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  **Chapter 180: Turning Waste into Treasure with New Ideas**

Chang Sui'an raised his hand to salute, "Prince Lu."

At the Mid-Autumn Flower Feast, the heir had suddenly proposed marriage to his sister in front of everyone, leaving Chang Sui'an with mixed feelings whenever he faced him.

The young man, still appearing too thin despite wearing a fur cloak, raised his hand in return. "Young Master Chang..." He seemed like he wanted to say something to Chang Sui'an, but after glancing at the people inside the Spirit Hall, he probably decided it wasn’t the right time to speak. Instead, he gestured politely and said, "Young Master Chang, Young Master Cui, please come in."

Cui Lang merely nodded and raised his hand slightly, not intending to engage in conversation with him.

Anyone who tried to vie for his teacher with his elder brother was considered an enemy.

As they prayed in the hall, Chang Sui'an noticed that Li Lu kept looking at him.

He was puzzled. 

When they left the hall, Cui Lang immediately pulled him aside.

After pulling him away, Cui Lang couldn’t resist gossiping, "This Prince Rong’s heir may seem gentle and harmless, but deep down, he might not be. Just look at what he did at the Lotus Flower banquet when he proposed to your sister — he’s full of lies. Don’t believe him, brother Sui'an."

Chang Sui'an looked at Cui Lang seriously. "Lies? What do you mean?"

Cui Lang, looking confident, continued, "Think about it, his body is so weak, he's always sick, and with just a breeze, he might fall over. Not only is he incapable of protecting anyone, but who knows, he might even die any day. Whoever marries him will be preparing to be a widow! If he truly liked my teacher, he wouldn't be asking to marry her!"

Chang Sui'an’s expression became complicated.

Although it was a harsh statement, there seemed to be some truth to it…?

Cui Lang said with conviction, "So, whatever he says about liking her, it’s all lies!"

Chang Sui'an, deep in thought, asked, "If he is lying, then what is his purpose?"

Cui Lang was momentarily speechless. "His purpose...?" 

How would he know? 

He had only come up with the idea to discredit the Prince’s heir on the spot—of course, as part of his plan to remove a potential rival for his elder brother. 

But seeing Chang Sui'an’s serious pondering, he shrugged and said mysteriously, "It’s hard to say."

Cui Lang's offhand comment, however, made Chang Sui'an keep the matter in mind.

With his father absent, Chang Sui'an knew he wasn’t particularly smart, so he reminded himself to stay vigilant, to always listen carefully and think more than others, so he could protect the Chang family and his sister as best as he could.

The next morning, while picking chrysanthemums in the back mountains, he ran into the Prince’s heir again. This time, he paid closer attention.

The young man, still wearing his cloak, walked over to him and politely invited, "I have something I’d like to discuss with you privately, Young Master Chang. Would it be convenient?"

Chang Sui'an thought for a moment and nodded.

The two of them left the crowd and walked to a quiet riverside to talk.

Li Lu bowed slightly and said with a look of regret, "A month ago, during the Mid-Autumn Lotus Flower banquet, I had a bit too much to drink and rashly mentioned my proposal to your sister. After reflecting, I realize that was inappropriate..."

"These past days, I haven’t had the opportunity or the face to apologize to her in person. I wonder if you could convey my apology to her, Young Master Chang?"

His words were sincere, and his expression of guilt didn’t seem fake.

Chang Sui'an returned the bow and said, "Rest assured, Prince Lu, I will convey your words."

He didn’t say anything like "It’s not a big deal, don’t worry," to show politeness or grace. 

In his view, his sister’s matters, big or small, should be decided by her, whether to accept this apology or not.

Li Lu bowed again. "Thank you, Young Master Chang."

Looking at the polite young man, who showed no sign of royal arrogance, Chang Sui'an hesitated for a moment and couldn’t help but ask, "Actually, I have a question for you, Prince Lu…"

Before the heir could respond, Chang Sui'an asked directly, "Was your proposal to my sister really because you liked her?"

Li Lu froze for a moment.

Chang Sui'an, with wide, innocent eyes, stared at him.

Given his usual clumsiness and impulsiveness, it made sense for him to ask exactly what he was thinking, right?

His clumsiness was his best disguise.

Just like Jiantong’s face blending in with the crowd or his sister’s "broken brain," he too could make use of his own awkwardness.

The young man suddenly felt he had found a new strategy—turning waste into treasure.

After all, there was no harm in asking. If he could uncover something, that would be a win, right?

With this thought, Chang Sui'an looked at the Prince’s heir with an even more naïve and clear gaze.

Li Lu couldn’t help but smile. "Naturally, it’s because I like her."

When he spoke of the young woman, there was a trace of absent-mindedness in his eyes, barely noticeable but still present. "I think, no one could fail to like your sister."

