Chapter 222: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 222: The Joy of Children
Concubine Meng couldn’t help but smile at little Suisui’s conflicted expression. She knew Suisui was still unwell, in a time when she especially relied on people she trusted.
Concubine Meng realized that she still hadn’t spent enough time with Suisui, which meant the child wasn’t yet that close to her. Although it left her feeling slightly regretful, she was not too bothered by it.
Unlike Concubine Ren, who found it amusing to tease children to the point of tears and then comfort them, Concubine Meng couldn’t bear to see little ones troubled. She quickly said with a smile, “Auntie Meng is just teasing you, sweetie.”
Hearing she didn’t have to accompany her, Suisui beamed with joy.
Suisui thought, if she couldn’t stay with Auntie Meng, surely there would be others who could, right?
With this thought, Suisui softly added, “Don’t worry, Auntie Meng; someone will keep you company too!”
Concubine Meng chuckled, thinking that her son was already grown, and it wouldn’t be right for him to still sleep by his mother’s side. Sons grow independent; even if Feng Xuancang wanted to, she wouldn’t like it!
But with children, you don’t take everything to heart. She smiled and replied, “Alright then, I’ll accept Suisui’s good wishes.”
Suisui hadn’t finished her sweet soup yet.
Concubine Meng, not wanting to interrupt her, chatted a bit longer with Qi Wangfei before leaving.
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In the afternoon, the sun was shining, and Qi Wangfei took Suisui to the rear garden to admire the flowers.
Although Feng Xuanrui had mentioned plans to dig up the small garden, nothing had been done yet, and the garden was still full of beautiful flowers.
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Spring was in full bloom, and flowers were opening everywhere.
Qi Wangfei couldn’t even pick a favorite anymore, fearing that if she voiced a preference, by morning the servants would tell her, “Qi Wangfei, those flowers bloomed overnight and look stunning!”
She couldn’t bear to hear it!
So, when introducing the flowers to Suisui, she simply said, “This one is lovely.”
“And that one is pretty too.”
“This one blooms in a heart shape.”
“That one is layered and full.”
She avoided any additional, subjective words.
Suisui, not noticing any of this, was content to be beside her mother, occasionally sniffing the pleasant fragrance of her mother’s gown and clapping her hands in joy, exclaiming, “Suisui likes this too!”
“Even prettier than flowers!” she declared. “I’ll stay with Mother Consort to look at them!”
The little girl was becoming more and more confident.
This filled Qi Wangfei with a small sense of achievement.
Yet she still felt unsatisfied, thinking her child ought to be a force of life even greater than the garden’s blossoms.
With this thought, she gently stroked the little girl’s head, saying, “Yes, Mother Consort will wait for Suisui to keep me company, and a beautiful Suisui at that.”
Feeling happy under her mother’s touch, Suisui nodded firmly and said, “Suisui will grow strong!”
At dinner, Suisui, quietly determined, finished a large meat bun.
Aunt Xiang, watching her closely, advised her, “You mustn’t eat like that; overeating could make you uncomfortable. Growing strong takes time, so there’s no rush.”
Realizing she was indeed a bit too full, Suisui obediently put down her food and didn’t try to eat more.
That evening, the Prince, Qi Wangfei, and their children all ate together.
Concerned about Suisui’s condition, the princes spent time with her and were relieved to see she was in good spirits. Only then did they settle in for their lessons from their father.
The Prince, not a scholar himself, struggled to quiz them effectively.
Eventually, he resorted to a test from Master Shen’s book.
The princes’ performances varied:
- Feng Xuancang did best, being the oldest.
- Despite his timidity, Feng Xuanjie took after his father academically, showing little skill.
- Feng Xuanbo’s cleverness was evident, though his wits were applied to everything but studies.
- Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin were too young to warrant much mention.
The Prince, finishing the exam, rubbed his temples, wondering what to do with children who knew even less than he did.
He worried aloud, though his sons seemed oblivious to his concern.
After dinner, they took Suisui to play.
At first, they let her ride a wooden horse, each brother taking turns to rock it back and forth. Suisui laughed and cheered, filled with excitement.
Then they thought the horse was too stationary.
“This doesn’t move! How about we tie a rope to pull it?”
“Yeah, or someone can push from behind too!”
With a plan formed, one brother mounted the horse, one pulled, and one pushed.
The arrangement quickly led to arguments.
Seeing the dispute, Feng Xuanrui jumped in. “I’ll go on the horse too!”
Feng Xuanbin protested, “No way, I’m the youngest, so I get to go first!”
Feng Xuancang, the eldest, only watched with an amused smile.
Feng Xuanbo, spotting an opportunity, quickly seated himself on the horse beside Suisui, protecting her, and grinned at the “driver.” “Thank you, Third Brother.”
Feng Xuancang chuckled, “Alright, hold on tight and keep Suisui safe.”
Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin, noticing that their brother had slipped in, cried out and charged forward in indignation.
Seeing the situation, Feng Xuancang signaled to the pusher, Feng Xuanjie, “Let’s go, let’s go!”
The two synchronized, one pulling and the other pushing, setting the wooden horse in motion.
Without wheels, the horse’s base screeched against the floor, though the noise was quickly drowned out by the shouts of Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin.
They charged forward like bandits, shouting, “You rascal! We’re gonna get you!”
“Fifth Brother, you’re the worst!”
“Give us our sister!”
They raced forward like playful villains, bringing the lively scene to life.
The Prince, concerned, called out, “Xiao Wu, make sure you’re holding your sister tightly!”
Feng Xuanbo, hugging Suisui with glee, responded, “Don’t worry, Father!”
He looked down and asked Suisui, “Sister, is this okay? If it’s too tight, let me know. Don’t be afraid; I’ll keep you safe!”
The initial jolt of the horse had startled Suisui, but now, wrapped in her brother’s arms, with another brother pulling her slowly and others in close pursuit, she felt exhilarated. She shook her head joyfully, “I’m not afraid, Fifth Brother!”
Hearing this, Feng Xuanbo relaxed, and with a glance at the brothers chasing them, teased, “That’s all you’ve got? Can’t keep up? Did you not eat enough at dinner?”
Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin: ???
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