The rest of the Bai Family quickly followed suit, raising their cups.
Bai Zhi’er was originally gnawing on a pig’s trotter, her little mouth greasy from eating.
Seeing the others, she also raised the cup in front of her filled with milk soup, imitating the adults’ manner, and drank it all in one gulp!
She then let out a satisfied "ha" sound.
Halfway through the meal, Prince Rui Bai Dongxiao suddenly sighed.
He looked at the plate of bamboo fungus stewed goose on the table: "Little Brother loved this dish the most, and yet he didn’t come to the palace for the New Year this year."
Princess Rui glanced at him sideways.
Prince Rui cried out in surprise, looking at Princess Rui innocently: "Why did you kick me?"
For a moment, everyone fell silent, and Princess Rui closed her eyes in exasperation.
Prince Kang looked at Bai Xilie, and seeing his natural expression, smiling as he wiped Bai Zhi’er’s mouth, as if he hadn’t heard the words at all.
Princess Rui tried to smooth things over: "Sister-in-law, I didn’t see Xingye today? Lately, my pharmacy has been too busy, I didn’t get a chance to ask, is his condition any better? If his medicine is running low, just ask me to get more."
Princess Consort Kang nodded: "Much better. Didn’t bring him to the palace today because I’m worried he might suddenly act up and ruin everyone’s mood."
At this moment, Bai Xilie put down the cloth and said calmly: "We are all family, what does it matter if there is any commotion? Could I not indulge him?"
"No matter who makes a mistake at home, as long as there are reasons that can be understood, I can forgive them."
These words seemed to be about Bai Xingye, but Bai Xilie was actually speaking about Little Brother who hadn’t come today—Prince Qing!
At the beginning, Prince Qing underestimated the enemy’s strength, pursued victory but was ambushed.
Bai Xilie led troops to rescue, but who would have thought it was a trap within a trap.
The enemy had calculated that Bai Xilie would come, so they sneaked up on the camp.
Jing Jia had no choice but to leave with their child.
From then on, they vanished without a trace.
Bai Xilie even blamed Prince Qing for being careless and gave him a beating.
However, as the years passed and with his daughter returning, he might not say it, but he no longer held any grudges in his heart.
He was young, probably still remembered the grudge of his brother whipping him a few times, and never showed up during holidays and festivals.
Yet when Bai Zhi’er returned to the palace, he sent some gifts.
After Bai Xilie said that, no one dared to continue the conversation for a moment.
Bai Zhi’er focused intently on the little meatballs in her bowl.
Unexpectedly, the balls were too small and slippery, the little one’s chopsticks couldn’t catch them.
She puffed her pink cheeks, her little face was all serious.
Brave Zhi Bao did not fear difficulties; she was determined to eat this little meatball!
She refused to use a spoon, intending to pierce it with a chopstick in one go.
Suddenly, the meatball slipped, and with a swoosh, bounced into Bai Xilie’s bowl beside her.
The previously somewhat serious atmosphere was broken by this one meatball.
The Fifth Heir Bai Fengqing couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
Bai Zhi’er looked up with her fair little face, her big eyes blinking.
She said softly and sweetly: "Daddy, Zhi Bao picked this for you, have a taste!"
Bai Xilie’s previously somewhat stern expression instantly filled with a light laugh: "Zhi’er is really good, even knows how to pick food for Daddy."
Princess Rui took the opportunity to change the subject: "Zhi’er, you saw all your elder brothers today, right? When Second Brother writes back, your elder aunt will have him bring you some curious trinkets from outside, okay?"
Bai Zhi’er finally managed to pick up a little meatball herself, wrapped it in her mouth, blinking her big eyes curiously: "Second Brother?"
Prince Rui nodded: "Your Second Brother is studying abroad. He was supposed to come back for the New Year, but said he was delayed by something and didn’t want to make the trip back and forth, so he’ll return by next Mid-Autumn Festival."