Chapter 281: Someone Inside the Jiashan

Princess Consort of Qi was stunned as soon as she heard it.

She actually had no impression of the Wei Residence's son.

Because the Wei Residence had a slight marital tie with the Jinyang Marquis Residence, Princess Consort of Qi subconsciously didn't pay much attention to that side.

Hearing Lu Xing Lan mention it now, she curiously looked at the maid who was speaking.

The maid quickly replied, "Madam was referring to the eldest son; the one just now should be the third son of the residence, whose biological mother is Xu Shi."

With that explanation, Princess Consort of Qi and Lu Xing Lan understood.

Xu Shi is the secondary wife of the Marquis of Huaiyang, and the child just now is a son of the secondary wife, a few years younger than the eldest son.

After hearing the maid's explanation, Lu Xing Lan's elegant brows remained tight as she muttered softly, "It seems Xu Shi's virtuous reputation is mostly fluff; at a banquet like this, the legitimate son stays by one's side while the stepson gets barely any attention?"

Lu Xing Lan finished and curled her lip.

Princess Consort of Qi listened nearby, feeling a bit like laughing, "It's not our residence's affair, so I can't really comment, but I guess the eldest son is older and follows the Marquis, right?"

That remark from Princess Consort of Qi seemed to make sense?

Lu Xing Lan thought for a moment, said no more, and came over to tease Sui Sui.

It's none of their business, why bother?

Just don't cause trouble for their children.

Lu Xing Lan wasn't worried about herself; her two sons are older and now study at Shu Yuan, making it inconvenient to ask leave and return.

Her younger daughter fell ill at the residence, and she didn't bring the child today.

Her husband Cheng Guó Gōng can be a bit reckless at times, but today he didn't go that far; in a sudden heat of mind, he asked her to bring an illegitimate son and daughter to the gathering.

The Cheng Guó Gōng Residence was already barely keeping its head above water; at a time like this, if Cheng Guó Gōng dared to do inhuman things, her father could truly draw a sword and storm in.

Sui Sui watched for a while, found it meaningless, and noticed many eyes around subtly falling on her.

Some were mixed with scrutinizing looks, not very friendly, which made Sui Sui uncomfortable, so she turned her head and slipped into Mother Consort's lap.

The child's interest was low and it was getting late, so Princess Consort of Qi simply held her and walked back.

Feng Xuanrui and the others didn't know where the commotion had gone, and Princess Consort of Qi, uneasy, searched around with Lu Xing Lan.

As a result, after searching for a long time and checking several children's nooks, they still didn't find their two mischievous brats.

This made Princess Consort of Qi knit her brows; just as she was about to turn back, Sui Sui pointed at a Jiashan and whispered, "Someone's there."

When those words came out, not only Princess Consort of Qi but also Lu Xing Lan was startled, and she instinctively turned her head toward the Jiashan.

That Jiashan was decorative, separating a small garden from a pond, and was farther from where they were viewing the flowers.

On the other side of the Jiashan lay the Fǔguó Gōng Residence's rear‑court women's quarters.

Princess Consort of Qi didn't doubt Sui Sui's words, only feared there might be something else inside.

She exchanged a glance with Lu Xing Lan, who signaled the sturdy matron behind them to go ahead and take a look.

The matron went over, glanced around, inspected the corners, then exclaimed, "Oh dear, there really is a child!"

That exclamation startled Princess Consort of Qi and Lu Xing Lan.

The two exchanged another glance and hurriedly stepped toward that side.

The child was stuck in a corner of the Jiashan.

The space was small, barely fitting two four‑ or five‑year‑olds; a larger child could probably squeeze in a third person.

At this moment, the other was curled there, face unseen, seemingly not fully conscious.

The matron tried to reach in and pull the child out, but the gap above was too shallow for her arm; after stretching for a while, she still couldn't reach.

She had no choice but to insert her hand from underneath.

As a result, the child seemed startled; when the matron's hand brushed him, he flinched, then curled back further.

Whenever the matron moved, he contracted.

Princess Consort of Qi: …

Lu Xing Lan:.

If this continues, the child will be wedged into a dead‑end corner.

Lu Xing Lan raised her hand and halted the matron's action, "Stop, stop."

While speaking, she turned her head, intending to pick a slender servant from the retinue to see if they could slip into the gap and push the child out.

If the child curled further, he'd truly be jammed in the crevice; should he get stuck, it would be a trouble, and they might have to smash the Jiashan.

Such a commotion would soon be heard throughout the entire residence.

The residence was holding a proper birthday banquet, yet some troublesome brat was causing this here.

Lu Xing Lan grew annoyed thinking of this.

The Jiashan's gap was too tiny; even the slimmest maid couldn't squeeze in.

In the end Sui Sui volunteered, "Let me go; I'm small, I can get in."

How could Princess Consort of Qi possibly allow the child to go in?

The inside situation was unclear; the child obviously seemed bruised and it was unknown whether he was aggressive.

Princess Consort of Qi shook her head instinctively, and Lu Xing Lan promptly said, "No, no, Sui Sui can't go in; you're still a child."

Sui Sui glanced at the child in the Jiashan and whispered, "But this older brother seems unwell."

If he doesn't come out soon, he might die just like the sick children from the village before.

Sui Sui didn't want the little friend to die.

She said sadly, "He's unwell; could he die? Mother Consort, I don't want other children to die."

Sui Sui thought of how she had once been thrown onto the back mountain, awaiting wolves, and a brother saved her.

Could the brother before her also need someone to save him to survive?

Sui Sui felt she was a very brave and kind child; she could do it!

Older brother saved her, and she is also willing to repay others.

Sui Sui's tone was soft, carrying a trace of choking.

Princess Consort of Qi would never let her beloved suffer this grievance, yet she also isn't comfortable truly letting Sui Sui go in.

Lu Xing Lan was even more uneasy, immediately signaling the swift‑footed maid: "Quick, quick, quick, go summon my Sister-in-law here; if it's inconvenient for her, have her send a reliable maid or old woman, and also fetch a Doctor, preferably find a smaller child to bring."

After rescuing the child, this matter also needs to be handled discreetly.

Therefore, there must definitely be the host family step forward.

Although Lu Xing Lan is also of the Lu family, she is already a married‑out daughter, and many matters are not convenient for her to intervene in.

Thus, when her Sister-in‑law makes decisions and handles affairs, she will not interfere, lest she become a target of gossip and cause friction with her family.

The maid responded, then hurriedly walked toward the banquet area.

Sui Sui, uneasy, stretched her neck to look into the Jiashan.

The child who had been curled up and still suddenly twitched, making the Princess Consort of Qi's heart tighten: "This, this won't do!"

Second watch.