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

Chapter 285 The Prince’s Wedding

The Crown Prince's wedding finally came to a safe conclusion amidst Su Nuannuan's anxiety.

After the Crown Princess was sent to the Eastern Palace, a huge weight was lifted from Su Nuannuan's heart. She breathed a sigh of relief and then began to eat and drink without worry.

Just then, Consort Li suddenly leaned close to Su Nuannuan and whispered, "Sister Zhuang, look at Consort Qin's expression."

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan turned to look at Consort Qin, only to find that Consort Qin's complexion was indeed somewhat abnormal, pale with a hint of ashen, as if she were unwell.

Because Su Nuannuan and Consort Li held the same rank and sat next to each other, Su Nuannuan had a clearer view of Consort Qin's situation.

"She did look unwell. I was worried she might cause trouble at the Crown Prince's wedding, but thankfully she sat there quietly the whole time," Su Nuannuan said softly, a hint of relief in her voice.

Consort Li nodded, indicating her agreement with Su Nuannuan's opinion. However, she then lowered her voice and said, "Sister Zhuang, I suspect that Consort Qin has been poisoned with a slow-acting poison."

Her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible unless one listened very carefully. This was clearly an extremely sensitive topic, and Consort Li dared not let anyone else hear it.

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She also lowered her voice and replied, "Don't concern yourself with this matter; just pretend you don't know anything about it."

Consort Li seemed unsatisfied with the answer and continued to press, "Does Sister Zhuang know who it is?"

Su Nuannuan shook her head and denied it, saying, "I don't know who it is, but to save my life, I won't investigate or be curious."

In fact, Su Nuannuan already had a rough idea of ​​who to choose. She thought to herself, even a clay figure has some rustic charm, let alone a human! Consort Qin had repeatedly attacked the Crown Prince, and the Empress had already shown great mercy by not killing her son outright. Now that Consort Qin had been poisoned with a slow-acting poison, it was entirely her own fault.

Her death could not only save the Fourth Prince's life, but also help her maternal family to some extent. Of course, this was contingent on her maternal family ceasing their troublemaking.

Su Nuannuan couldn't help but think to herself that if anyone dared to harm her son, she would never be as tolerant and merciful as the Empress. Her principle was simple: I will not offend others unless they offend me; but if anyone dared to offend her, she would definitely retaliate without mercy, even at the cost of putting them to death.

After all, who made things difficult for me first? In that case, let's all be sad together.

After the wedding banquet, Su Nuannuan, accompanied by Jinse and Yaoqin, slowly returned to Cuiwei Palace.

As soon as she stepped into the palace gates, Su Nuannuan felt a wave of weariness wash over her. She sat wearily in front of her dressing table, letting Yaoqin gently remove the hairpins from her head.

"Jinse, is the gift for the Crown Princess all prepared?" Su Nuannuan suddenly remembered this important matter, turned to look at Jinse who was making her bed, and asked.

"Everything is ready," Jinse said softly, as she deftly made the bed. Her voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

Su Nuannuan nodded slightly to indicate that she understood, and then remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Go to the secret compartment in the study later and take out the thing in the envelope. Consider it my wedding gift to the Crown Prince tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Jinse abruptly stopped in her tracks. She looked up in astonishment at Su Nuannuan, her face filled with shock: "Your Majesty, are you really going to give that treasure map to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Su Nuannuan nodded expressionlessly, seemingly having anticipated Jinse's reaction. She calmly explained, "That thing is of no use to me. Cheng'er and Yao'er don't need it. I'm even less willing to give it to the Emperor, since I don't want to support his women. After thinking it over, it's most appropriate to give it to the Crown Prince."

After hearing this, Jinse still had doubts, but she didn't say anything more and could only silently agree.

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, the sky was a clear, bright blue, and the sun shone brightly. Before Su Nuannuan had even had breakfast, she was hurriedly summoned to Anning Palace by Yingchun, a palace maid serving the Empress.

"Your Majesty, I haven't had breakfast yet!" Su Nuannuan mumbled weakly as soon as she saw the Empress.

Seeing this, the Empress quickly smiled and invited, "Come, come and sit down. Have breakfast here with me. After we finish breakfast, Jingyun and the Crown Princess should be here soon."

Su Nuannuan sat down at the dining table as instructed. She sighed softly and said, "Your Majesty, you are too impatient. Although we cannot be like those wicked mothers-in-law who make things difficult for the younger generation, we cannot let them easily control us either."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and said softly, "Oh? Then, in your opinion, what should I do?"

Su Nuannuan's eyes darted around, and she revealed a sly smile, saying, "In my opinion, you might as well occasionally act as this wicked mother-in-law and show the Crown Princess a thing or two, so she knows that you are not someone to be trifled with."

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn't help but chuckle, and said reproachfully, "You little rascal, you really know how to come up with ideas. However, I can't be that kind of wicked mother-in-law. I've never suffered as a mother-in-law myself, so how could I let my daughter-in-law suffer as a mother-in-law?"

"So, does Your Majesty mean that if you've suffered at the hands of your mother-in-law, you'll make the Crown Princess suffer the same hardships that your mother-in-law has prepared for her?" Su Nuannuan asked softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Her words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the Empress's heart, causing the Empress to be startled.

However, before the Empress could recover, Su Nuannuan continued, "Your Majesty, why should we women make things difficult for each other?"

These words struck the Empress's heart like a heavy hammer. She stared wide-eyed at Su Nuannuan, seemingly trying to discern a hint of mockery or ridicule on her face.

However, Su Nuannuan's smile remained gentle and sincere, without the slightest hint of falsehood or affectation.

The Empress was silent for a moment before finally recovering. She retorted, "I did not make things difficult for her, nor am I the kind of wicked mother-in-law or rule-maker."

Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly smiled and said, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, you are the kindest and most generous person. I was just saying it casually."

The Empress waved her hand and said with a smile, "Alright, hurry up and eat, don't go hungry."