Chapter 163: I Certainly Won't!
Chapter 163: I Certainly Won't!
Sui Sui would be accompanying the Empress to listen to the sutras, and there was no need for Tang Youqing to help out with the children.
Madame He smiled gently from the side and said, "In that case, let's listen together. After all, we are here to pray for the children, and it would be more sincere if they listen with us."
With both the Princess of Qi and Madame He expressing this sentiment, Madame Tang could not insist on having Tang Youqing help with the children.
Finally, the group entered the lecture hall with smiles on their faces and chose seats close to each other.
Tang Youqing was actually quite reluctant to listen. If it weren't for the fact that Tang Lingheng was extremely annoying, and her mother's request, she wouldn't have come at all.
Now she was being forced to sit and listen to the sutras.
How many young people could truly sit still for this?
At the beginning, Tang Youqing was still able to pay attention and tried her best to listen.
After about twenty minutes, Tang Youqing began to fidget. Madame Tang gave her a sharp glance, stopping her, which left Tang Youqing with no choice but to force herself to continue sitting.
However, for someone who was already restless, how could a mere glance deter them?
Not long after, Tang Youqing began to squirm again.
The master lecturing the sutras did not pay attention to the behavior or attitude of the devotees.
When it came to seeking blessings from the Buddha, what mattered was sincerity.
The masters were compassionate towards all beings and tended to be tolerant of their actions.
Thus, there were many like Tang Youqing who struggled to sit still.
In the crowd, her restlessness was not particularly noticeable.
Even so, Madame Tang was not pleased and shot her several disapproving glances.
Tang Youqing felt wronged by her mother's gaze.
She simply couldn't sit still, yet her mother insisted on having her sit and accompany them.
It was so annoying!
Tang Youqing glanced briefly at Sui Sui and the others before quickly averting her gaze.
Compared to marrying into the Royal House of Qi, Tang Youqing actually preferred entering the Eastern Palace.
No matter how wealthy and prestigious the House of Qi was, could it truly surpass the future Emperor?
Being a concubine-born herself, Madame Tang placed great importance on the status of being a wife and the first official wife at that.
It was as if the lack of something made one cherish it all the more.
Tang Youqing's thoughts were the exact opposite of her mother's.
She felt that as long as one's identity and status were high enough and they were wealthy, it was sufficient.
So what if one was a wife?
And what of it if one was a concubine? If she became an Imperial Consort in the future, the Princess of Qi would still have to pay respects to her.
Thus, who was truly more prestigious was clear at a glance.
The more Tang Youqing thought about it, the more she felt she was right, and the more impatient she became.
In comparison, Sui Sui and He Er Young Miss sat there obediently, and just looking at them evoked envy.
They were too well-behaved and too adorable!
Even though Madame Tang felt that Sui Sui's background might not be ideal, she truly looked down on this person from the bottom of her heart.
However, at this moment, she had to admit that the child was indeed well-behaved.
It was a pity that she wasn't born into their family.
But then again, it was precisely because her family background was not prominent that she was so sensible and mature beyond her years.
If possible, Madame Tang even hoped that her own children would not have to be so sensible.
Sui Sui did not understand the undercurrents and complexities of the adult world.
She sat obediently by the Empress's side, her back straight and erect.
She didn't feel tired, nor could she understand what the master was lecturing about.
She simply sat there, imitating the Empress, gazing forward.
The Princess of Qi was afraid that the young girl might feel bored, so she would lower her eyes to glance at her from time to time.
Each time she saw Sui Sui sitting there, she resembled a paused year painting, her eyebrows and eyes exuding gentleness.
Her Sui Sui was truly exceptional!
At times, the Princess of Qi even hoped that her child wouldn't be this well-behaved.
A little mischief is what makes children so endearing.
However, there was no rush.
When the Princess of Qi looked up, she gently caressed Sui Sui's cheek.
Feeling her mother's gentle touch, Sui Sui affectionately nuzzled against her.
But after a few moments, she quickly returned to her proper posture.
He Er Young Miss could only manage to sit through the lecture for a while before she, too, began to feel restless.
However, she had a frail body, and every spring, she would feel extremely unwell.
Just being able to sit was already quite an achievement for her.
So, even if she was fidgety and couldn't focus, she still forced herself to remain seated.
But her eyes had a mind of their own and kept drifting towards Sui Sui.
Sui Sui was a beautiful child, and her well-behaved demeanor captivated He Er Young Miss, who was naturally shy and reserved.
She couldn't help but want to look at Sui Sui but felt a bit embarrassed and worried that Sui Sui might misinterpret her intentions. Yet, she found herself glancing at Sui Sui again and again.
He Er Young Miss would steal a few glances, then quickly look away, only to sneak another peek soon after.
Sui Sui noticed her little movements, as she was far from foolish. She realized that the pretty young lady was looking at her.
However, as everyone was listening to the sutras, it wasn't appropriate to speak, so Sui Sui turned her head, looking at He Er Young Miss with a puzzled expression.
Feeling caught, He Er Young Miss hastily averted her gaze, a flush creeping up her ears and spreading across her cheeks.
She wanted to shrink into her mother's side.
He Madame sensed the movement beside her and initially thought her daughter was feeling unwell, causing her expression to change.
When she looked down, she saw that her daughter was fine, and she breathed a sigh of relief. However, still concerned, she asked, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
He Er Young Miss shook her head and then pointed at Sui Sui, her voice soft as she said, "Mother, I like that little sister. Her eyes are so pretty."
Sui Sui was a child with a very endearing appearance.
At least, that was how she appeared to He Madame.
Seeing that her daughter had taken a liking to Sui Sui, He Madame turned her head and smiled gently at Sui Sui.
In response to the aunt's warm smile, Sui Sui returned a polite, well-behaved smile.
With that smile, her eyes seemed even more beautiful, and a shallow dimple appeared at the corner of her lips.
He Madame felt that this child was even more pleasing to the eye! Her second daughter was timid and had a weak body, so she rarely expressed her liking for anything.
It was rare for her to take a liking to a child, and He Madame was quite pleased about it.
Usually, she didn't like to associate with the powerful and influential.
But now, she was thinking about how she could get closer to the Royal House of Qi and visit more often.
Her second daughter...
The doctor had said to take it one day at a time.
As for whether she could grow up healthily, that was uncertain.
Thinking of this, He Madame's gaze, which had just been brightened by Sui Sui, dimmed.
He Er Young Miss sensed her mother's low mood and anxiously pressed her lips together.
Sui Sui noticed her sister's change in mood and tentatively reached out her small hand to touch He Er Young Miss's hand.
Feeling Sui Sui's touch, He Er Young Miss turned her head in surprise, meeting Sui Sui's lively and innocent eyes.
The little girl looked at her with a smile in her eyes, as if saying: Don't be sad, I'm here with you!
At that moment, He Er Young Miss, who usually avoided making friends due to her fragile health, gathered her courage and gently reached out to hold Sui Sui's hand.
The young girl thought to herself: I can't control my own health, but can't I choose my own friends?
I certainly won't!
(End of Chapter)
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