Chapter 237: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 237: His Child, His Duty to Protect
Prince Qi knew that not trembling was simply impossible.
As an ordinary person, he couldn’t possibly face life and death without fear. But with a child in his arms and two others nearby, he forced himself to maintain a calm façade, hoping not to frighten them.
Although little Suisui didn’t quite understand the words exchanged between her father and Concubine Ren, she sensed her father’s fear. Gently, she pressed her head against his cheek, her soft voice filled with reassuring warmth: “Don’t be afraid, Father. Suisui will keep you safe.”
The little girl’s tender affection melted Prince Qi’s heart, one wave after another.
Oh, having a daughter was wonderful!
Moved nearly to tears, Prince Qi held Suisui tighter and rubbed his cheek against hers, saying, “My dear, my precious little girl!”
Concubine Ren, watching from the side, felt a pang of envy mixed with amusement. Seeing Suisui’s little brow furrowed from being pricked by Prince Qi’s stubble, she reached over to shoo him away, saying, “Hey, watch it! Your stubble’s prickly!”
Instinctively, Prince Qi wanted to argue that he’d shaved that morning. But as he looked down at Suisui’s scrunched-up brows, his heart softened.
“Oh dear,” he muttered, caressing her soft cheek. “I didn’t mean to. I’ll shave again carefully tonight.”
Perhaps shaving wasn’t enough—he might have to get rid of the stubble entirely.
The incident at the pastry shop soon quieted down.
Whether it was an accident or something more sinister, Prince Qi was uninterested. As the crowd dispersed, though still murmuring in discussion, everyone returned to their own business.
Soon after, Si Sui reported, “The physician said it’s manageable; with some rest, the person should recover.”
Hearing this, Prince Qi nodded. “Alright, let’s gather ourselves and pick pastries at a different shop.”
Prince Qi still felt lingering anxiety. What Concubine Ren had realized, he also understood. And recalling past incidents made him think...
Suisui was truly a blessed child.
Both joyful and worried, he was anxious about others possibly eyeing his precious daughter’s good fortune. In his mind, he resolved that no one—not even his elder brother—should dare covet her blessings. Anyone with such intentions would have to face him.
After the recent scare, and with his promise to Suisui to find a lamb for a meal, they finished their stroll and soon left the city.
Concubine Ren, still shaken, had no desire to continue shopping, so after informing Prince Qi, she returned to the residence. She brought back news of their street mishap, and when Qi Wangfei heard, her face turned pale with worry as she asked, “And Suisui? She wasn’t frightened, was she?”
Concubine Ren wasn’t surprised that Qi Wangfei asked first about Suisui instead of the prince, so she explained the situation in detail to put her at ease.
Qi Wangfei nodded, instructed her attendant Aunt Qiu to inform Physician Liu to prepare some calming tonics for their return, and also briefed her on the day’s events. Since two other children were involved, notifying their families seemed a courtesy, especially if the experience had unsettled them.
While Qi Wangfei was busy making arrangements back at the residence, Prince Qi and Suisui had already arrived at their villa and were now picking out a lamb.
The estate steward cheerfully led them: “I had a feeling today was special, and sure enough, our sheep gave birth to seven lambs this morning. They’re nursing well and look strong. Plus, we just hatched a new brood of chicks, all lively and yellow!”
The steward was already thrilled by the villa’s good fortune today, and Prince Qi’s arrival made him even more eager to share.
In the past, Prince Qi might have marveled briefly at such events, but now he felt a superstitious twinge.
Could it be that the sheep and chickens had sensed his beloved Suisui’s visit and increased their offspring to support her needs? Such wise and considerate livestock!
He felt a growing warmth inside.
Since he’d promised roast lamb for lunch, he picked one while carrying Suisui in his arms. He kept glancing back to ensure he didn’t overlook the other two children following behind.
Since leaving the house, Suisui hadn’t set foot on the ground once; her father simply couldn’t bear to put her down. Even while selecting the lamb, he held her up by the pen’s edge.
Suisui, looking around, thought all the lambs seemed lovely.
Prince Qi, wanting to teach her, said, “We should pick a tender lamb; that way, the meat is soft. Older lambs are better for stews, but they need more time. Since we’re making a green onion lamb roast for lunch, a young one is ideal.”
“See that one?” He pointed. “Its coat is nice and would make a fine lambskin rug.”
“And that one over there, too. Once it’s cleaned, it would make another nice rug.”
“Even that one with a bit of black in its coat—it’s like a decorative accent!”
Suisui’s little eyes darted back and forth, unable to decide.
Liu Hemeng, meanwhile, watched in delight, clutching the wooden railing as she gazed at the lambs, especially the newborn ones that looked so tender and cute.
Although Shen Huatang was quieter, she, too, couldn’t look away from the lambs, her eyes darting from one to the next, already wondering how long it might take to eat them all.
Too much lamb could cause internal heat, and it wasn’t a daily meal, after all.
Liu Hemeng wasn’t thinking about eating, though; instead, she was focused on which lambs would make the best rugs. Some were too thin, others had ideal coloring for decoration.
So many options! It was a bit overwhelming.
If the older girls were having trouble deciding, Suisui was even more at a loss. She wanted them all, envisioning each one as a future lambskin rug.
Seeing his little girl so torn, Prince Qi couldn’t bear it, so he gave the order, “All the ones I just pointed out—slaughter them all!”
And he didn’t forget the promise he made to the Tang family, so he added quickly, “The Tang boy who hurt his leg should still be recovering. Send him two legs for nourishment.”
Second update.
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