Chapter 177: The Marvel of Charcoal

The Marquis Protecting the State actually isn't sure whether this batch of charcoal is Sui Sui's contribution.

So, he intends to ask first.

The Marquis Protecting the State doesn't want Princess Consort of Qi to overthink, so he explained the matter of the charcoal in detail.

Princess Consort of Qi may not understand mortal hardships, but she knows that if cheap charcoal is available for burning, many common folk wouldn't have to endure the cold in winter.

So, after hearing the Marquis's words, Princess Consort of Qi, though a bit worried, still had Aunt Qiu call Sui Sui over.

At this moment, Sui Sui was chasing little insects in the field with Song Kuan.

When Song Kuan caught up, he would step on them to kill them; Sui Sui followed behind, clapping.

The little girl now also knows how to warm up the atmosphere.

Following behind Song Kuan, she kept praising, "Brother Song Kuan, you're so great!"

"Wow, you can step on those, Brother Song Kuan, impressive!"

……

The girl's praises, though repeated back and forth, consisted of only a few words.

However, Song Kuan was rarely praised like this, and it came from a sister he liked.

So, go for it, insects, he's coming!

The two little ones ran sweating all over; Zhou Shi, fearing the cool spring wind might make them sick, kept urging those following behind.

It was at this moment that Aunt Qiu arrived.

Seeing the two children playing well, Aunt Qiu smiled reassuringly and first told Zhou Shi about the situation.

Zhou Shi, though not understanding, saw the Marquis Protecting the State come over and ask what Sui Sui, a child, was being sent to do.

However, thinking that if more people liked Sui Sui, her days in Jing Cheng would be better, Zhou Shi smiled and called out to Song Kuan.

Song Kuan behaved, and Sui Sui also settled down quietly.

Xiang Gugu took a handkerchief, carefully wiped her sweat, even took off her little hat to wipe her head, ensuring all the sweat was cleaned so the spring breeze wouldn't make her ill again, then put Sui Sui's little hat back on.

Sui Sui didn't know who she was to meet, and obediently let Aunt Qiu lead her by the hand.

Zhou Shi thought for a moment, didn't follow for now, only signaled Song Kuan to keep playing, and sat aside watching the little novices climb the mountain to dig wild vegetables.

Not to mention, watching them bend over and dig, Zhou Shi felt a bit restless.

People are always full of curiosity and yearning for things they've never done.

Zhou Shi thought, perhaps in the afternoon, try to talk with Princess Consort of Qi, and the two of them could take the child up the mountain?

On the way to meet the Marquis Protecting the State, Aunt Qiu also tidied Sui Sui up carefully.

After confirming the little girl had no breach of etiquette, Aunt Qiu then led her to Princess Consort of Qi.

Seeing Sui Sui, the Marquis Protecting the State's eyes lit up.

He didn't want to frighten the child, so the Marquis Protecting the State forced out a smile.

He usually likes to smile a lot; whenever he meets anyone he's all cheerful, carefree, and there are a few little grandchildren at the Residence for him to practice with.

So, the Marquis Protecting the State's smile is rather affectionate.

At least, Sui Sui looked fine and politely greeted, "Uncle, hello."

The Marquis Protecting the State smiled and replied, "Hello Sui Sui, I am Uncle Su, do you remember me?"

Not long ago they had met, and the other liked his own charcoal, so Sui Sui naturally remembered, and she nodded, "I remember."

Hearing the little girl say she remembered, the Marquis Protecting the State happily squinted his eyes.

He glanced at Princess Consort of Qi, saw she didn't seem opposed, so the Marquis Protecting the State tentatively asked, "Sui Sui, do you remember the batch of charcoal you gave Uncle before?"

Sui Sui also remembered, so she obediently nodded again.

The Marquis Protecting the State quickly asked, "Then Sui Sui, do you know which of those charcoals are the best?"

Hearing the question, Princess Consort of Qi barely furrowed her brow, while Sui Sui happily raised her hand, "I know, I know, the three‑seven is the best, the three‑seven is the best!"

The matter of the charcoal, over the past few days, many details, Sui Sui already didn't remember well.

However, the proportions, because they kept appearing in dreams, Sui Sui still remembers them now.

When the Marquis Protecting the State asked, Sui Sui immediately recited the proportions.

Sui Sui thought, she was very clever, remembering it firmly.

Even if asked a month later, she would still remember!

Seeing the little girl's proud demeanor, the Marquis Protecting the State felt his heart warm.

In the proportions they analyzed, the three‑seven and four‑six ratios burned best, thoroughly and were very durable.

Moreover, they seemed to have figured out the function of the holes on the charcoal.

In the past no one thought of this, but now it is eye‑opening.

The Marquis Protecting the State actually had no intention of probing how Sui Sui knew those proportions.

However, he thought this was the child's merit, and the Ministry of Works also had to report it upward.

Whose merit it is, belongs to that person.

The ideas and creativity belonging to Sui Sui cannot be taken by others.

He stands here.

Don't be fooled by his low official rank; his mother has a high status.

Someone wants to steal the credit?

Then sorry, go back to the Residence to lodge a complaint~

Yes, he's such a complainer!

Since it must be reported and credit claimed, the source must be clarified; if the merit belongs to someone else, the Marquis Protecting the State must also record it.

Of course, Sui Sui certainly wouldn't overlook it.

Thinking of these, the Marquis Protecting the State glanced at the Princess Consort of Qi, hesitated a moment, and asked, "Can I ask how Sui Sui knows these?"

As soon as this question came out, the Princess Consort of Qi's heart thumped.

Sui Sui's past was simple and clear.

She had never even left the village.

So, how did she know?

Thinking of Xiao Liu's life-and-death ordeal she had avoided, thinking of the day Sui Sui entered the mansion and the bustling scene at Zhuangzi's childbirth, thinking of the cherry tree that turned completely red overnight, thinking of the disaster that the Grand Long Princess and her entourage had avoided…

Thinking of these, the Princess Consort of Qi's heart beat especially fast.

She wanted to refuse, but could find no reason.

Moreover, this is an achievement; one cannot let others snatch it away, right?

If Sui Sui, because of this matter, were to catch His Majesty's eye again…

The young lady's confidence would be even greater in the future.

Thinking of these, the Princess Consort of Qi felt as if two ropes were tangled and fighting inside her heart.

One rope said: "His Qi Wangfu can also protect a child; there's no need for others' help."

The other rope said: "But others have it, and ultimately it's not as good as having it oneself; Qi Wangfu can protect her, but does Sui Sui herself also want a glory that belongs solely to her?"

Moreover, it ought to be hers; if I simply refuse with my mouth, that child, when she grows up and learns of it, would be heartbroken.

Even though, her intention as Mother Consort is actually to protect her.

But, if the child finds out, she will still feel sad, right?

The Princess Consort of Qi's wavering hesitation did not last long, because Sui Sui softly said from the side, "It was my older sister who told me!"

Before the Marquis Protecting the State could ask, Sui Sui voluntarily spoke up.

As soon as her words came out, the Princess Consort of Qi's heart settled again.

She thought, "When soldiers come, generals block them; when water comes, earth dams it. If one hesitates over everything, how can one protect the child in the future?"

After figuring it out, the Princess Consort of Qi nodded at the Marquis Protecting the State: "Our Sui Sui can't wait to answer; sir, hurry up and ask her."

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