Chapter 168: Sister Shuran's Gift

Aunt Qiu, listening on the side, restrained her smile and gently suggested, "How about we slaughter a sheep right now and give a whole one."

Sending only a leg carries a somewhat sarcastic undertone.

Although the Princess Consort might indeed be trying to convey that.

But if she truly expresses it, she doesn't yet know how people will gossip about it privately.

Lady He, listening on the side, also considered this possibility, and Gentleness spoke up, urging, "I also think giving a whole sheep is better; I'll arrange for someone on my side to send a whole sheep, and we can do it together."

Everyone meant well; Princess Consort of Qi really wanted to vent, but considering Wangfu's reputation, she could only grit her teeth and lightly nod, "That's also true."

Both households decided to send sheep, and no one discussed the matter much, eating the vegetarian meal peacefully.

The evening vegetarian meal…

Fresh and verdantly green.

Only, because of many reservations, there were few seasonings added.

Because tasty wild greens are always snatched by adults, even though in spring the hills are full of them, the sheer number and strength of people overwhelm.

But eating them often is probably unbearable.

As for wild greens, no matter how they're processed, they retain a lingering astringency; some have a strong bitter taste, and even after extensive processing they still have a hint of bitterness that can't be removed.

Everyday vegetables are fine to eat.

However, for the aristocracy accustomed to fine foods, the texture is relatively ordinary.

Some even send several family members together, naturally to harvest more and eat more.

If they can't finish them, they can be dried and saved for seasons without vegetables.

The monks spent an afternoon gathering wild greens; after sorting them, they finally reached the table.

Princess Consort of Qi tasted two bites, found the cold salad a bit bitter, and stopped eating further.

An occasional taste counts as rustic fun.

Sui Sui has lately been eating well and sleeping well.

The wild greens the monks harvested today are naturally tasty, fresh, natural, and especially tender.

Most of the time, the taste remains pure and unadulterated.

Or blanched and served cold.

For the former Sui Sui, these wild greens were sometimes an unattainable longing.

Ordinary folk might think these are gifts from nature, free and abundant across the hills; as long as you're diligent, you won't go hungry.

Or after blanching, stir‑fried.

Sui Sui only occasionally manages to snatch something tasty; most of the time, the texture isn't great, and some are mildly toxic wild greens.

In comparison, Sui Sui appears far more calm and natural.

Lady He is fine; her main principle is sincere, basically: as long as I'm not made to eat excrement, I can eat anything.

However, she hasn't completely forgotten the hard days of the past.

These wild greens are actually not bad for her.

They are crunchy and tender, especially good with rice!

Watching Sui Sui eat until her little face puffs up, with a look of satisfaction, Princess Consort of Qi feels repeated pangs of heartache.

In her view, these bitter, not‑so‑good wild greens, yet the little girl can eat them with a satisfied face; what kind of days must she have lived before?

Can't imagine.

Just thinking of it, the murderous intent grows heavy!

After they finish the incense and return to the residence, if the Prince still hasn't come back, Princess Consort of Qi will send someone to fetch him!

The Qingzhou coal mine excavation matter—arrange it, immediately arrange.

Strive to let those people, after the spring planting, honestly go mining!

After the meal, the sky darkened.

The two families leisurely walked back.

Without Lady Tang's interference, He Shuran mustered courage, and softly said to Sui Sui, "Sui Sui, want some candy?"

He Shuran's health is poor; daily eating habits aren't restricted by anyone.

Of course, foods she must avoid don't count.

Candies, PreservedFruit and the like, the Doctor will prepare for her, but not much.

He Shuran rarely indulges; after all, her medicine is very bitter, and after taking it, without a piece of candy or PreservedFruit to soothe, the discomfort lasts long.

Even so, she is willing to share candy with Sui Sui.

She likes this little sister.

After asking, He Shuran gently reached out and took Sui Sui's hand.

Sui Sui, being obedient, let her sister hold her hand, then tilted her head and whispered, "No need, sister, I have candy too!"

Sui Sui, of course, also has candy—the one Liu He Meng gave before, which she hasn't been willing to eat yet.

The little girl cherishes her own things especially.

Even the fragrance of candy, when Sui Sui smells it, she can't help but drool.

But she thinks such good things should be saved for when she most wants to eat them.

Now, she doesn't feel that urge yet, so she can wait, endure.

Moreover, Mengmeng Jiejie said that eating too many candies will rot the teeth!

So, can't eat!

Unless she can't resist.

Now, Sister Shuran asks, and Sui Sui shakes her head in refusal.

Seeing Sui Sui refuse, He Shuran still felt a bit regretful.

The young lady rarely wanted to make a friend; liking a little sister, she wanted to share all good things with Sui Sui.

She thought about the things on her person, searched for a while, and then felt the teardrop-shaped earring she had specially picked out this morning.

The earring was made of green jade, good quality, with sufficient moisture; although it was leftover edge material from a bracelet, she still liked it a lot.

Because she liked it, she took it out to wear when she came to offer incense today.

At this moment, although she was a bit reluctant, after thinking, He Shuran still took off the earring and handed it to Sui Sui's hand: 'Little sister, this is for you, my favorite earring, I hope you will be happy.'

He Shuran's body was really not in good condition.

After speaking a long passage, her breathing became a little uneven.

Lady He watched from the side, still feeling a bit panicked.

However, the child showed no discomfort, so she tried hard to pretend she was still calm.

Moreover, the female doctor was with them, not panicking!

Lady He kept comforting herself, her pounding heart finally calmed down.

Sui Sui suddenly received the sister's gift, feeling a bit embarrassed, she shook her head and glanced at the Mother Consort.

Princess Consort of Qi looked gently at Sui Sui, did not directly make the decision for the child, only smiling and asking: 'Sui Sui, do you like it?'

If she liked it, it was just a pair of earrings; the two families' relations would also be considered harmonious, accepting it would have no impact.

Sui Sui has not yet pierced her ears, but she saw that the Mother Consort had, Mengmeng Jiejie had, and Qiaoqiao Jiejie also had.

The beautiful Shuran older sister in front of her also had one, and she actually felt quite envious.

Not knowing that piercing the ears hurt, she only knew that the ears jingled and looked nice; Sui Sui, feeling embarrassed, pursed her lips, lowered her head with slightly red ear tips, and whispered: 'Mother Consort, I kind of like it.'

The second watch is at 19:00.