Chapter 278: with translation of chapter title

Zhou Shi naturally understood what the Princess Consort of Qi was worried about; she smiled and said, "Don't worry."

Any more words would be inconvenient to say.

Although the Princess Consort of Qi felt guilty, she was actually fine.

The Xu family has already reclaimed a child; they can't possibly seize another one, can they?

Even if Sui Sui resembles her mother or father, they would still need some evidence and reason to take the child, wouldn't they?

Thinking of these, the Princess Consort of Qi regained her confidence.

Sui Sui didn't know her mother consort's worries; she curiously looked at those pretty aunties and older sisters.

The venue was filled with fragrance; many aunties' scents were stronger than Ren Auntie's, making Sui Sui's head feel dizzy.

She thought, the mother consort's scent is best—fragrant yet light, the most pleasant.

Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin needed to accompany their sister, so they hadn't gone to play yet.

However, Ying Ningzhi was already urging him to go out and play, and even luring him, bringing the sister along.

With so many people present, and it being the sister's first time experiencing this, Feng Xuanrui couldn't feel at ease.

Moreover, he had to guard against these people trying to snatch his sister away.

So, he couldn't take her out.

But…

It's so lively outside.

I really want to go out and have a look.

Feng Xuanrui's status is noble; in Jing Cheng he usually moves about freely, almost as if he could walk sideways.

So, he actually had nothing to fear.

Sui Sui was also quite curious, but she didn't want to leave her mother consort, nor did she dare much.

Sui Sui was actually quite curious, but she couldn't bear to leave Mother Consort, and she didn't really dare either.

is a bit many.

Sui Sui hesitated a bit; Feng Xuanbin saw this and immediately came over to urge his sister: "Let's just go out and look; we'll come back after a short while, the feast hasn't started yet."

The sons of the Song Fu were all following Song Dafu in the front courtyard, not staying beside Zhou Shi.

Therefore, Zhou Shi didn't need to look after the children, making things relatively easier for her.

At this moment, hearing the three little kids muttering, Zhou Shi couldn't bear to see the children in difficulty, and she softly told the Princess Consort of Qi: "Also don't restrain the child, have little."

Zhou Shi understood the Princess Consort of Qi's worries; she turned her head and saw Lu Xue Rou not far away, her smile deepening: "If it really won't work, let's call Xue Rou over to help look after her; we can't let Sui Sui suffer."

Sui Sui is young, and this is her first time attending such a banquet; naturally the Princess Consort of Qi is uneasy.

Even though Zhou Shi said that, she still shook her head: "Xue Rou still needs to help her sister-in-law; we shouldn't add to the chaos."

After saying that, the Princess Consort of Qi turned her head to look at Feng Xuanrui: "Little Six, behave yourself."

Hearing the mother consort say that, Feng Xuanrui gave an unhappy "oh".

Feng Xuanbin also felt somewhat disappointed.

Sui Sui, on the other hand, felt nothing much; she only felt her eyes were about to be overwhelmed.

So many people, so many beautiful clothes, so many fragrant scents.

However, the various fragrances intertwined, making the whole place not particularly pleasant-smelling.

Sui Sui felt the room was somewhat stuffy and oppressive.

She coughed a few times uncomfortably, startling the Princess Consort of Qi, who asked her several more questions out of concern.

When the mother consort asked, Sui Sui lowered her head embarrassedly: "... Mother consort, it's just too fragrant."

Previously, Ren Auntie's scent was already very strong; Sui Sui found it uncomfortable to smell.

However, recently she had reduced the amount of fragrance, so it now smelled light and fresh, giving a very comfortable feeling.

Now, upon suddenly smelling so many mixed fragrances together, Sui Sui still wasn't used to it.

The Princess Consort of Qi also felt the scent was somewhat too heavy.

However, the nobles and influential people in Jing Cheng still like to use fragrance a lot.

Some think that while walking with the breeze, trailing a wisp of fragrance is a very elegant thing.

Some use it to mask strong body odor, while others simply follow the trend.

Among them, those who follow the trend are the majority.

Some like strong fragrance, some like light fragrance; that's others' preference, and there's not much we can do to interfere.

The Princess Consort of Qi also felt that after sitting for a while, the room's scent became somewhat stuffy.

She thought for a moment and gestured to Zhou Shi: "How about we go for a walk in the courtyard?"

The rear garden of the Fǔguó Gōng mansion is spacious, with various corridors, Jiashan, and pavilions.

Even if all these ladies stood outside, there would still be plenty of space.

Zhou Shi also felt the room was noisy and the scent too strong.

Especially when Xu Shi and the Lady of Jin Yang Hou passed by them, a wave of strong fragrance drifted over, nearly making Zhou Shi choke and cough.

She barely managed to hold it in, and didn't lose composure in front of others.

Small children don't have that kind of good self-control.

Sui Sui had already been made uncomfortable by the perfume; at this moment her eyes were brimming with tears in her round eyes, and she coughed several times.

Feng Xuanrui also felt uncomfortable, and cleared his throat.

Feng Xuanbin, disdainful, fanned with his hand in front of his nose.

The Lady of Jin Yang Hou heard the sound, turned her head slightly to glance, saw it was the Princess Consort of Qi, and then didn't look further.

The Marchioness of Jinyang listened to the voice, tilted her head slightly and glanced; upon discovering it was the Princess Consort of Qi, she didn't look any further.

However, before withdrawing his gaze, his brows drooped, he glanced at Sui Sui once, then quickly withdrew it.

The other party lowered their eyes, unable to see the expression in their depths; Princess Consort of Qi was also uncertain whether she had seen Sui Sui or not.

The other party……

Have you ever seen Chen San Niang from back then?

Princess Consort of Qi has seen Chen San Niang's portrait.

Prince Qing helped investigate the returned item, but the painting was very rough; likely drawn hastily by someone asked for help, making the likeness unclear.

So, whether Sui Sui resembles Chen San Niang, Princess Consort of Qi is actually not sure either.

However, Madame Jin Yang Hou had already turned her head, no longer looking further; likely she thought they were not alike.

Princess Consort of Qi was also uncertain, not wanting Sui Sui to feel upset, she quickly picked up the child and hurried out.

As she passed the gate, she happened upon Lù Fūrén who was speaking with someone.

Lù Fūrén saw Princess Consort of Qi's hurried appearance and assumed the child was ill, approaching with concern: 'Is the child uncomfortable?'

The person Lù Fūrén was speaking with was the eldest daughter of the Lu household who had married out, Lu Xing Lan.

She had married into the Cheng Guó Gōng family.

Lu Xing Lan was older than Princess Consort of Qi, so she should address her as elder cousin.

At that moment, seeing people, the two first exchanged smiles and greetings; then Princess Consort of Qi explained to Lù Fūrén: 'I felt stuffy inside, so I wanted to take the child out for a walk.'

As summer approached, the weather grew hotter.

Feeling stuffy indoors and unable to sit still is understandable.

Lù Fūrén nodded after hearing that: 'Why not go to the pond to look at the flowers? I had someone come earlier to warm the water, and now the lotuses are just about to bloom—perfect timing to bring the child out to see the liveliness.'

Having reached the gate, Princess Consort of Qi was not in a hurry to leave.

After all, she had run into Lu Xing Lan, so they had to exchange a few pleasantries regardless.

In the end, Princess Consort of Qi glanced behind Lu Xing Lan and asked softly: 'Why didn't you bring your elder sister along?'

The second watch is at 19:00.