in2ebook Chapter 101 The Su Family Daughter Enters the Palace
Chapter 101 The Su Family Daughter Enters the Palace
On the eve of the Reunion Festival, the entire capital was immersed in a festive and peaceful atmosphere. And on this special day, the Su family's daughter stepped through the majestic and resplendent gates of the imperial palace.
"Your Majesty, the Su family girl has entered the palace, and I have already bestowed upon her the title of Lady-in-Waiting." Li Quan hurriedly entered the hall and reported this news to Su Nuannuan, who was sitting on a soft couch.
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan, who was focused on playing with her two children, paused slightly, then slowly put down the two exquisite little toys she was holding, raised her head, and looked calmly at Li Quan standing in front of her.
"Oh? Was it sent in through the Chen Prince's Mansion?" she asked softly.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Prince Chen said that this woman was quite destined for him, so he recognized her as his goddaughter. Moreover, this goddaughter harbors feelings for the Emperor, so Prince Chen went along with it and sent her into the palace.” Li Quan replied respectfully, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.
At this very moment, in the various palaces of the inner palace, the palace maids and eunuchs were all busy reporting this sudden news to their respective masters.
However, Su Nuannuan's reaction to this matter was unusually calm and composed. She smiled lightly and said with a hint of languor, "Since that's the case, then let her enter the palace. I just hope that Prince Chen won't regret this later. After all, now that this Su family girl has entered the palace, she has no connection with my Su family anymore. If anything happens in the future, it won't affect my Su family."
After saying this, Su Nuannuan waved her hand, signaling Li Quan to leave, and instructed, "Alright, you can go now. Also, don't forget to make the new toys for the two children as soon as possible; they're waiting to play with them."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant is already preparing it," Li Quan said with a smile, then bowed and withdrew.
"She's probably receiving instruction from the Empress right now. Jinse, go to my dressing table, fetch the silver hairpin with the magpie on the plum blossom design, and deliver it to her. Also, tell Consort Su that this is a congratulatory gift I specially prepared." Su Nuannuan said with a smile, while still holding toys and playing with the two little ones beside her.
"Your Majesty, wouldn't this seem a bit stingy?" Jinse frowned slightly and cautiously reminded her.
Hearing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but chuckle, raising her head to look at Jinse, and slowly said, "Stingy? If I were truly stingy, I wouldn't bestow anything upon her. After all, she's just a lowly concubine of humble status; how could she possibly afford something too valuable?"
Upon hearing this, Jinse quickly nodded and replied, "Yes, Your Highness is absolutely right. This servant understands. I will go and deliver the congratulatory gift to Consort Su at Anning Palace." After saying this, Jinse respectfully bowed and turned to walk towards the dressing table to retrieve the silver hairpin with the design of a magpie perched on a plum blossom.
At this moment, Su Nuannuan suddenly added, "Oh, by the way, Jinse, when you deliver it, remember to tell her that this silver hairpin was personally designed and crafted by me. She needs to know that in the entire harem, only the Empress and the Empress Dowager are qualified to wear headdresses personally crafted by me. Receiving this favor is a great honor for her." Having said that, Su Nuannuan gently tilted her head back, a half-smile playing on her lips.
Seeing her mistress's expression, Jinse thought to herself, "Is Your Majesty angry? Is she angry? Is she angry? Is she angry?" However, she dared not show any sign of anger on her face and quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will certainly convey your message."
Then, Jinse quickened her pace toward the dressing table, took the exquisite silver hairpin with magpies perched on plum blossoms, and hurried off to Anning Palace.
Meanwhile, Su Nuannuan continued to leisurely accompany the two little ones as they played and frolicked.
Upon arriving at Anning Palace, Jinse entered the hall with light steps. She saw the Empress seated regally on her phoenix throne, her bearing dignified and imposing. Jinse dared not be negligent, quickly stepping forward and bowing deeply to the Empress. She then spoke softly, "Greetings, Your Majesty. This servant has been sent by Consort Zhuang to deliver a congratulatory gift to Consort Su." Having said this, Jinse slightly raised her head, observing the Empress's reaction out of the corner of her eye.
After the Empress nodded slightly, Jinse slowly rose and took out an exquisite brocade box from her bosom. However, she did not hand the box directly to Su Yingying as Su Nuannuan had instructed, but hesitated slightly.
After all, she was currently in front of the Empress, so it was best to be cautious in everything she did. Therefore, Jinse changed her strategy slightly. She first presented the brocade box to the Empress and said in a slow voice, "Your Majesty, this is a gift specially prepared by Consort Zhuang. Please take a look." After saying that, Jinse curtsied to the Empress.
The Empress took the brocade box, casually opened it, and glanced inside. Inside lay an exquisite silver hairpin. A slight smile played on her lips, indicating she was fairly satisfied with the gift, but she didn't say much, simply remarking, "Hmm, give it to Consort Su."
Then, Jinse bowed to the Empress again and said softly, "Your Majesty, this servant will then hand this over to Consort Su." After receiving the Empress's permission, Jinse turned and walked towards Consort Su, handing her the brocade box.
"Consort Su, this was personally crafted by my lady. She bestowed this upon you as a gift because we both share the surname Su," Jinse said respectfully as Consort Su accepted the brocade box.
After finishing, Jinse lowered her head and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, I have delivered the congratulatory gifts and will now take my leave." The Empress slightly raised her hand and softly parted her lips, "Go! Go back and tell your mistress to come and visit me more often when she has time. Apart from the routine greetings on the first and fifteenth of each month, your mistress has never come even once." Although her words carried a hint of reproach, they were mostly filled with expectation and affection.
Jinse quickly agreed, "This servant will convey Her Majesty the Empress's words to her without missing a single word when I return." Then, Jinse once again bowed respectfully to the Empress before slowly withdrawing from Anning Palace. At the same time, the Empress signaled that Consort Su could leave.
Holding the brocade box, Consort Su returned to her residence in silence. Upon entering her room, she eagerly opened the box, only to find it contained a silver hairpin. Her previously calm expression instantly darkened, a flicker of displeasure crossing her eyes. She muttered, "What does Consort Zhuang mean by this? Does she look down on me? Sending only such an ordinary silver hairpin as a congratulatory gift!" At this thought, a nameless anger rose within Consort Su.