Chapter 72: Rice Milk and Red Date Porridge
Chapter 72: Rice Milk and Red Date Porridge
As Queen Qian listened to Feng Xuanrui's account of recent events, Sui Sui had already gone with him to wash up under Aunt Qiu's care.
Previously, Doctor Liu had been permissive, allowing the siblings to bathe together, separated only by a screen.
But Aunt Qiu would not permit such a thing.
When she heard Feng Xuanrui suggest that they bathe together, separated by a screen, Aunt Qiu shook her head with a smile: "That won't do. It wouldn't be proper for Sui Sui's reputation. In the past, it was due to the crude conditions outside, but now that you're back, you must bathe separately."
Hearing that it would reflect poorly on his sister, Feng Xuanrui reluctantly followed Qing Shanqing Shui to another bathing room.
Aunt Qiu, accompanied by two maids, helped Sui Sui wash up.
Aunt Qiu had already guessed that Sui Sui was likely a pitiful child.
However, when she actually saw her undress, Aunt Qiu was still shocked.
Her gaze involuntarily revealed pity and tenderness.
Seeing the scars on Sui Sui's body, Aunt Qiu waved her hand to signal the two attending maids, and she took over, her movements naturally becoming much gentler.
Sui Sui had many old scars, and Aunt Qiu thought: Such a young child, and yet so many wounds? What kind of people are this family...
Do they have no heart?
Aunt Qiu used bath beans to gently and carefully scrub Sui Sui clean.
The fragrant scent was familiar, and Sui Sui sniffed quietly.
It was the same scent as the beautiful auntie she had met earlier.
A very sweet fragrance, one that she...
liked very much.
Because of this, while helping Sui Sui dress, Aunt Qiu secretly lowered her head to smell her several times.
There were no suitably aged girls in the mansion, so there were also no suitable clothes to borrow. As a result, Sui Sui still wore the ready-made clothes she had brought back previously.
Aunt Qiu was not satisfied with the clothes. She felt that the fabric was not soft enough, the style was not new enough, and everything about them was inadequate.
For a child with so many wounds, only the softest silk or fine cotton would do.
As Aunt Qiu helped Sui Sui dress, she pondered: I wonder what the master's intentions are.
If all else fails, I'll take care of her. What's wrong with me taking care of her?
This poor child, if she's sent away again, I dare not imagine how Sui Sui will grow up.
Sui Sui obediently allowed Aunt Qiu to dress her, and after she was done, she even remembered to say, "Thank you, Aunt."
Such an obedient, sensible, and polite child.
Hearing this "thank you," Aunt Qiu's heart felt both sour and soft.
She raised her hand and lovingly patted Sui Sui's head: "Good child, are you hungry?"
Before the bath, Aunt Qiu had already ordered someone to prepare rice milk and red date porridge.
Fearing that it would interfere with the evening meal, Aunt Qiu only prepared a drink for the two children to have a little something to fill their stomachs.
Sui Sui had eaten a mediocre lunch, and by now, she was a little hungry.
However, she wasn't familiar with Aunt Qiu, and her brother wasn't by her side, so she dared not speak up. She simply shook her head gently and said in a soft voice, "I'm not hungry."
Aunt Qiu could tell with a touch that the little child's stomach was empty.
Seeing that Sui Sui didn't dare to speak, Aunt Qiu shook her head helplessly: "Sui Sui, you must tell the truth. Lying is not what a good child does."
Mustn't lie?
These words made Sui Sui a little flustered, and she shook her head: "I'm not lying!"
After saying this, she curled her toes and added in a softer voice, "I'm a little hungry."
Seeing Sui Sui's timid appearance, Aunt Qiu's heart felt sour once more.
She gently patted Sui Sui's head, then got up and took the little child's hand to lead her out: "Aunt will take you to have some rice milk."
"
Milk?
Sui Sui had only drunk milk once before. It was when they were at the post house, and her brother had asked Qing Shan to bring some back.
At that time, they had some pastries, as well as milk.
Her brother had said that the milk hadn't been handled properly and had a gamey smell.
He had also mentioned that once they returned to the capital, they must try the milk prepared by the kitchen's cooks. It was processed differently, sometimes simmered with red dates or fruits, making it delicious.
After drinking it that time, Sui Sui had developed a stomachache and a fever.
Ever since then, she hadn't drunk any milk.
Now, hearing Aunt Qiu mention it, Sui Sui was curious, wanting to ask but daring not to.
By this time, Feng Xuanrui had finished washing up and tidying himself. He even put on the jade pendant and necklace that he hadn't dared to wear openly on their journey.
He now had a forehead band with a shining purple jade ornament, exuding nobility and splendor.
When Sui Sui laid eyes on him, she couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Big brother, you look so handsome!"
Feng Xuanrui presented two entirely different images: the ordinary noble young master when they were on the road and the richer, more luxurious version now that they were back in the capital.
A rich and noble young master!
Hearing his sister praise him, Feng Xuanrui's steps turned proud and his little belly puffed up. He proudly raised his chin: "Not bad, not bad at all!"
Seeing Sui Sui still wearing the ready-made clothes from before, Feng Xuanrui frowned in disapproval: "Later, I'll ask Mother to send someone to take your measurements and tailor some new clothes for you. Then, you'll also look beautiful and noble, alright?"
Sui Sui dared not imagine herself dressed in such finery.
Hearing her brother suggest it, she couldn't help but look forward to it, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. They shone even brighter than the exquisite jade ornaments on Feng Xuanrui, "Yes, I'll listen to Big Brother!"
Her obedient and adorable demeanor made one really want to ruffle her hair and pinch her cheeks.
Aunt Qiu watched from the sidelines. She saw how Feng Xuanrui was treating Sui Sui like a cute little kitten, and although she intended to correct him, she hesitated several times. Seeing how Sui Sui was enjoying the attention and responding adorably, she ultimately dropped the idea.
Oh well, let her be. She didn't need to be the bad guy here.
Now that she had seen her brother, Sui Sui finally felt reassured.
Looking at the luxurious manor, she no longer felt as intimidated.
She still thought about her clay pot, though.
After all, Lele had said that if they took good care of it and eventually transplanted it outdoors, they might be in for a pleasant surprise come summertime.
When Lele mentioned a surprise, there would surely be one, right? Sui Sui wasn't sure, but she had just been introduced to the joys of gardening, and now she was curious and eager to learn more.
So, as they walked, she didn't forget to ask Feng Xuanrui: "Big Brother, what about our flowers? Do they need watering? Why aren't they sprouting? Is it because it's too cold?"
Sui Sui had many questions, but Feng Xuanrui answered patiently without a hint of irritation.
Regarding matters he didn't know, he turned to Aunt Qiu for guidance: "What should we do, Aunt Qiu?"
"What about that?"
"Is it cold? Should we make a fire for it?"
......
Aunt Qiu listened attentively, providing patient answers to the children's queries.
When she didn't know something, she would honestly say that she would ask others and get back to them.
Sui Sui listened intently to Aunt Qiu's responses, doing her best to commit the answers to memory.
Right in the middle of their conversation, the sound of pattering footsteps drew near, accompanied by a young child's loud shout: "Sixth Brother!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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