Chapter 430: Again, Family Talk

At this moment, Prince Qi looked at Sui Sui, whose eyes were red, and instantly felt heartache, stepping forward. His big hand gently patted Sui Sui's head. Seeing the child before him already grown into a young lady, Prince Qi felt both sour and soft in his heart.

In the blink of an eye, the child has grown so big.

When the child was young, Prince Qi thought, who would dare to covet his little darling? He would have chopped that person with a knife.

After discovering it was Lù Yǐnxiāo, Prince Qi was unhappy for a while, and he even had a period of awkwardness with Lord Lu.

Later, it was Sui Sui who coaxed him, and only then did Prince Qi gradually accept it.

Today he returned to the manor a bit later, guessing that the Lu family's young man must have gone back.

Even so, Prince Qi still felt displeased in his heart.

His lively daughter really was a bargain for the Lu family's young man.

However, thinking of Lù Yǐnxiāo giving up literary pursuits for martial arts to follow Sui Sui all the way to the Northwest Border Garrison, that intention is indeed genuine.

Furthermore, Lù Yǐnxiāo had promised in front of him and Prince Qing that in this life he would have only Sui Sui and no one else.

Whether concubine or servant girl, he had never thought of taking one, nor would he.

Although it's said, a man's mouth is a deceitful ghost.

But at least he was still willing to show some sincerity, so Prince Qi reluctantly believed Lù Yǐnxiāo.

Seeing Sui Sui becoming ever more lively and lovely, Prince Qi felt a pang of heartache: "My darling, why have you grown thin again?"

When Sui Sui first went to the northwest, Prince Qi thought it was only temporary and that she would return soon.

As a result, year after year passed.

His old father's heart was twisted into a knot, fearing that Sui Sui would also be tormented by that place's climate into becoming a second Wen Clan member who first came to Jing Cheng.

Fortunately, heaven still favored this precious daughter; Sui Sui was not tanned, her skin did not become rough, her overall condition kept improving, and she remained ever lively.

On the contrary, Lù Yǐnxiāo...

Well, he has become quite rough.

However, Prince Qi would not feel heartache over that.

As a man, what's wrong with being a bit rough?

Sui Sui looked at her Father King, who showed signs of aging, and felt a deep sourness in her heart.

However, she did not show it on her face, merely asking softly, "Father King, how has your leg been feeling lately?"

"After autumn begins, the weather turns cool; you must pay attention to staying warm. If you don't keep warm, you'll feel uncomfortable later."

"Did you apply the medicinal plaster I sent back? How effective is it?"

……

Sui Sui asked many questions, worried.

Prince Qi enjoyed his little daughter's concern, nodding repeatedly: "Don't worry, I've been applying it all the time; Sui Si watches over it day and night, even more attentively than to his own leg."

Sui Si isn't that attentive every day, though.

He married in the second year after Sui Sui left Jing Cheng.

After several years of marriage with no children, he quietly asked Sui Sui: "Young Lady, do you think I can still have my own child in this lifetime?"

Upon hearing his words, Sui Sui burst out laughing, then said loudly: "Don't worry, Uncle Sui, there will be."

The following year, Sui Si gave birth to a pair of big, fat boys; two years later, a little girl was added—well...

His wife, early this year, conceived again and is about to give birth.

Because of this, Sui Si is deeply grateful to Sui Sui; if he weren't still alive, he would want to offer morning and evening incense of three sticks to her.

That Sui Sui bears good fortune is no secret.

Such a thing is actually not easy to conceal.

Nevertheless, no one would speak of it openly.

Moreover, people constantly protect Sui Sui in her daily life.

Furthermore, seeking good fortune is not simply a matter of getting a single word from Sui Sui.

It's not that once Sui Sui agrees, the matter is automatically settled.

There are still many things to consider involved.

This point isn't hidden, yet no one has pointed it out; it depends on whether these people are smart enough to see it clearly.

Sui Si clearly understood this, and then, harboring a private thought, he asked.

Perhaps because he has been following Prince Qi these years, he has indeed been very attentive.

Thus, his wish came true.

Anyway, Sui Si now obeys the princess in everything—long and short, what she says, what she arranges, what she sends back, her words—I cannot but listen.

Prince Qi felt……

His own words probably aren't as useful to Sui Si as Sui Sui's are.

However, Prince Qi enjoys it.

His darling is truly promising!

Father and daughter happily chatted for a long time.

By evening, the brothers had all returned to the manor one after another.

Elder Brother Feng Xuanze has now entered the Ministry of Rites; although his rank is not high, his status is noble, and with a bit more ability he need not worry about having no prospects in the future.

Second Brother is far away on the Southwest Battlefield; being able to return for the year-end would already be good.

However, nowadays on that southwest side, the small states are restless, the situation unclear, and conditions remain unknown.

This is also why Prince Qing did not return to Jing Cheng together with them.

If there were any disturbance at the Southwest Border Garrison, then the Northwest Border Garrison would have to be held tightly; otherwise, it would be easy to encounter problems from being attacked on both fronts.

Third Brother Feng Xuancang serves in the Ministry of Works; although he is still a low-ranking minor official, his skill is excellent, so he is highly regarded by his superiors.

Besides, he is a son of the prince's manor; his status is what it is, so his superiors have to give him some face.

Fourth Brother Feng Xuanjie has a gentle nature, is somewhat younger, and with all these social obligations, he really isn't very good at them.

So, nowadays he helps manage the prince's various estates, and in his daily life he often goes out to the fields to study them.

In others' eyes, as a son of the prince's manor, studying these things seems utterly unpromising.

However, Feng Xuanjie himself likes it, and his wife is willing to support him, so others have nothing to say.

Furthermore, even if he were truly to become a farmer, he would still be a son of the prince's manor, his status remaining noble and unaffected by what he does.

As long as the Prince Qi's manor prospers, these people in the capital dare not say anything to his face; at most they mutter behind his back.

Fifth Brother Feng Xuanbo is not at the manor at all.

Sui Sui recalled receiving a letter from Fifth Brother three months ago, in which he said he was in the southeast, had come across many delicacies and rare items, and had sent her some seeds and saplings.

Because the weather was hot and the journey long, the saplings died outright; the seeds survived, but for now they're not suitable to plant.

Now that autumn has arrived, the weather has turned cool, there isn't enough sunshine, so they can't be grown in the northwest, nor here in the capital.

Sui Sui's mind stirred, and she thought of trying Jiangnan.

But, thinking of Fifth Brother, Sui Sui casually asked, "Has Fifth Brother received any letters lately?"

Upon hearing Sui Sui mention Feng Xuanbo, Prince Qi's face darkened immediately.

Seeing her father like that, Sui Sui knew that most likely there had been no news in return.

Princess Consort of Qi, watching the black‑faced prince beside her, said helplessly, "Little Five hasn't sent a letter home in half a year."

Having said that, Princess Consort of Qi let out a helpless sigh and glanced toward the rear courtyard.

Because of Feng Xuanbo's affair, Consort Ren Ce has, in recent years, lacked the former brilliance and flamboyance she once had.

Second watch.