Chapter 258: with translation of chapter title

After hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Princess Consort of Qi felt her heart skip a beat.

She had recently grown accustomed to sleeping with Sui Sui, but tonight they were suddenly separated…

Never mind how Sui Sui is; Princess Consort of Qi feels she herself can't adapt either!

Moreover, Sui Sui is so young—constantly changing her living environment isn't good for a child, is it?

Little children don't understand much, and the people around them keep changing; after a while, what if she, to keep from hurting herself, starts to become detached—what then?

Her precious one—she can't bear to let go!

The couple were so nervous they could barely eat; the Empress Dowager watching felt both amused and annoyed.

She isn't trying to take the child; she just likes Sui Sui and wants to stay overnight for a day or two!

However, the Empress Dowager recalled that the eldest son of the Fǔguó Gōng mansion would celebrate his birthday in early May, and by then the Qi Wangfu would certainly have to attend.

Since being made a commandery princess, Sui Sui hasn't held a small banquet to announce her status publicly; for now she has no social engagements.

In Jing Cheng, how can one get by without socializing?

The Empress Dowager thought this was a rare opportunity; thus she felt it wouldn't be right to really keep the child in the palace.

Moreover…

Seeing Sui Sui's confused and fearful expression, she also knew that having just become familiar with the child, their relationship wasn't that close yet; if she really forced the child to stay in the palace, the little one would surely be terrified.

Thinking this, the Empress Dowager felt a bit sour in her heart.

She admitted that her fondness for Sui Sui largely stemmed from Proud Sun's departure, leaving her heart empty, seeking some comfort.

But the Empress Dowager still clearly distinguished between her own daughter and the precious Sui Sui.

However, forget it; there will be plenty of time in the future.

Let's talk about it later after we get more familiar with the child.

The Empress Dowager quickly waved her hand: "Forget it, the child is still small and can't be parted from her Mother Consort; for now, just follow you back to the mansion."

As soon as those words were spoken, the originally slightly tense atmosphere at the table relaxed considerably.

The Emperor originally thought that if Sui Sui stayed in the palace for a few days, he could occasionally come by to see her, and perhaps the child wouldn't be so afraid of him, this Imperial Uncle.

The Emperor's fondness for princesses and commandery princesses was not as obsessive as Prince Qi's.

He has several princesses, and besides, he has many children; actually his fondness for children is just so-so.

Moreover, the Emperor's status determines that his relationship with his children is not merely emotional maintenance; there are also considerations of interest.

Thus, even if he likes them, he cannot show excessive favoritism.

On the contrary, Sui Sui's status allows the Emperor to slightly reveal his paternal heart.

Unfortunately, he cannot stay overnight.

However, it is indeed as the Empress Dowager said: there will be plenty of time in the future.

Later, when the child grows up and can be apart from people a little, bringing her to the palace for a short stay would also be a good plan.

One meal, everyone ate quite well.

Even the Emperor, who usually shows no emotion, ate a few extra bites of vegetables.

But it was only a few bites; he specially took extra chopsticks so as not to dampen the Empress Dowager's and his brother's enthusiasm.

Any more, and there would be none left.

The Emperor's status determines that even beside his closest kin, he cannot fully relax; he can only relax a little, just enough to keep his heart from being too weary.

How others ate, Sui Sui doesn't know.

But she ate very well.

The palace's meat is tasty, the dishes are tasty, the pastries are also tasty.

Even the rice is especially tasty!

Seeing Sui Sui happily eating, after the meal Prince Qi began to pester the Emperor, hoping to ask for some tribute rice to take back.

The palace's rice is naturally not quite the same as that of the Qi Wangfu.

The palace's specially supplied rice, compared to the imperial household's specially supplied rice, still has some differences.

The palace's rice is naturally the best.

So, Prince Qi kept pestering for it; the Emperor, already accustomed to his shamelessness, replied with a cheerful laugh.

Even if Prince Qi didn't mention it, the Emperor would still give it.

Thinking of Sui Sui's satisfied expression while eating, the Emperor felt his own appetite had improved considerably.

The Emperor was actually quite curious about the matter that Sui Sui was favored by Heaven, full of blessings.

But he was afraid that if he asked too much, the little child wouldn't be able to answer, and his brother might turn against him.

So, after several attempts at restraint, the Emperor still didn't ask the question on his lips.

After the meal, Sui Sui began to feel sleepy.

Seeing the little head nestled in Princess Consort of Qi's embrace, nodding bit by bit, the Emperor smiled and said, "Imperial Uncle will lull you to sleep, okay, Sui Sui?"

The Emperor thought, "I can't ask, but may I not hold her?"

"A blessed child—if he holds her more, maybe Heaven in a daze will also favor him?"

He actually isn't seeking longevity or such; of course, if his lifespan were high, that would naturally be best.

He just wants…

That the successor be virtuous, the realm stable, the rivers clear and seas tranquil.

Alright.

The Emperor admits that what he seeks is still quite a lot.

If he must choose one more, then he would choose…

The realm stable.

When the realm is stable, it means the successor is indeed very capable.

Not only his crown prince, but also his descendants.

Sui Sui was feeling dazed when she heard Imperial Uncle's words.

Although she was still a little afraid, Imperial Uncle was not a bad person, so Sui Sui just stared blankly, and then her little eyes became blank again.

Princess Consort of Qi could tell at a glance that the child had no objection.

She handed the child to Aunt Qiu, and Aunt Qiu then handed the child to the Chief Steward by the Emperor's side.

After passing through several hands, Sui Sui finally ended up in the Emperor's grasp.

When held in his arms, Sui Sui softly called out, 'Imperial Uncle, peace.'

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's heart softened a bit more.

What a well-behaved child.

Even though she was exhausted like this, she still remembered to ask after herself.

The Emperor raised his hand and gently patted Sui Sui's back: 'Just sleep peacefully, Imperial Uncle is watching over you.'

Sui Sui was indeed tired, feeling no malice from Imperial Uncle, so she obediently nestled against his shoulder, her eyelids drooped, and she fell asleep.

Feeling the weight on his shoulder, the Emperor's heart also grew considerably more at ease.

He raised his hand to gently support Sui Sui, afraid the little child might fall.

The Empress Dowager watched from the side, feeling moved, yet worried that the Emperor might not be careful and hurt the child again; she said softly, 'Sleeping like this isn't comfortable either—take the child back to my quarters to sleep.'

After saying that, the Empress Dowager quickly changed her mind: 'Go to the Side Hall; my rooms aren't tidied yet, they have a strong medicinal smell that the child wouldn't be used to.'

Because of Prince Qi's matter, the Empress Dowager's asthma flared up; she had been taking medicinal tonics these past few days, so her rooms inevitably carried some odor.

The Empress Dowager also feared the child would be unaccustomed to the smell and sleep uneasily.

The Emperor was reluctant to let go of the child, but if their voices were too loud, it would frighten the child.

After thinking it over, the Emperor nodded and rose to his feet.

From that look, he intended to personally take the child over.

The Empress Dowager saw this and did not stop him, merely letting Aunt Xu lead the way ahead.

The second watch was at 19:00.