Noble Concubine Shih said with an air of irony and sarcasm, "That’s exactly right. Even if she is a princess, she is a pampered and precious one!"
Unlike some, who after many years in the palace still can’t lay an egg like a barren hen! It’s bad enough that she herself can’t give birth, but she goes around causing trouble for others every day! Truly a shameless wretch!
Noble Concubine Shih didn’t voice the last sentence out loud, but the implication was already clear.
The Empress’s face changed slightly, but she recovered in a blink and spoke indifferently with a slight curl of her lips.
"Sister Shih is most astute. Honored Lady Shih weakened her body with a premature delivery. Therefore, the Little Princess will certainly trouble you for care, dear Noble Sister!"
Noble Concubine Shih, with her nostrils flaring, was quite smug.
"It’s only natural!"
The Empress merely smiled faintly and didn’t speak further as she walked away.
All along the way, the Empress’s heart was filled with mockery.
Hmph! What’s there to be proud of? Just a sickly little princess. Even if you raise her, what waves could she possibly make! Eventually, she’ll be nothing more than a dowry! But it’s different for me; I’m going to raise a prince.
Therefore, the Empress remained disdainful. A princess or whatever, she’s currently beneath my consideration!
「In the fifth year of Jiayuan, on the ninth day of the third month.」
Honored Lady Shih gave birth prematurely to the Third Princess.
After a wave of sighs, everyone began preparing their congratulatory gifts. It was only a princess, and a sickly one at that, so any envy was limited; no one said much more.
The rewards from Ningshou Palace arrived first. There were bolts of fabric, spices, pearls, and gems—numerous items, both plentiful and valuable, showing that the Empress Dowager clearly valued the Third Princess.
Once the Empress Dowager’s rewards arrived, the Empress, having prepared her gifts early on, followed by sending hers over. Though slightly less valuable than the Empress Dowager’s, her gifts were still fine things, respectable and flawless, leaving no room for criticism.
Then came the gifts from other ladies of the Harem!
Xia Ruqing’s congratulatory gift was a Jade Ruyi and a pair of small gold bracelets, both weighty and valuable. For gifting a child, gold and jade items were the most appropriate, foolproof choices.
Once the gifts were ready, Zi Yue found a fine sandalwood box, wrapped the items in red cloth, and placed them inside.
"When should we send it over?"
After thinking, Xia Ruqing said, "You go ask around when Consort Ning plans to send hers. We can just send ours a little later; no need to stand out!"
Zi Yue acknowledged and went out, while Xia Ruqing rose, stretching languidly.
"I went over there early this morning and was busy for most of the day; I didn’t even have a proper lunch!"
By the time she returned, it was past mealtime, so she had just eaten something random when Zi Su entered and asked with a smile, "What would my lady like to eat? I can go to the Imperial Kitchen and get it for you right away!"
Zi Su was quick-witted, like a small chili pepper. She was decisive and a bit fierce, not only protective but also unwilling to suffer any slights when outside. Lately, under Zi Yue’s guidance, she had also learned to act with proper measure. Xia Ruqing was becoming increasingly satisfied with her.
After thinking a bit, Xia Ruqing said, "I’d like a bowl of chicken broth with wontons and another bowl of fish soup. Hmm, also some fried bread slices, a dish of salt-and-pepper peanuts, and just pick two other small side dishes. That will be all."
Zi Su laughed and left.
Xia Ruqing lay on the bed and had someone bring Little Bun over; he had finished his lunch and was just waking from his nap. Upon opening his eyes and seeing his mother, he was delighted. Flapping his arms and kicking his legs, his large, gleaming dark eyes were alight.
"Son, crawl over here!"
Xia Ruqing was on one side of the bed, and Little Bun was on the other, lying there as he couldn’t quite crawl yet. Xia Ruqing was in no hurry and simply amused him with various small toys he liked.
Little Bun was very excited watching the feather stick wave up and down, but unfortunately...
Little Bun didn’t come forward; instead, Da Bai and Xiao Bai arrived first, their two little heads peeking up around the moderately sized bed.
Little Bun giggled excitedly.
Xia Ruqing encouraged him, "If you want it, come and get it yourself! You’re almost half a year old; it’s about time you learned to crawl!"
Little Bun was momentarily stunned, as if he understood the scornful encouragement in his mother’s tone. Then he lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and began to crawl forward with effort. His tiny body swayed, and each time he lifted an arm, he would lose balance and topple forward.
In the end, he face-planted. Little Bun felt wronged; he struggled with his head down, not crying, but unable to get up.
Xia Ruqing was not sympathetic and did not lend a hand. Instead, she calmly said, "Good boy, get up by yourself!"
Seeing this, Little Bun realized that acting cute or pitiful was useless. Fine! He just had to get up. He had no choice but to push himself up on his arms and continue crawling.
The distance to the other end of the bed was still considerable, and Little Bun crawled for the time it takes for a full incense stick to burn. Eventually, he made it over, wobbly and unsteady.