**Chapter 95: The Explosion of the Carriage**

The scene on the official road was chaotic, and Qi Wangfei was visibly shaken. Unsure who was in the Earl of Anyuan’s carriage, she held Suisui close and quickly moved forward to check the situation.

The thick smoke, pungent odor, and intense heat made it unsafe for anyone to approach. 

The Earl of Anyuan’s guards, however, were already efficiently rescuing people. 

Suisui, not understanding what was happening, clung tightly to her mother’s arm and peeked out anxiously. 

Before she could see clearly, a furious shout echoed: “Ying Junzhi!”

The Grand Princess of Shou’an’s roar startled everyone. After her outburst, she somewhat awkwardly emerged from the carriage with Madam Sun’s assistance.

Despite her advanced age and white hair, the Grand Princess moved swiftly. She jumped down from the carriage so nimbly that Madam Sun almost gasped in shock.

Ignoring the formalities, the Grand Princess hurried towards the rear carriage. 

The Earl of Anyuan’s entourage had two carriages: the front one carried the Grand Princess and the lady of the house, while the rear carriage held the young masters and miss of the household. There were also two flatbed carts with various items, likely for a stay at another residence.

The explosion had destroyed the rear flatbed cart, and the accompanying carriage had suffered significant damage as well. The luxurious carriage carrying the young masters and miss had escaped the worst but was tainted by the acrid smoke.

The Princess Dowager, after jumping down, quickly moved to the back carriage and shouted at the stunned guards, “Why haven’t you checked on the young masters and miss yet?”

Without waiting for a response, she nimbly climbed back into the carriage without using the ladder, displaying agility that belied her age.

Seeing this, Suisui was astonished. She had seen elderly people in her village who were still quite spry, but the Princess Dowager’s agility was far beyond what she had previously witnessed. 

Madam Sun, trailing behind, was anxious and out of breath. She had been accustomed to a life of luxury, and even walking briskly was a challenge. As she peered inside the carriage, she saw the Princess Dowager’s expression change.

From inside the carriage came loud cries: “Grandmother, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Ah, don’t hit me!!”

Madam Sun, relieved, noted that the children seemed to be unharmed. The color returned to her face slightly as she heard the crying.

Others around, including the guards who had stayed behind to protect the carriage, began to put out the fire, salvage items, and manage the aftermath. 

Qi Wangfei, realizing the gravity of the situation, gently handed Suisui over to Aunt Qiu and reassured her. “Suisui, stay with Aunt Qiu for a moment. Mother needs to attend to some things.”

Suisui obediently nodded and allowed Aunt Qiu to hold her. 

Qi Wangfei, now more composed, approached Madam Sun and asked quietly, “Are you alright? Should we call a doctor?”

Since the visit had been a last-minute decision, she hadn’t brought physician Liu. However, nearby residences might have someone, or they could send for help from the city if necessary.

Madam Sun, feeling weak, clung to her maid and forced a smile. “I’m fine, really. The children are not hurt, are they? How about you all?”

Though the explosion occurred on the official road, Madam Sun was concerned about whether it had startled people nearby. 

Qi Wangfei reassured her, “No, don’t worry. Everything here is fine.”

At that moment, the commotion inside the carriage was still loud with cries and movement. The carriage itself shook, making everyone outside worry it might collapse.

Madam Sun’s face showed some embarrassment. Who would have thought that the most respected Grand Princess in the capital was inside the carriage, dealing with her own children?

Despite the frightening situation, Madam Sun was relieved that no one was injured. 

Suisui, though frightened by the noise and chaos, comforted herself by thinking that she was with her mother and brothers, who were kind and wouldn’t hurt her. 

After a while, the Grand Princess emerged from the carriage, looking even more disheveled than before. 

Qi Wangfei, seeing her come out, quickly approached and performed her greetings. The Princess Dowager, impressed with the Princess Consort, waived the formality and apologized for the trouble.

Madam Sun, still worried about the children, quietly moved closer to the carriage and was almost knocked over by the children rushing out.

Young Master Ying Junzhi emerged first, looking somewhat embarrassed upon seeing his grandmother. 

He quickly composed himself and shouted to those inside the carriage, “Grandmother isn’t here, hurry up and get out!”

The children inside, responding to the command, quickly followed suit. 

Madam Sun, smartly stepping aside, avoided being knocked over by the rushing children. 

Young Master Ying Junzhi led the way, followed by three young masters, and then a young miss dressed in a lake-green riding outfit. Her movements were graceful and swift. 

As she jumped down, she turned to remind her second brother, “Be careful, don’t fall!” 

She then sprinted ahead, leaving behind a trail of pink silk ribbons fluttering in the wind, creating a splash of color in Suisui’s view.

Next Chapter▶▶

 **Chapter 94: The Grand Princess of Shou'an**

While the small classroom in the Prince residence was in turmoil, Suisui was nearly full from the tea. Though one cup wasn’t much, the added ingredients made it quite filling.

After finishing her tea, Suisui’s little belly felt quite round. Haitang helped her wipe her mouth, and she hopped off the chair to come close to Qi Wangfei. “Mother, I’m done eating,” she said, gently patting her tummy as if showing off her full meal.

