Chapter 327: with translation of chapter title

Third Prince? Prince Qi listened, then was stunned for a moment, furrowed his brow slightly and asked Sui Si: "How did the Third Prince come here?"

He asked while walking outward, apparently preparing to go greet the guests himself.

Sui Si hurriedly followed, while Princess Consort of Qi did not come along; she still had children to look after. However, with the third prince arriving, even though conditions were modest, the necessary preparations still had to be made.

Aunt Qiu quickly prepared hot tea; the ginger soup had been kept warm on the stove, and now it could be taken over.

After all, they had come through the steam, so drinking a bowl of ginger soup would dispel the cold and make illness less likely.

Sui Sui didn't know the third prince, but Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin clearly recognized him, and the two children were quite excited: "Hey? The third prince has arrived? Hehe, haven't seen him in ages, let's go have a look!"

Those words were spoken by Feng Xuanrui; as he said them, he turned around to grab Sui Sui's hand.

Feng Xuanbin, who had been left behind, was not upset; instead he bounced and said, "Alright, alright."

Feng Xuanrui saw Sui Sui still stunned and whispered an explanation: "The third prince is fine; we can call him 'Third Brother' privately, but if outsiders are present, it's more proper to call him 'Third Prince.'"

Although they are paternal cousins, the imperial authority of the Celestial family makes many relationships become complicated.

Sui Sui didn't understand, but she listened to her brother, so she obediently nodded.

The three children hadn't even had time to leave the house when the third prince arrived together with Prince Qi.

Two serving boys followed behind him, holding an umbrella over him so he didn't get rained on.

But being drenched in steam was indeed uncomfortable.

After entering the house, they first asked Princess Consort of Qi how she was.

Feng Xuanrui then brought Sui Sui and Feng Xuanbin to ask the third prince how he was.

The third prince, Feng Xuanshang, had an impressive appearance and a gentle temperament; when he spoke, his voice was soft and drawn out, as if coaxing a child: "Come up quickly, how have Little Six and Little Seven been lately?"

He first asked the two younger cousins, and after that, he looked at Sui Sui.

Meeting those curious, round eyes, Feng Xuanrui's smile deepened: "You must be Mingxi, right? Hello Mingxi, I'm Third Brother."

Sui Sui thought this brother was truly gentle!

It was a different kind of gentleness from the older brother, and a faint herbal scent lingered on him.

Because of Feng Xuanshang's mildness, that medicinal smell turned into a fragrant aroma for Sui Sui.

Sui Sui didn't know whether this brother was taking medicine because he was ill.

However, she didn't dislike this brother.

But she remembered that her brother had told her to address him as "Third Prince."

So Sui Sui politely bowed and properly called out, "Third Prince, are you well?"

Watching this, Feng Xuanshang felt a slight helplessness, thinking: this child is a bit shy.

But it's normal to be reserved on a first meeting.

The child is still young, after all.

Feng Xuanshang said nothing more, just smiled and gestured to the serving boy.

The serving boy deftly brought over three small boxes.

Feng Xuanshang saw him place the items on the table, then smoothly took one, glanced at it briefly, identified it, and handed it to Sui Sui: "This is our first meeting; the gift was prepared in haste, so please, little sister Mingxi, do not dislike Third Brother."

His gentle tone made listeners feel very at ease.

After Sui Sui stood up, she stood beside Mother Consort.

At that moment, hearing a voice, she quietly glanced at Feng Xuanshang.

Her round eyes showed curiosity and a hint of wariness she might not have even noticed herself.

She looked like a raccoon‑like creature waiting to be petted, cautious yet a little hopeful. Watching her was truly adorable!

He raised his hand and lightly brushed Sui Sui's head.

Sui Sui, seeing the gentle brother about to touch her, obediently walked over and stuck out her little head.

During the meal, Sui Sui's little hat was removed, and now her head was full of fresh green sprouts, which looked oddly amusing.

Feng Xuanshang clearly hadn't expected Sui Sui to voluntarily stick her head out.

He just had an itchy hand, found it cute, and couldn't restrain himself.

At that moment the cute little head had already reached out, and Feng Xuanshang, unable to control himself, reached out and touched it.

The green shoots had grown a bit; they weren't prickly, mostly soft.

The soft, pliant hair felt under the hand like smooth forged metal.

Feng Xuanshang, unable to stop, patted it once more.

Prince Qi couldn't bear it, cleared his throat lightly, which brought him back to his senses.

Feng Xuanshang gave an apologetic smile, then passed the gifts to his younger brothers.

The gift boxes were somewhat heavy; Sui Sui almost dropped them on the first try.

Xiang Gugu instinctively reached out, but being closer than Feng Xuanshang, she raised her hand in an instant and snatched it: "Don't panic, don't be afraid."

The gentle voice perfectly soothed Sui Sui's momentary panic.

She cautiously glanced at the third prince, and after meeting his gaze, shyly looked away.

Seeing the little girl's embarrassment, Feng Xuanshang slowed his tone even further.

After the two brothers received the gifts, Feng Xuanrui giggled, "Third Brother surely gave a medicine pouch; it smells odd, but I really like it."

Feng Xuanrui guessed that the third prince had given him a medicine pouch; Feng Xuanshang didn't deny it, merely smiled, patted his head, and casually asked about his studies.

Feng Xuanbin squeezed over and let out a chuckle.

Feng Xuanshang also smiled and asked a few questions, then turned to speak with Prince Qi.

Although the third prince was only sixteen, he appeared somewhat mature.

Prince Qi, curious why he left the palace on a rainy day, asked, and Feng Xuanshang didn't conceal: "Mother Consort is cultivating herbs in the side courtyard; a batch just ripened these past few days. The palace staff are gathering them but she's uneasy, and I happened to be free, so I thought I'd go help her harvest, letting her be at ease."

A palace concubine cannot leave the palace without a special circumstance.

But if it is to go to the Royal Annex, then just tell His Majesty, and if His Majesty agrees, no explicit edict is needed and you may go.

Only that the weather has not been very good lately.

Feng Xuan Shang is uneasy about Mother Consort going, so he voluntarily asks to accompany.

Prince Qi nods after hearing, and is not surprised by such an excuse.

Feng Xuan Shang's birth mother is Consort Jing, who comes from the Apricot Grove family.

Had she not entered the palace back then, perhaps she would now be a medical lady among the nobles.

Consort Jing is valued by His Majesty, and she has planted many herbs on the vacant ground at the Royal Annex.

When an edict is granted, one can discreetly leave the palace to go to the Royal Annex to plant and tend the herbs.

Prince Qi sees that today's rain has not yet stopped, and advises Feng Xuan Shang not to be hasty: "Tomorrow morning assess the situation before deciding whether to go; night travel is difficult, the road is slippery in rain and also muddy."

Feng Xuan Shang indeed has no intention to take risks; hearing Prince Qi's counsel, he promptly bows properly: "I will follow Uncle Wang."

Second Watch