Chapter 356: Fear Not, My Sweet

Sui Sui still hasn't turned back—what's going on? Feng You Tan and the others have already set off.

Sui Sui feels uneasy and steps forward, gently tugging her brother's sleeve.

Feng Xuanrui actually feels a bit guilty, but after a moment's thought, those bastards first acted recklessly in front of his sister.

So, running into them is just deserts.

But remembering that today is a banquet at our own residence, this sort of thing still needs to be mentioned to Mother Consort, so she can be prepared.

Thinking of this, he told Nuan Dong, who was beside Sui Sui, to go find Aunt Qiu.

Having heard Feng Xuanrui's order, Nuan Dong did not leave immediately, but turned her head toward Sui Sui.

Sui Sui stared blankly at Nuan Dong, not understanding what she meant.

Feng Xuanrui watched from the side, fairly satisfied with Nuan Dong as a maid, and softly explained to his sister: "She is your maid, she must obey you."

Sui Sui, puzzled, said: "But you are my brother; we are family."

So, Nuan Dong can also listen to her brother.

The three characters "family" fell into Feng Xuanrui's ears, moving and pleasant.

He and his sister are naturally family, and there are some things he can slowly teach her.

Meeting Sui Sui's puzzled gaze, Feng Xuanrui simply smiled and said, "Just let her go."

Sui Sui still didn't understand, but she decided to obey her brother, crisply replying, "Alright, I'll listen to brother; Nuan Dong sister, you may go."

Nuan Dong then responded and stepped back out.

Princess Consort of Qi quickly received the news; she was not surprised by the children's willful behavior.

After all, Ren Zinan and the others…

…were indeed a bit excessive.

As for matters involving the young masters, the Princess Consort of Qi didn't want to intervene much; she signaled Hai Tang to go to the front courtyard to find the Prince and briefly tell him about this.

If something went wrong, the Prince would have some grounding in his mind.

Hai Tang promptly went to look for the person.

Hai Tang didn't go straight to the Prince; Prince Qi was entertaining guests and might not have time to see a maid, so Hai Tang reported the situation to Sui Si first, then returned to the back courtyard.

Sui Si found an opportunity and told Prince Qi.

Prince Qi, after listening, tightened his brows, meeting Prince Qing's puzzled gaze, muttered, "It's that little brat from the Ren Residence causing trouble, and it's reached Sui Sui's side."

After hearing Prince Qi's words, Prince Qing slightly twisted his eyebrows; his originally stern, cold face became even colder.

Prince Qi, feeling a bit unable to bear his chill, lightly tapped his arm and said, "Don't be so solemn; it's a fine day, be happier."

Prince Qing, habitually stern‑faced, at this moment, after hearing Prince Qi's words, barely softened a few degrees.

He thought for a moment, then whispered, "If those few residences don't discipline their children, I wouldn't mind letting them come to the barracks for some training."

Prince Qi: …

The young masters hearing this news would most likely want to kill themselves.

But he didn't say that, lest Prince Qing be displeased.

Prince Qi, after thinking, signaled Sui Si: "For our modest little banquet, she should make an appearance; let's go fetch the guests."

Prince Qi finished speaking and prepared to leave; the matters here still needed someone to entertain, and Prince Qing was the most suitable choice.

Prince Qing did not refuse.

While Feng You Tan commanded people to push a small cart wildly forward, Prince Qi led his party down another path to the back courtyard, preparing to fetch Sui Sui to the front to meet people.

Halfway there, Prince Qi seemed to recall something, furrowing his brows, "Wait, we never sent a notice to the Jin Yang Marquis Residence." The two residences had little rapport, and for this modest banquet, Prince Qi hadn't sent a notice to the Jin Yang Marquis Residence.

So how did the young master from the Jin Yang Marquis Residence arrive?

Sui Si, knowing something about this, replied in a deep voice, "It is said they came following the young master of the Xie Residence."

The son of Doctor Xie's primary wife naturally isn't close with the son of the Xu Residence.

However, the children of the concubine Xu Shi are cousins of Xu Mingxian, so their relationship is closer; using that tie, it's normal for them to come along.

All are young masters from prestigious Jing Cheng families; if someone brings them along, the host's servants won't, because of this, directly deny them entry.

Prince Qi nodded after listening, muttering softly, "He's just like that out‑of‑step father, a total brat."

Sui Si didn't know how to respond, and merely gave a vague smile and brushed it off.

Prince Qi hurried past.

Sui Sui at this moment is climbing the Jiashan.

Yes, climbing the Jiashan.

Aunt Xiang has already surrounded the Jiashan with people, fearing the child might fall.

After Feng You Tan left, Feng Xuanrui and the others originally intended to take Sui Sui to see the lotus flowers.

The recent weather is fine, and the lotus blossoms are especially splendid.

However, He Dai thought viewing lotus flowers was too girly and boring, and suggested they go downriver to catch fish.

Hearing this, Feng Xuanrui thought it too dangerous and disagreed.

Then, after some discussion, they finally decided to climb the Jiashan.

He Dai was the first to charge upward enthusiastically; Feng Xuanrui, unwilling to fall behind, found another side and also climbed.

Sui Sui, uneasy about her brother, followed closely behind Feng Xuanrui and also climbed upward.

When Prince Qi arrived, a line of children had already been climbing the Jiashan.

Seeing this scene, Prince Qi inhaled a cold breath, yet dared not speak, fearing he might frighten the children and cause them to fall.

He hurried past, noticing Aunt Xiang had already surrounded the Jiashan with people for protection, and he silently exhaled in relief.

Sui Sui's small arms and legs, though petite, showed considerable strength as she clung tightly to the Jiashan, occasionally looking up to check her brother's progress.

Feng Xuanrui also had considerable strength, but at one point he misstepped, his foot losing footing, and he seemed about to fall.

Prince Qi, frightened, made a forward charge; Qing Shan reacted even faster, sprinted at extreme speed, arms outstretched to catch her.

As a result, Feng Xuanrui's figure flickered; his foot, amid the panic, stepped on something and steadied himself again.

Sui Sui was so scared that her scream was about to burst her throat; after seeing her brother stand steady, she let out a long sigh.

As a result, because her attention was on her brother, she got distracted, her hand lost strength, and she fell straight down.

Prince Qi let out a breath, then drew it in again.

He didn't think, just rushed forward, opening his arms together with the others.

Prince Qi steadily caught Sui Sui.

Sui Sui was so scared she went mute, eyes wide open.

She was held stiffly by Prince Qi; after a long while, looking at the Father King right before her eyes, she finally vaguely realized, "... Father King?"

The little girl's face showed obvious lingering fear, and her voice trembled.

Seeing Sui Sui like that, Prince Qi felt great compassion, steadily held her with one hand, gently stroked her head with the other, his voice hoarse yet gentle: "Be good, don't be afraid, Father King is here; see, Father King caught you steadily, right?"

Second watch at 19:00