Chapter 158: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
**Chapter 158: The Mischievous Child**
Ever since she came to the capital, Suisui had only met very kind older brothers. This was the first time she encountered a mischievous boy who made faces at her.
However, he was different from the kids back in her village.
Tang Lingheng didn’t have much malice; he was just purely mischievous.
Suisui was startled, her eyes widening as she moved closer to her mother.
Seeing Suisui's reaction, Qi Wangfei Consort of Qi looked down and gently touched her little hat.
Madam Tang noticed the movement and glanced at Suisui. Seeing the little girl staring in her direction, she turned to look at Tang Lingheng.
Tang Lingheng was in the middle of making another funny face, his tongue sticking out, and got caught red-handed by his mother.
Her smile faded as she scolded, “Why are you making such rude faces?”
After reprimanding him, Madam Tang turned back and smiled apologetically at Qi Wangfei Consort, “I’m so sorry, he’s just being naughty.”
Madam Tang’s attitude seemed sincere, and Qi Wangfei Consort could only respond with a faint smile, saying, “Kids playing around, it’s not a big deal.”
Even though she said that, her smile had noticeably faded compared to earlier.
Madam Tang noticed Qi Wangfei Consort's change in demeanor and, feeling annoyed, shot a sideways glance at Tang Lingheng.
But Tang Lingheng continued making faces at Suisui, still trying to startle her.
If it weren’t for the public setting, Madam Tang would have grabbed him by the ear and asked, “Are you just trying to cause me trouble?”
But he was her beloved youngest son, so she couldn’t bring herself to discipline him harshly. Instead, she awkwardly changed the subject, trying to chat about other things.
Earlier, Madam Tang had deliberately slowed down her pace, and Qi Wangfei Consort, not wanting to be impolite, matched her steps.
Now, feeling annoyed, Qi Wangfei Consort naturally sped up.
Madam Tang could sense her displeasure but felt frustrated inside.
She thought, it’s just a village girl, why does she care so much?
Even if Suisui won the Prince's favor in the future and received the title of a County Princess, Tang Lingheng’s noble status would still surpass hers.
She couldn’t understand why Qi Wangfei Consort was so upset over a mere village girl.
As they continued, they finally reached the dining hall, where they could eat together.
Madam Tang tried to suggest sitting at the same table as Qi Wangfei Consort, but because they had arrived later, there were no empty tables left. They had to share with others, and their group couldn't fit.
Tang Lingheng immediately protested when he heard they might sit together, pouting, “I don’t want to sit with the ugly girl!”
His words instantly created an awkward atmosphere, and Madam Tang forced an embarrassed smile, “I’m so sorry. He’s young and speaks without thinking; it’s my fault for not teaching him better.”
Qi Wangfei’s smile had completely disappeared, and she simply nodded, “Let’s have our meal.”
After parting ways, Madam Tang glared furiously at Tang Lingheng, who responded by sticking his tongue out defiantly, “Bleh!”
Tang Lingheng, only nine years old, was still at the age when even cats and dogs found him annoying.
Madam Tang had no real control over him—aside from glaring and scolding, she didn’t want to cause a scene that would embarrass the Tang family.
Tang Youqing, who had been watching, finally spoke up seeing her mother’s frustration, “Little Five is just like that; he’s still a child, and adults shouldn’t hold grudges against him.”
After complaining, she glanced dismissively at Suisui, then said indifferently, “Besides, Little Five wasn’t wrong.”
In her eyes, Suisui was just a village girl. Even if she was adopted by Qi Wangfei Consort, her status couldn’t compare to Tang Lingheng’s.
Madam Tang, on the verge of a headache, snapped, “Both of you, be quiet!”
Although the Tang family’s actions dampened Qi Wangfei Consort’s mood, the temple meal was quite good, with plenty of dishes to choose from.
Seeing Suisui’s eyes light up as she carefully selected her food, Qi Wangfei Consort’s spirits lifted again.
She reminded herself that the Tang family and her own were merely acquaintances, and there was no need to let their behavior upset her.
However, the condescending attitude displayed by Madam Tang and her children was something Qi Wangfei Consort couldn’t ignore.
She knew it was crucial to secure Suisui’s official status soon.
Qi Wangfei planned to visit the palace in a few days with Feng Xuanrui and have Xiao Liu persuade the Empress Dowager to approve Suisui’s official identity as soon as possible!
Suisui, however, was unaffected by the earlier incident.
Although she found Tang Lingheng annoying, he wasn’t her brother, and she didn’t even know him.
He wasn’t malicious—just mischievous.
And even if he had been mean, it didn’t matter.
Suisui didn’t dwell on it; after all, Lele had told her that life wasn’t perfect and there would always be regrets.
Some people wouldn’t like you, and that was okay.
Even the Emperor, who was high above everyone, had people who didn’t like him.
So why would a simple girl like herself be any different?
With these thoughts, Suisui felt at ease.
And besides, the most important thing right now was… eating!
The temple food looked delicious, and Suisui wanted to try everything.
Unfortunately, her small stomach couldn’t hold much.
The meal at Lanruo Temple was tasty, though still not as exquisite as the dishes prepared by the chefs back home.
The difference lay not only in the chefs’ skills but also in the limitations of ingredients.
After all, Buddhist meals had many restrictions, including some seasoning prohibitions, which naturally affected the taste.
Still, the essence of temple food was the simplicity and natural flavor of the ingredients, and Suisui found it delightful.
As Suisui happily enjoyed her meal, Qi Wangfei Consort’s mood gradually settled, her previous irritation fading away.
Unlike Suisui’s peaceful and adorable demeanor, Madam Tang’s side was chaotic, with her patience wearing thin.
Tang Lingheng simply couldn’t sit still, constantly talking to those at neighboring tables and, worse yet, provoking them.
Ying Ningzhi (hands on hips): A child even more troublesome than me has appeared! Hehe~
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