Qi Wangfei found the child increasingly adorable. While her initial impression wasn’t as strong, she now couldn’t take her eyes off Suisui. Perhaps it was just the charm of a child, or perhaps it was her own attachment to the girl. 

Over the years, the various antics of her husband had made Qi Wangfei somewhat obsessed with the idea of having a daughter. However, despite many people in the capital wanting to marry their daughters into the Wang family, she hadn’t been impressed by any of them—until Suisui.

Looking at the sparkling eyes of the little girl, Qi Wangfei gently stroked her head. “Let’s go get some fresh air so you don’t get too full and unable to eat lunch. Your brothers will come over for their archery lessons this afternoon.”

Although Suisui didn’t understand much about archery, she had heard her brothers say it was impressive and had long wanted to see it. When her mother mentioned it, she nodded vigorously. “I want to see it, Mother.”

Her earnest demeanor was irresistible. Qi Wangfei took Suisui outside to see the pond and talked about the fish in it. 

Suisui didn’t fully grasp the conversation, but she knew that fish were delicious. She couldn’t help but let her saliva flow and murmured, “Fish are delicious.”

Though her voice was soft, the Princess Consort, close by, heard her and smiled behind her handkerchief.

As they strolled leisurely through the estate, a luxurious carriage passed slowly on the official road nearby. The Princess Consort, hearing the noise, glanced in that direction.

Suisui followed her gaze and saw the unfamiliar carriage but then looked away, unsure of its significance. 

Qi Wangfei observed the carriage for a moment and then led Suisui into the orchard. She thought that Suisui, who would soon live in the capital, needed to be familiar with various important figures and events. 

She held Suisui’s hand and pointed to the carriage from afar. “Suisui, see that carriage? The character hanging in front reads ‘Ying.’ That’s the carriage of the Earl of Anyuan.”

Suisui, confused, shook her head honestly, not understanding.

Seeing this, Qi Wangfei couldn’t help but laugh and didn’t mind that the little girl didn’t understand right away. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it with time. Just remember, such carriages usually carry people of high rank.”

Suisui, taking this seriously, nodded with a solemn expression. “Mother, I will remember!”

Seeing the little girl so earnest, Qi Wangfei felt amused and stroked her head. “But don’t be afraid, Suisui. Even though these people are of high status, they aren’t as important as your… father.”

She wasn’t sure if her husband would acknowledge Suisui, but that wasn’t important.

Qi Wangfei thought, “As long as I acknowledge her, that’s enough. Once I go back to the palace and persuade the Empress Dowager, even if the prince doesn’t agree, he’ll have to comply!”

Suisui, feeling a bit confused, tried to make sense of it and concluded, “Yes, Mother is the most important!”

To Suisui, her unseen father had no standing.

Qi Wangfei was charmed by Suisui’s response and nodded approvingly. “Yes, Suisui is always right.”

Continuing, Qi Wangfei introduced the importance of the people in the carriage. “Although the Earl of Anyuan’s status isn’t as high as your father’s, his mother is the Grand Princess of Shou’an. She is a kind and respectable elder. When you meet her in the future, make sure to show proper respect.”

Suisui, being young and not understanding much, needed to learn about etiquette and protocol, which were important in the capital. Without proper knowledge, even someone of high status could be looked down upon privately. 

The Grand Princess of Shou’an valued propriety, so Qi Wangfei emphasized this lesson.

At that moment, in the carriage, the Grand Princess of Shou’an was listening to her daughter-in-law, Madam Sun, who said, “Shall we stop by the Prince estate’s villa? I heard it was quite lively there yesterday.”

Madam Sun was referring to the livestock production at the Prince estate.

The Princess Dowager, now with silver hair and a dignified presence, frowned slightly. “Such vulgar matters should not be discussed openly. Have you lost all sense of propriety?”

Even the wife of the Earl of Anyuan had to respectfully listen to reprimands from someone of the Princess Dowager’s stature.

Seeing Madam Sun fall silent, the Grand Princess sighed, “The Prince of Qi has become increasingly outrageous in recent years, which has been hard on the women in his household.” 

She closed her eyes for a moment, “His stubborn, reckless behavior is just like the late Emperor’s.”

Madam Sun, unsure how to respond, chose to stay silent. 

The Princess Dowager, being the elder sister of the late Emperor, had the authority to speak as she pleased. Madam Sun dared not interject.

After a moment, the Grand Princess said in a low voice, “Keep an eye on the young masters and miss of our household in the coming days. Ensure they don’t associate with the Jinyang Marquis’s family. Their household is full of troublemakers. Let them be foolish on their own but don’t let them corrupt our family.”

Before she could finish, a loud bang echoed from behind the carriage.

Boom!

The sound was so loud that even Qi Wangfei could hear it. She had been planning to investigate if they could catch some fish for lunch but was startled by the loud noise that shook the ground.

Suisui, frightened, immediately clung to her mother’s leg, trembling.

Qi Wangfei was startled too and, sensing Suisui’s fear, quickly picked her up and turned to look at the official road.

Smoke billowed from the road, and the once luxurious and dignified carriage of the Grand Princess looked disheveled.

