After the Empress, came Noble Concubine Shih.
Noble Concubine Shih felt displeased, so the gift she sent was quite perfunctory. She just had someone scrounge around in the small storeroom and put together a box to send over. She couldn’t even be bothered to glance at it. If it was passable, that was enough. After all, that wench Lady Xia wasn’t worth her effort.
Then there was Consort Ning; her attitude went without saying. They had past grievances, and she found Consort Xian Pin particularly detestable. So, she sent over a box of children’s toys. With barely concealed pride, she remarked, "These are the Eldest Princess’s most cherished playthings, specially prepared for the Little Prince!"
Xia Ruqing was filled with contempt and rolled her eyes inwardly. Specially prepared? Isn’t it just... your daughter’s hand-me-downs? To send such things was unbelievable!
However, on the surface, Xia Ruqing still smiled and said respectfully, "Many thanks, Consort Ning! Since it is the Eldest Princess’s favorite, surely... the Imperial Son will also like it!"
Consort Ning nodded with great satisfaction. "Good if he likes it!"
Her unspoken message seemed to be: Seeing as you’re so sensible, I won’t pursue matters further!
Xia Ruqing secretly shot her a disdainful look but continued to smile beautifully. Internally, she cursed, You’re only capable of these petty provocations. If you dared to try something serious, see if I’d still be this polite to you!
Consort Ning, lost in her pride, paid no attention to Xia Ruqing’s expression. Her tail was practically pointing to the sky. She was so smug she even seemed to look down on Noble Concubine Shih standing nearby. Who is Noble Concubine Shih anyway? No favor, no children. What right does she have to compare with me? I, at least, have a princess! Hmph!
Noble Concubine Shih, head bowed and lost in her own thoughts, paid no attention. Otherwise, Consort Ning would hardly have gotten off so easily.
...
After Consort Ning, it was Consort Hui Pin and the others. The gifts they brought were all proper and faultless. Xia Ruqing received them with a smile, expressing her thanks one by one. After those of the consort rank were finished, it was down to Shih Jieyu and then the Honored Ladies.
None of those who followed dared to offend Consort Xian Pin. So, regardless of their inner thoughts, they all presented a respectful facade. Not a single fault could be found in their demeanor. Xia Ruqing, in turn, treated them with a measure of courtesy. For a time, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Both the Emperor and Empress Dowager were present, and the Empress was eager to please. So, right up until the end of the midday meal, the main hall was filled with joy and harmony. It was a picture of a benevolent mother, a filial son, and dutiful wives and concubines living in harmony.
Not long after the midday meal concluded, the sky outside began to darken, and the wind picked up. The Empress Dowager looked at the weather and smiled. "The wind is picking up, and it’s getting chilly. I’ve been sitting for quite a while and feel rather tired. I shall take my leave first. You all continue to enjoy yourselves!"
With that, the Empress Dowager, supported by Sister Qing’s hand, prepared to rise.
The Empress was the first to rush forward. "Imperial Mother, please be careful! Your daughter-in-law will escort you back!"
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, a look of gratification slowly appearing on her face. "The Empress is truly considerate. I appreciate your trouble."
"Imperial Mother, you’re too kind. This is merely what your daughter-in-law ought to do!" The Empress was intensely moved, her tone trembling with emotion. Is the Empress Dowager... finally acknowledging me fully? Without her constantly watching me, wouldn’t my position as Empress be much more secure? With that thought, a hint of smugness touched the Empress’s face.
When Noble Concubine Shih finally pulled her wandering thoughts back to the present, she looked up just in time to see the Empress’s smug expression. Another glance confirmed it: the Empress Dowager and the Empress, that pair of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, were supporting each other. Quite the picture of harmony they make!
Noble Concubine Shih gave a cold sneer and lowered her head again, pretending not to see. When the Third Princess was taken from me, the Empress Dowager didn’t even step forward to say a word in my defense. What more could I expect from her! Since the Empress Dowager doesn’t value me, why should I try to ingratiate myself? To offer a warm gesture only to be met with a cold reception? Sorry, I have no such inclination!
Leaning on the Empress’s hand, the Empress Dowager passed by Noble Concubine Shih, her expression unchanging.
Everyone rose and knelt. "We respectfully see off Her Majesty the Empress Dowager! We respectfully see off Her Majesty the Empress!"
Noble Concubine Shih was among them.
...
Once the Empress Dowager and the Empress had departed, Zhao Junyao also left. With little reason to remain seated, the others also bid their farewells and departed one by one.
After seeing everyone off, Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally, they’ve all gone! The First Birthday Ceremony concluded without any major mishaps, thank goodness!" I was sweating bullets the whole time! Setting aside others, Honored Lady Cheng alone is incredibly delicate. If anything had happened to her, the trouble would have been immense. If someone had framed me, or if an accident had occurred here under my watch, I truly wouldn’t have been able to clear my name even if I had a hundred mouths! But now, everything is fine, isn’t it? It’s all over.
"You all tidy up. I’m exhausted and need to go lie down for a bit!" She’d been bustling about since morning and hadn’t had a moment to catch her breath.