A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 998: First Birthday Banquet (Part 1)

Chapter 998: Chapter 998: First Birthday Banquet (Part 1)

Around noon.

The concubines in the harem ranked above sixth grade.

As well as the Ladies of Enjoin from outside the palace with good relationships, each one had arrived.

The vast flower hall was quickly filled with people.

Actually, there weren’t many people from the harem.

Altogether, there were no more than a dozen ranked above sixth grade.

There were slightly more from outside the palace.

Besides Xia Caiying and Ni Manxue, there were a few sisters-in-law from the Yang Family, people from Manxue’s family’s side, among others.

Additionally, there were many unfamiliar faces.

These were all people who were relatives or were trying to become relatives to get into the palace.

All had Enjoin status, but their ranks were not high.

Seizing the opportunity to establish relations with the New Empress, of course they would go to great lengths to come.

After taking their seats, seeing that the Empress had not arrived yet.

They began chatting warmly on both sides.

These people were skilled at socializing and all had the gift of gab.

With one joke here and another story there, the atmosphere quickly became lively.

As Xia Ruqing approached the flower hall but hadn’t entered, she heard waves of laughter coming from inside.

She couldn’t help but smile and ask.

"So lively! What is everyone laughing about?"

Zi Su came out from inside to welcome her, smiling and answering.

"It’s nothing much, the ladies are chit-chatting, Empress, please come in!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t say anything further, merely smiling as she walked inside.

What followed was a series of respectful greetings.

Xia Ruqing stood in the high seat, looking down at the group of women bowing and kneeling on the ground.

She couldn’t help but feel emotional.

’No wonder the men of the court and the women of the harem, one by one, are chasing power as if crazed, turns out...’

’This feeling of looking down on all beings is indeed exhilarating!!’

This feeling of being a monarch provides an immense sense of security, as if the entire world is hers, never to be betrayed.

Xia Ruqing was deeply shaken by everything before her, standing there stunned, even forgetting to respond.

It was Zi Su who cautiously tugged at her sleeve.

"Empress, it’s time to allow them to rise!"

Only then did Xia Ruqing suddenly return to her senses, immediately waving her sleeve.

"All rise and be seated!"

"Thank you, Empress!"

Everyone thanked her and steadied themselves before sitting down again.

Xia Ruqing also sat down in the high seat.

Wearing the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ hastily prepared, extremely heavy ceremonial attire, and supporting the thousand-pound Phoenix Crown studded with pure gold and gemstones.

She forced a smile and spoke.

"I’m so glad everyone could come to celebrate Yue Er’s birthday!"

"It’s cold today, I apologize for the inconvenience to everyone!"

As soon as she finished speaking, someone below laughed.

"Empress, you jest!"

"For us wives, it’s an honor to come and celebrate the Little Princess’s birthday, how could there be inconvenience?!"

Xia Ruqing also laughed.

"Since that’s the case, let’s begin soon!"

"Yes!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su made their salutes and then went down to prepare.

The first item on the Little Princess’s birthday banquet was the "grasp selection" activity.

Several Little Eunuchs carried over a massive carved lacquer low table, covered in bright red brocade, with a variety of miscellaneous items laid out.

The Wetnurse Nanny and Sister also carried the tightly wrapped Little Princess over.

Since birth, Xiao Lele was seeing such a grand occasion for the first time.

The little girl bundled in thick, bright red cotton garments, widened her big, bright eyes, excitedly looking around.

"Yue Er?"

Xia Ruqing called out with a smile.

Xiao Lele turned to look at her, and her big eyes instantly lit up.

"Mother... Mother..." she babbled, stretching out her plump, white arms for a hug.

The Sister beside her quickly laughed and corrected.

"Princess, you should call her Mother Empress!"

Lele didn’t care about that and continued calling "Mother," burrowing towards Xia Ruqing’s embrace.

Xia Ruqing felt her heart melt watching her, truly a little darling.

Taking her daughter, she was about to rise and place Yue Er on the low table for grasp selection.

Unexpectedly, an announcement suddenly came from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

While everyone was surprised, they quickly stood up to greet him.

"Greetings to the Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao casually waved his hand.

"No need for formalities, rise!"

He strode towards the high seat.

With one hand, he helped his wife up, and with the other, he embraced Xiao Lele, who was already excited beyond compare, turning as he sat down on the high seat.

"Father... Father..." Lele was restless in his arms.

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat embarrassed.

On one hand, she hadn’t expected Zhao Junyao to come, as it was a gathering among women.

On the other hand... she never imagined Zhao Junyao would hold Yue Er in front of everyone.

To know, in the eyes of civil and military officials, even the whole nation, their Emperor was a highly cold and indifferent person, never easily showing expression.

But now...

"Emperor..." Xia Ruqing cautiously reminded.

Zhao Junyao simply waved his big hand.

"No problems!"

"Yue Er is still young, don’t worry about these things!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

After a moment of speechlessness, she couldn’t remonstrate further.

The expressions below were varied.

The Ladies of Enjoin from outside the palace were uniformly filled with envy and surprise.

Their inner world:

’The Empress and Little Princess are already favored to this extent?’

’This trip was indeed worthwhile!’

’If I can build ties with the Xia Family through this, it will surely be all beneficial with no harm!’

After which, they became even more courteous and attentive.

But the expressions of those women from the harem were not as pleasant.

Whether they had children or not.

Envy, jealousy, and resentment were inevitable.

Only some concealed it well, while others didn’t conceal it much.

The most obvious among them was Consort Shih Pin.

She stared fixatedly at the harmonious family of three on the high seat, her eyes filled with the most venomous hatred.

She’s also someone who raises a Princess.

The Third Princess is equally exquisite, lovable.

But she had never seen the Emperor favor the Third Princess this way.

She always thought the Emperor treated all children alike.

But now...

Every action he took, every word he spoke, every expression on his face was so unfamiliar.

So unlike anything she had ever seen.

It turns out he’s not incapable of being gentle, not incapable of being loving.

He’s just incapable of being gentle towards her.

And the Fourth Princess in his arms, is merely favored as a child of a favored mother.

Lady Xia, what does this damn Lady Xia have that’s so good?! 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Once she was like an ant crawling at her feet.

And now, right before her eyes, she sits openly on the Empress throne she’d dreamed of.

And stole the affection, stole everything from her!

How could she not hate in her heart!

Consort Shih Pin’s expression twisted, her eyes full of hatred and resentment.

She clutched her handkerchief tightly, trying hard to restrain herself, lest she speak words of ill will that might anger the Emperor.

She told herself repeatedly internally.

’It’s not the time yet, must plan well!’

’Must not act impulsively, or everything is lost!’

Ying Qiu was alongside, secretly tugging at her sleeve.

After a while, the fury in her chest gradually subsided, and her expression returned to normal.

Seeing this, Ying Qiu finally felt relieved.

Meanwhile, up on the high seat.

Zhao Junyao was walking with his youngest daughter towards the low table.

"Come, my little Princess!"

"These are all for you, pick the one you like best!"

Lele stood on the low table with innocent wonder, her attention instantly caught by the various colorful items.

She joyfully clapped her hands and giggled.

"Lele, likes!"