Seeing this, Qi Wangfei’s face went pale. She opened her mouth, and after a moment, managed to speak. “Quickly, organize people to check the situation!”

Aunt Qiu and the others were also alarmed. Upon hearing Qi Wangfei’s command, they promptly organized the estate’s workers to help.

The laborers in the fields, hearing the call, quickly sprang into action.

Before they could get close, they were met with a strange and acrid odor.

The thick black smoke, combined with the heat, made it hard to determine whether it was safe to approach.

Next Chapter▶▶

 **Chapter 93: The Five Underperformers**

After choosing the tea with Suisui, Qi Wangfei looked up at Aunt Qiu and added, “Add some walnuts; they’re very nourishing and good for Suisui.” Aunt Qiu smiled and agreed.

Qi Wangfei was accustomed to these preferences, so the servants would follow her instructions.

The tea had been brewed earlier, but it still needed some time for preparation.

Considering Suisui’s illiteracy, Qi Wangfei gently asked, “Sui Sui, would you like to go to the little classroom with your brothers in the future to learn to read?”

Looking at Suisui’s small arms and legs, she added, “Eat well, build up your strength, and join the physical education classes too. That way, if there’s any danger, we won’t rely on others and can at least run away if necessary.”

Suisui didn’t fully understand, but since her mother said so, she was willing to listen. She nodded obediently.

The sight of Suisui snuggled up and behaving so sweetly made it hard for Qi Wangfei to look away. She had never felt this way with her own children before. With Suisui, she truly experienced the joy of raising a child.

Her feelings were happy yet complex.

As they spoke, the tea arrived. With noon approaching, Qi Wangfei worried that if the children had too many snacks, they might not eat their meals properly, so she didn’t order any snacks.

However, this cup of tea was quite a feast for Suisui. 

It was jasmine tea with sweet almond-infused milk, which had a gamey smell removed and then mixed with the tea. Added were longan, walnuts, goji berries, dried fruit, and honey, making the tea aromatic and rich with various flavors. 

The mixture of scents made it incredibly tempting when it was served. The milk had been slightly cooled before being poured into the tea, so the tea was still warm.

Aunt Qiu brought the tea and smiled, “Drink it while it’s warm; it won’t taste as good if it cools down.”

Suisui looked at the richly garnished tea with a mixture of confusion and anticipation. Tea was a luxury for ordinary people. Back in her village, she had only heard about it being served to distinguished guests at the village head's home.

Tea had once seemed an unattainable luxury to Suisui. Now, it was right in front of her. Such a warm, pleasant day made her unsure whether she was dreaming or living a reality.

She thought if this were a dream, it was an incredibly long one, and she didn’t want to wake up!

She felt too shy to tell her mother but whispered to the system instead.

The system, hearing this, felt both heartbroken and touched.

**[Sui Sui, this isn’t a dream.]**

**[The hardships are in the past; from now on, everything that belongs to us is bright and wonderful!]**

**[Don’t worry, Sui Sui, you can enjoy your tea. Lele is here.]**

Feeling reassured that Lele was there, Suisui reluctantly left her mother’s arms and sat on a nearby chair. She didn’t rush and, once seated, turned to look at her mother.

Qi Wangfei, softened by Suisui’s clean, doe-like eyes, reached out to gently pat her head. “Drink up, take your time. Don’t rush or overindulge; we’ll have lunch soon.”

Suisui nodded obediently. Once Qi Wangfei had lowered her head to taste her own tea, Suisui carefully picked up her cup and took a delicate sip.

Mmm! It’s so sweet!

The jasmine tea had a light fragrance with a hint of bitterness. The longan and honey combined with the milk made it doubly sweet and aromatic.

Suisui was amazed by the taste. She had never had such tea before and didn’t realize it could be so delicious. It was sweet and fragrant.

The dried fruit pieces were delightful, especially one type that was a bit hard but exploded with sweetness as she chewed.

Because it was so sweet, Suisui needed to sip the tea to balance the overwhelming sweetness.

Suisui, dazzled by the flavor, swallowed and turned to Qi Wangfei with bright eyes, saying, “It’s so sweet and so good, Mother!”

Qi Wangfei, drinking Eight-Treasure Tea, had left out the dried fruit and rock candy, so her tea was lighter in taste. 

Hearing Suisui’s praise, she looked up with a smile and said, “Since you like it, we’ll make it again in the afternoon.”

This time, Suisui boldly nodded, “Yes, let’s make it again!”

Seeing the small change in Suisui, Qi Wangfei felt a tiny sense of accomplishment. She wasn’t sure if this was the joy of raising a child, but she did find it very pleasant.

Meanwhile, in the study of the Prince residence, the atmosphere was quite grim.

After today’s lesson, the teacher began checking the students’ old assignments to see how well they had reviewed.

The older students, like Feng Xuancang, were fine.

As for Feng Xuanrui…

He had been away for a month, forgotten most of what he had learned, and now came to class with an empty head.

The teacher waited for a long time, but Feng Xuanrui couldn’t recite anything.

The teacher wasn’t angry but indicated that Feng Xuanrui should stand by the back door with his book and review it again before being checked.

