Chapter 71

Sui Sui on this journey had gained some flesh, and under Liu Dafu's care, her face became fair and soft.

At this moment, she stood there obediently, her eyes showing a hint of helpless bewilderment, looking pitiful and adorable.

The Princess Consort of Qi was initially unsure about the child's gender.

Because Sui Sui's shaved head had only a layer of bluish stubble, and the little girl kept her head down, her features were unclear, making it impossible to tell her gender.

At this moment, Feng Xuanrui took Sui Sui's hand, causing the little girl to instinctively lift her head.

Sui Sui, whose face had finally filled out, looked much prettier than before.

Her soft, tender face, with watery and lustrous big eyes, gazed at people shyly and nervously at this moment, making the Princess Consort of Qi's heart skip two beats.

She thought: This child really looks somewhat cute.

It would be nice if she were a bit plumper.

Nowadays, she is still too thin.

Those little arms and legs always seem as if they could snap with just a little force.

Although the Princess Consort of Qi didn't know the current situation, she thought that since her son liked it, it must be a cute girl.

Before the Princess Consort of Qi could even greet them, she saw Feng Xuanrui take Sui Sui's hand and directly make her kneel: "Come, little sister, kowtow to Mother Consort!"

Sui Sui, before she could react, was pulled by Feng Xuanrui to kneel there.

She didn't understand, but imitating her brother's actions obediently, she copied him.

Feng Xuanrui kowtowed twice with a thudding sound, and Sui Sui followed suit, kowtowing very earnestly.

Watching from the side, Feng Xuanrui felt a pang of pity; he usually liked to be slippery, so the sound seemed loud but actually didn't hurt.

However, Sui Sui's two kowtows were genuine, her forehead instantly turning red all over.

Feng Xuanrui sucked in a breath while raising his hand to rub Sui Sui's forehead: "No need to kowtow so hard; sincerity is enough. Come, come, little sister, call Mother Consort!"

Liu Dafu: "……"

As expected of you, Sixth Prince!

You know how to win over the Princess Consort.

Sui Sui knew that Mother Consort meant mother.

But, can she really do that?

She…

Is she suitable?

Sui Sui, for once, didn't so obediently follow her brother's words; she nervously lifted her head to glance at the Princess Consort of Qi, meeting her kind smile, which seemed to give her a bit of courage, yet deep down she felt it wasn't quite right.

This left Sui Sui frozen, afraid to move, her mouth twitching but no sound came out.

The Princess Consort of Qi hadn't even had a chance to clarify the situation before her son had her wrapped around his finger, leaving her feeling both annoyed and amused.

But Sui Sui is merely an innocent child.

The Princess Consort of Qi won't quibble over these things with a child.

She smiled, helped both children up, slowly squatted down, and gently touched Sui Sui's reddened forehead, her voice warm and affectionate: "Good child, does it hurt?"

Actually, it does hurt a bit.

But with her brother accompanying her, Sui Sui doesn't feel the pain.

Moreover, she was also touched by the Pretty Aunt.

Sui Sui nervously shook her head, furtively glanced at the Princess Consort of Qi, then quickly withdrew, obediently lowering her head, not daring to look further.

Watching this scene, the Princess Consort of Qi felt an inexplicable sourness well up in her heart.

Sui Sui is young, and her eyes are very pure.

A child her age ought to be in the innocent, carefree years.

Yet Sui Sui is so sensible that it makes one's heart ache.

The Princess Consort of Qi has already imagined much about Sui Sui's difficult and pitiable past.

Although Sui Sui didn't call her Mother Consort, after her nervous hesitation she spoke in a small voice: "Pretty Aunt, hello, I'm Sui Sui."

Her voice was soft; after speaking, Sui Sui lowered her head again, anxiously curling her toes.

Seeing this, the Princess Consort of Qi felt even more heartbroken.

She gently stroked the child's head, softening her voice a bit: "Sui Sui, don't be afraid; from now on you can stay peacefully in the mansion."

As for whether she calls her Mother Consort or not…

…we still need to ask the child about her situation in detail before deciding.

Although the little sister has never called her Mother Consort, Feng Xuanrui thinks it's fine.

Anyway, the little sister is the cutest; no one can separate him from her!

This is his sister; no one can take her away, no one can send her off!

So, upon hearing the Mother Consort say that, Feng Xuanrui shouted loudly: "This is my sister; from now on she'll live with me!"

After hearing this, the Princess Consort of Qi couldn't help but get a headache.

She sighed helplessly: "The little sister is a young lady; she can't live in the same courtyard as you. Sui Sui is still young; for now she'll stay with me, and later, when she's older, we'll arrange another courtyard."

Upon hearing the Mother Consort say that, Feng Xuanrui finally felt a bit relieved.

Living with the Mother Consort should mean she's accepted and won't be driven away, right?

Even so, Feng Xuanrui still felt uneasy; he took Sui Sui's hand and, with anticipation mixed with a bit of anxiety, asked the Princess Consort of Qi: "This is my sister, right?"

The Princess Consort of Qi was amused by his behavior and lightly nodded: "Yes, your sister. Hurry and follow the aunties to wash up; see how dirty you've gotten."

Although Feng Xuanrui was reluctant to leave the Mother Consort, he also knew that among adults there should be things to discuss.

He took Sui Sui's hand and followed the Princess Consort of Qi's attendant auntie to wash up.

After the child left, the Princess Consort of Qi first thanked Prince Qing for his care during this trip, then explained Prince Qi's whereabouts: "The Prince went to a separate villa yesterday to stay a few days; he'll need three or five days before returning."

Prince Qing was still curious; when he was in Trust Prefecture, he had already sent someone by express horse to deliver a letter back, saying he could reach Jing Cheng today.

How come, Prince Qi's elder brother isn't at the Wangfu?

I heard that the other party went to stay briefly in a separate villa yesterday; although I still had some doubts, I politely didn't ask further.

He briefly spoke about what happened on this journey, and also gave a brief update on Sui Sui's situation.

I heard that Feng Xuanrui was chasing a rabbit alone, got separated from his attendants, and mistakenly entered the mountains and forests.

Princess Consort of Qi's heart pounded wildly.

I heard that Feng Xuanrui, after spraining his ankle, came across Sui Sui, who had been thrown out by her family.

Princess Consort of Qi was both angry and worried!

I heard that the two children walked down the mountain hand in hand, and Princess Consort of Qi finally could breathe a sigh of relief.

Then I heard that the two children had difficulty making it out of the mountains, only to encounter mountain bandits, and Princess Consort of Qi's heart clenched again.

Furthermore, I heard that the two children had been deceived and nearly sold, and Princess Consort of Qi's heart clenched even tighter.

Only at the end did Prince Qing finally speak about Sui Sui's background.

The young lady's past, hearing it, was pitiful and distressing.

Princess Consort of Qi listened, and her eye sockets turned red.

She felt sorry for the child's hardships, but whenever she thought that the other party was the daughter of the Marquis of Jin Yang, she felt somewhat uneasy.

The Marquis of Jin Yang has a bad reputation, and the ladies of his manor are also extremely difficult to get along with.

Princess Consort of Qi's status is noble, so she is not afraid of them.

But she actually does not want to provoke too much trouble.

Life can go smoothly; why bother provoking troublesome people?

However, thinking of Sui Sui's pure, dark eyes and her thin little face, Princess Consort of Qi couldn't help but soften her heart.

Such a pitiful child—really sending her back to that mud hut in the Marquis of Jin Yang's manor……

She simply couldn't dare to imagine what that child's future would be!

Second watch.