Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 381 Birthday Banquet

Her bond with children was not deep, and in her younger years, she mostly dealt with court officials.

Therefore, she didn’t look after children as meticulously and lovingly as Lin Wanyi.

To her, the nature of children was something that needed to be honed.

Only in this way could they handle the weapons and turbulence of the imperial court and harem.

Thus, although she raised the Emperor, there was no rift between mother and son, but neither were they particularly close.

However, when she saw the children sharing every little moment with Lin Wanyi first,

She couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

As people age, they tend to become more lenient towards children.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be the saying that a generation skips closeness.

So, for once, a smile appeared on her lips.

More importantly, she affirmed Lin Wanyi’s efforts.

Undoubtedly, it’s her talent!

Even children, who are the most sensitive and straightforward, can put everything aside to enjoy her care and affection.

No wonder the Emperor is so fond of her.

Even to the extent of keeping the harem "sparsely populated."

With such an attitude, she understood clearly.

Although the Emperor didn’t directly overhaul the harem drastically,

now, the number of concubines who can serve can be counted on one hand.

This isn’t much different from his initial plan.

In the past, considering the empire’s stability, she would’ve arranged for new people to enter the palace and serve.

But now, she’s happy being an uninvolved Empress Dowager.

After all, the Emperor is strong and has absolute authority in court.

Why bother doing something that would only attract resentment?

So, as long as Lin Wanyi doesn’t make any big mistakes, living like this is rare peace.

Time always flies by when spent in laughter and conversation.

When summoned from Ruiyang Pavilion, the birthday celebration was naturally already arranged.

Thus, Lin Wanyi and Consort Qian supported the Empress Dowager on either side as the Second Prince led all his siblings towards Ruiyang Pavilion.

Soon after entering, they saw the Emperor, who had been dealing with official duties, also coming out from the study direction.

"Your son greets the Empress Mother."

"This concubine greets the Emperor."

"Your son greets the Father Emperor."

"This servant greets the Emperor."

A large group knelt down.

The Emperor waved his hand slightly and said plainly.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Emperor."

He then replaced Consort Qian’s position and, with Lin Wanyi, helped the Empress Dowager into the flower hall.

In Ruiyang Pavilion, there was an unused empty room.

This time, when Lin Wanyi came, she spotted it unintentionally and found dining there quite pleasant.

Outside, the trees provided ample shade, and inside it was cool and comfortable.

When the doors and windows on either side were opened, a gentle breeze flowed through.

It didn’t make one feel uneasy but added a touch of comfort.

So after this place was tidied up, a large and a small table were placed.

The larger one, naturally for the adults to sit at, while the smaller one was arranged for the princes and princesses.

Each had their own stool. For instance, the Second Prince was a bit older.

His stool was no different from an ordinary one, just a bit shorter, allowing his feet to touch the ground when seated.

Making it more comfortable to sit.

The Second Princess and Fourth Prince, however, had adjustable wooden boards in front of them, which, when flipped over the chair front, served as a small table.

The nannies served the dishes beside them, and they could pick up food to eat on their own.

For the Fifth Prince and the Third Princess, soft cushions were added, along with wheels underneath.

The overall height was adjustable as well.

As they weren’t adept at eating on their own yet, the nannies could break up the food and place it in bowls, feeding them bit by bit.

This also meant not needing to hold them restrictively, which made wiping their mouths easier at any time.

Such thoughtful arrangements caught the Empress Dowager’s attention.

"You have quite a few tricks for raising children."

Lin Wanyi accepted the compliment without arrogance.

"The Empress Dowager praises me too highly. My father likes these little things, so he made them and sent them to the palace for me. It’s convenient, so I’ve always used them. I apologize for my inadequacies before the Empress Dowager."

"How is this inadequate? Clearly, it’s an ingenious skill. In my opinion, ornate and elaborate jewelry isn’t as good as practical and handy items. What’s the use of them looking good? It’s about being comfortable."

These words coincided with Lin Wanyi’s thoughts.

Consort Qian, observing from the side, felt she learned something new too.

Apologetically, she said.

"I always thought I treated the Eldest Princess with consideration, but now watching Your Majesty, I feel truly outdone."

"You’re too kind, noble concubine."

Soon after, Qiu Ming brought in a brand-new stool, similar in style and size to the Second Prince’s.

As he entered, everyone understood.

Lin Wanyi explained.

"I also had my father make two new stools, one for the Eldest Princess and one for the Third Prince. With the Eldest Princess here today, she can use it."

Not only that, but the bowls and chopsticks were also a brand-new set.

On them was a small decorative "Ming" character, instantly making Princess Ming Ruo feel valued.

With such attention, both the Emperor and Empress Dowager felt reassured.

Being raised outside didn’t mean being entirely ignored.

A bit of thought put into these little things can indeed speak volumes.

Perhaps Princess Ming Ruo felt moved, so her nose became a bit tingly.

The Second Prince glanced at her and whispered in her ear, refraining from their usual bickering.

"Today is your Second Sister’s birthday, crying wouldn’t be good."

"Yes, yes, I know."

Ming Ruo said this while trying to suppress the sourness inside her heart.

Once the dishes were served, everyone started eating.

With the Empress Dowager and Emperor present, protocol would suggest that Consort Qian should rise to serve them.

But with a wave of the Emperor’s hand, Consort Qian didn’t presume further.

Today’s food was prepared with care by Chunqi.

Not a single renowned dish from before was missing, plus two dishes the Empress Dowager liked were added.

The most popular dish was Chunqi’s improved lotus leaf chicken.

Perhaps the chicken was fresh, and the lotus leaves freshly plucked.

So the taste was even better than the ones bought from outside.

Chunqi made seven or eight, using only tender chickens, not very large, but they were almost entirely eaten by everyone, still craving more.

And finally, the meal ended with a bowl of longevity noodles.

Chunqi served them personally.

Thus, under the envy of the other princes and princesses, the Second Princess finished her noodles, bite by bite.

She didn’t even leave behind the soup.

That dish felt better than receiving a basket of gold and silver jewelry!

Her final satisfied demeanor made everyone at the banquet smile warmly.

As for the gifts, they almost buried the little Second Princess.

The entire evening, she was busy opening one gift after another in the room, thoroughly enjoying herself.

She completely forgot about the loneliness and desolation of the Mid-Autumn Festival today.