A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 517: Chapter 517: The Empress’s Contribution!

Zhao Junyao was dressed in his bright yellow Dragon Robe, having obviously come directly from the court session, not even having had the chance to change his clothes.

He walked up to them, made a show of helping the Empress up, and said, ”Everyone, rise.”

His voice was vast and deep, like a flowing river—calm on the surface but with surging depths, filled with layers of mystery. Who could guess the Emperor’s thoughts?

Zhao Junyao glanced at the Little Princess in the Empress’s arms.

The Empress, as if presenting a treasure, held the Little Princess up for the Emperor to see.

”Your Majesty, see how well the Little Princess is growing!”

It was like asking for a reward. But that was only normal. After all, having cared for and watched over her day and night, wasn’t it reasonable for her to seek some recognition?

The Third Princess was even prettier than the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess. She was like a finely carved doll, with milky white skin, and her pair of shiny black eyes were particularly adorable. They were comparable to Little Bun’s own almond-shaped eyes.

Zhao Junyao indeed turned his head to glance at Little Bun beside Xia Ruqing, and then he smiled.

”Indeed, the credit goes to the Empress!”

The Empress quickly bowed. ”It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s trust; these are all duties of Your Humble Consort!”

Zhao Junyao smirked. He and the Empress, with the Third Princess, then ascended to their seats.

The Emperor addressed those below in a deep voice, ”Everyone, please sit!”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!” they replied, and everyone took their seats.

With all the repeated standing and sitting, Xia Ruqing felt exhausted, and Little Bun beside her also seemed dissatisfied. His small brows, so much like Zhao Junyao’s, furrowed, but he endured it.

Once the Empress had solicited enough praise, she handed the Little Princess to the Wetnurse Nanny to hold. She then spoke at length, mostly formalities.

”I thank all my sisters for gracing us with their presence. Today is the ninth; the Third Princess is now half a year old! This modest feast is a small gesture from this one!”

The concubines hurriedly rose. After their courteous expressions of gratitude, the banquet finally began.

The concubines started to step forward one by one to present their gifts. The protocol was similar to that of a full-moon feast; everyone had prepared congratulatory gifts for the Little Princess.

Starting with Consort Ning.

The gifts varied, including safe-keeping locks, longevity locks, and gold and silver necklaces. The quality of the gift simply depended on one’s means.

For example, the gift Xia Ruqing had prepared was a pair of small gold bracelets with bells. The bells were hollow, producing a crisp sound with any movement—exquisite and cute.

However, items made of gold were expensive, something the Honored Ladies typically couldn’t afford, so their gifts were mostly made of silver.

Fortunately, the Empress wasn’t concerned about this, graciously accepting every gift regardless of its value. She even joked during the process.

”I will store all these gifts in a chest for her, and when she is of age to be married, they will all be part of her dowry!”

This amused everyone, and they all laughed. Zhao Junyao also allowed himself a slight smile.

In truth, he disliked such occasions, being surrounded by women with whom he felt he couldn’t engage in meaningful conversation. But he couldn’t miss this event. It was for the Third Princess, after all. If he didn’t attend this time or the next, how could the Princess establish herself in the palace in the future?

His gaze flickered towards Qingqing. She and Little Bun were whispering about something, her gaze tender and playful. Little Bun’s big eyes blinked rapidly, looking rather aggrieved.

Zhao Junyao’s heart softened at the sight of that little face, which looked like it was carved from the same mold as his own. But why is my son feeling so wronged?

he wondered.He turned his head and quietly ordered Li Shengan to investigate.

It took a while, but Li Shengan eventually came back.

”Your Majesty, I have found out! The Little Prince saw Your Majesty with the Little Princess and became upset. He’s insisting that you hold him, and Consort Xian Pin is currently trying to placate him!”

Zhao Junyao almost burst into laughter upon hearing this. This little fellow is as possessive as Qingqing! he thought. I haven’t even held the Little Princess yet, and he’s already dissatisfied?

Zhao Junyao’s gaze lingered on Xia Ruqing again. Xia Ruqing, however, was still too preoccupied to look his way.

Just as she finally managed to soothe Little Bun, more dishes were served.

Xia Ruqing knew that the Empress’s food was not good. However, Little Bun didn’t know. His pair of shiny black eyes were transfixed by the array of colorful, flashy dishes on the table, completely captivated. Grumbling and whining, he pointed his little finger at one dish, then another!

Xia Ruqing had no choice but to oblige, giving him a little bit of this and a small taste of that. Only after he had tried a bit of everything and discovered that none of it tasted good did he finally seem to realize the truth.

By that time, the banquet was already halfway through.

Little Bun didn’t want to eat or drink anymore. Utterly bored, he looked up and happened to see his Imperial Father seated above. He suddenly remembered he had an Imperial Father, so...

He looked toward his Imperial Father, his face etched with grievance, tears welling in his eyes.

Xia Ruqing helplessly gave him a light spank on the bottom.

”Behave yourself, my son, or your mother will throw you out!”

Little Bun’s face instantly scrunched up. Then... he let out a WAAH and burst into tears. The wailing was incredibly loud, echoing throughout the grand hall.

My son, your mother really wants to throw you out right now!

All eyes in the hall focused on them.

Little Bun cried even more aggrievedly. The main thing was, as he cried, he kept looking directly at his Imperial Father.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t sit still any longer. Feigning composure, he asked, ”What’s wrong with him?” But inside, his heart was already in knots.

Xia Ruqing looked around and saw that everyone was staring at her. Feeling genuinely embarrassed and unable to lie, she had no choice but to say, ”Your Majesty, he wants you!”

She could have at least feigned modesty, Zhao Junyao thought, saying something like, ’The child is being impolite, please don’t trouble yourself, Your Majesty.’ He hadn’t expected her to be so direct. This woman, he mused, is she fiercely protective, or simply foolish?

Zhao Junyao, feeling he was losing face, had no choice but to say, ”Have someone bring him up here!”

”Yes!”

Xia Ruqing, relieved, instructed the Wetnurse Nanny to take Little Bun over. She finally breathed a sigh of relief. At last, she had passed on this little troublemaker. She was with him every day, yet she’d never seen him display such ’deep affection’ for her. The moment he saw his Imperial Father, he completely forgot about his own mother. Little ingrate!

Xia Ruqing breathed another sigh of relief and looked at the dozen or so dishes on the table before her. She began to pick at them, finally managing to fill her stomach.

At the main seat.

Little Bun was not afraid of people at all. The moment Zhao Junyao held him, he immediately stopped crying. His large eyes, wide and dark, stared intently at the Third Princess beside the Empress. The Third Princess was also awake, and the two children just stared at each other, wide-eyed.

A wave of displeasure washed over the Empress. Today was supposed to be the Third Princess’s special day. What was Consort Xian Pin doing, barging in and trying to steal the show? She had never seen the Emperor hold a child before; she’d even assumed he didn’t know how. But watching him today, his movements were quite practiced. It was clear he held children often. Yet the Emperor had never once held the Third Princess. On the rare occasions he did come, he would only look at her briefly before leaving. In the end... she was just a princess, not truly cherished by the Emperor...

The Empress sighed inwardly.

Meanwhile, Little Bun had already turned his curious gaze towards the Empress.

Huh? Who is this dazzling woman who always sits beside Imperial Father?