Chapter 334: 336. Chapter 336: Preparing to Return to the Mansion

336. Chapter 336: Preparing to Return to the Mansion

The kite was brought by Prince Qi, who thought they would stay a few days at Lanruo Si, specially prepared for playing with the children.

Now, Prince Qi's mind is not here, but it has given the children a toy to pass the time.

Sui Sui regretted that Father King could not accompany her in play, but she felt she had grown up, become sensible, and Father King had his own affairs to attend to.

So, she could not be too clingy.

That is……

Not having Father King nearby, I am not used to it.

However, children's attention is easily drawn away by other things.

So, when the kite flew up, Sui Sui no longer thought about Father King's matters, and wholeheartedly ran after Xiang Gugu.

Sui Sui is too young to operate the kite.

At this time, Xiang Gugu was holding the kite for her; Sui Sui saw the kite flying higher and higher, her mood improved, and she was very excited: 'Auntie, auntie, you are great.'

'Auntie, auntie, it's so high, I also want to go up to the sky!'

……

The little girl chattered happily.

Xiang Gugu did not find it noisy, only thought the child was really lovely.

She herself had none, and inevitably felt some regret.

Now seeing Sui Sui and feeling the child's well-behaved and lovable appearance, she felt her regret had lessened considerably.

Although this is not her child, Xiang Gugu also feels satisfied.

Being able to attend to such a lovely little girl is actually quite nice.

Feng Xuanrui saw that he could not lose to others, and also made an effort to loosen the kite string, letting his kite fly higher.

Feng Xuanbin also tried hard to show himself, but the result……

The kite string got caught on a tree.

Feng Xuanbin stomped his feet in anger: 'Ah ah ah ah, how useless, hit it, hit it!'

Xiao Pangzi jumped up in anger, stomping his feet, making the earth tremble.

Feng Xuanrui mercilessly mocked him from the side.

Feng Xuanbin:?

It's obvious, Sixth Brother?

Feng Xuanbin, angry, directed Qing Shun and them to fix the kite.

However, the position was too high, and there was nothing nearby to protect them, so Qing Shun and them climbed for half a day but still could not get it down.

In the end, they could only regretfully say that this kite was a write-off.

Feng Xuanbin: ……

Although angry, one must keep a smile.

The three children played for half a day, and when they returned to eat lunch, they were still chattering about it.

Prince Qi was grief-stricken, and his anger attacked his heart; in the morning he vomited blood again, which terrified Princess Consort of Qi.

Fortunately, Doctor Liu was here, and the Crown Prince's side also summoned an Imperial Physician, who carefully took Prince Qi's pulse, confirming that aside from grief there was no other problem, whereupon Princess Consort of Qi felt somewhat relieved.

That ring is no longer with Prince Qi, but has been sent back to the palace by the Crown Prince.

His Majesty in the palace is also waiting for the news; once confirmed, he will also tell the Empress Dowager.

They are all close relatives of Princess Yangyang, and they know this news……

I suppose each is more sorrowful than the last.

Prince Qi felt miserable, his body weak; Sui Sui came at noon to see Father King, but he could not muster energy, merely lightly touching Sui Sui's little head, then fell asleep again.

He had previously been drugged, his body not yet recovered, and now he suffered this blow; Princess Consort of Qi truly worried about his health.

Sui Sui, on the side, felt both distressed and heartbroken.

She gently touched Father King's forehead and said softly: 'Mother Consort, don't worry, Father King will be fine.'

After saying that, the little girl tilted her head and continued: 'This time no big snake came to bite Father King.'

For some reason, after hearing Sui Sui's words, Princess Consort of Qi's heart inexplicably calmed down.

Perhaps it was because they believed in Sui Sui's fortune, or because a child's comfort is always reassuring.

So, her panicked heart finally settled.

Princess Consort of Qi raised her hand and gently pulled Sui Sui into an embrace; after hugging her, she then said in a muffled voice: 'It will be alright.'

The excavated area in the northwest corner has been expanded considerably.

Not only the Crown Prince, but the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Punishment also sent people; everyone worked together, yet they still did not dig up anything useful.

The Da Li Si had already sent people over, who carefully examined all the palace personnel in the detached residence from top to bottom.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Revenue also provided a register of palace personnel who had served in the detached residence in previous years, including their later destinations, all clearly marked.

Those who served in the palace or the detached residence certainly had their nine clans thoroughly investigated.

Now, whether they were transferred elsewhere to work or released from the palace upon reaching age, there is certainly a traceable destination.

To investigate this matter thoroughly and glimpse the truth of those years, it is estimated that it cannot be done in a short time.

After all this turmoil, half a month has passed.

Sui Sui initially thought the detached residence was huge, this place fun, that place interesting.

Gradually it became……

Wow?

I've seen this place, it's boring.

Ah?

I've also looked over there, it's boring.

Eh?

How come they're here again?

They've explored every place; for a child, the sprawling villa no longer has its original appeal.

However, Sui Sui thought Father King was still ill, making it inconvenient to return by carriage, so they decided to wait a bit longer.

It wasn't until the end of May that Prince Qi's health improved, and only then did they pack up and head back to the city.

Feng Xuan Shang had already returned to the palace by mid‑May.

His close younger brother, the Ninth Prince, had his birthday in late May, and he needed to return to celebrate it.

In the past month, the Crown Prince has been rushing between the villa and the palace, wearing himself out—he's become dark and thin.

Apart from when the Crown Prince first arrived, when Sui Sui went to pay his respects, she hardly had any chance to see him again.

So on the day they returned to the city, the Crown Prince came with his entourage to see them off, and Sui Sui could barely recognize him.

Seeing Sui Sui stare at him with wide eyes like a startled civet cat, as if she couldn't believe how dark he had become, the Crown Prince gave a helpless smile.

He didn't blame Sui Sui—after all, she was just a child; how could he quarrel with her? He merely reached out and gently touched her little hat, saying, "Mingxi, you ought to eat more and take good care of your hair; I see it's grown quite a bit—you'll soon be able to tie it up in a little ponytail."

As the weather grew hotter, constantly wearing a hat could easily give her a heat rash; the Prince thought, such a lovely little head, if it broke out in a rash, it wouldn't be very attractive.

Sui Sui didn't know the Prince's worries; she obediently offered her thanks, then hid behind her brother and refused to come out.

The Crown Prince…

His aura is rather strong.

Sui Sui is a little afraid of him.

The Crown Prince wasn't surprised—children are afraid of him.

If he lacked even this much presence, he couldn't keep his younger brothers and sisters in check.

Seeing Sui Sui hiding from him, only her cute round eyes peeking furtively, he couldn't help but smile and say, "Mingxi is so adorable, just looking at her makes me want to keep her."

At the end, he seemed to sigh and say, "I only wish my daughter were as lovely as Sui Sui."