Chapter 246: Fief

Princess Consort of Qi was listening to Aunt Qiu's report about the congratulatory gifts sent from the Ying Residence, Song Fu, and several other mansions.

The Wangfu had gained a young commandery princess, and this matter came in the form of an imperial edict.

Therefore, even though the Wangfu had not yet held a banquet to announce it formally to guests,

the various mansions in Jing Cheng already knew about this matter.

So, those mansions that were on good terms with the Wangfu or had marital ties all sent people with gifts to observe propriety.

Of course, part of the meaning was also to show friendliness.

The Ying Fu sent gifts because of the past life‑saving favor, and also because Ying Zhi truly likes Sui Sui.

Thus, as soon as the news came out, they arranged gifts and sent them over today.

The Song Fu had already sent a batch of gifts earlier; today they sent people again with more.

They sent gifts today because they heard that Sui Sui was ill.

Therefore, the gifts were mostly medicinal herbs and tonics.

The Ren Fu and Meng Fu, out of courtesy, also sent gifts over.

Besides that, the Fǔguó Gōng Fu also sent people with gifts.

The Guó Gōng Lady is Princess Consort of Qi's paternal aunt; she had already heard about Sui Sui's matter and earlier sent a messenger saying that at Chen Ge'er's birthday banquet, she must definitely bring the person to her residence to meet everyone.

As soon as Prince Qi entered, he asked about Sui Sui, and Princess Consort of Qi felt delighted in her heart.

She gestured toward the side room: "The child has gone to nap; she'll probably wake up in a while."

Little ones sleep a lot, and the more they sleep, the faster they grow.

Sui Sui's physique is frail; Princess Consort of Qi hopes the child will grow up healthy.

So, during nap time, they usually create a very good environment for her so that Sui Sui can sleep peacefully.

The little girl can usually sleep for about an hour.

Upon hearing that she was sleeping, Prince Qi quickly nodded and casually asked which mansions had sent gifts; after listening, he nodded again.

Princess Consort of Qi also finished listening, then signaled Aunt Qiu to put the account book away—some items she will later allocate to Sui Sui.

Aunt Qiu replied softly and then stepped aside.

Princess Consort of Qi was thinking about Concubine Guo's matter, turned her head and softly asked Prince Qi: "Should we also send someone to report good news to the Guo side?"

Prince Qi thought it unnecessary to make such a fuss.

However, considering these matters had always been arranged by the princess consort, he would not interfere casually, and said: "Just arrange it as you see fit."

Princess Consort of Qi nodded after hearing him, then asked a few more things.

After finishing the trivial matters, she thought about the prince's brawl in court earlier; at that time, to divert the prince's attention, she had mentioned Concubine Guo's matter.

Now Princess Consort of Qi recalled it and naturally wanted to ask about the outcome after the big melee.

Thinking of this, Princess Consort of Qi smiled: "By the way, about the charcoal incident, what did His Majesty grant our Sui Sui?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Qi became spirited; he hardly felt the pain on his head and was almost ready to dance and gesture to show the princess consort.

But, considering Aunt Qiu and the others were still present, Prince Qi lightly coughed to conceal his embarrassment, then lowered his voice and said: "His Imperial Elder Brother granted our Sui Sui a fief—Shui Shui County under Qingzhou Prefecture; I think that place is fairly prosperous, so I reluctantly agreed."

Princess Consort of Qi heard this and couldn't help but draw a sharp breath of cold air.

Only princesses receive fiefs; commandery princesses do not.

Moreover, some insignificant, unfavored princesses don't even have fiefs.

Although commandery princesses can have fiefs, Sui Sui's here is not the first.

Nevertheless, such an enfiefment truly sounds delightful to hear.

It also shows how much His Majesty values Sui Sui.

Or rather, how much he values Prince Qi, his younger brother.

With a fief, Sui Sui gains another layer of reliance.

Princess Consort of Qi felt happy inside and couldn't help but laugh: "Having a fief is wonderful—our Sui Sui has suffered so much before; from now on her days will surely keep getting better."

Prince Qi naturally believed this: "Of course, of course, my dear, she will surely live more comfortably than a princess."

The prince dares to say this, but Princess Consort of Qi dare not reply.

She smiled helplessly, then asked Aunt Qiu where Echo Water County under Qingzhou Prefecture is, its population, and roughly how much tax it yields each year.

These will all become Sui Sui's property in the future!

She must keep this clear in her mind; she cannot let anyone deceive her!

Aunt Qiu has never done this before; now that she's asked, she isn't entirely sure either.

But Aunt Qiu is all‑capable; she said she'll go ask later and will definitely get the figures straight, putting the princess consort at ease.

Prince Qi also said on the side: "Don't worry; later I'll ask the Ministry of Revenue for the tax details of Echo Water County for these two years—definitely won't let our dear suffer a loss."

With the prince's words, Princess Consort of Qi could also relax.

Sui Sui now has a name, an identity, and a fief.

Princess Consort of Qi's heart gradually settled back down.

She thought the interpretation given by the masters of Lanruo Si might be correct.

Just go with the flow; there's no need to worry too much.

Everything is the best arrangement of heaven.

However, now that she's like this, should she go to Lanruo Si to make good on her vow?

Princess Consort of Qi said worriedly; Prince Qi listened on the side.

He heard nothing else in his ears, only the desire to go on an outing with his dear.

That will definitely happen!

Prince Qi hurriedly nodded: "Yes, we must go!"

Princess Consort of Qi thought, it's just right that Prince recently needs to nurture his body, go out for a walk, change location, change mood; that should be fine, right?

Princess Consort of Qi has to go to Lanruo Si again, and also bring Prince Qi and Sui Sui along, so preparations are definitely needed.

When Sui Sui woke up that afternoon, she didn't go to class at all; instead Prince Qi scooped her up in one arm, and also took Liu He Meng and Shen Hua Tang with him.

The three little girls, still not recovered, followed Prince Qi with bewildered faces into the front courtyard's reception room.

The place was spacious, the area also vast.

Prince Qi had long ago had people prepare paper kites, but they were still unglued.

Since they're going out for a spring outing, taking advantage of the warm breeze to fly paper kites is a fine pastime.

Besides, a kite you glue yourself is the most fun.

Before Sui Sui was fully awake, Prince Qi had already had people arrange the corresponding items.

When Sui Sui woke up, he carried her over.

Princess Consort of Qi still has to arrange all matters for the trip to Lanruo Si.

They will probably stay a few days, aiming to return before the end of the month.

At the beginning of next month, they must go to Lu Fu for a banquet.

There are also many things to prepare.

Princess Consort of Qi was bustling, Prince Qi stole a moment, hugging the child and shouted: "Sui Sui, Father King will take you to glue a paper kite; tomorrow we'll go to Lanruolan to fly paper kites."

After saying that, fearing Sui Sui would have no playmate at the temple, Prince Qi turned his head to the two little girls behind him and said, "Meng Meng and Tangtang, all of you go; everyone play together!"

What about the stinky boys at the Residence?

Not taking them!

Second watch at 19:00.