In the evening, lanterns were hung early in Fukang Palace.
In addition to the sumptuous dinner, there were also many pastries, snacks, and fine fruit wines on the table.
This year is a little different from previous years.
In previous years, the harem would gather on New Year’s Eve, with the concubines performing their own performances and then enjoying the lanterns together.
This year there were only the Empress Dowager, Concubine Hu, Shen Mingyue, and several princes and princesses.
Although there are fewer people, it is more comfortable and relaxed than in previous years.
The Queen Mother held Su Qiqi in her arms, pinched her little face, scratched her nose, and praised her endlessly: "Your face is soft and tender, your nose is high and straight, your eyes are bright, and your temperament is well-behaved. Tsk tsk tsk tsk... Our Qiqi has been a beauty since she was a child. I wonder how many men she will charm in the future!"
Concubine Hu looked at Su Qiqi's little face carefully and said with a smile, "It's rounder than before, plumper and more chubby. It's so rare to look at it."
[She gained weight, so she gained weight. And she became rounder. What a sophisticated word to use.]
[Alas, although I'm sometimes nervous, I'm still too young to accomplish anything. How can I not get fat if I eat and sleep all day?]
[Then again, the chefs at Changle Palace are 99% responsible for my weight gain. They're truly amazing at cooking!]
"I can't even control my tears, so how can I control my appetite? Blame it on the alluring soups..."
Su Qiqi rubbed the corner of her clothes and muttered to herself.
The Queen Mother's smile deepened. She raised her hand and rubbed Su Qiqi's little head. "It's better to be rounder. Now is the time for you to grow up. It's a blessing to be able to eat. If you become thin because of hunger, I will be very distressed."
"……Uh-huh!"
Su Qiqi nodded sincerely: "My Queen Mother, you understand me the best! I will never let down a delicious meal!"
"I have something good that's perfect for Qiqi."
As Concubine Hu spoke, she winked at the palace maid beside her.
The palace maid quickly brought over a red box.
Concubine Hu raised her hand and opened the box.
Inside the box were neatly arranged golden bowls, golden spoons, and golden chopsticks.
That golden bowl is simply a "treasure bowl", inlaid with many pearls and gems, it is really luxurious and ostentatious.
The top of the golden spoon is shaped like a dragonfly, ready to take flight. Its wings are outlined with gold thread, adding a touch of three-dimensionality. Emerald jade embellishments adorn the dragonfly's eyes, adding to the exquisite detail.
The golden chopsticks were also shaped like lotus roots, with two lotus flowers in full bloom on the top. The tips of the lotus flowers were also inlaid with moonlight-colored jade.
Oh my goodness! It's made of gold! And it's so thick! It looks like it's worth a lot of money!
[Are all people in the palace so generous? ]
[Wow, what a happy feeling...]
Su Qiqi's eyes lit up and she was extremely excited.
She waved her little hands, eager to try, and wished she could immediately hold the golden bowl in her arms and kiss it twice.
The Queen Mother thought carefully for a moment, then looked at Concubine Hu and asked, "If I remember correctly, this bowl of gold and jade should have been a gift from the Virtuous Queen Mother to you."
Concubine Hu nodded and said, "Sister, you have a good memory. This bowl is too ornate, and I don't need it on a daily basis. It's the most appropriate gift for Qiqi."
The Queen Mother quickly refused: "This set of dishes and chopsticks is so valuable and means so much to you. How can Qiqi afford it?"
"I can afford it. Qiqi is your granddaughter, and I, your sister, can also be her half-grandmother. I heard that children are very interested in shiny things. I hope Qiqi likes this set of bowls and chopsticks, and I hope Qiqi can eat well and grow up well."
After saying this, Concubine Hu reached out and picked up the golden spoon and handed it to Su Qiqi. She unconsciously raised her voice and coaxed, "Look, this little dragonfly is so cute. Qiqi, use a spoon to eat and grow taller, okay?"
"Okay~"
Su Qiqi took it, hugged it tightly with both hands, and giggled:
[I'm rich, I'm rich, it's real! It's worth a lot of money! ]
[Wow, the workmanship! Wow, the rich colors of the gemstones are so striking, it's obvious they're worth a fortune.]
Seeing this, the Queen Mother shook her head helplessly: "I've heard Qing Yuan say that you are a little money-grubber. Now I see that your reputation is well-deserved."
“Hehehe…”
Su Qiqi raised her head and smiled foolishly at the empress dowager.
I realized it too late, and before I could express my gratitude, she controlled her tongue very sincerely and said loudly: "Healthy and worry-free, the lake is as vast as the East China Sea, Happy New Year, and congratulations on spending money~"
She grinned like a rotten persimmon and bowed to the Queen Mother and Concubine Hu.
That look, cute and adorable,
Concubine Hu was surprised and delighted: "Wow, this little mouth is so nimble and the voice is so loud! He can already say so many words before he's even a year old! So smart!"
The Queen Mother patted Su Qiqi's little head and said, "She is indeed smart. It's thanks to the good teaching of the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."
"Your Highness, please help Qiqi put away this set of dishes and chopsticks."
After Concubine Hu said this, she winked at the palace maid beside her.
The palace maid quickly brought the box to Shen Mingyue.
Shen Mingyue stretched her waist and stood up to bow, saying, "On behalf of Qiqi, I thank the Queen Mother and the Concubine Dowager. May the Queen Mother and the Concubine Dowager live a long and healthy life."
"You're pregnant, so don't be so polite." The Queen Mother looked at Shen Mingyue's obviously bulging belly and said worriedly, "I remember you vomited a lot when you were pregnant with Hongxuan. Are you okay now?"
"The medicinal recipe you gave me is very useful. I drink it every day and don't feel any discomfort."
Hearing this, the Queen Mother breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. Now you should be more careful. There's no need to perform formalities if there are no outsiders. Let the servants do more of the work you have, and don't tire yourself out."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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