Chapter 433: Chatting Like Old Times
Chapter 433: Chatting Like Old Times
At this moment, Duke Ling looked at Suixui, whose eyes had turned red, and his heart ached as he gently patted her head. Looking at the child who had grown into a young lady before his eyes, Duke Ling's heart felt both sour and soft.
In the blink of an eye, the child had grown up so much.
When she was younger, Duke Ling had thought that if anyone dared to set their sights on his precious daughter, he would definitely chop them to pieces.
Upon discovering that it was Lu Yinxiao, Duke Ling was unhappy for a while and even had a falling out with Elder Lu for some time.
It was only after Suixui coaxed him that Duke Ling gradually accepted the situation.
Today, he returned to the manor a bit later than usual, guessing that Lu Yinxiao had already left.
Even so, Duke Ling still felt displeased.
His vivacious daughter had indeed fallen for Lu Yinxiao.
However, thinking about how Lu Yinxiao had given up his scholarly path and pursued her all the way to the Northwest Frontier Pass, Duke Ling couldn't deny the sincerity of his intentions.
Moreover, Lu Yinxiao had also promised him and Prince Qing in person that he would only have Suixui in this life and no one else.
Whether it was taking concubines or having concubines, he had never thought about it and would never do so.
Although it was said that men's words could be deceiving, he was at least willing to express his sincerity, and Duke Ling reluctantly believed Lu Yinxiao.
Looking at Suixui, who had become even more vibrant, Duke Ling's heart ached, "My precious, why have you lost weight again?"
When Suixui first went to the Northwest Frontier, Duke Ling had assumed it would only be temporary, and she would return soon.
But year after year passed.
As an aging father, his heart was in knots, fearing that Suixui would also suffer from the harsh climate there and end up like Wen Shi, who had a tough time when she first arrived in the capital.
Fortunately, the heavens still favored this beloved daughter of his. Suixui did not get tanned, her skin did not become rough, and her overall condition improved. She remained as vibrant as ever.
On the contrary, Lu Yinxiao...
Well, he looked a lot rougher.
However, Duke Ling didn't feel sorry for him.
As a man, what's wrong with being a little rough?
Suixui looked at her father, who appeared slightly aged, and her heart ached with bitterness.
Nevertheless, she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she gently asked if his legs had been bothering him lately.
"After autumn arrives and the weather turns cooler, you must pay attention to keeping warm. If you don't, you'll suffer later."
"Did you use the medicinal plaster I sent? How effective was it?"
...
Suixui asked many questions, worried.
Duke Ling enjoyed this care from his youngest daughter and nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, I've been using it all the time. Sui Si keeps a close eye on it, even more attentive than to his own legs."
Of course, Sui Si was always attentive.
The year after Suixui left the capital, Sui Si got married.
After a few years of marriage, they still had no children, so he quietly asked Suixui, "Young Duchess, do you think I'll have a child of my own in this lifetime?"
Hearing his words, Suixui burst into laughter and then assured him, "Don't worry, Uncle Sui, you will."
The following year, Sui Si had a pair of chubby boys, and two years later, they welcomed a little girl. And now...
His wife was pregnant again at the beginning of the year, and she was about to give birth.
Because of this, Sui Si was extremely grateful to Suixui. If he weren't still alive, he would have burned incense for her every morning and night.
It was no secret that Suixui was blessed with good fortune.
Such matters were not easy to hide.
However, no one would openly talk about it.
Moreover, Suixui always had people protecting her.
Furthermore, seeking good fortune and blessings isn't as simple as Suixui's words.
It's not that Suixui's agreement alone guarantees success.
There are many factors to consider.
This is something they don't hide, but no one explicitly points it out, leaving it to the intelligence of the listeners to understand.
Sui Si clearly understood this and then asked with his own interests in mind.
Perhaps it's because he has been closely following Duke Ling these years, genuinely caring about the matter.
Consequently, he believed that his thoughts would come to fruition.
In any case, Sui Si now talks about the princess all the time—what the princess said, arranged, sent back, or spoke about—and he feels he must heed her words.
Duke Ling thought...
His words to Sui Si might not be as effective as Suixui's.
However, Duke Ling found joy in this.
His precious daughter and son were happily chatting away for half the day.
By evening, the brothers had gradually returned to the manor.
The eldest brother, Feng Xuanze, had entered the Ministry of Rites, and although his rank wasn't high, his status was noble. With his abilities, he need not worry about lacking prospects in the future.
The second brother was far away on the Southwest Battlefield, and it would be good enough if he could return home during the New Year.
However, the situation in the southwest was uncertain, with small kingdoms stirring up trouble, and the circumstances were still unknown.
This was why Prince Xing did not return to the capital with them.
If there were any disturbances on the Southwest Frontier Pass, the Northwest Frontier Pass would need to be guarded more closely, or they might face problems from both fronts.
The third brother, Feng Xuan Cang, served in the Ministry of Works and was still a low-ranking official. However, due to his exceptional skills, he was highly valued by his superiors.
Moreover, as a prince of the manor, his status was evident, and his superiors had to give him some face.
The fourth brother, Feng Xuan Jie, had a gentle temperament and was younger, and he wasn't very skilled in social interactions and entertaining guests.
Therefore, he currently assisted in managing the manor's estates and often went to the fields to research.
In others' eyes, as a prince of the manor, his research seemed unpromising.
Nevertheless, Feng Xuan Jie enjoyed it, and his wife supported him, so others couldn't say much.
Furthermore, even if he became a farmer, he would still be a prince of the manor, and his noble status wouldn't be affected by his occupation.
As long as the Duke Ling Manor thrived, these people in the capital wouldn't dare to criticize him openly; at most, they would gossip behind his back.
The fifth brother, Feng Xuan Bo, wasn't even at the manor.
Suixui recalled the letter she received from Feng Xuan Bo three months ago, where he mentioned being in the southeast and encountering various delicacies and rare items. He even sent her seeds and saplings.
Due to the hot weather and long journey, the saplings had died from the heat, and although the seeds remained, it wasn't the right time to plant them yet.
With the arrival of autumn and cooler weather, the sun's rays weren't sufficient for planting in the northwest or the capital.
Suixui's thoughts stirred, and she considered trying in Jiangnan.
However, thinking of Feng Xuan Bo, Suixui casually asked, "Has Fifth Brother sent any recent letters?"
Upon hearing Suixui mention Feng Xuan Bo, Duke Ling's face darkened.
Seeing her father's reaction, Suixui knew there hadn't been any news from Feng Xuan Bo.
Duke Ling's wife, standing by his side, sighed helplessly, "Little Fifth hasn't written home for half a year now."
As she spoke, the Duchess sighed lightly and glanced towards the backyard.
Because of Feng Xuan Bo's situation, Ren Cefei, the concubine, hadn't been as vibrant and flamboyant in recent years as she was before.
Second Watch
(End of Chapter)
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