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

Chapter 12 The Palace Closed to Visitors

"Your Majesty, this servant has investigated thoroughly." As soon as Li Quan saw Su Nuannuan, he hurried forward and respectfully reported.

"Tell me quickly! What exactly happened?" Su Nuannuan asked anxiously. Her beautiful face was filled with worry and anxiety, and her beautiful eyes were fixed on Li Quan, as if she wanted to extract the answer directly from him.

Li Quan dared not delay. After taking a deep breath, he said, "Your Majesty, the General Zhenguo recently petitioned the Emperor to transfer the Grand General back to the capital, but the Emperor did not grant the request. Furthermore, this servant has learned some startling news: the Grand General is unconscious due to poisoning. The doctors and military physicians in the border town are all helpless in the face of this situation and have no choice but to send the Grand General back to the capital for treatment as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing that her elder brother had been poisoned and was unconscious, Su Nuannuan was initially shocked, but in an instant she realized that her brother must be faking it! Putting everything else aside, the divine physician with superb medical skills was right beside her brother, so how could he not cure the poison in his body? With this thought, Su Nuannuan felt a little more at ease.

However, a thought flashed through Su Nuannuan's mind, and she couldn't help but feel a chill for the imperial physicians. The matter of her elder brother's poisoning had become so serious that the Emperor was bound to be furious. If these physicians couldn't bring her brother back to health, they would likely face the Emperor's wrath.

Thinking of this, Su Nuannuan gently shook her head, a barely perceptible bitter smile appearing on her lips. However, she still had to maintain the proper demeanor, so she frowned slightly, feigning worry, and pretended to be anxious.

After all, the Cuiwei Palace where she resided was a veritable melting pot of all sorts of people, rife with undercurrents! Not only were there spies planted by the Empress, but even the Emperor and Empress Dowager had sent people to infiltrate the palace. As for the people that other palaces had painstakingly placed in, Su Nuannuan was ruthless, always managing to cleverly find their faults and then sending them back to the Imperial Household Department without hesitation.

"Li Quan, quickly give the order that the palace be closed to visitors from now on. Also, make sure Xiao Xizi guards the palace gates and does not allow anyone to enter or leave at will." Su Nuannuan's voice was stern and decisive.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Li Quan replied respectfully.

However, Li Quan couldn't help but wonder, "Your Majesty, since you gave birth to the Fifth Prince, our Cuiwei Palace has hardly received any guests. It has long been closed to visitors."

If Su Nuannuan could hear what Li Quan was thinking, she would definitely say, "I know, but I still want to emphasize it again, so that you will not be careless."

Meanwhile, in the tranquil and peaceful Anning Palace.

"Your Majesty, we have just received news that Cuiwei Palace has closed its doors to visitors again." The palace maid Yingqiu hurriedly entered the hall and reported to the Empress.

The Empress was sitting on the couch, watching the Crown Prince play. Hearing this, she looked up, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "Since giving birth to the Fifth Prince, Consort Zhuang seems to have maintained a closed-door policy, refusing visitors. I wonder what the reason is this time?"

Aside from diligently handling the complex affairs of the inner palace, the Empress spent most of her time with her son. Regarding the political infighting in the court, she consistently adhered to the principle that "the inner palace must not interfere in politics," resolutely refusing to meddle and thoroughly implementing this rule.

"It is said that the general was seriously wounded on the battlefield and has been unconscious ever since. His condition is extremely critical, which is why he was escorted back from the border at great urgency," Ying Qiu replied solemnly.

"Oh? It's that serious! Is there any danger to his life?" The Empress frowned slightly and asked with concern.

"It's still unclear, but it's said the injuries are extremely serious," Ying Qiu said with concern.

"Alas... I hope the General is safe and sound." The Empress sighed softly.

"There is one more thing to report to Your Highness. After learning about this, Consort Zhuang has already sent Jinse back to the Zhenguo General's Mansion," Yingqiu added immediately.

"Consort Zhuang is quite quick to act," the Empress chuckled. "But it makes sense, after all, he is her own brother. Now that something like this has happened, she is naturally worried. Unfortunately, without the Emperor's permission, Consort Zhuang cannot leave the palace to visit him at home, so she sent Jinse back to her home to take her to see him."

"Alright, Consort Zhuang must be in a bad mood right now, so we don't need to pay her any attention. Once there's news or results from the General Zhenguo's Mansion, remember to inform me promptly." The Empress waved her hand, signaling Yingqiu to leave.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Ying Qiu bowed respectfully and then slowly left the room.

At this moment, the Empress turned to look at the Crown Prince, who was intently playing with building blocks, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

Before them lay a set of building blocks of various shapes and sizes, all gifts from Su Nuannuan. They were all made of pine wood, untreated, retaining the original color and texture of the wood.

Pine wood was chosen as the material primarily because of its relatively soft texture. Even if a young child accidentally bites it, it won't break their teeth or cause injury. Furthermore, pine wood emits a faint, pleasant pine scent that is refreshingly pleasant.

Later, Su Nuannuan drew another rocking horse picture. Once it was finished, her third brother would send someone to deliver it to Cuiwei Palace.

Of course, Su Nuannuan wouldn't forget His Highness the Crown Prince. After all, the Crown Prince's status was noble, and proper etiquette couldn't be neglected in the slightest. However, Su Nuannuan could only express her apologies to the other princes. Because she wasn't a generous fairy who could give away all her money, she couldn't possibly give everyone a lavish gift.

If other princes also wish to receive such a gift, they can choose to purchase it themselves or send their palace servants to select it.

Just like the building blocks that were launched before, since her third brother started selling them, numerous imitators have sprung up in the market, appearing one after another like mushrooms after rain. Not only that, some merchants, in order to attract customers, have even gone so far as to use expensive wood to make the building blocks, trying to increase the grade and price of their products.

When Su Nuannuan learned of this news, her first reaction was surprise: "Why didn't they use gold to make a whole set of building blocks?"