A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 389: Chapter 389: Where is the Little Brother?

He, too, would hold her high in his strong arms, listening to her laugh heartily above his head.

At this moment, Zhao Junyao realized just how much he adored his daughter.

Above him, Princess Yi An was still laughing.

Zhao Junyao, afraid to startle her, dared not lift her again. He held her in his arms and walked back to take his seat.

Princess Yi An, leaning against her Royal Father’s chest, asked in her tender voice, ”Royal Father, you haven’t given Yi An a birthday present yet!”

”All the other consorts have given theirs, only Royal Father’s is missing!”

Zhao Junyao chuckled and turned to look at Li Shengan. ”Go, lead the Second Princess personally to the storeroom, and let her choose her gift carefully!”

After speaking, he again admonished Princess Yi An. ”Pick whatever you want. Anything you like, you can have it!”

Princess Yi An’s eyes sparkled as she asked, ”Royal Father, can I pick anything?”

Zhao Junyao ruffled her hair and nodded. ”Anything!”

Princess Yi An cheered, struggled to get down, and ran into the arms of her Wetnurse Nanny, tugging at her to go to the storeroom.

”Let’s go, let’s go! Royal Father said Yi An can pick out a present in the storeroom!”

”Royal Father also said Yi An can choose anything!”

Li Shengan also laughed at the side. ”The Little Princess is truly innocent and adorable!”

Consort Hui Pin was caught between laughter and tears. ”Yi An, you are a princess!”

How could you act so unsophisticated?

But Princess Yi An didn’t see anything amiss. Tugging her Sister and her Wetnurse Nanny, followed by palace maids and eunuchs, she headed to Zhaochen Palace in high spirits under Li Shengan’s escort.

Consort Hui Pin watched their retreating figures, feeling a wave of helplessness. ”Emperor, Yi An is... being unreasonably demanding!”

Zhao Junyao waved his hand dismissively. ”No harm! I told her to go. Today is her birthday; Yi An’s happiness is all that matters!”

Consort Hui Pin said no more.

After Princess Yi An departed, the opera troupe began their performance. Their singing added a lively atmosphere to the occasion.

Half a Shi Chen later, Princess Yi An returned from Zhaochen Palace, having quickly chosen a wooden carved doll.

The doll was a foot long, intricately and exquisitely crafted, with movable limbs. Its black hair was made from artificial strands embedded into its head.

In a small sandalwood box, there was a whole set of tiny clothes, specifically sewn for the doll. She could change its clothes, do its hair, and even apply makeup to it.

Three-year-old Princess Yi An took one look at the doll and couldn’t put it down.

Zhao Junyao found it somewhat amusing. ”Do little girls just like these things?”

Li Shengan quickly replied with a smile, ”Emperor, Princess Yi An loved it at first sight!”

Zhao Junyao smiled, waved his hand, and said no more.

At that moment, Xia Ruqing sent a birthday gift for the Second Princess. It was a pair of pure gold bracelets. They were delicately made, with a unique design, and two strings of tiny golden bells hung in the center. The bells didn’t jingle; they were purely decorative. However, their design made the bracelets look particularly elegant and unique.

Reluctantly, Princess Yi An set the doll aside, picked up the small bracelets, and looked them over.

”Mother Consort, did Consort Xia send these to Yi An?”

Consort Hui Pin nodded.

Princess Yi An then tilted her head and asked, ”Why didn’t Consort Xia come?”

The Zhaoxiang Pavilion and Qingya Residence were neighbors, both adjacent to the Imperial Garden. When the Second Princess played in the Imperial Garden, she often encountered Xia Ruqing. Xia Jieyu was always gentle and kind, sometimes inviting Princess Yi An to taste various innovative pastries. Over time, they grew familiar with each other, and Princess Yi An became quite fond of Consort Xia.

Carrying Princess Yi An in her arms, Consort Hui Pin explained slowly, ”Consort Xia is about to give birth to a little brother, so she couldn’t come to celebrate your birthday! But Consort Xia hasn’t forgotten about you and even had someone send you a birthday gift! You must personally thank Consort Xia later!”

