Chapter 171: New Year’s Eve Vigil

Ah Bao glanced at Little Black.

[Little Black has been in the palace for two months. Why is it getting fatter while I’m getting thinner? Little Black eats more meat than I do. It’s unfair!]

The Concubine De, who was frying things, glanced over silently.

Zhilan sighed and poured some milk rice porridge into Little Black’s bowl. “Princess, don’t you think Little Black’s fur is getting long and tangled? It’s only left with long fur now, despite being fed well.”

Little Black: You always feed me porridge; how can I not get fat?

But Little Black was still very touched by Zhilan’s kindness.

Ah Bao blinked. “Sister Zhilan, I’m thin, and it’s fat.”

Zhilan: “Princess, you are round because of your meat, but Little Black is round because of its fur.”

Little Black nodded repeatedly, agreeing.

Usually, the little princess eats meat while Little Black chews bones.

When the little princess has porridge, Little Black also has porridge.

There’s never been a situation where Little Black gets meat, as the princess might get envious if she sees others eating meat.

Little Black was quite unfortunate. It had hoped to enjoy delicious food in the palace with the little princess, but so far, it had not tasted anything good.

[Is that so?]

Ah Bao looked at the chicken bones she had cleaned up and placed them in Little Black’s bowl. “Eat up, eat a lot, and get fat.”

Little Black sighed, oh heavens, can’t I gain some weight?

A fragrant bowl of meat sausages was brought over, specially made by the Concubine De. “In the past two months, Little Black has suffered quite a bit in Yihe Palace. Starting today, it will get extra meals to enjoy a good New Year.”

Little Black was instantly moved to tears. Ah Bao was unhappy.

[Why isn’t there any of the meat cakes or chicken legs that Mother made for me?]

The Concubine De signaled to Zhilan, who quickly carried Ah Bao into the hall.

Ah Bao refused to leave, clinging to the doorframe and crying, “Liang Qin, Liang Qin…”

Little Black savored the sausages proudly, grinning at Ah Bao. Its smugness made Ah Bao want to jump in place.

On New Year’s Eve, everyone in the palace stayed up.

After attending the palace banquet in the afternoon, the Concubine De took Ah Bao back to Yihe Palace.

Fireworks lit up the sky, crackling and popping, creating a lively atmosphere.

The Great Tyrant spent the entire day with Ah Bao. After finishing state affairs, he came to Yihe Palace.

Prince Di Zian had also returned.

The Great Tyrant held Ah Bao and watched the fireworks, saying, “The sixth prince is working outside the palace this year and can’t return for the New Year. I know you miss him, so I’ve sent a letter to him. If all goes well, he’ll return after the New Year.”

The Concubine De felt a warmth in her heart. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, no need to be polite with me.”

[It’s been half a year since I last saw Sixth Brother. I wonder if he misses me.]

Ah Bao had been sent out of the palace for official business right after she was born, and it had been six months.

“Here.” The Great Tyrant ordered Eunuch Xi to bring over a wooden box. Ah Bao was delighted. “What is it?”

“This is a New Year gift from your Sixth Brother. He hopes Ah Bao has peace and safety year after year.”

Ah Bao, who was nibbling on a small dough twist, was already eyeing the gift from Di Zian.

The box opened, revealing a dazzling golden wind chime, shining brightly in the moonlight.

[It’s a golden wind chime! Sixth Brother really understands me…]

The wind chime, made entirely of pure gold, even had golden bells. Ah Bao loved it. She hung it in front of the door, and when the wind blew, it jingled melodiously. Ah Bao was overjoyed.

“Chinese New Year is so great—there are little twists to eat, gifts from my brothers, and I heard there are red envelopes to collect. Oh, I really wish it could be New Year’s every day.”

Concubine De, the tyrant, and Di Zian: …

They seriously suspect that Ah Bao just wants to eat, drink, and collect money.

“So wonderful,” Ah Bao said, bouncing around while looking at the fireworks in the sky.

On New Year’s Eve, Ah Bao was thrilled and played until very late before going to bed.

At this time, in the palace, some were happy while others were worried.

In the Falling Flower Courtyard, Concubine Hui sat in the courtyard, watching the sky full of fireworks. “Which palace did His Majesty go to today?”

The young maidservant replied with her head lowered, “The Yihe Palace.”

Concubine Hui sighed deeply, “That Concubine De, she’s really fortunate. Originally someone who was sent to the Cold Palace, just because she gave birth to a daughter, went from being abandoned to being favored. When will such good fortune come to us pitiful people?”

Royal bloodlines have always been patriarchal.

What use is a princess? She will be married off when she grows up.

Princes are different—they get titles, territories, and even become crown princes. They become empress dowagers and rule the world.

Concubines are all eager to give birth to sons, but who knew the Emperor Tiansheng would be so fond of daughters.

“Your Majesty…”

“Forget it, it’s New Year’s Eve. We should be happy. Nothing is more important than the New Year tomorrow. After the New Year, who knows what the situation will be like.” Concubine Hui’s lips curved with a deeper meaning.

On the first day of the New Year, before dawn, Ah Bao was woken up early by Concubine De, to wash up, change clothes, and go to pay respects to the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother is the highest-ranking, and it’s the custom on the first day of the New Year to pay respects first.

Ah Bao was very sleepy. She had stayed up too late watching the fireworks the night before, and was groggy all morning.

On the way to the Cining Palace, Ah Bao hung on Concubine De like a pendant, lying on her shoulder and sleeping soundly.

As the daughter-in-law and younger generation, the Princess Han also needed to enter the palace early. She brought with her Di Hongluan, but no maidservants.

“Mother, don’t worry. The Queen Mother will definitely look at us mother and daughter with new eyes today.”

She was confident.

The Queen Mother is the mother-in-law of the Princess Han. If she could please her, it would certainly benefit the Princess Han greatly.

The Princess Han held Di Hongluan’s hand. “Yes, I trust you, Luan’er.”

A group of people knelt in a row outside the Cining Palace, waiting for the Queen Mother to open the door and to pay respects.

Ah Bao was so sleepy she couldn’t open her eyes. At such a young age, she had to sit on the ground. Fortunately, Concubine De had secretly given her a small cushion, so her bottom wouldn’t get too cold.

“Has the Tenth Princess arrived?” The old nanny opened the hall door and glanced at the concubines.

Concubine De was taken aback. “Yes.”

She was puzzled. In the past, the Queen Mother would always go out first, and there would be grandchildren coming to pay respects, but the Queen Mother had never inquired before.

The nanny quickly walked over, softening her tone with Concubine De. “Concubine De, Happy New Year. Please hand the little princess to this old servant. The Queen Mother wants to see her.”

Concubine De was surprised. At this moment, Ah Bao was a bit more awake, rubbing her eyes and hearing the nanny’s words. “Hmm, Queen Mother…”

The nanny smiled lightly. “Yes, little princess. Do you want to go see the Queen Mother?”

Ah Bao nodded her little head. This made the nanny very happy, and she took Ah Bao from Concubine De and hurried into the Cining Palace.

The concubines were stunned.

What…

Just like that?

Concubine Rou whispered, “The Queen Mother only let the little princess in alone. What about us?”