The concubines in the harem were in an uproar when they learned that Consort De would be in charge of the little princess's first birthday banquet.
The beauties and nobles living near Fanghua Palace walked in groups toward Changqiu Palace, sleeves rolled up, ready to grab some good jobs and make a big splash.
"Hurry up, we can't let someone else snatch this good job!" Yu Meiren took small, quick steps, her face filled with anxiety and excitement.
“This is a rare opportunity. The first birthday banquet only comes once a year. Besides, in the past, such matters in the palace were handled by the Imperial Household Department and Her Majesty the Empress. Now that it has been handed over to Consort De, she must be short-handed. There must be a way for us to be of use!” Another beauty chimed in, pulling Yu Meiren’s hand and walking quickly toward Changqiu Palace.
"Yes, yes, let's go, let's go! This is a great opportunity to curry favor with His Majesty!"
“His Majesty dotes on and values the little princess so much. If we can hold a good first birthday banquet, we will have a bright future. It’s only a matter of time before we are promoted!” said a noblewoman who was dressed in slightly more luxurious clothes.
"Who can argue with that!"
"Oh dear, whether you're favored or not is secondary. The main thing is that with merit and hard work, you'll be promoted in rank, and naturally, the monthly salary for the two of you will rise accordingly. You don't know how tight life is in our palace!"
"It's freezing cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer!"
"When we have money, we can exchange it for better coal in winter, the kind that burns without smoke, and we can use more ice in summer."
Consorts and concubines living near Xiaoyue Pavilion formed cliques and brought all sorts of precious and rare gifts to Changqiu Palace to offer their congratulations, preparing to win over Consort De.
"His Majesty has entrusted the little princess's first birthday banquet to Consort De. We should go and have a good talk with Consort De and ask her to put in a good word for us with His Majesty."
"I've only seen His Majesty once since I entered the palace, during the New Year, when I caught a glimpse of him from afar."
"Hey, we're the same."
“Qiu’er hasn’t seen his father, the Emperor, for a long time. He keeps asking to see His Majesty every day, but His Majesty is so busy with state affairs, how could he have time to come and see us, his mother and son!” Zhou Jieyu sighed. She was the birth mother of the sixth prince, Yun Yiqiu.
"Yes, I heard that the south is once again plagued by locusts, and the court officials are helpless."
"Sister, do you think Consort De will like this piece of white jade from the East China Sea that I prepared?" Consort Zhou took out a sandalwood box and carefully showed the people around her a piece of jade of excellent quality inside.
“What good things hasn’t Consort De seen? We’re just going to deliver a congratulatory gift to convey our sentiments,” said one of the noble ladies.
"Sister is right, sister. Please take a look and see if I'm dressed appropriately today. I'm beautiful, and I haven't worn many hairpins or jewelry. I can't outshine Consort De!"
The noblewoman glanced at Consort Zhou, rolled her eyes at her, and said nothing more.
When the concubines and noble ladies living near the Jade Palace heard that Consort De was holding her first birthday banquet, they started to complain, saying it was sour grapes.
"Such a lucrative task, I really didn't expect it to be assigned to Consort De?" Consort Rong squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.
"Oh well, it's just a first birthday party, it's no big deal."
"Besides, what kind of family background does Consort De have, and what kind of family background do we have? Although she is also a young lady from a respectable family, compared with us, she is just from a humble family and is not worthy of being mentioned."
"In my opinion, she definitely won't be able to handle such a big first birthday party!"
It's truly a case of lemons on a lemon tree, and you and me under that lemon tree.
It tastes sour.
"For a royal concubine to hold a first birthday banquet for a ten-month-old baby is truly beneath her dignity!"
"That's not quite right. This little princess still enjoys a lot of favor with His Majesty!"
"Gain face? Hmph, I think His Majesty is just looking for something new. There are already eight princes in the palace, and suddenly a princess arrives, how can it not be novel?!"
"When other princesses come out of the palace later, it'll all be the same."
"This favor comes and goes quickly."
"We don't need to be impatient. Let's just wait for Consort De to mess this up!" Consort Rong gave Consort Wan a meaningful look.
Consort Wan immediately understood, "Sister, do you have any good ideas?"
...
Inside Changqiu Palace, Consort De was sitting in her bedchamber looking at account books. Yun Yishu sat next to his mother, eating peanuts and explaining to her parts that she didn't understand.
Suddenly, footsteps came from the doorway; the sound didn't seem to belong to one person.
"Your Majesty, Consort Chen has arrived," Chunhua announced as she entered.
"Your Majesty, Yu Meiren has arrived as well."
"Oh my, everyone's here?" Consort De closed the account book and tidied the stray hairs at her temples. "Let's go to the front hall and take a look!"
"My palace has always been quiet and deserted, but I never expected it to be so lively today!"
"Your Majesty, Changqiu Palace is now a popular spot, everyone wants to sit down!"
[A hot bench?]
Consort De felt a little uncomfortable upon hearing this. "You brat, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all! Can't you come up with any nice words?!"
People really need to read more books; they can't be so uncultured.
Thinking of this, Consort De glanced at her son with a worried expression.
[Fine, once this first birthday party is over, I'll have to make that brat study some books, even if it means taking a beating!]
[Even if the eldest prince doesn't study politics, at least he can read storybooks, so he knows a lot of characters!]
Everyone says that reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles is far superior to what this brat has in terms of worldly wisdom. Knowing that His Majesty favors the little princess, he goes to Fushuang Palace every day to read stories to that girl.
Look at them, look at you, look at the Crown Prince next door!
Yun Yishu followed behind, unaware that in the short time it took for his mother to exchange a glance, she had already thought about so many things.
"Why did you come along too?" Consort De asked, looking at her son.
"Son, please help Mother see which personnel are suitable for use." When Yun Yishu came out of the side door, he had some difficulty, as if the crack in the door seemed to have narrowed.
Although they all lived in the inner palace, Yun Yishu's daily routine was very regular, consisting of only three places: Changqiu Palace, Fushuang Palace, and the Imperial Kitchen. Therefore, she didn't recognize many of the noble ladies in the palace.
Since Mother is in charge of the first birthday banquet, she will inevitably need help. Today is a good opportunity to see everyone.
Consort De muttered to herself, "You little rascal, you can even judge people?!"
As she was pondering this, she arrived at the front hall, where many beauties and concubines had already gathered.
"My sister is here!"
"Greetings to Consort De!"
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