Little Swallow had never been treated like this before. She immediately shouted, "Don't you recognize me? Get out of my way, I'm here to see Yongqi!" Little Swallow started chattering away at the entrance of Yonghe Palace.
The two guards at the door exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of annoyance in each other's eyes. They were also relieved that the Fifth Prince had stopped associating with such vulgar people.
"You cannot be allowed in without Consort Yu's permission," one of the guards said sternly.
Little Swallow was genuinely annoyed and blurted out, "Why can't I come to Yonghe Palace now, when I could come whenever I wanted before?"
Guard: Why can't you come? Don't you have any self-awareness? I've really seen something new.
The two guards remained unmoved, steadfastly holding their posts, their expressions identically cold and rigid.
Little Swallow was at a loss; after all, she couldn't just force her way into Yonghe Palace. She was no longer Princess Huanzhu; she was just a lowly palace maid, and no one respected her anymore. Little Swallow wasn't unaware of this.
Xiao Yanzi hesitated at the entrance of Yonghe Palace. She had imagined that Yongqi would greet her as before and speak well of Ziwei and Erkang to the Emperor—after all, they were good friends, weren't they? But now Yongqi was inside Yonghe Palace, and she couldn't even enter. This brought Xiao Yanzi to her senses.
Unfortunately, the commotion at the entrance was so loud that it attracted the attention of Lan Shui, the maidservant who served Xin Rong. When she saw that it was a maidservant she didn't recognize, she didn't pay much attention. When she heard the guard mention "Little Swallow," Lan Shui felt that the name sounded familiar.
However, he didn't think much of it and rushed back, fearing that the princess might need him.
Just then, Xinrong and Yongqi stopped and were leisurely drinking tea. "Lanshui, did you see the commotion clearly? Who's shouting at the gate?" Xinrong looked at Lanshui with a smile. Xinrong and Yongqi had noticed Lanshui walking towards the palace gate long ago.
They didn't make as much noise as the commotion at the entrance of Ercong. Not only did Lan Shui notice it, but Xin Rong had also noticed it long ago, not to mention Yong Qi, who was skilled in martial arts.
However, they really didn't want to deal with those rights and wrongs, so they didn't stop Lan Shui from going to watch the excitement.
"This servant doesn't know either. I only saw a palace maid standing at the entrance of Yonghe Palace shouting and being disrespectful to the Fifth Prince, only calling him by his name." Lan Shui respectfully described what had just happened.
Xinrong thought that the palace maid must have eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard to dare to call a prince by his name. "Did you find out what that palace maid's name was just now?"
Lan Shui scratched her head. "I think her name is something like Little Swallow. I feel like the name sounds familiar, but I've never seen her before. Something seems off."
Xinrong silently murmured the name Xiaoyanzi, thinking to herself, "Isn't this the adopted daughter that the Emperor mistakenly recognized, as my father said?"
When Yongqi heard Xiaoyanzi's name again, he felt as if he had been transported to another world. The palace had been peaceful lately, and he had almost forgotten about Shufangzhai. If it weren't for Xiaoyanzi's noisy appearance outside Yonghe Palace today, he probably would have forgotten the foolish things he had done.
Seeing Xinrong deep in thought, Yongqi's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but feel nervous. His palms gradually started to sweat. He waved his hand, signaling the palace maids and eunuchs serving him to leave.
Xinrong was still a little confused and was about to ask Yongqi when she saw Yongqi hold her hand tightly and feel it carefully. Yongqi's hand was trembling a little.
"What's wrong?" Xinrong asked anxiously. She was fine just now, so why are her hands trembling now?
Yongqi quietly sat down next to Xinrong and said softly, "It's okay, I just wanted to tell you about my past. I felt bad if I didn't tell you." Yongqi then told Xinrong everything about his past with Shufangzhai.
Having finally met someone with whom he shared mutual affection, Yongqi naturally hoped to make a good impression on Xinrong. However, this was, after all, a mistake he had made in the past. His father had said that one must face one's mistakes and not blindly follow a dark path.
