A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Father and Son

The Eldest Princess Yi Ming was about to turn six after the New Year.

Compared to the Second Princess, the Eldest Princess was much quieter in nature. She seldom went out. Only when there were banquets at the palace would Consort Ning bring her along.

The little girl was pretty, yet somewhat timid.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of Little Bun.

I heard Consort Xia had a little brother. Is this him?

He’s so tiny, and he looks so much like Father Emperor!

His little cheeks are so pretty, so fair and soft. I really want to give him a kiss!

Yi An bounced up to Xia Ruqing excitedly, looking curiously at Little Bun.

”Consort Xia, why is he so small?”

After a while, she asked again, ”Consort Xia, may I touch his hand?”

Some time later, she asked again, ”Consort Xia, may I give the little brother a kiss?”

Xia Ruqing was caught between laughter and tears. She had no choice but to get Sister Liang to bring over Little Bun’s wooden rocker and put Little Bun inside.

”There, now you can reach him!”

Yi An said happily with a smile, ”Thank you, Consort Xia!”

Then she leaned over the rocker, touching Little Bun’s hand for a moment, and then gently gave Little Bun’s cheek a kiss.

Little Bun, seeing his beautiful little sister kiss him, danced happily, his little lips moving, blowing bubbles one after another!

Yi An’s cheeks turned red with excitement. ”Consort Xia, Consort Xia, the little brother is blowing bubbles!”

Xia Ruqing smiled too. ”That means he likes you!”

”He likes me?” Yi An’s cheeks turned even redder, a hint of maidenly shyness appearing.

Xia Ruqing smiled, sipping her tea. Just then, her gaze turned and caught the Eldest Princess watching the Second Princess with a look of envy.

Huh? Did I miss someone?

Although she had no fondness for Consort Ning, the Eldest Princess was still a child; the matters of adults should not involve the children.

So, Xia Ruqing beckoned to her. ”Would the Eldest Princess like to come and see?”

The Eldest Princess’s eyes clearly lit up. She was excited and looking forward to it; the word ”yes” almost slipped out of her mouth!

But then, as if recalling something, the brightness in her gaze faded.

She timidly looked at her mother, her eyes showing a bit of fear.

At this moment, Consort Ning was engrossed in eating, completely unaware of the Eldest Princess’s expression.

Xia Ruqing instantly understood. Glancing at Consort Ning, who had gained a considerable amount of weight recently, she smiled faintly and said nothing more.

The mother and daughter’s affairs were not something she wanted to meddle in. If she insisted on calling the Eldest Princess over, and Consort Ning was displeased afterward, it would be the Eldest Princess who suffered. Thus, she did not ask her again.

Noble Consort Shih, watching from the side, couldn’t stand it any longer.

Look at Lady Xia, so smug because she had the Emperor’s son, showing off everywhere, like she’s on top of the world!

She was about to speak sarcastically when Ying Yue gently tugged on her sleeve and offered her a cup of tea. The Noble Consort had a sudden realization: her ultimate goal was the Empress, the very Empress who frequently rubbed salt into her wounds.

With this thought, Noble Consort Shih held back the words she was about to say. Her gaze was complex as she looked at the Empress sitting beside the Emperor, smiling proudly.

Then her gaze shifted to her cousin. Though her cousin sat next to the Empress, his attention frequently drifted toward Lady Xia. Occasionally, his eyes also turned to the Little Prince and the Second Princess. His gaze never lingered on the Empress beside him.

Noble Consort Shih felt a bit more pleasure in her heart.

Still, she gazed at the Empress’s position with eyes filled with longing.

Having grown up together with her cousin, she had long regarded him as her husband.

Yet one day, the late Emperor suddenly decreed that her cousin should marry another.

The position of his rightful wife, which she had dreamed of, was snatched away by the Empress who came out of nowhere.

And she, his childhood sweetheart, could only submit to the status of a consort.

Her heart ached, and she cried for many days and nights.

After entering the palace, her cousin treated her very well, keeping her company night after night, lavishing her with affection.

But what use was all this affection?

During ancestral rites, at heaven-worshipping ceremonies, and at banquets, the one who always sat beside her cousin was only the Empress!

And she could only sit here forever, watching them!

Noble Consort Shih turned her gaze away, took a sip of wine, and dared not look any longer. A somewhat strong line of fire burned down her throat, and her heart was filled with bitterness.

Now, the person standing shoulder to shoulder with him is not me. The one receiving all his affection is also not me. Shih Wanxin, oh Shih Wanxin, what exactly have you gained after so many years in the harem!

Ying Yue noticed something was wrong with her mistress and quickly helped her up. After hastily apologizing to the Emperor and Empress, they left.

The banquet was almost over anyway. Everyone had eaten their fill, chatted, and laughed, and much time had passed.

As soon as Noble Consort Shih left, Honored Lady Shih also didn’t dare stay any longer and stood up to take her leave.

Then, one by one, everyone else left. Soon, the banquet dispersed.

Before leaving, the Empress took Xia Ruqing’s hand with an apologetic face.

”Little Prince’s full moon celebration, and I didn’t prepare any gifts, merely enjoyed the meal. Consort Xian Pin, younger sister, please don’t blame me!”

Xia Ruqing hurriedly laughed. ”The Empress jests. Your presence is a fortune for the Imperial Son; I could not ask for more!”

The gift you sent last time was returned. This time, even if you had the audacity to send another, I wouldn’t dare to accept it!

Seeing her docility, the Empress nodded in satisfaction and bowed to the Emperor with a smile. ”Your subject retires!”

Zhao Junyao nodded. As soon as the Empress left, the remaining people all stood up to depart.

In a short while, Qingya Residence quieted down.

Xiao Xizi, along with Xiao Zhu Zi and Qiu Ye, swiftly cleared the tables, chairs, and benches. All the leftover food was collected to be discarded. Then, they washed the dirty floor with a large basin of water and dried it with a clean cloth. After a bout of hard work, the three of them were sweating profusely. The room, however, was now peaceful.

Little Bun had been particularly lively today, playing for a long time without getting sleepy. Now, lying in his cradle, he made no sound, just busily moving his lips and blowing bubbles.

Suddenly, he saw someone dressed in bright yellow clothes approaching him. Little Bun felt very excited.

Huh? I’ve never seen this color before? But the clothes are so pretty!

With that thought, his little mouth worked hard, opening and closing, occasionally breaking into a smile.

Zhao Junyao stood by the cradle, looking at the mini version of himself. A smile hung on his lips, one that even he himself hadn’t noticed.

Xia Ruqing finished tidying up and came inside. With one glance, she saw father and son, big and small, looking at each other.

She laughed. ”Emperor, you haven’t held him yet.”

Zhao Junyao: ”Hmm?”

Xia Ruqing had already picked up the child, planning to hand him over to Zhao Junyao.

Zhao Junyao’s expression suddenly became a bit stiff. ”Uhm...”

”Qingqing, such a small child, I... I’m afraid of dropping him!”

Xia Ruqing laughed. ”It’s okay, Little Bun is a little man; he won’t get hurt even if he falls!”

With that, she confidently handed her son to Zhao Junyao.