Chapter 14: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
**Chapter 14: Suisui’s Background**
The one sent to gather information was Zhan Yuan. After finding out the details, he wasted no time and returned on horseback. When he arrived, he realized that waiting for him wasn’t just the prince, but also Physician Liu.
Zhan Yuan, however, didn’t feel much pressure and quickly began to explain Suisui’s situation.
“She is the daughter of Chen Dalang’s sister from Hongye Village.”
“The Chen family’s situation is a bit complicated. Chen Sanniang once had a brief affair with Marquis Jinyang. After their relationship cooled off, the marquis returned to the capital. Chen Sanniang tried to use the child to make him stay, but the marquis only left behind some money and then departed.”
“Chen Sanniang had no choice but to return to the village with the child.”
“Because she gave birth out of wedlock, her reputation in the village wasn’t good. Suisui… is that child.”
“Chen Sanniang passed away when Suisui was not yet three. At that time, Chen Dalang’s family wanted to bury Suisui along with her mother, but the villagers said that since the child resembled her mother and was beautiful, she might be able to marry into a wealthy family someday. The bride price could be enough for the Chen family’s sons to marry wives. After some discussion, Chen Dalang and his wife decided to keep Suisui alive.”
“They didn’t treat Suisui well.”
“And Suisui’s real name isn’t Suisui; it’s Chen SuiSui. This name was given by Chen Sanniang. She said that glass is fragile, and she wanted her daughter to be as precious as glass.”
“Yesterday, Marquis Jinyang’s estate came to recognize their kin, and Chen Dalang and his wife pushed their biological daughter, Chen Yueyao, forward to impersonate Suisui and go to the capital to live in luxury.”
“To eliminate any future troubles, the couple tied Suisui up and threw her on the back mountain to feed the wolves.”
…
The details of Suisui’s time with the Chen family were unbearable to hear. After listening, Physician Liu felt an intense urge to go practice swordsmanship to release the murderous intent suddenly surging within him.
“Suisui often couldn’t get enough food. She would secretly eat whatever the chickens were given, or else she might have starved to death long ago.”
“Even so, when Chen Dalang’s wife caught her, she would be beaten.”
“She had to wash clothes for the entire family, get up early to fetch water from the river, feed the chickens, and water the vegetables.”
“She had to go to the mountains to dig for wild vegetables and collect firewood. If she was too slow or didn’t respond quickly, she’d be beaten.”
“The worst beating left her lying in the woodshed for three or four days. Everyone thought the child was dead, but she somehow survived.”
…
Physician Liu: …!
Hand me my sword for slaying scum!
Physician Liu, filled with murderous rage, was ready to storm out! Seeing him like this, Zhan Yuan hesitated for a moment before adding, “According to the village head of Hongye Village, Chen Dalang has already reported Chen Suisui’s death. Once verified, it will be officially recorded in the county of Xiangshui.”
Physician Liu: …!!
Great, now there’s even more reason to kill them!
Not only was Physician Liu furious, but Prince Qing had been frowning ever since he heard the story and hadn’t relaxed his expression.
Since this was truly a pitiful child, Prince Qing thought that whether it was the Prince Qi’s residence or his own residence, they could easily afford to raise her. Bringing her back wouldn’t be a problem.
Moreover, Physician Liu clearly wanted to take her in as well.
Thinking of the poor child, Prince Qing furrowed his brows even tighter. He nodded at Zhan Yuan and said, “Find an excuse to send that couple to the southwestern quarry.”
Zhan Yuan had restrained himself from acting while gathering information out of discipline. Now that Prince Qing had given the order, it was as good as a direct command!
Zhan Yuan responded loudly and was about to turn to leave and handle the matter. It wasn’t a difficult task for them.
But just as Zhan Yuan took two steps, someone called out to him, “Lord Zhan, wait a moment.”
The one who stopped him was the military advisor at Prince Qing’s side, named Yu Leng, a middle-aged man with a delicate and feminine appearance.
This man…
He had a fair face but a dark heart—truly devious.
Zhan Yuan respected his intellect but instinctively kept his distance in daily interactions.
When Yu Leng spoke, Prince Qing turned to look at him. “Master Hanshuang, do you have another perspective to share?”
Hanshuang was Yu Leng’s courtesy name.
Hearing the question, Yu Leng quickly bowed and said, “Just a personal thought, Your Highness. Please listen first. If you find it inappropriate, then let Lord Zhan handle the matter.”
Prince Qing nodded in agreement.
Yu Leng promptly began, “Chen Dalang and his wife don’t know much about the situation at Marquis Jinyang’s estate, but we do. They thought sending their daughter would lead to a life of luxury in the capital, but whether she can enjoy that luxury depends on the child’s fortune and abilities.”
Zhan Yuan agreed with this. “I’ve heard the old madam of the marquis estate had a dream and wants to bring all her children scattered outside back to the family. Marquis Jinyang’s illegitimate children… there should be quite a few, right?”
With several children suddenly returning to the estate, it was uncertain whether the Chen family’s daughter would be able to secure a prominent position.
Yu Leng nodded. “There are four or five of them. Although Chen Dalang and his wife have limited vision, they are quite ambitious. Since they were able to push their daughter forward to enjoy luxury, they will surely try to take advantage of the situation later and rely on the marquis estate. If we help Chen Yueyao by getting rid of her parents now, we would be doing her a favor.”
At this, Yu Leng chuckled and quickly added, “Chen Yueyao took advantage of Suisui. We can’t let her get away with it so easily, can we?”
Thinking about it, that was true! However, the idea that such an adorable child as Suisui was actually the daughter of Marquis Jinyang left everyone feeling uneasy.
Physician Liu naturally noticed the group’s conflicted emotions. He secretly rolled his eyes before smiling and saying, “If Chen Yueyao is willing, she can remain as the young lady of Marquis Jinyang’s estate. Our Suisui will simply be Suisui, and from now on, she will be my granddaughter!”
As soon as he said this, Prince Qing frowned in disapproval.
Before he could speak, a youthful yet firm voice called out from behind him, “Physician Liu, how can Suisui be your granddaughter? She’s my sister!!!”
Feng Xuanrui had drunk too much milk at lunch and, after napping for a while, woke up needing to use the bathroom. After getting up, he heard that everyone was in the front courtyard, so he rushed over to join the commotion and, while there, planned to ask Physician Liu how to make a river lantern.
He wanted to make the best river lantern for his sister!
But as soon as he arrived, he overheard Physician Liu claiming his sister as his granddaughter? How could that be? Suisui was his sister—no one could take her away!
After saying this, the young boy stood there, hands on his hips, puffing up his chest and glaring at Physician Liu with his big eyes.
Physician Liu turned around and, when he met the young boy’s gaze, felt a bit guilty.
In his mind, he thought: Weren’t you all the ones who were upset that Suisui is Marquis Jinyang’s child? I don’t mind! And besides, Suisui doesn’t know about this, and Chen Yueyao, who is impersonating her, would rather keep the secret buried. If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, who will know?
Physician Liu was about to respond when Dijiao suddenly rushed in with a panicked expression, shouting loudly, “Master, something’s wrong—Suisui has a fever!”
(End of the chapter)
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