Chapter 1000: New Year

Xia Caiying also laughed.

"Exactly!"

"The little princess and Xuer were born on alternate days!"

Xia Ruqing also recalled.

"Oh, right! I heard Caiying gave birth, and I got so excited that I..."

"Ah, I was scared at that time!"

"My sister-in-law had a boy, and Caiying also had a boy. I was really afraid this one in my belly would be a boy too!"

Such words made all three laugh out loud.

After a brief chatter.

Xia Ruqing again asked Caiying.

"Has my little nephew been named? What’s it?"

Xia Caiying bowed her head with a shy smile.

"He has been named, chosen by my husband. He’s called Yang Hengxu!"

"Hengxu!"

"That’s a good name!"

Xia Ruqing praised.

Heng signifies eternity, perseverance, and Xu symbolizes the rising sun, full of hope. It’s a good name.

Then she asked her sister-in-law.

"And my little nephew? What’s his name?"

Ni Manxue smiled.

"He’s named Chenghui!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Chengze, Chenghui! Also sounds nice!"

In ancient times, naming was about meaning, especially for boys; it couldn’t be too flashy.

Typically, such simple and elegant, easy to pronounce names are best.

"All good choices!"

Xia Ruqing laughed.

The three chatted some more, exchanging updates about the palace and family.

Xia Ruqing asked again.

"Recently, how is that person doing?"

This referred to Xia Ruyi.

Ever since she betrayed the Xia Family and allied with Empress Dowager Zhen’s faction.

Xia Ruqing had been keeping an eye on her, as the saying goes, know thyself, know thy enemy, a hundred battles, a hundred victories.

What if she truly marries the Sixth Prince.

Then she’d be part of the Royal Family, and they’d have many interactions in the future.

Thus, she couldn’t help but prepare ahead.

At the mention of this.

Ni Manxue’s face immediately fell.

"Madam, that one is living comfortably now!"

"She disregards everyone, even acts superior when she sees me!"

"She keeps running to the Prince’s Mansion!"

"Dresses flamboyantly, sometimes even stays there!"

"Madam, I’m truly afraid she’ll do something disgraceful!"

"If she doesn’t care about her reputation, that’s fine! But don’t drag others down!"

"It’s not only about tarnishing the Xia Family’s name, but also making others think this is how our daughters act!"

"Besides, if something happens, it won’t look good for you, Empress!"

"Things aren’t like they used to be, we need to be more cautious!"

Xia Ruqing smiled wryly.

"Everyone understands that, but..."

"Forget it, let’s not bother with her!"

"Keep people watching her, and if anything seems off, try to stop it!"

"If it’s really impossible, then don’t bother!"

She simply didn’t believe.

Colluding with Empress Dowager Zhen and Hai Feng could bring her any real benefit!

Xia Caiying sneered.

"I fear something disgraceful has already happened!"

"Last time I saw her at Zhenbao Pavilion on the street!"

"She was picking out jewelry, whole sets of ornaments, gemstone and pearl ones, both large and small pieces totaling more than a thousand silver taels, and she didn’t even blink!"

"How much silver did their family send from the Capital City?"

"Spending so lavishly, where does the silver come from?"

If she hadn’t done anything shameful, how could she have amassed such dubious wealth?

The three fell silent.

After a while, Xia Ruqing spoke.

"I suspect she’s eaten the weights and hardened her heart! Knowing it’s a pit of fire yet still jumping in!"

"I’ve tried to advise her, but it was useless!"

"If you get the chance, try advising her as well, just once, if she doesn’t listen, then let it be!"

"In the future, whatever happens, we’ll wash our hands of it, and no longer bother!"

Xia Caiying and Ni Manxue both frowned.

"Madam, not just once!"

"Madam, every time I see her, I advise her, but to no avail!"

Xia Ruqing sneered.

"Then don’t bother advising anymore! From now on, our Xia Family will just pretend she doesn’t exist!"

"Let her squander her opportunities on her own!"

"However, let’s keep gathering information, as after all, we need to watch out for jokes!"

Xia Caiying and Ni Manxue agreed.

The three continued drinking tea, eating snacks.

They shared other happy topics, then parted ways.

Xia Ruqing found a warm sedan chair, called someone to send them to the palace gates, only relieved after watching them leave the palace!

...

After the little princess’s first birthday banquet comes the New Year.

Due to ascending to the position of Empress.

This year’s New Year differs greatly from past ones.

Even without managing affairs of The Six Palaces, she’s still extremely busy.

Because it’s the first year, numerous ceremonies need execution.

For instance, the pre-year sacrifice to heaven.

Must attend personally, with complicated rituals.

Also like the New Year’s Eve banquet.

She can no longer lazily leave early, but must sit gracefully and elegantly till the very end.

To maintain harmony in the harem and appear dignified.

She also had to ’show filial piety’ to the Empress Dowager on behalf of the Emperor!

Come New Year’s Day, there’s the Grand Temple ritual.

This time not only she had to attend.

Even Chenchen, Yeye, and Henger had to follow behind her and personally pay respects to the ancestors of the Royal Family.

This honor is reserved only for the principal wife and legitimate descendants.

The other palace consorts and royal princes/princesses all wait outside on their knees, commonly known as kneeling at the temple.

After the ancestral rite concludes.

She had to personally lead the inside and outside noblewomen, to Ningshou Palace to pay respects and offer New Year’s greetings to the Empress Dowager.

Even the midday banquet was held at Ningshou Palace.

After the luncheon.

Before the noblewomen leave the palace, they must visit her at Duanning Palace.

Supposedly.

As the principal wife and Empress, she should move to Jiaofang Hall.

Unfortunately, with children by her side, moving around is inconvenient.

Moreover, Jiaofang Hall was where The Late Empress lived all the time, it felt eerie to her, so she had no plans to move temporarily.

Anyway, as the mistress of The Six Palaces, she can live wherever she desires.

Since the Emperor said nothing, others wouldn’t dare whisper!

Once the noblewomen completely leave the palace.

The sun is already down, almost sunset.

Xia Ruqing returned to her inner chambers, without even removing her makeup, she collapsed onto the bed.

"Too tired!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su gently removed her Phoenix Crown.

Then rolled over to take off her heavy ceremonial robe piece by piece.

The two massaged her for quite a while before Xia Ruqing got up.

After cleansing off the heavy makeup, washing, and changing into casual attire, she felt as if she was rejuvenated.

"Ah!"

"Being the big wife looks glamorous, but it’s really tough!"

The elation from receiving the imperial decree had now faded considerably.

Indeed, glory comes with hardship one has to endure.

This truth never changes wherever one goes!

...

After removing her makeup, Xia Ruqing went to check on Yue Er.

Xiao Lele was very well-behaved today.

Taken out for a while, quickly brought back.

Spending the rest of the time properly indoors.

Having had lunch, he even took a big nap in the afternoon.

Now just awaken, playing with Yellow Bean.

"Yue Er?"

Xia Ruqing called softly.

"Mother Grey!"

Xia Ruqing tweaked her daughter’s nose.

"It’s Mother Empress!"

"Call me Mother Empress!"

If all this hard work was just for being a consort, she’d rather not!