Chapter 126: Murderous Desire Rises

The Princess Consort of Qi spoke, and the children gave a soft cheer, then each began to eat.

The fish noodles had already been served on the table, placed before each master.

Fresh, fragrant, smooth and tender, and also fresh, tender and delicious, the fish noodles before them gave off a light, clean aroma.

It wasn't overly alluring, yet it made people unable to resist frequently lowering their heads to look.

Obviously, the roasted suckling pork slices not far away should be more tempting, and even the scallion‑stirred lamb should be quite eye‑catching, right?

But in reality it wasn't so; everyone's gaze was clearly on the various tempting meat dishes nearby, yet their eyes would occasionally drop to look at the fish noodles right before them.

Feng Xuanrui felt he should avoid meat for now; not eating this bowl of noodles left him feeling as if something were tugging at his heart.

So, eat the noodles first!

Feng Xuanrui lowered his head and began to eat the noodles in big mouthfuls, yet without losing elegance.

Sui Sui was also eating the noodles at this moment; she had never eaten fish noodles before and didn't know what they tasted like.

She thought fish noodles were just noodles.

But when she ate it, it carried the fresh, fragrant flavor of fish; together with the broth, it was smooth and fragrant.

How to put it?

After one bite, she wanted another.

Sui Sui happily swallowed the fish noodle in her mouth, turned her head, and softly told the Princess Consort of Qi, "Mother Consort, this is delicious."

The Princess Consort of Qi wasn't in a hurry to eat; she had been observing the little girl.

Seeing Sui Sui's bright eyes as she said it was delicious, the Princess Consort of Qi smiled and nodded: "Then eat some more; that'll help you grow tall, but don't overeat—over there there's roasted plum meat and stir‑fried lamb, both delicious."

Frankly, these large fish and meat dishes are not the Princess Consort of Qi's favorites.

But as she said this, her saliva was somewhat uncontrollable.

She gestured for Hai Tang to pass a piece over; upon tasting it, she felt the greasy sensation she didn't much like.

Actually, the chef's skill is not bad; it's just that the Princess Consort of Qi's preference for light flavors has become a habit.

Suddenly giving her something rich and oily, she truly couldn't tolerate it.

A piece of roasted plum meat, exuding a rich fragrance, was finally only bitten once by the Princess Consort of Qi.

It was fragrant, but she wasn't used to it, so she simply didn't force herself and left it on the plate.

After hearing Mother Consort's words, Sui Sui obediently nodded.

Xiang Gugu passed her some plum meat, and she ate it in big mouthfuls.

The fresh, fragrant, soft and tender plum meat is really delicious!

The chef's seasoning is also fragrant, and the meat has been marinated long enough, so the plum meat tastes rich and flavorful; even after a bite has been in the stomach for a while, one will unconsciously recall that delicious, satisfying feeling when eating it.

Sui Sui's lively eyes grew even brighter, and her little feet under the table couldn't help but lift up.

Delicious!

The plum meat is really delicious!

Seeing the girl happily eating the plum meat, Xiang Gugu glanced at the Princess Consort; seeing no objection, she gave Sui Sui another piece of pork belly.

Pork belly carries a slight oily richness; some people like it, some don't.

Xiang Gugu wasn't sure which type Sui Sui was, so she could only try offering it to see the girl's preference, then cater to it accordingly.

Naturally, Sui Sui isn't picky.

Eating meat was impossible for the former Sui Sui.

Even the Shen Shen family would only cut a small piece during festivals, just enough to stave off hunger.

If Sui Sui dared to smell meat, the aunt would grab a fire‑stirring stick and beat her.

On her arm she bears the scars from the aunt's red‑hot fire‑stirring stick thrusting and striking her.

Now life is so happy that Sui Sui has gradually forgotten those past events.

Occasionally, when she recalls them, she is overcome and shudders violently.

Although those events are now in the past, they still leave a modest shadow on Sui Sui's heart.

Even years later, if she thinks of them unintentionally, deep inside she still feels some instinctive fear.

Sui Sui didn't want Mother Consort and her brothers to worry, so she strove to suppress her emotions.

But how could a little child know how to hide these feelings?

The Princess Consort of Qi, being closest, was the first to notice something was off.

The child's body twitched twice; the Princess Consort of Qi instinctively reached out, but Sui Sui's body would even instinctively dodge.

This is……

Is it the shadow left from past beatings?

The Princess Consort of Qi wasn't sure, but she couldn't help cursing everyone in her heart.

From the Chen Dalang household to the Marquis of Jinyang household, including the marquis's chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs, none escaped.

All were dragged out and cursed!

Even so, the Princess Consort of Qi still felt unsatisfied.

She thought: "What right do that rotten family have to have a cute, soft‑hearted daughter like Sui Sui?"

Do they deserve her?

The Princess Consort of Qi silently recited a few lines of a purifying mantra, and only then did her murderous urge gradually subside.

The little girl didn't want them to worry, so the Princess Consort of Qi pretended not to know.

She lowered her head and gently asked Sui Sui, "Would you like to try the stir‑fried lamb? It's also delicious, and over there there's braised venison slices, which are just as good."

The Princess Consort of Qi spoke while pointing at the dishes on the table.

Sui Sui had already come to her senses from those fearful past events.

Listening to Mother Consort's gentle voice, Sui Sui thought: The past is the past, now is now.

She doesn't need to be afraid.

She has Mother Consort, she has an older brother.

She…

She has a home now!

The word "home" gave Sui Sui too much confidence and courage.

She followed the direction Mother Consort pointed, then turned her head again, looking at Mother Consort with a soft and milky voice: "I want to eat mutton."

Actually, Sui Sui still can't tell which meat is which.

She just feels that all meat is delicious.

But Mother Consort is going to pick some for her.

Then she had better choose carefully.

But she didn't want to tire Mother Consort; since mutton is nearby, she'll pick mutton.

Upon receiving Sui Sui's response, Princess Consort of Qi's killing intent lessened a bit.

She gently gave Sui Sui some meat, then watched Sui Sui eat fish noodles.

Until Sui Sui was full and let out a cute little burp, Princess Consort of Qi finally relaxed.

Because she thought of Chen Dalang and the scoundrels of Jinyang Marquis Manor, Princess Consort of Qi had little appetite.

Finally she just perfunctorily picked up two chopsticks, counting it as having eaten.

After eating, the children would play a round of matching-elimination game for a while.

Princess Consort of Qi didn't disturb them, even when Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin got into a tussle, hugging each other, neither yielding, they rolled around several times; she didn't stop them, letting them romp.

On the contrary, Sui Sui was busy in the middle, at one moment pulling the seventh brother's hair, afraid she'd hurt him, she quickly let go, thought about it, then went to pull the seventh brother's hair ribbon.

The hair ribbon came off, and Feng Xuanbin's hair fell loose.

Feng Xuanrui saw this and immediately laughed like a villain: "Haha, long-haired monster, I'm here!"

Feng Xuanbin saw this and instantly looked terrified; though they were tangled together, he wanted to run but couldn't: "Ah ah ah, don't come over!"

Sui Sui saw that the older brother had the advantage, immediately sat up straight, proudly arms akimbo, watching from the side.

Watching the children's romp, Princess Consort of Qi's mood finally improved a bit.

She thought: Sui Sui had suffered so much before, yet the Chen Dalang household merely broke a leg and considered it settled?

Wouldn't that be too lenient on him?

The second watch is at 19:00.