Chapter 227: Coaxing the Little Sister

Because there are many children, the adults stand not far behind, watching.

Not being up close, they cannot promptly notice the children's moods.

The children are very playful and pay even less attention.

Sui Sui's mood is merely a brief dip caused by recalling the past.

Even Feng Xuanrui, who was holding her hand, didn't notice.

At this moment, Shen Hua Tang asked softly, prompting Liu He Meng to look up in puzzlement.

The other young gentlemen also turned their heads in surprise.

Suddenly being stared at by so many, Sui Sui felt a bit embarrassed.

She instinctively nudged further into Shen Hua Tang's embrace.

The little girl's soft, fragrant closeness made Shen Hua Tang feel an instant burst of joy, realizing, "So that's it!"

She instinctively raised her hand, gently clasping Sui Sui's neck and pulling the child into her own arms.

Feng Xuanrui, at that moment, finally realized and, with a pout, said unhappily, "Sister doesn't like rainy days."

When Feng Xuanrui spoke, everyone, uneasy, gathered around, encircling Sui Sui and Shen Hua Tang, chattering with questions.

Prince Qi, not far behind, heard this and, puzzled, turned his head and asked the Princess Consort in a low voice, "What's the situation with my obedient child? And that damned Chen family again?"

When Prince Qi mentioned the Chen family, he slightly slurred the syllables, making it sound somewhat vague.

Princess Consort of Qi understood, gave a gentle nod, then said, "…it's not just that. Her biological mother left on a rainy night. The child was very young then; even if she doesn't recall, there was still a bond between mother and child, leaving a lingering knot in the heart."

Upon hearing that Sui Sui's mother left on a rainy night, Prince Qi's heart first ached.

He felt pity for the child.

Soon, a sour feeling returned.

After the Princess Consort explained Sui Sui's situation, Prince Qi instantly grasped the crux.

When Chen San Niang was alive, Sui Sui's life at the Chen household was not good.

That biological mother…

She probably didn't love the child much, more likely wanted to use the child as a raft, hoping to extract benefits from the Jin Yang Marquis's Residence.

Thinking this, Prince Qi turned his face away in disgust.

When Feng Xuanrui spoke, Sui Sui honestly said she didn't like rainy days because, back home, rain meant there was no food.

Among those present, the Wangfu young gentlemen need not be mentioned; when have they ever worried about meals?

Master Shen's family is also well-off; Shen Hua Tang couldn't even imagine what it feels like to go without food.

However, she knows the feeling of hunger.

Sometimes after reading too much, when she realizes her stomach is empty, that feeling is indeed unpleasant.

Especially when overly hungry, a sourness rises to the throat, and the burning sensation makes it even more unbearable.

But when they are hungry, food will be provided.

The servants at the Residence had prepared early; even after mealtime, someone would keep the food warm on the stove, waiting to serve them.

But the former Sui Sui didn't have any of that.

Shen Hua Tang's eyes reddened as she finished, gently cradling Sui Sui: "Don't be afraid; there will always be food in the future."

Liu He Meng's eyes also reddened, lightly patting Sui Sui's shoulder from behind: "Right, Sui Sui, don't be scared; from now on we can eat whatever we want."

"Yes, yes, yes, our little sister can eat whatever she wants!"

"Tomorrow we'll go to Zhuangzi's place to slaughter a sheep, okay?"

"It's not impossible!"

"Hopefully it's a sunny day!"

……

The children's chattering diluted Sui Sui's melancholy that arose from reminiscing about the past.

Moreover, children's moods shift quickly; after playing happily, they soon forget the earlier sadness.

Everyone frolicked to wash up, then ate.

After the meal, they stood under the corridor, played for a while, then each returned to their own courtyard to sleep.

Master Shen has a dedicated resting place in the Wangfu, the finest room in the guest courtyard.

Shen Hua Tang came today; Princess Consort of Qi had already ordered two rooms to be tidied, ensuring that Shen Hua Tang and Liu He Meng would have a place to rest at noon.

Only, the three children gathered together refused to leave.

In the end they all stayed in the main courtyard to sleep, and while they slept they still held hands.

Princess Consort of Qi watched, smiled for a while with Gentleness in her brows and eyes, then stepped back.

Prince Qi didn't follow in, fearing his presence would make the little girls restrained.

At this moment, seeing the Princess Consort emerge, he couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Has my obedient one fallen asleep?"

Princess Consort of Qi nodded, then signaled Aunt Qiu to summon the steward.

The daily affairs at the Residence aren't many.

However, the comings and goings involve many matters that need to be reported to Princess Consort of Qi, which must be prepared early.

Aunt Qiu was ordered to quickly bring the person over.

After the steward entered, he briefly reported the daily situation from Zhuangzi's annex, which was uncomplicated.

He said only that today the sheep gave birth here, and the fish pond there had a bountiful harvest.

Compared to the day Sui Sui returned to the Residence, the prolific production at Zhuangzi, Princess Consort of Qi now remains as calm as still water, completely composed.

Prince Qi, upon hearing that a cow on the Zhuang farm gave birth to three calves at once, was so startled he couldn't even attend to his tea, leapt up, and exclaimed excitedly, "Really? Giving birth to three is rare; usually it's one, and two rarely survive."

Steward Uncle Li nodded and smiled: "Since Sixth Prince returned to the Residence, the output from Zhuangzi has been remarkable; I think it's a sign of good fortune."

The butlers, although they also muttered a bit in private.

After all, it's truly rare to have so many births!

The issue is, being able to give birth and still survive makes it even more astonishing.

However, nobody said much, just muttering a few words in private.

Now that the Prince exclaimed in surprise, Uncle Li casually said a few words.

He thought it wasn't a big deal; keeping the master happy was most important.

After the Car Maid incident, the Wangfu's mood hasn't been great these past two days, so Uncle Li chose to say a few pleasant words.

Prince Qi nodded after listening: "Xiao Liu is naturally fortunate."

After saying that, he sat back down, picked up his teacup, and said with a smile: "But the one who's even more fortunate has to be our good child."

Princess Consort of Qi didn't want to engage with him further, turned her head to look at Uncle Li, gesturing for him to continue.

Uncle Li smiled and continued: "In the morning, the He Residence sent someone to deliver gifts, saying they were grateful for the Commandery Princess's care of the He family's second young lady when we were at the temple earlier."

Lady He had already sent a gift before going down the mountain.

Now sending another gift, they probably want to show sincerity.

Princess Consort of Qi guessed it might not be just that.

The treatment of He Shuran's illness likely has seen new progress with the Doctor.

Perhaps this child will ultimately survive.

Princess Consort of Qi naturally hopes He Shuran will ultimately survive; she thinks the child that Sui Sui likes probably has a good temperament.

If the child could gain a playmate, Princess Consort of Qi would also be happy.

Thinking of these, she smiled: "Let me look at the gift list."

The second watch.