Chapter 990: Blessed

Honored Lady Dou was in great distress.

She held her head and sobbed for quite a while.

Seeing that no one paid her any attention, she gradually stopped.

Lan Xiang and Lan Rui were too lazy to console her, turning away and leaving.

Both were busy looking for new opportunities for themselves.

But this was the Harem, and new opportunities weren’t so easy to come by.

Whether in the past or now, Honored Lady Dou’s place never had much profit or benefit.

They had nothing good to offer to gain favor with others.

So the matter of finding new opportunities kept being delayed.

Seeing Honored Lady Dou like this, they were even more impatient.

This is truly...

"I never expected someone who gave birth to a Princess to end up like this!"

Lan Xiang said with much disdain.

"Indeed, even those two concubines who didn’t give birth to a Princess are better off than her!"

"Such good days, and what is she doing with them?" Lan Rui couldn’t fathom it.

Lan Xiang snorted coldly.

"What is she doing? Isn’t it arrogance?"

"Thinking the Emperor would remember the bond from the Eastern Palace?"

After all, she gave birth to the Emperor’s first child.

Back then in the Eastern Palace, she was quite a dignified Consort, serving the Emperor two years earlier than Consort Hui.

A connection like that is different from others.

Lan Rui let out an ironic laugh.

"Hmph?! That’s called a bond?"

If you’re talking about bonds, who could compare to Consort Shih Pin?

But now, isn’t she still quietly staying in the Precious Stream Pavilion without standing out?

In this palace! The Emperor’s heart is unpredictable.

All bonds are fleeting smoke.

Only silver and power truly matter.

Look at Consort Hui.

Even without favor, she manages the vast Harem, and many people curry favor with her.

"Forget it, let’s not talk about it!"

"Let’s save some energy!"

"Sigh..."

The two sighed, then went about their own business.

...

March passed in the blink of an eye.

Entering April, the weather became even warmer.

Almost four-month-old Xiao Lele’s features were completely formed.

Her sparkling big eyes, long eyelashes, and chubby pink cheeks were particularly adorable.

She had just woken up in the morning, and her swaddle hadn’t been wrapped yet.

Wearing a bright red baby vest, Yue Er was particularly excited.

Her hands and feet waved around in the air.

Bubbles formed as she made ’ah, oh’ sounds from her mouth.

Xia Ruqing felt her heart melt watching her.

"My Little Princess, what are you saying?"

Xiao Lele blinked her big eyes at her and giggled.

"Xiao Lele really loves to laugh!"

Xia Ruqing was delighted.

Her little darling was different, just seeing her brightened her mood.

Much less trouble than Henger and Yeye, those little buns.

When they were little, they were crybabies.

They would cry for a while after eating and drinking before finally sleeping.

The Wetnurse Nanny also smiled respectfully.

"You’re right, Madam!"

"The Little Princess is cheerful, loves to laugh, and isn’t fussy!"

"When she grows up, she’ll surely be blessed!"

Whether flattering or sincere, the words sounded nice either way.

Xia Ruqing smiled, personally picked up her little daughter’s swaddle and handed it to the Wetnurse Nanny, instructing her.

"Take good care of her!"

"Even though the weather’s nice, don’t be careless, children catch colds easily!"

"Yes! Don’t worry, Madam! I won’t be careless!"

The Wetnurse Nanny promptly responded respectfully.

Only then did Xia Ruqing nod.

When the Wetnurse Nanny took the Little Princess down to feed her,

Zi Yue and Zi Su came in with water to assist with washing up.

Sitting at the dressing table, Xia Ruqing looked at herself in the mirror and sighed.

"In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed!"

"I feel like I’m getting old!"

Being the mother of four, even if I don’t have to do anything, I still worry a lot!

Zi Yue smiled.

"What are you saying, Madam? How could you be old?"

"I see you in full bloom!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head with a wry smile.

In modern times, a girl in her twenties would indeed be in her prime.

But in the old days, especially as a mother of four, she’s considered an old lady.

There’s an oldness felt when others think you’re old!

Haha, better not dwell on it!

"What’s for breakfast? I suddenly crave steamed veggies, do we have any?"

Steamed veggies mean clean veggie leaves wrapped in flour, with a bit of water, and steamed.

The end result is the natural flavor of the vegetables.

Not many veggies are fit for steaming, mostly wild ones.

And the aroma of wild veggies is unmatched by common vegetables.

Suddenly craving this.

Zi Yue thought a moment and smiled.

"Our back garden has everything! I’ll ask Xiao Zhu Zi!"

"If we have any, I’ll prepare it for you!"

"Go ahead!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

Zi Yue bowed and left.

Xia Ruqing got up.

She looked at the words written on the table yesterday and frowned.

"Still not good!"

"Zi Su, find some more calligraphy sheets, I need to practice!"

Otherwise, it’s embarrassing to even teach her daughter how to write, having to rely on Zhao Junyao.

That would be too embarrassing!

Zi Su knelt and agreed, soon bringing her a large stack of calligraphy sheets.

"Madam, is this enough?"

Xia Ruqing was taken aback.

"Where did you get so many?"

Zi Su was puzzled.

"Aren’t these the ones the Emperor rewarded? You asked to toss them in storage."

Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully.

"Oh..."

In the past, Zhao Junyao often gave her calligraphy sheets, but she never used any.

Sweat... seems I’ve been a bit lazy, huh!

Ever since having a daughter,

Xia Ruqing has become much more diligent in writing and reading.

Even Henger and Yeye, those two little buns, don’t always demand playtime now.

Instead, they diligently read and write daily.

In their words,

they’re working hard to learn and read so they can tell stories to their sister.

Thinking of the little buns, her heart warmed again.

Don’t even mention Chenchen.

Having a sister has made him utterly obsessed with her.

Always steady and introverted, he doesn’t mind discarding his image for her smiles.

Painting his face and jumping about just to amuse her.

Henger and Yeye, those little rascals,

though they can’t match their big brother, they’re extremely good to Yue Er too, desperately so.

On their days off, wherever they went to play,

their thoughts revolved around their sister.

If they saw a pretty stone, a beautiful leaf, or an interesting branch, they’d bring it back for her.

Little Yue Er loved it too.

She could play with a little toy and babble contently for half a day.

Xia Ruqing barely had to worry at all.

Of course, except for matters of her daughter’s education.

Thinking of this,

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but feel envious of Xiao Lele, murmuring with a smile.

"This little girl really was born into a nest of blessings!"

Looking across the world.

No one is richer than her or as fortunate; those richer don’t have her power; those more powerful... hold her dearly and adore her to the core.

So, being born is truly a skill!

"What are you so lost in thought about?"

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

Xia Ruqing was startled, looking up abruptly.

"Emperor?"

"When did you arrive?"