CHAPTER 603: CHAPTER 603 PRINCESS’S FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 2

In the center of the grand hall, a large carpet was laid out, adorned with all sorts of dazzling objects, waiting for the Princess to perform the grabbing ritual for her first birthday.

The Empress had invited many, including the Empress Dowager, members of the Royal Clan, and so on; all were invited.

Whether it was the scale of the event or the items prepared, everything was much more extravagant and luxurious than what had been arranged for the Crown Prince.

Xia Ruqing silently lamented in her heart.

The Empress never forgets to assert her presence, never forgets to remind everyone that she is the legitimate wife!

...

The first half-year of the Third Princess’s life was spent in sickness and frailty.

Later, after being brought to Jiaofang Hall and carefully nurtured, she gradually improved.

The Empress was cautious in her care.

She never dared to carry the Princess out to meet people, firstly for fear she would catch a draft and fall ill again.

Secondly, she was afraid that the Princess would be startled by strangers or encounter something inauspicious.

Thus, the Princess was only kept inside her room, visited at most by the Emperor.

Or perhaps by Shih Jieyu or the Empress Dowager—these were the occasional ’strangers’.

This was the first time a group of ’strangers’ had suddenly appeared. So, the Little Princess was a bit scared.

In the embrace of her Wetnurse Nanny, she hesitated to get down.

"Yijing, look here. Whatever you like, just go and grab it..." the Empress coaxed in a gentle voice from the other side.

Princess Yijing still dared not come down.

So many people were watching her, and she didn’t recognize a single one; she was scared!

"Don’t be afraid, Yijing, don’t be afraid!" the Empress continued to coax.

It took a good while before the Third Princess cautiously stepped down.

She couldn’t keep her balance standing on the carpet, so she started to crawl forward.

As the Third Princess crawled forward, she wobbled precariously, looking as if she might fall at any moment.

Fortunately, the carpet was soft, so there wasn’t too much to worry about.

The Little Princess looked around at the array of objects and then at the people who were staring at her.

She was still scared and wanted to hurry back.

So, she wobbled over to the nearest item, grabbed a random stuffed toy, and quickly crawled back.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Little Princess has grabbed a little deer stuffed toy. Surely, the Princess will grow to be increasingly adorable!" Consort Ning, oblivious to the occasion, continued her fawning.

The Empress smiled faintly, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment. Yet, she still responded with a smile, "Yijing is a bit shy, but she’ll be fine when she’s older!"

The crowd below quickly echoed her.

"Yes!"

"The Empress is right, she’ll be fine when she’s older!"

Consort Ning’s flattery became even more vigorous. Among so many people present, her clamoring was particularly loud.

The atmosphere turned awkward.

The Empress forced a smile, offered a few more platitudes to smooth things over, and then instructed for the items to be cleared away.

Luckily, an opera troupe had been prepared.

Once the area was cleared, the Empress summoned the troupe to perform.

The Empress Dowager chose two plays.

Only after the young actors began their high-pitched singing did the atmosphere gradually liven up.

The Imperial Noble Consorts, Imperial Concubines, and Princess Consorts, having found common topics, also started chatting with cheerful smiles.

As for the other concubines? With the Emperor present, watching the play was hardly their priority.

They seized the opportunity to cast seductive glances at the Emperor.

Otherwise, why would they have dressed so flamboyantly? Surely not for the Little Princess’s sake.

Noble Concubine Shih hadn’t seen the Emperor in a long time.

Her seat was at the forefront, just below the Empress and diagonally across from the Emperor.

She could see the Emperor just by lifting her head.

A glance to his side, and the Emperor could see her.

But the Emperor didn’t seem to look at her even once.

No matter how desperately she tried to catch his eye, it was useless!

He treated her as if she were invisible.

Instead, the Emperor’s gazes, one after another, lingered on Lady Xia.

They seemed casual, but in reality, he was always watching her.

Noble Concubine Shih clenched her fists tightly. Lady Xia! All of this was originally mine, yet this woman has silently snatched it all away!

