A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 561: Chapter 561: How is this presentable?

Zi Su and Zi Ning were inventorying the gifts that the concubines had sent that day.

They were busy registering them and preparing to store them in the small warehouse.

For others, it was straightforward—each gift usually came with a list. They simply needed to copy the lists into the register and sort the items before storing them away.

Except for those from Consort Ning. There were neither gift lists nor a way to register and store these items because these things were neither pearls and jewels nor medicinal herbs and spices, but rather... children’s toys, and what’s more, all leftovers from The Eldest Princess’s playthings.

That could have been overlooked. If Her Highness had given birth to a princess, sending these things might have been passable. But the Little Prince was a prince, after all! How could the Little Prince possibly like these toys meant for little girls? Little dolls, fake hair braids—these things were simply unbearable to look at. And they were The Eldest Princess’s favorites, TSK TSK! It’s a wonder how Consort Ning even managed to give these away!

After discussing it, Zi Su and Zi Ning presented the issue to Xia Ruqing.

”Your Highness, look at these items. Do we still need to store them?” Zi Su’s complexion was far from good.

Xia Ruqing’s expression wasn’t much better as she sneered. ”I originally thought that what she sent, though not great, would at least be some curiosities! To think that... she actually sent a pile of junk over! Such a pity... this place isn’t a junk collection spot! No need to store them. Just leave them be. Give them to...” She paused. ”Never mind, just leave them be!”

Zi Su and Zi Ning exchanged a look. ”Understood!”

Having said that, they both left.

Xia Ruqing looked towards Zi Yue and laughed. ”I had originally planned to give them to Da Bai and Little White to play with, but I’ve suddenly changed my mind! How could Da Bai and Little White possibly play with hand-me-downs from others!”

Zi Yue then asked, ”So, what do you plan to do with them, Your Highness?”

Xia Ruqing laughed. ”What to do? Of course, throw them away, just not right now! Later on, I’ll have someone tear them up, and then we’ll discard them openly! If she doesn’t ask, then all the better. If she does, I’ll just say... it was my son being too naughty and ruining them!”

Zi Yue was caught between laughter and tears. ”Your Highness, you really are...” So devious! Who did you learn this from?

「...」

After the Little Prince’s first birthday passed, the Harem quieted down. October slipped by unnoticed, and November, the winter month, arrived.

The first matter of business was that Honored Lady Cheng’s pregnancy was finally made public in the palace. In truth, many already knew. It wasn’t like it could be hidden forever, right? Since it couldn’t be hidden, there was no point in trying. Besides, being pregnant wasn’t something shameful, so there was no need to be secretive. Counting the days, she was already one and a half months along. It was a bit unstable at first, but the Imperial Physician made frequent visits. Honored Lady Cheng, being clever, knew how to take care of herself. Soon, her complexion improved, her cheeks flushed with color, and she was eating and sleeping well.

As the weather turned cold, the Empress excused her from paying daily respects. She didn’t decline, thanked the Empress for her grace, and indeed stayed inside Yichun Palace from then on. The primary resident of Yichun Palace was Consort Ning. Also residing there was Noble Lady Song, though she was not much favored. Honored Lady Cheng and Noble Lady Song were Fine Ladies selected in the same year as Xia Ruqing. Both had come to prominence later on.

Since Honored Lady Cheng was pregnant, she couldn’t attend the morning greetings. So, on this day of paying respects, the Empress instructed Consort Ning, ”Honored Lady Cheng’s pregnancy is now your responsibility! Ensure nothing goes wrong!”

As the head of her palace, Consort Ning naturally wouldn’t shirk such a task. She glanced triumphantly at Xia Ruqing and eagerly replied, ”Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will certainly take good care of Sister Cheng!”

The Empress smiled. ”Good! The weather has turned cold, and it’s not convenient for me to visit. You take good care of her. When the child is born, you will also share in the credit!”

Consort Ning smiled. ”Your Majesty, you overpraise me. This is all my duty!”

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. She glanced at everyone and then said with a smile, ”The weather is not good today; it looks terribly overcast. You all should head back quickly! If there’s nothing pressing, stay indoors. If you need anything, just let Yu Lan know!”

Having said that, she rose directly.

Everyone quickly stood up and curtsied. ”We shall follow Your Majesty’s instructions! We respectfully send off Your Majesty!”

The Empress left with a smile. As the Empress departed, everyone else also stood up.

Noble Concubine Shih glared at Xia Ruqing, then looked disdainfully at Consort Ning. With a snort, she got into her warm palanquin and swept away.

Consort Ning was a little scared! She was afraid of Noble Concubine Shih but not Xia Ruqing. So... she looked at Xia Ruqing with schadenfreude. Then, she emulated Noble Concubine Shih, got into her warm palanquin, and also swept away.

Xia Ruqing was confused. What did I do to deserve this? Never mind, I’ll just go. It’s too cold outside!

With that thought, Xia Ruqing also got into her warm palanquin. Although it wasn’t as luxurious as those of Noble Concubine Shih and Consort Ning, it was still a warm palanquin! Inside, it was just as comfortable with soft cushions, hand warmers, and foot warmers; it wasn’t cold at all! Thank goodness, high status really does make life more comfortable!

Noble Concubine Shih left Jiaofang Hall and headed toward Xifu Palace in the west. They weren’t going the same way as the others, so there wasn’t much interaction.

But it was different for Consort Ning; for a stretch of the way, their paths coincided!

Xia Ruqing inwardly cursed her luck. Having to follow Consort Ning every day, it feels like this bad luck will never leave me!

Feeling annoyed, she suddenly heard a voice. ”Consort Xian Pin, Sister!”

”Hm?” Xia Ruqing was startled. She pulled apart the palanquin curtain and looked in the direction of the voice, realizing... it was Consort Ning.

Why is she so close? Does she intend for us to travel side by side? Xia Ruqing felt like she’d drawn the short straw but still had to respond politely, ”Ah, it is Her Highness Consort Ning.”

Consort Ning smiled. ”Consort Xian Pin, Sister, did the Little Prince like the first-birthday gift I sent him?”

Xia Ruqing’s expression instantly froze upon hearing this. First-birthday gift? After a brief pause, she remembered. Oh, she means that pile of junk!

Xia Ruqing quickly put on a beaming smile. ”Replying to Your Highness Consort Ning, the Imperial Son adored it! He was hugging it and didn’t want to let go at the time!” She sighed. ”Alas... it’s just such a pity.”

Consort Ning eagerly asked, ”What happened?”

She was inwardly gloating, thinking proudly, A child born to such a lowly woman is indeed a lowly creature, to even treasure hand-me-downs from a young lady. Truly base! HAHA! I’ve finally gotten my revenge. That little wretch doesn’t like playing with my daughter? Well, my daughter doesn’t like him either! If word of this gets out, Consort Xian Pin will surely lose face!

Xia Ruqing glanced around, then, having composed her emotions, began to dab at her eyes with a handkerchief. ”Your Highness Consort Ning, I was just wondering how I should tell you about this! Alas! The Imperial Son is only a year old; he doesn’t know any better! He clings to whatever he likes, and being just a child, he doesn’t understand! He wasn’t paying attention and accidentally dropped it into the charcoal brazier, and then it...” She paused, her voice thick with unshed tears. ”It just...”

Xia Ruqing covered her mouth with her handkerchief, looking as if she was about to cry.

”It just what?” Consort Ning pressed impatiently.