Nuannuan turned to Yaoqin beside her and whispered, "Yaoqin, you go with Ying Qiu and guard the palace gate. Don't let anyone get close to here."

Yaoqin nodded quickly and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness, with me here, no one will be able to get close to this place."

After Yaoqin left, Su Nuannuan looked at Jinse and said softly, "Jinse, take out the envelope."

Jinse understood, took out an envelope from her bosom, and handed it to Su Nuannuan.

Su Nuannuan took the envelope and said to Canglan Jingyun, "Jingyun, the contents of this envelope in my hand are a big gift for you."

After saying that, she gently placed the envelope on the table and pushed it in front of Cang Lan Jingyun.

"Jingyun thanks Consort Zhuang." Canglan Jingyun accepted the envelope and bowed respectfully.

"Inside this envelope is a treasure map," Su Nuannuan said calmly, as if the treasure map was nothing important to her.

However, when Cang Lan Jingyun heard these words, his reaction was completely different from Su Nuannuan's. His eyes widened, and he almost threw the envelope in his hand away.

"This...this is actually a treasure map?" Cang Lan Jingyun's voice trembled slightly, clearly shocked by the discovery.

Su Nuannuan looked at Cang Lan Jingyun's reaction and her lips curled up slightly, revealing a subtle smile.

“That’s right, this treasure map was obtained from the Qi Prince’s residence,” Su Nuannuan continued. “I’m giving it to you; how you use it is your own business.”

"It was obtained from Uncle Qi!" Canglan Jingyun muttered in shock.

"Yes, it has been in my possession for many years. After I had someone retrieve this treasure map, I did not send anyone to search for it."