mesbooks Chapter 187 Fifth Brother, have you finished your homework?
Chapter 187 Fifth Brother, have you finished your homework?
The spring sunlight seemed to be gently filtered, making it exceptionally warm and soft. It passed through layers of palaces, and the exquisite carved window frames acted like sieves, carefully filtering the golden rays before gently scattering them into the magnificent and beautiful palaces.
The palace was bustling with activity. Numerous palace maids and eunuchs, like busy bees, moved back and forth between the flower rooms and the imperial garden, their steps hurried yet methodical, meticulously preparing every detail for the spring banquet.
After careful consideration, the Empress decided to hold this spring banquet in the scenic Imperial Garden. After all, in such a season of renewal and vitality, how could it be complete without the embellishment of colorful flowers and plants?
"Your Highness, what do you think of this hairpin?" Yaoqin gently picked up an exquisite cloisonné double-sided seven-tailed phoenix tassel hairpin and asked Su Nuannuan in a soft voice.
Su Nuannuan turned her head slightly, glanced at the hairpin in Yaoqin's hand, then gently shook her head and softly replied, "I won't wear this hairpin today. Let's take out the pair of cloisonné double-sided lotus tassel hairpins instead, and insert one on each side. That would be a perfect match."
Upon hearing Su Nuannuan's reply, Yaoqin couldn't help but show a hint of regret. With some reluctance, she slowly put the magnificent cloisonné enamel double-sided seven-tailed phoenix tassel hairpin back in its original place, muttering, "Your Majesty, today is the Spring Banquet. It would be perfectly reasonable for you to wear this seven-tailed phoenix hairpin, which symbolizes your status."
"Precisely because it is a spring banquet, I absolutely cannot wear it. You know, Her Majesty the Empress will definitely be wearing the nine-tailed cloisonné double-sided phoenix tassel hairpin that I sent today. If I were to wear a similar style, wouldn't that easily give people something to talk about?"
"I do not wish to invite deliberate harassment from others because of this small hairpin."
Back then, Su Nuannuan put in a lot of effort when making the cloisonné hairpins. She not only prepared a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin for the Empress, but also made one for the Empress Dowager. However, the phoenix tail of the Empress Dowager's hairpin was slightly wider, making it appear more noble and dignified.
Speaking of which, the cloisonné enamel technique is truly unique in the Azure Kingdom. After all, this skill did not exist in the Azure Kingdom before. Su Nuannuan's ability to master such exquisite craftsmanship is thanks to the meticulous instruction she received from the cloisonné enamel master she followed in her previous life.
However, despite possessing this unique skill, Su Nuannuan couldn't build the high-temperature furnace required for cloisonné enamel in her residence, Cuiwei Palace. Left with no other option, she had to go to the Imperial Wardrobe's Jewelry Department to have it made. In this way, over time, the cloisonné enamel technique spread, and now all the cloisonné enamel hairpins in other palaces are made by the Jewelry Department.
At this moment, Yaoqin carefully inserted the pair of cloisonné enamel double-sided lotus tassel hairpins into both sides of Su Nuannuan's hair bun, and then said softly, "Your Majesty, you are being far too cautious."
"It's good to be cautious. After all, it's always wise to be careful. Besides, I've never liked being ostentatious, and I certainly don't want to be the center of attention. Remember, all seven-tailed phoenix hairpins can only be worn during palace banquets in Xuanhua Hall. At other times, there's no need to be so strict." Su Nuannuan said softly, carefully examining her reflection in the bronze mirror in front of her.
Yaoqin straightened Su Nuannuan's hairpin and replied softly, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will follow your instructions."
At this moment, Jinse hurriedly entered the room, bowed to Su Nuannuan, and reported: "Your Majesty, those ladies have already entered the palace."
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan slowly stood up, her movements elegant and graceful, and then said in her soft and melodious voice, "Then let's set off."
No sooner had the words left her lips than a small figure rushed over like a gust of wind, tightly hugging Su Nuannuan's leg. The figure raised its adorable little face, gazing longingly at Su Nuannuan, and pleaded in a childish voice, "Mother, I want to go too." It was none other than the little fellow, Canglan Jingcheng.
Su Nuannuan gently bent down, tenderly patted Canglan Jingcheng's little head, and coaxed him with a smile, "Good boy, today you will stay in Cuiwei Palace with your sister and play. You are not allowed to go anywhere. Your Crown Prince brother will also come to play with you later."
Upon hearing this, Canglan Jingcheng's eyes lit up. He immediately released his grip on Su Nuannuan's leg and excitedly asked, "Really? Crown Prince is coming too?"
However, before Su Nuannuan could respond, a clear child's voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Jingyun greets Lady Zhuang." Immediately afterwards, Canglan Jingyun walked in with steady steps and respectfully bowed to Su Nuannuan.
Logically speaking, according to court etiquette and rules, Su Nuannuan should have been the one to pay a grand salute to the Crown Prince. After all, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country, and his noble status and supreme position are far beyond what an ordinary concubine like Su Nuannuan could compare to.
However, the situation is different now, because Su Nuannuan has become the Crown Prince's mentor. Although she does not have a title, they have a real relationship.
As the saying goes, a teacher is like a father, so it was only natural for the crown prince to bow to her.
A childish voice rang out: "Brother Crown Prince, come on, let's go play together!" Canglan Jingcheng excitedly grabbed the Crown Prince's hand and invited him with great joy.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince smiled slightly, then turned to Cang Lan Jingcheng, whose face was full of excitement, and asked gently, "Fifth Brother, have you finished your homework? Have you memorized all those books?"
Cang Lan Jingcheng, who had been all smiles, immediately looked dejected and listless when he heard his elder brother, the Crown Prince, ask him such a question.
Standing to the side, Su Nuannuan took in everything. Seeing her son's adorable and amusing changes in expression, she couldn't help but chuckle.
However, she didn't pay much attention to her son's mood at the moment, nor did she consider whether the Crown Prince would strictly discipline her son's studies. Instead, she turned to the two maids behind her, Tingxue and Yaoqin, and instructed them: "You two must take good care of Cheng'er, Yao'er, and the Crown Prince, and make sure nothing happens to them."
"Yes," Yaoqin and Tingxue bowed and replied in unison.
After making the arrangements, Su Nuannuan led Jinse gracefully toward the Imperial Garden.