Before Emperor Qianlong's birthday, everyone was busy with hunting competitions and preparing gifts for him. The day after Ziwei's birthday, Xiaoyanzi asked Yongqi what gift he was going to give Emperor Qianlong this year.

"I painted a picture for Father Emperor, a vast landscape painting..."

Little Swallow was shocked. "What? How long will it take you to finish this painting?"

Yongqi smiled slightly and said, "As long as the painting makes Father Emperor happy, it's worth it no matter how long it takes!"

He marked all sorts of details, including rivers, lakes, land routes, and waterways, on it. After seeing the finished product, Xiao Yanzi was very impressed with Yongqi. "Yongqi, I bet your gift this year will be the one the Emperor will like the most!"

Others wouldn't have thought of it, nor would they have spent the time to draw it, fearing they would be misunderstood as having designs on Qianlong's position. But Yongqi was different. Not only did Qianlong have high hopes for Yongqi, but Yongqi also truly had the ability. So when he drew such a magnificent landscape painting, Qianlong would only be happy and laugh, not angry or dissatisfied!

Just as they had expected, everyone else's gifts paled in comparison to Yongqi's magnificent landscape painting. Yongqi received a large reward for this, and in high spirits, he wanted to make mooncakes with Xiaoyanzi again. "Xiaoyanzi, the Mid-Autumn Festival is in a couple of days. Why don't we make mooncakes together?"

"Then you're the one who's mainly making mooncakes, I'll just be your assistant at most!" She hadn't studied it systematically, so she didn't know how. She could help Yongqi out, but when Xia Ziwei and Qing'er found out that Yongyan was going to make mooncakes, they naturally came over to help as well.

Emperor Qianlong held a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. In the evening, everyone sat outside. Qianlong looked up at the moon and said, "The moon is really round this year. It just so happens that Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei have returned, which perfectly fulfills the meaning of reunion."

The Empress smiled and looked at the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, these mooncakes in front of you were all made by Xiao Yanzi and Qing'er. You must try them."

After taking a bite, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I already knew about their cooking skills; they are indeed excellent. Little Swallow, Qing'er, you've both worked hard."

Standing beside the Empress Dowager, Qing'er smiled and said, "If the Empress Dowager enjoys the food, then our efforts haven't been in vain!"

All the concubines ate the mooncakes made by everyone and praised them highly, once again winning over the hearts of the people. Qing'er thought to herself, "Now Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi's reputation is growing, I'm afraid the time for Yongqi to ascend the throne is not far off..."

About a month later, two days before they were to retreat to the Summer Palace, on the tenth day of the ninth lunar month, Yongqi and his team finished their competition. "Xiao Luzi, you announce everyone's results."

"Fifth Prince and Princess Feiyan had a total of 300 prey, General Xiao and Princess Qing had a total of 289 prey..." Xiao Luzi announced the results one by one. The last place was Fu Erkang and Xia Ziwei, who only had 99 prey...

Fu Ertai looked at Fu Erkang smugly, "Brother, I'm sorry, you're too kind."

Fu Erkang retorted, "You only have one more than us, what are you so smug about?"

"Even if we get one more, we still win against you, and you'll have to pay up!"

Xia Ziwei looked at Fu Erkang with some guilt, "I'm sorry, I dragged you down." If it weren't for her accidental injury, they wouldn't have lost the game.

Fu Erkang quickly said, "You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault. Besides, there are winners and losers in any competition. It's not a big deal! But how's your injury?"

"After using Xiaoyanzi's medicine, I'm all better now, and there's nothing to worry about."

"That's good, it's good that you're alright!"

"Benjamin, let's go. This isn't a place for us." Voltaire's smugness was short-lived, quickly shattered by his brother's display of affection. "Benjamin, when do you think our true love will finally appear?"

Benjamin shook his head. "I don't know either. We can only wait and see."

Emperor Qianlong looked at Yongqi and the others below the stage and said, "Since Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi have won, you should pay according to the rules set before the competition. No cheating is allowed. What I promised you before, you will also receive..."

The competition was over, and they could finally relax. Little Swallow suggested, "Tomorrow is free time, how about we go to Seven Star Lake for some fun?"

No one objected. The next morning, after greeting Emperor Qianlong, they rode off to Seven Star Lake.

"Let's have a race and see who gets to Qixing Lake first!"

Qing'er smiled helplessly, "Little Swallow, we're here to relax today, why are you having a competition?"

"There are no rewards or punishments in today's competition; it's just a competition..."

Xiao Jian added, "Since there's no punishment or reward, I'll just go at my normal speed."

The others were unwilling to speed up, so only Yongqi was willing to cooperate with Xiaoyanzi. Xiaoyanzi smiled and said, "In that case, Yongqi and I will go ahead first. See you later."

"Little Swallow, wait for me!" Yongqi and Little Swallow walked side by side. Xia Ziwei and Qing'er watched their departing figures with great envy. They envied that they had enough strength to stand by each other's side; they envied that they had obtained the approval of their elders and settled their relationship early on; they envied that even after being separated for several years, they still thought of each other. In their hearts, Little Swallow and Xia Ziwei were filled with envy and wished them well, hoping that they could both get what they wanted!

Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi went ahead. After arriving at Qixing Lake, they dismounted, tied their horses up, and strolled around the area. "Xiaoyanzi..."

Yongqi suddenly called her name, and Xiaoyanzi asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to call your name..."

"What? You've been holding back for too long while I'm not around, and you don't even dare to mention my name?"

Yongqi sighed, "I'm afraid if I overthink things, I won't be able to control myself and will come looking for you. If that happens, you'll get angry and won't want me anymore..."

"How could you be so foolish? How many lifetimes of good fortune must I have accumulated to meet such a fool like you? How could I bear to leave you?" Xiao Yanzi said, reaching out to hug Yongqi, leaning against him, enjoying the breeze. "Yongqi, I want you to always remember that as long as you don't leave me, I will never abandon you!"

In other words, if Yongqi breaks his vow first, she will not be lenient with him!

"Little Swallow, knowing you and being able to fall in love with you is my greatest happiness. As long as you let me stay by your side, I will be content!"

Now that you mention it, I really do feel it's a pity. In the Qing Dynasty, men were the rulers. I wish I could be the emperor someday!

"If you really want to be emperor, then I can..."

Before Yongqi could finish speaking, Xiaoyanzi interrupted him, "Silly Yongqi, if you really do this, how will you face your ancestors after you pass away? If I really want to be emperor, I will create my own country, and I will name it Xiao Kingdom. The status of men and women will be reversed, with women serving as officials and rulers, and going to the battlefield to fight..."

Just thinking about it makes Xiao Yanzi feel that kind of life is wonderful, but whether it will ever come true in her lifetime, she doesn't know...