Chapter 306: Brotherly Interaction

Sui Sui feels grateful, so when she sees Prince Qing, she smiles and greets, "Uncle Prince Qing, are you well?"

At this moment Sui Sui is cradled in Mother Consort's arms, looking poised and confident, a far cry from the pitiful appearance when they first met.

Prince Qing watches and feels quite pleased.

He thinks that Qi Wang Fu raises children more than the Jin Yang Marquis Residence.

It is said that the Jin Yang Marquis Residence this time sent back several concubine women, who had been kept in a suburban annex for over a month, and only a few days ago were brought back to the residence.

Considering the temperament of the Jin Yang Marquis's wife, those concubine women's days at the residence would likely not be pleasant.

Prince Qing can't help thinking that, although the Chen Dalang family are not decent people, the hasty decision they made actually benefited Sui Sui.

It can be counted as the last thing they did for their deceased sister, still a conscientious act, I suppose.

Sui Sui initiates a greeting, and Prince Qing lightly nods, "Hello, Sui Sui."

Prince Qing fears that his attitude might seem too indifferent, causing the child to subconsciously fear and distance herself, so he tries to lift the corners of his mouth.

Unfortunately, the smile isn't very pleasant to look at.

Prince Qing is good‑looking, but habitually wears a stone‑faced expression, making his smile somewhat stiff yet handsome.

Sui Sui isn't scared; having seen it before, she now finds it quite familiar and pleasing to the eye.

The child isn't afraid, but it scared Feng Xuanrui and the others enough to make them gasp.

Especially Feng Xuanbin, who at this moment had already crept behind Father King, wishing he could hide his chubby little body completely!

Prince Qing's visit happened to fall at lunchtime, so a meal was naturally set aside.

Thus, after a brief exchange, the party quickly headed to the dining hall.

Prince Qing wouldn't come empty‑handed; what he brought for his nephews were just items like brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and the like.

What he prepared for Sui Sui was far more extensive: various fabrics, jewelry, ornaments, and such.

Over the years he has received many rewards, but he rarely stays in Jing Cheng, so he has no use for them.

Especially those bright fabrics, Prince Qing has even less use for them.

He actually knows that His Majesty is well‑meaning, wanting him to take two concubine households to properly look after his life.

He just doesn't want to.

So these fabrics are naturally unnecessary.

Some colors are a bit heavy, actually not very suitable for making clothes for Sui Sui.

Children, after all, look better in bright, clear colors.

However, if they can't be made into clothing, they can become blankets or the like.

They're all good fabrics; they'll have a place to be used.

During the meal, Prince Qi needed to talk to Prince Qing, making it inconvenient to feed Sui Sui, which left Prince Qi somewhat regretful.

Princess Consort of Qi happily holds Sui Sui, feeding the little girl stewed, soft lamb meat and grilled, fresh fish.

Prince Qing occasionally glances, his gaze not lingering long.

After all, Sui Sui sits in Princess Consort of Qi's arms, and her eyes keep drifting toward Wang Sao, which isn't appropriate.

So Prince Qing calmly looks at the child a couple of times, then withdraws his gaze.

After eating, the child played for a while, then began to feel sleepy.

Princess Consort of Qi takes the children to frolic, while Prince Qi stays behind to continue talking with Prince Qing.

As they chat, the conversation drifts to that matter…

Prince Qi tentatively asks, "You tell your brother, about that thing that's gone—does it leave any gap in your heart? Does it make you uncomfortable? Sad? Do you ever lie in bed crying at night?"

Prince Qing:? He didn't initially grasp what was happening; after noticing Prince Qi's insinuating gaze, he fell silent, then shook his head, "No, this is fine too."

At this point Prince Qing forced a bitter smile, "Since Mother Nian is gone, whether I have or not actually doesn't matter; being gone purifies the heart." For Prince Qing, his merits in the Northwest are too great.

His Majesty is also a suspicious type; Prince Qing and he are not half‑brothers, so he cannot truly earn his trust.

Now this is fine.

Even if he is highly meritorious, what can he do?

Prince Qing can no longer continue his bloodline; alone, pure and clean, that can also reassure people.

Moreover, Prince Qing's claim of a pure heart is indeed true.

Otherwise His Majesty's clan would always be thinking of having him remarry.

He doesn't want to forget his Mother Nian and his daughter, so naturally he refuses to take another wife.

Even taking concubines, Prince Qing wouldn't consent.

Prince Qi also knows his situation differs from Prince Qing's, yet he still can't understand, "Even a tiny bit of discomfort?"

How can a man truly not care about this?

Prince Qi still is reluctant to believe it.

Prince Qing, after listening, felt a flicker of suspicion; he twisted his eyebrows, silently appraised Prince Qi, seeing his tense posture, and asked puzzled, "Brother Prince… why bring this up suddenly?"

Thinking of the Che family's matter, Prince Qi seemed extremely angry; Prince Qing, guessing, being straightforward, after pondering, whispered, "… is it Che Shi's doing?"

Prince Qi almost flared up on the spot.

He wanted to say no, he isn't! But he felt guilty!

Moreover, Prince Qing's situation is similar, so he needn't feel inferior or sad.

After understanding, Prince Qi straightened his back, remained silent, but his expression already amounted to tacit consent.

Prince Qing, seeing this Prince Qi, fell silent again.

After a long while, as the awkward atmosphere made Prince Qi almost fly away on the spot, Prince Qing solemnly said, "Brother Prince, rest assured, I'll go back and greet the people at Tianlao, ask them to impose heavier punishments on the Che family."

That means imposing severe penalties, a personal vendetta.

Such matters, Prince Qi had actually already arranged.

He himself can't draw a sword, and still can't look for anyone? Still, Prince Qing means well, Prince Qi didn't refuse after all, and finally, clenching his teeth, he nodded: "Especially that Che Shi, give me a hard thrashing on her!"

Prince Qing didn't know how to respond, so he could only nod silently.

Prince Qing today came over to see Sui Sui; he will be going out on an errand in a few days.

Northwest is still relatively stable now; even if Prince Qing isn't guarding it, no trouble will arise.

Their body actually has recovered, His Majesty hasn't mentioned letting them return to Northwest for the time being, so Prince Qing isn't in a hurry.

If His Majesty thinks they are too powerful and wants to strip them of military authority, Prince Qing actually wouldn't feel much difference.

Back then they went onto the battlefield to avoid the increasingly heated succession struggle in Jing, and later they didn't want to leave Northwest because they met Nian Niang.

Now…

Their heart is like still water; anywhere is fine.

His Majesty's current arrangement is actually to let them recuperate more.

The frontier passes are harsh and cold; they are certainly not better than life in Jing.

Prince Qing suffered such injuries again, and returning to Northwest, that sorrowful place, His Majesty also fears they can't bear it mentally.

Therefore, His Majesty has no intention of revoking the military authority, only holding the person back from returning to Northwest.

However, staying in Jing also can't be idle; the work that must be done still has to be done.

The second watch is at 19:00.