Chapter 96: Responding Angelica

A young, lovely maiden, like a free breeze drifting by.

Sui Sui gazed at that pale pink hue, unable to help envying and wanting to follow.

She, in Aunt Qiu's embrace, turned left and right to look, finally murmuring softly: "What a beautiful older sister."

Pretty and free, just looking at her brings delight.

Sui Sui likes it.

The system, watching, also likes it.

Sui Sui's voice was soft; others didn't notice, but Princess Consort of Qi heard it.

If the Grand Princess weren't present, Princess Consort of Qi would have turned to tell Sui Sui: "If you like it, we can also run freely."

On Zhuangzi there are plenty of places to run however you like.

However, the Grand Princess was still there; Princess Consort of Qi didn't want to lose propriety, so she suppressed her thoughts.

After the lovely maiden ran off, a young lord slowly emerged from the carriage.

The young lord moved sluggishly; unlike other young lords who swooshed out of the carriage and jumped down, he slowly felt his way down the carriage's edge.

When he jumped down, being unsteady, he also took a big tumble.

The young lords and maidens who had run off, hearing the commotion behind them, couldn't help turning back.

Second Brother!

Second Brother!!

Little Two!

The children's voices rose and fell; among them, the lovely maiden whom Sui Sui had been watching had the loudest voice.

Clearly she was the only maiden in the crowd, yet Sui Sui could pick out her unique, loud voice from the din.

Hearing that voice, Sui Sui snuggled into Aunt Qiu's embrace and said: "Your voice is also pleasant to hear."

To be able to speak so brightly and loudly.

Her mother must surely love her dearly.

Sui Sui felt a bit envious.

Although she now also has a Mother Consort, but...

She still dares not speak that loudly.

The Grand Princess was given a headache by a bunch of little rascals.

Unintentionally hearing Sui Sui's voice, she curiously glanced and hesitantly said: "... What is this?"

Has the Qi Wangfu finally selected a young maiden to be settled upon?

The Grand Princess guessed as such in her heart, but soon felt it wasn't quite right.

Didn't Prince Qi, after listening to a feng shui master, take his concubine to a villa to strive for a daughter?

As the Grand Princess would say, if you're not destined for a daughter, don't bother.

Aren't seven sons enough?

Why insist on pursuing a daughter?

Look at that maiden in their residence...

She's more mischievous than all her brothers combined!

If she doesn't daily climb the roof and tear off tiles, she feels awful all over.

So, what's good about a maiden?

Moreover, the young lord of the Qi Wangfu is also about seven or eight years old, right?

For so many years, the women in the rear courtyard have shown no movement; doesn't Prince Qi have any ideas?

The Grand Princess thinks that next time she meets Prince Qi, she should have him see an imperial physician.

Check if he can sire offspring, and meanwhile check his brain.

The Grand Princess greatly disapproves of Prince Qi's conduct.

However, she does not look down on Princess Consort of Qi because of this.

Hearing the Grand Princess's question, Princess Consort of Qi smiled, took Sui Sui, and introduced her: "This is Sui Sui, a maiden newly returned to the residence."

The Grand Princess understood immediately upon hearing.

You really brought one back?

But what's going on with Prince Qi's side?

Could it be that they finally fell out and decided to each raise their own?

In the Grand Princess's view, this is actually not bad.

When opinions aren't unified, each looking after their own is fine.

Because the Grand Princess's own residence produced a little rascal, she doesn't particularly value maidens.

She glanced lightly at Sui Sui, noticing the child's eyes were quite lovely, and her gaze lingered a moment longer.

Seeing someone look over, Sui Sui hurriedly made a polite salute: "Sui Sui pays respects to Zuzu."

Sui Sui hasn't begun studying etiquette, so she doesn't understand these.

Or rather, Aunt Qiu just gave her a temporary reminder.

Sui Sui clasped her fists, performing the salute; her appearance was endearingly cute.

The Grand Princess had originally withdrawn her gaze, not looking further, but now she couldn't help but glance twice more, saying perfunctorily: "It's a cute child."

She is of high seniority and noble status.

Looking at Princess Consort of Qi's face, offering two perfunctory sentences is already not bad.

Princess Consort of Qi replied with a smile: "Just brought back, still a bit shy; please excuse my lack of polish, Your Highness."

The Grand Princess waved her hand nonchalantly, then turned her head and shouted, "Hurry up and tidy up, then continue onward!"

Second Young Master Ying fell down, landing in a sorry state; several kids ran, their clothes flying; the pretty young lady's hair was blown loose.

Moreover, that explosion just now left everyone looking rather disheveled.

The Princess Consort of Qi, looking on, asked tentatively: "Your Highness, why not first go into the courtyard to rest a bit, then set off later? There's still a stretch of road ahead."

The carriages and such weren't tidied up properly.

Moreover, many things were blown up, so we definitely need to resupply.

Although, once they arrive, all affairs will be taken care of, and the servants will help.

However, the Grand Princess and her party are indeed in a sorry state.

The old lady thought about it, indeed it was so, and she lightly nodded: "Mm."

Sunshi stood to the side, not daring to utter a sound.

Upon hearing the Grand Princess agree, she then laughed and said to the Princess Consort of Qi, "You've worked hard, you've worked hard."

The Princess Consort of Qi waved her hand nonchalantly: "Not at all, Your Highness being able to come is my blessing."

Such polite pleasantries, the Grand Princess didn't take them seriously at all.

Her round eyes glared, exuding the might of a tiger's gaze.

The few rascally kids who had originally wanted to run around and play now each became obedient.

The Grand Princess's entourage entered Zhuangzi to rest.

The Princess Consort of Qi took Sui Sui's hand and walked together; Aunt Qiu, now freed, hurried over to make the corresponding arrangements.

All the tea and snacks need to be prepared and served.

Fortunately, the tea had been kept warm all along, and hot water was always available.

Nowadays, whether brewing tea or preparing tea, it doesn't take much time.

There are also pastries and snacks.

The Princess Consort of Qi said, "Children, don't eat too many snacks, lest you can't eat your lunch."

In fact, after they arrived, she had someone make the arrangements.

This actually avoided the frantic scramble of last-minute preparations.

After a bout of busyness, everyone also took their seats.

Several rascally kids huddled together, originally still asking how the Second Young Master Ying was doing.

Upon noticing that the Princess Consort of Qi also had a young lady here, everyone couldn't help but glance over curiously.

Their party consisted solely of Miss Ying Zhi, a young lady.

The young lady's hair bun had come undone, and the servant was currently redoing her hair.

After her hair was done, Ying Zhi walked over confidently, approached Sui Sui, slightly lowered her head, smiled, and asked, "Whose adorable little one are you? How's your hair?"

While speaking, Ying Zhi raised her hand, intending to touch Sui Sui's hair.

Sensing the young lady's timidity, Ying Zhi's hand, half-extended, paused; after a moment's thought she asked again, "May I touch it?"

Ying Zhi's manner was generous, her voice loud and clear.

As she drew near, Sui Sui felt the temperature around her rise.

It was like a morning sun, slowly approaching and bathing her whole body in light.

Such Ying Zhi left Sui Sui feeling quite fond of her.

She obediently nodded, afraid the other wouldn't understand; Sui Sui quickly leaned her head forward, her voice soft and sweet: "Pretty sister, go ahead and touch."

Approaching the morning sun, I wonder if I too could become a morning sun?

——Sui Sui's notes

The second watch is at 19:00.