latelenovela Chapter 303 The Emperor is becoming increasingly indulgent.
Chapter 303 The Emperor is becoming increasingly indulgent.
"I'll eat this bowl of lotus root starch dumplings myself. You can share the rest from the small kitchen!" Su Nuannuan walked lightly to the table, sat down gracefully, and said softly.
Upon hearing Su Nuannuan's words, Jinse was overjoyed. She quickly walked up to Su Nuannuan, bowed respectfully, and said, "This servant thanks Your Highness for the reward on behalf of everyone."
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and nodded. She was always generous when it came to food, never shortchanging the palace servants who served her. Whether it was her personal head maid or those responsible for cleaning and other chores, she treated everyone equally and showed them kindness when there were rewards. Therefore, everyone enjoyed working at Cuiwei Palace.
Su Nuannuan gently scooped up a lotus root starch dumpling with a spoon. The round dumpling trembled slightly in the spoon, emitting an enticing aroma. She put the dumpling into her mouth, savoring its delicate texture and sweet taste.
"If there's not enough to go around, let Zhixiang make some more. Don't be biased," Su Nuannuan said to Jinse with a smile after swallowing the glutinous rice ball.
Jinse quickly replied, "This servant understands." Her face was beaming with a happy smile.
Su Nuannuan waved her hand, signaling Jinse to arrange the distribution of lotus root starch dumplings. Jinse understood and turned to leave.
However, before Jinse could leave the room, Li Quan suddenly rushed in, as if he had something urgent to report.
"Li Quan, how many times have I told you to be more composed!" Su Nuannuan frowned slightly as she looked at Li Quan, who rushed in in a hurry, and said with a hint of reproach in her voice.
Li Quan seemed oblivious to his lapse in composure. With a beaming face and panting, he announced, "Your Majesty, Granny Song and the others have returned!"
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan's eyes lit up, and a smile instantly bloomed on her face. "Really? You're back so soon?" She turned to Jinse beside her and instructed with a beaming smile, "Jinse, quick, go tell Zhixiang to give Granny Song and the others an extra serving of lotus root starch dumplings. Make sure to make a lot this time."
As Su Nuannuan spoke, she continued to eat the lotus root starch dumplings in her bowl with relish. The round, translucent lotus root starch dumplings rolled between her red lips like pearls.
Just then, a soft footstep sound came from the doorway, and then Song Mama's kind face appeared before everyone.
"This old servant greets Your Highness." As soon as Song Mama entered the room, she hurriedly curtsied and greeted Su Nuannuan.
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly put down the spoon in her hand and smiled at Song Mama, saying, "Mama, please get up quickly, you must be tired from your journey."
After Song Mama steadied herself, Su Nuannuan asked with concern, "Mama, has everything been handed over properly at the estate?"
Granny Song smiled and nodded, "It is my honor to serve Your Highness. Everything at the estate has been taken care of, and I have brought back everything that needed to be brought back."
After hearing this, Su Nuannuan nodded in satisfaction, "With Granny here, I am naturally at ease. Granny must be exhausted from your journey. Go and rest for a while. Let Li Quan take some people to pack up and organize the things in the carriage."
"Yes, this old servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness." Granny Song looked at Su Nuannuan with gratitude, then bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew from the inner hall.
Upon seeing this, Jinse and Li Quan quickly bowed to Su Nuannuan, then turned and left to attend to their own business.
Watching their departing figures, Su Nuannuan's lips curled into a satisfied smile. She took a small bite of the lotus root starch dumpling, savoring its sweet and soft texture, and said happily, "It's great, everyone's back."
In the days that followed, Su Nuannuan lived a very leisurely life. Apart from listening to Li Quan's daily reports on which concubine the Emperor had favored in the Hall of Diligent Governance, she had basically nothing else to worry about.
That day, after listening to Li Quan's report as usual, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but sigh, "Now that the Emperor has the Crown Prince overseeing the country, he's becoming more and more indulgent. The Empress even tried to admonish him once, but it not only had no effect, but she was also reprimanded by the Emperor."
She frowned, and continued thoughtfully, "Why do I feel that His Majesty's temperament has changed drastically since he woke up from the poisoning? It's as if he's become a completely different person."
Granny Song, Jinse, and Li Quan stood aside, and upon hearing Su Nuannuan's words, they all silently lowered their heads, and no one spoke.
After a long while, Granny Song finally couldn't help but speak with a worried expression: "But if His Majesty continues like this, how can his body withstand it? Now he's even starting... starting to indulge in debauchery in broad daylight."
When Granny Song uttered those words, it sounded as if they weighed a ton. Her reason for this was partly due to genuine concern for the Emperor's health, and partly because she had watched him grow up. While she couldn't say she cared for him like her own child, their relationship was far more than that of a typical master and servant.
Su Nuannuan looked at Song Mama and sighed helplessly, saying, "What can be done? Her Majesty the Empress also tried to persuade the Emperor with earnest words, but what was the result? Not only did it have no effect, but it almost cost Her Majesty the Empress her life. I reckon Her Majesty's heart is completely broken by now!"
Su Nuannuan paused, then continued, "Granny Song, none of us can interfere with the Emperor's affairs. Unless we send those court officials to risk their lives to remonstrate. But look at the Emperor now, does he still care about his court officials?"
Moreover, if a court official were to risk his life to remonstrate with the emperor, given his suspicious nature, he would first suspect the empress. Although the empress was in the inner palace and did not have much contact with the court officials, she still had a certain influence in the court.
Secondly, the Emperor will definitely have doubts about the Crown Prince and Jingcheng, after all, one of them can rightfully inherit the throne, and the other is a prince who can assist the new Emperor.
Finally, I fear even I will not escape suspicion. After all, I have a close relationship with the Empress, Jingcheng has a close relationship with the Crown Prince, and I also hold a certain position and power in the palace.
"Granny, life is only given to us once. Who doesn't want to live well? And who would easily give up their life?"
Su Nuannuan didn't seem to need Song Mama's answer. She continued, "His Majesty is now tasting the benefits of the Crown Prince overseeing the country. He leaves all the small matters to the Crown Prince, and there are no big matters that he needs to handle personally anymore."
"Sigh!" After hearing this, Granny Song let out a long sigh.
Indeed, if the emperor indulges himself, who can restrain him? Even if the empress dowager were alive, she probably couldn't.
"Jinse, go and call Jianping here." Su Nuannuan ignored the sighing Song Mama and directly instructed Jinse.