Chapter 420

Chen Yueyao couldn't figure it out.

Prince Qing mentioned this to Prince Qi, also to let him understand the Chen family's predicament, so he could feel relieved.

After all, Prince Qi truly cared for Sui Sui.

After hearing that, Prince Qi gave a hearty laugh several times: "It serves them right; that child isn't completely innocent either. When we behaved ourselves back at the Chen household, we weren't bullied much by this little brother—don't think his small size means he hasn't done much bullying; he's done plenty."

Mentioning the Chen family inevitably brings up the Jin Yangzi Manor.

Oh no, it's no longer the Jin Yangzi Manor; now it's the Xu family of lowly status.

The former matriarch of the Jin Yangzi Manor, Xu Shi, plotted the child‑snatching incident, causing Sui Sui and Lu Yin Song to be injured; this matter didn't end just because the investigation was over then.

Corresponding punishment will definitely be required.

However, since it's a viscount manor, the punishment isn't just talk—it must follow the proper procedure.

The process at the Ministry of Justice should be nearly finished; the Xu family, whole household…

Soon they can also go to the Southwest Quarry.

Prince Qi, imagining that scene, wanted to laugh: "Demoting them from viscount to lowly status is already lenient; for daring to hurt my Sui Sui, I didn't break their legs—I was being merciful."

Prince Qing nodded along beside him: "Who said I didn't hit them?"

His voice was deep, revealing no emotion.

But Prince Qi understood as soon as he heard: "You…"

He didn't say it out loud, then burst out laughing, and muttered softly: "No, I need to find someone to arrange this, to speed up the Xu family—there's still plenty of work waiting for them in the Southwest."

Prince Qing nodded along beside him: "The Xu family's bodies look fine, they haven't suffered hardship—what's wrong with walking faster? When you're in a hurry, walking faster is appropriate."

Prince Qi nodded in agreement: "Indeed, I'll go arrange it now."

Prince Qi quickly went to make arrangements, and Prince Qing also took care of things on the side.

Along the way through wind and rain, upon arrival they'd have to work; hearing that the Southwest still has many malarial zones, one can imagine the living conditions must be quite harsh.

But that's what they deserve.

Prince Qing was thinking of the dream that His Majesty had mentioned earlier, the one Xu Lao Fu Ren had; for some reason, he kept feeling…

Perhaps his Sui Sui had actually lived a whole lifetime in the Xu mansion, just unhappily, so Heaven couldn't stand it, set things right, and let everything return to the proper course.

But thinking of that possibility, Prince Qing's dislike for the Xu family grew stronger.

Just tormenting them without killing them is already lenient.

Sui Sui was already snoring away in the carriage, while Feng Xuanrui beside her initially stiffened his neck and said, "I want to guard my sister."

Before long, he too fell asleep, his eyelids drooping.

After the Empress's birthday, soon came the Princess Consort of Qi's birthday.

The Qi Wang Fu naturally would hold a grand celebration—one to give the proper consort due face, another naturally for social obligations.

The invitations for the banquet had been sent out early.

But the day before the Princess Consort of Qi's birthday, some mishaps occurred.

The Grand Princess Grandee had passed away.

When the Anyuan Marquis Mansion sent someone over to deliver the news, the Princess Consort of Qi was together with Aunt Qiu and the others, discussing what outfit to have Sui Sui wear the next day.

Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin huddled together, constantly offering ideas for their sister.

Children's aesthetics favor bright, vivid colors.

Feng Xuanrui thought the water‑pink color looked best, and those embroidered with silver‑thread little horses were the cutest!

Paired with a glittering gold hat, it would look adorable to death.

Feng Xuanbin thought the opposite: a pink long dress with a light‑green gauze overlay, plus a pair of noble‑purple shoes, preferably adorned with two red rubies, would be the loveliest.

The Princess Consort of Qi listened to the children's pairings and felt her vision go dark, then darker.

Sui Sui let her brothers toss her around, constantly changing outfits so they could see the effect.

In the process, Sui Sui drove the emotional value straight to the max.

"Brother's coordination looks good!"

"Seventh Brother's is good too!"

"Wow, Seventh Brother's this is really impressive!"

…

Regardless of pretty or ugly, the kids think it's fine.

The people from the Anyuan Marquis Mansion arrived just then.

Aunt Qiu heard the news coming from the gatehouse and was stunned for a moment.

But she quickly reacted, rushed inside, and told the Princess Consort of Qi.

Upon hearing it, the Princess Consort of Qi's pupils contracted instantly: "How could this happen?"

Although the Princess Consort of Qi was surprised, she also had some mental preparation.

Because a while ago, the Grand Princess Grandee fell and has been bedridden ever since.

At the Empress's birthday, the Princess Consort of Qi also ran into Sunshi from the Grand Princess Grandee's residence, who said the princess's condition wasn't good, and the imperial physicians had already warned them to be prepared.

The Grand Princess Grandee's condition this year wasn't great; she had been ill on and off, her health fluctuating.

After that fall, her condition worsened; according to Sunshi, she hardly got out of bed afterward.

The once vigorous and sturdy old lady also had to succumb to age, honestly resting in bed.

The Princess Consort of Qi didn't expect it to happen so soon.

The Empress's birthday was only two days prior; Sunshi said that day the Grand Princess Grandee's condition was still decent—she sat up, drank a large bowl of porridge, and even spoke a bit.

Looking at it now…

Perhaps it's just a terminal lucidity.

Princess Consort of Qi composed herself, then promptly began ordering people to make the corresponding preparations.

As a junior, Prince Qi certainly has to go to pay his respects.

Prince Qi was originally still discussing with Prince Qing how to use the Princess Consort's birthday to properly explain Sui Sui's identity to others.

The two of them took turns parading Sui Sui around to show off, so that the people of Jing Cheng would know how favored this little princess is.

Result…

An unexpected incident occurred!

Although the Grand Princess is fierce, she takes good care of Prince Qi.

When His Majesty ascended the throne, the other side also contributed.

Now that they've heard the person is gone and he never even saw the final face, Prince Qi feels somewhat sorrowful.

He let out a light sigh, wiped his tears, then turned his head to signal Prince Qing: "Let's change our clothes and hurry over."

Sui Sui and the others were originally cheerfully preparing for tomorrow's banquet, but halfway through they announced that tomorrow's banquet could not be held.

Because the Zuzu they had met before, who looked fierce but was actually easy to talk to, is gone.

Sui Sui now gradually understands that when a person is gone, it means they have died.

Death is not unfamiliar to Sui Sui.

After all, in the old village, elders often died, and children would also die from various accidents.

To die is to leave, meaning they will no longer be seen.

Perhaps the other side will start a new life in another world.

But in everyone's future, there will be no longer each other.

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