A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 536: The Younger Brother and Sister

"Always thinking about playing with the Little Prince..."Consort Hui Pin was not too fond of socializing either. But for her daughter’s sake, she had gone all out.

Xia Ruqing, on the other hand, saw nothing amiss. Children are all little angels, aren’t they? What harm could there be in playing together? But... spending time with her Emperor husband’s other little wives, along with two children who also belonged to her husband... playing together like this feels truly awkward. Still, what choice do I have? I can’t very well forbid it.

So Xia Ruqing laughed and said, "It just so happens that I’m going to feed the fish with the Imperial Son today. If the Princess would like to, why not come along?"

"That would be great!" Joy was written all over Consort Hui Pin’s face.

「...」

In the Imperial Garden.

Xia Ruqing took Little Bun to Taiye Pool. Consort Hui Pin and the Second Princess were already waiting there.

Before they could approach, Yi’an came running over, bouncing and jumping. "Brother..."

Consort Hui Pin said helplessly, "Yi’an, slow down! Don’t scare your brother!"

But how could Little Bun be scared? Seeing the other child run, he wanted to run too. He struggled mightily to break free from the Wetnurse Nanny’s arms. His pair of strong little feet hit the ground, TAP TAP TAP, as he toddled forward.

The Wetnurse Nanny bent over to support him, torn between laughter and tears. "Consort Xia, the Little Prince has such strong legs; this servant can hardly keep up!"

Xia Ruqing watched her son’s little steps, stunned. It took a while before she finally managed to utter, "He’s truly... a child like the wind! Son, I think if you learn to walk, you’ll reach for the sky!"

Little Bun paid no mind to these words. The two children ran up to each other.

Yi’an laughed and took her brother’s hand. "Come on, let’s go feed the fish..."

As soon as Little Bun heard "feed the fish," he nodded eagerly, giggling as he looked towards the water by the lake’s edge.

"Ah! Fish..."

His pronunciation was mumbled, but Xia Ruqing could more or less understand him.

"Zi Yue, bring out the fish food we prepared! Let them go ahead!"

The Lake Heart Pavilion was surrounded by sturdy wooden railings, so there was no fear of any danger.

"Yes!" Zi Yue replied with a smile, then brought out a dish of fish food.

Consort Hui Pin had also brought some, and she called for a Palace Maid to bring it out.

The Wetnurse Nanny spread a thick blanket on the wooden floor of the pavilion. The two toddlers sat together, dangling their legs through the gaps in the wooden railing, each with a portion of fish food beside them.

Yi’an grabbed a handful of fish food and scattered it into the water. Little Bun peered down.

Soon, the koi of Taiye Pool surfaced. A swarm of large red and white fish surged forward to compete for the food. From a distance, the water’s surface looked as if it were boiling.

"Ah!"

"Fish!"

"Fish!"

Little Bun and the Second Princess clapped their hands excitedly, as if afraid no one would notice.

The Second Princess turned around and shouted with excitement, "Consort Mother, Consort Xia, come and look!"

"Moth...moth gway...nah nah..." Little Bun babbled in a mysterious language that no one could understand.

Xia Ruqing and Consort Hui Pin exchanged amused glances. They both rose and stood by the railing to watch for a while, then sat back down.

Zi Yue and Tan Xiang, Consort Hui Pin’s attendant, brought over tea and snacks. The two women sipped their tea, watching the children.

The small pavilion was filled with joyous laughter.

「...」

Consort Ning, seeing the fine weather and feeling somewhat out of sorts, decided to go for a stroll to clear her mind. The Eldest Princess Yiming accompanied her. Princess Yiming was already six years old, but under Consort Ning’s influence, she had not received proper guidance. She remained very timid, completely lacking a princess’s dignity.

After the Noble Consort lay low, Consort Ning was the only one remaining in the palace with the rank of ’Fei’. The Empress was rising in power, and Consort Ning had always been her follower, so she, too, gradually began to rise. She felt that, aside from the Empress, she was the most honored person in the Harem. Consort Xian Pin? She’s merely a Pin-rank consort. Ultimately, rules of etiquette and seniority must still be observed. So, there was truly no one in the Harem who could compare to her.

In the past, she disliked going out much, afraid of encountering the Noble Consort. Now, she increasingly enjoyed it. As long as she didn’t run into the Empress, everyone else had to salute her and respectfully address her as "Consort Ning."

Over time, her ego swelled. It was like a peasant woman from the countryside who had toiled and been subservient her whole life, then suddenly gained power in her later years, becoming the matriarch of a prominent family. Everyone had to kowtow to her, hailing her as "Madam" or "Old Ancestor." Wouldn’t she naturally start to put on airs? She was determined to make up for everything she had missed in the past. The more she thought this way, the more she revealed her lack of worldliness, displaying the typical arrogance of a petty person who had suddenly come into power.

Consort Ning was precisely this type.

She took her daughter to the Imperial Garden. Just as they were about to head to the Lake Heart Pavilion, before even turning the corner, she heard a burst of lively laughter.

A flicker of annoyance sparked within her. Who could be so leisurely and carefree?

With this thought, she quickened her pace. Turning the corner, she was somewhat surprised.

Isn’t that Consort Hui Pin and Consort Xian Pin? Consort Hui Pin? Every time I invited her for a stroll, she’d refuse, saying she needed to look after the Princess. And now? How has she hit it off with Consort Xian Pin? Look at them, chatting and laughing over tea, having such a grand time. And those two children down there... The Little Prince is one thing, but why is the Second Princess so excited? When I asked her to play with her elder sister before, she was always unwilling. Now she’s happy to play with the Little Prince? What a pair of social-climbing mother and daughter! Consort Hui Pin is one thing, but she’s even corrupted her three- or four-year-old daughter. Tsk, tsk... Honestly!

The more Consort Ning thought about it, the angrier she became. She led the Princess over, STOMP STOMP STOMP.

The atmosphere in Lake Heart Pavilion instantly tensed. Xia Ruqing and Consort Hui Pin quickly rose and saluted in unison. "Consort Ning!"

The wetnurses and palace maids behind them all knelt. "Greetings to Consort Ning!"

The two bewildered toddlers didn’t know what to make of the situation. The Second Princess Yi’an, stunned for a moment, weakly called out, "Consort Ning..."

Little Bun didn’t understand at all. And what he didn’t understand, he disliked. Why did everyone stop talking when this gaudily dressed woman appeared? So Little Bun was very displeased, puffing out his cheeks and remaining silent.

Consort Ning seemed quite satisfied with the scene before her. She didn’t bid them rise, instead seating herself with a smirk. Looking at the leftover tea and snacks on the table, she let out a cold laugh. "You two certainly know how to enjoy yourselves..." The implication being, why wasn’t I invited?!

Xia Ruqing smiled faintly, feigning ignorance. "Earlier, when this concubine came from Jiaofang Hall, I invited Consort Ning to join us, but Your Highness declined... so..."

Just now? Consort Ning pondered for a moment. It seemed... Consort Xian Pin did indeed invite me earlier.

Consort Ning’s expression turned slightly awkward. Not wanting to dwell on the matter, she waved her hand dismissively. "Everyone, rise!"

"Thank you, Consort Ning!" Everyone stood up.

Consort Ning, looking at the teacups on the table, began to order them about imperiously. "You lot, aren’t you going to clear this away quickly? This Consort has brought better things!"