Feng Xuanrui, downcast, took his book and went over.

Being punished in the teacher’s class was common, so Feng Xuanrui didn’t feel embarrassed.

He knew that soon someone would come to keep him company.

Indeed, within a quarter of an hour, Feng Xuanbin arrived.

Seeing Feng Xuanrui looking up, the chubby boy grinned and showed his small white teeth, “Sixth Brother, I’m here to keep you company!”

The usually truant chubby boy had little chance of reciting his assignments correctly.

Although the teacher was frustrated, the prince had said they didn’t need to excel, just be literate. 

So the teacher controlled his temper and taught them slowly.

Necessary punishments still had to be enforced, even for the young masters of the Prince residence. Without setting an example, they wouldn’t fear him, and that could lead to greater problems.

By the first round of assignments, only the two underperforming brothers had brought their books over.

By the third round of checks, Feng Xuanbo silently brought his book too.

The Prince residence’s small classroom now had only five young masters studying.

The heir was studying at the Imperial Academy.

The second son was at Qingyun Academy.

The remaining five underperformers were stuck in the Prince residence’s small classroom.

The teacher looked at the remaining seedlings and sighed, wondering why he had foolishly agreed to teach.

He was already living comfortably at the estate!

Next Chapter▶▶

 **Chapter 92: Longan Sweet Milk Tea**

Suisui stretched her neck to see the little lambs when she heard there were some. The newborn lambs had curly, white wool, looking clean and exuding a soft, adorable aura. Surrounded by ten or so, the sight of their snow-white coats made Suisui’s eyes widen, and she murmured, “They look so pretty!”

In her village, seeing sheep was rare, let alone this many. Her first reaction upon seeing them wasn’t about how delicious they might be but rather how beautiful they were. The sight of the snowy-white lambs huddled together, occasionally tilting their heads, was quite fascinating.

Seeing Suisui’s interest, Qi Wangfei smiled and took her hand, not minding the smell, and said, “Which one do you like? We can have it stewed for lunch.”

Suisui turned in confusion, “Huh?” She thought the lambs were cute and wanted to pet them or even keep one. But hearing that they might be eaten, she was shocked. 

It wasn’t that she couldn’t bear to eat the lambs, but it seemed too cruel to eat something so cute so soon after seeing it. For a child, this could be a bit much.

Noticing Suisui’s dazed expression, Qi Wangfei wondered if she didn’t like lamb meat. If that’s the case, it was no problem. The estate had plenty of other animals like pigs and chickens. Cows were for farming and not typically slaughtered, but secretly it could be done.

Qi Wangfei bent down and gently stroked Suisui’s head, speaking softly, “If you don’t like lamb, we can have piglets or chickens instead. There are many pigs, all born recently, and their meat is very tender.”

Suisui saw a bunch of piglets, black and black-and-white, preparing to exclaim, “So many, so cute!” 

Then she heard about their tender taste.

Suisui instinctively salivated, but her mind was still thinking, “How could I eat something so cute?” She was distressed but hesitant to voice her feelings. Pouting, she stood there silently, unsure what to say.

Qi Wangfei noticed Suisui’s reddened eyes and couldn’t understand why. She hadn’t spent much time with children and found their world quite puzzling. 

However, Haitang, who was nearby, quietly suggested, “Such cute lambs, it’s understandable that a young lady wouldn’t want to eat them.”

Realizing this, Qi Wangfei recalled similar situations. A few years ago, when Feng Xuanrui was at the estate and played with a chicken all afternoon, he was heartbroken and refused to eat when that same chicken was served for dinner. It took physician Liu to console him.

Children’s feelings were indeed interesting.

Wanting to avoid upsetting Suisui, Qi Wangfei gently reassured her, “If you don’t want to eat it, we won’t. How about we go have some tea instead?”

Suisui, initially unsure and reluctant to voice her discomfort, felt comforted by her mother’s gentle response and care. She snuggled closer and said softly, “Thank you, Mother. I’ll listen to you.”

The sight of Suisui’s innocent and timid demeanor was both heartwarming and pitiful. Even the usually kind-hearted Qi Wangfei found herself cursing Chen’s family and the Jinyang Marquis family in her mind, lamenting that Suisui had such unsatisfactory parents.

Feeling disgruntled, Qi Wangfei decided to take Suisui for tea.

Tea varieties had become more elaborate over time. Besides the traditional pressed tea, there were now many types of tea to choose from.

Following physician Liu’s advice, Qi Wangfei had prepared flower teas instead of cooling teas or warming black teas. Flower teas were suitable for both women and children, being gentle and nourishing.

When they arrived at the estate, the kitchen had already prepared the tea, awaiting Qi Wangfei’s selection. 

The estate’s accommodations were relatively simple, with separate courtyards for the main residents. The servants and estate staff stayed in the simpler areas. 

Aunt Qiu had prepared a room for Qi Wangfei and Suisui, leading them in. Qi Wangfei walked slowly, carefully adjusting her pace for Suisui. If she had the strength, she would have carried her but found it too taxing.

Once seated, Aunt Qiu asked, “What would you and the young lady like to drink?”