After Yongqi finished speaking, he waited quietly for Xinrong to ask questions or accuse him, but he waited and waited and Xinrong did not come. He just sat there in silence.
This attitude left Yongqi somewhat uncertain. He would rather Xinrong have a big argument with him or slap him than remain silent. He truly couldn't fathom the girl's thoughts.
Xinrong naturally had no idea what Yongqi was thinking. After listening, she didn't think that what Yongqi felt for Xiaoyanzi was affection. After all, people always maintain curiosity and fondness for new things.
Xiao Yanzi was just like that; compared to the dull and boring princesses in the palace, Xiao Yanzi was so vibrant and full of life. How could Yongqi not be attracted to her? Moreover, Xiao Yanzi carried such a big secret and story.
Humans are inherently curious, inquisitive, and protective. Xiao Yanzi's secret piqued Yongqi's curiosity, while her story evoked his sympathy and protective instincts. It's understandable that Yongqi paid more attention to such matters. Besides, he has already severed ties with Shufangzhai; there's really no need for him to dwell on the past.
After all, Yongqi could never marry a woman with no background or family connections. Even if they did end up together, their differing social classes would eventually drive them apart. Besides, Yongqi now had himself by his side; there was no need to dwell on the past.
After Xinrong figured things out and made up for herself, she no longer felt the same heartache she had felt when she looked at Yongqi.
"I'm fine. I'm glad you told me everything that happened to you. But I want to confirm one thing: do you really have no feelings for Xiao Yanzi anymore?" Xinrong didn't care about what happened before, but she couldn't tolerate Xiao Yanzi's presence in their lives afterward.
Yongqi was practically swearing to the heavens, "Of course I have no feelings for her anymore. If you really don't believe me, you can ask An'an." Yongqi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and in his panic, he almost sent the little eunuch by his side to Cining Palace to summon An Ke.
Fortunately, Xinrong stopped him. Xinrong blushed with embarrassment. How could she let An'an know about this jealousy?
After that, the two of them spoke frankly and openly, turning the previous story completely over, and their relationship seemed to become even closer.
*
outside the capital
Three brightly lit tents were set up, and the faint sounds of conversation could be heard coming from inside.
"Does Father Emperor think I can just ask anyone for a marriage proposal? Isn't it said that Princess Yong'an already has someone she loves? Would the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty allow me to marry her?" Prince Mu Feng of Burma said with a hint of sarcasm. This trip was not his intention in the first place. He had planned to ask his father for a marriage proposal once he found the person he loved.
As a result, he was chosen to come to the Qing Dynasty, and he was accompanied by a chattering and extremely annoying Mu Sha. Mu Feng's face was already extremely stiff. In addition, he had been traveling day and night for days and nights, so it was no wonder that Mu Feng's face looked good.
"Why do you say that, brother? Didn't you study the map of the Qing Dynasty long ago? You are obviously more interested in the customs and culture of the Qing Dynasty. Now that you have been sent as an envoy to the Qing Dynasty, why are you still wearing such a stern face?" Musa said coldly from the side. She didn't like her so-called brother at all. He was indecisive and had no sense of the demeanor of the Burmese royal family.
Mu Feng wasn't an idiot. Hearing Mu Sha's words, he knew she had asked her father to allow her to bring him along to the Qing Dynasty. But wouldn't it have been better if she had come to the Qing Dynasty to find someone with similar ideals? Why did these two, who were enemies, have to come together?
The two had argued countless times on the road, and they were so disgusted with each other that they insisted on splitting the matter into two carriages when one carriage could have resolved it.
But Mu Feng couldn't bring himself to vent his anger on Mu Sha, after all, Mu Sha was his father's favorite child. He chuckled self-deprecatingly, thinking that perhaps ten Mu Fengs couldn't compare to one Mu Sha. He then dropped the subject and stood up to walk towards his tent.
If we don't see eye to eye, why bother getting in each other's way?
It's truly lamentable that Mu Feng has been reduced to a pawn of the Burmese royal family. Mu Feng lay in bed for a long time, unable to fall asleep. He pondered for a long time. Clearly, his mother was his father's first wife, and Mu Sha's mother was just a concubine of his father. So why did his father never seem to notice him, Mu Feng?
