Chapter 197: Little Schemes

After the meal, during parent-child time, Prince Qi simply quizzed the sons on their lessons, then played with them.

On Prince Qi's side, everyone was happy and harmonious, but Car Maid felt fearful and uneasy.

After hearing Qiao Zhi's words, Car Maid froze: "Did the Prince really say that, personally? Impossible!"

Car Maid refused to believe that the Prince's affection for her was fake.

She panicked.

Although Car Maid isn't very bright, she also knows that the Prince saying that about her in front of so many people means her days in the manor won't be easy.

Unless she gives birth to a daughter for the manor!

Frankly, Car Maid thinks having a daughter wouldn't be a problem.

Don't look at how the Prince favors her now; when the princes are enfeoffed, the benefits will still go to the sons, right?

So, Car Maid actually wants to pray for a son.

She is still young, and her body is still fine.

Moreover, her natal family's six nieces are vying for the Prince's attention; even if her first child is a son, the Prince probably wouldn't think much of it and would later try to have more children with her.

The problem is…

She has to get pregnant!

Thinking of these, Car Maid became extremely uneasy.

Qiao Zhi watched from the side, lowering her gaze slightly, her eyes rolling: "The child the Princess Consort brought back is still too great a threat to the master. I thought you could whisper more pillow talk to the Prince, bring Miss Lingzhi to the manor—Miss Lingzhi is clever and lively, not less likable than the sick child the Princess Consort brought back."

"Once you've pleased the Prince, whatever you say will go."

"Once the master bears a son, we'll be able to secure our footing in the manor."

……

Qiao Zhi has her ways of persuading people; soon she convinced Car Maid to return to the Che manor overnight, consult her Che family brothers for a plan, see whether to act first and report later, using the pretext of accompanying her aunt, to bring the child to the manor first.

Once the child is brought over, and being lively and lovable, would the Prince really bear to drive them away?

Car Maid actually didn't dare much, but thinking of her future days, she feared they would not be easy.

Perhaps relying on Che Lingzhi's liveliness and charm could even save her.

Thinking of these, Car Maid took a deep breath and said softly: "Qiao Zhi, then please go through the trouble for me!"

No one paid attention to the movements of the master and servant.

Sui Sui, together with the manor's sons, played with Prince Qi for a while.

Then the sons went back to sleep, and Sui Sui was taken by Aunt Xiang to wash up.

Lanruo Si is inconvenient for bathing; these past two days have been taxing, so Princess Consort Qi felt Sui Sui should return for a thorough cleaning.

Moreover, Sui Sui needs to soak in a medicinal bath.

Upon hearing this, Prince Qi, not entirely reassured, asked: "Is the medicine personally prepared by Doctor Liu? Did they say how long to soak?"

……

He had many questions.

Seeing that he was concerned for Sui Sui, Princess Consort Qi didn't mind his bother and explained in detail.

After hearing the Princess Consort's words, Prince Qi felt somewhat relieved.

Listening to Sui Sui's pitiful past, Prince Qi sighed deeply: "Poor child, in a few days… no, tomorrow—I'll go to the palace and tell the imperial elder brother, this child's name must be decided early, and the title and rank must not be overlooked."

Hearing the Prince say that, Princess Consort Qi felt a bit relieved.

After a tiring day, Sui Sui was exhausted.

So, Princess Consort Qi gently coaxed, and the child drifted off to sleep.

However, holding in her heart the earlier bullying of the Mother Consort, Sui Sui, while drowsy, kept clinging to the Mother Consort's neck, rubbing hard: "Mother Consort is good, Sui Sui likes Mother Consort the most, most of all."

Childish words, sometimes unintentional yet the most heartfelt and sincere.

Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Qi's eyes reddened.

Prince Qi, listening nearby, couldn't help but feel envious.

He wanted to ask: "What about Father King?"

"Does he like Father King the least?"

Unfortunately, the child had already fallen asleep obediently, so he didn't dare ask further.

Moreover, he had just met Sui Sui, so asking now would be inappropriate.

Prince Qi thought, let's wait a bit longer.

He surely also heard Sui Sui say there would be a day when she likes Father King the most!

Watching Sui Sui asleep, Prince Qi and his wife kept guard a while longer before withdrawing.

The System also didn't disturb the child's sleep; looking at the child's sweet sleeping face, it secretly took some photos and stored them in its personal collection folder.

The adorable little host, it really likes it~

Prince Qi returned to the manor today, but didn't go to accompany Car Maid; instead he stayed in the main hall to rest.

He's been exhausted these past two days, and besides, the Doctor said he is currently strong on the outside but weak within.

So, Princess Consort Qi also didn't think about nighttime activities; she just covered herself with a blanket and chatted with him.

Before Car Maid returned, Princess Consort Qi didn't have much to think about.

Now that the person has returned, naturally she has more to consider.

First thing that came to mind was naturally Sui Sui's housing issue: "Right, the large room at the southernmost end of the West Courtyard—I'm preparing to fix it up for Sui Sui."

The West Courtyard is prepared for the manor's ladies.

However, since there hasn't been any, it remains vacant.

Although given the Prince's current condition, Car Maid may not necessarily become pregnant.

But what if?

In the future, if he has a biological daughter, no one can say how the Prince's attitude toward Sui Sui will be.

The Princess Consort of Qi doesn't want to meddle in others' affairs; she only wants to look after Sui Sui well.

So, the best and biggest courtyard must definitely be left for Sui Sui.

As for that, Prince Qi did not object; he nodded and said, "Sui Sui is the eldest daughter of our Wangfu—she ought to live in the best courtyard."

As for other matters, don't worry about whether she's biologically related—there's still no sign of it.

Hearing Prince Qi's agreement, the Princess Consort of Qi secretly let out a sigh of relief.

She also didn't say many unpleasant things, nor did she urge the Prince to face reality or anything like that.

These offending words...

Better keep them; let the Empress Dowager say them tomorrow.

Other mothers disciplining their sons—no matter how they do it, it's never too much.

The Princess Consort of Qi thought, she isn't the Prince's parents, so she doesn't want to be annoying by meddling in these matters.

She slept well through the night.

The next day, it was another bright sunny day.

After washing up, the Princess Consort of Qi tidied herself and prepared to first go see Sui Sui, and in passing tell the little one that she would be entering the palace today.

Just then, Aunt Qiu entered, seeing her hesitant expression, the Princess Consort of Qi intuitively felt something was wrong.

Prince Qi was cheerful all morning, still thinking about how to coax Sui Sui into letting him hold her while feeding her.

Seeing Aunt Qiu's troubled expression, Prince Qi laughed and said, "Aunt, what's wrong? Just speak up if you have something—don't panic, I'm here in the residence."

Hearing the Prince say that, Aunt Qiu glanced at the Princess Consort again, then lowered her voice and said: "Qiaozhi from the Car Maid's quarters said that the Car Maid misses her niece, can't sleep at night, worried about the Maid's health, she rushed back to the Car residence overnight, bringing the reishi maiden from the household, and now she's waiting at the gatehouse."

Second watch.