Chapter 163

Sui Sui was to accompany Mother Consort to listen to the sutra; there was no need for Tang Youqing to additionally help bring the child.

Lady He stood to the side watching, and gave a gentle smile, saying: "Since that's the case, let's listen together; originally we came to pray for the child's blessing, so they indeed should listen together, which shows sincerity."

She and the Princess Consort of Qi both said that; even if Lady Tang was unwilling, it would not be good to again forcefully demand that Tang Youqing help bring the child.

Finally, the crowd entered the sutra hall laughing and took nearby seats.

Tang Youqing actually wasn't too willing to listen; if it weren't for finding Tang Lingheng really annoying, plus her mother's request, she wouldn't have come along.

At this moment she still had to be forced to sit down and listen to the sutra.

Young people, how many can truly sit still?

At first it was okay; Tang Youqing could still listen in, forcing herself to listen.

After listening for about a quarter of an hour, Tang Youqing could no longer sit still; Lady Tang gave her a sharp look, stopping her, leaving Tang Youqing with no choice but to force herself to continue sitting.

But how can you stop someone who already can't sit still?

Not long after, Tang Youqing started fidgeting again.

Too well-behaved, and too adorable!

Even though Lady Tang felt that Sui Sui's background might be poor, she inwardly looked down on this person.

When praying to gods and buddhas, what matters is sincerity.

In the crowd, she appeared rather unnoticeable.

The masters, benevolent toward all beings, are also tolerant of their behavior.

The master giving the sutra lecture does not care about the devotees' demeanor or attitude.

What about being a concubine?

If she were to become an imperial consort in the future, the Princess Consort of Qi would still have to pay her respects.

But at this moment she also had to admit that the child was indeed well-behaved.

Even so, Lady Tang was not pleased, giving her several sideways glances.

Upon receiving her mother's gaze, Tang Youqing still felt wronged.

Compared to marrying into the Qi Wangfu, Tang Youqing actually preferred to enter the Eastern Palace.

Tang Youqing's thought was exactly opposite to Lady Tang's.

By contrast, the sight of Sui Sui and He Er Guniang sitting there so obediently alone evokes envy.

How annoying!

Tang Youqing glanced lightly at Sui Sui and them, then quickly withdrew her gaze.

It seems as if lacking something makes one especially value that thing.

Even if the Qi Wangfu is wealthy, could it possibly surpass the future emperor in status?

So, who is wealthier isn't something you can tell at a glance, right?

The more Tang Youqing thought about it, the more she felt she was right, so her behavior became increasingly impatient.

Her mother being of a secondary consort's lineage made her place special importance on matters of principal lineage and the proper wife.

She felt that as long as one's status and position were high, sufficient wealth would follow.

What about the principal wife?

She clearly couldn't sit still, yet they insisted she come sit and keep company.

So there are many like Tang Youqing who can't sit still.

It's a pity, she wasn't born into our own family.

But upon further thought, it's precisely because her family background is unremarkable that she is overly sensible and precocious.

If possible, Lady Tang would actually hope her own child need not be so sensible.

Sui Sui does not understand the undercurrents among adults.

She obediently sat beside Mother Consort, her back held especially straight.

She didn't feel tired, nor did she understand what the master was lecturing about.

She simply sat there, emulating Mother Consort's gaze forward.

The Princess Consort of Qi, fearing the little girl would be bored, would occasionally lower her eyes to glance at her.

Upon seeing Sui Sui sitting upright there, like a frozen New Year's doll, her brows and eyes were suffused with a gentle meaning.

Her Sui Sui is truly wonderful!

Sometimes, the Princess Consort of Qi even hopes her child would not be so well-behaved.

Being a bit mischievous is what a child's natural self should be.

However, there's no rush.

When the Princess Consort of Qi raised her head, she lightly touched the little girl's cheek.

Feeling Mother Consort's gentle hand approach, Sui Sui obediently rubbed against it.

But only a few times, then she quickly sat properly again.

He Er Guniang, after listening for a while, actually also found it hard to sit still.

However, her body is weak, and every spring she feels very uncomfortable.

Being able to sit is already not bad for her.

So even if she can't sit still or absorb the lecture, she can still force herself to stay seated.

But her eyes could not be controlled, and she glanced over at Sui Sui.

Sui Sui is good-looking and well-behaved; for the somewhat introverted He Er Guniang, this is practically a magnet for her attention.

She couldn't help wanting to look at Sui Sui, yet felt a bit embarrassed and feared Sui Sui would think she had ill intentions, so she kept glancing over.

So He Er Guniang would take two glances, then withdraw, and then sneak another look.

Her small actions were many; Sui Sui wasn't stupid, so she naturally noticed—the pretty older sister was looking at her.

However, everyone was listening to the sutra, so it was inconvenient to speak; thus Sui Sui turned her head and looked doubtfully at He Er Guniang.

Having been caught sneaking a look, He Er Guniang somewhat flusteredly withdrew her gaze; a blush spread from her ears all the way to her cheeks.

She almost wanted to shrink right into Lady He's side.

Lady He sensed the movement beside her; at first she thought the child was unwell, and her expression changed.

When she lowered her head, she saw the little girl was fine; relieved, Lady He still worried and asked, "Is something uncomfortable?"

He Er Guniang obediently shook her head, then pointed at Sui Sui and said in a soft voice, "Mother, I like that little sister; her eyes are very pretty."

Sui Sui is a very likable child.

At least, in Lady He's eyes, that's how she is.

Seeing her own child say she liked Sui Sui, Lady He turned her head and gave Sui Sui a kind smile.

The gentle aunt smiled at her; Sui Sui, out of politeness, also showed a well-behaved smile.

With that smile, her eyes became even prettier, and a shallow dimple appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Lady He felt this child was even more pleasing to the eye!

Her younger daughter is timid and in poor health, rarely showing what she likes.

It's rare for her to take a liking to a child; Lady He actually felt quite pleased.

She usually does not like to fawn over the powerful and noble.

But now she was pondering how to get closer to the Qi Wangfu, so she could visit more often in the future.

Her younger daughter……

The Doctor said, "Take each day as it comes."

As for whether she can survive and grow up, that's unknown.

Thinking of these, Lady He, who had withdrawn her gaze, saw her eyes dim as well.

He Er Guniang sensed her mother's low spirits and uneasily pressed her lips.

Sui Sui noticed the sister seemed a bit unhappy, and tentatively reached out her small hand to lightly touch He Er Guniang's.

Feeling Sui Sui's touch, He Er Guniang turned her head in surprise, meeting Sui Sui's lively and clear eyes.

The little girl looked at her with a smile in her eyes, as if saying, "Don't be sad; I'm here with you!"

At this moment, knowing her health wasn't good and thus usually unwilling to make friends, He Er Guniang mustered courage, gently reached out, and took Sui Sui's hand.

The young little girl thought: "My body isn't up to me; what kind of friends should I make—could it really not be allowed?"

I'll do it anyway!

Second watch

Tomorrow's update will be at 3 p. m. ~