Chapter 217: Su Su's Worth
Chapter 217: Su Su's Worth
Within half a day of the imperial decree, the entire capital knew that the Qi King's Manor had a new little princess.
Correspondingly, preparations had to begin for a banquet to announce Su Su's identity.
After sending away the palace attendants, the Qi King took the initiative to hold Su Su, even though the little girl was wrapped up like a burrito. He didn't mind and instead found it rather amusing.
The Qi King thought that the child was too thin and that it would be better for her to be plump.
It's easier to stand firm when you have some weight!
With these thoughts in mind, he laughed heartily, "My Su Su, if you were this heavy, your father would be able to rest assured."
Su Su, wrapped tightly in the blanket, couldn't move much.
Teased by her father, she smiled shyly.
Concerned that the child might feel uncomfortable or that prolonged exposure to the wind might be detrimental, the Qi King soon handed her back to Aunt Xiang, "Take Su Su to rest first. Her illness hasn't fully healed yet, so we mustn't tire her out unnecessarily."
Aunt Xiang quickly agreed and hurried off.
Feng Xuanrui and the others wanted to accompany them, but the Qi King glared at them, "All of you go back and rest. In the afternoon, you'll be attending classes with the tutor!"
Feng Xuanrui and the rest were reluctant, pouting one by one.
However, they didn't dare to disobey their father, and with Feng Xuan also persuading them, they eventually left, still looking unhappy.
Before leaving, they made sure to crowd around Su Su, giving their little sister kisses and ruffling her hair affectionately.
The Qi King, accompanied by the Queen and the two Concubines, went to the main courtyard. After seating themselves, he brought up the matter of hosting a banquet for Su Su, "Let's choose an auspicious day for it. Now that our child has a name and an identity, although the news will spread throughout the capital sooner or later, we must still make a formal introduction. It would be improper to not hold a grand celebration to show how much we value her."
Thinking of Su Su's recent illness and how it might leave a lingering health issue if she wasn't properly cared for, the Qi King quickly added, "Let's not count this month. We can choose a day next month when the weather is warmer and more suitable for hosting a banquet. It will be pleasant to admire the flowers, grass, and fish, and even going on a boat ride won't be too chilly."
The more the Qi King spoke, the more excited he became.
He wished he could give his precious daughter all the best things in the world overnight.
The Queen of Qi also felt that it would be fine to wait until next month.
It would be better to take care of Su Su's hair and body for a while, making the whole process more stable.
The Queen of Qi hadn't really paid attention to the good days in May.
However, at the beginning of the month, the Viscount of Feng's manor would be hosting a banquet.
Remembering this, the Queen of Qi casually mentioned it, so that the King wouldn't forget in his anger, "May 2nd is the birthday of Viscount Feng's Lu Chen ge. This year is his coming-of-age ceremony, and the Viscount's manor intends to hold a grand celebration."
Therefore, the dates at the beginning of the month should be avoided. If they overlapped with the Viscount's manor, it would be tiring for both the guests and the hosts, making it difficult to arrange.
Although Lu Chen ge was a junior, his mother was the youngest daughter of the Grand Princess, and she was also the Qi King's cousin.
So, the Qi King should attend the coming-of-age ceremony of his junior.
Hearing the Queen mention this, the Qi King paused for a moment, realizing how he had almost missed out on many important matters because of his trip to the secondary manor.
Thinking of this made him even more furious at the Che family.
Truly, human desires are insatiable!
Hadn't he been good enough to them?
For that ungrateful Che family, he had even gone out of his way to help them obtain a low-level minor official position. Although it was a small role, considering their capabilities, he had done it for the sake of a woman.
In return, they had bitten the hand that fed them!
Although it was true that everyone had their own private desires, the Che family had taken it too far!
Now, whenever he thought of the Che family, the Qi King felt not only angry but also as if his luck had turned sour.
The Qi King muttered curses under his breath while nodding in agreement, "That's right, we should avoid that date. Let's choose a day in the middle or at the end of the month and have someone pick an auspicious day. Our manor's princess deserves only the very best of days! If there aren't any good days in May, then we'll do it in June, or even July if necessary. It must be an absolutely perfect auspicious day!"
Hearing this, the Queen of Qi nodded, "I'll ask someone to choose an auspicious day later.
The Qi King felt that this might not be stable enough and, after some thought, waved his hand, "I'll go to the palace later and ask His Majesty to consult the astrologers."
Everyone:...
That's reasonable.
Who could refuse you, the Emperor's own brother?
If they were going to hold a banquet, invitations would need to be prepared, and the manor would require decorations.
While the Second Concubine and Third Concubine were unaware that the King was incapable of having children, the Queen knew, and she thought about the women in the rear courtyard...
The long-serving concubines in the manor were fine. After all, they were considered elders, and sending them away would not necessarily improve their lives.
However, some of the kept women were purely decorative.
The Qi King was, after all, middle-aged, and his energy was limited.
Furthermore, because he had believed the words of a so-called master, many of these women were merely nominal and had little actual interaction with him.
Such individuals served little purpose beyond creating daily nuisances and disturbances.
With these thoughts in mind, the Queen cautiously asked, "What about the women in the rear courtyard...?"
The Qi King had long since made peace with this reality and responded with a calm and collected mind: "Ask them if any would like to take a sum of money and leave. Have them report their decision to me later."
The two Concubines:?
Although the Third Concubine was astonished, she didn't dare to ask further.
The Second Concubine, however, was straightforward and spoke her mind: "Your Highness, have you changed your preferences? This doesn't seem like something you would do."
Qi King:...
Is my inability to have children something to be proud of?
Should I announce it to the world?
The Qi King felt awkward and uncomfortable, scowling as he coldly huffed, "Just listen to the Queen. You ask too many questions."
The Second Concubine saw the King's reaction and guessed that something was amiss.
She couldn't help but smile as she probed further: "I'm just curious, why are you so angry?"
Qi King:...
Forget it, I can't win an argument with her! I won't stoop to her level!
The Qi King turned away, making it clear that he didn't want to continue the conversation.
This only confirmed the Second Concubine's suspicions.
The King must have been provoked during his visit to the palace yesterday.
Upon his return, he had dealt with Che's aunt, and didn't he also mention something about herbs?
Thunder Vine?
Aconitum?
Persica?
Yes, those were the ones!
These were all substances known to prevent pregnancy in women.
I wonder if they have the same effect on men?
The Second Concubine pondered as she secretly observed the Qi King.
The Qi King felt uneasy under her gaze and muttered, "Keep staring. You're the one with eyes."
The Second Concubine couldn't hold back her laughter and burst out laughing.
The Qi King almost lost his composure.
It was at this moment that Autumn Aunt entered, announcing that the Embroidery Workshop had just delivered a batch of new clothes to the manor.
The Queen's eyes lit up at the mention of new clothes for Su Su, "Quick, quick, quick! Invite them in. Has Su Su fallen asleep yet? If she hasn't, let's have her try on the clothes first, then she can rest."
The Qi King had almost cracked under the Second Concubine's scrutiny, but the mention of new clothes for Su Su lifted his spirits, and he dropped the matter of arguing with the Second Concubine.
They quickly invited the workers from the Embroidery Workshop inside.
Although measurements had been taken, there was still a concern about potential errors, and the fit might not be perfect.
Therefore, the workers from the Embroidery Workshop would need to stay and ensure that Su Su tried on all the clothes before they could leave.
The Queen happily led the Qi King and the others to find Su Su.
Second Watch
(End of Chapter)
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