Chapter 398

401. Chapter 401 Playing Ball in the Rain

The Jin Yangzi Fu didn't send anyone to investigate, but they could confirm Sui Sui's identity.

Why?

Prince Qi couldn't figure it out; if he thought his brain wasn't smart enough, he would find someone smarter to analyze it and see what was going on.

Princess Consort of Qi also couldn't figure it out, and after listening, Prince Qing was also bewildered.

They knew it without even investigating?

Was it the Chen family's explanation?

Prince Qing raised his doubts in a timely manner; Prince Qi listened and shook his head: 'No, I sent people to check the Chen family's background, but they also didn't know what was going on. When the counterfeit goods were returned, the whole family was also bewildered.'

The Chen family didn't say anything, the Xu family didn't investigate either, yet they just knew?

That's unreasonable, right?

The three of them looked at each other, still unable to figure out what was going on.

Finally they decided, why not go into the palace and ask His Majesty?

However, it's getting late now, not very convenient; let's talk about it tomorrow.

The next day, a light rain.

Sui Sui woke up early and found it was raining; at first she was quite excited.

After breakfast, she took her brother's hand and sat under the eaves to watch the rain.

As she watched, the surroundings became overly damp, and with the summer heat, Sui Sui felt uncomfortable and began to dislike the rain again.

On rainy days the roads are slippery and hard to walk, so Prince Qi specially sent someone to tell Master Shen that he didn't need to come specially.

Upon hearing about the day off, Feng Xuanrui was the first to cheer: 'Great, great, I'll get the ball, let's play ball.'

The ball isn't big, it's just right for playing indoors.

Sui Sui raised her hand in agreement: 'Great, great, I love the ball, brother!'

The younger sister was the first to show support, and Feng Xuanrui proudly lifted his head.

Feng Xuanbin pat-pat-patted with his short legs to go get the ball, happily pulling Feng Xuanbo along.

Feng Xuanbo didn't really want to move; on a rainy day he just wanted to sleep.

But Feng Xuanbin was still quite energetic; he was afraid of pulling Little Seven's arm, so in the end he half-heartedly went over.

Princess Consort of Qi cleared out the reception hall for the children to play in.

The rain outside wasn't heavy; Princess Consort of Qi watched for a while, then handled some of her affairs, and took someone to check on Concubine Guo.

Concubine Guo was beginning to show her pregnancy, but it wasn't very noticeable.

She was young, it was her first pregnancy, and she herself was especially careful.

The Qi Wangfu hadn't had a child born in over seven years, so now it was rare that a child was about to be born, and everyone was still quite looking forward to it.

Especially the few concubines who had never given birth were all very eager for this child.

Probably because the rear courtyard was too boring, having a few more kids running around was also a way for them to pass the time, or rather, a diversion.

So, harm the child?

That's impossible!

One reason is they don't dare; another is they really do need some liveliness.

Princess Consort of Qi brought some fabrics and jewelry over, carefully asking Concubine Guo about her recent physical and mental condition, then asking the responsible aunt about her recent diet, as well as Doctor Liu's instructions and such.

Concubine Guo had already passed the stage of anxious uncertainty when she first learned of her pregnancy.

Now her state of mind is relatively calm, and her focus has shifted from the prince to the child.

Thinking back, she used to feel happy and sad at times because of the prince's comings and goings, which Concubine Guo now finds somewhat unbelievable.

But it's fine, it passed smoothly, and Concubine Guo feels pretty good.

Now she and the child are both safe, so she feels more relieved.

After thanking the princess consort, she gave a detailed account of her own condition before seeing Princess Consort of Qi out the door.

After the princess consort walked away, Concubine Guo let out a soft sigh and murmured, 'I am also fortunate.'

Having encountered a kind and generous mistress.

Although it might be because the Qi Wangfu has few children, so they especially look forward to each child.

But it's also because Princess Consort of Qi is naturally gentle and kind, so she is especially lenient toward these concubines.

After finishing her duties in the rear courtyard, Princess Consort of Qi went to check on the children.

When she arrived, the children were engrossed in play, fighting over the ball.

Sui Sui clung tightly to the ball; the brothers didn't feel comfortable directly snatching it from the sister, so they jostled each other instead.

Feng Xuanbin was small in stature, but his weight was there.

So, relying on his weight advantage, he also squeezed into a decent position.

Feng Xuanbo was somewhat frail, and Feng Xuanjie wasn't exactly strong either.

So, the two of them had no advantage; then they glanced at each other and formed an alliance.

Individually they couldn't win, but what about together?

The two brothers' alliance was indeed more advantageous than Feng Xuanbin, the little fatty.

Xiao Pangzi wa-la wa-la shouted: "Sixth brother, sixth brother, save me! They've teamed up, ah ah ah, they're going too far!"

Sui Sui hugged the ball, standing there, blankly watching the brothers crowd together, leaving her behind while they properly protected her.

Sui Sui:?

Is this playing ball?

I'm here, the ball is here too—come on, come and grab it!

Sui Sui had no gaming experience, and, not very happy, pursed her lips.

Princess Consort of Qi saw it, smiled briefly, raised her hand to signal Feng Xuanrui: "If you play like this, little sister won't be happy."

Feng Xuanrui had just been nudged by Feng Xuanbin, his shoe fell off, and he was about to retrieve it.

Hearing Mother Consort's words, Feng Xuanrui subconsciously turned his head, and met Sui Sui's almost‑crying expression.

Seeing that, Feng Xuanrui panicked, flung his arms wide and lunged forward: "Little sister, I'm coming to snatch the ball, run fast, or you'll be eaten by a big black bear!"

At first, Sui Sui saw her brother spread his arms, thought he was going to hug her, and squinted as if to laugh.

When she heard her brother's words, Sui Sui's smile froze for a second, then she turned and ran.

The little girl ran with vigor, her steps went "da‑da‑da" loudly, sounding rhythmic and quite noisy.

Princess Consort of Qi listened, thinking to herself: the child has gotten a bit heavier, just by the sound you can tell she's being well‑nurtured.

Growing flesh is good!

Those hard and miserable pasts will eventually pass.

Sui Sui will have a better tomorrow.

Sui Sui turned and ran, and the brothers also reacted.

Feng Xuanbo, while pulling amid the crowd and unable to control Feng Xuanbin, muttered softly: "Xiao Liu is scheming, too scheming!"

When Feng Xuanbin heard that, he couldn't bother pushing Wu Ge and the others, turned and went to find Sui Sui: "Little sister, I'm coming!"

His voice was especially loud; when he shouted, Sui Sui felt a sound pierce straight from the back of her heart through the celestial spirit canopy, and she was instantly invigorated.

She almost lost control, burst out of the reception hall, and ran into the rain curtain.

Sui Sui didn't feel annoyed or angry; instead she found it amusing, couldn't help turning back, and shouted loudly with a smile: "Qi Ge, then you come, I'm so fast, I run fast!"

The last three words, Sui Sui shouted with almost a roar, using all her strength.

A child's voice, crisp and resonant.

When Sui Sui shouted, it seemed to flip some kind of switch.

The other brothers also couldn't hold back; one screamed, another roared in anger.

In the whole house, only the children's ear‑piercing screams remained.

Second watch.