Chapter 161: Nature's Gift

Sui Sui slept very deeply, and it was quite good.

Probably because young children have no worries, their minds are simple, and they sleep soundly.

Even though Tang Lingheng was causing such a commotion outside that visitors were complaining endlessly, it didn't wake Sui Sui.

When she woke up and didn't see Mother Consort, Sui Sui unhappily pursed her lips.

Aunt Qiu quickly set aside her work and went to soothe the little girl.

Aunt Qiu's pat was warm, and Sui Sui wasn't too upset; she felt better quickly.

Hearing footsteps outside and smelling the familiar scent drawing near, Sui Sui peeked her head out from Aunt Qiu's side; seeing it was Mother Consort, she joyfully jumped down, crying, "Mother Consort!"

The child's voice was openly full of joy.

Upon hearing that, Princess Consort of Qi's mood instantly brightened.

She rushed over, scooped up Sui Sui, and happily pressed her close, saying, "Mother Consort is here, good child."

Children's innocent words are the purest, and they're the most soothing to hear.

After taking two sips, Princess Consort of Qi turned to Sui Sui beside her and asked, "Is it good?"

Princess Consort of Qi smiled broadly, showing her teeth but not her eyes.

Sui Sui nodded obediently, thought for a moment, then said, "Mother Consort, you should drink more!"

Yesterday, when she found out only one tree bore cherries, Princess Consort of Qi was still quite anxious.

After waking up and not seeing Mother Consort, Sui Sui stayed close to her a bit longer before Mother Consort held her to go get water.

Longan and cherries are both excellent.

Dried cherries are oven-dried, and they're still quite chewy.

As she walked, Princess Consort of Qi smiled and told Sui Sui, "Aunt Qiu made you longan‑red‑date‑cherry sweet tea; try it later and tell me if it's good. If you like something, you can ask Aunt Qiu to add more."

Her children are so bold they can argue with anyone.

They soon began drinking the sweet tea.

Tang Lingheng's racket only annoyed Princess Consort of Qi.

What a wonderful thing!

The sweet tea is based on plum and osmanthus, with longan, red date, and dried cherry added.

Moreover, Sui Sui had never had the chance to try it before.

For kids, sweet things are of course the best to drink.

Having likely drawn a lot and found peace of mind, Princess Consort of Qi finally could appreciate nature's spring‑summer gifts.

Now hearing about cherries, recalling yesterday's flavor and texture, she couldn't help but salivate.

The flavor is quite fragrant and sweet, and the added ingredients are mostly nourishing.

Sensing the little girl's longing, Princess Consort of Qi gently touched her cheek and smiled, saying, "Later, Mother Consort will join you for a drink, all right?"

But if Sui Sui makes a fuss, Princess Consort of Qi thinks she would probably feel relieved.

So when Mother Consort asked, Sui Sui nodded earnestly and said, "It's delicious, Mother Consort."

The little girl's nod was adorable, making Princess Consort of Qi want to reach out and touch her.

After mother and daughter drank flower tea for a while, they rose and headed out to continue listening to the sutras.

Just outside the gate, they saw many young novices with tools heading for the back mountain.

Many visitors also brought similar tools and joined them.

This piqued Princess Consort of Qi's curiosity; she turned to Aunt Qiu and whispered, "What's happening?"

Aunt Qiu replied softly, "They said they're going to the back mountain to dig wild vegetables; spring is when wild vegetables and herbs are most abundant, and this part of the back mountain has plenty of resources, so the little monks have all gone there. I also heard some visitors wanted to try it, but for safety they're only allowed in this cleared area; farther out only the little monks can go."

Even the least skilled of the little monks have some martial arts training.

Moreover, they go together in groups.

Even if they encounter wild beasts, they can manage for a while.

But the visitors who came along are another story.

Especially, some of them are young masters and misses from wealthy families; if anything happened, the temple would be in serious trouble.

However, the temple has fenced off a plot in the back mountain where vegetables and various fruits are grown.

That patch also has plenty of wild vegetables, enough for many people to harvest.

Wild vegetables?

Princess Consort of Qi has actually eaten them before.

Some taste good, and the chef prepares them well.

Sometimes, when the season comes, they're eaten fresh.

To them it's just a seasoning, but for many ordinary people it's precious—a gift of food from nature.

Princess Consort of Qi had no particular interest in digging wild vegetables; she stood and watched for a while, seeing many people still quite happy.

Especially some children, likely experiencing this kind of life for the first time.

So they are especially active, wishing they could jump from one end of the grass to the other.

As for digging wild vegetables?

They're digging that stuff?

They'd rather play close to nature.

Watching those children play happily, Princess Consort of Qi fell into thought.

She wondered whether Sui Sui would enjoy playing like that.

Children all prefer the outside world and its bustle.

Princess Consort of Qi didn't decide on her own; she lowered her head and asked Sui Sui, "Do you want to come along to dig wild vegetables?"

Sui Sui had previously dug wild vegetables.

If she didn't dig wild vegetable roots, she would have already starved to death.

Hearing Mother Consort ask, she actually didn't really want to go.

It's not that she dislikes work.

Just digging wild vegetables would remind her of those past hardships.

Sui Sui kept telling herself that those were all in the past.

She now has a Mother Consort, an older brother, and a home.

Life is better now; she is no longer the poor little thing she once was.

But if Mother Consort wanted to go, Sui Sui would be willing to go against her own wishes and accompany her.

Mother Consort's happiness is more important than anything.

Thinking of this, Sui Sui softly asked, "Mother Consort, do you like eating wild vegetables?"

Do you like eating it?

Occasionally eating something fresh feels all right.

But eating it often?

Better not.

The texture really isn't particularly good, although Doctor Liu says its medicinal effect is not bad.

But Princess Consort of Qi thought, she isn't sick, so why eat wild vegetables for no reason?

She doesn't like it; Princess Consort of Qi didn't hide it, choosing to speak frankly: "Not very fond of it; occasionally eating something fresh."

Hearing Mother Consort say she doesn't like it, Sui Sui finally felt relieved; she gently shook her head: "Then let's not go, Mother Consort—digging wild vegetables is tiring, also sunny, and the taste isn't good; some are bitter and unpleasant."

Princess Consort of Qi had only thought to let the child go play without worry.

After hearing Sui Sui's words just now, she suddenly thought back to what kind of life the child had lived before.

She almost inadvertently triggered Sui Sui's memory of past life!

Thinking of this, Princess Consort of Qi drew a deep breath, was about to comfort Sui Sui and then take the child to listen to sutras, when she heard a gentle voice from behind say, "Princess Consort."

The second watch.