Chapter 92: Sweet Longan Milk Tea

Sui Sui heard there were lambs, and hurriedly stretched her neck forward to look.

The newborn lambs had tightly curled, fair wool, looking clean and also exuding a soft, cute infant charm.

More than ten huddled together, a swath of snow‑white, and Sui Sui stared, murmuring, "How beautiful!"

In the past, sheep were rarely seen in the village.

Let alone this many!

At first glance, Sui Sui's initial reaction wasn't "These sheep look so tasty."

It was, "These sheep are really beautiful!"

The snow‑white lambs crowded together, occasionally tilting their heads and poking their noses, which was truly amusing to watch.

Seeing Sui Sui interested, Princess Consort of Qi smiled, reached for her hand, and without minding the smell, said, "Which one do you like, Sui Sui? Pick one, and we'll stew it for lunch."

Sui Sui, after hearing that, turned her head blankly and said, "Huh?"

She thought the lambs were cute and wanted to reach out and touch them.

She even wanted to raise one.

Then she heard Mother Consort say, "Eat?"

Such tiny lambs, to be eaten?

Sui Sui was outright frightened.

It wasn't that she truly couldn't bear to part with the lambs; it was just that after seeing something beautiful, she'd have to see it on the dining table at noon.

For a child, it was rather cruel.

Seeing the little girl's obvious stunned expression, Princess Consort of Qi thought, "She doesn't like lamb meat?"

"That's fine; Zhuangzi's side raises many things."

"If not lamb, there are still pigs and chickens."

"Cattle are draft animals, not really convenient to slaughter for food."

"Quietly killing them isn't impossible."

"It's just that Zhuangzi's side just celebrated good news, and many know they have calf calves here."

"Later, they said the calves were gone, which raised some suspicion."

"The Qi Wang Fu isn't afraid of being impeached by the officials, but having one more matter is worse than having one less."

"Thinking of other small animals, Princess Consort of Qi bent down, gently stroked Sui Sui's head, and asked softly, 'Don't you like lamb meat, Sui Sui? That's fine, we can still slaughter piglets and chicks; there are many pigs over there, all newborn yesterday, their meat guaranteed fresh and tender.'"

Sui Sui turned her head, saw a group of piglets—some black, some black‑and‑white—and was about to exclaim, "So many, so cute."

Then, Mother Consort said.

"Fresh and tasty."

"Slurp!"

"Drooling is instinct."

"But what she thought was, 'No, they're so cute, it would be such a waste to eat them.'"

Sui Sui felt a bit of heartache, yet she didn't dare speak up.

She pursed her lips, stood there blankly, unable to speak.

Princess Consort of Qi, puzzled, looked closely at the little girl and saw her eyes were red.

"What's wrong?"

Having not cared for a child in a long time, Princess Consort of Qi couldn't grasp the child's thoughts.

But Haitang, who was beside her, whispered, "Such cute lambs—how could a lady of the house bear to eat them?"

When that was said, Princess Consort of Qi finally realized.

"That makes sense."

A similar incident happened two years ago.

Feng Xuanrui came to Zhuangzi's place and played with a chick all afternoon.

That night, the chick was placed on the table, and the Prince laughed, teasing him; Feng Xuanrui was so angry he skipped dinner and cried breathlessly.

In the end, Liu Dafu stepped in and soothed him.

Children's world…

…is actually quite interesting?

Princess Consort of Qi found it amusing; she didn't want to make the child cry, so she gently coaxed, "If you can't bear it, Sui Sui, we won't eat them now. Shall we have something to drink instead?"

Sui Sui had originally felt aggrieved but didn't dare tell Mother Consort.

At that moment, Mother Consort soothed her in a gentle voice, not thinking she was being demanding or pretentious, which made Sui Sui feel reassured and moved.

She obediently let Mother Consort lead her, whispering, "Thank you, Mother Consort, I'll listen to you."

The child's obedient yet timid demeanor was cute, yet also heartbreaking.

Princess Consort of Qi, ever good‑natured, couldn't help cursing Chen Dalang's family in her mind repeatedly.

She even cursed the family of the Marquis of Jinyang as well.

"They're all no good!"

"It's a pity for Sui Sui, why is she from their family?"

Thinking that, Princess Consort of Qi felt very upset.

"Drought to death, flood to death!"

Princess Consort of Qi took Sui Sui to have tea.

Nowadays the tea snacks come in many varieties.

Not to mention the pastries, just the tea itself is no longer the simple communal tea of old.

All the various tea orders have been turned into creative variations.

Princess Consort of Qi, remembering Doctor Liu's prescription, didn't have anyone prepare cold tea, not even the warming red tea; instead, she had Flower tea prepared.

Flower tea is generally warm in nature, making it very suitable for both women and children, and it is also quite nourishing.

From Princess Consort of Qi to Zhuangzi, the kitchen has already brewed the tea; now it depends on how the Princess Consort orders.

The house on Zhuangzi's side is relatively simple.

Even if the masters have leisure and want to stay out in the countryside, there are places like a separate courtyard, so they don't have to make do at Zhuangzi's place.

Therefore, most of this courtyard is still for the steward and their servants to live in.

The steward and Aunt Qiu quickly tidied up a room, and then led Princess Consort of Qi inside.

Princess Consort of Qi held Sui Sui's hand and walked at an unhurried pace.

She intentionally kept pace with Sui Sui.

If it weren't for her stamina, she really couldn't keep up; she actually wants to hold Sui Sui.

But…

Can't lift!

After sitting down, Aunt Qiu smiled and asked, "Princess Consort and big lady, what would you like to drink?"

There are many tea varieties, and Wangfu has a daily tea menu.

Aunt Qiu and the others always carry it with them, so if the masters need it, they can take it out.

Of course, if they feel these aren't enough, they can order on the spot and have the tea maker prepare it.

Princess Consort of Qi prefers a light flavor; she usually drinks Flower tea with red dates and longan to replenish Qi and blood.

Now she isn't in a hurry; after sitting, she cradles Sui Sui in her arms, points to the characters on the tea menu, and teaches Sui Sui one by one: "This is Eight Treasure Tea, this has honeysuckle added, Mother Consort likes the honeysuckle version, it's lighter, and the later ones can also be brewed as sweet tea, milk tea…"

There are too many characters; Sui Sui doesn't recognize any of them.

Her big eyes follow Mother Consort's finger, constantly shifting position.

Princess Consort of Qi said a long list, but Sui Sui didn't remember any.

However, she remembered the sweet longan milk tea.

Sweet means tasty!

She did note this one.

The other teas, Sui Sui simply didn't understand.

She hasn't even heard of the ingredients involved.

She only knows that sweet ones are tasty.

Shall we choose this then?

Thinking of this, Sui Sui obediently pressed against Princess Consort of Qi's bosom and whispered, "Mother Consort, Sui Sui wants something sweet."

After that, still uneasy, she tentatively asked, "May I, may I?"

The cautious tone alone makes one feel heartache.

Princess Consort of Qi concealed her sorrow, lifted her hand to gently pat the little head right before her, her voice low and slightly choked: "Of course you can, Sui Sui likes it, we'll have this sweet longan milk tea."

Second watch at 19:00