Chapter 276: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 276: Thank You, Uncle
How could the Prince resist Suisui’s gaze? His heart melted instantly. While he had initially been somewhat dismissive of the jade pendant Lu Xingming carried, he quickly softened.
Thinking about how it would delight his child, he decided to overlook any misgivings—for now, at least, given that the pendant was new.
With a warm smile, the Prince nodded, saying, “Good girl, quickly thank your uncle.”
Only after speaking did he realize: *Why “uncle”?*
Couldn’t he trace their connections differently? Was “brother-in-law” not an option?
Though he felt a twinge of dissatisfaction, the Prince let it go.
With her father’s approval, Suisui reached out to accept the jade pendant. In her soft voice, she politely expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Uncle.”
This was a *good* uncle, and Suisui was more than willing to thank him politely and formally address him.
The little girl’s round eyes shone, her tone tinged with a hint of timidity. Yet, this shyness didn’t make her seem petty—instead, it added to her charm, making her appear all the more adorable.
She was like a young tabby kitten, holding a touch of cautious curiosity about the outside world.
Her innocence and liveliness were utterly endearing.
No wonder the Prince adored her so much. Even the Grand Princess, known for her exacting standards, had nothing but praise for this child.
Lu Xingming thought to himself: *If she were mine, I’d like her too!*
Not wanting the guests to linger too long at the entrance, Lu Xingming quickly ushered the Qi Prince’s household into the residence.
The Prince headed to the front yard, where the male guests were gathered for socializing.
Qi Wangfei, on the other hand, led the children to the rear courtyard.
Because Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin were still young, she felt it best to keep them under her watch.
Feng Xuancang and the older boys followed the Prince instead.
Feng Xuanbo, however, tried to edge closer to Qi Wangfei but was promptly pulled back by Feng Xuancang.
Despite his youth, Feng Xuancang understood that even at their age, boys in the capital could start engaging in social activities to lay the groundwork for their futures.
Even as sons of a prince, it was vital to cultivate reliable connections for greater confidence in their roles.
Feng Xuancang, as the interim elder brother, naturally took it upon himself to care for his younger siblings and prepare them for their futures.
While the youngest brothers, Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin, could wait a couple more years, Feng Xuanbo was at the right age to begin learning.
Feng Xuanbo, though reluctant, wasn’t oblivious. He knew he couldn’t rely on his biological older brother, whose lack of foresight left much to be desired.
With his mother’s future well-being resting on his shoulders, Feng Xuanbo understood that he had to step up.
So, despite his initial reluctance, he ultimately plastered on a smile and obediently followed his father and elder brother.
Although smaller in scale than the Qi Prince’s residence, the Marquis Fu’s mansion was still expansive. The journey to the rear courtyard took them through long corridors and past clusters of rock gardens.
Qi Wangfei was accustomed to strolling around her own estate daily, so the walk didn’t bother her.
However, concerned about Suisui getting tired, she carried her for a while before Aunt Xiang took over.
On their way, they unexpectedly encountered Yan Shi, bustling in her usual hurried manner, accompanied by two others: a young matron and a young lady.
Seeing them approach, Qi Wangfei paused, coming to a graceful stop.
Yan Shi strode hurriedly in the lead, her pace so brisk that the two following her struggled to keep up. Not wanting to appear impolite, they merely lifted their skirts slightly, quickening their steps as much as decorum allowed.
When Yan Shi saw Qi Wangfei, she came to an abrupt halt. Her haste, coupled with momentum, caused her to stumble forward, nearly falling if not for her maidservants, who quickly steadied her.
Qi Wangfei was startled and immediately took two steps forward.
Yan Shi let out a couple of exaggerated cries, "Oh dear, Your Highness! Pardon the embarrassment—this is what happens when I rush too much. Oh my, I think I twisted my back. It’s rather painful!"
Straightforward as ever, Yan Shi blurted out whatever came to mind.
As for how others might feel upon hearing her remarks? Yan Shi’s philosophy was simple: *Sorry, my brain’s too small to juggle all those thoughts.*
Hearing that Yan Shi had strained her back, Qi Wangfei hurriedly stepped closer, her face showing concern. “Are you alright? Should I send for a Physician?”
Yan Shi quickly waved her hand, brushing off the concern. “No need, no need! It’s just a twinge—it’ll pass soon enough. If not, I’ll have it checked later. Right now, I’m in a hurry!”
Qi Wangfei looked puzzled. “Is something urgent happening?”
Her tone carried a hint of readiness, implying she would assist if she could.
Before she could continue, Yan Shi slapped her forehead. “Oh heavens, what was I rushing for?”
The attendants behind her: *…!*
Not surprising, really.
After a moment of fumbling for her memory, Yan Shi finally recalled, exclaiming, “Ah! Now I remember! The Princess of Shunyang came here today with our family’s carriage. But after entering the rear courtyard, she disappeared! Even the maids and attendants accompanying her are nowhere to be found. My mother was worried and sent us out to look for her. I decided to check the front yard while my sister-in-law handles the rear.”
Just as Yan Shi finished explaining, the younger matron and the young lady trailing behind her finally caught up. Both were flushed from exertion, their breathing uneven, but they still managed to greet Qi Wangfei with a curtsy. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Qi Wangfei gently motioned for them to rise, indicating they didn’t need to stand on ceremony.
