Chapter 70: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 70: Mother, This is My Sister
Looking at the towering city gate of the capital, Feng Xuanrui let out a long sigh of relief. Though he felt a bit of homesickness, it passed quickly as children’s worries do.
Soon, he was happily talking to Suisui, holding her hand. "Once we enter the city and head east, our manor isn't far. I wonder what Mother is doing right now?"
"Has Fifth Brother’s head healed?"
"Does Foolish Seventh still wet the bed?"
…
With their return to the manor imminent, Feng Xuanrui had many things on his mind.
Suisui didn't understand much; she sat quietly, listening to her brother talk.
She had only seen the world since following her brother, so she couldn’t imagine what the manor was like, what Fifth Brother was like, or what Seventh Brother would be like.
But that was alright—her brother was there!
Suisui whispered to herself.
With Prince Qing leading the way, they entered the city smoothly.
The Qing and Qi Mansions were both located on Zhuque Street in the eastern part of the city, a street where members of the royal family lived.
As they entered the city, Suisui’s eyes were overwhelmed.
Feng Xuanrui opened the carriage curtain, and Suisui peered outside.
The capital's splendor far exceeded that of Wenzhou and Xinzhou, especially on Zhuque Street, which was increasingly luxurious.
The cobblestone roads, though slightly bumpy when they first entered the city, became smoother and more stable the further east they went.
The street’s architecture became more extravagant as they approached the Qi Mansion.
When they arrived at the Qi Mansion, the carriage stopped, and Suisui got out with Feng Xuanrui. She looked up and was stunned.
The Qi Mansion's vermilion gate was grand and imposing, radiating an unapproachable nobility.
Suisui, who had only felt slight anxiety before, was now engulfed by fear and panic, overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the future.
Feeling Suisui trembling, Feng Xuanrui gently took her hand and spoke soothingly, “Don’t be afraid, Suisui. We’re home!”
With the return of the young master and the visit from Prince Qing, the mansion naturally opened its main gates.
The doorkeeper, upon seeing the Sixth Young Master return, was overjoyed and led them in while sending someone to notify the hosts.
The Sixth Young Master is back!
And Prince Qing has come too!
Upon entering the mansion’s guest area, the opulence only heightened Suisui’s discomfort.
The description of "five steps a scene, ten steps a corridor" was not an exaggeration.
The Qi Mansion was enormous and luxurious, exuding an air of affluence everywhere.
Suisui found the sights beautiful—the rockeries, the ponds—everything seemed so splendid.
But did they want to accept someone like her, who was like a little beggar?
Suisui worried, shrinking her little hand into Feng Xuanrui’s palm.
She didn’t dare look around, afraid of offending anyone.
Physician Liu, observing Suisui's nervousness, felt a pang of sympathy.
But there had to be an adjustment period. It would get better eventually, Physician Liu reassured himself silently.
After a long walk, they reached the guest reception area.
The room was bright and clean, scented with pleasant incense. Suisui sniffed discreetly before lowering her head, not daring to look or smell any more.
Prince Qing entered before Feng Xuanrui and greeted the Qi Wangfei, “Greetings, Sister-in-law.”
The Qi Wangfei smiled and responded, “Prince Qing.”
After exchanging pleasantries, the Qi Wangfei’s gaze shifted to Feng Xuanrui, who had returned in full. She secretly sighed in relief.
Feng Xuanrui, unable to contain himself, ran to his mother and shouted, “Mother, I’m back!”
After more than a month away, Feng Xuanrui truly missed his family. Seeing them again, his tears flowed uncontrollably.
He rushed into his mother’s arms, sobbing loudly, without letting go of Suisui’s hand.
As a result, the Qi Wangfei ended up holding both her son and the little girl.
The Qi Wangfei gently patted Suisui, even though she was puzzled by the unexpected addition of a child.
But it didn’t matter right now; what mattered was that her son had returned safely.
As she comforted her son, she gently stroked his neck and said, “It’s good that you’re back. Next time, don’t scare Mother like this again.”
Prince Qing was still present, so the Qi Wangfei held back her tears, trying to maintain her composure.
Feng Xuanrui’s cries were loud and somewhat harsh, but it was clear he was deeply distressed and homesick.
The formerly stubborn boy now admitted, “I was wrong, Mother. I won’t do this again.”
“I’m back now. I’ll be good, I promise!”
…
Physician Liu, watching from the side, struggled to keep a straight face, thinking, “Young Master, when have you ever kept such promises? This lesson might stick for a few days, but change? I doubt it.”
The Qi Wangfei, with a motherly perspective, believed her son had truly suffered and was now remorseful. She continued to comfort him.
After crying for a while, Feng Xuanrui finally thought of his sister!
Remembering Suisui, Feng Xuanrui wriggled free from his mother’s embrace.
In doing so, the Qi Wangfei inadvertently let go, and Suisui found herself unexpectedly held by the elegant, beautiful woman.
Though it was unintended, the warmth and fragrance of the Qi Wangfei were comforting.
If only this person were her own mother.
Suisui knew she had a mother who had passed away, leaving her with few memories.
She realized her longing for such a figure was perhaps greedy.
Still, she hoped, even if only in secret, that this dream might become a reality.
Feng Xuanrui, having freed himself, pulled Suisui close and, wiping his tears, called out, “Mother, this is my sister, Suisui. Isn’t she cute?”
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