Chang Sui'an nodded in agreement, saying, "That’s true… my sister is indeed wonderful."

He then added, "And you, Prince Lu, are also quite good."

He paused, then added, "Especially your taste!"

Li Lu laughed in surprise and nodded. "Yes, my taste is indeed excellent."

Chang Sui'an scratched his head awkwardly. "But people say, matters of the heart can’t be forced…"

Li Lu seemed ashamed. "Exactly. I was too muddled... The mistake I made was trying to force things."

Seeing him so remorseful, Chang Sui'an comforted him, "It’s fine. After all, it didn’t work out! Fortunately, nothing too serious happened!"

"..."

Li Lu couldn’t help but laugh again. "Young Master Chang, you really are just like your sister, so straightforward and honest."

Chang Sui'an smiled somewhat awkwardly and said, “My younger sister speaks much more eloquently than I do... My father often says that I can’t spit out ivory from a dog’s mouth.”

The atmosphere remained light, or rather, most people felt at ease when they were around Chang Sui'an.

Li Lu then engaged in casual conversation with Chang Sui'an, and naturally, they discussed his enrollment in the Xuanzhe Army: "I’ve heard that Young Master Chang has successfully joined the vanguard unit of the elite forces of the Xuanzhe Army. Such a heroic young man, truly admirable and enviable."

Li Lu looked at the young man before him, his tone filled with both admiration and longing. “In time, Young Master Chang will surely become a pillar of talent, just like General Chang.”

At this point, he gave a wry smile, feeling a bit downhearted. “Right now, the country is in turmoil, and I also have the desire to serve the state, but alas, my weak body and poor health are unfit for great responsibilities... I truly feel ashamed to be a son of the Li family.”

Chang Sui'an replied, “Everyone has their strengths. The son of Prince Rong need not be discouraged. My father always says that while I have strength, it's all earned by using my brain!”

Li Lu smiled and put aside his moment of melancholy.

He then asked, “I wonder what Young Master Chang plans next? I’ve heard that General Cui will lead the army to the northern border to fortify the defenses. Will Young Master Chang be accompanying him?”

Chang Sui'an hesitated as he spoke. "That has not been decided yet... My father is not in the capital right now, and I can’t bear to leave my sister alone at home. I intend to discuss it with her before making any plans."

Li Lu looked across the river to the green mountains. “Many times, the future and the desire to be with family are hard to balance.”

Chang Sui'an thought about the situation of Li Lu, who had to stay alone in the capital, unable to reunite with his family, and he felt sympathy for him.

But there were some matters he couldn't comment on, so Chang Sui'an wisely held back and didn’t speak further.

After a moment of silence, Li Lu brought up another topic, asking about his family.

“I heard that General Chang led his troops to Huainan before the Chongyang Festival... Now the two sides must have engaged in battle, but I wonder how the situation is.”

Chang Sui'an shook his head. “I haven’t received any news yet. We’ll have to wait for a report from the battlefield.”

He was always concerned about his father’s health and the ongoing battle, but with the war making it difficult for news to travel between the two places, he had no way of learning about his father's condition in a timely manner.

Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Li Lu thoughtfully said, “A few months ago, when Prince Huainan celebrated his birthday, my father sent people to offer congratulations. Due to some turmoil in Yangzhou, the envoy hasn’t returned yet and is temporarily staying at the Huainan Wangfu. Once they return to the capital, I will inform Young Master Chang if there is any news about General Chang.”

Chang Sui'an bowed. “Then I must thank you, Your Highness.”

Prince Huainan, Li Tong, was the father of Li Yi, the general leading the troops. Since Huainan was close to Yangzhou, and before the main forces arrived, Prince Huainan had been in charge of coordinating the situation. The people sent by the son of Prince Rong were staying at the Huainan Wangfu, so they would definitely know more detailed and up-to-date information.

To Chang Sui'an, learning about his father’s specific situation was far better than relying on the sparse military reports.

The river breeze blew from the opposite bank, and the thin young man smiled. “It’s no trouble at all, don’t mention it.”

Chang Sui'an, not being foolish, could sense Li Lu’s goodwill. He did not engage in deep conversation but quietly kept this in mind, planning to tell his sister about it the next day.

The two of them chatted by the river for quite a while. Occasionally, they could hear the laughter of young men and women picking chrysanthemums nearby.

Today was a rare sunny day, and in the back mountains, there were not only chrysanthemums of all colors but also maple forests that were red as fire. Such an expansive, beautiful view naturally drew people to linger. The youths, who had been cooped up for days, were in no rush to leave.

"Miss, what are you looking for?" asked the maid holding a bunch of green chrysanthemums as she looked around at the girl beside her.

