Chapter 327: Feng Xuan Shang
Chapter 327: Feng Xuan Shang
The Third Prince?
Prince Qi furrowed his brows slightly and asked Sui Si, "What is the Third Prince doing here?"
As he spoke, he started walking towards the entrance, seemingly intending to greet the visitor himself.
Sui Si hurried to catch up, while Princess Qi stayed behind to tend to the children. Although the conditions were modest, she wanted to ensure that everything was prepared for the Third Prince's visit.
Autumn, efficient as always, prepared hot tea, and ginger soup simmered on the stove, ready to be served.
After all, it was humid, and a warm cup of ginger soup would help dispel the dampness and prevent illness.
Although Suisui didn't know the Third Prince, Feng Xuan Rui and Feng Xuan Bin seemed familiar with him and were quite excited. "Oh? The Third Prince is here? Hee hee, it's been a while since we last saw him. Let's go and see!"
Feng Xuan Rui tugged at Suisui's hand as he spoke, turning to leave.
Feng Xuan Bin, left behind, didn't seem to mind. Instead, he bounced along happily. "Okay, okay!"
Noticing that Suisui was still standing there, Feng Xuan Rui whispered to her, "The Third Prince is a really good person. We can call him Third Brother when we're alone, but it's more appropriate to address him as 'Third Prince' when others are around."
Although they were cousins, the complexities of the royal family often complicated relationships.
Suisui may not have fully understood, but she trusted her brother's words and nodded obediently.
Before the three children could reach the door, the Third Prince had already arrived, accompanied by Prince Qi.
Two attendants followed closely behind, holding an umbrella to shield the prince from the rain.
Despite their efforts, he was still damp from the misty air, which couldn't have been very comfortable.
Upon entering, he first greeted Princess Qi with respect.
Then, Feng Xuan Rui led Suisui and Feng Xuan Bin to greet the Third Prince.
The Third Prince, Feng Xuan Shang, had a pleasant appearance and a gentle disposition. His voice was soft and slow, his tone almost coaxing, like he was soothing a child. "Please rise. How have my little cousins been lately?"
After inquiring about his two younger cousins, he turned his attention to Suisui, his eyes meeting her curious, round ones. His smile deepened as he addressed her. "And this must be Ming Xi. Greetings, little sister. I am your Third Brother."
Suisui thought this brother was incredibly gentle!
It was a different kind of gentleness from her eldest brother, and he carried with him a faint scent of herbal medicine.
Feng Xuan Shang's gentleness made the medicinal scent seem like a soothing fragrance to Suisui.
She didn't know if he was unwell and taking medication, but she found that she didn't dislike this brother at all.
However, she recalled what her brother had told her—to address him as 'Third Prince.'
So, Suisui obediently bowed and greeted him with a proper, "Your Highness, the Third Prince, greetings."
Witnessing this, Feng Xuan Shang felt a twinge of helplessness. This child is a little shy, he thought.
But it was understandable for a child so young to be reserved during their first meeting.
Feng Xuan Shang didn't say much more. He simply smiled and gestured to his attendant.
The attendant promptly brought over three small boxes.
Feng Xuan Shang took one of the boxes from the table and briefly examined it before handing it to Suisui. "This is a hastily prepared gift for our first meeting. I hope you won't mind its simplicity, little sister."
His gentle tone brought a sense of peace to those who heard it.
Suisui stood up and moved to stand beside her mother.
Hearing his voice, she stole a quick glance at Feng Xuan Shang.
Suisui's round eyes shone with curiosity, and perhaps a hint of wariness that she herself wasn't aware of. She looked like a cautious tanuki, cautious yet expecting something wonderful to happen.
He was so adorable!
Prince Feng Xuan Shang raised his hand and gently patted Suisui's head.
Seeing her gentle brother about to touch her, Suisui obediently went over and offered her little head.
During mealtimes, Suisui would take off her hat, and now her head was full of short, bristly hair that looked rather interesting.
Feng Xuan Shang hadn't expected Suisui to offer her head so willingly.
He just couldn't resist giving her a little pat; her cuteness had gotten the better of him.
The adorable little head was already within reach, and Feng Xuan Shang couldn't help himself. He reached out and gave it a gentle stroke.
The bristles had grown a little longer and were no longer prickly, feeling soft to the touch.
The soft fur, as he stroked it, felt like smooth, supple leather.
Feng Xuan Shang couldn't help but give another stroke, enjoying the sensation.
Prince Qi coughed lightly, bringing Feng Xuan Shang back to his senses.
Feng Xuan Shang smiled apologetically and handed the gifts to his younger brothers.
The boxes containing the gifts were a little heavy, and Suisui almost dropped hers at first.
She instinctively reached out to her aunt for support, but Feng Xuan Shang was closer and quickly lifted her up. "Don't be afraid," he said gently.
His gentle voice instantly soothed Suisui's momentary panic.
She stole a quick glance at the Third Prince, their eyes meeting briefly before she shyly looked away.
Seeing the little girl's shyness, Feng Xuan Shang slowed his speech even further.
After receiving their gifts, Feng Xuan Rui and Feng Xuan Bin smiled happily. "I bet Third Brother gave us medicine pouches," Feng Xuan Rui guessed, sniffing the peculiar scent. "I like them!"
Feng Xuan Shang didn't deny the guess and just smiled, gently patting his head. He then casually asked about his studies.
Feng Xuan Bin squeezed in beside his brother, grinning.
Feng Xuan Shang smiled and asked him a few questions before turning to speak with Prince Qi.
Although only sixteen years old, the Third Prince had an air of maturity about him.
Prince Qi wondered why he had left the palace on such a rainy day, and Feng Xuan Shang didn't hide the reason. "Mother is tending to her herbal garden in another palace compound. Some of the herbs are ready for harvesting, and she worries that the palace attendants won't do a good enough job. I had some free time, so I offered to help her with the harvest to put her at ease."
It was uncommon for consorts to leave the palace unless there was a special occasion.
However, with the Emperor's permission, they could visit the royal gardens and tend to their herbal gardens without the need for an official decree.
The weather, though, hadn't been very cooperative lately.
Feng Xuan Shang was concerned about his mother, so he volunteered to help.
Prince Qi nodded in understanding after hearing the explanation; it wasn't unusual for the Third Prince to be so considerate.
The Third Prince's mother was Consort Jing, who came from a family of court physicians.
Had she not entered the palace, she might have become a highly respected physician herself.
Consort Jing was favored by the Emperor, and in the royal gardens, she cultivated a variety of medicinal herbs.
With the Emperor's permission, she could discreetly leave the palace to tend to her garden and harvest the herbs.
Seeing that the rain showed no signs of letting up, Prince Qi advised, "Let's see how the weather is tomorrow before deciding whether to go. It's not safe to travel at night, especially in this rain, which makes the roads slippery and muddy."
Feng Xuan Shang had no intention of taking such a risk and respectfully agreed. "I will heed your advice, Uncle."
(End of Chapter)
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