Chapter 184: This is Your Father
Chapter 184: This is Your Father
Everyone present, except for the young Suisu, could tell that Ren, the Concubine, was being sarcastic.
Che, the Aunt, took offense at this. She tugged on Qi Wangye's sleeve, softening her tone as she addressed him, "Your Highness..."
Qi Wangye had been focused on Suisu and wasn't paying attention to other matters at the moment.
However, with Che constantly tugging and swaying him by holding onto his sleeve, Qi Wangye had no choice but to stand up.
After rising, Qi Wangye first turned his gaze towards Ren, the Concubine.
Aside from standing up to greet the arrival of Qi Wangfei, she had remained seated, leisurely sipping her tea.
At this moment, as Qi Wangye looked over, Ren didn't even lift her head.
Qi Wangye paused to think if he had ever taken advantage of this concubine in the past.
The answer was no!
With these thoughts in mind, Qi Wangye retracted his gaze and looked towards the Queen.
The Queen's attention was on Suisu, and upon sensing his eyes on her, she lifted her head, looking at Qi Wangye with confusion.
Qi Wangye: ...
Indeed, the Queen had not noticed anything amiss.
Left with no choice, Qi Wangye turned his head, a slight frown on his brow as he looked at Che, "Can't you be quiet for a moment?"
Hearing these words, Che felt wronged. She intended to say more, but Qi Wangye had already averted his gaze and crouched back down.
At this moment, Qi Wangfei had not yet taken her seat, and Suisu stood by her leg, one hand gently holding onto her mother. With her round, big eyes, she looked at the chubby uncle before her with curiosity and confusion.
Qi Wangye had a bit of a middle-aged spread, and while he wasn't extremely obese, his belly protruded with a noticeable curve.
As he crouched down now, he seemed to exert some effort, slightly adjusting his posture before finally smiling with affection.
The flesh on his face was abundant, and when he smiled, the flesh squeezed together, causing his round eyes to turn into crescent shapes, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Tell uncle, how old are you?"
Suisu didn't understand why her mother called this man her father, yet he introduced himself as her uncle.
Anxious, she lifted her head to glance at her mother.
Qi Wangfei gently patted her little hat, speaking in a gentle tone, "Suisu, don't be afraid to speak. Your father is listening."
After saying this, Qi Wangfei glanced at Qi Wangye once more.
This glance caused Qi Wangye to subconsciously want to retract his legs, but he quickly controlled himself.
He was quick to react, promptly changing his words, "Yes, yes, it's your father. Father was confused just now. Are you called Suisu? How old are you?"
The term "father" gave Suisu a completely unfamiliar feeling. However, since her mother had affirmed it, she obediently greeted him, "I am Suisu, five years old."
After introducing herself, she felt that she might have been a bit impolite, so she quickly added, "Greetings, Father."
She even performed a polite bow.
It was a squatting bow, a mix of formality and a hint of awkwardness.
Qi Wangye didn't mind these details. He merely found this little girl rather pleasing to the eye.
Although he wasn't clear about the situation yet, if the Queen liked her, then he would acknowledge her as well.
He didn't have anything else on hand, so he conveniently untied the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Suisu, "This is a gift from your father."
As he spoke, he also reached out his hand, intending to touch Suisu's little hat.
However, upon seeing this broad palm reaching towards her, Suisu mistook it for her father about to strike her. Frightened, she took a step back, hiding directly behind her mother.
Qi Wangye: ?
His hand was left hanging in the air, the other hand still holding the jade pendant, making him appear both comical and awkward.
Qi Wangfei didn't want to embarrass her husband, so she gently pulled Suisu out from behind her and spoke softly, "Your father just likes your little hat and wants to touch it. Don't be afraid, Suisu."
As she spoke, Qi Wangfei raised her hand and took the jade pendant, temporarily passing it to Aunt He.
Hearing this, Suisu plucked up her courage and stepped forward, hesitating for a moment before offering her small head, "Father, go ahead, you... you can touch it now."
Qi Wang's earlier action had been a habitual gesture, intending to touch the little girl's hat.
Now, seeing the small head offered to him, with its brightly colored hat, Qi Wang's hand moved faster than his brain, and he reached out to touch it.
Touching the hat didn't reveal much, except for the fact that it was made of fine material.
At most, it allowed him to observe the child up close.
She seemed like a pitiful child, and from the first moment Qi Wang laid eyes on Suisu, he noticed that there seemed to be something unusual about her hair.
However, not wanting to upset the child further, he refrained from asking about it directly.
Now, with Suisu closer, Qi Wang also noticed the distinct scar on the back of her neck.
It seemed to be an old scar.
How did such a young child end up with an old scar? Who would be so heartless?
Qi Wang speculated that it must be related to Suisu's past or her origins.
However, with the child present, it wasn't appropriate to inquire further.
Seeing that Qi Wang had given his jade pendant to Suisu, Concubine Che pouted unhappily.
A sense of crisis arose within her, and she rubbed her flat stomach, her voice soft and gentle, "Your Highness, I'm feeling a little unwell. Shall we head back?"
Hearing her words, Qi Wang's brows furrowed slightly as he naturally replied, "Wangfei is considerate and won't take offense at your rudeness. Since your legs are yours to control, if you want to leave, just say the word."
Thinking that she wasn't feeling well, Qi Wang quickly added, "If you're unwell, remember to call for the physician."
Concubine Che: ???
This reaction wasn't right!
Shouldn't she be the golden child of the manor right now?
Concubine Che was left standing there, feeling both ashamed and angry, as Side Consort He openly laughed at her.
This made Concubine Che even more frustrated and annoyed. She bit her lip, her eyes narrowing as an idea formed, "Your Highness, I feel sorry for this child as well. Since we currently don't have any young ladies in the manor, why don't we invite my niece, Lingzhi, to come and keep her company? It would be nice to have a playmate."
Not long after Concubine Che entered the manor, she had once brought her niece, six-year-old Che Lingzhi, to stay for a short period.
That child may have been young, but she was cunning and shrewd. Side Consort He eventually found her annoying and scolded Qi Wang a few times, after which the girl was sent back.
Now, Concubine Che looked at Suisu with renewed greed, still plotting to bring that girl back.
Of course, her motive was none other than the wealth of the manor.
During her stay, Che Lingzhi had been very flattering, complimenting everything she saw and feigning sadness and tears.
While Qi Wang didn't fall for it every time, he did soften and give in a couple of times, rewarding her with gifts.
Whether it was known that she was the niece of a concubine or believed to be a poor relative visiting, it was a believable story that people would accept.
After Concubine Che finished speaking, Qi Wang fell into thought, clearly considering the feasibility of this suggestion.
Seeing this, Qi Wangfei's brows furrowed slightly.
(End of Chapter)
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