Changsun Xuan did not answer her maid directly. She only expressed some confusion, saying, “Don’t we need to pick chrysanthemums to offer during the prayers at the Heavenly Maiden Pagoda?”

The maid realized, “You’re looking for the Chang family’s young lady.”

Changsun Xuan did not deny it. “I thought she would come to pick chrysanthemums as well.”

The maid lowered her voice and asked in puzzlement, “But I heard that the Chang family’s young lady is no longer on the list of candidates for the Crown Princess... Why are you still paying attention to her?”

Since they were no longer rivals, there was no need to keep an eye on her.

“What do you know?” Changsun Xuan bent down to pick another freshly blooming green chrysanthemum, her mood light. “It’s precisely because she’s no longer a rival that there’s a better chance of becoming friends.”

The maid was shocked. “Ah?”

So the young lady wasn’t wary of her rival, but was thinking of making friends instead?

Changsun Xuan stood up with a smile.

Her father had said that after they returned to the capital, the matter of the Crown Princess would soon be settled.

After tomorrow’s prayers, they should be able to return to the capital.

The current situation was still unstable, for example, one of her mother’s distant relatives had joined Xu Zhengye’s rebellion in Yangzhou, which was a potential threat.

But since the empress’s ascension, the Changsun family’s troubles had never ceased. Her father had told her that she just needed to focus on what she had to do.

She was confident that in the coming days, she would be able to fulfill her role as Crown Princess, becoming both a support and a pride to the Changsun family. Despite being a woman, she would shine alongside her father and brothers.

At this point, she suddenly became curious. What would the young lady she hoped to become friends with want to do most?

Her intuition told her that the girl who could attract her attention must also know exactly what she wanted.

For example, at the Lotus Banquet, the girl had rejected both the son of Prince Rong and General Cui, which showed her firm will, undisturbed by external matters.

This curiosity made Changsun Xuan sigh inwardly.

Really, she wanted to rush over and befriend her, to hear her secrets and thoughts.

At that moment, an orange-and-black butterfly flitted in front of Changsun Xuan’s eyes.

It was a dead-leaf butterfly.

Her gaze instinctively followed the butterfly as it flew toward the fiery red maple forest.

Changsun Xuan, holding a green chrysanthemum in one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, casually said, "Let’s go, let’s check out the area ahead."

There was a stream flowing through the maple forest, and in the creek, which was floating with maple leaves, the reflections of two blurred figures could be seen.

"...For the past month, I have been deeply worried about Your Highness's injury. I sent people to your residence several times with messages, but I never received a reply," the girl said softly.

It was only when she saw him at the royal tomb this time that she felt relieved.

Ming Jin raised an eyebrow. "You sent me letters several times?"

Feng Min nodded slightly, looking up at him. "Your Highness... surely you didn’t not see my letters?"

Ming Jin dismissed it with a nonchalant expression. "I suppose when I was recovering, my mother had the messengers stopped."

His mother was always like that.

Feng Min gently bit her lip and lowered her head. "Has the madam... perhaps grown less fond of me now? Is it because of my grandmother’s matter?"

Ming Jin leaned closer to her, lowering his voice and asking, "Why would you want her to like you?"

He suddenly came so close that his breath brushed her ear. Feng Min’s face turned warm, and her voice became even softer. "I... I do care..."

It seemed that Ming Jin hadn’t heard her words—or rather, he didn’t care about what she said. He raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair. "Hmm, this hairpin looks somewhat familiar..."

Feng Min replied, "This is the pair you gave me before..."

She had purposely worn it to meet him.

But, had he really forgotten?

Before she could think more, she felt the hand that had landed in her hair slowly move down to her warm face.

The voice at her ear asked, "You want to enter my Lord's household, don't you?"

Feng Min’s heart pounded loudly. Faced with such a direct question, she didn’t know how to respond.

She wanted to preserve her modesty as a young lady, but she also feared missing the opportunity. She gently nodded, mustering the courage to whisper, "I... I have always truly admired you, Your Highness."

---

(End of this chapter)

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 262: The Cute Little Rocking Horse**

The children's efficiency was still quite high.

Before dinner, they had not only assembled the little rocking horse, but had also pushed Suisui around on it for several laps.

The flexible wheels and steady wooden horse gave off a refreshing feeling, as well as a sense of care and attention to detail.

Furthermore, Feng Xuancang, thinking about Suisui's safety, had made a simple safety belt out of deer leather.

Of course, they didn’t really have a concept of safety belts yet, but Feng Xuancang thought that his little sister was still young. If she sat alone on the rocking horse and lost her balance, it could be dangerous.

So, he drilled three holes into the rocking horse and attached two deer leather straps to it.

When Suisui sat on the rocking horse, if she was afraid of falling, she could tighten the straps around her.

The deer leather was soft and long enough.

