A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 516: Indeed Well Raised

She then asked, "Master, what kind of filling would you like for the glutinous rice balls?""The glutinous rice balls—the chefs in the Imperial Kitchen make them fresh!"

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment. "Glutinous rice stuffed with dried fruits is delicious. I want pine nut sugar ones, and also... peanut and milk!"

"Ah! That’s easy!"

Xiao Xizi ran off like a wisp of smoke. He knew the items Master had newly requested needed to be prepared in advance to avoid any delay.

After all the preparations were finished, it was time to go to Jiaofang Hall.

Xia Ruqing touched up her makeup again.

Looking in the mirror, she sighed, "I really don’t want to go!"

Zi Su chuckled. "All the masters will be there, as will the Emperor. Your Highness, just focus on eating!"

Xia Ruqing pursed her lips. "But there’s nothing tasty, though."

...

Midday was reserved for the formal banquet, set in Jiaofang Hall.

Though they called it the Double Ninth Festival banquet, in truth, it was to celebrate the Little Princess’s half-year birthday. After all, the Double Ninth Festival had always been celebrated in the Imperial Garden in years past. This was the first time it was being held in Jiaofang Hall. Which event held more importance was self-evident.

However, since no one else mentioned anything, Xia Ruqing certainly wouldn’t bring it up either.

When it was nearly noon, she led her Palace Maids leisurely to the hall, arriving just in time.

The banquet was arranged in the main hall of Jiaofang Hall. Though indoors, it was still spacious and bright.

Upon entering, she saw that Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin had also arrived. They greeted each other and performed the appropriate courtesies.

Consort Ning was still plump. Over the summer, she hadn’t slimmed down but had become even more rounded. The Eldest Princess, on the other hand, had grown much taller. However, standing beside Consort Ning, her eyes lacked luster. She seemed to lack the poise expected of a Royal Family Princess and appeared quite timid instead.

The Second Princess was faring much better. Consort Hui Pin had a gentle countenance, embodying an air of peaceful years. The Second Princess stood obediently by her side, and mother and daughter were chatting affectionately.

Xia Ruqing had also brought Little Bun. He was nearly a year old, healthy, and the weather was good that day—it was impossible not to bring him.

The Second Princess was overjoyed to see her younger brother. She ran up to dote on Little Bun.

"Consort Xia, the Little Prince is growing up so well," she said.

Xia Ruqing smiled and asked, "Yi An, do you like him?"

The Second Princess nodded earnestly.

"I do."

"Then you can come and play with him often in the future!"

Yi An’s face lit up with joy. "Really? Consort Xia, can I really come?"

Xia Ruqing smiled and gently patted Yi An’s head.

"You can!"

Yi An jumped and twirled happily.

Little Bun laughed merrily. His large eyes, inherited from Xia Ruqing, were large and round like apricots, their limpid quality comparable to the most beautiful clear spring.

Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin, who were nearby, were almost green with envy. Such a rosy, plump child—why wasn’t he born to them!

Especially Consort Yun Pin, who felt a pang of bitterness, still couldn’t help but compliment him.

"The Little Prince is really growing up well!" she said. As she said this, she silently mourned her own child who had passed away.

Consort Zheng Pin had never raised a child nor ever been pregnant, so she felt less regret, but the envy in her heart was strong.

Consider Xia Ruqing: when she was merely a Lady, I myself was already a Pin-rank Consort. Now, Xia Ruqing is the head of the nine Pin-rank Consorts and the birth mother of the Crown Prince, while I am still just a Pin-rank Consort!

In the Harem, women without the Emperor’s favor or children truly had a difficult life. No matter how indifferent to fame and fortune, or how detached from the secular world, life did not go well!

...

Gradually, everyone arrived.

Honored Lady Wang had passed away, and the Noble Consort was absent, so this banquet seemed somewhat more relaxed.

Apart from the Empress, those below her included Consort Ning, Consort Hui Pin, Consort Xian Pin, Consort Zheng Pin, and Consort Yun Pin. This group comprised one Consort of Fei rank (Consort Ning) and four Consorts of Pin rank.

Next in rank, neither high nor low, was only Shih Jieyu.

The rest were all Honored Ladies. Honored Lady Cheng and Honored Lady Song were veterans in the palace. Together with seven newly selected Honored Ladies, there were a total of nine Honored Ladies. The maximum number of Honored Ladies had once been twelve. Now, with Shih Jieyu’s promotion and the deaths of Honored Lady Zhou and Honored Lady Wang, only nine remained.

In the grand hall, counting all the masters present, there were fewer than twenty people.

Everyone conversed in small groups, whispering and chuckling softly.

At that moment, a eunuch called out loudly.

"The Empress arrives!"

All the concubines rose to pay their respects.

"You may rise."

"Thank you, Empress!"

Looking up, they saw the Empress herself, holding the Princess, ascending to the main seat. The Wetnurses and Sisters stood to one side with bowed heads.

The Empress smiled and said, "Please, take your seats, sisters!"

"Yes!"

Everyone took their seats.

Xia Ruqing noticed that from the moment the Empress appeared with the Princess, Shih Jieyu’s gaze had been fixated on the Little Princess.

Following her gaze, Xia Ruqing saw the Princess in the Empress’s arms. She was dressed in a small, bright red silk gown, wrapped in an imperial yellow swaddling cloth.

Like Shih Jieyu, the Little Princess was fair and plump, resembling a snowball. With large, watery eyes and a small face with a rosy hue. At that moment, the Little Princess was curiously gazing about with her large eyes, looking here and there. Her small hands, clutching polished pig-bone teethers, clung tightly to the Empress’s clothes.

The little child was truly lovely. The imperial yellow and bright red she wore were colors customarily reserved for a Legitimate Princess.

Xia Ruqing smiled to herself. The Empress is determined to have her way!

But indeed... the Little Princess was clearly well-nurtured.

Children from difficult beginnings are often resilient. Though only a month old, with good food and care, she had become such a plump little darling.

Never mind others; even I find her delightful. What then of the Emperor himself!

Xia Ruqing once again admired the Emperor from the bottom of her heart.

This man always has strategies in mind!

He calculates everything perfectly, making the most of everything—and everyone!

He must have known all along that the Empress would wholeheartedly care for the child, so he entrusted the child to her!

His methods are... truly brilliant, yet cunning!

Yet, on closer reflection, the Emperor wasn’t merely unfeeling or treacherous; his actions seemed to contain a degree of emotion. If he were truly heartless, he would swiftly eliminate anyone who threatened his imperial power and authority—be it a princess or even the Empress Dowager. Why else would he expend so much effort for a mere princess?

In a word, Zhao Junyao wasn’t devoid of emotion; he simply kept his feelings subordinate to reason.

Xia Ruqing thought. This isn’t a bad thing at all! If he were a foolish monarch who neglected even the morning court sessions for a beloved woman, that would be truly unfortunate. How many of those historically famous Favored Consorts who were spoiled to the extreme had a good end? Most of them were killed by the Emperor’s principal wife after he died, and it was usually a tragic death. The most infamous example, that of Lv Zhi and Lady Qi, was so horrifying it gave one goosebumps just to recall! So, the current situation is actually very good! Affection and loyalty, reason and ambition—this is the path to enduring stability.

"The Emperor arrives..."

A loud announcement pulled Xia Ruqing back from her reverie.

The Empress, still holding the Princess, rose and personally went forward to greet him. After a few steps, she curtseyed gracefully.

"Greetings to the Emperor!"