Princess Yi An subconsciously nodded, but her attention had already been captured by the little gold bracelets! Her tender little hand held them, examining them for a while before finally remembering to ask, ”Little brother?”

She looked up at Consort Hui Pin with her big, watery eyes. ”Mother Consort, where is my little brother?”

Zhao Junyao, who was nearby, said, ”Er...”

Consort Hui Pin was also torn between laughter and tears, helplessly replying, ”Your little brother is in Consort Xia’s belly; he hasn’t been born yet!”

Princess Yi An thoughtfully nodded. ”Oh, right, Mother Consort once said that Yi An also came from Mother Consort’s belly!”

Consort Hui Pin then laughed. ”Yi An is truly clever!”

The Noble Consort suddenly interjected from the side, ”Princess Yi An has been taught so well by Sister Consort Hui Pin; she knows everything!”

However, no matter how one heard it, this didn’t sound like praise but more like... sarcasm.

Sarcasm? Implying Princess Yi An knew too much?

Consort Hui Pin was a bit puzzled but still calmly curved her lips. ”Thank you, Noble Consort, for your compliment!”

Oh! Whether you mean it as a compliment or not, if I say it is, then it truly is!

The Noble Consort was softly rebuffed, opening her mouth but unsure of what else to say.

Seeing the Noble Consort at a loss, the Empress was in high spirits. She then said with a laugh, ”Emperor, by the end of this month, Xia Jieyu is due to give birth. We should all think about what gifts to give! At least let’s not do as we did this time and have the Little Prince pick something from the storeroom himself!”

The Empress half-joked with a smile.

Zhao Junyao also smiled without committing himself to a response. In reality, since that incident, he had lost hope in the Empress anyway. He had no interest in further banter. As long as appearances were maintained, that was enough.

The Empress might not understand now, but one day she would. Understanding her own place and behaving properly is best. Otherwise... Zhao Junyao wouldn’t be polite!

The opera on stage continued.

When it was time for lunch, the banquet dishes were gradually served, and the banquet began.

After the meal and a while later, Zhao Junyao left.

Once Zhao Junyao was gone, the others didn’t feel like staying either. Their hosts were clearly enjoying themselves; why linger and be an eyesore?

So shortly after, everyone scattered.

That evening, Zhao Junyao didn’t flip any tablets. He went directly to Consort Hui Pin’s Zhaoxiang Pavilion.

Seeing her Royal Father arrive, Princess Yi An didn’t want to leave. She insisted on sleeping with her Royal Father.

The Wetnurse Sister tried to coax her from the side. ”How can the Princess sleep with the Emperor?”

Princess Yi An, not understanding, protested, ”Why can’t Yi An sleep with Royal Father?”

The Wetnurse Sister: ”...”

She was actually at a loss for words. She couldn’t very well say that the Emperor only visited about once or twice a month, and when Consort Hui Pin had the chance, she should be serving him in bed.

The Wetnurse Sister looked helplessly at Consort Hui Pin. ”Consort?”

Consort Hui Pin, however, didn’t have so many concerns. She was wholeheartedly devoted to her daughter. As for serving the Emperor and seeking favor, she really didn’t have those thoughts anymore.

So in the end, three people slept on one bed. Naturally, nothing happened.

Princess Yi An was very excited, her small body filled with energy, bouncing and wriggling about.

Zhao Junyao endured his daughter, who was crawling all over him late into the night, and was caught between laughter and tears.

It wasn’t that he disliked it, but... The first and foremost duty of the Consorts is to serve the Emperor. How could they... It wasn’t exactly wrong, just...unusual. In fact, it was always like this every time he visited Consort Hui Pin. Consort Hui Pin was solely focused on her daughter, and he was completely ignored. So, Zhao Junyao didn’t hold any expectations anymore; his visits were just to see his daughter.