in2ebook Chapter 116 I want to open a doll shop
Chapter 116 I want to open a doll shop
It was midday, and the sky was still overcast. Just then, a palace maid hurried in and reported to Su Nuannuan, "Your Majesty, Granny Song from the Empress Dowager's side has arrived."
Su Nuannuan immediately sat up straight and said, "Quickly invite Granny Song in."
The palace maid replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Soon after, Granny Song came in. She first bowed respectfully to Su Nuannuan, and then told Su Nuannuan that Consort Qin would be arriving at the palace the next day.
Upon hearing this news, Su Nuannuan's heart stirred with emotion, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled as she said to Granny Song, "Thank you for making this trip in person. If the Empress Dowager has any further decrees, she can simply send someone to inform me. I will personally go to the Empress Dowager's residence. How could I possibly trouble you again?"
Granny Song quickly bowed and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am truly humbled. However, it would take some time to relay the message back and forth, so it would be more convenient for me to come in person, so as not to delay Your Highness's important business."
Su Nuannuan nodded gently, indicating that what Granny Song said was also correct.
In fact, since she had voluntarily accompanied the Empress Dowager to the imperial palace for recuperation, she had had quite a bit of contact with this Granny Song and knew her well as being honest, kind, and thorough in her work. Therefore, Su Nuannuan was quite grateful to Granny Song for personally coming to deliver the message this time.
"By the way, Granny, did Her Majesty the Empress Dowager mention whether the Emperor intends to summon me back to the palace?" Su Nuannuan asked Granny Song in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Granny Song was taken aback for a moment, then quickly came to her senses and replied in a low voice, "The Empress Dowager did not mention this matter, so it must be because the Emperor did not bring it up with her."
Hearing this, Su Nuannuan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally calmed down a little. She let out a long sigh of relief, gently patting her chest with her left hand while muttering to herself, "That's good, that's good..." She looked just like a frightened little rabbit.
Granny Song took in everything and understood that her mistress clearly did not want to return to the palace.
She shook her head inwardly, but dared not show the slightest sign of her true feelings. She still bowed respectfully to Su Nuannuan and said slowly, "Your Majesty, this old servant has delivered the message. I will now return to continue serving the Empress Dowager."
Su Nuannuan nodded slightly in agreement, then turned to Jinse beside her and whispered, "Jinse, you see Granny Song off on my behalf."
Upon hearing the order, Jinse quickly stepped forward, first bowing to Su Nuannuan in response, then turning to Song Mama with a smile and making a gesture of invitation, politely saying, "Mama, please follow me this way."
Granny Song bowed to Su Nuannuan again before slowly retreating from the inner hall with Jinse. After the two figures disappeared from sight, Yaoqin, who had been waiting outside the door, tiptoed in. She was carrying a small, exquisite earthenware jar, its mouth carefully sealed with oiled paper.
Yaoqin slowly walked up to Su Nuannuan and asked with concern, "Your Highness, I just saw Granny Song come here. Does the Empress Dowager have some important matters to instruct you on?"
"Nothing special, just came to let you know that Consort Qin will be arriving at the palace tomorrow. By the way, what are you holding in your hand?" Su Nuannuan asked casually.
Upon hearing this, Yaoqin quickly and carefully placed the small earthenware jar in her hand on the small table in front of her, and replied softly, "Your Majesty, this is a walnut oil recipe that Zhixiang carefully made according to the recipe you bestowed upon me. Zhixiang specifically instructed me to present it to Your Majesty for your inspection, and to ask Your Majesty to see if it has been successfully made."
After speaking, Yaoqin gently peeled off the oil paper from the small earthenware jar. Instantly, a fresh and pleasant aroma of walnuts wafted out, slowly filling the entire room.
Su Nuannuan inhaled the pleasant aroma of walnut oil in the air, a satisfied look on her face. She then instructed Yaoqin, "Quickly fetch a clean, dry spoon and a small dish."
Before long, a clever little palace maid came hurrying over with the required items in her hands and respectfully handed them to Yaoqin.
Su Nuannuan took the spoon and gracefully reached into the small earthenware jar, slowly scooping up a full spoonful of golden, clear walnut oil. Then, she slightly raised her arm and poured the spoonful of walnut oil into a small dish beside her at an almost slow pace.
The walnut oil flowed smoothly into the small dish like a thin, golden stream, forming a thin, even layer. Its color resembled ripe wheat ears under the warm autumn sun, shimmering with a captivating glow; it also resembled a pure, flawless solution of gold, without a single impurity mixed in.
Gazing at the cool, tempting, and golden walnut oil in front of her, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but be moved. She then stretched out her delicate finger, gently dipped it into a small amount, and savored it.
"It's done quite well. We can use this when Cheng'er starts eating solid foods next month."
However, walnut oil can't be stored for long, so we'll just use this small jar of walnut oil to make salad dressings." Su Nuannuan nodded in satisfaction, a contented smile on her face.
"Yes, Your Highness. Zhixiang will be very happy if she knows you praised her." Yaoqin, who was standing to the side, also smiled broadly as she carefully covered the earthenware jar with the oil paper.
Just as Yaoqin finished sealing the oil paper, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind. It turned out that Tingxue had come in carrying several brightly colored and cute dolls.
"Your Highness, please take a look. These dolls were all made by me according to the blueprints you gave me. Please see if there are any things that need to be modified?" Tingxue walked quickly to the small couch, gently placed the doll in her arms on it, and then looked at Su Nuannuan with a hopeful expression, waiting for her evaluation.
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan reached out and picked up a doll, examining it closely. She noticed the doll's stitching was fine and its craftsmanship exquisite; every detail, from the facial features to the clothing, was perfectly executed.
"Yes, it's really very well done. It truly deserves to be called the most outstanding female craftswoman in our area. Every doll is so lifelike, making them irresistible." Su Nuannuan praised Tingxue's exquisite craftsmanship as she inspected the remaining dolls one by one.
After looking at all the dolls, Su Nuannuan gently put down the last one in her hand, her brows furrowing slightly as if she were thinking about something important.
After a while, she raised her head and said to Yaoqin and Tingxue, "I suddenly have an idea. I want to open a shop that specializes in selling dolls. What do you think?"