She reached out and tugged hard at her clothes, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.
However, no matter what she did, her clothes were still a mess.
"Is Commandery Princess Funing here? Why hasn't she come in yet?"
The stern voice of Princess Consort Ling came from inside the room.
Song Shuyu stomped her foot and walked in.
Sure enough, everyone was present except for her.
As soon as Song Shuyu entered the room, the whole room full of people saw her and stopped talking.
Princess Consort Ling's brows furrowed.
"Did you come over without changing your clothes?"
Song Shuyu saw Commandery Princess Anning covering her mouth, laughing so hard she was swaying.
The others were also laughing heartily.
Song Shuyu's face turned red.
She looked at Prince Ling, who was also frowning to the side.
"Father, the courtyard I live in is too far away."
"My feet were blistered, so I had a maid carry me over on her back."
Song Shuyu explained self-righteously.
Prince Ling was not angry; instead, he nodded.
"Princess Consort, Chunhua Residence is indeed a bit far."
"Funing is still young. She doesn't need to come over to pay her respects every day."
"Let's do this: Funing can come over once every five days. The rest of the time, she can take her meals in her own courtyard."
Song Shuyu immediately became happy and curtsied to Prince Ling.
"Yes, your daughter obeys!"
Song Shuyu stood up and looked smugly at Commandery Princess Anning.
She saw that Commandery Princess Anning looked completely unconvinced. Just as she was about to speak, her brother beside her tugged at her sleeve.
Anning unwillingly shut her mouth and turned her face away, refusing to look at Song Shuyu's smug face.
Princess Consort Ling was stunned for a moment before revealing a smile.
"Your Highness, it is my fault for not considering this."
"It is Your Highness who is thoughtful. Funing, Your Highness truly dotes on you. You must remember his kindness to you."
Song Shuyu proudly raised her chin. "Of course."
"Since everyone is here, serve the meal."
A maid complied, and soon, everyone moved to the dining hall.
This was Song Shuyu's first time eating with so many people.
However, the only people who could sit next to the Prince and Princess Consort were the legitimate sons and daughters, as well as the children of the side consorts.
The other concubines, as well as the illegitimate sons and daughters, were not allowed at the table.
Song Shuyu was very satisfied.
Her seat was right next to Prince Ling.
On Prince Ling's right side was Princess Consort Ling.
Originally, the seat on the left should have belonged to the Heir Apparent.
But Prince Ling let Song Shuyu sit next to him.
The Heir Apparent secretly clenched his fists and sat next to Princess Consort Ling.
Commandery Princess Anning felt very aggrieved for her brother and glared fiercely at Song Shuyu.
After Princess Consort Ling tugged at her sleeve, she finally sat down indignantly.
Song Shuyu didn't care about Commandery Princess Anning's glare at all. Her attention was completely captivated by the breakfast on the table.
The table was packed to the brim.
There were seven or eight varieties of porridge alone.
Millet porridge, goji berry porridge, bird's nest porridge, snow fungus and red date porridge, japonica rice porridge...
There were also over a dozen varieties of pastries.
Red bean cake, mung bean cake, crystal cake, osmanthus cake, brown sugar cake...
Not to mention the various noodles, refreshing side dishes, and five or six kinds of soup.
Song Shuyu opened her mouth wide, feeling like her eyes couldn't take it all in.
In the past, at the Song Residence, her meals were considered the best because she ate with Old Madam Song.
She had only eaten that bird's nest porridge once.
It was only because Old Madam Song was feeling unwell that she took a small piece and had the small kitchen make it.
Song Shuyu was curious at the time and took a sip; she thought it was delicious.
After that, the old madam never had it made again.
The old madam told Song Shuyu that bird's nest was a highly nourishing tonic for women, especially suitable for them to eat.
However, bird's nest was very rare; just one mace cost dozens of taels of silver.
Song Shuyu heard from her grandmother that the bird's nest was given to her by her second uncle as a filial gift.
Song Shuyu never expected that in the Prince's estate, bird's nest porridge would be a daily breakfast item.
Song Shuyu felt that compared to this breakfast in the Prince's estate.
What she ate before was pig slop!
Because Song Shuyu sat next to Prince Ling, her every move was seen clearly by everyone else.
Everyone felt even more contempt for this ignorant Commandery Princess Funing.
However, because everyone knew that Prince Ling highly valued this Commandery Princess Funing.
Even the Princess Consort and the Heir Apparent had to swallow their pride and stay silent.
The others naturally did not dare to do anything else.
"Funing, take a look. Is there anything you like to eat?"
Princess Consort Ling smiled amiably at Song Shuyu.
"If there is nothing you are used to eating, I will order the kitchen to make it for you another day."
Song Shuyu pointed to the bird's nest porridge. "I usually eat that one."
Princess Consort Ling was taken aback for a moment.
Could a lowly county magistrate's family really afford to eat bird's nest porridge every day?
She quickly glanced at Prince Ling beside her, then ordered the maids to serve the masters.
A maid placed a small half-bowl of bird's nest porridge in front of Song Shuyu.
Song Shuyu picked it up and found that this bird's nest porridge was very thick.
It was simply on a different level compared to the watery bird's nest porridge she had once had at the Song Residence.
Song Shuyu picked up a spoon and immediately started eating.
Very quickly, she finished the bowl of bird's nest porridge.
"I want more!" she said, putting down the bowl.
Princess Consort Ling was stunned again.
The rule in Prince Ling's estate was to not speak while eating or sleeping. Someone shouting like this was a first.
Furthermore, whether it was the legitimate or illegitimate children, they only ate one small bowl and would not ask for seconds.
This was the most basic etiquette.
Seeing Prince Ling frown slightly, Princess Consort Ling hurriedly scolded the maids.
"What are you all standing around for? Didn't you hear the Commandery Princess's orders?"
The maid standing behind Song Shuyu woke up as if from a dream, quickly stepped forward to take the bowl, and served Song Shuyu another large half-bowl.
Song Shuyu took a few sips, then began to pick out things on the table she had never seen before, having the maid serve them to her.
The maid behind her had no time to rest at all.
She continuously used chopsticks to pick up various items for Song Shuyu.
Song Shuyu didn't stop her chopsticks until her stomach was so full she couldn't eat another bite.
Only then did she notice that Prince Ling and the others had long since put down their chopsticks.
The whole table of people was watching her eat.
Song Shuyu felt uncomfortable for a moment, but then she flashed a sweet smile at Prince Ling.
"Father, I need to eat more and grow up quickly, so I can help you more."
Prince Ling revealed a satisfied smile.
"Not bad. You are so young, yet so filial."
"Anning, Heir Apparent, you both need to learn from your sister, understand?"
The two who were called out responded very unconvincingly.
"Princess Consort, have the chef prepare a portion of the food Funing likes every day and send it to Chunhua Residence."
Prince Ling dropped this sentence and left.
The people at the table hurriedly stood up and watched Prince Ling leave.
Once Prince Ling left, the others couldn't sit still either, and they all bowed and left one after another.
Song Shuyu also left with the crowd.
Watching Song Shuyu's joyful retreating back, the Heir Apparent slammed his fist onto the table.
