Chapter 275: Fǔguó Gōng Residence

The royal clan's residences are all on Zhuque Street.

Prince Qi's residence and the Fǔguó Gōng residence are both in this area.

The two residences aren't far apart, but the carriage's swaying took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Today, the eldest son of the Fǔguó Gōng household and his coronation ceremony drew many guests.

Those with existing ties came to strengthen them.

Those without ties still tried to forge connections.

……

Prince Qi's residence and the Fǔguó Gōng residence are linked by marriage, and their relationship remains very close.

Therefore, Prince Qi and the Princess Consort, with their children, left early.

Even so, the journey was not easy.

Because others besides their family also wanted to get there early.

Prince Qi even keenly spotted the carriage from the Jin Yang Marquis's residence.

Seeing the familiar carriage, Prince Qi's expression darkened as he tossed aside the curtain in his hand and muttered softly, "Huh, huh, huh… why are they still here?"

Princess Consort of Qi had been speaking softly with Sui Sui when she heard the Prince's voice, was puzzled, looked over, saw the curtain had been lowered, and could only ask gently, "What's wrong?"

Prince Qi's words reached his lips, but upon noticing Sui Sui also watching him, he forced them back down, "…It's nothing."

He felt a bit guilty about the child he had taken.

He dared not mention it openly in front of Sui Sui, fearing the child might have a blood‑linked resonance with that residence, and also feeling the other side was kind and familiar…

And then, would his precious obedient one be snatched away?

That would never be allowed!!!

Prince Qi said it was nothing; the Princess Consort didn't believe him, but she didn't press further, lowered her head, and talked with Sui Sui about today's flower hairpin.

Today Sui Sui dressed up splendidly, wearing the flower hairpin that Xiang Gugu had hand‑painted—a cute, soaring free little bird.

It differed greatly from the usual floral‑and‑plant designs, yet was uniquely stylish and very distinctive.

Moreover, the free, unrestrained little bird had a wonderful meaning, so the Princess Consort of Qi deliberately added a tiny pearl to its forehead as ornamentation.

It was Sui Sui's first time painting a flower hairpin; the little girl found it novel and kept trying to reach out to touch it along the way. Princess Consort of Qi, fearing she might touch the flower again or knock off the pearl, constantly stopped her, occasionally chatting to distract the child.

Not only Sui Sui wanted to touch it, Feng Xuanrui also did.

All the way, he couldn't sit still, glancing left and right, patting his sister's clothes, then her little hat.

He also tried to touch the flower hairpin, only to meet Mother Consort's deathly stare.

Feng Xuanrui: …

If you won't let me touch it, then why stare like that?

You scared the young master to death!

Although Feng Xuanrui was scared, he also knew the girl's outfit was delicate; if he touched the flower, his sister might get so angry she'd cry.

That is not permitted!

So Feng Xuanrui restrained his restless hand and shifted his attention to Sui Sui's sleeve.

While touching, he thought to himself: when he first saw Sui Sui, he knew his sister was best suited for splendid garments.

Sui Sui should wear the finest clothes in the world!

Now that Sui Sui is dressed, Feng Xuanrui thought: indeed, my sister matches fine attire perfectly.

His sister is the most adorable in the entire capital.

Although there was an incident with the Jin Yang Marquis's carriage along the way, the swaying carriage still arrived.

The main gate of the Fǔguó Gōng residence was wide open today, prepared to receive guests.

The Fǔguó Gōng's eldest son, Left Junior Minister of the Great Justice Temple Lu Xingming, accompanied by his eldest son, today's young birthday star Lu Yinchen, stood at the entrance to welcome guests.

Seeing Prince Qi's carriage, Lu Xingming signaled to his son, then smiled and greeted, "Your Highness, are you well?"

Prince Qi was the first to alight, followed closely by the Princess Consort with the children.

Because there were children, a step stool was needed to disembark; Prince Qi kept an eye on that while laughing and chatting with Lu Xingming.

The two's relationship…

Hmm, they're kin by blood and marriage, so seniority isn't an issue, but finding a proper form of address has been tricky.

From Prince Qi's perspective, Lu Xingming's wife is the younger daughter of the Grand Princess, a few years older than Prince Qi, thus his elder cousin.

In that case, Prince Qi should call Lu Xingming "brother‑in‑law."

However, from the Princess Consort's side, Lu Xingming is her cousin, so Prince Qi would have to address him as "elder brother."

In the end, with no solution, Lu Xingming, like everyone else, calls Prince Qi "Your Highness," and Prince Qi calls him "Lord Lu."

Often, when seniority and relationship become confusing and can't be balanced, people devise such a method.

It avoids awkwardness and maintains sufficient respect.

After a brief chat, the Princess Consort led the party off the carriage.

Lu Xingming naturally knew early on that Prince Qi's residence had a new young princess.

At this moment, Sui Sui got off the carriage; Prince Qi, who had been speaking to him, could no longer attend to him, and instinctively turned and took Sui Sui from Xiang Gugu's arms.

Sui Sui, being held by his Father King, instinctively slipped his arm around his father's neck, then turned his head to look at Lord Lu.

Lord Lu was also looking at him.

A grown man and a child, their eyes met, and Lord Lu thought: "So, so alike."

Just by those eyes, he wouldn't believe anyone saying this child isn't Prince Qi's!

No wonder his wife, after returning from the Grand Princess's residence, muttered that perhaps this child was a result of Prince Qi's reckless escapades.

But, according to the Grand Princess's implication, that shouldn't be the case.

Otherwise, given the Grand Princess's temperament, even if there was the previous life‑saving favor, she probably wouldn't be pleased to, after hearing the edict that Sui Sui was made a commandery princess, still send people to give gifts.

However, even if Minister Lu had some thoughts in his heart, at this moment he revealed none of them, and quickly put on a kind smile: "This must be Sui Sui? What a lovely child."

Lu Xingming was quite generous; even though today wasn't a formal meeting and he was the host, who should originally have been receiving gifts.

However, the two families' relationship was already so close that Minister Lu truly didn't mind these formalities; he took off the mutton‑fat jade pendant from his waist and stuffed it into Sui Sui's arms: "... Uncle temporarily has nothing else on him, this jade pendant, Sui Sui, don't disdain it, just play with it."

The jade pendant looked brand new, without any sign of wear; at a glance it was clear that Lu Xingming had prepared it specially.

He feared the child might disdain it, so before handing over the jade pendant he carefully had the servant wipe it with a handkerchief.

As for what to call himself in front of Sui Sui, Lu Xingming hesitated a moment.

He thought…

A maternal uncle is closer to a child.

So, he'll go with the relation through his female cousin.

The title "uncle"…

It really is like constantly jumping on Sui Sui's sore spots.

However, Sui Sui is no longer that afraid nowadays.

After all, she understands that this uncle before her is not the same as the previous uncle.

The former uncle used to hit her, which was bad.

This uncle before her gives her a gift as soon as they meet, which is good.

However, whether to accept the gift or not still depends on Father King's wishes.

Thinking of this, Sui Sui withdrew her gaze from Minister Lu and turned her head to look at Father King.

Second watch.