inspire-indiana Chapter 27 Preparing to Forge a Phoenix Crown
Chapter 27 Preparing to Forge a Phoenix Crown
The Empress Dowager gazed at her two pitiful grandsons, momentarily at a loss for words. She was filled with mixed emotions, feeling both pity for the two unfortunate children and worry about their future.
After a moment, the Empress Dowager finally came to her senses and turned to Song, who was standing respectfully to the side, and said, "Song, please arrange for them and the wet nurse to stay in the East Wing Palace first!"
Granny Song bowed slightly and replied, "Yes." Then she turned to the two wet nurses and gestured for them to quickly pick up the two little princes and head towards the east wing.
After Granny Song had arranged everything, she hurriedly returned to report to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager leaned lazily against the cushions and asked softly, "Is everything arranged?"
Granny Song hurriedly bowed again and replied, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, this servant has properly settled the two young princes and their wet nurses in the East Wing Hall as you instructed."
The Empress Dowager nodded gently, and after a moment of silence, slowly said, "It is not a long-term solution for me to raise these two children here. I can protect them for a while, but I cannot protect them forever."
When they have some free time, they should still ask the Emperor to find them a suitable foster mother.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Granny Song looked worried and cautiously asked, "Empress Dowager, will this work?"
She knew in her heart that if the two princes were healthy, many concubines might be willing to adopt them, after all, they might be able to gain glory through the princes in the future. However, now that the two princes were disabled, those concubines with even a little ambition would probably avoid them like the plague.
If the Emperor were to force the person upon us, it would be better to let Consort Li raise them herself! In any case, the final outcome would be the same.
"That's why we need to go and have a proper discussion with the Emperor."
At this moment, in the Cuiwei Palace.
"Your Majesty, the two princes have been sent to Cixi Palace, and the Empress Dowager has temporarily settled them in the East Wing." Li Quan hurriedly entered again to report to Su Nuannuan.
Just after discussing the demotion of Consort De, Su Nuannuan sent Li Quan out to continue gathering information. She found it quite interesting to listen to the gossip from the various palaces. However, such gossip could not originate from her.
"Furthermore, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager intends to discuss with the Emperor the search for a suitable foster mother for the two princes. Your Majesty, in your opinion, will the Emperor..." Li Quan stopped mid-sentence, his gaze fixed on Su Nuannuan.
“Absolutely impossible. I already have two sons. His Majesty would never entrust the Second Prince and the Third Prince to me,” Su Nuannuan replied decisively.
His Majesty is a naturally suspicious person. Although this suspiciousness is not yet severe, he will certainly not give me any leverage, nor will he allow the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to become even more prosperous.
As a result, finding suitable foster mothers for the two princes will be extremely difficult, and in the end, this heavy burden will most likely fall on the Empress's shoulders.
"Li Quan, you must continue to gather as much information as possible. If there are any new developments, you must report to me immediately," Su Nuannuan instructed solemnly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Quan replied excitedly, secretly thinking: Haha, the people he carefully arranged can finally be put to use!
Su Nuannuan looked at Li Quan, who was beaming with excitement, and asked, "By the way, how's the preparations going at the East Wing?"
Upon hearing this, Li Quan quickly suppressed his excitement and put on a serious expression, respectfully replying, "Your Majesty, the East Wing has been prepared."
Hearing this reply, Su Nuannuan nodded slightly to show her satisfaction and said softly, "Well, that's good."
Then, she turned her gaze to Li Quan, who had regained his serious demeanor, and continued, "If there is nothing else, you may leave now. If there is anything important, I will send someone to summon you. Also, do not forget to take good care of that vegetable garden."
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take good care of that vegetable garden, even if it takes all my strength!" Li Quan bowed deeply before respectfully retreating.
Just as Li Quan left, Yaoqin and Jinse noticed their mistress, Su Nuannuan, getting up. They hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, where are you going?"
Su Nuannuan straightened her posture and replied calmly, "I intend to go to the East Wing Palace. You two do not need to follow." After saying that, she walked towards the East Wing Palace.
"Yes," Yaoqin and Jinse quickly bowed and replied.
Before long, Su Nuannuan arrived at the east wing. After standing still, she gently raised her hand and carefully took out a drawing from her sleeve.
This is the design drawing for a kingfisher feather phoenix crown. Back in her previous life, she had even made one using other materials in the same style! Therefore, this design for the phoenix crown was a piece of cake for her, posing no challenge whatsoever.
After the blueprints were laid out and fully unfolded, Su Nuan began to methodically prepare to create this exquisite phoenix crown.
She gently raised her jade-like hand and took a slender and supple gold thread. Using it as a framework, she carefully wove it into an exquisite gold net. This gold net was like a fine work of art, with every line flowing naturally and in perfect balance.
Then she made several flowers out of gold wire, with gemstones set in the center of each flower.
As for the phoenix, Su Nuannuan plans to use the kingfisher feather inlay technique. However, she is unsure whether her third brother can successfully find such feathers, since kingfishers have very demanding living conditions.
"I really hope that among the feathers that Third Brother found, there are kingfisher feathers. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to settle for other feathers of similar color instead." Su Nuannuan muttered to herself as she skillfully moved her hands, continuing to weave flowers with gold thread.
Time slipped away quietly as she focused intently on her work, and before she knew it, the sun was high in the sky, its warm rays streaming into the room through the carved window lattice.
"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch." Jinse's clear and melodious voice rang out just in time outside the east wing, as sweet and melodious as a nightingale singing in a valley.
Su Nuannuan, who was concentrating on her work, was interrupted by the sudden sound. She was slightly startled and realized that time had passed quickly. She had actually been working hard in the East Wing Hall for a whole morning!
So she quickly put down the work she was not yet finished, slowly stood up, tidied her slightly messy hair, and replied, "Okay, I understand. I'll go have my meal now." With that, she walked towards the door.