Free Web NovelChapter 364: Chapter 365: Sisterly Bond
Although Li Hao was impulsive and quick to anger, he was quite respectful of his mother.
In his eyes, anyone in the world might harm him, but his mother never would.
Since his mother had said so, there must be a reason.
Li Hao agreed at once.
"I understand. As soon as I get back, I’ll have someone throw that out-of-town merchant out."
Xianfei relaxed and then brought up another matter.
"You’re not young anymore. It’s time for you to marry and settle down. Your Father, the Emperor, has the same intention.
I’ve been looking for a suitable young lady for you recently. You should also keep an eye out yourself.
If you meet a girl you like, remember to come and tell me about her."
Li Hao had always been nonchalant. Even when discussing something as important as his own marriage, he wasn’t the least bit awkward. He said with a smile,
"For things like this, I’ll leave it to you, Mother. I trust your judgment."
Xianfei said helplessly, "This is about the rest of your life. How can you leave it to me? Your own wishes are what’s most important."
Li Hao said without hesitation,
"Your wish is my wish, Mother. Anyone you choose will certainly be the best."
Xianfei knew in her heart, ’My son simply hasn’t had his romantic awakening yet.’
She sighed lightly. "When I find a suitable young lady, I’ll have her portrait sent to you. You need to pay more attention yourself. Read more books in your spare time and stop thinking only of fighting and killing."
The mere mention of reading gave Li Hao a headache.
He quickly found an excuse and beat a hasty retreat.
Watching the Second Prince leave, the nanny standing by her side offered a flattering smile.
"The Second Prince and Lady Xianfei share such a wonderful bond."
Xianfei smiled faintly, her demeanor gentle and serene.
Inside, however, she was deeply worried.
She knew Hao’er’s personality all too well. The boy had courage in abundance but was lacking in strategy.
If he had been born into a common family, he would have undoubtedly been excellent material for a military general.
But he had the misfortune of being born into the imperial family.
Several brothers were locked in a life-or-death struggle for the position of Crown Prince.
The Eldest Imperial Son and the Crown Prince had fallen one after another, and the Fifth Prince had been crippled.
Next, it would be the Second Prince’s and the Fourth Prince’s turn.
Before, when they were in the Imperial Palace, Xianfei could still find ways to protect Hao’er. But now that he had moved out, her power to help him was limited, even if she wanted to.
All she hoped for now was that Hao’er would cause as little trouble as possible, keep a low profile, and protect himself. She prayed he wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of his three other brothers.
...
After several rounds of congratulations, Hua Qingqing finally found an opportunity to approach Hua Manman, holding her baby.
When Hua Manman saw the adorable baby, she was quite fond of him in her heart, but on the surface, she feigned a look of disdain.
"So this is the Seventh Prince. He’s passable, I guess."
Hua Qingqing said with a smile, "This is your first time seeing Qiong’er, isn’t it? Do you want to hold him?"
Hua Manman was a little tempted, but she answered awkwardly,
"I don’t like holding babies."
Hua Qingqing placed the baby in her younger sister’s arms.
Afraid the baby would fall, Hua Manman quickly tightened her hold.
The little one was wrapped in swaddling clothes, dressed in a cute little red outfit. A small red dot had been painted between his brows, which further accentuated his fair, tender skin and lively eyes.
He stared at Hua Manman without blinking, his eyes like black grapes.
Hua Qingqing introduced from the side, "This is your auntie. Quick, call her Auntie." freewёbnoνel.com
Of course, the baby couldn’t say anything. He just waved his chubby little hands, looking quite excited.
Hua Manman suddenly remembered Prince Zhao’s identity.
’If Prince Zhao really is the Emperor’s illegitimate son, then Li Qiong is his biological brother. That would make me Li Qiong’s sister-in-law, putting us on the same generational level.
But if they went by the family relations on Hua Qingqing’s side, she would be Li Qiong’s maternal aunt—his elder.’
Hua Manman sighed from the bottom of her heart.
’These family relations are a real mess!’
She turned her head to look at Si Yun, who was standing behind her.
"Bring it out."
Si Yun presented a beautiful and exquisite brocade box with both hands.
Inside the opened box lay a longevity lock made of gold.
Hua Qingqing said with a smile, "What a beautiful longevity lock. You’ve spent too much."
Hua Manman huffed softly. "I just happened to see it while I was out shopping and bought it on a whim. It didn’t cost much, so don’t talk about spending too much."
Hua Qingqing reached out, took the longevity lock, and put it on the Seventh Prince.
She gently flicked the longevity lock with her finger.
The longevity lock made a crisp, clear sound.
The Seventh Prince’s attention was immediately captured by the sound, and he began to grab at the longevity lock hanging on his chest with his chubby little hands.
Fearing her younger sister would get tired from holding him for too long, Hua Qingqing had the wet nurse take the Seventh Prince aside.
Hua Manman noticed that Hua Qingqing looked much thinner than before. But because she was so beautiful, her weight loss only made her appear more slender, delicate, and pitiably lovely.
Hua Qingqing said softly, free𝑤ebnovel.com
"Ever since I learned you were kidnapped, I haven’t been able to eat or sleep. I was so afraid something terrible would happen to you. Thank heavens you’ve returned safely."
"My business is none of your concern. You just need to take care of yourself."
Hua Manman paused, then added in a low voice,
"Look how skinny you’ve become. It’s ugly."
Hua Qingqing smiled gently.
"It’s fine. I’ll be back to normal after a while."
Hua Manman hesitated for a moment before finally asking awkwardly,
"I heard you went into premature labor because of me. Is that true?"
Hua Qingqing was very surprised. "Who told you that? Nothing of the sort happened."
Of course, Hua Manman wasn’t going to say it was Prince Zhao.
She huffed. "It’s for the best if it’s not true. Saves me from getting blamed by you."
Li Ji peeled a shrimp and placed the meat into Manman’s bowl.
Hua Manman’s attention was immediately drawn to the shrimp.
She picked up the shrimp with her chopsticks and ate it with relish.
Li Ji asked, "Want more?"
Hua Manman nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes!"
She loved eating shrimp, but she hated peeling them.
Now that she had someone willing to peel them for her, she naturally had to eat her fill.
So, Li Ji quickly placed a second peeled shrimp into Manman’s bowl.
Watching the young couple’s interaction, Hua Qingqing smiled faintly.
"Enjoy your meal. I’ll be going now. We can talk again when we have time."
With her mouth full of shrimp, Hua Manman mumbled, "Take care, I won’t see you out."
Xi Xiang followed behind Hua Qingqing and asked in a low voice,
"Zhaorong, why didn’t you tell Princess Consort Zhao the truth?
It was clearly because you were worried for the Princess Consort Zhao’s safety. In your burning anxiety, your pregnancy was disturbed, leading to the premature birth..."
Hua Qingqing cut her off. "Those things are in the past. There’s no need to bring them up just to gain sympathy."
’In fact, it wasn’t just that.
The premature birth had taken a toll on her body. Even though she tried her best to recuperate afterward, the Imperial Physician still said it would be very difficult for her to conceive again.
She hadn’t mentioned this to anyone.’
Xi Xiang sighed. "If you don’t say anything, how can you ever mend your relationship with Princess Consort Zhao?"
But Hua Qingqing was certain.
"Even if I say nothing, it won’t affect our sisterly bond."
