A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 555: Chapter 555: The First Birthday Grabbing Ceremony

After sending a group of Little Eunuchs away, Xiao Zhu Zi brought back breakfast. Since Xiao Xizi was busy with arrangements outside, Xiao Zhu Zi had gone to fetch the meal.

After breakfast and some time had passed, the Honored Ladies gradually started arriving. Being of lower rank, they naturally couldn’t expect the other noble ladies to wait for them. Once they arrived, they paid their respects to Xia Ruqing, then took their seats in the hall and chatted in groups of twos and threes.

Xia Ruqing had Zi Yue and the others serve tea and snacks, then she left. There was no need for her to keep company with just a few Honored Ladies.

「In the inner chamber.」

Xia Ruqing sat to one side, keeping Little Bun company.

After Little Bun woke up, his face, hands, and feet were washed as usual. Then, Sister Liang and several wetnurse nannies helped dress him.

He wore a little red padded jacket on top, apricot-yellow cotton-padded pants below, and his shoes were black trimmed with gold, with auspicious cloud patterns on them. The left side of the red padded jacket was embroidered with a large carp, while the right side featured several longevity peaches arranged into a pattern.

These patterns were also personally chosen by Xia Ruqing. At just one year old, he could be considered a little birthday star. She wasn’t concerned about power or status; she only wished for her son to live a long life!

Dressed up, Little Bun was so adorable he brightened up the room. His little face was fair and tender, his eyes big and sparkling dark, and his little hands resembled small bread rolls, complete with cute dimples.

He stood in front of Xia Ruqing, hugging his clothes and giggling happily. His teeth hadn’t fully come in yet, which looked somewhat comical. At first glance, he truly was an angelic and adorable little milk bun.

Xia Ruqing felt a tinge of regret.

”Son, if only you were really this well-behaved!”

Little Bun, upon hearing this, seemed a bit unhappy. He wobbled towards Xia Ruqing. His walking was still unsteady. Yet even so, he usually scurried about so fast on his little legs, wobbling mischievously, that the wetnurse nannies couldn’t catch him.

Little Bun lunged towards Xia Ruqing, staring intently at her with his big, sparkling dark eyes, as if to say, Mother, how am I not well-behaved? I am clearly the most well-behaved baby in the world!

Xia Ruqing’s heart melted in an instant. She gently patted Little Bun’s bottom.

”Son, I admit defeat to you!”

Little Bun then gave a cheeky chuckle, ”HEH HEH HEH.”

Little White walked over with tiny steps, jumped onto the kang bed, and nestled into the most comfortable position.

Little Bun’s attention shifted instantly. He hopped out of Xia Ruqing’s embrace and went to play with the cat. Little White was very attached to him, and he liked Little White a lot; the two were truly birds of a feather!

It was fine when they were good. But when they weren’t, they were... a pair of little mischief-makers!

However, today was Little Bun’s birthday, so no mischief was allowed. She pulled Little Bun aside.

”Son, today is your birthday, and later your Father Emperor will come. You are going to have your ’grabbing test’!”

Little Bun realized his mother was speaking. The angelic baby turned his head, his face full of question marks.

Grabbing test? What’s that? Is it fun? Is it tasty?

Seeing that he was listening, Xia Ruqing continued, ”The ’grabbing test’ means... you grab whatever you like! At that time, many things will be laid out in front of you, everything you could want, and you can grab whatever you like!”

Little Bun nodded solemnly as if he understood, then turned back around and continued playing with Little White.

Regardless of Xia Ruqing’s continued motherly fussing at his side, he never looked back.

Mother, it’s just the ’grabbing test’! Your son is so smart; I understood it long ago!

Xia Ruqing: ”...”

「...」

Xiao Zhu Zi and Xiao Xizi were both standing guard outside Qingya Residence. Whenever an Honored Lady arrived, they would promptly step forward to kowtow and lead the way.

Zi Su and Zi Ning were in charge of serving tea and pastries. Zi Yue was overseeing the entire situation. If any important guests arrived, she would hurry inside to report.

When most of the Honored Ladies had arrived, Shih Jieyu also came, accompanied by Zhaoer. The servants respectfully paid their respects. They led her to her seat, made her comfortable, and then served tea and pastries.

Once everything was taken care of, Zi Yue entered the inner chamber.

”Your Highness! Shih Jieyu has arrived!”

Xia Ruqing had been trying to talk to Little Bun, but it was like preaching to deaf ears; he simply wouldn’t listen to anything she said. Hearing Zi Yue’s report, she looked at Little Bun helplessly once more, then stood up.

”Sister Liang, Sister Huang, Sister Jiang, the Imperial Son...”

Sister Liang and the other two quickly smiled.

”Your Highness, there’s no need to worry. We servants have everything under control!”

”Please go, Your Highness. Leave the Little Prince to us!”

These Old Sisters might not have many other skills, but they certainly knew how to look after children.

Xia Ruqing nodded and left with peace of mind. One should not suspect those one employs, nor employ those one suspects. Besides, Sister Liang and the others had all been personally selected by the Emperor. There was no need for any suspicion.

「...」

After Shih Jieyu arrived, a few consorts followed, each accompanied by someone. Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin were among the earliest to come.

Ever since Consort Yun Pin was abandoned by Noble Concubine Shih, she had gradually become close to Consort Zheng Pin. Both were in the same position: with neither favor nor children but with a minor status in the palace. Their days weren’t too hard to bear—it was a case of not quite measuring up to those above, but far surpassing those below. How they lived depended entirely on their attitudes.

As they spent more time together, they found they had more and more in common to talk about. Consort Yun Pin no longer looked down upon Consort Zheng Pin. After all, having someone to talk to in the lonely depths of the palace was quite rare. So, the two became friends.

Sometimes, even if it was gloomy, raining, or even snowing, Consort Yun Pin was willing to carry her needlework through the Imperial Garden to see Consort Zheng Pin. And when it came to attending banquets, the two often showed up together.

But...

The women of the palace took little interest in these changes. Everyone gradually got used to it, or perhaps... no one cared at all?

Xia Ruqing exchanged greetings with them, and then each found her own seat. She wasn’t seated in the place of honor. The place of honor was naturally reserved for the Emperor and the Empress! Her place was just below the Emperor’s, directly opposite the seat of the Noble Consort by the Empress’s side. After all, the Imperial Son was the star of the show today, so this arrangement wasn’t out of line.

Consort Hui Pin arrived, bringing the Second Princess with her, barely managing to arrive before Consort Ning. Xia Ruqing was already waiting in the main hall.

Consort Hui Pin was dressed in gemstone blue palace attire, with a Moonlight Shimmer Brocade cloak draped over it. The Second Princess wore a soft yellow little palace dress, with a willow-green small cloak over it. The mother and daughter were bundled up tightly.

After entering, Consort Hui Pin smiled apologetically.

”Sister Consort Xian Pin... we are late!”

Xia Ruqing smiled in return.

”You brought the Second Princess with you; it’s not late at all. Please, have a seat!”

Consort Hui Pin smiled and didn’t say anything further. She took off her cloak and sat down in her place. Palace Maids presented warm tea and pastries. After taking a few sips, Consort Hui Pin finally caught her breath.

The Second Princess was at an age where she was lively and mischievous. After a wetnurse nanny helped her remove her cloak.