Chapter 254: Good-for-nothing

Sui Sui's soft, squishy voice brought the Empress Dowager back from her reverie.

She lowered her head, gazing warmly at the little child right before her.

The child lowered his head, leaving only a cute hat's top visible.

The Empress Dowager instinctively raised her hand, lightly touching the tassel beside Sui Sui's hat, her voice even softer: "Good child, lift your head so the Grand Empress Dowager can see."

Sui Sui didn't know whether she should lift her head.

But Mother Consort said that as long as she obediently listened to whatever the Grand Empress Dowager said, it would be fine.

Thinking of this, Sui Sui gently lifted her head.

Those round, gleaming eyes instantly met the Empress Dowager's gaze.

Like!

So much like!

These eyes are practically identical!

At this moment, the Empress Dowager even wondered whether there might be some unknown marital connection between the Jin Yang Marquis Manor and the imperial family.

But there wasn't.

At least, the Empress Dowager's memory had none.

If it were from several generations ago, she would still need to have someone look into it.

But……

After several generations, could they still look this alike?

Shouldn't that be impossible?

So, this child truly isn't a romantic debt left outside by Xiao Jiu?

Although I trust Xiao Jiu, but……

What credibility do men have?

Even if it's her son, she couldn't possibly trust him completely.

Especially when it comes to being amorous and pleasure‑seeking!

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager raised her hand and gently touched Sui Sui's soft little cheek, smiling as she said, "Good child, you really are good‑looking."

It was clear that Sui Sui, standing before her, was a bit restrained; the Empress Dowager lightly raised her hand: "Go on, return to Mother Consort's side."

Such a young child, entering the palace for the first time, must be feeling nervous inside.

The Empress Dowager also didn't want to frighten the child, so she quickly gestured for Sui Sui to go back.

Sui Sui didn't understand; she quietly glanced at the Empress Dowager, then at Mother Consort, and seeing Mother Consort nod lightly, she politely curtsied: "Yes, Grand Empress Dowager."

Mother Consort had told Sui Sui that the Grand Empress Dowager was a grandmother, yet also the Empress Dowager.

This meant she would not be like an ordinary family's grandmother, romping with her children and grandchildren.

So Sui Sui needed to mind her manners before the Grand Empress Dowager.

Although Sui Sui didn't understand, she listened to Mother Consort.

Mother Consort nodded, so she obediently went back.

Today Prince Qi brought Sui Sui into the palace mainly to show her off, so the Empress Dowager could see what his new granddaughter looked like.

This also let others know that the Empress Dowager and the Qi Wangfu valued this Young Countess, Sui Sui.

So lunch would definitely be provided.

Sui Sui returned to Mother Consort's side, sitting obediently, while Princess Consort of Qi coaxed the child into eating the palace pastries.

The palace's imperial chefs were all carefully selected; their culinary skill goes without saying.

Thus the pastries were also extremely fragrant.

In the Empress Dowager's palace, the various pastries, considering her age and constitution, are all easy to digest.

They contain little sugar, so they aren't very sweet, but they are still quite fragrant.

Sui Sui ate while furtively glancing at the Empress Dowager.

She thought……

The Grand Empress Dowager is truly dignified; she even feels a bit afraid to look into her eyes.

However, she bears no ill will and does not dislike her.

This realization made Sui Sui very happy.

She thought, not being disliked is enough.

Thinking of this, Sui Sui's pastry‑eating motions quickened a bit, her cheeks puffed out adorably, like a teased kitten.

As the Empress Dowager was speaking with Prince Qi, her eyes flickering, she watched this scene and thought: "Even more alike!"

However, even when the Late Emperor was young, he could never have struck such a pose.

Now, seeing the Late Emperor's likeness in Sui Sui, the Empress Dowager wasn't overly excited, just felt it was novel.

She thought, this child……

Not only does she have affinity with the Qi Wangfu, but also with their imperial family.

Otherwise, why would those eyes not resemble anyone else but the Late Emperor?

And finally, it was Xiao Jiu, whose eyes most resemble the Late Emperor's, who brought her back to the residence to be raised.

This is their destined affinity.

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager's lips twitched slightly upward, and her expression lost some of its sternness.

As noon approached, the various consorts of the Inner Palace received the news and sent people to bring gifts.

Those of higher rank sent the palace's trusted aunts personally to come, to show their regard for Sui Sui.

Those of lower rank simply brought their own attendants and gifts.

The Empress Dowager's Yishou Gong had not been this bustling for a long time; watching the flow of people, the Empress Dowager signaled the Princess Consort of Qi to go greet the guests, and after seeing the people leave, she lowered her voice and asked Prince Qi, "Sui Sui… is it truly not a child you were fooling around with outside?"

Prince Qi:???

Prince Qi originally was uneasy about Sui Sui, his eyes still fixed on Sui Sui's departing silhouette.

Hearing Mother Consort's words, Prince Qi was startled: "Ah, Mother Consort, please don't say that…"

Halfway through speaking, Prince Qi thought for a moment, then slapped his head: "Actually, that works too; she's my own daughter, and the Jin Yang Marquis's manor can't claim her later. If Heaven sends her, this child is also mine; her looks follow me!"

Others have said more than once that Sui Sui's eyes resemble his own, and Prince Qi can see it himself.

Although Sui Sui is indeed different from him in other aspects.

But those eyes…

They are exactly the same as Xiao Liu's when he was a child.

And Xiao Liu's eyes are also exactly like his.

So, isn't it his child?

If he doesn't remember clearly, he indeed never messed around outside; Prince Qi even begins to doubt whether this child might have been produced by him outside!

However, in fact, he truly didn't mess around!

In his early years he didn't value beauty, and the rear‑court Princess Consort was gentle, Ren Ce Fei was coquettish, Meng Ce Fei was docile, and the several concubines each had their own charms; why would he seek excitement outside?

So it could not be a dalliance debt from outside.

Moreover, the shabby affair of the Jin Yang Marquis is all documented.

If Sui Sui's lineage were problematic, how could the Jin Yang Marquis's manor possibly send someone to fetch her?

Prince Qi actually hopes the child's origin is questionable; that way, when he later seizes the child, he can be even more justified.

Seeing Prince Qi's eyes widen in shock, the Empress Dowager thought about his conduct, then sighed lightly: "What a wonderful child, why isn't she your own?"

At this point, the Empress Dowager gave him several disdainful looks: "Useless thing, can't even mess around."

Prince Qi: …!

Mother Consort, if you say that, we can't have a normal family conversation anymore!

At this moment, Sui Sui, who was accompanying the Mother Consort to receive the imperial concubines, knew nothing of Father King's and Grand Empress Dowager's situation.

She obediently followed the Mother Consort, first meeting the Virtuous Pin, the Healthy Pin, then the Peaceful Pin and other Pin ladies, and later also met Ye Meiren and Wen Meiren.

Finally came Yue Pin and Lian Meiren.

Yue Pin was gentle and docile, Lian Meiren was charming and captivating, each with her own traits.

The beautiful aunties, each fragrant, though when they looked at people their brows and eyes never glanced down at Sui Sui.

Yet Sui Sui still thought they were all so fragrant, so beautiful!

She envied the coming and going imperial concubines, hoping she would one day be as tall and fragrant as they are!

That way, others wouldn't despise her; she would no longer be a country bumpkin!

Empress Dowager: When in a bad mood, she scolds the dead husband and the useless son; when in a good mood, she coos to the grandson and teases the granddaughter~

The second watch is at 19:00