Chapter 161: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
**Chapter 161: The Gifts of Nature**
Suisui had a very deep and restful sleep.
Perhaps it's because children have no worries, making their thoughts simple and their sleep sound.
Even with Tang Lingheng making a ruckus outside, which made the guests grumble, Suisui remained undisturbed.
Upon waking up, she was displeased not to see her mother, pouting slightly.
Aunt Xiang was quick to set aside her tasks and went over to comfort the little girl.
Aunt Xiang’s hands were warm as she patted Suisui, who soon stopped feeling sad.
Hearing footsteps and smelling the familiar scent drawing near, Suisui peeked out from Aunt Xiang's side and, upon seeing her mother, joyfully jumped down: “Mother!”
The child's voice contained unreserved happiness.
Upon hearing this, Qi Wangfei’s mood instantly brightened.
She hurried over, scooping Suisui into her arms, and cheerfully pressed her against her: “Mother is here, good child.”
Tang Lingheng's noise only irked Qi Wangfei.
But if it was Suisui making the noise, Qi Wangfei felt she would likely be delighted.
Her child had grown bold enough to shout back at others—what a wonderful thing!
After a while of being close to her mother, Suisui was carried to drink water.
As they walked, Qi Wangfei smiled and said to Suisui, “Aunt Qiu made you some sweet tea with longan, red dates, and cherries. Let’s see if it’s good! If you like it, Aunt Xiang can add more for you.”
Longan and cherries were both top-notch ingredients.
And since Suisui had never had them before, she couldn’t help but swallow hard at the mention of cherries, recalling the flavor from the previous day.
Noticing the little girl’s craving, Qi Wangfei gently brushed her cheek against Suisui’s and said with a smile, “We’ll drink it together, okay?”
Suisui obediently nodded and then added, “Mother should drink more!”
The innocent words of a child are the purest and most heartwarming.
Qi Wangfei smiled broadly.
The two quickly began sipping the sweet tea.
The tea was based on dried plum and osmanthus, enhanced with longan, red dates, and dried cherries.
It was fragrant and sweet, with most of the ingredients being nourishing.
The dried cherries had a chewy texture.
When Qi Wangfei learned about the cherry tree the previous day, she felt quite nervous.
But now, having prayed for a sign and feeling settled, she finally had the heart to appreciate the gifts of nature from spring and summer.
After sipping a few times, she turned to Suisui sitting beside her: “Is it good?”
For a child, sweet things are undoubtedly the best!
So when her mother asked, Suisui eagerly nodded: “It’s delicious, Mother.”
The way the little girl nodded was incredibly cute, making Qi Wangfei unable to resist reaching out to touch her.
After enjoying their tea for a while, they finally stood up to head out and continue listening to the scriptures.
As they stepped outside, they noticed many little monks carrying tools towards the back mountain.
Numerous guests, too, were equipped with similar tools, following suit.
This piqued Qi Wangfei’s curiosity, and she leaned over to softly ask Aunt Qiu, “What’s going on?”
Aunt Qiu replied quietly, “They say they’re going to dig for wild vegetables in the back mountain. Spring is the peak season for wild vegetables and herbs, and there are plenty of resources in that area. So the little monks have all gone, and I heard some guests wanted to join in. For safety, they’re only allowed in the designated area; beyond that, only the little monks can go.”
The little monks, at the very least, had some martial arts skills.
And they always traveled in groups.
Even if they encountered wild animals, they could manage for a bit.
However, the guests could be another story.
Especially since some of them were young gentlemen and ladies from wealthy families. If something happened, the temple would likely face big trouble.
Fortunately, the temple’s back mountain had a designated area with vegetables and various fruits planted.
That area also had many wild vegetables, which would be more than enough for most people.
Wild vegetables?
Qi Wangfei had eaten them before.
Some were quite tasty, especially when well-prepared by a skilled chef.
Occasionally, when in season, having some fresh ones was delightful.
For them, it was merely a way to spice up their meals, but for many ordinary people, it was a precious gift from nature.
Qi Wangfei didn’t think much about digging for wild vegetables. She stood and watched for a bit, noticing many people were quite happy about it.
Especially some children who seemed to be experiencing this for the first time.
They were particularly lively, eager to jump from one side of the grass to the other.
As for digging for wild vegetables?
They hardly cared about that!
They were more eager to play and connect with nature.
Watching the group of children play so joyfully, Qi Wangfei found herself pondering.
Would Suisui enjoy such activities?
Children generally loved the outside world and its excitement.
Qi Wangfei didn’t make a direct decision; instead, she bent down to ask Suisui: “Suisui, do you want to go dig for wild vegetables?”
Suisui had dug for wild vegetables before.
If she hadn’t dug up vegetables and roots, she would have starved long ago.
Now, hearing her mother’s question, she actually didn’t want to go.
Not that she disliked working.
It was just that digging for wild vegetables reminded her of those difficult and trying times.
Suisui had always been telling herself that those days were behind her.
Now, she had her mother, her brother, and a family.
Life was good; she was no longer the pitiful child of the past.
Yet, if her mother wanted to go, Suisui was willing to set aside her own feelings and accompany her mother.
Her mother’s happiness was more important than anything else.
Considering all this, Suisui softly asked, “Does Mother like to eat wild vegetables?”
Does she like to eat them?
Occasionally trying some fresh ones, she found them okay.
But to eat them regularly?
Let’s skip that.
Some had flavors that weren’t particularly pleasant, and while Physician Liu said they had good medicinal properties, Qi Wangfei thought, since she wasn’t ill, why eat wild vegetables for no reason?
Not liking them, Qi Wangfei didn’t hide her feelings and replied honestly: “Not really; I only eat them occasionally for something fresh.”
Upon hearing her mother say she didn’t like them, Suisui felt relieved and gently shook her little head: “Then let’s not go, Mother. Digging for wild vegetables is tiring, and it’s hot; the taste of wild vegetables isn’t good, some are bitter and uncomfortable.”
Qi Wangfei had initially thought of letting her child play freely.
But hearing Suisui’s words, she suddenly realized how much the little girl had endured in the past.
She almost inadvertently evoked Suisui’s memories of her former life!
Thinking of this, Qi Wangfei took a deep breath, ready to comfort Suisui and then take her child to listen to the scriptures when she heard a gentle voice behind her: “Your Highness.”
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