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

Chapter 241 Emperors seem to all die young.

"Your Highness, it's been ten days already! Do you think His Highness the Crown Prince will come again?" Jinse asked softly, carefully attending to Su Nuannuan who was engrossed in drawing.

Su Nuannuan raised her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "I'm not quite sure either. So far, the Emperor hasn't sent anyone to inform the Crown Prince of his impending arrival. So, let's just pretend we know nothing and continue as before." With that, she lowered her head and continued painting.

At this moment, Su Nuannuan's brush was moving across a sheet of pristine white Xuan paper, sketching a detailed and intricate map of the Azure Kingdom. This map was based on a merchant map sent by her third brother, Su Yuan, and supplemented with details described in numerous travelogues and various geographical books.

Actually, she had already completed a similar map before. However, after finishing that work, she examined it repeatedly and always felt that something was not quite right. So, after careful consideration, she decided to draw a more accurate and complete version.

It's worth mentioning that the original merchant map remained unchanged. Instead, each time Su Nuannuan created a drawing, she would first meticulously copy the merchant map before beginning any expansions or additions.

Time flew by, and the days passed quietly. Finally, one day, the Emperor issued an edict ordering someone to deliver the long-awaited military chess set to Su Nuannuan. However, even at this point, the esteemed Crown Prince still had not shown up.

After the person who delivered the items left, Su Nuannuan, filled with anticipation, carefully held the invaluable military chess set in both hands and walked briskly and eagerly toward the room where a huge sand table was placed.

"Your Majesty," Jinse called softly.

Su Nuannuan gently placed the exquisite wooden box containing two sets of military chess pieces onto the antique sandalwood table next to the sand table.

She paused briefly, her gaze falling on Jinse, and said earnestly, "Jinse, you are taking the Crown Prince's matter a little too seriously." With that, she gently shook her head.

"As far as I am concerned, it is fortunate that the Crown Prince did not come this time. After all, I already have a prince by my side. If the Crown Prince had really encountered an accident on this estate or on his way here, even if I had a lot of words, I would not have been able to prove my innocence."

This isn't the inner palace, nor is it under the close surveillance of the Empress. Therefore, at this moment, it's best for us to adhere to the principle of 'the less trouble, the better.'" As Su Nuannuan spoke, she reached out and opened the wooden box, gently taking out the military chess pieces one by one and arranging them neatly on the table.

Upon hearing this, Jinse quickly bowed again, her face full of obedience, and replied, "Your Majesty's teachings are absolutely correct, and this servant will keep them in mind."

"This is not some so-called lesson, but merely my personal thought. I have always been a person who does not contend with the world and never fights for anything. Therefore, by taking advantage of the Empress Dowager's passing, I chose to leave the palace and the court, which are full of power struggles and intrigues, far away. My purpose is simply to raise my two children peacefully and steadily, and to ensure that they are not drawn into the terrible vortex of power struggles."

As long as the Crown Prince is alive and well, I will continue to lead the children to live a dutiful and proper life, and I will ensure that Cheng'er and Yao'er become His Highness's capable assistants.

However, if the Crown Prince were to meet with misfortune one day, then don't blame me for being ruthless! I will do everything in my power to fight for that high and mighty position.

Only by acting in this way can I possibly protect myself and the lives of my entire family.

"In that vast palace, apart from Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince, I trust no one else." Su Nuannuan gazed calmly at the neatly arranged chess pieces before her, speaking slowly in a tone that was both understated and unwavering.

After saying this, she raised her head slightly and made a final summary: "Therefore, given the current situation, it would be most appropriate for His Highness the Crown Prince not to come here."

Upon hearing this, Jinse, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed respectfully and replied, "This servant understands."

Su Nuannuan turned to Jinse and solemnly warned, "You must not act rashly and attack His Highness the Crown Prince. Otherwise, if things are exposed, the consequences will be unimaginable. Remember! Do not act recklessly!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, what you just said is known only to this servant and will never be heard by a second person," Jinse hurriedly declared her loyalty, her expression flustered.

“Jinse, the throne is not easy to sit on.” Su Nuannuan sighed and continued, “Every day I sleep later than a dog and get up earlier than a rooster. Not to mention the mountains of memorials waiting to be processed, the incredibly complicated government affairs alone are overwhelming.”

Not only that, he also had to frequently visit the inner palace to treat all the concubines equally in order to balance the power of the various factions in the court.

Moreover, the emperor works year-round without rest. Although the writing brush is sealed on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month and resumed on the 8th of the first lunar month, that is only for his officials. The emperor cannot rest at all. The writing brush is sealed, but the mouth is not sealed.

Day after day like this, being the emperor was truly exhausting and arduous.

At this point, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but shake her head slightly and said, "I don't want Cheng'er to live such a laborious life in the future, so it is most beneficial for me for the Crown Prince to live."

"My only wish is that Cheng'er and Yao'er can settle down and start their own families soon, have many children and grandchildren, and enjoy the joys of family life, rather than dying young from overwork."

After listening to her mistress's heartfelt words, Jinse couldn't help but fall into deep thought. She carefully recalled the past history, and it seemed that most emperors in the past dynasties and the Azure Kingdom where she was now lived were short-lived.

"Jinse, what are Cheng'er and Yao'er doing right now?" Su Nuannuan asked Jinse.

"The Fifth Prince should be in the kitchen right now, researching food with Zhixiang!"

At this hour, the eldest princess should be out with Mu Ge treating the villagers.