Chapter 174

After Princess Consort of Qi's emotions stabilized, she took Sui Sui's hand and corrected Zhou Shi's words: "Sui Sui, this is your aunt."

How could she just blurt out "auntie" like that?

This is clearly an aunt.

Upon hearing the two words "aunt", Sui Sui's face turned pale instantly.

She instinctively shrank back, wishing she could bury herself in Princess Consort of Qi's skirt.

Seeing Sui Sui like that, Zhou Shi was startled.

She had originally wanted to say that she just hadn't reacted in time, so she blurted out "auntie"—it wasn't that she didn't acknowledge Sui Sui.

Seeing Sui Sui's reaction, Zhou Shi also felt at a loss.

What's going on?

She looked helplessly at Princess Consort of Qi, then at Sui Sui, who was showing a little hat, her face full of confusion.

Princess Consort of Qi also belatedly realized……

The term "aunt" is not a good word for Sui Sui.

Or rather, the people before were so bad that even this title became tainted.

Thinking of this, Princess Consort of Qi cursed those people in her heart, which finally let her murderous urge subside.

She gently stroked Sui Sui's hand, smiling as she said, "This child has had a hard life before."

Zhou Shi had already noticed this; the child was skinny, and one could tell her past days hadn't been easy.

Zhou Shi guessed there must be something behind it, so she didn't say much, just watched Sui Sui uneasily.

Princess Consort of Qi soothed the little girl's emotions, explaining gently: "Sui Sui, this aunt is different from the former aunt; this aunt is very Gentleness, and she will also draw pretty flowers for you."

Zhou Shi's drawing skills are good; she often draws little flowers and grasses to amuse the children in the residence.

Feng Xuanrui still has several of those in his hand.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shi roughly understood something; she smiled and lowered her voice: "Sui Sui, the new aunt is the new aunt, not at all like the former one."

Sui Sui also knew these were two different people.

Moreover, she indeed felt no malice from Zhou Shi.

But in her heart, the past aunt's abuse and beatings are etched into her bones.

Now even mentioning that title makes her feel fear, causing her to flinch constantly.

After hearing the explanations from Mother Consort and the new aunt, Sui Sui slowly slipped out from Princess Consort of Qi's skirt, not daring to look up, anxiously shifting her feet, stepping out carefully, her trembling body standing still.

She thought, I must be a polite child.

Even though she was terrified inside.

Seeing such a child, Princess Consort of Qi felt heartache; Zhou Shi, who has her own children, naturally felt the same.

Zhou Shi thought for a moment, a flash of inspiration crossed her mind, and she smiled, saying: "Sui Sui, I am the second aunt, isn't that different from the aunt?"

As soon as she said that, Sui Sui froze.

She lifted her head doubtfully and saw the second aunt smiling gently and kindly.

She differed from the former aunt, who only ever beat or scolded her with a ferocious face.

Sui Sui thought, the second aunt is a good person.

She…

Seems not so afraid anymore.

Thinking of this, Sui Sui slowly withdrew her gaze, her voice muffled with a slight tremor: "Second aunt, hello, I am Sui Sui."

Seeing the little girl still frightened, Zhou Shi couldn't help wanting to curse the people from before.

So just what kind of person was the former aunt?

What heinous act did she commit to frighten a child like this?

Now just hearing those two words is enough to make her scared?

Damn it!

This is just a child; what does she understand?

Really?

Zhou Shi thought, if the occasion were appropriate, she would even roll up her sleeves and look for someone to fight.

But not wanting to scare the child again, Zhou Shi restrained her temper and spoke to Sui Sui in a gentle voice.

Zhou Shi's attitude was gentle, Song Kuan occasionally asked curious questions, and Princess Consort of Qi continued to soothe Sui Sui's emotions.

Around there is no malice, all Gentleness; Sui Sui gradually stopped being afraid, even daring to lift her head and openly observe the second aunt and the new cousin.

Yes, Sui Sui not only gained a second aunt but also a new cousin.

Song Kuan, eight years old, is Feng Xuanrui's younger cousin and also Sui Sui's cousin.

Although young, he is not as mischievous as Feng Xuanrui; he is a gentle, jade-like little lord, and when speaking with Sui Sui, he is willing to stoop slightly to meet her eyes as much as possible to look after her.

Zhou Shi and Song Kuan both took good care of Sui Sui's emotions, and slowly she stopped being afraid.

Outside wasn't a place to talk, so the two adults quickly brought the child back to Princess Consort of Qi's residence.

Seeing Sui Sui getting along with Song Kuan, Princess Consort of Qi felt reassured handing the child to him, letting her young nephew play together with her.

Although young, Song Kuan is very steady; entrusting the child to him and not wandering far, Princess Consort of Qi remains temporarily at ease.

Song Kuan has never brought along a younger sister.

In the residence there are two female cousins, but they are young now and do not often play with them.

Now it's rare to have such a lovely little one who obediently follows him, listens to his words, and sometimes looks at him with admiration; Song Kuan feels a bit embarrassed and also a little proud.

He couldn't help showing off, at times folding things for Sui Sui, at other times taking her to catch grasshoppers…

But Mother had instructed them to play only nearby, so Song Kuan also couldn't take Sui Sui too far away.

Even so, the two children still played happily.

Seeing the two children become familiar and play well, the Princess Consort of Qi also gradually put her mind at ease.

Zhou Shi saw her expression ease, then she smiled and asked: "What exactly is the situation with this child? You sent word to the residence saying you wanted to raise a child, but you didn't make the situation clear; father and mother are worried, and fearing that Xiao Liu has just returned, you're busy and can't get away, so no one wants to disturb you."

Speaking of this, Zhou Shi let out a light sigh: "Well, as soon as Mother heard you had come to Lanruo Si, she sent me over to take a look."

These words carried no blame; Zhou Shi, still under thirty, is always straightforward in speech and action, and toward her own family she bears no ill will.

As for the matter of Sui Sui, the Princess Consort of Qi naturally needs to make it clear to her natal family.

However, sending word is ultimately inconvenient; after thinking, she said: "Stay another night today, tomorrow I will bring Sui Sui down the mountain, first return to the residence to see father and mother, then we can talk about Sui Sui's matter."

Outside there are many people and mixed eyes, and it's easy for walls to have ears.

Even if the Princess Consort of Qi were to speak of it, she could not feel at ease.

Zhou Shi understood her meaning, lightly nodded, thought a moment, then asked: "I heard Xiao Liu went south and broke his leg; is he fully recovered now? You sent word to the residence, only reporting good news, not the bad—Mother hearing it was frantic, the other day she even wanted to go to the residence to have a look, but then heard you had entered the palace, so she set the thought aside."

Yesterday she still wanted to come, but then heard that her daughter had taken the newly fostered child to Lanruo Si.

Madame Song was anxiously running circles in the residence, unable to keep up with her daughter's pace.

The second watch is at 19 o'clock.