Rebirth of His Royal Highness Prince Chenghu

In the blink of an eye, it was the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month, and Qingyao welcomed Chenghu's first birthday.

She said to Chunyu with great anticipation, "Chunyu, you must take good care of the little prince."

Then he ordered Xia He to prepare the palace dress for the banquet.

Chunyu: "Yes, my lady."

Qingyao led Xia He behind the screen and asked softly, "There should be quite a few people coming today."

Xia He replied respectfully, "To answer your Majesty, today is the first birthday of the eldest prince, so naturally many relatives and ministers will come to congratulate him."

Qingyao: "Okay, by the way, has your family arrived early?"

Xia He: "I haven't heard that anyone has come to visit your residence. Perhaps they are waiting outside the palace gate."

Qingyao urged, "Hurry up and finish washing up, and wait for Mother and the others to arrive."

Xia He answered respectfully, "Yes," and then carefully helped the empress finish washing up.

Qingyao: "I'm wearing earrings today. I don't want to wear those Dongzhu ones. They're too heavy."

Xia He replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then she took out a bright red Manchu dress and carefully put it on Your Majesty.

Qingyao: "Hurry up and dress me up!" She walked to the dressing table on the bottoms of the flower pots of the same color and sat down gracefully.

Xia He replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then, she skillfully dressed Your Majesty.

Qingyao looked at herself in the bronze mirror: "My makeup looks good today." She raised her hand and touched the phoenix hairpin on her head.

Xia He put on the exquisite hollow gold armor for the queen and said softly, "Your Majesty, your makeup is complete."

Qingyao: "Well, Xia He's cooking skills are really amazing. Reward."

Xia He: "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."

Qingyao: "Xia He, go to the palace gate and take a look. If someone from the mansion comes, bring them to Kunning Palace yourself."

Xia He: "Yes, Madam" and stepped out.

Qingyao opened her red lips and softly instructed, "Chunyu, quickly change the eldest prince's clothes into a bright red one."

Chunyu: "Yes, Madam" and change the eldest prince's clothes.

Qiu Shuang: "Your Majesty, all the concubines have arrived and are already in the main hall of Kunning Palace."

Qingyao: "Qiushuang, please serve refreshments to the sisters. I will be here soon."

Qiu Shuang replied respectfully, "Yes, your Majesty."

Dongmei's crisp report announced the arrival of the Queen.

Qingyao walked lightly into the main hall of Kunning Palace in her flower-pot shoes.

All the concubines stood up, saluted respectfully, and shouted in unison: "Your servants pay their respects to the Queen." At this moment, a solemn and dignified atmosphere filled the Kunning Palace, highlighting the dignity and majesty of the Queen.

Qingyao: "Please stand up, sisters." She sat down gracefully at the head of the table.

Concubine Nara: "I haven't seen you for a long time. You are truly as beautiful as a fairy."

Qingyao smiled and said, "Look at this little sister Nala's mouth, it's as sweet as if she had eaten honey."

Concubine Ma Jia: "Sister Nara is absolutely right. The queen's appearance is like a fairy from heaven, which makes people fascinated." She covered her mouth and chuckled, and the handkerchief in her hand swayed gently, adding a bit of cuteness to her look.

Qingyao teased, "Sisters Ma Jia and Nara, did you sneak in a lot of honey when you went out today?"

Xia He: "Your Majesty, the ministers' relatives and the two princes' wives have arrived, and the rest of the clan's female relatives have also arrived."

Qingyao said calmly: "I understand. Let them all come in. I need to see everyone."

Many female relatives said respectfully in unison: "Your Highness greets the Empress."

Qingyao said gently, "Everyone, please stand up and sit down."

Many female relatives: "Thank you, Queen."

Qingyao exchanged pleasantries with the other female relatives, her gentle smile revealing warmth and friendliness: "The time has come. You all should go to the Qianqing Palace first. I will be here shortly.

Many female relatives answered in unison: "Yes, Your Majesty," and then left Kunning Palace together.

Qingyao walked back to the inner room and sighed, "There are so many people, it's really exhausting."

Chunyu said respectfully, "Your Majesty, you have worked hard." Then she handed her a cup of fragrant tea.

Qingyao took the teacup, took a sip, and said with a firm look in her eyes, "Chunyu, have the wet nurse carry the eldest prince and me to the palace of His Majesty."

The two-hour banquet finally came to an end, and Qingyao returned to Kunning Palace exhausted. As soon as she entered her room, she couldn't wait to kick her flower-pot shoes aside, complaining, "I'm so tired."