A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1082: Birthday

After finishing her words, Xiao Lele kept giggling as she swung merrily on the swing.

Protected by her brother, she felt utterly fearless no matter how high the swing soared.

Maybe it was due to her earlier words.

Or perhaps her overwhelming joy led to a moment of carelessness.

As the swing hit its peak height,

Xiao Lele suddenly lost her hold, and her tiny body launched forward with the momentum.

In that instant,

everyone's hearts leaped straight into their throats...

A few timid young eunuchs were so terrified they soiled their trousers.

Should the Princess plummet...

Not just their own heads would roll, but their families' lives too...

Oh heavens, they couldn't bear to imagine it!

They only gazed intently at the tiny figure hanging precariously in the air.

Yet Xiao Lele felt no fear.

Far from panic, she grew even more thrilled.

For the first time, propelled by the swing, she 'flew' to an unprecedented height.

The little girl was utterly enchanted.

"Wow!"

"So high! The view here is gorgeous!"

High 'in the sky', she beheld over half the palace grounds.

The far-off Imperial Garden, the close palace structures, every blade of grass, tree, and bloom appeared vividly clear.

The excited little girl flailed her hands and feet about.

Zhao Qichen felt a touch helpless.

'This girl truly possesses such courage!'

'Is there anything at all in this world that frightens her?'

His toes grazed the ground, then with a light jump, he soared upward, securely catching Xiao Lele in his arms.

He spun gracefully, drifting down slowly.

His expression remained stern, yet his gaze brimmed with warmth.

Clad in the crown prince's python robe featuring a four-clawed golden dragon, it fluttered dramatically in the wind mid-air, exuding grandeur and authority.

Nestled in his arms was the three-year-old Xiao Lele, dressed in red.

She giggled happily, snuggling against her brother while clapping her tiny hands with delight.

"Brother, you’re amazing!"

Zhao Qichen feigned sternness.

"You must not be so naughty in the future!"

Xiao Lele nestled her small head into her brother’s chest, acting all coy.

"Brother, it’s rare for you to play with me, so I just wanted to act a bit spoiled!"

"Brother~"

Zhao Qichen's chest tingled from her nuzzling.

Finally unable to hold back, he smiled and gently lifted her little head.

"Alright, alright, act spoiled all you want!!"

"Won’t brother play with you?"

For this sister more than six years his junior,

he simply couldn't bring himself to scold her.

Xiao Lele clapped her hands gleefully.

"Yay! Brother is the best!"

"Xiao Lele loves brother!"

Then, with a loud 'mwah', she planted a kiss on her brother’s cheek.

Mother dotes on her, showering her with kisses.

Since she adores her brother, she can kiss him too...

Of course she can, hee hee!

As Xiao Lele basked in her triumph,

a flush rapidly colored Zhao Qichen’s wheat-toned cheeks.

The ever-bold and unbeatable Crown Prince Chen

found himself, in that instant, so flustered he knew not where to put his hands.

The surrounding palace servants, still recovering from the earlier scare,

were lost in the bliss of narrow escape, missing the Crown Prince’s odd behavior entirely.

Everyone patted their necks: 'Phew, safe and sound, heads intact!'

They admired the clouds—so fluffy and white.

Gazed at the sky—so brilliantly blue!

Took in the surroundings—the scenery so picturesque!

Behind the swing, Henger and Yeye hadn't been frightened at all.

But the two boys eyed their eldest brother with a mix of envy and resentment.

Casually, they touched their own cheeks.

'Why not me?'

'We’re brothers too, yet Xiao Lele hasn’t kissed us!'

…

Xia Ruqing, trailed by a long procession of maids and eunuchs, arrived seeking the children and stumbled upon the scene.

The attendants wore faces etched with residual terror.

Chenchen cradled Xiao Lele, his look quite intricate.

Henger and Yeye seemed full of longing.

"What happened?"

Clueless, Xia Ruqing inquired.

Zhao Qichen swiftly composed himself, setting his sister down.

"It’s nothing!"

"Xiao Lele was swinging, and there was just a minor slip-up!"

Xia Ruqing shifted her eyes to the others.

She noted the eunuchs and maids bearing expressions of 'total incredulity'.

As though declaring 'A minor slip-up? Then what counts as major?!'

Xia Ruqing glanced next at Henger and Yeye.

They too looked remarkably composed.

Xia Ruqing let out a relieved breath.

'It should...not be too serious, right!'

She stooped to scoop up Xiao Lele.

Purposely adopting a severe expression, she chided.

"Today is your brother’s birthday, no mischief allowed!"

Xiao Lele shook her head vigorously.

"No! Xiao Lele has been good!"

"Brother, isn’t that right?"

Zhao Qichen turned with a smile.

"Yes!"

He had completely overlooked the embarrassment his sister had brought upon him.

Shielding her remained utterly instinctive!

Xia Ruqing let out a sigh, gently tapping Xiao Lele’s forehead, and chose to say no more.

...

Soon after escorting the children back, night descended.

Zhao Junyao completed his official duties and arrived at Duanning Palace.

Xia Ruqing summoned the servants to serve the prepared feast.

They settled at the table alongside the four children.

With a bright smile, Xia Ruqing lifted her glass and declared.

"Today is Chenchen’s birthday!"

"This table of dishes serves as a mother's heartfelt gift, wishing my Chenchen ever-growing wisdom and courage, with dazzling brilliance!"

Zhao Qichen brimmed with joy, flashing a rare smile.

"Thank you, Mother!"

Finishing his words, he gulped down the wine from his cup.

Their wine was mild and light.

Brewed by Chef Su in the palace's small kitchen, it was delightful fruit wine.

The fruity sweetness danced on the tongue first, with the subtle wine essence revealing itself moments later.

All the children were still in their growing years.

Stronger drinks would harm their young bodies; this choice was ideal.

Xia Ruqing nodded gleefully, turning her gaze to Zhao Junyao.

Her message was clear: Your turn now!

'The birthday of your cherished eldest son—surely you must offer some words!'

Yet she had misjudged Zhao Junyao’s skill with words.

Zhao Junyao's face showed tangled emotions as he racked his brain for ages, yet drew a blank.

He had never been eloquent.

Forcing heartfelt speech before his wife and children? Impossible!

Thus.

Zhao Junyao gravely clapped Zhao Qichen’s shoulder.

He shot a 'Son, Dad's relying on you!' glance before tossing back his drink in one go.

The son mirrored the father perfectly.

Zhao Qichen shared his father's verbal shortcomings.

Seeing Father drink, he lifted his own glass.

And returned a 'Got it, Father' look.

...

Father and son sealed the toast through mere eye contact.

The rest watched in stunned silence.

Henger and Yeye, ever cautious around Father and big brother, held their tongues.

Xiao Lele feared no one.

She cocked her head, piping up in her babyish tone.

"Mother!"

"Why aren’t Father and big brother speaking!"

In truth, Xia Ruqing was equally baffled by the father-son duo's minds.

After deep consideration, she managed only.

"Maybe they feel... they have nothing to say..."

"Oh!" Xiao Lele bobbed her head solemnly.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

Nothing to say?

One was the Crown Prince renowned for intellect and valor, nurtured with utmost care.

The other, a father who treasured his firstborn deeply, training him rigorously and assigning grave duties since youth.

They simply faltered at voicing feelings—how could words truly escape them!

Father and son traded helpless stares.

"Alright, let’s hurry and eat!"

Xia Ruqing scooped up Xiao Lele while dishing food for Henger and Yeye.

"You all hurry and eat too!"

She waved Zhao Junyao and Chenchen to join in.