Although it didn’t guarantee complete safety, at least if she fell, the straps would offer some cushioning.

Suisui was so impressed by Feng Xuancang's thoughtfulness that she exclaimed, "Third Brother, you're amazing!"

Suisui had a deer leather bag, which she had carried when going to the study before.

Now, seeing the deer leather safety belt, she was truly surprised and touched by how much her third brother cared for her.

After praising him, her eyes reddened.

As soon as Suisui's eyes reddened, the young masters began to feel sorry for her.

Feng Xuanyu even hurriedly searched for a handkerchief, fearing that his sister might burst into tears.

Feng Xuancang gently comforted the children, not wanting them to feel too upset.

Fortunately, Suisui didn’t cry in the end. She obediently allowed her brothers to help her, and after sitting on the rocking horse, she went around for two more laps.

Feng Xuanyu found it fun and wanted to climb on too.

He was young, so Feng Xuancang and the others were accommodating of him.

Thus, Feng Xuanyu climbed on, and Feng Xuanyan also squeezed up.

However, it was too tiring to pull three children at once, so Feng Xuancang casually lifted Feng Xuanyu off.

Feng Xuanyu was unhappy but understood that with too many people, his third brother couldn’t pull them all.

In the end, he jumped down and began to push from behind.

The rocking horse had a guardrail at the back, which allowed the children to lean on it when they got tired. However, since it was made of wood, it was a bit hard.

Still, it was convenient for Feng Xuanyu to push it from behind.

But feeling the wood in his hands, Feng Xuanyu wasn’t satisfied. "Next time, we should sew a cushion for this, so it’s softer."

It was hard and would hurt Suisui if she bumped into it.

It was fine for them to sit on it—they were tougher and could handle it—but his little sister couldn’t.

Hearing this, Feng Xuancang realized that he hadn’t thought of everything and immediately nodded in agreement.

Aunt Xiang showed up just in time, saying that her stitching skills were good. She would measure the size and sew a cushion for them later.

Prince Qi, who had been worried, finally relaxed when he heard Aunt Xiang’s promise, and sat back down, smiling.

The children played for a while, and soon it was time for dinner.

Dinner was once again very abundant.

Suisui had egg dumplings with purple rice porridge.

It’s said that this purple rice is a tribute.

It was a gift from today’s Emperor Uncle, and although there wasn’t much of it, Father said he wanted to let them have a taste, so he had the kitchen cook some.

In truth, Suisui couldn’t really tell the difference.

But since Father said it was good, it must be something special.

So, she made sure to eat more.

The children’s appetite was about the same—a small bowl of porridge was already the limit. Moreover, Suisui had also eaten three egg dumplings.

By the end, she was almost stuffed.

Fortunately, there was entertainment after dinner, so they could move around and digest a bit.

After dinner, Qi Wangfei quietly called Feng Xuanbo over and whispered a few words to him: “Tonight, go back and spend some time with your mother.”

The princess didn’t say much more.

Feng Xuanbo didn’t understand, but he knew that unless something unusual happened, his mother wouldn’t ask him to return and spend time with her.

As the sons grew older, they would move to the eastern courtyard, separated from their parents.

It was a normal part of growing up for children to live independently.

Feng Xuanbo, being smart, didn’t ask further questions. Qi Wangfei was actually worried that Concubine Ren might feel uneasy about the Empress Dowager’s gift, so she wanted her son to accompany her and ease her mind.

After sending Feng Xuanbo off, Qi Wangfei sighed, “Time passes so quickly. Tomorrow is already the end of the month, and Zhege’er and the others should be returning soon.”

At the end of each month, the Imperial Academy and other prestigious schools would give students a day off.

The scholars could return home for a bit of rest.

They might change clothes, bring back some money, or pick up books, for example.

After a month of hard study, it was a rare opportunity to relax.

Upon hearing the mention of their eldest son, Prince Qi nodded in delight: “Tomorrow, have the estate send some good things back. Zhe’er likes Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, so have the kitchen prepare it early in the morning. Let it cook so it’s rich in flavor. Also, have someone tidy up their rooms and add some flowers since the blooms are looking good.”

Though Prince Qi talked at length about his eldest son, he didn’t forget about his second son, who would also be returning tomorrow.

Thinking about the second son, Prince Qi frowned slightly.

He still didn’t understand. Although he wasn’t the sharpest, he wasn’t foolish either. But Concubine Ren, with all her scheming, he couldn’t figure out why they had such a dim-witted child.

If it weren’t for his face, which almost looked like a copy of his own, Prince Qi might even have suspected that the midwife had made a mistake.

But after some thought, Prince Qi sighed and added, “Yu’er likes lamb chops. Make sure to arrange that for him too.”

They were all his sons, and he loved them all, so he didn’t want to favor one over the other and cause any discomfort.