Consort Ning was busy currying favor with the Empress, naturally paying no mind to others.

Consort Hui Pin was tranquil and composed, simply watching the play.

Consort Yun Pin gazed foolishly at the Emperor, fantasizing about when she might be favored again.

Consort Zheng Pin was long out of favor and harbored no expectations. After a few glances at the Emperor for her own viewing pleasure, she earnestly watched the play.

Shih Jieyu watched the Little Princess intently without blinking, her expression one of deep affection.

The rest of the Honored Ladies were all distracted.

One moment they looked enviously at Honored Lady Cheng’s belly; the next, they eagerly cast furtive glances at the Emperor.

Those who were at odds with each other had already exchanged hostile glares, fighting silent battles in the air.

Xia Ruqing leisurely sipped her tea and wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief.

She saw every facade on display.

If Xia Ruqing could see it, Zhao Junyao wouldn’t miss it either.

Though he had long been accustomed to being the center of attention wherever he went, facing so many women simultaneously casting looks that clearly conveyed their desire for him still made Zhao Junyao feel a bit overwhelmed.

He didn’t enjoy watching plays anyway.

The Little Princess wasn’t close to him either and wouldn’t let him hold her.

As for the Empress Dowager... although she was his birth mother, he still harbored a certain reservation towards her in his heart.

With these thoughts, he grew restless.

He lowered his head and unhappily finished several cups of wine, then shot a cold glance at Li Shengan.

This damned fool, I wonder if he can take a hint!

Of course, Li Shengan wasn’t that foolish; otherwise, he wouldn’t have lasted long enough in his position to be standing there, subject to the Emperor’s rebukes.

After receiving the Emperor’s glance, he, in turn, signaled Little Zhuzi with a look.

The ever-sharp Little Zhuzi understood immediately and scurried off in a flash.

In less than the time it takes for half a joss stick to burn, Little Zhuzi rushed back in, flustered.

He whispered a few words into Li Shengan’s ear.

Li Shengan’s expression instantly turned solemn. He quickly walked up to the Emperor and murmured a few words.

Zhao Junyao, in turn, adopted a suitably grave expression.

What followed went smoothly, and Zhao Junyao successfully excused himself.

Before leaving, he gave Xia Ruqing another look.

Xia Ruqing pretended to be watching the play, acting as if she hadn’t noticed.

With so many people around, exchanging glances would be courting death, wouldn’t it? Better to keep a low profile, a very low profile.

Once the Emperor left, the others could no longer sit still.

After three acts of the play, the Empress Dowager expressed her fatigue and left.

The Imperial Noble Consorts and Imperial Concubines attended to her as she departed.

The few Old Princess Consorts from outside the palace also took the opportunity to bid their farewells. The other Palace Consorts had no desire to stay either, and soon, everyone dispersed.

Xia Ruqing slowly stood up to leave.

Unexpectedly, her sleeve caught on something, knocking over the teacup on the table. The tea spilled out, wetting her sleeve.

"My Lady!" Zi Yue hurriedly exclaimed, wiping at the sleeve with a handkerchief.

Xia Ruqing glanced down; only her sleeve was wet, and the tea had already cooled. "It’s fine," she said calmly. "I didn’t get burned."

Zi Yue nevertheless continued to wipe it diligently.

While the mistress and her maid were thus occupied, Noble Concubine Shih walked by, emerging from within.

She glanced at Xia Ruqing and scoffed, "Consort Xian Pin, you’d better hurry back. If you get hurt or catch a chill, wouldn’t the Emperor be terribly distressed for you?!"

Her words dripped with sarcasm.

Xia Ruqing had no desire to get entangled with her and simply replied, "I appreciate the Noble Consort’s concern. I shall take my leave now."

Her lukewarm, indifferent attitude was like punching cotton wool.

Not only did it fail to land a blow, but it was as if Noble Concubine Shih herself had been pricked by a needle hidden within that cotton.

Noble Concubine Shih huffed coldly and departed with a swish of her sleeve.