Chapter 255: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
**Chapter 255: The Consorts**
The relationship between Consort Lian and Consort Yue was relatively harmonious. When they met, they exchanged smiles before sitting down and chatting with Qi Wangfei.
During their conversation, Consort Yue couldn’t help but glance at Suisui several times.
Her father was Physician Liu, and naturally, she had heard of Suisui. He had been paying attention to the child for some time. Now that she was in front of her, her curiosity was piqued.
Consort Yue kept looking at Suisui, who noticed and smiled obediently.
The innocent smile of a child is pure and adorable, and Consort Yue couldn’t help but smile in return.
Consort Lian, who was still talking with Qi Wangfei, also turned when she heard Suisui's voice, smiling as she said, "Is this Suisui?"
Suisui, who had been listening carefully, quickly responded with a sweet voice, “Hello, Consort Auntie, I’m Suisui.”
Seeing Suisui nodding her little head so adorably, Consort Lian waved at her, “Come closer so I can take a good look.”
Suisui glanced at Consort Yue for permission first.
Consort Yue, who didn’t mind, gently patted Suisui’s little hat and gestured for her to approach.
Suisui obediently walked over, calling out softly, “Consort Auntie.”
Her aunt Xiang had once told her that if she wasn’t sure how to address someone, it was polite to include their title. Although Suisui didn’t understand what titles meant, she remembered her aunt's advice.
As Suisui walked closer, Consort Lian took a closer look and noticed that the child’s eyes were very similar to Prince Qi’s. Though there was a hint of suspicion in her heart, as a wise person, she kept her thoughts to herself and did not let them show on her face.
After a brief pause, Consort Lian smiled and asked, “Do you remember your sister Ruo Yi?”
Ruo Yi?
Of course, Suisui remembered!
She was the second friend she made after leaving the village… or maybe it was the third or fourth, but definitely one of her good friends. She had even asked her older sisters to help send a letter to Ruo Yi before.
When Consort Lian asked, Suisui quickly nodded, “Yes, Consort Auntie, I remember. Ruo Yi is very nice, and she even gave me delicious pastries.”
Consort Lian had recently received a letter from her hometown, so she knew about Suisui and Ruo Yi’s friendship.
The affection between children was pure and uncomplicated, just because they liked each other.
Moreover, the Qi family was not one that could be easily taken advantage of.
Consort Lian didn’t want to delve into matters that might be of no use, so she simply smiled and said, “I’m Ruo Yi’s aunt.”
Suisui didn’t know how to address her as an aunt, since they weren’t that closely related, but she knew what the title meant, and her eyes lit up with joy.
Her large, bright eyes now looked even more like Prince Qi’s.
Consort Lian thought to herself: *Could this child really not be raised by Prince Qi outside of the palace?*
But seeing how much Qi Wangfei loved her, it didn’t seem likely.
Not daring to think further, Consort Lian quickly shifted the topic to the weather, clothing, jewelry, and pastries—subjects that were easy to discuss.
Before long, the conversation moved away from Suisui, and she returned to her mother’s side.
Unlike other guests who came and left quickly, Consort Yue and Consort Lian stayed a little longer. They didn’t want to give the impression they were waiting for the Emperor, so when they thought the time was right, they politely excused themselves.
Qi Wangfei, holding Suisui’s hand, saw them off.
With no more visitors arriving from the harem, Qi Wangfei finally sighed in relief.
Without Suisui nearby, the Empress Dowager relaxed a little and began speaking more freely.
After confirming that Suisui wasn’t a child Prince Qi had fathered outside of the palace, the Empress Dowager felt a mix of emotions. She didn’t know whether she should feel relieved or regretful.
She couldn’t help but wonder: *Could it be that it’s your father…*
The child’s eyes were so similar to their family’s, it was hard to believe she had no connection to the Feng family, or even to the late Emperor!
The late Emperor...
The late emperor was a man of many affections.
The Empress Dowager could even foresee that, a hundred or even a thousand years from now, the wild stories surrounding the late emperor would be written in history.
After all, the emperor’s harem consisted of ministers' wives, women remarried twice, widows who had married thrice… and there had even been two male lovers.
Of course, after two years, perhaps it was deemed unremarkable, and they were set free, never to appear again.
So, if the late emperor had indulged in romantic escapades outside, it would be normal for him to leave behind some scandalous debts, right?
As the late emperor's son, Prince Qi must have known all of this. After all, the composition of the emperor’s harem was complex, and most people in the capital were aware of it.
At this moment, as the Empress Dowager brought it up, Prince Qi’s heart skipped a beat.
He thought to himself: *Mother, please don’t!*
Although his father was no longer alive, discussing such matters was still quite delicate.
If this word got out…
The clan elders might be so scandalized they could even show up at the palace gates, causing a commotion! After all, the late emperor's political achievements were outstanding, which could help conceal his indiscretions in the harem.
The Empress Dowager knew that her son, Prince Qi, couldn’t speak carelessly about his late father, so she was merely making a guess, and since there was no definitive answer, she didn’t pursue the matter further.
Just as she was about to find a reason to call Suisui over for a cuddle, she was interrupted by a voice from outside proclaiming, "The Emperor has arrived."
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