The children only got one day to return home every month.

Qi Wangfei smiled and agreed.

Later, when the children grew tired, Qi Wangfei had Feng Xuanrui and the others go back to the eastern courtyard to rest.

Feng Xuanbo said he missed his mother and wanted to return to the back courtyard.

When Feng Xuanbin heard this, he also felt the urge.

Qi Wangfei naturally didn’t stop them. It was perfectly normal for young children to miss their birth mother.

When Feng Xuanrui saw that both his brothers were staying, he couldn’t help but approach Prince Qi: “Father, I miss you too. Can I stay as well?”

Prince Qi: ...

He wasn’t particularly eager to have him stay.

However, since the youngest was still small, Prince Qi couldn’t bear to turn him away, so he reluctantly allowed him to stay.

Feng Xuanrui cheered in excitement.

Feng Xuanjie watched enviously but didn’t dare to say anything.

It was Feng Xuancang who noticed and whispered to him: “If you miss your mother, just tell Father, he will agree.”

Hearing this from his third brother, Feng Xuanjie shook his head: “I’d rather not. Mother’s been feeling unwell lately and probably went to bed early. If I go back, I might trouble her.”

Feng Xuancang thought for a moment, recalling that when he had seen Lady Wen a few days ago, her complexion had indeed looked poor. He nodded: “Alright then, you can come with me to the eastern courtyard. Tonight, it will just be the two of us brothers.”

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 452: No One Inquires (3)

Mo Yan felt helpless about this but didn't force it. There were too many people at the lantern festival, and any accident could easily lead to chaos. If something happened, there wouldn’t be time to cry over it. After all, not everyone was as lucky as she was.

That year’s Lantern Festival at the Mo family was warm and peaceful. They hung two red lanterns at the door, happily ate sweet dumplings, and sat around a cozy brazier, chatting and snacking, enjoying a harmonious time together.

On the morning of the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Mo Yan, along with her siblings, sent Mo Qingze to the academy. Apart from a lot of rice, flour, eggs, vegetables, and meat, there were also a few jars of high-alcohol wine in the cart.

Although Mo Yan repeatedly told her father to keep the wine for himself to drink slowly, Mo Qingze had already decided to give some of it to his teachers and invite his close classmates to drink. He wanted as many people as possible to know that the wine was unique to their family. If they liked it, there might be unexpected gains once the winery was established.

Unaware that her scholarly father had become "worldly," Mo Yan diligently helped him organize the items and cooked a table full of delicious dishes for him before returning to Liuyang Village with her four younger siblings. Just as they reached the entrance of Liuyang Village, Mo Yan unexpectedly saw some villagers heading into the village, discussing something in low voices. She vaguely heard the words "Mo family" and "Wang Dali."

When she got home and asked Li Xiu, Mo Yan remembered that today was the day Wang Dali was expelled from the village. Wang Dali refused to leave and tried to break into the house to plead, but fortunately, Yang Bao was there. He called people to stop him in time. Since the leaders were not present, it was unclear what chaos might have ensued.

Wang Dali, unwilling to give up, lay at the Mo family's doorstep, refusing to leave. But Yang Bao, who had been the village head for a long time, had seen such shameless people before. He immediately called some strong young men to carry Wang Dali out of the village. Finally, Yang Bao warned that if Wang Dali dared to sneak back, his family would be expelled from the village as well.

A strong man expelled from the village wouldn't starve as long as he was diligent, but if he had to drag his whole family along, it would be uncertain. Understanding the seriousness, Wang Dali didn't dare to stay any longer. He took a tattered bundle and left in disgrace under the villagers' watchful eyes.

"Humph, he deserves to be kicked out. Without that troublemaker, our family will have a much more peaceful life," Zhen'er said, feeling relieved and showing his disdain for Wang Dali.

Mo Yan patted his head and advised, "No one likes a greedy person. But if you don't discipline yourself strictly, you might unknowingly become like that one day."

Zhen'er shook his head vigorously, "No, no, Zhen'er will reflect on himself daily and will never become so detestable!"

Amused by his serious expression, Mo Yan pulled Yun Zhao over and told them earnestly, "In a few days, you will go to the academy. Eldest sister doesn't expect you to be extremely smart or knowledgeable, but I hope you understand the principles of being a person and live an upright life."

Zhen'er and Yun Zhao looked at each other and then solemnly nodded at Mo Yan's hopeful face, remembering her words deeply.

The academy they were going to was a private school called Zhizhitang, established twenty years ago by two scholars and ten talented but unsuccessful examinees. Although it was a private school, none of its students had failed to pass the scholar examination, making it very famous in the capital.