There were many types of tea, and the estate had a tea menu. They could either choose from the menu or request something special.

Qi Wangfei usually preferred light flower teas with red dates and longan to nourish the blood. She sat down, holding Suisui in her lap, and pointed to the tea menu, teaching Suisui to read, “This is Eight-Treasure Tea, this one with honeysuckle added—Mother likes the honeysuckle for its light flavor. And here, there’s sweet milk tea and longan milk tea...”

Suisui couldn’t read and had trouble keeping up with all the options. However, she remembered “longan sweet milk tea.”

Sweet things were always the best!

Suisui, recalling this, leaned into her mother’s arms and whispered, “Mother, I want something sweet.”

Noticing her tentative tone, Qi Wangfei, touched by her gentleness, responded with a soft voice tinged with emotion, “Of course, we’ll have the longan sweet milk tea.”

Next Chapter▶▶

 **Chapter 91: Isn't Feng Xuanrui Paralyzed?**

These little girls all have mothers who are concubines. 

So, the methods used to raise them are rather plain and simple. 

Find a good man to marry, or be taken as a concubine to a noble—either way is fine. 

Just don’t end up like their mothers, being looked down upon as lowly concubines!

Xu Yueying's mother had long discussed the status of eligible young men in the capital with her. When Xu Yueyao asked, she started chattering excitedly.

Xu Yueyao initially worried about how to bring up the Sixth Prince of the Prince Qi’s residence. 

But luck was on her side. 

Ignoring the other's infatuation, Xu Yueyao continued her subtle probing: “Is the Sixth Prince particularly special?” 

Hearing this, Xu Yueying looked even prouder and said loudly, “He is the legitimate son of the Prince Qi’s residence, someone we could never reach!” 

Even though they had been recognized back into the household due to the old madam, their status was still lower than that of a legitimate daughter. 

They couldn’t aspire to even be a concubine, let alone a legitimate son of the Prince Qi’s residence. 

But who says one can’t dream? 

Xu Yueyao listened, thinking: What does it matter whether he’s paralyzed or not? 

She couldn’t say this out loud. 

Xu Yuexiu, who had spoken first, lightly patted Xu Yueying’s shoulder: “Even if we can’t reach him, we can still take a look. I heard that the young masters come here for archery lessons in the afternoon. We could sneak over and watch.” 

Xu Yueying’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. She squeezed closer to Xu Yuexiu: “How did you know?” 

Xu Yuexiu raised her chin proudly: “My mother told me when she visited last night. She said the Sixth Prince returned from the south recently, and the brothers of the Prince Qi’s residence would definitely come here to celebrate and enjoy the open space.” 

Xu Yueyao felt something was off. 

She remembered clearly that the Sixth Prince of the Prince Qi’s residence was paralyzed. 

Due to the sensitive nature of royal affairs, many people avoided discussing it. 

She only learned about it through extensive inquiries: The Sixth Prince had been injured in a landslide during his return journey from the south with Prince Qing, resulting in the loss of the use of his legs. 

Because of this, relations between the Qing and Qi Residence had deteriorated drastically, reaching an all-time low. 

Xu Yueyao had even once maliciously wished that Yueyue had perished in the landslide as well. 

Now, the timing matched, but according to Xu Yuexiu, the Sixth Prince wasn’t paralyzed? 

It didn’t make sense. 

Xu Yueyao was startled and felt a chill run down her spine, her face turning pale. 

Xu Yueying, noticing her reaction, laughed heartily: “Ah, Xu Yueyao, you’re so timid. Just going out to take a look has scared you like this?” 

“Indeed, coming from the village, you’re just not used to the big city.” 

… 

The relationships between the sisters were never genuine. 

When they were friendly, they would huddle together and gossip. 

But when things turned sour, they were quick to disdain one another. 

The arrival of the governess provided Xu Yueyao a timely escape from the awkwardness. 

She nervously glanced around. 

By now, the luxurious carriage was no longer visible on the road. 

The events of this life had deviated from her past memories. 

This made Xu Yueyao deeply uneasy. 

She clenched her fists and quietly followed the other girls to their lessons. 

On the other side, Suisui had successfully arrived at the estate. 

After disembarking from the carriage, Qi Wangfei first removed her cloak. 

The cloak was too large for Suisui, who could easily trip over it while walking. 

After checking that Suisui wasn’t cold, Qi Wangfei took it off. 

Today’s visit was mainly to arrange a few potted plants. 

Suisui, feeling concerned, kept a close eye on them. 

“Is this temperature okay?” 

“Will they grow long?” 

“Will they bloom?” 

“When they grow tall, should they be moved to the ground?” 

“Do they need watering?” 

… 

They weren’t sure what these plants were. 

They had already been planted, so it was inconvenient to dig them up for research. 

Moreover, there are so many varieties of plants in the world. 

Just because they hadn’t seen them didn’t mean they didn’t exist. 

So, they could only provide vague answers. 

Seeing their uncertainty, Suisui was still somewhat uneasy. 

Lele had said these were good plants. 

She needed to take good care of them!

