A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 559 Gift-Giving

After the Empress, came Noble Concubine Shih.Noble Concubine Shih felt displeased, so the gift she sent was quite perfunctory. She just had someone scrounge around in the small storeroom and put together a box to send over. She couldn’t even be bothered to glance at it. If it was passable, that was enough. After all, that wench Lady Xia wasn’t worth her effort.

Then there was Consort Ning; her attitude went without saying. They had past grievances, and she found Consort Xian Pin particularly detestable. So, she sent over a box of children’s toys. With barely concealed pride, she remarked, "These are the Eldest Princess’s most cherished playthings, specially prepared for the Little Prince!"

Xia Ruqing was filled with contempt and rolled her eyes inwardly. Specially prepared? Isn’t it just... your daughter’s hand-me-downs? To send such things was unbelievable!

However, on the surface, Xia Ruqing still smiled and said respectfully, "Many thanks, Consort Ning! Since it is the Eldest Princess’s favorite, surely... the Imperial Son will also like it!"

Consort Ning nodded with great satisfaction. "Good if he likes it!"

Her unspoken message seemed to be: Seeing as you’re so sensible, I won’t pursue matters further!

Xia Ruqing secretly shot her a disdainful look but continued to smile beautifully. Internally, she cursed, You’re only capable of these petty provocations. If you dared to try something serious, see if I’d still be this polite to you!

Consort Ning, lost in her pride, paid no attention to Xia Ruqing’s expression. Her tail was practically pointing to the sky. She was so smug she even seemed to look down on Noble Concubine Shih standing nearby. Who is Noble Concubine Shih anyway? No favor, no children. What right does she have to compare with me? I, at least, have a princess! Hmph!

Noble Concubine Shih, head bowed and lost in her own thoughts, paid no attention. Otherwise, Consort Ning would hardly have gotten off so easily.

...

After Consort Ning, it was Consort Hui Pin and the others. The gifts they brought were all proper and faultless. Xia Ruqing received them with a smile, expressing her thanks one by one. After those of the consort rank were finished, it was down to Shih Jieyu and then the Honored Ladies.

None of those who followed dared to offend Consort Xian Pin. So, regardless of their inner thoughts, they all presented a respectful facade. Not a single fault could be found in their demeanor. Xia Ruqing, in turn, treated them with a measure of courtesy. For a time, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Both the Emperor and Empress Dowager were present, and the Empress was eager to please. So, right up until the end of the midday meal, the main hall was filled with joy and harmony. It was a picture of a benevolent mother, a filial son, and dutiful wives and concubines living in harmony.

Not long after the midday meal concluded, the sky outside began to darken, and the wind picked up. The Empress Dowager looked at the weather and smiled. "The wind is picking up, and it’s getting chilly. I’ve been sitting for quite a while and feel rather tired. I shall take my leave first. You all continue to enjoy yourselves!"

With that, the Empress Dowager, supported by Sister Qing’s hand, prepared to rise.

The Empress was the first to rush forward. "Imperial Mother, please be careful! Your daughter-in-law will escort you back!"

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, a look of gratification slowly appearing on her face. "The Empress is truly considerate. I appreciate your trouble."

"Imperial Mother, you’re too kind. This is merely what your daughter-in-law ought to do!" The Empress was intensely moved, her tone trembling with emotion. Is the Empress Dowager... finally acknowledging me fully? Without her constantly watching me, wouldn’t my position as Empress be much more secure? With that thought, a hint of smugness touched the Empress’s face.

When Noble Concubine Shih finally pulled her wandering thoughts back to the present, she looked up just in time to see the Empress’s smug expression. Another glance confirmed it: the Empress Dowager and the Empress, that pair of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, were supporting each other. Quite the picture of harmony they make!

Noble Concubine Shih gave a cold sneer and lowered her head again, pretending not to see. When the Third Princess was taken from me, the Empress Dowager didn’t even step forward to say a word in my defense. What more could I expect from her! Since the Empress Dowager doesn’t value me, why should I try to ingratiate myself? To offer a warm gesture only to be met with a cold reception? Sorry, I have no such inclination!

