https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-264-The-Theater-of-Golden-Sun-Duke-s-Mansion/12607116/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-266-You-re-Stuck-on-the-Mountain-/12607118/
Chapter 265: A Child's Joy
Chapter 265: A Child's Joy
The young masters obediently attended their lessons, and Sui Sui happily listened in.
Across the manor, Prince Qi was smiling as he listened to his butler recount recent amusing tales about the Jinyang Marquis (...). Knowing that the Jinyang Marquis was going through a difficult time, Prince Qi felt content.
However, the one truly suffering was the Marquise of Jinyang. The marquis himself had only been scratched on the face and found it inconvenient to go out, but he hadn't really been harmed. Prince Qi frowned, his smile vanishing as he said, "This won't do. We must help the Jinyang Marquis."
Old Li: ...
Your Highness, do you want to hear yourself out loud?
Alright, I know you're being ironic.
But I can't show it, Old Li quickly understood, smiling as he said, "Indeed, as fellow residents of the capital, we ought to look out for each other."
Seeing Old Li's smile, Prince Qi knew that he had gotten his message.
With these thoughts in mind, Prince Qi smiled and said, "I heard that the Anyang Earl has some free time on his hands lately. Why don't we ask them to lend a hand to the Jinyang Marquis?"
Old Li: ...
Understood, I'll take care of it right away.
Old Li replied with a cheerful smile.
Princess Qi, sitting by his side, listened without interrupting.
She thought that since the prince dared to take action, he probably had a plan for dealing with the aftermath, and she need not worry too much.
She had already met with the steward and the kitchen staff to discuss the evening's family banquet and the dishes to be prepared. She then went to inspect the newly delivered fruits from the estate.
The cherry trees had borne fruit in abundance, and the cherries were now sweet and ripe.
The estate had quite a few cherry trees, and there were more in the other courtyard.
The less desirable fruits had already been picked out and given to the servants and laborers.
Only the best ones were sent to the manor.
There were two large baskets full of bright red, tempting cherries.
These fruits were best enjoyed fresh, as they tended to spoil or lose their taste if kept for too long.
So, Princess Qi discussed with Aunt Qiu about the desserts for the day.
The remaining cherries would be dried or made into candied fruit.
Waste not, want not.
The fresh ones would be enjoyed by them.
And any leftovers would be utilized as well.
In addition to cherries, the estate had also sent in sweet melons. They looked unripe and green, but they were surprisingly sweet.
There was also a batch of early-maturing peaches. They were small, about the size of a child's fist, but they were sweet. Ripe peaches were soft, tender, and juicy, bursting with flavor at the slightest bite.
Even when firm, they were still sweet and juicy.
However, there weren't many ripe peaches, perhaps around twenty, Princess Qi estimated.
There wouldn't be enough to share with others after distributing them among the children in the manor.
Given the limited quantity, Princess Qi didn't plan on giving any away.
However, she had sent some cherries and sweet melons to the concubines in the rear courtyard.
With the arrival of May, the weather was getting hotter.
Princess Qi wondered if Sui Sui's summer clothes were ready. As she thought about this, a servant from the mansion came to report that the dressmakers from Jinxiu Workshop had sent a message saying that the young miss's summer clothes were ready and that they would come to the mansion tomorrow for a fitting.
Princess Qi thought that she was free tomorrow, but the day after that, she had to attend Chen Ge's birthday celebration.
Princess Qi quickly agreed, and Prince Qi, listening by her side, couldn't help but look forward to it as well. "The new clothes must be so pretty. By the way, the Emperor and Empress had also gifted some fine fabrics. They're quite vibrant. Let's choose some for Sui Sui, and for some of the heavier colors, we can make new clothes for Xiao Liu and the others. They're just kids, after all."
Even though the manor had rules about the maximum number of clothes that could be made each season.
However, if the master says we can add more, then add we shall.
After all, what's a few extra sets of clothes?
Since Prince Qi had brought it up, Princess Qi naturally couldn't refuse.
Moreover, she felt that those vibrant fabrics would suit Sui Sui very well.
For children, bright and colorful clothing suits them best.
That afternoon, the two young masters of the manor who had been studying outside returned home, so after lunch, Shen Fuzi excused the young masters from their lessons, leaving them free to explore.
Since it was the end of the month, a day off to relax a bit was perfectly fine.
Upon hearing that there would be no lessons in the afternoon, Sui Sui felt a bit disappointed.
However, when she heard that Sister Tang Tang and Sister Meng Meng would stay in the manor to play with her, she jumped for joy: "Let's go play with the little wooden horses!"
The newly improved little wooden horses were so fascinating.
They could move when pulled, and it didn't take much effort.
Shen Huatong and Liu Hemeng were also curious, so they followed along.
Feng Xuanrui and the others weren't stingy, and they were quite friendly to Sui Sui's friends.
Moreover, it wouldn't be befitting of a fine young man to be stingy towards a little girl.
Feng Xuanrui and the others soon joined the...
little wooden horse-pulling squad.
Due to his small stature, Feng Xuanrui took the last position.
Feng Xuan Cang, as the eldest brother, took on the responsibility of ensuring the safety of his siblings, so he was the first to step forward.
After lunch and an afternoon nap, the children were full of energy.
At first, they happily pulled the little wooden horses.
Shen Huatong rarely had the opportunity to play with such toys in the manor.
Her parents were a bit more strict and didn't like their children to be too playful.
However, Liu Hemeng didn't have such concerns, and her father loved to research and create various toys, so she had access to all sorts of playthings.
She had never seen a walking little wooden horse before, and she found it fascinating.
After playing with it a few times and experiencing the fun, Liu Hemeng made up her mind: "I want one for myself! I'll ask Father to make one for me tonight!"
Children's interests are often fleeting, and their attention spans are short.
Sure enough, before long, the little wooden horses lost their appeal, and the children boldly climbed onto the artificial mountain.
Sui Sui's dress was too pretty, and she didn't want to ruin it.
So, she stood aside and cheered her brothers on.
But what's the fun in just climbing? They needed a race!
Feng Xuanrui unceremoniously pulled Feng Xuanbin along with him.
Being the younger brother, Feng Xuanbin wasn't about to back down.
So, he puffed out his little chest and patted it confidently: "Who's afraid of whom? I can do it too!"
Before walking away, he turned back to look at Sui Sui and assured her: "Seven Brother is the best! Sister, believe in Seven Brother!"
Sui Sui felt so busy; both her brother and Seven Brother needed her encouragement.
However, as she watched Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin climb with agility, seeing their nimble movements, Sui Sui became engrossed and forgot about her initial concerns.
Moreover, with her brothers' dexterity, how could they possibly fall?
Realizing this, Sui Sui happily cheered them on: "Brother, add oil! Seven Brother, you can do it!"
Her sisterly encouragement was the best boost for the brothers.
Initially, the two brothers intended to just climb casually, but upon seeing the determination in each other's eyes, they silently acknowledged the challenge and continued climbing upwards!
(End of Chapter)
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