A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 999: First Birthday Banquet (Part 2)

Chapter 999: Chapter 999: First Birthday Banquet (Part 2)

Xia Ruqing smiled and said,

"Yue Er, quickly choose one you like!"

Yue Er was very clever.

After understanding, she turned around and, supported by Sister, wobbly walked toward the items.

The items above encompassed all things under heaven.

Rouge and powder, embroidered pouches and sewing needles, gem hairpins and rings, all kinds of pearls and jade, as well as the four treasures of study, books, paintings, penholders, and paperweights, etc.

Moreover, even in one corner, there were daggers and whips, feather fans and soft swords.

The Palace Attendants placing these items had a keen sense of propriety.

No matter which item the Little Princess picked up from above,

they were ready to speak a long sequence of auspicious words to please, with no worry of any taboo.

Of course, these things themselves were not to be trusted, merely delightful.

Yue Er took small steps, glancing around as she moved.

Initially, she picked up a box of rouge.

Curiously played with it twice and then tossed it aside.

Later, she picked up a brush, gnawed on it a bit, and then tossed it aside too.

She then rummaged through several more items, but picked none up.

Her small brows remained furrowed, as if none were satisfactory.

The people below grew somewhat anxious.

Did the Little Princess not like any of them?

Xia Ruqing also began to grow curious.

What exactly does little Yue Er like?

Beside her, Zhao Junyao remained unperturbed, watching his little daughter with a smile.

To him, it didn’t matter what Yue Er liked!

As long as she didn’t commit crimes, he could indulge her.

Even if she wanted the stars in the sky, he would find a way to retrieve them.

After all, she was the only daughter he had with Qingqing.

Besides spoiling her, what else could he do!

Yue Er looked around, kicked this, flipped that.

Finally, she found something she liked.

A dagger and a whip.

She grasped one in each hand, clutching them tightly, looking around with satisfaction, never having enough of them.

Beside her, Sister chuckled.

"Congratulations to the Little Princess for choosing a whip and a dagger!"

"The Little Princess will surely grow to be a heroine not inferior to men, showcasing the royal demeanor of the Princess of our Great Chu Dynasty!"

Zhao Junyao was delighted.

He hurriedly stepped forward and took little Yue Er in his arms.

"Good!"

"The Princesses of the Great Chu Dynasty should be like this!"

How can a dignified princess be like ordinary women, only sewing and serving men?

That would be disgraceful when married off!

A princess should have the demeanor of a princess.

Be a bit bold, a bit proud, could she not protect herself and end up being bullied and looked down upon?

What a joke!

The people below saw the Emperor happy and flattered him continuously.

"The Princess has such courage at such a young age, truly worthy of being the Empress’s daughter!"

"Indeed! Truly the demeanor of the Imperial Family!!"

"It ultimately shows the great guidance of the Emperor and the Empress!"

Everyone joined in the praise.

Making Xia Ruqing somewhat embarrassed.

After all, Yue Er was still young, and making such a fuss over just a selecting ceremony was rather exaggerated.

Moreover.

Are there not the other three princesses? Such flattery and depreciation could be inappropriate.

So she said with a smile,

"Everyone, please stop with the praises, Yue Er is still young, how can she bear all this!!"

Then she got up and said to Zhao Junyao,

"Emperor, it’s cold outside, the Princess should rest!"

Zhao Junyao understood her meaning and stopped saying anything more.

He handed Yue Er to the Wetnurse Nanny to carry away.

He then sat for a while longer, gave some instructions, and also got up to leave.

The hall soon had only Xia Ruqing and the ladies from inside and outside.

With the Emperor’s departure,

the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

The earlier scene was like a knife, stabbing fiercely into the hearts of Consort Hui, Consort Shih Pin, and Honored Lady Dou.

All three were raising princesses.

But the Emperor’s statement, ’The Princesses of Great Chu Dynasty should be like this’

Was it a negation of them and their daughters?

When Consort Hui first heard this, she truly felt uncomfortable inside.

But upon careful thought.

Though she had little talent, Yi An was lively and adorable, long favored by the Emperor.

Even if she couldn’t compare to his ’darling’, she shouldn’t be dismissed as worthless.

Rather the earlier incident with the Eldest Princess...

This realization made Consort Hui feel better.

After a few deep breaths, she was relieved, after all, it wasn’t about her.

But next to her, Consort Shih Pin and Honored Lady Dou looked bitter.

Consort Shih Pin was full of regret and resentment.

The Third Princess had nothing but a seductive face, timid, cried easily, and was petty.

This temperament was nurtured at the Empress Dowager’s place.

After Shih Wanying’s death, the Third Princess was raised by the Empress Dowager.

And the Empress Dowager hardly managed her, leaving the Wetnurse Nanny and Sister to take care of her most of the time.

Without focusing for ten days or a half month!

It’s imaginable, following servants, what could become of a princess?

Later when she came to Consort Shih Pin, her temperament was already set,

No way to change it.

Cough Cough! Of course, there were her occasional fits of rage.

All in all...the Third Princess became what she was now!

If the Third Princess’s temperament was an innocent misfortune.

Then the Eldest Princess...

Honored Lady Dou sat there, head lowered, feeling indescribably bitter inside.

Now living in Zhaohua Pavilion, she faced exclusion from Honored Lady Chen every day.

Regretting so much, her gut had turned green.

Now hearing the Emperor’s words again, it felt like another jab at her heart.

All because the Eldest Princess was not well taught.

Not only was she spurned by the Emperor, but she herself fell from a Consort status to Honored Lady position!

Now, it’s hard even to meet the Princess!

Reflecting on those good days, what on earth was she doing!

She now understood thoroughly, but unfortunately, it’s too late.

...

Xia Ruqing didn’t notice these thoughts.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, she called for the opera troupe to start.

On the small stage,

two martial actors were fighting lively, most people below watched keenly.

The atmosphere became lively again.

She herself wasn’t very interested in these.

Looking around, feeling somewhat bored.

She then whispered to Zi Yue,

"Later, let Cai Yang and Manxue stay for a while!"

It had been long since they last met, and today the three finally gathered together, there must be some intimate talks.

Zi Yue answered with a smile, quietly attending to the task.

The banquet lasted for one and a half Shi Chen.

After having lunch, everyone left one after another.

Xia Ruqing also returned to her chamber.

Not long after, Xia Caiying and Ni Manxue entered.

As soon as they stepped in, the two were about to go through the formalities.

Xia Ruqing quickly went forward and stopped them.

"No one else is here, let’s skip these formalities!"

The two were still a bit reserved.

"Empress, this..."

"Empress, the rules should not be disregarded."

Xia Ruqing then smiled helplessly.

"Alright, you two quickly sit down!"

"It’s rare for you to come over, why are you still thinking about rules!"

The two looked at each other, then smiled and sat down on the kang.

Having not seen each other for a long time and with a change in status.

The three were a bit reserved at first.

Luckily, Yue Er, the little joy bundle, was there.

Talking about children, the three mothers found common ground, conversing eagerly.

Ni Manxue laughed and said,

"Speaking of which, the three children haven’t met yet!"

"Yet they have known one another from the womb!"