Without Han Zhiyun's close relationship with the head of Zhizhitang and his efforts in speaking on their behalf, Zhen'er and Yun Zhao wouldn't have been able to get in. Mo Yan was very grateful to Han Zhiyun, the uncle they had acknowledged along the way, and gave him many good things during the New Year visit.

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Mo Yan personally drove Zhen'er and Yun Zhao to Zhizhitang. After giving them some careful instructions, she reluctantly left. Initially planning to go straight home, she remembered the iron skillet halfway and turned to the blacksmith's shop. It was indeed ready.

Seeing the newly made iron skillet exactly as she had imagined, Mo Yan was very satisfied. She paid the blacksmith thirty extra coins and happily brought the somewhat heavy skillet home...

  Chapter 261: Snatching His Sister

Suisui obediently followed her mother to the cleansing room.

After returning, she had a simple wash, put on her little hat, and then went to greet the Empress Dowager.

By now, it was already afternoon, and if they planned to return to the estate later, they needed to leave early to avoid any difficulties on the road at night.

Thus, Qi Wangfei, after Suisui greeted the Empress Dowager and they exchanged a few words, prepared to return to the estate, bringing with them various gifts and rewards.

Prince Qi had also finished his conversation with the Emperor.

When the family of three came to the palace, they had only one carriage. On the way back, however, there was another carriage following them, filled with rewards from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, as well as gifts from various courtyards.

There was quite a bit of stuff, and some of it was even requested by Prince Qi himself.

The family was in high spirits as they returned to the estate.

Since Suisui had slept for an hour, she was in good spirits and played with her father using bamboo leaf helicopters in the carriage.

The carriage was not very spacious, so father and daughter couldn’t play around much, but what mattered most was that the child was happy.

Even though Suisui was just sitting there, twisting the bamboo leaf helicopter in her hands, she found it very entertaining.

The carriage swayed gently and soon arrived at the estate.

Once they arrived, Prince Qi took Suisui to play, while Qi Wangfei needed to sort out the rewards from the palace and store them.

These rewards were for Suisui, and Qi Wangfei had no intention of directly putting them in the estate’s storage. Prince Qi had agreed to this arrangement as well.

Of course, the rewards for Concubine Ren, would be delivered separately to her.

However, knowing that Concubine Ren would not be happy about receiving the rewards, Qi Wangfei felt a bit helpless.

But the gifts had already been given, and the Empress Dowager had sent people to accompany them with great fanfare. It wouldn’t look good if they didn’t send them over. If the Empress Dowager found out, Qi Wangfei wouldn’t have any explanation.

In the end, Qi Wangfei asked Aunt Qiu to handle the matter.

That day, the young masters didn’t go to the estate to practice archery and riding.

So, when Prince Qi and his family returned, the young masters, hearing the noise, immediately knew Suisui had returned.

They couldn’t stay calm any longer.

Suisui is back!

Ah, who could stay calm with that news?

Also, the little wooden horse they had discussed modifying before was almost done. Many of the small parts had been completed by Feng Xuancang and Feng Xuanjie. They were just waiting to assemble it.

Thinking about it, they would be able to put it together tonight, and the excitement made it hard for them to sit still.

Meanwhile, Suisui was happily playing with her father, catching ornamental fish.

These fish weren’t for eating, but they were fun to catch.

Prince Qi used a net to catch them and then returned them to the water, just so Suisui would say, “Father is so amazing!”

“Wow, Father, you’re amazing!”

…

Prince Qi was lost in Suisui’s repeated praise, almost unable to control himself!

The ornamental fish in the pond were caught again and again.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have mouths; otherwise, they would probably thank Prince Qi, their lively father.

He wasn’t killing them, just playing with them.

The fish had lives too!

But unfortunately, no one cared.

Prince Qi was enjoying himself greatly, and Suisui, who didn’t quite understand, thought her father was just amazing.

So, she kept clapping her hands, and they got caught in a loop.

At this moment, Concubine Ren had just smiled as she saw Aunt Qiu off.

Watching Aunt Qiu leave, her expression changed.

For a while, her face was filled with complexity, before she murmured to the maid, Sun: “What does the Empress Dowager mean by this? What is she trying to do? Have I not been behaving lately? She’s warning me, isn’t she? It must be a warning!”

“Ah, how troublesome!”

“They’re problems from their generation, what does that have to do with me?” 

“I’m the one who’s wronged!”…

Concubine Ren, couldn’t stop muttering in frustration.

Sun, the maid, couldn’t quite understand what was going on either.

She thought for a long while before uncertainly saying, “...Perhaps it really is just a reward? You’ve supported the little princess, and that’s no small thing. The Empress Dowager must have heard about it.”

Even if the Empress Dowager didn’t inquire herself, Qi Wangfei would definitely speak up in favor of her own mistress.

Hearing Sun’s words, Concubine Ren was somewhat incredulous. After a moment, she whispered, “Is it really just a reward? Not a warning?”

