Chapter 255

The relationship between Lian Meiren and Yue Pin was still amicable; when they met, they smiled, sat down, and chatted with the Princess Consort of Qi for a while.

During the conversation, Yue Pin couldn't help turning her head repeatedly to look at Sui Sui.

Her father was Doctor Liu, so she had naturally heard of Sui Sui's affairs and had already paid extra attention to this child.

Now seeing the real person, she was naturally curious.

Yue Pin's gaze kept flicking over; Sui Sui felt it, lifted her head, and smiled obediently.

A child's smile is pure and lovely, and utterly adorable.

Yue Pin watched, delighted, and began to smile as well.

Lian Meiren was still talking with the Princess Consort of Qi, so Yue Pin simply moved closer to Sui Sui and softly asked, "Did you get to eat some tasty little cakes today upon entering the palace?"

Sui Sui had just eaten some; hearing the question, she quickly nodded, "I've eaten them, and they're fragrant."

At this moment, Sui Sui could still feel the sweet fragrance of the pastries lingering on her.

A child's voice is clear and crisp, easily endearing; Yue Pin especially likes children, yet she has no luck bearing them.

She had been pregnant twice before, but both pregnancies ended in loss.

Her father personally took her pulse and said her constitution was not strong, a congenital issue.

If she were to conceive again, the outcome would likely be similar.

Moreover, the inner palace is full of beauties, and His Majesty's time to visit her is limited; Yue Pin actually isn't that likely to conceive again easily.

Especially in the past two years, with countless newcomers, Yue Pin's appearance actually holds no advantage in the inner palace; she merely has a gentle disposition.

Having no child of her own, she likes to look at others', especially those she feels an affinity for.

Lian Meiren had still been talking with the Princess Consort of Qi; hearing Sui Sui's voice, she turned her head with a smile and said, "Is this Sui Sui?"

Lian Meiren spoke, and Sui Sui promptly replied obediently, "Hello, Auntie Meiren, I'm Sui Sui."

Seeing Sui Sui nod her little head, so cute, Lian Meiren smiled and beckoned her: "Come closer, let Auntie have a look."

Hearing that, Sui Sui first glanced at Yue Pin.

Yue Pin didn't mind at all; they were sitting not far apart, just a few steps away, so she lightly touched Sui Sui's little hat and gestured for her to come over.

Sui Sui obediently walked over and softly called again, "Auntie Meiren."

Xiang Gugu had said that if unsure what to call someone, just add the title and call them 'auntie'.

Sui Sui didn't know what a title was, but she remembered Xiang Gugu's words.

After Sui Sui approached, Lian Meiren examined her closely and noticed the child's brows and eyes resembled Prince Qi greatly; though she harbored suspicions, a smart person would not show even a hint of them on her face.

Lian Meiren quickly suppressed her thoughts, smiling as she asked Sui Sui, "Do you still remember Elder Sister Ruoyi?"

Elder Sister Ruoyi?

Of course I remember!

That was the second person I met after leaving the village… uh, no, maybe the third or fourth friend?

Anyway, she's my good friend; I even had my sisters help me write a letter to Elder Sister Ruoyi before.

Now that Lian Meiren asked, Sui Sui nodded eagerly: "Replying to Auntie Meiren, I remember; Elder Sister Ruoyi was very kind and even treated me to tasty little cakes."

Lian Meiren had just received a letter from her hometown two days ago, so she naturally knew that Sui Sui was on good terms with Lian Ruoyi.

Children's friendships actually involve no ulterior motives; they simply like each other.

Besides, the Qi Wang Fu is not a place just anyone can casually try to exploit.

Lian Meiren didn't want to do useless things, so she smiled and said, "I am Elder Sister Ruoyi's aunt."

Sui Sui felt it would be awkward to call her aunt; doing so would mess up the generational order.

Sui Sui understood what 'aunt' meant, knew she was a relative of Elder Sister Ruoyi, and her eyes lit up with happiness.

Her beautiful big eyes brightened, making her look even more like Prince Qi.

Lian Meiren muttered to herself: "Could this child really not be Prince Qi's illegitimate offspring raised outside?"

But seeing how the Princess Consort of Qi dotes on the child, it doesn't seem quite like that.

Lian Meiren dared not dwell on it further, fearing the Princess Consort of Qi would notice her suspicions; she quickly switched to other topics.

The weather, clothing, jewelry, pastries…

There was too much to talk about, and soon the conversation drifted off.

Sui Sui also returned to her mother consort's side.

Compared to others who came, sat briefly, and left, Yue Pin and Lian Meiren stayed a little longer.

They waited until His Majesty was about to finish court, then finally rose and departed.

They simply found Sui Sui cute, and with the Princess Consort of Qi's good nature, they lingered a bit—not wanting anyone to think they were scheming by sitting here waiting for His Majesty.

So, having gauged that the time was about right, the two rose and took their leave.

The Princess Consort of Qi took Sui Sui's hand and saw her out.

For the moment, no one came to the inner palace, and the Princess Consort of Qi could finally let out a long breath.

When Sui Sui wasn't nearby, the Empress Dowager spoke more freely.

After confirming that Sui Sui was not the product of the son's indiscretions outside, the Empress Dowager didn't know whether she felt more relief or regret.

She even couldn't help thinking: "…You say, could it be your father emperor?"

This child's eyes resemble theirs so closely that it's hard to believe she has no connection to the Feng family, or to put it another way, to the Late Emperor!

The Late Emperor…

He was an affectionate emperor.

The Empress Dowager could even foresee that, a hundred years from now, or even a thousand, the wild histories about the Late Emperor could be written as wildly as one likes.

After all, the Late Emperor's inner palace included officials' wives, remarried women, thrice-widowed women…

He even once had two male favorites.

Of course, after being pampered for two years, perhaps feeling there were no objections, they let it roam free, and after that it never appeared again.

So, if the other party is out there enjoying themselves romantically, leaving behind some romantic debts, that's also normal, right?

The Late Emperor's affairs—could Prince Qi, as his own son, not know?

After all, the composition of the Late Emperor's Inner Palace is complex, and most people in Jing Cheng know that.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager's mention made Prince Qi's heart give a thump.

He thought: Empress Dowager, please don't!

Father Emperor may be gone, but saying this is still not appropriate, right?

If it gets out…

That bunch of old fogeys from the imperial clan—who knows, someone might come hang themselves at the Palace Gate!

After all, the Late Emperor's political achievements are still excellent; they can barely cover up his indiscriminate indulgence in the Inner Palace.

The Empress Dowager also knows that it's not proper for the son to casually discuss the late father's affairs; she merely speculated a bit, with no conclusion, and couldn't be bothered to bring it up again.

Just then, Princess Consort of Qi returned with Sui Sui, so she didn't say anything more.

The Empress Dowager was about to find an excuse to summon Sui Sui closer for a hug.

She actually quite liked this child.

But before she could speak, a loud announcement came from outside: 'His Majesty approaches.'

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