https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-223-Preparing-to-Modify-the-Hobby-Horse/12607042/
Chapter 222: A Child's Joy
Chapter 222: A Child's Joy
Meng Cefei couldn't help but smile at Suishu's adorable dilemma. She understood that Suishu was currently unwell and craved the company of those she trusted.
Knowing that she hadn't spent enough time with Suishu, Meng Cefei felt a slight pang of regret that the little girl might not be as close to her as she could be.
However, she quickly brushed aside these feelings and refrained from acting like Ren Cefei, who found amusement in making the child cry and then soothing her. Meng Cefei couldn't bear to see Suishu in distress.
"I was just teasing you, dear Suishu. Be a good girl," she said with a smile, quickly reassuring the child.
Suishu's eyes lit up with delight at the news that she didn't have to accompany Meng Cefei.
She thought to herself that while she couldn't keep Meng Cefei company, surely there would be someone else who could.
"Don't worry, Aunt Meng. You'll have someone to keep you company too!" Suishu said softly.
Meng Cefei thought to herself that she only had one son, and Xiao San was already quite grown up. It wouldn't do for him to still be sleeping with his mother. It was natural for children to become more independent as they grew older, and even if Feng Xuancao wanted to, she certainly wouldn't approve of it!
However, there was no need to dwell too much on the innocent ramblings of a child.
"Alright, then I'll take Suishu's word for it," Meng Cefei said with a smile.
Suishu hadn't finished her sweet soup yet.
Meng Cefei didn't want to disturb her anymore, so she chatted with the princess for a while longer before taking her leave.
In the afternoon, when the sun was shining brightly, Princess Qi took Suishu to the back garden to admire the flowers.
Although Feng Xuanrui had mentioned tearing down the small garden, he hadn't acted on his plan yet, and the flowers were still in good shape.
It was spring, and many flowers were blooming.
Princess Qi didn't dare express her preference for any particular flower.
She shuddered at the thought of waking up the next day to hear her attendants exclaim: "Your Royal Highness, the flowers in such-and-such place bloomed overnight, and they're breathtaking!"
She couldn't bear to hear such things!
Just the thought of it made her heart tremble.
So, when showing the flowers to Suishu, she would only say: "This one is beautiful."
"That one is lovely, too."
"This one forms a heart shape when it blooms."
"Those petals layer on top of each other."
...
Princess Qi refrained from adding any subjective comments.
Suishu didn't notice her mother's caution and, being a child, couldn't think too deeply about it anyway.
She happily stayed by her mother's side, occasionally hiding behind her skirt to inhale her mother's fragrant scent before clapping her hands excitedly and saying, "Suishu likes them too!"
"Suishu is prettier than the flowers!"
"Suishu will keep you company and look at them with you, Mother!"
...
The little girl was growing more confident by the day.
This gave Princess Qi a sense of satisfaction.
However, she wasn't entirely content or satisfied just yet.
Her child should be even more vibrant and full of life than this garden in full bloom.
With these thoughts in mind, Princess Qi gently caressed the little girl's head and said, "Mmm, your mother is waiting for you to keep her company, and by then, you'll be a beautiful young lady, Suishu."
Suishu was delighted by her mother's touch and rubbed against her hand affectionately before nodding earnestly, "Suishu will get chubby!"
At dinner that evening, Suishu quietly devoured a large meat bun.
Cousin Xiang watched from the sidelines, and when she saw that Suishu was about to reach for another bun, she quickly advised, "You mustn't eat like that. It will cause indigestion. Gaining weight takes time; we're not in a rush, so let's take it slow."
Suishu had indeed eaten a bit too much and felt quite full.
So, when Cousin Xiang offered her gentle reminder, she obediently put down the bun and stopped eating.
Dinner that night was a family affair, with King Qi, the princess, and all the children of the manor dining together.
The princes, concerned about Suishu's well-being, played with her for a while after arriving. Seeing that she was in high spirits, they finally settled down to face the academic tests administered by their father.
King Qi himself had been a poor student, so he didn't expect much from his children.
And in the end, they still had to take the exams based on the books given by Master Shen.
The young masters' performances...
Feng Xuancao was the best, after all, he was the oldest.
Don't be fooled by Feng Xuanjie's timidity; when it came to being a slacker, he was just as exceptional as his brothers.
As for Feng Xuanbo, there was no need to mention him at all.
He may have been cunning, but it didn't translate to academic success.
Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin were too young to be included in this comparison.
Qi Wang felt a slight headache after the exam.
The fact that they all performed worse than him was a cause for concern for their future.
Qi Wang felt a bit dejected, but unfortunately, his sons didn't pick up on his worries.
After dinner, they took Suishu off to play.
At first, they let Suishu ride on a small wooden horse, taking turns rocking it.
Suishu was delighted and kept cheering.
Soon, the brothers found the wooden horse boring.
"This one doesn't move. Let's tie a rope to it and pull."
"I think so too. We need one more person to push from behind."
...
After discussing it, the brothers came up with an idea.
Then, with one sitting on the horse, one pulling from the front, and one pushing from the back, they set off.
Even with this setup, they still had to take turns.
Feng Xuanrui quickly spoke up, "Me, me, me! Let's add one more person on the wooden horse!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Xuanbin immediately disagreed, "No way! I'm the youngest, so I should go first!"
As the oldest, Feng Xuancao didn't want to argue with his younger brothers about this and just smiled at them.
Feng Xuanbo, seeing the standoff between the two, quickly seized the opportunity. He rushed to the wooden horse, protecting Suishu, and said with a smile to the one pulling, "Thanks, Third Brother."
Feng Xuancao: ...
Although he was speechless, he still smiled and replied, "Alright, sit tight and hold Suishu securely."
Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin had been arguing when they turned around and discovered Xiao Wu had taken the opportunity. They were so angry that they started running forward, yelling.
Noticing the situation, Feng Xuancao signaled to Feng Xuanjie, who was pushing the horse, "Let's go, let's go!"
The two of them worked together, one pulling and one pushing, and the wooden horse started moving.
However, without wheels, the bottom of the horse created an unpleasant scraping sound against the floor.
But this sound was soon drowned out by the loud bickering of Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin.
The two of them charged forward, shouting, "Xiao Wu, you jerk! Ahhh, I'm gonna bite you to death!"
"You're so mean, Fifth Brother!"
"Give me back my sister!"
...
They were like bandits blocking the road, waving their claws and rushing forward, creating a lively atmosphere.
Qi Wang watched them with concern and called out, "Xiao Wu, hold your sister tightly so she doesn't fall."
Having seized the opportunity, Feng Xuanbo was now hugging his sister, feeling very pleased with himself.
He held Suishu tightly and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Father!"
After replying, he remembered to lean down and remind Suishu, "Sister, is Fifth Brother hugging you too tight? If you feel uncomfortable, be sure to tell Fifth Brother, don't be afraid. Fifth Brother will protect you!"
Suishu had been a little scared when the wooden horse was first pulled, but now, being hugged by Fifth Brother, with Third Brother not pulling too fast, and with two other brothers chasing after them, she felt excited. She shook her little head happily and said, "Don't worry, Fifth Brother, I'm not scared!"
Hearing that Suishu wasn't afraid, Feng Xuanbo felt relieved. Then, looking at the chasing Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin, he smiled triumphantly, "What about you two? Why are you so slow? Didn't you eat enough tonight?"
Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin: ???
The second update will be at 7 pm.
(End of Chapter)
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