After asking, she let out a long sigh, “It’s so annoying! Isn’t it better if she just ignores me? Why is she thinking about me all of a sudden? It’s so uncomfortable!”

Sun didn’t know how to comfort her mistress, so she could only say some calming words to try and ease her mind.

Because of the sudden reward from the Empress Dowager, Concubine Ren couldn’t even enjoy her dinner that night.

Meanwhile, Suisui had been playing with her father, catching fish. After seeing that the fish had become sluggish, Prince Qi finally decided to let them go.

It was nearly time for dinner, so Prince Qi quickly carried Suisui back, washed his hands, and prepared for the meal.

Feng Xuanrui and the others had already been waiting eagerly.

After their lessons, the young masters quickly gathered around.

Prince Qi, with his broad frame, was almost pushed to the side by the crowd.

In the end, Suisui was unceremoniously snatched away by her older brothers. Feng Xuanrui and the others immediately took her and began assembling the little wooden horse, using the parts they had prepared.

This time, the wooden horse was different from the previous one that only wobbled.

This new one...

It had wheels and could roll.

Pushing it back and forth wasn’t difficult at all.

Apart from its somewhat odd shape, everything else was quite good.

With the brothers working together, the assembly was fast.

Although Suisui didn’t fully understand, she watched in awe as her brothers skillfully put together the parts that had been scattered around. Soon, it turned into the little wooden horse she had seen before. The little girl exclaimed, “Wow, Brother, you’re amazing!”

“Third Brother is the best!”

“Fourth Brother is amazing too!”

…

Although Suisui was still young, her ability to show appreciation was already impressive.

After praising one brother, she didn’t leave anyone out, going on to compliment each brother from the third to the seventh.

Her brothers were so flattered they were dizzy, and Feng Xuanrui, in his excitement, picked Suisui up.

During their time in the capital, Feng Xuanrui had been eating well and sleeping soundly, so he had gained quite a bit of weight. Thanks to his regular physical training, he was also quite strong.

Although he still had to carry Suisui in a vertical position due to his height, it was far less taxing than before. He could now lift her with ease.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he could carry her around with swift movements.

Prince Qi was pushed aside, with no space left to intervene.

He even tried to move forward to help his sons finish assembling the little wooden horse but couldn’t squeeze through.

Feng Xuanbo, ever the schemer, moved closer, showering his father with praise. “Father, you’re amazing! Father, look over there! Father, Father…”

Prince Qi was bombarded with a stream of words that made his head spin.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, he found a spot to sit and just smiled as he watched his children play.

Prince Qi thought to himself, he was an adult after all, and couldn’t be petty and compete with his children.

Besides, after spending a whole day with Suisui, he figured it was okay to give his sons some attention…

Well, maybe just a little. 

Prince Qi gritted his teeth as he thought about it. 

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 1272: Different from Imagination

Meng Yunzheng nodded with a smile, "It's me."

Master Miao sneered and sarcastically said, "You sure took your time."

"Apologies, I had an urgent matter to attend to, and it delayed me. Please forgive me, Master Miao," Meng Yunzheng said, gesturing towards the private room, "Master Miao, shall we talk inside?"

Master Miao stood still for a while before finally turning around and re-entering the private room.

The door to the private room was closed again, and Meng Yunzheng leisurely served tea to both parties. "Master Miao, please have a seat."

Master Miao didn't move, he sat calmly in his chair, "What's your name, young man?"

"I am surnamed Meng, Meng Yunzheng."

Meng Yunzheng? Master Miao felt the name sounded somewhat familiar.

After a moment, he straightened up slightly and scrutinized the man in front of him, frowning, "Meng Yunzheng, I remember now. You're the adopted son of the former Assistant Minister Gongqiu."

"That is correct, sir."

This time, Master Miao was genuinely surprised. The incident involving Minister Gongqiu had occurred several months ago and naturally spread to Dong'an Mansion.

News in Qin Lou Chu Guan was particularly well-informed, and Master Miao, as the big boss behind the scenes, was well-informed about the affairs in the capital. The story of Meng Yunzheng enduring humiliation to avenge his mother had become a popular topic.

Before, Master Miao had only heard about it in passing and did admire him to some extent, even feeling a sense of empathy. He himself had once endured humiliation and plotted meticulously to avenge his sister when he was young.

However, he thought the matter ended there. The two parties were too far apart – one in the capital and the other in Dong'an Mansion. How could there be any intersection?

Who would have expected that today the other party would be right in front of him, and he was completely different from what he had imagined.

Meng Yunzheng was clean, gentle, and had the vigor of a young man. How old was he again?

Right, he seemed to be twenty-one.

