Chapter 102

Sui Sui took a sweet nap and also had a fragrant sweet dream.

In the dream there were endless delicious foods, a soft and fluffy bed, and Mother Consort's fragrant scent and gentle hands.

Sui Sui was so sound asleep she didn't want to get up.

However, the urge to urinate gave her no chance; after hastily taking care of her bodily need, Sui Sui sat on the edge of the bed and took a moment to compose herself.

Princess Consort of Qi had calculated the time and come over; seeing the little girl's dazed trip to the freshening room and then hurrying back, she sat on the bed dazed and couldn't help wanting to laugh.

She raised her hand and gently stroked Sui Sui's head: 'Want to get up?'

Being stroked on the head by Mother Consort made Sui Sui feel comfortable and secure; she instinctively tilted her head, rubbing against Mother Consort's palm like a spoiled little kitten, her voice soft and milky: 'I want to get up.'

Feeling the little girl's dependence, Princess Consort of Qi's heart softened into a ball.

She thought: Raising a soft and delicate little girl feels good.

At this moment, Princess Consort of Qi even thought: If the Prince doesn't like it, she would simply ask the master to calculate a biological daughter for him, which would also be quite good.

That way she wouldn't have to worry about anyone competing with her for the soft little girl!

However, Princess Consort of Qi quickly shook her head and dismissed the idea.

That would still be too selfish.

Such a cute little girl should be loved by more people.

Sui Sui's past had been too bitter; Princess Consort of Qi wanted this child's future days to be all sweet.

The mouthwash after her nap was still flower tea.

After rinsing her mouth, Princess Consort of Qi personally dressed Sui Sui in clothes.

Looking at the short layer of hair on Sui Sui's head, Princess Consort of Qi felt a bit regretful: 'When Sui Sui's hair grows a bit longer, Mother Consort will braid you a little hair bun.'

Worried that Sui Sui wouldn't understand what a little hair bun is, Princess Consort of Qi thought and explained: 'It's just a pretty little hair bun like Qiaoqiao Jiejie's.'

Qiaoqiao Jiejie is Ying Zhi, whom she just met this morning.

Sui Sui still remembers that.

Because thinking of Qiao Qiao, Sui Sui quickly recalled the older sister Ruo Ruo she had met in Wen Prefecture.

These happy things, Sui Sui also wanted to share with Mother Consort.

So after getting ready, Mother Consort took Sui Sui's hand, and her little mouth didn't stop: 'When I was on the road, I also met an older sister Ruo Ruo, very gentle, she would give me candy to eat and pat my head, so good, so good.'

She also said, I'm as cute as her real younger sister!

Older sister Ruo Ruo also said, my head is round and round, the cutest, she even wants one.

……

Children's innocent words.

Princess Consort of Qi, however, listened with great relish.

The matters on the road, Princess Consort of Qi had already heard Prince Qing talk about, and later also heard Liu Dafu give a detailed version.

Now the older sister Ruo Ruo that Sui Sui mentioned, Princess Consort of Qi also guessed, is the daughter of the magistrate of Nanqiao County, Lian Ruoyi.

Her paternal aunt is now the Lady Lian, who is very much in favor in the palace.

Princess Consort of Qi had also run into Lady Lian the last time she went into the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

She is a charming and radiant beauty; Princess Consort of Qi's impression of her is not bad.

Lady Lian has a good disposition, so her niece is also quite a nice girl.

However, County Magistrate Lian's external posting is brief; unless he achieves outstanding performance, he cannot be transferred back to Jing Cheng.

Otherwise, in the short term, Sui Sui fears she won't be able to see her older sister Ruo Ruo.

Princess Consort of Qi understood this in her heart, but didn't say much, fearing to further upset the child.

She went along with Sui Sui's words and said: 'Mm, older sister Ruo Ruo is good; remember to write a letter to her later; even if you don't know characters, that's fine—we can draw pictures and buy her a gift.'

Afraid the little girl would feel inferior about having no money, Princess Consort of Qi thought and then said: 'If Sui Sui wants to make something herself, that's fine too; Mother Consort has found someone to come teach you handicrafts, okay?'

Sui Sui had originally been worried: what gift to give older sister Ruo Ruo?

Upon hearing Mother Consort say that, Sui Sui happily nodded: 'Mm, I know.'

After saying that, she thought a moment and then loudly said: 'Thank you, Mother Consort; I like Mother Consort.'

Children's expressions of liking are simple and straightforward.

Princess Consort of Qi heard this and her brows and eyes curved; she increasingly felt that Sui Sui was a treasure sent from heaven.

She must certainly cherish it well.

Feng Xuanrui and the others also got up, having tidied up early.

The afternoon archery and horsemanship class was about to start; not having time to pay respects to Princess Consort of Qi, they first went to the small training field in the rear courtyard.

To make it convenient for the young masters to attend class, that area was specially cleared; the ground had been repeatedly tamped later several times to ensure it was flat and solid before being enclosed for use.

By this time, the instructor had already arrived and was taking roll.

After roll call, the instructor first led them in practicing the Eight Section Brocade.

Sui Sui had not yet entered the small classroom, and had never been exposed to these before; Princess Consort of Qi didn't think to let her directly follow along and learn.

So, she brought people to sit to the side and watch the lesson.

After the Eight Section Brocade, the instructor had everyone practice some basic skills as a warm-up for later archery and horsemanship.

The basic skills are not difficult.

It's just standing in a horse stance, training arm strength and such.

Feng Xuanrui hasn't practiced for over a month; practicing now is practically like starting from scratch.

Sinking into a horse stance…

It's really hard!

Feng Xuanrui discovered that after just sinking into the stance for a short while, his legs trembled from fatigue.

He turned his head and found he couldn't even match Little Seven.

Ha?

When did he become unable to even beat the Seven Fool?

Feng Xuanrui was unconvinced, gritting his teeth and persisting.

Master, still the same as this morning's master.

Great Zhou officials, although not to the extent of claiming everyone is versed in both literature and martial arts.

However, most civil officials are also full of martial virtue.

Although the Master is a scholar by birth, his horsemanship is not inferior to others'.

Therefore, both literary and martial lessons are personally taught by Old Master Shen.

At this moment, Old Master Shen held a ruler, strolling leisurely among the young nobles.

From time to time he turned his head to look at this one, or tilted his head to look at that one.

Master Shen never spoke, but his gaze carried great pressure.

Sui Sui watched the excitement from nearby; just a moment ago she was eagerly imitating the older brothers, practicing horse stance there.

As soon as Master Shen's gaze fell upon her—even just glancing in her direction—it startled Sui Sui into a shiver.

Princess Consort of Qi watched from the side, somewhat helpless.

She gently patted Sui Sui's back, soothing her softly: "Sui Sui, don't panic."

She said no more.

To have Master Shen teach the children well, we must maintain his authority.

Even these people, merely as onlookers, must show full respect to the Master.

That way, the students will feel some awe and attend class honestly.

So Princess Consort of Qi didn't say that there was no need to fear the Master or anything like that.

She felt that this wasn't really fear, but more like respect.

The little girl doesn't understand; Princess Consort of Qi feels she must not act recklessly.

Soothing is fine; some things don't need to be said.

Mother Consort's gentle hand gave Sui Sui courage; she quietly lifted her head and glanced again, seeing that Master Shen was no longer looking at her, and she resumed practicing horse stance like the older brothers.

The second watch is at 19:00.