Chapter 363: Just Be Happy

Ren Shu Han is sleeping together with Sui Sui.

The two little girls at first kept their heads against each other, looking extremely cute.

Around midnight, Aunt Xiang, feeling uneasy, came in to check and discovered the two girls hugging each other's feet, sleeping with a look of contentment.

Aunt Xiang smiled silently, tidied the blankets for the two girls without adjusting their sleeping posture, let them sleep freely, and then slipped out quietly.

Sui Sui fell asleep, but Princess Consort of Qi still could not sleep.

Princess Consort of Qi needs to organize today's gift list and have someone arrange the items into storage.

The small banquet's accounts are handled by the Residence, so these items must be entered into the Residence's treasury.

However, if Princess Consort of Qi finds some items attractive or beautiful and suitable for Sui Sui, she may set them aside for Sui Sui.

The hair crown sent by He Mansion, elegant and noble, made Princess Consort of Qi like it at once.

Princess Consort of Qi's brows and eyes already showed fatigue, yet she couldn't help but laugh, "He Mansion really is thoughtful."

Aunt Qiu, while sorting the ledgers, laughed in response, "It looks like something from the palace; perhaps it was a gift from the Noble Consort."

Princess Consort of Qi guessed that it was probably about right.

Previously, He Mansion, to thank for the life‑saving favor, had already sent many fine gifts.

Now they have sent a heavy gift again; although Princess Consort of Qi does not wish to get involved in the factions' disputes, she is not so fearful as to refuse receiving more gifts.

Moreover, the life‑saving favor.

If one forgets it, they become a treacherous, ungrateful wolf!

Even the He Clan, for the sake of face, would not do such a thing.

Their Inner Palace still has a Noble Consort.

However, judging by how He Mansion values the gift, they also remember the life‑saving favor.

Princess Consort of Qi smiled contentedly; her Sui Sui did not rescue people in vain.

Thinking of that He Clan boy who always says Sui Sui is his fiancée, Princess Consort of Qi pursed her lips and thought, "That He Mansion boy is not steady enough; he's not suitable for Sui Sui."

Letting him have a few cheap words is all; the rest will not be considered for now.

Her child is still young.

However…

The eldest son's age is no longer small; the choice of a marriage partner should also be considered.

Originally Princess Consort of Qi intended to wait until this busy period was over, then enter the palace to discuss with the Empress Dowager.

Now the eldest princess is certainly causing a stir in the palace, the Empress Dowager is still ill, so Princess Consort of Qi feels the timing is unsuitable; she can only postpone it for now, quietly select some candidates herself, and review them later.

At this moment, Meng Ce Fei has already returned to her chambers to rest; after Ren Ce Fei reported to Princess Consort of Qi, she hurried back to the Residence through the night.

When Ren Ce Fei returned to the Residence, Cheng Guó Gōng was just preparing to get intimate with his newly taken concubine.

His belt was loosened, and he heard a servant whisper outside the door, "Auntie is back."

Cheng Guó Gōng felt his skin tighten; regardless of how the concubine flirted wildly, he calmly pulled up his trousers, quickly composed himself, and ran lightly to the front courtyard.

Cheng Guó Gōng thought while running, "I haven't done any shady business lately, have I?"

He only took two concubines, and his sister never dealt with such matters before.

How did this suddenly turn up? Ah, no!

He recalled that today the two boys seemed to have caused some trouble at the banquet, angering Princess Consort of Qi? Thinking of this, Cheng Guó Gōng muttered in his mind: "Damn, you rascal, cause trouble but don't let it affect the family! Clean it up yourself, why bring it home? You're already old, yet your sister scolds you—don't you care about face? After all, you're a Guó Gōng!"

Fine, it's a bit exaggerated.

Cheng Guó Gōng wiped his face, trying to calm himself. Just as he steadied, he put on a smile and was about to enter when a crack of a whip sounded from inside the door, accompanied by Ren Zinan's scream.

Cheng Guó Gōng shrank in fear, stepping back a pace.

He hesitated between fleeing now or later, then pursed his lips, lowered his eyes, and silently walked in, ignoring his son's scream and pleas for help.

Cheng Guó Gōng thought, "If he hits him, he can't hit me either!" Sui Sui slept extremely well that night.

The next morning, Princess Consort of Qi smiled and carried her to breakfast.

Sui Sui looked around, not seeing Father King, and asked anxiously, "Mother Consort, where has Father King gone?"

He hadn't seen anyone during dinner last night; the child was a bit worried.

Princess Consort of Qi smiled, patting the child's head, "Father King went into the palace to see the Grand Empress Dowager; the old lady's health has been poor lately, so your Father King is uneasy."

Grand Empress Dowager? The stern‑looking, yet rather kind old lady.

Hearing that she is ill, Sui Sui's cute little face showed worry, "Grand Empress Dowager is sick? Is she okay? Has a doctor been seen? Is she taking medicine?"

……

The child's questions are quite many.

Feng Xuanrui, after listening, also asked anxiously.

Feng Xuanze brothers got up early and returned to the Shu Yuan.

After Sui Sui asked the Grand Empress Dowager, she realized that the eldest brother and second brother were both absent.

She pursed her lips and whispered, "The eldest brother and second brother have also gone out."

Although she knows they went to study, Sui Sui still feels a bit reluctant to let them go.

Princess Consort of Qi smiled, coaxing the child, "Grand Empress Dowager's old illness has flared, but it's not serious; a court physician is with her, so Sui Sui can rest assured."

"The eldest brothers are going to study for the imperial examinations; the more they read, the more knowledge they gain, so they won't be easily fooled."

"Afterwards, Sui Sui will have many more things to learn as well."

"Mother Consort has hired a qin master for you; after noon, we will begin lessons."

……

Princess Consort of Qi had already been planning to arrange a teacher for Sui Sui.

Now the qin is ready; she selected the best qin shop in Jing Cheng and chose a master craftsman's work.

The qin master is also a woman over thirty, a kind‑faced female master.

Their character and temperament were carefully considered, and once confirmed there was no problem, only then was the person invited over.

When Sui Sui heard that she would start learning the qin that afternoon, she was also stunned.

She had played before.

But that was just playing casually under the guidance of her older sisters.

How should I put it?

It was a kind of stiff and grating unpleasantness.

Now, hearing Mother Consort say she also wants to learn, Sui Sui, uneasy, whispered, "Mother Consort, will it be very expensive?"

Princess Consort of Qi smiled after listening: "No, it won't be. Our Sui Sui is of gold‑and‑jade worth; it's just learning a qin, it won't cost much."

Fearing the little girl might worry, Princess Consort of Qi whispered to Sui Sui: "Sui Sui, we now have many farmlands, shops, and private property; the treasury also holds many gifts. In the future, Father King and Mother Consort will continue to prepare other things for you. Sui Sui, you are a child; just enjoy the happy times that belong to you, you need not worry about anything else."

"That's not a matter a child needs to worry about; you only need to be happy." At the end, Princess Consort of Qi gently pressed her hand against the little girl's cheek.

Second watch.