Remembering Lele, Suisui quietly asked: **[Lele, can these grow big?]**

**[Of course, Sui Sui. Just take good care of them.]**

**[They’re very easy to grow. Don’t worry; the current temperature is enough. When the seedlings grow and you move them to the ground, in two to three months, you can harvest them.]**

**[But, their fruit grows underground. Be extra careful when digging them up!]**

Underground fruit? 

Suisui knew about this. 

She happily said: **[I know, I know. Just like peanuts, right?]**

The system agreed: **[Yes, that’s right, Sui Sui.]**

Knowing that they would grow and bear fruit, Suisui felt much more at ease. 

The temperature in the greenhouse was still high, and Sui Sui began to sweat after a while. 

She obediently stepped outside, staying close to her mother, and took in the vast estate. 

Noticing her curiosity, Qi Wangfei took her hand and gently introduced her surroundings. 

“That area is farmland. Further back is the orchard, where many fruits will grow in the summer. I’ll bring you to taste them then.”

“Over there are autumn fruits, which ripen later than summer fruits but are a perfect follow-up.”

“And over there, we keep a lot of cattle and sheep.”

“By the way, yesterday, there were many new lambs born. I’ll take you to see them.” 

… 

When mentioning the birth of the cattle and sheep, Qi Wangfei recalled the report from the steward earlier. 

Having never seen them in person, she felt a sense of unreality. 

Now that they were here, she thought it would be best to take Sui Sui to see them. 

The steward, who had already arrived, respectfully led the way. 

When he heard that the princess wanted to see the newborn animals, he became enthusiastic: “You’ll see for yourself, Princess. The little ones are full of energy, especially the piglets—they’re so eager for milk!” 

At this point, the steward felt the subject was somewhat crude. 

He paused and refrained from going into further details, briefly mentioning the sheep and cattle. 

The livestock area was somewhat distant, closer to the orchard. 

Due to the strong odors, it needed to be located farther away, especially from the water source. 

As they approached, they could see a few lambs meandering about, looking quite relaxed. 

The steward exclaimed: “Those are the lambs born yesterday. There are fourteen of them!”

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 590 The Intervention of the Wang Family

Hu Shi began to act, wrapping a bowl filled with rice in red cloth and then turning it upside down above Chu Jin's body while gently calling his name.

Seeing Hu Shi's serious demeanor, Ye Muyu couldn't help but reach out and tug on Lu Sangqi's clothes, calling him over.

"Is this method really effective?" Ye Muyu didn't expect that soul-calling would actually work. She only knew that psychological treatment could gradually help people recover from shock, so she was unfamiliar with this superstitious method.

Lu Sangqi nodded earnestly, "Of course, this method is quite effective. Haven't you heard of it, Madam?"

Facing Lu Sangqi's probing, Ye Muyu ignored him completely and continued, "I don't care if it works or not but you must cure this child and money is not an issue."

"Madam is indeed generous. Then, give me ten taels of gold as a token." Lu Sangqi jokingly said.

Ye Muyu smiled lightly at him, "Aren't you afraid of spending your life savings?"

"Are you threatening me!" Lu Sangqi's eyes widened, ready to explode.

Ye Muyu helplessly said, "Alright, stop pretending. Go in and examine him. I won't bother you."

At this moment, Han Zhuang returned.

Ye Muyu was no longer in the mood to talk to Lu Sangqi and turned directly to Han Zhuang, entering the main hall to inquire.

"What happened?" Ye Muyu asked.

Han Zhuang stood at the bottom and calmly recounted, "Madam, the villain was hiding in the dining hall beforehand, and later, by some means, lured Tang Bao to the dining hall alone to talk to the young master."

"Zhang Cong, worried about the young master, followed. Later, he witnessed the villain suddenly appear and kill Tang Bao."

"When the villain tried to frame the young master, Huo An and Lin Fu rushed in, one after the other. Huo An subdued the villain, and now he's taking the villain with the villagers to report to the authorities."

"As a precaution, Huo An broke the villain's legs."

Ye Muyu asked directly, "But is it someone sent by the Wang family?"

"I interrogated the villain with Huo An, and he confessed that he was indeed sent by Master Wang."

Although Ye Muyu had guessed early on that this matter was related to the Wang family, when it was confirmed, she felt an inexplicable anger rising in her heart.

"Has the master's letter arrived?" It had been about eight or nine days since Chu Heng left, and the second letter was not far from being sent back. This was why Ye Muyu asked.

"Not yet." Han Zhuang shook his head. He also hadn't contacted the master for two days and only knew that the master was at a critical moment and ordered everyone not to tell Madam.

He could only pretend not to know anything.

Ye Muyu frowned and looked at him firmly for a long time before suddenly saying, "You know, don't you?"

"I don't know, Madam."

"In that case, I'll just have to guess for myself. Is it because Chu Heng has already confronted the Wang family's people?" Ye Muyu couldn't explain why but it was just a gut feeling.

Seeing Han Zhuang pursing his lips and remaining silent, she knew she had guessed correctly.

She continued, "I don't need you to answer anything else. Just tell me, is Chu Heng safe now?"

"Yes." Han Zhuang nodded without hesitation.

