RPAGF Chapter 207 Offering Incense at the Imperial Mausoleum
Chapter 207 Offering Incense at the Imperial Mausoleum
After dinner, Su Nuannuan rested briefly before testing her two children on their recent lessons. She knew that learning was like rowing against the current; if you didn't advance, you would fall behind. Therefore, reviewing the old helps one learn the new.
After the teaching test was over, seeing the two children looking slightly tired but still focused, Su Nuannuan felt a sense of relief. She gently instructed Granny Jin and Granny Ru to take the children back to wash up and go to bed.
As they reached the door, Canglan Jingcheng suddenly turned around, blinking his bright, lively eyes, and asked expectantly, "Mother, where are we going tomorrow? Can we go dig for shepherd's purse again?" Hearing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to herself, why is this little guy so obsessed with digging for shepherd's purse? Is he trying to force himself to do something unpleasant?
However, despite the laughter, Su Nuannuan replied with a serious expression, "Tomorrow we're going to the imperial mausoleum to offer incense to your grandmother. When we get there, you all have to behave well and not run around."
After all, the imperial mausoleum is not like the manor we are in now; the situation inside is far more complicated, and even Mother Consort doesn't fully understand it. If someone were to take advantage of the situation, drug you, kidnap you, and sell you, that would be terrible!" Su Nuannuan deliberately emphasized these words, hoping to get the children's attention.
The two children nodded obediently and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we understand. Goodnight." They then bowed respectfully to Su Nuannuan before leaving the room with the maids. Watching the children's departing figures, Su Nuannuan sighed softly and silently prayed for a smooth tomorrow.
This time, the two children went back to their nanny without looking back to wash up and go to bed.
"Granny Song, tomorrow you must send guards to protect them in secret. I am worried that someone in the imperial tomb might have malicious intentions and harm them." Su Nuannuan sat on the couch, her brows slightly furrowed, and solemnly instructed Granny Song, who had come to report on matters.
Granny Song nodded respectfully and replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured, this old servant has arranged everything properly. As for the matter of the physician needed by the little princess, this old servant has also discussed it with Miss Mu. Miss Mu is very grateful for Your Highness's care."
Su Nuannuan nodded slightly, indicating her satisfaction: "That's very good. Tomorrow, let Miss Mu accompany Yao'er to her side as her personal bodyguard."
After a moment's hesitation, Granny Song asked, "Your Highness, would you like to meet this Miss Mu? So that you can give her some instructions in person."
Su Nuannuan smiled and waved her hand, saying firmly, "I trust the Empress Dowager's choice, and I also trust your competence. It's not too late to meet again tomorrow. It's getting late, so please go back and rest."
Granny Song quickly bowed and slowly retreated.
The next morning, Yaoqin and Jinse tiptoed into the palace and came to the bedside. Looking at Su Nuannuan, who was already sitting up, they said softly, "Your Majesty, it's drizzling outside."
Su Nuannuan sat on the bed and looked out the window, replying, "It's alright. Our estate isn't far from the imperial mausoleum. It only takes a quarter of an hour to get there by carriage. Just make sure we have all the necessary rain gear."
Upon hearing this, Jinse quickly and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." Before she finished speaking, she began to move swiftly and methodically, skillfully tidying up the slightly messy bedding and sheets on the bed. In no time, the once chaotic bed was neatly arranged and looked brand new.
Meanwhile, Yaoqin was also busy. She carried a basin of warm water to Su Nuannuan and said softly, "Your Highness, please wash up first." She then gently wet a towel, wrung it out, and handed it to Su Nuannuan. After Su Nuannuan finished washing up, Yaoqin took a delicate comb from her dressing case and carefully combed Su Nuannuan's long, cascading hair.
Then, she picked up a silver hairpin with an elegant tassel and smiled as she suggested to Su Nuannuan, "Your Majesty, what do you think of this silver hairpin? It has a unique design and matches your outfit perfectly today."
Su Nuannuan turned to look at the silver hairpin, examined it briefly, and nodded slightly in agreement: "Hmm, not bad, I'll wear this one." Yaoqin was overjoyed to receive the affirmative answer and immediately inserted the silver hairpin gently into Su Nuannuan's hair, making her look dignified and beautiful even with simple makeup.
Soon, after Yaoqin helped Su Nuannuan tidy up her clothes, the group went to the dining hall for breakfast.
"Greetings to Mother Consort." The two children bowed respectfully to Su Nuannuan and called out in unison.
"Get up, both of you!" Su Nuannuan said gently to the two children with a warm smile on her face.
After the two children slowly got up, Su Nuannuan turned her gaze to Jinse beside her and softly instructed, "Jinse, serve the meal!" Jinse nodded slightly and turned to leave. Not long after, Zhixiang led a group of maids in single file, carrying exquisite plates filled with a sumptuous breakfast.
Today's breakfast was quite substantial, featuring two types of pastries: red date cake and peach blossom cake. The red date cake was a vibrant red with a rich date aroma; the peach blossom cake was a delicate pink, resembling a blooming peach blossom. In addition, there was steaming hot pumpkin soup, golden and thick, sweet and delicious; fragrant shepherd's purse porridge, with plump grains and a smooth texture; and two refreshing side dishes: cold mixed mushrooms and sweet and sour shredded radish, their colors very appealing.
Seeing that the two children were already seated, Su Nuannuan smiled and waved, indicating that Jinse and the others should also go and have their meal, and that they didn't need to stay and serve them. So, Jinse and Zhixiang, along with a group of maids, respectfully withdrew, and the room immediately became much quieter.
Before long, everyone had finished their breakfast. Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside. It turned out that Li Quan had already prepared the carriage and parked it steadily in the courtyard. Not only that, but even the threshold of the gate had been removed in advance to facilitate the carriage's entry and exit.
Today, Li Quan will not accompany Su Nuannuan to the imperial mausoleum; he is tasked with guarding the house. Granny Song, however, will go with them to offer incense and prayers for her deceased master. After everything was arranged, the group boarded the carriage, and the wheels rolled forward, quickly arriving at the location of the imperial mausoleum.
From afar, one could see Xiao Xingfang leading a large group of guards, dressed in straw raincoats, standing neatly outside the imperial mausoleum, quietly awaiting the arrival of the crowd.
Seeing the carriage carrying Su Nuannuan and the others slowly approaching from afar, Xiao Xingfang dared not be negligent in the slightest. She quickly led her men forward, knelt down on one knee in unison, and shouted in unison, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Consort Zhuang!"
The carriage came to a smooth stop not far from them. The curtain was gently lifted, and Jinse, holding an umbrella, stepped down first. After the stools were prepared, Su Nuannuan appeared before everyone. She gracefully alighted from the carriage, her gaze sweeping over the kneeling crowd before her, finally settling on Xiao Yanfang at the head of the group. She smiled slightly and said softly, "Please rise, everyone. There's no need for such formalities."
At this moment, a fine drizzle was falling from the sky. After getting up, Xiao Xingfang and the others, dressed in straw raincoats, remained respectfully standing in place.