Chapter 279

Mentioning Shu Jie'er, Lu Xing Lan let out a light sigh: "A few days ago she accidentally fell into the water and caught a chill; she's been feeling unwell these days, so I let her stay at the residence to recuperate, and didn't bring her out."

If it weren't for their close relationship, Lu Xing Lan actually wouldn't want to bring up these dirty matters.

Though said to be an accidental fall into the water, both people present could clearly hear the deeper meaning.

Nothing more than a quarrel in the rear courtyard.

After listening, the Princess Consort of Qi slightly furrowed her brows.

She actually dislikes this kind of rear-courtyard quarrel the most, especially when it implicates the child.

Using the child as a raft is truly somewhat disgusting.

However, since it's ultimately not her own residence's affair, she also doesn't feel comfortable saying more.

Moreover, Lu Xing Lan is not one to suffer a loss; I suspect she has already reacted after the child's mishap.

The Princess Consort of Qi didn't want to dwell on it, yet she worried about the child; after thinking, she probed: "Should I let Ren Xiu know, so she can return home to stay a few days?"

Lu Xing Lan's husband, the Cheng Guó Gōng, is the elder brother of Ren Ce Fei.

Ren Ce Fei dotes greatly on her niece Ren Shu Han; if she learned of this, she would likely return to the residence and make a scene.

By then, those involved would hardly be able to escape.

Even if they don't die, they'll likely have to shed a layer of skin.

However, a married young aunt returning to her natal family to manage her brother's rear-courtyard affairs is bound to be laughed at.

So, the Princess Consort of Qi must first ask Lu Xing Lan whether she is willing.

If the other party is unwilling, she also doesn't want to say more.

However…

This matter probably can't be concealed for much longer.

Ren Ce Fei occasionally goes out on the street or returns to her natal family.

The other party will eventually find out.

Lu Xing Lan naturally knows all the twists and turns of this; she actually doesn't intend to let Ren Ce Fei interfere further, after all, it would be bad for the latter's reputation.

Even if the other party doesn't care, Lu Xing Lan also doesn't want to harm her.

So, after hearing the Princess Consort of Qi's words, she shook her head: "It's not really a big deal; whatever needed to be handled has been handled, so let's not bother her."

Lu Xing Lan is unwilling, and the Princess Consort of Qi also doesn't intend to say more.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Lù Fūrén still had to greet guests; Lu Xing Lan simply accompanied the Princess Consort of Qi with a group of children to the pondside to view the lotus flowers.

After walking a stretch, Lu Xing Lan then turned her head, looking at Sui Sui, and said with a smile: "This must be Mingxi, right? You look truly like a lovable child."

Just a bit frail.

After looking, Lu Xing Lan still felt somewhat worried.

A frail child is not easy to raise.

However, such heart‑wrenching words are better left unsaid for now.

Moreover, with the imperial family's fine nourishments, she should be able to stand firm.

When others praise her child, the Princess Consort of Qi is naturally pleased; she gently gestured toward Sui Sui: "This is Aunt Lu."

Sui Sui is actually quite curious about this aunt; on the person's body…

How to put it?

Carrying a hint of bitterness, even though the person's body also exudes a faint fragrance.

But Sui Sui still feels that there is a trace of bitterness, almost imperceptible, on her person.

Sui Sui doesn't understand; she timidly yet curiously observes this strange aunt.

After hearing the Mother Consort's words, Sui Sui obediently nodded, her round eyes blinking: "Aunt Lu, hello, I am Sui Sui."

Upon hearing, Lu Xing Lan: "Sui Sui?"

Is this a milk name?

She actually didn't know this; lately there have been many affairs at the residence, the child is still ill, and she hasn't had the mind to pay attention to other things.

Earlier, when she heard that the Qi Wangfu had added a young princess, she merely instructed the steward to prepare a generous gift.

Lu Xing Lan drifted off a bit, but quickly recovered, smiling and replying: "Sui Sui is fine."

At a first meeting, being the child's close aunt, not showing some gesture would look rather bad.

Fortunately, although Lu Xing Lan has been somewhat distracted these days, she also remembered that the young princess of the Qi Wangfu would likely come today, so she quietly prepared a small, easily portable gift.

Now that Sui Sui spoke, Lu Xing Lan immediately smiled and responded, then produced from her sleeve a peach‑red handkerchief wrapping a pair of gold bracelets.

The cute little‑child style, she wasn't entirely sure if it fit the child's size, so she chose the usual size for a five‑year‑old.

Now looking at Sui Sui, Lu Xing Lan thought: the size might be too big.

However, the child can still grow, so giving this gift isn't too impolite.

When the gift was placed in her hands, Sui Sui didn't know whether to accept it, and she looked doubtfully at the Mother Consort.

The Princess Consort of Qi smiled, stroked the child's ear, and said gently: "Thank you, Aunt Lu."

Sui Sui obediently gave thanks, then, feeling a bit embarrassed, accepted the gift.

Lu Xing Lan felt this child was truly adorable; upon closer look, one would find that her eyes resemble those of Feng Xuanrui, as if carved from the same mold.

Because she is young, Sui Sui's eyes appear even more lively and pure.

Lu Xing Lan affectionately rubbed Sui Sui's little ear.

It was soft and pleasant to touch.

If the occasion were appropriate, Lu Xing Lan would want to rub it two more times.

However, she made an effort to restrain herself.

After presenting the gift and becoming acquainted, they soon set off again.

After walking a stretch, I bumped into Sunshi coming from the opposite direction.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Princess Consort of Qi anxiously asked, "Has Princess Shunyang been found?"

Sunshi replied with a smile, "Found, found, I took people to the back courtyard to look at the lotus flowers; I guess someone said something, the lotus flowers at the Residence were forced to bloom early by warmth."

As for the person who gave the reminder, whether it was intentional or not is still unknown for now.

Fortunately, although Princess Shunyang is spoiled, she always has people around her; even if someone wanted to use the princess as a pawn, they'd have to consider how to deal with those around her.

Even so, Sunshi's search for someone this half day left her drenched in cold sweat.

Although, if something happened to Princess Shunyang at the Fǔguó Gōng residence, His Majesty's first target of anger would surely be the Fǔguó Gōng residence.

But!!!

Princess Shunyang came to the Fǔguó Gōng residence in their carriage.

If something really happened, they would certainly also have to bear His Majesty's wrath.

Knowing the person is safe, and being on someone else's turf, it's not appropriate to say much; Sunshi plans to give Lù Fūrén a heads‑up, telling her to be more careful and not let petty people find an opening.

If it was unintentional, then everything is fine.

If it was intentional…

Then they must root out those petty people as soon as possible!

Upon hearing that Princess Shunyang had been found, Princess Consort of Qi let out a sigh of relief.

The Fǔguó Gōng is her uncle; if something really happened, she wouldn't feel at ease either.

Now that she knows nothing serious happened, Princess Consort of Qi can also put her mind at ease.

Sunshi heard they were going to view the lotus blossoms, but she didn't go along.

She still needs to go back and report to the Grand Princess‑Elder, lest the old lady worry.

Upon hearing Sunshi say she needed to go back to report, Princess Consort of Qi fell silent for a moment, then spoke doubtfully, "But… when I came, I didn't see His Highness."

Second watch