Chapter 94: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
**Chapter 94: The Grand Princess of Shou'an**
While the small classroom in the Prince residence was in turmoil, Suisui was nearly full from the tea. Though one cup wasn’t much, the added ingredients made it quite filling.
After finishing her tea, Suisui’s little belly felt quite round. Haitang helped her wipe her mouth, and she hopped off the chair to come close to Qi Wangfei. “Mother, I’m done eating,” she said, gently patting her tummy as if showing off her full meal.
Qi Wangfei found the child increasingly adorable. While her initial impression wasn’t as strong, she now couldn’t take her eyes off Suisui. Perhaps it was just the charm of a child, or perhaps it was her own attachment to the girl.
Over the years, the various antics of her husband had made Qi Wangfei somewhat obsessed with the idea of having a daughter. However, despite many people in the capital wanting to marry their daughters into the Wang family, she hadn’t been impressed by any of them—until Suisui.
Looking at the sparkling eyes of the little girl, Qi Wangfei gently stroked her head. “Let’s go get some fresh air so you don’t get too full and unable to eat lunch. Your brothers will come over for their archery lessons this afternoon.”
Although Suisui didn’t understand much about archery, she had heard her brothers say it was impressive and had long wanted to see it. When her mother mentioned it, she nodded vigorously. “I want to see it, Mother.”
Her earnest demeanor was irresistible. Qi Wangfei took Suisui outside to see the pond and talked about the fish in it.
Suisui didn’t fully grasp the conversation, but she knew that fish were delicious. She couldn’t help but let her saliva flow and murmured, “Fish are delicious.”
Though her voice was soft, the Princess Consort, close by, heard her and smiled behind her handkerchief.
As they strolled leisurely through the estate, a luxurious carriage passed slowly on the official road nearby. The Princess Consort, hearing the noise, glanced in that direction.
Suisui followed her gaze and saw the unfamiliar carriage but then looked away, unsure of its significance.
Qi Wangfei observed the carriage for a moment and then led Suisui into the orchard. She thought that Suisui, who would soon live in the capital, needed to be familiar with various important figures and events.
She held Suisui’s hand and pointed to the carriage from afar. “Suisui, see that carriage? The character hanging in front reads ‘Ying.’ That’s the carriage of the Earl of Anyuan.”
Suisui, confused, shook her head honestly, not understanding.
Seeing this, Qi Wangfei couldn’t help but laugh and didn’t mind that the little girl didn’t understand right away. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it with time. Just remember, such carriages usually carry people of high rank.”
Suisui, taking this seriously, nodded with a solemn expression. “Mother, I will remember!”
Seeing the little girl so earnest, Qi Wangfei felt amused and stroked her head. “But don’t be afraid, Suisui. Even though these people are of high status, they aren’t as important as your… father.”
She wasn’t sure if her husband would acknowledge Suisui, but that wasn’t important.
Qi Wangfei thought, “As long as I acknowledge her, that’s enough. Once I go back to the palace and persuade the Empress Dowager, even if the prince doesn’t agree, he’ll have to comply!”
Suisui, feeling a bit confused, tried to make sense of it and concluded, “Yes, Mother is the most important!”
To Suisui, her unseen father had no standing.
Qi Wangfei was charmed by Suisui’s response and nodded approvingly. “Yes, Suisui is always right.”
Continuing, Qi Wangfei introduced the importance of the people in the carriage. “Although the Earl of Anyuan’s status isn’t as high as your father’s, his mother is the Grand Princess of Shou’an. She is a kind and respectable elder. When you meet her in the future, make sure to show proper respect.”
Suisui, being young and not understanding much, needed to learn about etiquette and protocol, which were important in the capital. Without proper knowledge, even someone of high status could be looked down upon privately.
The Grand Princess of Shou’an valued propriety, so Qi Wangfei emphasized this lesson.
At that moment, in the carriage, the Grand Princess of Shou’an was listening to her daughter-in-law, Madam Sun, who said, “Shall we stop by the Prince estate’s villa? I heard it was quite lively there yesterday.”
Madam Sun was referring to the livestock production at the Prince estate.
The Princess Dowager, now with silver hair and a dignified presence, frowned slightly. “Such vulgar matters should not be discussed openly. Have you lost all sense of propriety?”
Even the wife of the Earl of Anyuan had to respectfully listen to reprimands from someone of the Princess Dowager’s stature.
Seeing Madam Sun fall silent, the Grand Princess sighed, “The Prince of Qi has become increasingly outrageous in recent years, which has been hard on the women in his household.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, “His stubborn, reckless behavior is just like the late Emperor’s.”
Madam Sun, unsure how to respond, chose to stay silent.
The Princess Dowager, being the elder sister of the late Emperor, had the authority to speak as she pleased. Madam Sun dared not interject.
After a moment, the Grand Princess said in a low voice, “Keep an eye on the young masters and miss of our household in the coming days. Ensure they don’t associate with the Jinyang Marquis’s family. Their household is full of troublemakers. Let them be foolish on their own but don’t let them corrupt our family.”
Before she could finish, a loud bang echoed from behind the carriage.
Boom!
The sound was so loud that even Qi Wangfei could hear it. She had been planning to investigate if they could catch some fish for lunch but was startled by the loud noise that shook the ground.
Suisui, frightened, immediately clung to her mother’s leg, trembling.
Qi Wangfei was startled too and, sensing Suisui’s fear, quickly picked her up and turned to look at the official road.
Smoke billowed from the road, and the once luxurious and dignified carriage of the Grand Princess looked disheveled.
Seeing this, Qi Wangfei’s face went pale. She opened her mouth, and after a moment, managed to speak. “Quickly, organize people to check the situation!”
Aunt Qiu and the others were also alarmed. Upon hearing Qi Wangfei’s command, they promptly organized the estate’s workers to help.
The laborers in the fields, hearing the call, quickly sprang into action.
Before they could get close, they were met with a strange and acrid odor.
The thick black smoke, combined with the heat, made it hard to determine whether it was safe to approach.
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