Chapter 279: Aunt Lu
Chapter 279: Aunt Lu
When Aunt Lu mentioned Shu Jie, she heaved a soft sigh. "She accidentally fell into the water a few days ago and caught a chill. She hasn't been feeling well lately, so I left her to rest at the mansion instead of bringing her along today."
Aunt Lu wouldn't have brought up such unpleasant matters if they weren't close.
Although she claimed it was an accident, both women present understood the underlying meaning.
It was undoubtedly a power struggle within the rear court.
Upon hearing this, Princess Qi's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She truly despised these rear court struggles that involved children.
Using children as pawns was truly despicable.
However, since it didn't involve her own household, she couldn't say much.
Moreover, Aunt Lu wasn't one to take things lying down, and she probably already took action after her child was harmed.
Princess Qi didn't want to pry further, but she was still concerned about the child. After a moment's thought, she tentatively suggested, "Should we inform Ren Xu and have her stay at her mother's place for a few days?"
Aunt Lu was married to the Duke of Cheng'guo, who was the older brother of Consort Ren.
Consort Ren adored Ren Shu Han as her niece, and if she found out about this incident, she would likely create a ruckus back at the Duke's mansion.
In that case, those involved would likely face severe consequences.
Even if they managed to escape death, they would still suffer greatly.
However, it was not proper for a married younger sister to return to her maiden family and meddle in her brother's rear court affairs. She would become a laughingstock.
Therefore, Princess Qi first needed to ask Aunt Lu if she was willing to involve Consort Ren.
If Aunt Lu refused, Princess Qi wouldn't press the matter further.
However...
This incident probably wouldn't stay hidden for long.
Consort Ren occasionally went out to the streets or visited her family.
Sooner or later, she would find out.
Aunt Lu understood the underlying implications, and she didn't plan to involve Consort Ren too much, as it wouldn't be good for her reputation.
Even if Consort Ren didn't care, Aunt Lu didn't want to cause her any trouble.
Thus, upon hearing Princess Qi's suggestion, she shook her head. "It's not a big deal. We've dealt with those involved, so there's no need to bother her."
Since Aunt Lu was unwilling, Princess Qi didn't insist further.
After some pleasantries, as Lady Lu still had guests to attend to, Aunt Lu accompanied Princess Qi and the children to see the lotus pond.
After walking for a while, Aunt Lu turned to look at Sui Sui and smiled. "This must be Ming Xi, right? She's such a lovely child."
Just a bit frail.
Aunt Lu's expression turned worried after seeing Sui Sui.
It was challenging to raise a frail child.
However, now wasn't the time to say such heart-wrenching words.
Moreover, with the royal family's resources nurturing her, Sui Sui would likely grow stronger.
Princess Qi was naturally pleased to hear her child praised. She gently gestured to Sui Sui and said, "This is Aunt Lu."
Sui Sui was also curious about this aunt. There was something...
How should she put it?
A bitter undertone to her, even though she exuded a faint fragrance.
However, Sui Sui still sensed a hint of bitterness lingering around her.
Sui Sui didn't understand, but she curiously and warily observed this strange aunt.
Hearing her mother's words, Sui Sui obediently nodded, her round eyes blinking. "Nice to meet you, Aunt Lu. I'm Sui Sui."
Aunt Lu was surprised to hear the name 'Sui Sui.'
Was that her nickname?
Aunt Lu wasn't aware of this, as she had been busy with other matters in the mansion and taking care of her sick child, leaving her with little time to pay attention to anything else.
Having heard that the Qi Manor had recently welcomed a young miss, she had merely instructed the butler to prepare a generous gift.
Lu Xinglan's mind wandered for a moment, but she quickly regained her focus and smiled in response, "Sui Sui, is it?"
As the child's aunt, it wouldn't do to be impolite during their first meeting.
Fortunately, despite her recent preoccupation, Lu Xinglan had remembered that the young miss of the Qi Manor would likely be visiting today, so she had quietly prepared a small, easily carried gift.
Now that Sui Sui had spoken, Lu Xinglan immediately smiled and reached into her sleeve, producing a peach-colored handkerchief that held a pair of golden bracelets.
They were adorable, designed for children, though she wasn't entirely sure if they would fit the child. She had simply chosen a standard size for a five-year-old.
Looking at Sui Sui now, Lu Xinglan thought to herself: They might be a bit big.
However, children could always grow into them, so the gift wasn't too inappropriate.
Sui Sui wasn't sure if she should accept the gift and looked at her mother questioningly.
The Princess of Qi smiled and gently rubbed her child's ear, her voice warm, "Thank you, Aunt Lu."
Sui Sui obediently expressed her gratitude and shyly accepted the gift.
Lu Xinglan found the child truly adorable, and upon closer inspection, she noticed that the child's eyes were identical to Feng Xuanrui's, as if they were carved from the same mold.
Due to her young age, Sui Sui's eyes appeared even more lively and pure.
Lu Xinglan lovingly caressed Sui Sui's little ear.
It was soft and pleasant to touch.
If the situation were different, she would have liked to stroke it a few more times.
However, she restrained herself.
After exchanging gifts and introductions, they soon set off again.
As they walked, they ran into Sunshi coming from the opposite direction.
After exchanging greetings, the Princess of Qi asked with concern, "Has Princess Shunyang been found?"
Sunshi replied with a smile, "Yes, we found her. She's gone to the back garden to see the lotus flowers. Someone must have mentioned that the flowers in the manor were forced to bloom early."
Whether the reminder was intentional or not remained to be seen.
Fortunately, although Princess Shunyang was willful, she never went anywhere without her attendants. Even if someone wanted to use her as a pawn, they would have to consider how to deal with those around her?
Even so, Sunshi had spent the last half-day searching for the princess, and she was drenched in cold sweat.
It was true that if something happened to Princess Shunyang in the manor of the Assistant Minister of War, the Emperor's first target of wrath would be the Assistant Minister's manor.
However!!!
Princess Shunyang had come to the Assistant Minister's manor with them.
If something truly unfortunate occurred, they would also bear the brunt of the Emperor's fury.
Now that they knew the princess was safe, and they were on someone else's territory, it wouldn't do to say too much. Sunshi planned to inform Lu Xinglan so she could be more vigilant and not let any schemers take advantage of the situation.
If it was unintentional, all would be well.
But if it was deliberate...
Then they would have to expose the schemer early on!
Hearing that Princess Shunyang had been found, the Princess of Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
The Assistant Minister was her maternal uncle, and if something had happened to the princess, she wouldn't have been able to rest easy.
Now that she knew it wasn't a major issue, she could finally relax.
Upon learning that they were going to admire the lotuses, Sunshi didn't join them.
She needed to return and update the Grand Princess so that the elderly woman wouldn't worry.
Hearing that Sunshi intended to report back, the Princess of Qi fell silent for a moment before asking, "But... I didn't see His Highness when I arrived."
(End of Chapter)
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