A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1095: Third Birthday

"I won’t go either!"

"I’m not going anywhere; I want to serve the Empress for a lifetime!" Zi Su swore with deep sincerity!

"Good! Such spirit!"

Xia Ruqing commended warmly!

Zi Su at last felt her devotion affirmed.

"Getting married is so dull, having children, supporting a husband, honoring in-laws, it’s all a hassle!"

"How can it compare to my current carefree life?"

"Even if I could enjoy some happiness, I wouldn’t want to exchange painstaking labor for it!"

Right now, I hold the position of First-Rank Senior Palace Maid beside the Empress.

As the proverb says, even beating a dog requires considering its master!

When I venture out.

Forget the numerous Palace Maids and eunuchs; even the lords and ladies must show some respect.

Anything I crave to eat, the young eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen hurry to deliver it.

Whatever I fancy to wear, provided it follows the rules, the tailors and sisters in the sewing room compete to please me.

My meals, drinks, clothes, and ornaments outshine those of lesser-favored nobles in the palace.

What’s there to grumble about in such splendid days?

But should I marry?

Without parents, background, or kin, what decent household would take me?

Even marrying into a prosperous family would leave me isolated.

If in-laws torment me, no one would stand up for me!

Even if the Empress recalls old bonds and defends me from mistreatment,

I’d still need to bear heirs.

Giving birth is akin to passing through hell’s gates; failure means certain death.

A lifetime of toil squandered, perhaps even losing one’s life.

Tsk tsk!

The deeper Zi Su pondered, the more frightening it grew.

"Anyway, I just don’t want to get married!"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

"Alright, alright! I’m not forcing you to leave!"

"As long as you wish, you can stay by my side for a lifetime!"

"But let’s agree first, no regrets are allowed!"

Zi Su and Zi Yue shared a look before dropping to their knees together!

"We pledge to follow the Empress loyally!"

Xia Ruqing hurriedly gestured with her hand.

"Get up quickly, didn’t I say no kneeling at every turn?"

"Hehe, thank you, Empress!"

The pair responded together.

Xia Ruqing rolled her eyes in playful fashion.

"Alright, alright!"

"Quickly call for the meal, I’m starving!"

Zi Yue glanced at the hourglass.

"Oh no, it’s past noon; how did I forget!"

She bowed and dashed out swiftly.

Zi Su chuckled too.

"Empress, do you want me to fetch the Princess?!"

"Yes!"

Xia Ruqing answered resolutely, then sighed helplessly.

"In this cold weather, who knows where she’s run off to!"

"She’s truly spoiled; she can’t sit still for even a moment!"

"Empress, the Princess is lively and adorable, truly delightful!"

With those words, she bowed and departed as well.

...

As the midday meal commenced, snowflakes started drifting outside.

Yue Er barely took a few bites before fidgeting, demanding to head out.

Xia Ruqing was at a loss, her expression turning stern.

"Finish eating first!"

Yue Er appeared pitiful.

"I miss Father!"

"If Father were here, he’d definitely take me out to play!"

Xia Ruqing felt exasperated.

She gave the child a gentle pat on her bottom.

"If you don’t behave, your father won’t like you!"

Yue Er felt slightly wronged.

"Why wouldn’t Father like me!"

"Father will never dislike me!"

Xia Ruqing nodded with composure.

"If you behave, your father won’t dislike you!"

The little girl looked puzzled, scratching her head without a retort.

Finally, she uttered an ’oh’ and meekly resumed her meal.

This sight delighted the surrounding Wetnurse Sisters.

"The Princess is so well-behaved!"

"The Princess is truly filial!!"

"The Princess is so good; the Emperor would be pleased to see her!"

Yue Er adored the praise.

Flooded with compliments from everyone, she beamed with joy.

She not only cleared her plate but slurped up every last bit of soup.

"Mother, can I go out and play now?"

The little girl batted her large eyes, brimming with hope.

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Gazing at the thickening snowstorm beyond, she rubbed her temples in distress.

"Yue Er, can you tell Mother, with this heavy snow, what do you want to go out for?"

Yue Er wore a resolute expression.

"Mother, I want to go practice martial arts!"

"Practice martial arts?" Xia Ruqing’s eyes widened in shock.

"In this weather, what martial arts are you practicing!"

It’s nothing short of a headache!

Heavens, is this the sweet little darling I longed for?

"Brother said, to master martial arts, one must train through the bitterest winter and sweltering summer, undeterred by thunder, rain, or snow!"

The voice of the three-year-old rang tender, yet backed by solid logic!

Xia Ruqing found herself completely baffled.

"Which brother said that to you? Tell Mother!"

Mother plans to scold him properly!

Yet Yue Er merely giggled.

"Mother, Brother makes sense to me!"

"To excel in martial arts, Yue Er needs to train hard every day!"

"Mother, say yes please!"

Yue Er launched into her gentle coaxing routine.

Helpless, Xia Ruqing waved her hand in exhaustion.

"Fine, go ahead then!"

"If the cold doesn't scare you, then practice!"

"Yay! Mother's the greatest, Yue Er adores Mother most!"

Bursting with joy, the little girl bounced off, skipping her cotton jacket and cloak entirely!

Xia Ruqing was already used to such antics.

The Wetnurse Sisters, however, weren't; they hurried after her, clutching her garments.

"Princess!"

"Princess, please slow down!"

"Princess, put on your clothes!"

For the umpteenth time, Xia Ruqing felt utterly helpless, now mixed with a bit of pity.

’What wrong had these Wetnurse Sisters committed to suffer this...?’

’Ahem!’

Xia Ruqing resolved that from next month onward,

she’d include three extra meat dishes each day for the Sisters to build their strength, boost their monthly allowance by half, and supply two additional outfits per season.

On top of that, each would get three unconditional days off monthly.

These perks might appear minor in the 21st century,

yet in ancient eras, they were unimaginable, dreams too lofty to grasp!

Upon hearing this, Yue Er’s Wetnurse Sisters dropped to their knees in thanks, kowtowing repeatedly.

From then on, they tended to the Princess with even greater loyalty, never uttering a single gripe.

...

Time passed in a flash.

Suddenly, the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month arrived—Yue Er’s third birthday.

Lately, all were occupied choosing a Princess Consort for the Seventh Prince.

Hence, preparations for Yue Er’s birthday remained modest.

It was supposed to be low-key anyway; the kid was still little, and the weather harsh.

No lavish festivities required—just a few tables, some guests for tea, tasty treats, and casual talks.

That day,

Xia Ruqing arranged several tables laden with delicious fare.

She summoned all Concubines of Sixth Rank or higher from the Imperial Harem.

They gathered merrily, relishing aromatic tea, delectable dishes, and lively banter!

The concubines showed great zeal.

Even the palace’s three new arrivals acted far more subdued.

Ma Liyi stood out especially, post her scolding from Consort Zheng.

She’d smartened up considerably, refraining from rash words at least.

Xia Ruqing appreciated this change greatly.

Midway through the feast, she commended Ma Liyi’s good conduct.

Ma Liyi flashed a fawning smile.

"You flatter me too much, Empress. I was silly before; kindly forgive me!"

Xia Ruqing offered a subtle smile.

"Naturally!"