Chapter 997: Palace Affairs

The birthdays of the previous sons were all celebrated simply.

This is his first legitimate princess.

And the only apple of his eye, how could he let his little daughter be wronged?

So it must be held with the highest standards.

Xia Ruqing had no choice, so she agreed to it.

After all, there wasn’t much else going on, right?

However, palace duties are still managed by Consort Hui.

With the year’s end approaching, preparations for New Year’s Eve were needed, and even the post-New Year’s Empress’s enthronement ceremony.

It’s likely that she is already quite exhausted.

Xia Ruqing was pondering whether to send some people to help Consort Hui.

Unexpectedly, Consort Hui personally came to visit.

"Greetings, Empress!"

As soon as Consort Hui entered, she respectfully saluted.

Xia Ruqing hurriedly said,

"Please rise and have a seat, there’s no need for formality!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Consort Hui stood up and sat down beside Xia Ruqing.

Zi Yue served two cups of tea.

Consort Hui thanked her, took a couple of sips, and then smiled.

"Empress, I have come to discuss something with you."

"Oh? What is it?"

Xia Ruqing inquired with a smile.

She really appreciated Consort Hui’s straightforward nature.

Unlike some people who speak in circles.

Consort Hui laughed and said,

"Your Majesty has received the imperial edict for some days now!"

"Previously, I temporarily managed the Six Palaces’ affairs out of necessity!"

"Now that we have Your Majesty, these palace duties naturally belong under your management. I should not continue overstepping my bounds!"

"I was thinking of finding a time to hand the palace duties over to you. What does Your Majesty think?"

Managing the Six Palaces seems glorious on the surface, but it comes with countless hardships behind the scenes.

If done well, no one will praise you, but if done poorly, you must be the first to take the blame.

On reflection, it doesn’t seem worth it.

It’s better to live quietly with Yi An.

As a Consort, she has a good relationship with the Empress, at least with no grudges.

There’s also some affection from the Emperor, likely no one would make things difficult for her!

She also has a daughter, providing support for the future; life couldn’t be better.

So, she was eager to step down.

Xia Ruqing frowned.

Palace duties?

Heavens, she has four children; even if Chenchen is moved out, there are still three.

Yue Er is still so young; where would she find the time to handle all these trivial matters?!

So she almost immediately refused without thinking, looking troubled.

"To be honest, I’ve given birth to four children, and the Imperial Physician says I’ve harmed my body, and shouldn’t exert myself mentally!"

"After Chenchen moves out, I still need to care for the three children. It’s already quite taxing, and I truly cannot manage palace duties!"

"You’ve always been reliable and graceful in your work, even the Emperor greatly trusts you!"

"There’s no need to transfer the palace duties for now!"

"It’s better for you to continue managing, what do you think?"

Two clever people were pushing a hot potato back and forth.

Consort Hui looked a bit troubled.

"Your Majesty, this..."

"I would be honored to share your burdens, truly, but... this seems against the rules!"

The Empress is present.

Having a palace consort manage the Six Palaces would inevitably lead to gossip behind her back and even insubordination!

Consort Hui had indeed heard some rumors.

Therefore, she really didn’t want to manage it anymore.

Xia Ruqing continued,

"Don’t worry!"

"There’s no need for concern; those who refuse to listen or spread rumors can be dealt with according to palace rules, do not trouble me for that!"

"I do not believe they are capable of much!"

Having said so much,

Consort Hui couldn’t refuse anymore; she reluctantly nodded.

"Yes! Then I... will obey respectfully!"

Xia Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief, sincerely saying,

"Rest assured, I will remember your kindness!"

Consort Hui felt embarrassed, immediately kneeling.

"Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such words!"

Xia Ruqing quickly helped her up.

"Don’t be like this; if I say you deserve it, then you do!"

Consort Hui could only smile.

"Your Majesty, you truly think highly of me!"

"Use people without suspicion, and do not use people you doubt!"

"I know you’re intelligent, and that’s enough!"

Consort Hui laughed a bit.

"Your Majesty, there’s another matter I would like to ask you for!"

"Speak!"

Consort Hui said,

"Regarding the Princess’s first birthday banquet, the Emperor has decreed that it should be grand!"

"Following that is the New Year’s Eve banquet, and after the New Year, Your Majesty’s enthronement ceremony, I..."

"I am really quite overwhelmed!"

"I was thinking if the Little Princess’s birthday banquet could be entrusted to you, Your Majesty?"

"It’s really... to avoid wronging the Princess!"

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment.

With so many things, she was indeed busy, and sneaking in some leisure didn’t seem quite right.

She then nodded in agreement.

"Very well!"

"You’ve worked hard with all these things!"

"Your Majesty is too kind!"

Consort Hui saluted again.

"If there’s nothing else, I won’t disturb Your Majesty’s rest!"

Xia Ruqing nodded, instructing Zi Yue to see her out warmly.

At the side, Zi Su couldn’t hold back.

"Your Majesty, why are you handing the palace duties over to Consort Hui, wouldn’t it be better for us to manage them ourselves?"

"You are, after all, the master of the Six Palaces!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled wryly.

"It’s not really a good thing! Why fight over it?"

"Consort Hui is intelligent; I feel at ease leaving it to her!"

Zi Su fell silent.

...

Consort Hui returned from Duanning Palace, taking Xiang Tan back to Zhaoxiang Pavilion.

Upon entering.

She took off her clothes and drank some hot tea, then a slight smile appeared.

As if... she was quite satisfied with something.

"Your Majesty, the palace duties remain with us; why are you happy about that?"

It’s not rightful, faced with people’s gossip, and no benefits are gained.

On the surface, it seems splendid.

But behind the scenes, Your Majesty often stays up late working hard; who sees that?

Consort Hui just laughed.

"Our Empress is smart! She likes to be a hands-off leader!"

"Her body isn’t well, and she has many children around her, lacking the energy is normal!"

"I had already anticipated this result!"

"Then why did you go?" Xiang Tan asked, puzzled.

"How could I not go?"

"Without the Empress’s statement, I would only face more criticism in the future!"

"Although I also want a quiet life, handling nothing, but... the conditions just don’t allow it!"

Besides, managing the palace duties isn’t without its benefits.

At the very least, her own life is better, and she can save more dowry for Yi An.

As a mother, having some harmless personal considerations is normal too.

Xiang Tan kept quiet.

Consort Hui sighed with satisfaction.

"Being able to hand over the Fourth Princess’s first birthday banquet makes me quite content!"

Now, there’s only the New Year’s Eve banquet to worry about.

As for the enthronement ceremony, that’s next year’s matter, not a concern yet!

Finally, not so tiring!

Consort Hui waved her hand with a smile.

"Enough thinking about it!"

"Go fetch me a bowl of soup!"

"I’m somewhat hungry!"

"Yes!"

...

In the afternoon.

Consort Hui called for the ledgers and ceremonial cases related to the first birthday banquet to be delivered.

There were about five or six days left until the birthday banquet.

Xia Ruqing did not dare delay and swiftly began reviewing them.

Fortunately, there were precedents to refer to, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs was adept.

With a word of instruction,

those below enthusiastically sprang into action.

Therefore, the preparations for Xiao Lele’s first birthday banquet went very smoothly.

In the blink of an eye, it was the 18th of the twelfth lunar month.

Xiao Lele’s first birthday banquet arrived.

In the flower hall of Duanning Palace, an opera stage was set up early.