Chapter 299: Great-Aunt

Princess Consort of Qi wants to leave, so Lù Fūrén naturally must personally see her out the gate.

However, before leaving, Princess Consort of Qi also plans to go see her aunt.

That person accompanied the Grand Princess for a brief appearance today, then returned to the rear courtyard.

Princess Consort of Qi only found out later by asking Lu Xing Lan that her aunt had been coughing recently, her spirits not great, so after showing up briefly today she went back.

She felt uneasy, planning to go check before leaving.

Upon hearing this, Lù Fūrén quickly replied with a smile: "Let's first go pay respects to Mother; I happen to have prepared some gifts for Sui Sui, and we can bring them together."

Lù Fūrén brought Princess Consort of Qi, and Lu Xing Lan together with Sunshi from the Da Zhang Gong Zhu Fu headed to the rear courtyard.

Yanshi's words and actions easily offend people.

So, when the Grand Princess returned to her residence, they gave her a ride along the way.

Sunshi felt uneasy about this side, so she stayed to help.

She thought, after Princess Consort of Qi returns to her residence, she'll also pack up and take her leave here.

Princess Consort of Qi held Sui Sui as they walked to the courtyard, whispering: "In a moment we'll go in to see Great-Aunt; Sui Sui, don't be nervous—she's a very kind Zuzu—we'll just behave and pay our respects."

Lù Fūrén was very busy today, her face already showing fatigue, but hearing Princess Consort of Qi's words she turned her head and gently said: "We're all family—how could Sui Sui be afraid?"

After asking, Lù Fūrén raised her hand and lightly touched Sui Sui's tender little cheek, smiling as she asked: "Sui Sui, isn't that right?"

Her aunt's hand was soft, and when touching the face her movements were also gentle.

Sui Sui gently rubbed against the pressure twice, then nodded obediently: "Yes, Sui Sui is the most well-behaved, Aunt."

Receiving the reply, Lù Fūrén's smile grew a bit more sincere.

She thought, what a lovely child.

Several people went to Old Lady Lu's courtyard; the maid reported in time, and the other side had already prepared and came out smiling to greet them.

She has been coughing these past few days, likely due to catching a chill, and her spirits aren't great either.

As someone approached, a strong medicinal smell hit them; Sui Sui wrinkled her little nose, sniffed, then quickly shrank back.

Huh!

Bitter!

Sui Sui didn't like the medicinal smell, so she quietly shrank back into Mother Consort's embrace.

Old Lady Lu had known of Sui Sui long ago and had even sent someone to deliver a gift earlier.

Today she's feeling unwell and also needs to attend to the Grand Princess's side, so she hasn't had the chance to pay much attention to Sui Sui.

With no outsiders present, Old Lady Lu's expression relaxed a bit; she smiled, raised her hand, and gently touched Sui Sui's little cheek, saying: "This must be Mingxi, right?"

Princess Consort of Qi held Sui Sui close and replied with a smile: "Yes, her nickname is Sui Sui, meaning 'peaceful and healthy Sui Sui.'"

Old Lady Lu nodded after hearing that: "Sui Sui, what a nice name."

Mother Consort had just taught her, so Sui Sui naturally knows to greet politely at this moment.

In Mother Consort's arms, her movements were slightly restricted, but she could still raise her hands in a bow: "Sui Sui has greeted Great-Aunt; may Great-Aunt enjoy longevity and health."

She had just learned a new word from Le Le and immediately used it.

Princess Consort of Qi listened on the side, feeling somewhat surprised.

So the child still needs to study.

Look, studying with Master Shen, even if you don't understand everything, the more you learn, the more words you'll know.

Nowadays even auspicious phrases are said in all sorts of variations.

Princess Consort of Qi thought, no wonder she's her clever Sui Sui.

She learns quickly, and understands a lot too.

Princess Consort of Qi feels very relieved.

Old Lady Lu was also amazed by Sui Sui's performance; she had originally thought the child might be shy and timid.

These days it seems the Qi Wang Fu raises its people very well.

Old Lady Lu nodded satisfied, reached out and touched the child's little cheek again: "Good child."

While speaking, Old Lady Lu signaled the maid to bring out the gift.

It is a beautiful pure-gold longevity lock, the kind of flashy design that appeals to children's taste; the lock is inlaid with many lovely gems—red, green, blue—and also mutton-fat jade.

The lock is solid, feeling quite heavy in the hand.

After Old Lady Lu took it, she first held it up to Sui Sui to gauge the size, then smiled and asked: "May Great-Aunt put this longevity lock on Sui Sui?"

Sui Sui had no objection.

However, she needed to ask Mother Consort first.

So, after hearing Great-Aunt's words, Sui Sui turned her head to look at Mother Consort.

The sight of a little one turning her head so obediently is truly endearing.

Old Lady Lu couldn't help but reach out and touch Sui Sui's little cheek again.

After Princess Consort of Qi gave a slight nod, Sui Sui then turned her head and replied openly: "Thank you, Great-Aunt, Sui Sui!"

Old Lady Lu repeatedly said "good child," then personally placed the longevity lock on Sui Sui.

Once Old Lady Lu lowered her hand, Lù Fūrén finally smiled and said: "We shouldn't stand out in the courtyard chatting; let's go inside first."

While speaking, she had already stepped forward on her own, lightly supporting Old Lady Lu.

Old Lady Lu's diet hasn't been great these past few days either, so her body is especially weak.

Just standing there a moment made her legs tremble a little.

It's no trouble for Lù Fūrén's attentive care; Old Lady Lu didn't insist on formality, leaning half on her, she used Lù Fūrén's support to walk into the house.

Old Lady Lu has been taking medicine these past few days; whether in her bedroom, the small reception hall, or even the courtyard, there's a strong medicinal smell.

Old Lady Lu worried the child might not adapt, so she only asked a few simple questions, had people prepare a gift, and then showed signs of fatigue.

Princess Consort of Qi saw at once that aunt was truly unwell; she asked a few questions anxiously, learned it was only a cough and there were no other problems for the time being, and felt a little relieved.

Aunt was not feeling well, and Princess Consort of Qi did not want to disturb her further, so she quickly took Sui Sui and said goodbye.

The elder Lu matriarch still wanted to see the guest off herself, but Princess Consort of Qi persuaded her to return, and the old lady did not persist.

Lù Fūrén personally escorted the guest out of the Residence and even prepared a gift for Sui Sui to take: "Time is rushed today, so I didn't prepare any precious gifts; I took some trinkets for the children to pass the time with. Later, when the small banquet is arranged, aunt will surely prepare a proper gift for you."

After explaining, Lù Fūrén gently touched Sui Sui's cute little ear and, smiling, asked, "Sui Sui, does that sound good?"

Sui Sui obediently nodded and shouted, "Alright, aunt, you're the best!"

A child's words are plain and simple, yet they touch the heart.

The smile on Lù Fūrén's face became a few degrees more sincere.

Princess Consort of Qi met Prince Qi in the front courtyard, looked to see that the children had all caught up, and only then did the family gradually board the carriage.

Lu Xing Lan and Sunshi, after Princess Consort of Qi, also said goodbye in turn and walked back.

Lù Fūrén smiled all the way as she saw the guests off.

When only their own people remained in the Residence, Lù Fūrén finally turned a cold face, walked toward the back courtyard, and asked Aunt Lin beside her, "How is the one in the Buddha hall?"

Second watch.