Consort Yi's smile was almost frozen, but as a qualified favored concubine and one of the main characters of this banquet, she still had to maintain a gentle expression and then smiled gently at Emperor Kangxi.
In fact, she had already complained to herself several times—she didn't know why these princes were so enthusiastic now, even though she had never had any dealings with them before.
Several princes vied to give Xiao Jiu some gifts. Although it was unexpected, Consort Yi was still very happy. This showed that the princes had a deep brotherly bond, which was something the Emperor was willing to see.
It was probably to showcase this brotherly bond and win the emperor's favor!
The Empress Dowager presented a gift to Xiao Jiu. Although Consort Yi was somewhat flattered and surprised, she was naturally very happy that her Xiao Jiu could receive the Empress Dowager's protection!
Unless it's a matter of principle, the emperor generally won't contradict the empress dowager. The empress dowager is the most powerful figure in the palace, and the emperor must cling to her!
But what is the emperor arguing about?
Her little Jiu is already famous enough. This ring is like a hot potato to Consort Yi. She doesn't want to take it at all!
But there was no other way; the Emperor had already handed it over, and she couldn't very well refuse Xiao Jiu now—what would that look like?
The Empress Dowager is a protector, but what is the Emperor? Little Jiu is still so young, she mustn't become a thorn in someone's side. At this moment, Consort Yi glanced at Consort Hui diagonally in front of her, whose expression was already quite bad.
One can imagine that when her son smokes water pipe this time, he will definitely be compared with the Eighth Prince... If someone stirs things up, there might be such rumors in the palace by tomorrow. Even though Consort Yi is deeply rooted in the palace, she can't control the mouths of all the palace maids.
Consort Hui, as the Eighth Prince's adoptive mother, had planned his first birthday banquet a few months ago, which was a lively affair filled with auspicious greetings. At this moment, however, she was tightly clutching her handkerchief, her anger reaching its peak.
Without comparison, there is no harm. Just look at how much importance was placed on the Ninth Prince's first birthday banquet, and you'll know where the Eighth Prince falls short!
Why is the Emperor so biased? They are all his princes!
When she first arrived, Consort Hui was quite satisfied, secretly comparing the two sides and finding that their scales were identical. The number of people visiting both sides also largely overlapped, so there was no situation where one side was overlooked.
Her previous careful preparations had not backed down here. It was clear that Consort Yi was sensible and did not want to be her enemy, so she did not exceed the prescribed standards.
Consort Hui was satisfied—mainly because when the Emperor held the first birthday banquet for the Eighth Prince, he didn't give any instructions, but this time when the Ninth Prince was having his, the Emperor instructed that it should be held on a larger scale, and Consort Hui was worried that Consort Yi would take advantage of the occasion.
Heaven knows that Consort Yi actually just wanted her son, Xiao Jiu, to keep a low profile; she didn't mean to be afraid of Consort Hui.
However, her desire for Xiao Jiu to keep a low profile has now been completely shattered, simply because someone is so disappointing. She felt annoyed.
Sigh, why does she feel like she's growing increasingly disgusted with the Emperor lately? This kind of mentality won't do; she's still counting on the Emperor in the future.
Consort Hui clenched her handkerchief. Back then, the Emperor had unusually favored a palace maid from the Imperial Laundry Department. Consort Hui guessed that the Emperor ultimately treated this woman differently.
Upon seeing her appearance, Consort Hui became even more determined in her decision. She went to great lengths to persuade the Emperor to allow the woman to reside in a side hall of her palace.
After all, she would definitely need to find a palace maid or other low-ranking concubine to secure the emperor's favor. Now that the emperor has already favored one, isn't this a ready-made solution? It also makes it convenient for her not to continue searching.
Later, when the emperor stopped paying attention to her, Consort Hui began to suspect that she had guessed wrong.
But since the child is already with us, let Xiao Ba be the boss's little follower; it'll help build up the team...
But now, compared to the two children who are the same age, the one who is given the same amount of attention is nowhere near as important as the one who is the eighth child. You should know that when the child was born on the eighth birthday, the Empress Dowager only gave some things as a symbolic gift, which were far less valuable and meaningful than this grassland, let alone the Emperor!
The Emperor's thumb ring!
Consort Hui thought carefully and realized that the only time the Emperor would attach such importance to something was when the Crown Prince was born!
Even the eldest prince didn't receive such treatment when he was born!
Consort Hui was resentful. Wasn't the Emperor contradicting himself? They were only a few months apart in age, so why did the Emperor treat the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince so differently? They were both his sons!
Consort Hui felt that her decision to keep the Eighth Prince in her palace was a mistake!
Even if Consort Yi felt helpless, at this point she could only proceed step by step and let Xiao Jiu go.
That brat had better be obedient!
At this moment, Xiao Jiu was lying obediently in her mother's soft arms. Then, her mother carried her forward and placed her on a red cloth.
He was amused a lot today and met many people. Some of the more outgoing women even tried to pinch his little cheeks. By then, he was already a bit tired.
Seeing that his mother had let go, he instinctively reached behind him and exclaimed "Ah!" in an attempt to attract her attention.
He was tired.
Consort Yi took a step back. "Little Jiu, go get one for your mother! Get it..."
This word was already familiar to him. Although he hadn't heard his mother speak to him recently, she had told him to fetch things many times.
He frowned in annoyance. Why was his mother playing this game with him again? He wanted to sleep!
He's getting angry; he's going to cause trouble now!
But this time, her mother was very resolute. She even took several steps back to distance herself from him, and there was only a small fence separating them.
Xiao Jiu clenched his fist and slammed it against the fence, startling the wet nurses nearby, who were afraid he would hurt his hand.
"Xiao Jiu, go and get one for your mother..." Consort Yi frowned, speaking patiently. She patiently rubbed Xiao Jiu's little fist.
That brat, she would never have been so patient if it weren't in front of so many people.
I've trained him so many times and emphasized it to him repeatedly, but he still hasn't learned it. He's just deliberately trying to make things difficult for me, even though he usually learns things quite quickly!
That brat is infuriating!
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