From childhood, he had always longed to be close to his father. Before Musa came into his life, he had always imagined his father to be strict and authoritative. But after Musa was born, he realized how ridiculous his previous thoughts were. Who said his father didn't know how to interact with children? If he didn't know how, how could he take such good care of Musa? So good that even the maids didn't need to help.
As for himself, earning even a single word of praise from his father since childhood was an impossible task. Whether it was academics or martial arts, it seemed that his father only had eyes for Musa. He and his other brothers were merely there to complement Musa.
Today's itinerary is probably because Musa wanted to visit the Qing Dynasty, and her father was worried, so he sent him along. On the surface, it was to say they were going together, but in reality, her father had already instructed him to protect Musa's safety.
Mu Feng clutched the little cloth doll his mother had embroidered for him tightly, drawing warmth from her. It let him know that he, Mu Feng, was not alone in this world, nor was he a child unloved.
Thinking this, Mu Feng drifted off to sleep. Only in his dreams was he the master of his own world, the beloved child. A single tear silently slid down Mu Feng's cheek.
The next morning
Mu Feng was awakened early by the envoys; they were about to embark on their journey again, and they were very close to the Forbidden City.
Mu Feng glanced back at Mu Sha, then waved for his delegation to depart together.
In a grand procession, they headed towards the capital. The people of the capital already knew that Burma was sending an envoy and their prince.
There were curious onlookers, but few stopped to watch; the atmosphere was nothing like that of the Mongol princes and Hui people back then. After all, the common people knew in their hearts that their borders had never been peaceful. Now, Myanmar suddenly claimed they wanted to visit Daqing—who knew what their true intentions were? Their wolfish ambitions were blatantly obvious.
Mu Feng and Mu Sha rode on tall horses, but their expressions differed. Mu Feng maintained a calm demeanor towards everything, only occasionally glancing out of the corner of his eye at the warm sounds of a family of three nearby, observing their happiness.
Seeing their happiness and joy, Mu Feng felt as if a ray of warm sunshine had fallen upon him. It was as if a large hole had opened in the sky, and slivers of sunlight were streaming down onto him.
Musa, on the other hand, rode on a tall horse, watching the passersby. She would take a second look at those who seemed curious, scrutinizing them closely.
Seeing that the women of their Great Qing Dynasty were all so delicate, Musa scoffed. How could the women of their Great Qing Dynasty compare to the women of their Burmese?
But isn't this Qing Dynasty woman a perfect match for his brother? One is delicate and frail, the other pretentious and nonchalant, which is utterly repulsive.
They soon arrived at the palace gate.
Since they were on someone else's territory, Musa had no choice but to obediently follow the rules of the Qing Dynasty and reluctantly handed her sword to the guard beside her.
The delegation of envoys obediently handed over their weapons and then followed the princes toward the palace of the Qing Dynasty.
Throughout the journey, Mu Sha kept looking around, being quite restless. Mu Feng didn't know how to lecture her, so he simply let her be. After all, didn't she always say that she knew her place? Didn't she always say that if she were a man, she would be much better than them?
Fortunately, they soon arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where they saw the Qing emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, waiting for them with an air of majesty. On both sides of the aisle were civil and military officials. The military officers were all burly and powerful, while the civil officials all had an elegant and refined demeanor.
This was indeed different from what they experienced in Myanmar. But then he thought about it, and realized that customs and traditions varied from place to place, so Mu Feng figured it was normal. On the other hand, Mu Sha wanted to look around, but since he was now on their territory, and moreover, he was the second prince, he could only be subservient to his elder brother in every way.
"Mu Feng pays his respects to the Emperor of the Great Qing." Mu Feng bowed with a calm yet extremely respectful expression. In contrast, Mu Sha behind him gave a lazily bow.
Fortunately, the Emperor didn't care whether their greetings were proper or not. He was simply curious to know what their true intentions were in coming to the Qing Dynasty. "The Burmese prince has come from afar; you must be tired from your journey." Anyone could say such polite things.
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