Chapter 167: What We Said Was Good

When the little girl cried, she not only startled Sui Sui, but also a few adults.

Lady He saw this and couldn't hold back her own tears.

She clutched He Shuran tightly, dared not speak, and silently shed tears.

Sui Sui watched from the side, feeling both helpless and heartbroken.

She glanced at He Shuran now, then at Mother Consort.

Princess Consort of Qi, fearing she was frightened, quickly and gently pulled Sui Sui over, gently patting her back: "Don't be afraid, sister is a bit uncomfortable; a little crying will pass."

After comforting Sui Sui, Princess Consort of Qi sighed lightly and urged Lady He: "Don't scare the child; who knows, they might stay only two days and then leave."

Princess Consort of Qi thought, if Lady Tang truly came for her, then once they left, the other side would probably pack up and return to the residence.

Otherwise, shall I return to the residence tomorrow to see the situation?

She didn't want her mother to be sad, so she gently helped Mother Consort wipe away her tears.

Hearing this, Lady He nodded without hesitation.

It was a mother's loving thought, which Princess Consort of Qi naturally understood; she raised her hand and gently patted the back of Lady He's hand: "It's fine, try to think positively; the child is fine now, you also need to adjust yourself. Always keeping yourself rigid makes the child feel uneasy too."

He Shuran had been unable to think clearly earlier and cried for a while, which actually made her feel much better.

Being allowed to drink half a cup of tea today made the little girl very happy.

However, each family has its own difficulties, each has its own child to consider.

Even if the petition was signed, the heart remains uneasy.

Five‑spice cake is out, and candied plums, mountain‑scrap sticks are even more likely to be forbidden.

He Shuran's eyes were still a bit red, but it didn't affect her bright smile: "Sui Sui, I can drink now!"

The medical woman from the He family was waiting outside.

Princess Consort of Qi came to burn incense and pray, also for Sui Sui.

…

He Shuran has grown accustomed over the years; many things she doesn't try or eat, not knowing their taste, and she isn't particularly craving.

If my heart isn't sincere, what if the signed document still doesn't work?

Lady He also momentarily lost control; soon she readjusted herself, soothed the child, and gave an embarrassed smile: "I'm sorry, I made the Princess Consort look like a joke, I really…"

It was evident the little girl was indeed happy.

After a brief chaotic but gentle coaxing, Sui Sui and He Shuran sat together again to drink tea.

She held the tea cup for a long time without letting go, sniffing it repeatedly, unwilling to take the first sip.

"Five‑spice cake is forbidden; it contains ginseng, the second girl's body can't tolerate it."

"The tea can be tasted in small amounts, don't overdo it, at most half a cup."

Whether today's food can be eaten still requires asking the other party first.

Feeling her daughter's movements, Lady He almost couldn't hold back again, but she strained to control herself.

Only half a cup, so she must taste it carefully, sip it slowly.

If you gulp it all at once, where's the point?

Sui Sui also knows that sometimes, when the body is weak, one must observe dietary restrictions.

For example, when she previously had food stagnation, there were many things that Liu Dafu forbade her to eat.

Hearing He Shuran say that, Sui Sui nodded: "It's fine if I can't drink now; once sister's health improves, she'll be able to eat anything. Then, Sui Sui will treat you to tea!"

Waiting for the health to improve later.

A child's blessing, simple and pure.

Lady He, after listening, felt her eyes grow a bit sour.

She thought, if Second Mistress truly can establish herself later, she would definitely give Sui Sui a solid foundation, so that in the future, whether marrying or doing other things, she'll have more confidence!

He Shuran also wasn't sure about her own health, but Sui Sui's words were a beautiful blessing and hope.

Thus, she solemnly nodded: "We agreed, Sui Sui must not backtrack!"

Sui Sui, imitating her sister, also folded away her smile and nodded: "Of course, a good child must not lie!"

Sui Sui felt that she now had money; she could afford to treat someone to a cup of tea.

So, she nodded bravely!

However, after responding, she glanced at Mother Consort with a hint of guilt.

Princess Consort of Qi was amused by the little girl's cute demeanor; she lifted her hand, gently stroked the girl's ear, and laughed: "Sui Sui, you must keep your word; later, remember to settle the account with the treasury."

When the child grows older, she can receive a small allowance from the treasury each month.

Although the amount isn't large, no one says she can't supplement herself.

They were happy here, but over at Lady Tang's side, the whole person was in a bad state.

First, Tang Lingheng playfully tossed a green snake in.

Tang Youqing was terrified, screaming and dodging all the way, and eventually fainted.

After the green snake slipped from Tang Lingheng's hand, it scrambled around and fled shortly after.

With so many people, the snake was understandably panicked!

But after all, there's a snake in the vegetarian hall; who wouldn't be scared?

There was no other way; they could only ask the junior monks to help catch the snake.

The monks were also helpless; they had just harvested wild vegetables and were about to prepare a vegetarian meal in the back garden, and now they got a new task.

But not looking for it wouldn't work.

During the process, Tang Lingheng found it amusing, climbed onto the roof, and caused a ruckus.

Lady Tang's urging hoarsened her throat, yet the person still wouldn't come down.

In the end she was so angry that her vision went hazy, pinching her philtrum hard so she wouldn't faint.

The monks had just fetched a ladder, preparing to go upstairs, when Tang Lingheng's leg went numb and he fell straight down from above.

Seeing this scene, Lady Tang could no longer bear it; her eyes rolled and she fainted.

At sunset, the Princess Consort of Qi and Lady He made an appointment to go together to the dining hall for a vegetarian meal.

She had originally thought that on the way they might run into Lady Tang's party.

In the end, when they finally reached the dining hall, everyone had found seats and were halfway through their dishes, yet Lady Tang and her entourage never appeared.

The Princess Consort of Qi was puzzled, and Lady He was also confused.

In the end, Hai Tang went out to inquire around, and only then learned what had happened.

They had no idea about the earlier chaos of soldiers and horses.

The subsequent developments were even less clear.

Hai Tang lowered her voice, spoke carefully, and at the end pointed toward the foot of the mountain: "The Fifth Young Master's leg is said to have been injured in a fall, and Lady Tang took her people down the mountain for treatment."

Whether it was fractured or not, no one could say.

After the temple's Doctor examined it, he said the problem was not serious, but the monks in the temple are mostly former barefoot doctors, so their medical skill is somewhat rough.

If a more precise examination is desired, he still recommends Lady Tang take her party back to the city.

Because the situation was not urgent, and some medicine was brewed for Tang Lingheng to ease him, Lady Tang then hurriedly led her party down the mountain.

Upon hearing that the other side had left, Lady He subtly exhaled, and even her expression became much more relaxed.

Seeing her like that, the Princess Consort of Qi felt like laughing, but thought it inappropriate now; she kept a stern face, nodded, and said, "Let's eat first; later we'll send someone to Tang Fu to deliver two lamb shanks, saying they're for the Fifth Young Master's health."

Since they didn't know about this matter, there was no need to make a fuss.

Now that they know, they should at least show some acknowledgment.

But the Princess Consort of Qi harbored resentment over the previous incident.

So, after thinking, she decided to use a plain, unadorned gift to outweigh the flashy ceremony.

Second watch.