Ye Muyu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and realizing that questioning Han Zhuang further wouldn't yield any results, she didn't press further.

In fact, based on the information she had received during this period, she already had some speculation in her mind. It was likely that the Wang family had sent people to intercept Chu Heng on his way to the examination, but the people sent had not returned any news. The Wang family panicked and may have realized that they were being plotted against, so they resorted to a new tactic and first destroyed Chu Heng's only son.

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Chapter 149: Under the Skirt

"Hehe, this palace has never known that Young Master Wen of the Wen family is so eloquent. Everyone knows he's using His Majesty's name to suppress me."

"I ask for the princess's forgiveness."

Seeing these two brothers so united, Princess Changlin was accustomed to deceit and trickery in the royal court. She didn't believe in sibling affection and now could put it to a good test.

With head bowed, observing the kneeling brothers, she left them with a parting remark, "Since Young Master Wen uses His Majesty to suppress me, then let's wait and see. This palace wants to see how Master Wen will choose when the time comes."

With that said, she left the seat, leaving the brothers bewildered as they looked at each other.

"What does the princess mean?" Wen Mengsheng asked Wen Xinglu, who shook his head. Both brothers wore uneasy expressions, especially Wen Mengsheng.

They couldn't understand how tonight's events had escalated to this point. Thinking back to the earlier departure of the Feng family, they felt they might have been manipulated.

The revelers at the Feng residence were still unaware of what had transpired at Changchun Tower, happily discussing escorting Xu Mingyue off.

Wenjin Academy was not far from Dongdu City, only a dozen miles or so, a journey that could be made in half a day if one hurried. However, meeting here was more convenient, and once they left, they couldn't return until the academy closed at the end of the year.

Feng Jinyao and Bai Siruo both held onto Xu Mingyue, reluctant to part. However, this was the path she chose. Compared to the deceit and manipulation here, a place as pure as the academy was more suitable for Xu Mingyue.

"I have lived in Su Cheng for almost half a lifetime, but Miss Xu's temperament is truly the first I've seen—unswayed by others' folly, resolute in her own aspirations. I admire her, truly!"

Learning of her plans to become a scholar at the academy, the men present were stunned, then filled with admiration.

The capability of Wenjin Academy was widely recognized; to earn the appreciation of Dean Wang was truly impressive!

Yin Canwen sincerely admired all learned scholars, saying to Xu Mingyue, "Miss Xu has lofty ambitions, unlike us, who chase after fame and fortune."

"Why should Master Yin say so? It's a pity that our dynasty lacks precedent for women officials. Otherwise, I would like to compete shoulder to shoulder with you men and show the world that the realm of women is not confined to the lively backyard fields."

With such determination, everyone present admired her.

The Fengs were even more appreciative of her. It was not rules that constrained women but women who restrained themselves. Those like her, who could break free, were rare.

When they looked at her, they couldn't tell if it was the enchanting night or the allure between her brows and eyes.

At the Bai residence, when the guards brought back the barely conscious Bai Sihan, the servants at the gate panicked and immediately informed the master's household.

Shen Shi, who had been complacent in the backyard, nearly fainted upon hearing the dreadful news. If it weren't for Zheng Mama pinching her acupoint, she might have collapsed right there.

She hurriedly ran to the gate, where she met the servants carrying Bai Sihan inside. Her daughter lay on the stretcher, covered in blood, worse off than when she had been beaten by Bai Lin in the main house. "My child... my darling daughter..."

She ran over, crying and wailing. Bai Sihan's face was pale and unresponsive. Feeling her icy cold body, the blood on her wounds had frozen into a reddish-brown stain on her skirt in the winter chill.

Seeing this scene, Shen Shi screamed, cursed, and cried out, alarming the entire Bai residence.

Feng Lai, who was by Bai Lin's side, rushed out to see what had happened and was equally shocked. Hurriedly, she ran back to inform Bai Lin.

In Bai Lin's chamber, Master Bai Chao'an was also present. Upon hearing Feng Lai's report, he quickly said to his wife, "Quick, send someone to find the court physician and send our medical supplies over. Sihan is our Bai family's daughter. If something happens to her, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Bai Lin nodded. She disliked Shen Shi and her daughter, but she never wished them ill. If Bai Sihan really met with misfortune in Dongdu City, it would be a tragedy for the Bai family.

"Hurry, send someone outside to find a few more skilled physicians for external injuries. We can't delay with Second Miss's injuries."

"Yes."

With a command from Bai Lin, the servants of the Bai residence hurried into action, and the court physician quickly arrived with his medical box.

Upon entering the room and seeing the severity of the injuries, half of his heart turned cold. Such severe external injuries might be beyond his ability to heal. If he couldn't treat her, she might be left with a lifelong disability.

At this thought, he hesitated and dared not approach, fearing the weight of this responsibility.

Seeing the court physician hesitate to approach despite his arrival, Shen Shi immediately cried out, "What are you doing?! Come and see my daughter's injuries!"

"Ah, ah..." Startled by her outburst, the court physician gritted his teeth and reluctantly approached.

After a careful examination, it was clear even without looking that the skin had split and flesh torn.