Master Miao recalled his own youth when he was only sixteen or seventeen. Most people regarded him as gloomy and difficult to approach, emanating an aura of melancholy.

He thought that someone who had experienced the pain of losing a mother at the age of ten and had lived with his enemy for over a decade would be just like him.

However, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Master Miao suddenly felt somewhat irritated. "What does young master Meng mean by sending me an invitation? As far as I know, we don't know each other."

Meng Yunzheng didn't know about Master Miao's connection with Dongqing Temple. So even if he wanted to stall for time, he tried to avoid that topic and simply said, "We are getting to know each other now. Perhaps in the future, I will need Master Miao's help in Dong'an Prefecture."

Meng Yunzheng's attitude was humble. As long as the other party didn't get angry, it would suffice to buy some time.

"Jingcheng is under the Emperor's rule. Yet young master Meng chooses to come to Dong'an Prefecture instead of Jingcheng. I wonder what young master Meng plans to do in the future?" Master Miao asked.

"I am a scholar," Meng Yunzheng replied.

Master Miao coldly snorted, "So what does that have to do with me? I have nothing to do with scholars. I'm just a crude man. I believe young master Meng knows what I do. You want to associate yourself with me; aren't you afraid of tarnishing your scholar's identity?"

"Master Miao is being too polite. There are plenty of scholars who come and go in Qin Lou Chu Guan," Meng Yunzheng replied.

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 1271: Drawing Out Lord Miao

Meng Yunzheng stood not far away, watching as Master Miao entered the Rongguang Restaurant on another street.

This restaurant was the address Meng Yunzheng had written on the invitation card. Master Miao went up to the second floor of the restaurant and sat there with a stern face, waiting.

However, Meng Yunzheng didn't follow him. He continued to watch the direction of the Miao Residence's main gate.

Fortunately, Master Miao came out in time, and in a short while, the people from the black market were standing at the gate of the Miao Residence, holding several boxes.

Meng Yunzheng silently approached and stood in the shadows, listening to the conversation between the black market personnel and the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper obviously didn't expect someone else to visit right after Master Miao left.

Seeing the respectful manner of the visitor, he could only smile and say, "Master Miao has gone out, and it's unfortunate that this young master arrived at this time."

"Out?" The visitor looked at the sky; it was still quite early. How could Mr. Miao have gone out already?

He asked, "When did Master Miao leave and where did he go?"

The gatekeeper smiled, "Young master, I'm just a lowly gatekeeper, how could I know the master's whereabouts? But Master Miao left not long ago, and I'm afraid you won't be able to catch him in a short time."

The visitor's face changed slightly. This was really unfortunate.

He wanted to ask more, but the gatekeeper seemed unwilling to say much.

After hesitating for a moment, the visitor quickly slipped a small piece of silver to the gatekeeper and said, "I really have urgent business with Master Miao. Could you please help me out, old man?"

The gatekeeper's eyes brightened slightly. He remained silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know where the master went, but when he left, he mentioned Dongqing Temple..."

He had no idea where Master Miao went, as a servant, it was impossible for the master to disclose his whereabouts to him. However, since the visitor offered silver, he had to provide some useful information. Dongqing Temple was the most likely place.

"Dongqing Temple?" The visitor lowered his eyes. If Master Miao went to Dongqing Temple, it would explain why he left so early.

He thanked the gatekeeper and quickly left with his things.

Meng Yunzheng calculated the time; during this period, if this person also went to Dongqing Temple, it was highly likely that he would run into Ah Yu.

That wouldn't be good.

Just as he was thinking about how to stop the person, the visitor came back.

Meng Yunzheng was puzzled when he saw the person sitting down at a nearby eatery opposite the Miao residence.

It seemed... he didn't plan to go to Dongqing Temple and instead wanted to wait here for a chance encounter.

Meng Yunzheng sighed with relief and then headed towards Rongguang Restaurant.

However, even though he went up to the second floor, he had no intention of meeting Master Miao. He still didn't know the connection between Dongqing Temple and Master Miao. If he met him and said something inappropriate, it might ruin everything.

Hopefully, Master Miao would be patient enough to wait until Ah Yu returned from Dongqing Temple.

However, no matter how fast Shu Yu was, it would still take time to leave the city and come back from Dongqing Temple.

Master Miao's patience was quite good, but after waiting for two quarters of an hour, he started to become impatient.

One of his attendants cautiously observed his expression and couldn't help but ask, "My Lord, is that person trying to deceive us?"

Master Miao placed the teacup on the table, "Forget it, let's go."

"Alright."

As the two of them opened the door to leave, a person came walking towards them. He had a gentle and courteous smile, making people feel warm. He spoke, "Master Miao, sorry to have kept you waiting."

Master Miao was taken aback, looking the person up and down, "Is it you who sent me the invitation card?"

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 288: The Wen Family