Quick Transmigration: The Pregnant Little Fairy is Pampered by the Heirless Boss

Chapter 24 The General's Little Darling

When Ji Xiaosong learned that Consort Song was holding a spring banquet and had specifically requested her to attend, she couldn't help but feel suspicious.

In previous years, the Empress was in charge of organizing the Spring Festival banquet, but this year, due to the Empress's advanced age and pregnancy, the task fell to Consort Song.

Consort Song's faction has always had a cold relationship with the Xiao family, which makes Ji Xiaosong very worried. She doesn't understand why she was specifically asked to attend this banquet. Is it to test the Xiao family's attitude or to embarrass her in front of everyone?

She had stayed indoors while trying to conceive to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation and causing gossip.

After all, it's not easy for Xiao Shen to have children. In this era without paternity testing, if someone sees her with another man, it could lead to rumors and cause more harm than good.

Now that she is pregnant and the fetus is healthy, she has fewer worries.

This annual Spring Banquet is held to welcome the God of Spring and pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests. It is extremely important and quite prestigious in the palace, and Ji Xiaosong was actually quite interested in it.

But when Xiao Shen heard that Ji Xiaosong wanted to attend the Spring Banquet, he said with great concern, "Madam, you are pregnant now. Attending this banquet will be both tiring and exhausting. What if something goes wrong?"

Ji Xiaosong comforted him, "Husband, don't worry. Just think of a way to refuse."

However, before Xiao Shen could take any action, the Second Prince's Consort personally visited him with gifts.

Ji Xiaosong and Xiao Shen hurriedly came to greet them. The Second Prince's Consort said with a smile, "I heard that Madam Xiao is pregnant, so I have come to offer my congratulations. This spring banquet is a kind gesture from the Noble Consort. If Madam Xiao does not attend, I am afraid she will offend the Noble Consort."

Xiao Shen frowned slightly at these words and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Second Prince's Consort, but my wife is currently pregnant and it is really inconvenient for her to go. I hope Your Highness and the Imperial Concubine will understand."

Even with such a direct refusal, the Second Prince's wife remained unfazed and continued to persuade him: "General Xiao, you may not know this, but the Imperial Concubine has put a lot of effort into preparing this banquet in the palace. Every detail and arrangement has been carefully considered."

"Moreover, many noble ladies will be attending this banquet. Madam Xiao can interact with them and expand her network, which will benefit the Xiao family's descendants in the future."

This persuasion did not sway Xiao Shen in the slightest. His expression was stern, and he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, my Xiao family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. We have never needed to rely on my wife to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy to strengthen our family. The health of my wife and the child in her womb is the most important thing."

These words gave the Second Prince's wife another opening to persuade him. She said slowly, "General Xiao, please don't worry. There will be imperial physicians on hand at the banquet to ensure the safety of the ladies."

"I know that Madam Xiao is worried about her health, but this is a rare occasion for some liveliness. Staying in the mansion for too long can be boring, so going out for a walk is beneficial."

Such persuasion did not sway Xiao Shen. He said firmly, "Your Majesty, my wife is frail and cannot withstand any hardship. It is better for her not to attend this banquet."

Watching the two of them go back and forth like this, Ji Xiaosong witnessed for the first time what it meant to use any means to achieve one's goals, and also witnessed the composure of a prince's consort who remained unmoved.

I'm truly impressed!

The Second Prince's wife did not back down and continued to persuade him: "General Xiao, this banquet is a good opportunity to showcase the glory of the Xiao family and the elegance of your wife. If you do not attend, it will inevitably make others feel that the Xiao family has disregarded the Consort's good intentions and create unnecessary discord."

Having said that, Ji Xiaosong gently tugged at Xiao Shen's sleeve, shook her head slightly, and then said, "Since that's the case, then I will respectfully comply."

Xiao Shen was reluctant, his brows furrowed, but when he met his wife's expectant gaze, a wave of helplessness washed over him.

He slowly turned his head, looked deeply at Ji Xiaosong, pursed his lips, and finally nodded gently.

If the lady really wants to go, then let her go.

big deal...

At worst, he can get more people to protect him.

However, before that, Xiao Shen still asked Liu Zheng to take Ji Xiaosong's pulse again.

Her belly was only four months along, but it was unusually large, which really worried Xiao Shen.

After Liu Zheng took Xiao Shen's pulse, he confirmed that Xiao Shen was pregnant with multiple children, which made Xiao Shen even more worried.

"My lady, it's better not to attend this spring banquet. I'm truly worried about it!"

Xiao Shen gave Ji Xiaosong a long and earnest plea, and Ji Xiaosong finally nodded in agreement.

However, Liu Zheng still informed the emperor that she was pregnant with multiple children.

The emperor was overjoyed when he heard that Consort Xiaosong was pregnant with multiple children.

After a moment's thought, he issued an edict: "The wife of the General of the State, Lady Ji, is blessed with good fortune and is pregnant with multiple children, which is an auspicious sign. Today is the Spring Banquet, and she is to be invited to the palace to attend and bring joy and blessings to everyone. However, the joy of multiple pregnancies may cause trouble if announced too early, so let's put this matter aside for now and wait for the banquet to see how things go."

Thus, this secret decree was quietly sent to the Xiao residence.

After receiving the imperial decree, Xiao Shen and Ji Xiaosong were unwilling, but dared not disobey the emperor's will.

Left with no other choice, Ji Xiaosong had to start preparing for the banquet again.

Meanwhile, the emperor secretly made arrangements in the palace, intending to give everyone a surprise at the spring banquet and add a festive atmosphere to the royal family.

*

On the eighth day of the third lunar month, the spring banquet will be held.

The sun shines brightly, and the spring breeze is gentle.

The seats in the Imperial Garden are arranged in a staggered manner around the lawn, covered with exquisite brocade cushions.

A tall platform stands directly in front, surrounded by vermilion railings, with light curtains fluttering in the wind.

The musicians on stage were focused, and the sounds of their instruments lingered.

The dancers, with their graceful figures, danced serenely to the music.

As soon as Ji Xiaosong stepped into the Imperial Garden, a young eunuch announced loudly, "General Xiao's wife has arrived!"

All eyes immediately focused on Ji Xiaosong.

She was wearing a loose-fitting light pink brocade dress, with a moon-white gauze cloak draped over it. A gentle breeze blew, causing her clothes to flutter, adding to her graceful beauty.

She wore a simple yet dignified updo, secured with a single jade hairpin, with a few strands of hair hanging down on either side, making her appear even more gentle and graceful.

Her face was lightly powdered, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were like autumn water, and her lips were red without any lipstick.

Despite being pregnant, she still walked with a light step and was dignified and elegant.

She nodded slightly, a perfectly timed smile on her face, to the crowd.

This was Ji Xiaosong's first time attending a banquet since transmigrating to this world, so she was inevitably a little nervous. However, because she had practiced many times, she did not show it.

Consort Song sat in the main seat, her eyes sweeping over Ji Xiaosong, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.

The other guests whispered among themselves, their eyes lingering on Ji Xiaosong's belly for a moment before exchanging a few more words.

With the help of her maid, Ji Xiaosong slowly walked toward the seat arranged for her.

“Madam Xiao, Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is affectionate,” a palace maid stepped forward and said softly.