"Madam, forgive me. Second Miss's external injuries are too severe. I am afraid I cannot treat her. We need to find a physician skilled in external injuries to examine her!"

"Useless!" She had no hope for the court physician. After he finished speaking, she immediately ordered Zheng Mama beside her to inform Bai Lin, "Go, tell the main house to find a way to bring physicians to treat Han'er. If anything happens to her, I will make sure the Xiangfu can't rest in peace!"

"Madam, rest assured, I'll go right away!"

"No need. If my sister is restless, I have a way to treat her. But Han'er is my Bai family's daughter. There is no reason for her to go to her death. I have already sent someone to invite a doctor, and my Fourth Sister has also sent someone to find the imperial physician. Just wait."

Bai Lin rushed over because she was worried about Bai Sihan's injuries, but just as she reached the door, she heard Shen Shi's harsh threat, and she thought of herself as a foolish woman who didn't know how high the sky was and how thick the earth was.

"It's better to do so. If Han'er is not completely cured, I will not let you and the entire princess's mansion off easily."

"Humph, what a joke. It's as if I beat her. If you have the ability, go find the real culprit!"

When the person was sent back, the guards of the princess's mansion also dared to leave their names and thus the whole family knew that she had been punished for offending Princess Changlin.

Shen Shi didn't go to find the troublemaker who beat the princess but instead scolded the people who were looking for the doctor. It was really crazy.

"I don't care. If something happens to Han'er, the Bai family, the princess's mansion, all have to bury her."

Shen Shi only had one daughter, so she saw her in such a state and was early mad, lost her soul, so barefoot no shoes, and then a big shame she could dare to say, fierce eyeing Bai Lin, as if the person she hit.

Bai Lin, who saw her unbecoming, threw her sleeves off, left with anger.

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 Chapter 589 Shocked

"Go quickly, I'll be fine here." Ye Muyu knew that being anxious wouldn't help, so she quickly asked Hu Shi to take care of Zhang Cong while comforting the child who had rushed into her arms, gently patting his back to soothe his emotions.

"Waaah..." Chu Jin cried loudly.

But Ye Muyu was relieved, as long as he could cry, it was a good sign and he could rest well at night.

"Xiao Jin, don't be afraid. Mommy's here. Wasn't there a good person who came out of nowhere to save you?" Ye Muyu's voice was gentle as she asked about his condition while soothing him.

Chu Jin replied with sobs, "Yes, there was an uncle, very powerful, who jumped out to save me and Brother Cong."

"You see, that's your parents protecting you."

Chu Jin's voice became a bit steadier as he sniffled and asked, "Really?"

"Of course, Mommy won't lie to you." Ye Muyu let go of him and reached out to pinch his tear-stained nose.

Continuing, she said, "You said you wanted to travel far away like Uncle Xing? But there are many bad people out there. If you're afraid of them, how can you travel far? "

"I... I'm not afraid. I won't be afraid!" Chu Jin was instantly filled with courage upon hearing this, "In the future, I not only want to travel far away but also protect Mommy and Daddy."

"Mommy believes in you. You see, there are so many bad people in the world. If you're afraid of them, they'll want to harm you. Look at the middle-aged uncle who saved you. Isn't he very courageous?"

"Yes, the middle-aged uncle is so powerful. The bad person should be put in jail!" Chu Jin said angrily.

Seeing that he wasn't crying anymore, Ye Muyu knew he was angry and felt relieved. "So, Xiao Jin, if you encounter bad people in the future, don't be afraid. Try to escape and don't let them harm you, okay?"

"Mom, I... I'll try not to be afraid." Chu Jin was still a little scared and sounded hesitant.

Ye Muyu smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Mommy believes you can do it!"

Encouraged, Chu Jin took a deep breath and nodded firmly, "Mom, I will."

"Oh, right, Brother Cong is also scared. I'll go check on him, but please don't let anything happen." Chu Jin said as he quickly ran towards the west wing, where Zhang Cong's room was.

Ye Muyu followed behin, she was also very concerned about Zhang Cong's condition, especially since he was injured while protecting Chu Jin.

Soon, Lu Sangqi was found by Zhang Shu.

Lu Sangqi sat by the bedside and felt Zhang Cong's pulse before diagnosing.

"How is he?" Ye Muyu asked.

Zhang Shu and Hu Shi were also worried, looking at him anxiously.

Lu Sangqi said, "This child has been greatly shocked, probably because he saw his classmate die. I'll give him a couple of injections to make him sleep first."

"Okay." Ye Muyu's trust in him came from what Chu Heng had told her she could trust him. "Just tell me what you need."

"I'll start with acupuncture first. I've heard that there's a method to calm down shock in the countryside. Let's try that first."

Ye Muyu didn't know about this, so she looked at Hu Shi, who had mentioned it earlier.

Hu Shi quickly picked up a tray with various items prepared on it, all of which were folk methods known as soul calling.

"Doctor Qi, are these okay?" She had prepared quite a few items.

Lu Sangqi nodded, "Yes, let's try them first. I've treated children who were shocked before and your child is not too serious."

Hu Shi nodded eagerly, "Okay, I'll be right back."

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