Chapter 69: Jing Cheng, We're Back!

The potato sprouts can't possibly grow especially fast.

Sui Sui isn't in a hurry either; she discussed with Feng Xuanrui whether to water them.

The two children are uncertain; Qing Shan and Qing Shui have never raised these before, and are even more clueless.

In the end they could only ask Liu Dafu.

Liu Dafu hasn't seen potatoes, thinking that crops shouldn't be watered constantly, right?

After understanding, Liu Dafu waved his hand: "No need for now; just observe."

The two children decided to follow Liu Dafu's advice.

Because they weren't hurrying today, they settled for the night in a Xiao Zhen this evening.

This Xiao Zhen lies on the border between Jing Cheng and Xin Zhou.

A little further ahead is the Jing Cheng boundary.

It's only a location dozens of li outside the city.

Although they didn't travel today, the two children were still exhausted from yesterday.

So, upon reaching the Ke Zhan, they washed quickly, ate, and fell asleep.

Sui Sui couldn't even force herself to stay awake for a bedtime story.

The next day, the weather remained fine.

Liu Dafu looked on, smiling, and said, "Since we're heading home, the heavens are smiling on us!"

The two children didn't understand, and giggled behind him.

They slept well yesterday, and today they're not in a hurry to travel.

Even if the donkey cart rocks slowly, they can return to Jing Cheng before nightfall.

Seeing that they're about to go home and soon see the long‑separated Father King and Mother Consort, Feng Xuanrui feels a sour, uncomfortable pang.

While playing around, he really can't think about home.

But now that home is near and he'll meet people soon, Feng Xuanrui feels a nervous, homesick shyness.

The children might not understand, but they truly feel uneasy inside.

To distract himself, Feng Xuanrui begins introducing the people in the Residence to Sui Sui.

Since there are many family members, Feng Xuanrui picks the main ones to introduce: "In our Wangfu, we have Father King, Mother Consort, two secondary consorts, and six older brothers."

When mentioning the six older brothers, Feng Xuanrui isn't very pleased.

Hmph!

He turns out not to be the sister's only brother.

When he returns to the Residence, he'll eliminate the other six!

Sui Sui doesn't understand any of Father King, Mother Consort, secondary consort.

But she does understand that after returning, there will be six older brothers.

Sui Sui also isn't sure whether those people are as good as this brother Feng Xuanrui.

Thinking of the several cousins from the Chen family before, Sui Sui feels uneasy.

Seeing his sister sitting in a corner of the carriage, her brows lowered, her small hand at her side clenched into a fist, Feng Xuanrui, puzzled, whispered, "Are you scared, sister?"

Sui Sui's past is too tragic; Prince Qing never explained it in detail to Feng Xuanrui.

He only said that the previous family was bad, and from now on just act as if they never existed.

Remembering that his sister once said the cousins at home treated her poorly.

Feng Xuanrui feels a bit worried, thinks and says, "Sister, don't worry. The six older brothers in the Residence each have their flaws, but they... fear me!"

The last two words sound a bit insincere.

There's no choice; the younger ones are fine—Feng Xuanrui is good at fighting, if needed he'll subdue them.

But the older ones...

He seems to have no way with them?

He can't beat them, and they still hold the senior brother position.

Especially the eldest brother...

Then, maybe after returning to the Residence, just eliminate them?

Upon hearing that each brother has his own flaws, Sui Sui becomes even more frightened.

Although this is the outcome he wanted, Feng Xuanrui doesn't want his sister to be scared.

Uncle Prince Qing said that Sui Sui's former family treated her badly.

They should treat her better, so his sister feels warmth.

That way, his sister will appear less pitiful.

Feng Xuanrui wants to be good to his sister.

Thinking of this, he tries hard to praise his brothers: "Actually the brothers aren't bad; look, the eldest brother studies very well."

Although he doesn't want to admit it, Feng Xuanrui's legitimate elder brother indeed studies well; the scholars all praise him!

Upon hearing that he studies well, Sui Sui even straightens her sitting posture a bit.

Sui Sui still holds great respect and admiration for scholars.

Watching this scene, Feng Xuanrui feels a sour pang in his heart.

He thought a moment and added a few words for himself: "Sister, actually the brothers also study well; when we return to the Residence you'll know."

Hearing this, Sui Sui immediately nods and claps: "I know, the brother is the strongest!"

With that compliment, Feng Xuanrui feels satisfied again.

Soon, he mentions the second brother: "Second brother... his riding and archery lessons are decent, but not as good as me."

As for archery, Sui Sui didn't know, but he was very cooperative with Feng Xuanrui: 'I know, older brother is awesome!'

Feng Xuanrui, amidst the repeated cries of 'older brother is awesome,' gradually became dazed.

As for the brothers' comments, they also increasingly deviated from the original intention: 'Third older brother doesn't have any particular talent, but he can carve little horses, barely counting as some skill.'

'Fourth older brother is timid, no need to bother with him.'

'Fifth older brother is a bad egg, he doesn't listen; tell older brother, older brother will help you beat him, a defeated subordinate—what bravery is there?'

'Old Seven is a younger brother, ah, no, he's actually older than you, you should call him Seventh Older Brother, his mind isn't great, he's silly, you don't need to bother with him.'

'Anyway, you have an older brother, don't be afraid!'

……

Qing Shan and Qing Shui, listening continuously, felt their mouths twitching.

So, Sixth Prince, after returning to the mansion, do you dare say this in front of the other princes?

Thinking about soon returning to the mansion, and recalling the bumps and experiences along the way, the two brothers also felt a sour ache.

They thought: Finally, we're going back!

If we don't go back, our lives might be over!

I don't know, upon returning this time, will they be punished?

After all, initially the Sixth Prince made a fuss about running away from home; they couldn't dissuade him, and then, following the principle of 'if you can't beat them, join them,' they helped the Sixth Prince escape.

Now returning, they will inevitably have to settle accounts later.

Thinking of these, the two brothers couldn't help but worry again.

Sui Sui listened all the way, but in the end didn't remember what the several older brothers were like.

All she knew was that her older brother was the most formidable!

Sui Sui was blindly confident, feeling that having just one older brother was enough.

With an older brother, she might have the courage to oppose the whole world!

At that moment, outside the carriage, Liu Dafu was discussing with Prince Qing the matters after returning to the capital: 'After returning, I'll still have to trouble Your Highness to make a trip to the Qi Wang Fu and explain the situation.'

Having Prince Qing make the trip also counts as backing Sui Sui; plus, with Feng Xuanrui protecting her, the little girl's days in the Wangfu will be somewhat better.

Hearing him say that, Prince Qing nodded: 'That's right.'

These were things agreed upon long ago; Prince Qing would never go back on his word.

Liu Dafu felt that Sui Sui going to the Qi Wang Fu was the best.

But he still felt uneasy about it.

After thinking, Liu Dafu said again: 'If Prince Qi is unwilling, then I'll bring this child, Sui Sui, back myself.'

Prince Qing listened, thought it over, and didn't refuse: 'Okay.'

……

Afterward, the two of them exchanged quite a bit more.

At noon they didn't stop to eat a meal, just taking a simple bite.

In the afternoon, after enduring the bumps and tosses along the way, they finally saw the majestic gate of Jing Cheng.

They're back!

Second watch.