Chapter 337: The Crown Prince Will Have Many Sons
Chapter 337: The Crown Prince Will Have Many Sons
It had been two years since the Crown Prince and his wife were married, but they had not yet been blessed with children.
None of his concubines had conceived either.
This was a concern for the Crown Prince.
Prince Qi was about to say something to steer the conversation in a different direction when the Crown Prince smiled and changed the subject himself.
After bidding farewell to the Crown Prince and his entourage, Prince Qi, along with his wife and children, set off for home.
Noticing that it was still early in the day, Prince Qi sighed softly, "If it were later, we could have picked up the two eldest on our way."
They had set off in the morning, and it was still before noon when they entered the city. The school day wasn't over yet.
So, the idea of picking up Feng Xuanze and the others was out of the question.
Prince Qi sighed, and then remained silent on the matter.
He had been unwell lately and hadn't held Su Su much.
Now, on their journey back, with his health much improved, he naturally held Su Su in his arms, gently drawing her close. "Father's good girl."
Su Su understood that her father's health hadn't been the best lately, and his mood might not be at its brightest either.
So, she obligingly let her father hold and cuddle her, her tiny hands gently caressing his ears.
Her adorable demeanor greatly improved Prince Qi's mood.
As the family chatted in the swaying carriage, they inadvertently touched upon the topic of the Crown Prince's desire for a daughter.
After listening intently, Su Su tilted her little head in thought before leaning close to her father's ear and whispering mysteriously, "Father, the Crown Prince will never have a daughter!"
As soon as these words left her mouth, Prince Qi broke out in a cold sweat.
Thank goodness, he thought, that she didn't say this in front of the Crown Prince.
Who knows what would have happened if she had!
Princess Qi's heart pounded with anxiety as well, and she, too, was grateful that Su Su had shared this within the confines of the carriage.
Even so, she shot a cautious glance at Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin, carefully instructing them that this was a private family matter and must not be repeated to anyone else.
The two boys, not fully understanding, looked around in confusion. "But the Crown Prince doesn't have a daughter anyway!" Feng Xuanbin exclaimed, bewildered.
Prince Qi: ...
While it was a fact, it was also quite heart-piercing.
For a crown prince who had been married for two years without any children, wasn't this like stabbing him right in the heart?
Prince Qi glared at Feng Xuanbin, silencing him, and then turned to Su Su to explain the situation.
Su Su, not comprehending the intricacies, had only shared her thoughts with her father privately, without letting others know.
She was no longer a baby!
She considered herself a little adult now, aware of what could be said in front of others and what ought to be kept private.
Su Su felt quite proud of her own cleverness!
Hearing her father mention her seventh brother, Su Su, still hugging his ear, asked innocently, "Seventh brother is right, the Crown Prince doesn't have a daughter, but he will have many sons, won't he?"
Prince Qi: ...
Oh dear!
This line of reasoning sounded oddly familiar...
On closer inspection...
Oh, it turned out the jester was himself!
Prince Qi let out a bitter laugh and quickly adjusted his mindset.
No worries!
While the Crown Prince might not have a daughter, he already had Su Su.
His precious little girl.
However, upon hearing that the Crown Prince would have sons in the future, Prince Qi felt relieved.
It would indeed be problematic if the heir apparent remained childless.
It would cause concern among the royal family about a lack of successors, potentially threatening the Crown Prince's position.
The Crown Prince himself was competent and capable, with a good character.
Prince Qi was quite satisfied with this nephew of his.
Moreover, as the firstborn son and the eldest, the Crown Prince's position was reasonable and justified.
Knowing that the Crown Prince would have heirs in the future, Prince Qi felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He refrained from further commenting on others' affairs, lest his words be misconstrued and spread in an unfavorable light.
It was the last day of May, and Feng Xuanze and his brothers would be returning to their manor that evening.
So, early in the morning, Princess Qi sent Haitang back to the manor to notify the staff to prepare for their return.
A sumptuous lunch was prepared to celebrate the Prince's return after being away for many days.
Unfortunately, there weren't many dishes he could eat.
Recently, due to his medication and the need to nourish his body, many types of meat had been prohibited by Doctor Liu.
At noon, while Su Su and her brothers indulged in delicious spareribs and mutton braised with scallions...
Prince Qi had to endure a bizarre-tasting medicinal porridge, feeling rather miserable.
And that wasn't the end of it; after the porridge, he still had to take more medicine.
Prince Qi: ?
Could life get any more bitter?
Su Su, seeing her father's discomfort, anxiously tried to help: "Father, father, let me blow on it for you. I'll get you some candied fruit. I'll help you..."
The little girl scurried about, her short legs bustling with activity.
Prince Qi's heart felt a mix of sourness and bitterness as he watched her.
Influenced by Su Su, Feng Xuanrui and Feng Xuanbin also bustled around, trying to be helpful.
Seeing the children fuss over him, Prince Qi's heart finally felt some comfort, and he became less averse to taking his medicine.
After the meal, the children played together.
Su Su and her brothers had been away from the manor for over half a month, so Feng Xuancang and the others naturally missed them.
Feng Xuancang and Feng Xuanjie had carved several small trinkets, which they specially presented to Su Su and Feng Xuanrui.
The children proudly held onto their new toys.
The small cart that they had played with before was also brought out, and the older brothers took turns pulling the younger ones, having a wonderful time.
They played until they were tired, then finally returned to their respective rooms to rest.
Prince Qi watched them for a long time. It was only after the children had retired that he turned to the Princess and said, "Regarding the tutoring matter, be extra attentive these next couple of days. Send someone to bring the tutor back to the manor to show our sincerity. That way, when the small banquet happens, we will have more of our own people around, which will make us look better."
He was worried that Su Su would feel awkward and lonely at the identity small banquet if she didn't know anyone and had no playmates. He wanted to ensure she felt comfortable and happy.
Prince Qi thought that with just a little effort on his part, he could bring joy to his children, and that was a good thing.
Princess Qi had already intended to do so, and now that the Prince had brought it up, she readily agreed with a smile.
At the Jinyang Marquis Manor, the atmosphere was not very pleasant.
Because of what had happened at the Assistant Minister of Revenue's banquet, the Emperor had severely reprimanded the Jinyang Marquis.
The Jinyang Marquis Manor's Madam was furious and took it out on her daughter-in-law, Lady Jinyang, by forbidding her from walking for a period. She also punished Xu Yuling by making her copy Buddhist scriptures and spend an hour kneeling in the Buddhist hall every day until she finished copying all the scriptures.
Xu Yuling was furious, but she dared not retort against her grandmother, so she could only grudgingly accept the punishment.
However, this did not dampen her bad temper. Every day after copying the scriptures, she took out her frustration on the concubines' daughters who had been sent back to the manor.
Xu Yuyao was young and lacked the protection of her birth mother, so she naturally became Xu Yuling's primary target.
This month, Xu Yuyao had endured countless hardships.
Xu Yuling wasn't very clever when it came to tormenting others; her methods were straightforward and involved physical punishments like hitting and slapping.
However, for a five-year-old child, this was already very harsh.
Xu Yuyao, now a young lady of the manor, was slapped in front of the servants, losing both face and dignity.
At this moment, she truly hated Xu Yuling!
(End of Chapter)
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