The Princess of Shunyang was known to be mischievous. Getting “lost” in the Marquis Fu’s residence wasn’t truly a concern—most likely, she’d found some spot to play.
However, with numerous guests present today, the possibility of encountering someone with ill intentions couldn’t be entirely dismissed. If anyone were to exploit the young princess…
The thought made Qi Wangfei’s heart sink.
She gently clasped Yan Shi’s hand and said solemnly, “Let me help you search.”
Yan Shi waved her hand dramatically. “No need for that! You’re not up to the pace and won’t be able to keep up.”
Qi Wangfei: *…*
Though she was accustomed to Yan Shi’s bluntness, it still managed to sting.
She *had* been working hard recently to build her stamina, all so she could hold her child longer!
Trailing behind Yan Shi were her daughter-in-law, Lu Shi, and her eldest daughter, Su Ninglan.
Unlike her composed mother, Su Ninglan was trying not to pant like an ox in public. She held her breath, attempting to regulate it slowly, her face flushed bright red from the effort.
Hearing her mother’s comment, Su Ninglan felt her vision blur.
*Oh no! This is why I hate going out with her!*
*Because you never know what will come out of her mouth next!*
She didn’t even dare to look at Qi Wangfei’s expression, already dreading the fallout. She made a mental note: *When it’s time to return, I’ll make sure to ride with Aunt instead. Otherwise, I might really get ambushed in a sack!*
Today’s banquet hadn’t even officially started, yet her mother had already offended several people in the rear courtyard.
Su Ninglan feared that one of them, unable to let things go, might retaliate later!
In contrast, the daughter-in-law, Lu Shi, maintained her composure. She even managed a graceful smile despite her labored breathing. Approaching with poise, she attempted to smooth things over. “Your Highness, you’ve just arrived—please rest for a while in the rear courtyard. The Princess of Shunyang has likely found some familiar young ladies to chat with. She might have simply lost track of time and should be back shortly.”
Compared to Yan Shi's bluntness, Lu Shi's words were far more tactful, and the way she spoke made others feel at ease.
Qi Wangfei, however, was still worried. After all, the Princess of Shunyang had a special status, and if something were to happen to her, the capital would certainly be plunged into turmoil.
Nonetheless, with many people already searching for the princess and Lu Shi’s reassurances, Qi Wangfei, who was accompanied by several children, decided against joining the search.
After bidding farewell to Yan Shi and her companions, Qi Wangfei walked a little further before turning to her sons, Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin, her expression serious. “Today, there may be a princess and a prince attending. Both of you, don’t cause trouble.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Feng Xuanrui, not one to back down easily, rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, “I’m not afraid of Feng Youtan. If it comes to it, we can just have a fight.”
Qi Wangfei’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately scolded, “Xiao Liu!”
Feng Xuanrui wasn’t oblivious; seeing his mother’s displeasure, he quickly put on a grin. “Okay, okay, I understand, mother.”
Whether or not they would fight depended on the situation, after all. If Feng Youtan provoked him, although he didn’t hit girls, he could always fight with the prince’s older brother instead.
He chuckled to himself, wondering if the Eighth Prince had gained weight lately. Would he be able to take a beating?
Qi Wangfei understood her son’s thoughts but still felt it necessary to give her warning.
In contrast, Feng Xuanbin, though younger, was more obedient, nodding earnestly. “Mother, I understand. I’ll be good.”
Feng Xuanbin, though young, knew the difference. Unlike his older brother, he couldn’t afford to be as reckless, especially when dealing with princes and princesses. In the royal family, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children wasn’t as obvious at home, but it became much clearer when dealing with royalty.
Suisui didn’t fully understand the conversation, but Qi Wangfei, still protective, reminded her nanny with a hint of concern, “Please keep a close eye on Suisui today. Don’t let her get into any trouble with others.”
Seeing Suisui's confused expression, Qi Wangfei couldn't help but laugh softly. “But don’t be afraid of conflict either.”
Aunt Xiang quickly nodded in agreement.
Qi Wangfei soon led the group to the rear courtyard.
Madam Lu, who was known for her pleasant demeanor, was the youngest daughter of the Grand Princess. She was two years older than Qi Wangfei but maintained her youthfulness, with a gentle personality to match.
When Madam Lu saw Qi Wangfei approaching, she quickly walked over. The two exchanged greetings and engaged in polite conversation for a while.
Then, Madam Lu noticed Suisui in Aunt Xiang’s arms. “This must be Mingxi, right? I’ve been meaning to visit for a while, but I was busy with Chen Ge’er’s birthday. I’ve finally got the chance to meet her. She’s such a lovely child—come, let me see her…”
It was clear that Madam Lu and her husband, Lord Lu, both preferred to use the term “aunt” in reference to their familial connection, which felt more intimate.
For Madam Lu, "aunt" felt even closer than “aunt-daughter” or “uncle-daughter.”
Madam Lu reached out gently, her eyes warm and smiling as she gazed at Suisui.
Suisui, unsure, even forgot that her full name was Feng Mingxi. She looked nervously at her mother and then at Madam Lu, her lips pressed together in embarrassment as she lowered her head.
The little girl wasn’t very bold.
Madam Lu, seeing her reaction, sighed inwardly. She didn’t want to scare the child, so she was about to withdraw her hand. But just then, Qi Wangfei’s soft voice echoed, “Aunt also likes Suisui. Would you like Aunt to hold you?”
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