Leaning on the Empress’s hand, the Empress Dowager passed by Noble Concubine Shih, her expression unchanging.

Everyone rose and knelt. "We respectfully see off Her Majesty the Empress Dowager! We respectfully see off Her Majesty the Empress!"

Noble Concubine Shih was among them.

...

Once the Empress Dowager and the Empress had departed, Zhao Junyao also left. With little reason to remain seated, the others also bid their farewells and departed one by one.

After seeing everyone off, Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally, they’ve all gone! The First Birthday Ceremony concluded without any major mishaps, thank goodness!" I was sweating bullets the whole time!

Setting aside others, Honored Lady Cheng alone is incredibly delicate. If anything had happened to her, the trouble would have been immense. If someone had framed me, or if an accident had occurred here under my watch, I truly wouldn’t have been able to clear my name even if I had a hundred mouths! But now, everything is fine, isn’t it? It’s all over.

"You all tidy up. I’m exhausted and need to go lie down for a bit!" She’d been bustling about since morning and hadn’t had a moment to catch her breath.

Zi Yue quickly said, "Please go rest, Your Ladyship. This servant will oversee things here!"

"Mm!"

Xia Ruqing then entered the inner chamber. Little Bun was already asleep, lying on the warm kang in the adjoining room, with Sister Liang and Sister Huang keeping watch beside him.

Xia Ruqing approached Little Bun and asked with concern, "Is he asleep? Did he eat anything?"

Sister Liang replied softly, "Replying to Your Ladyship, he has eaten. This servant fed him a bowl of steamed egg custard, a small piece of sweet potato, a taro, and a small bowl of soup. The Little Prince ate very heartily!"

Xia Ruqing was reassured. "That’s good to hear! Since he’s asleep, please take him to rest. You Sisters have worked hard, go and rest as well!"

"Many thanks, Your Ladyship!"

After expressing their thanks, Sister Liang and Sister Huang carried the Little Prince to a side room.

Zi Su and Zi Ning entered to help Xia Ruqing change out of her formal attire, remove her makeup, and wash her face. Finally, dressed in casual home clothes, she lay down on her bed and fell asleep almost instantly. She was truly exhausted!

...

Meanwhile, after leaving, Zhao Junyao returned to the Imperial Study Room to continue reviewing memorials. Recently, several officials had submitted reports stating that snow had already begun to fall in some northern regions, fearing a disastrous winter this year. He was deeply concerned.

The Empress personally escorted the Empress Dowager back to Ningshou Palace. She diligently attended to the Empress Dowager until she was settled in bed in the inner chamber before departing. Walking away, her heart soared with elation and immense satisfaction.

Noble Concubine Shih, however, was in no such cheerful mood. Upon returning to Xifu Palace, Noble Concubine Shih couldn’t stop herself from bursting into bitter tears. This greatly alarmed Ying Qiu, who asked, "Your Ladyship, what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly crying?"

Ignoring her, Noble Concubine Shih trembled as she retrieved an exquisite box from somewhere by the head of the bed. The sight of it made Ying Qiu’s tears instantly well up. "Your Ladyship! You..."

Ying Qiu had seen that box before. It contained a few garments belonging to the late Little Prince, all hand-stitched by Noble Concubine Shih herself. She had almost forgotten—the anniversary of the Little Prince’s death fell in October. October... another year had passed so quickly.

If the Little Prince were still alive, he would be two years old this year. If he were still here, Her Ladyship would never have fallen into such a desperate state. If only... But what use are all these ’if onlys’? What’s gone is gone!

"Your Ladyship, please don’t grieve so! The Imperial Physician said your constitution is weak and you must try to maintain a cheerful disposition!"

But Noble Concubine Shih seemed not to hear her. Shaking uncontrollably, she trembled as she opened the box.