Chapter 265: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 265: The Joy of Children
The young masters sat obediently in class, while Suisui happily listened.
On the other side, Prince Qi was smiling as he listened to the butler tell him about the latest gossip from Marquis Jinyang's residence.
Knowing that Marquis Jinyang was going through a rough time, Prince Qi felt a sense of relief.
However, realizing that it was actually Marquis Jinyang's wife who was suffering the most—Marquis Jinyang himself had only been scratched on the face and was too embarrassed to go out, but had not really been hurt—Prince Qi couldn’t help but clench his teeth and mutter, “This won’t do. We have to help Marquis Jinyang.”
Uncle Li: ...
"Do you want to listen to yourself, Your Highness?"
Alright, I know you’re speaking ironically.
But I can’t let this be seen. Uncle Li quickly understood and smiled, saying, “Indeed, as we are in the same capital, we should help each other.”
Seeing Uncle Li’s smile, Prince Qi understood that he had caught on to his meaning.
Prince Qi then chuckled, “I heard that Lord Anyang is rather idle these days. Why not send some of his people to help Marquis Jinyang?”
Uncle Li: ...
“Understood, Your Highness. I will take care of it immediately.”
Uncle Li responded with a smile.
At this point, Qi Wangfei, who had been quietly listening, didn’t interject much. She thought to herself that since the Prince dared to act, he probably didn’t need her help with the aftermath.
She had just met with the staff in the kitchen and the estate’s servants to discuss what should be prepared for tonight’s family dinner. After confirming the menu, she went to inspect the freshly delivered fruit from the country estate.
A large batch of cherries had ripened, and they were quite sweet.
The estate had planted quite a lot, and there were also some at the other manor.
The bad ones had already been picked out in advance and given to the servants, while the good ones were sent to the palace.
There were two large baskets of cherries, their bright red color making them look incredibly tempting.
Fresh cherries could go bad quickly if not eaten, so they needed to be consumed soon or preserved for later.
Qi Wangfei discussed with Aunt Qiu what desserts should be made, and whether to dry or candy the remaining fruit.
She didn’t want to waste anything.
The estate also grew sweet melons that looked unripe, but were actually quite sweet. There were also early ripening peaches, small but very sweet. The peaches were soft and juicy when ripe, bursting with juice with just one bite. If you didn’t like soft peaches, they were also sweet and juicy when still firm.
However, there weren’t many ripe peaches—just about twenty or so. The children in the residence would probably finish them off quickly, so Qi Wangfei didn’t plan on sharing them with anyone else.
But she did send some cherries and melons to the side concubines and maidservants in the rear courtyard.
With May approaching and the weather getting hotter, Qi Wangfei thought about how Suisui’s summer clothes were probably ready by now.
Just as she was thinking this, the steward came in with a report: someone from the Jinxiufang workshop had come to deliver the news that the little princess’s summer clothes were ready and that they would be delivered to the residence tomorrow for a fitting.
Qi Wangfei thought to herself that tomorrow was free, but the day after, she’d have to attend Cheng’er’s birthday celebration.
She quickly agreed, and Prince Qi, who had been listening, couldn’t help but feel excited: “The little one’s new clothes are going to be so pretty! By the way, didn’t Imperial Brother and Mother also gift us some fabric? It looks really bright and lively. Let’s pick some for the little one, and for the others, too—some bright colors for the younger ones. After all, they’re children.”
Even though there were rules in the palace limiting the number of clothes that could be made each season, if the master approved more, it could be done.
And since they weren’t lacking in money, Prince Qi had no problem with it.
Naturally, Qi Wangfei agreed without hesitation. Those vibrant fabrics seemed perfect for Suisui. After all, children should wear bright, sparkling clothes!
In the afternoon, when the two young masters who had been studying outside the residence returned, Master Shen decided to give the young masters a break and let them have some free time.
It was the end of the month, so taking a day off to relax wouldn’t hurt.
When Suisui heard that there would be no class in the afternoon, she felt a little disappointed. But when she learned that Shen Huatang and Liu Hemeng could stay at the residence and play with her, she jumped up with joy: “Let’s go play on the rocking horse!”
The newly improved rocking horse was so much fun! It could move when you pulled it, and wasn’t very tiring.
Shen Huatang and Liu Hemeng were also curious and followed her over.
Feng Xuanrui and the others weren’t stingy—they were very friendly to their little sister’s friends. After all, it wasn’t a gentlemanly thing to be petty with girls.
Soon, they joined the group pulling the rocking horse.
Because Feng Xuanrui was the smallest, he was at the back of the line.
Feng Xuancang, taking on the role of the eldest brother, stood at the front, making sure to protect his younger siblings.
After lunch and a short nap, the children were full of energy.
At first, they happily played with the rocking horse.
Shen Huatang rarely got the chance to play with such things. Her parents were rather strict and didn’t encourage too much playfulness.
But Liu Hemeng had no such worries. Her father enjoyed researching toys, so she had plenty at home.
The running rocking horse was a first for her.
After a few rounds, and having fun, Liu Hemeng thought to herself, “When I go home tonight, I’ll ask my dad to make me one! I want my very own rocking horse!”
But, as with most children's interests, it was short-lived. Soon, the rocking horse was abandoned, and the kids boldly climbed the artificial mountain.
Suisui’s dress was beautiful, and she didn’t want to ruin it.
So, she didn’t climb, but stood to the side cheering for her brothers.
But what was the point of climbing a mountain? It had to be a competition!
Without hesitation, Feng Xuanrui dragged Feng Xuanbin to join him.
Feng Xuanbin, though young, wasn’t one to back down.
When his older brother spoke, he immediately puffed out his chest and gave a confident pat: “Who’s afraid? I can do it!”
He then turned to Suisui: “Big brother is the best! You believe in me, don’t you, little sister?”
Suisui raised her hand, about to cheer, but Feng Xuanrui beat her to it: “Big brother is the best! You cheer for me, little sister!”
Suisui felt like she was being pulled in all directions—her older brother needed her, and now her seventh brother did too!
But it didn’t matter. First, she cheered for her older brother, then for her seventh brother!
At first, Suisui was a little nervous, worried her brothers might fall. But as she watched Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin climb so nimbly, she couldn’t help but feel more at ease.
They were so skilled, there was no way they would fall!
Once she realized this, she jumped up, excited: “Big brother, go! Seventh brother, go!”
Her cheers were the perfect motivator.
What had started as a simple climb soon turned into a full-blown competition between the two brothers. They exchanged a glance, each seeing the challenge in the other’s eyes, and then pushed themselves higher.
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