Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 816: Chapter 816: Prince Qing Visits
 

Once there were no other people in the room, a small but dexterous carp sprang up from the bed with agility resembling that of a cat. Silently, it hid by the window, peeking through the slightly shaking lily-flower window pattern at the scene outside.

Muffled, fragmentary voices drifted in from outside, unclear. The lanterns under the eaves flickered gently in the wind, casting a dim glow.

The little figure pursed its lips, the corners of its mouth curving slightly upward as it looked up above its head. Then, with a leap, it grabbed onto a horizontal beam.

But while climbing up, it almost slipped and fell, scaring itself tremendously!

“Rabbit!”

He couldn’t help but curse softly.

It was all because this body was too young and frail, making even something as simple as flipping over a beam difficult to accomplish.

After adjusting his posture, he swiftly tied a slipknot with a thin rope around the horizontal beam, set up a small mechanism, and then glided lightly down to the ground. He resolved in his heart that once things settled down at home, he must learn the martial arts of this world, so as not to fall behind.

In another part of the house, Liu Sisi was also carefully inspecting her surroundings. The children were too young to protect themselves, and with Di Yelei living in the house, she didn’t believe that those “thieves” had no fear. After all, the civilians outside referred to Di Yelei as the “Bloodthirsty Demon General Hell King Di.”

“Madam, the slaves are guarding the outside room, and Da Niu and the others are also vigilant in the courtyard. If that thief dares to come, he will surely not return. Please rest assured and get some sleep. Otherwise, your health will fail before we capture the thief.”

Liu Sisi did not reject Ms. Gao’s suggestion and nodded, “That sounds good. I’ll take a nap first, and if anything happens, wake me immediately.”

At the moment, the courtyard was still bustling with activity, so even a foolish thief would know to stay hidden.

Having said this, she took off her shoes and lay down in her clothes. It seemed as though she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, but feeling someone’s presence at her side, she suddenly woke up.

“Why are you up? It’s getting late, go back to sleep.”

“Old Master Marquis… Ye Lei, is everything alright outside?”

Liu Sisi was still worried.

“All’s well. Tonight, Zuo Xingyu and two Shadow Guards are on duty. Sleep without worry,” Di Yelei said, wrapping his arms around Liu Sisi as they lay down.

The four Shadow Guards who were originally bestowed to Liu Sisi by His Majesty had reported back to the palace but were then assigned to serve by her side.

“Hmm, it’s getting late; you should sleep too. The early morning session will start soon,” she murmured.

Finding a comfortable spot in his embrace, Liu Sisi drifted back into deep sleep.

When she woke up again, the sky outside was already dawning, and the sounds of Niuniu and Chou Chou quarreling faintly reached her.

“This is mine! You always fight over things with me! Little Bit, come judge who’s right…”

“Nonsense! This is clearly mine…” Chou Chou’s muffled voice could be heard.

Shortly after, the voice of the little mediator sounded, “Stop fighting, Mom and the children are resting inside…”

Then, all was quiet outside.

Liu Sisi got up, tidied herself, and left the inner chamber. Indeed, all the children were there, including Little Ying and Xiao Feng, who was looking after Di Qiu. Seeing Liu Sisi emerge, they all quickly stood up.

“Mom, you’re awake.”

“Sit down and eat, or it’ll get cold and won’t taste good,” she said.

Everyone was indulging in dessert. Previously, breakfast was something each person took care of in their own room, but today, with the triplets having moved here, naturally, they ate breakfast together in this part of the house.

Liu Sisi chuckled softly towards Xiao Feng, “Why didn’t you wake me up when you came?”

“I deliberately didn’t let them disturb your sleep, since you could use a while more rest. Besides, we had nothing pressing,” Xiao Feng said with a smile, gently stroking Di Qiu in her arms.

Little Ying beside her also smiled, “The younger brothers and sisters are so cute.”

It would be better to say mischievous than cute.

“Princess, the two imperial nannies from the palace have arrived,” Ms. Gao reported quietly as she entered the room.

It was time for etiquette lessons again.

“Understood, ask the nannies to have some tea in the hall. I will be there shortly,” Liu Sisi responded.

Not many days left until the sacrifice to heaven! How Liu Sisi wished these days filled with trepidation could end sooner! She pondered internally whether she should also hire educating nannies for the children, lest they knew nothing when the time came.

In the following days, Liu Sisi didn’t go out at all, devoting her time to studying etiquette with the educating nannies in the courtyard. She also specifically asked for a nanny to be brought over from Prince Luo’s Mansion to teach the children.

Today, Liu Sisi finally managed to steal a moment to rest when Ms. Gao came in, somewhat flustered, to report: “Princess, Prince Qing has arrived.”

Prince Qing was His Majesty’s seventeenth son, born of Princess Consort Virtue, and Liu Sisi had met him before. He was the youngest among the four princes who still remained in the capital city.

Liu Sisi felt a moment of confusion, “Is Prince Qing here to see me or to meet Old Master Marquis?”

“Prince Qing specifically asked to see you,” Ms. Gao replied.

“Have Da Niu lead him to the hall for tea, and I will join him shortly after changing my clothes and washing up.”

It truly seemed that he was here to see her. Liu Sisi’s thoughts raced as she changed into new clothes and combed her hair before meeting him.

Prince Qing appeared much younger than she had anticipated, seeming younger than her by a few years, perhaps around twenty. Dressed in dark blue etamine, he sat upright and dignified in the hall’s chair, sipping tea methodically, without revealing any other intentions. Only when he saw Liu Sisi enter did he stand up from his chair.

“Ruyu pays her respects to Prince Qing,” she greeted.

“Rise quickly, Princess Sister! We are siblings after all. Why should Ruyu be so formal?” he said.

Before Liu Sisi could fully kneel, Prince Qing swiftly reached out a hand and graciously helped her up.

“It so happens we were born in the same year, though in different months. We are siblings of the same age. Even my Concubine Princess Mother often speaks of Princess Consort Hui’s natural beauty and breathtaking charm…”

Princess Consort Hui? This was the first time Liu Sisi had heard of her.

Liu Sisi’s eyes shifted, and after dismissing the attendants, she smiled warmly at Prince Qing.

“Your Highness Prince Qing, this Princess Consort Hui… ”

“Oh! Look at my memory.”

Prince Qing smiled sheepishly, looking somewhat embarrassed, then also dismissed his attendants, his deme&;anor polite and respectful.

“Princess Consort Hui was your Concubine Princess Mother. Once, Father Emperor took her to the Imperial Enlightenment Temple, but they were ambushed on the way. The surprise attack took your mother’s life, and your whereabouts were unknown. Father Emperor searched nearly every hill top nearby Imperial Enlightenment Temple, looking for you for a full year before he finally gave up…”

So Princess Consort Hui was Lin Xiner, her birth mother’s title?

Liu Sisi had heard two different accounts about the so-called ambush in the past, and now she was presented with a third version, stirring immense curiosity within her.