Xiao Yanzi could hardly believe her eyes. Yongqi was really gone? In an instant, an unprecedented emotion welled up in Xiao Yanzi's heart. She felt a tightness and swelling in her chest.
Looking at Xiao Yanzi's expression, Ziwei didn't know how to comfort her. On the way to the inspection, Ziwei had told Xiao Yanzi not to waver between Yongqi and Benjamin, and to make a choice as soon as possible.
At the time, Xiao Yanzi was full of confidence and told Ziwei that she simply regarded Yongqi and Benjamin as her good buddies on an equal footing. Ziwei, thinking about all this, was unsure whether she should bring it up.
Before Ziwei could speak, Xiaoyanzi, hands on her hips, said angrily, "Ziwei, don't you think Yongqi is really going too far? I greeted him first, and he completely ignored me. Since that's the case, I'll have to seriously consider whether he wants to make up with me in the future."
Looking at Xiao Yanzi's appearance, Ziwei really wanted to tell her that it was very likely that even the Fifth Prince didn't want to be associated with Shufangzhai anymore, let alone reconcile with her.
Perhaps those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things more clearly; in any case, Ziwei had already seen through Yongqi's facial expressions. Ziwei just couldn't understand why, if Xiaoyanzi truly considered Yongqi a good friend, she would care whether Yongqi paid attention to her or not.
"Little Swallow, didn't you say you considered Yongqi a good buddy? What are you doing now?" Ziwei couldn't help but ask what was on her mind, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face.
Xiao Yanzi was taken aback by Ziwei's question. She didn't know what had gotten into her; she had been bewitched and wanted to talk to Yongqi, not wanting him to treat her like this. "Yes, that's right, we're good buddies, right? That's why I was saying that if he wants to make up with me easily in the future, I'll have to think about it."
After Xiao Yanzi finished speaking, she realized that what she said sounded somewhat suspicious, and lowered her head first. Ziwei didn't press Xiao Yanzi for more questions.
Ziwei casually said, "Let's go back!" Her voice was weak and listless.
Xiao Yanzi looked up and examined Ziwei's face, but Ziwei had her eyes lowered, making it impossible to see her expression.
The two walked silently down the corridor when suddenly a large hand reached out from the side and pulled Ziwei away. Both Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi were startled.
Just as Xiao Yanzi was about to call the guards to see which thief it was, she saw that the person holding Ziwei's hand was none other than Erkang. Who else could it be? Ziwei's listless face instantly became lively.
Little Swallow was happy for Ziwei and took the initiative to stand guard for them. After Ziwei and Fu Erkang exchanged a few sweet nothings, they reluctantly parted ways.
After all, Fu Erkang was no longer the imperial bodyguard he once was, and he had to leave before the palace gates were locked. Fu Erkang had thought that he was only able to take Hanxiang out last time because the gatekeepers were only doing it out of respect for him, but he never expected that getting in this time would be such a struggle. They didn't care about his face at all.
Guard: Do you really think that just because you used to be a royal bodyguard, everyone would give you face? If the princess hadn't specifically instructed you, you wouldn't even be able to leave the palace.
*
Upon returning to Yonghe Palace, Yongqi had just stepped through the palace gates when he saw his mother waiting for him at the entrance. Yongqi quickly ran towards Consort Yu.
“Mother, it’s late at night and the wind and dew are heavy. Since you’ve come back so early, why don’t you lie down and rest?” Yongqi came to Consort Yu’s side, helped her up, and prepared to take her back to her bedchamber.
Consort Yu smiled as she looked at her increasingly handsome and outstanding son, and said, "Isn't it because I wanted to wait for you? Your mother saw you staring at Princess Xinrong at the family banquet tonight."
Seeing that Yongqi did not refute, Consort Yu was overjoyed and continued, "Yongqi, you are not young anymore. When I was at Mount Wutai, I couldn't see you and was afraid that you would secretly marry a princess one day without telling me. Now that I'm back in the palace, I will go and match you with whichever girl you fancy."
"Mother!" Yongqi said to Consort Yu in a half-coquettish tone, "You yourself said you just came back from Mount Wutai, so don't worry so much. Isn't it enough that your son is by your side?"
"Your mother just wants to see you settle down and start a family," Consort Yu said, half-compromisingly.
“Mother, Uncle Fu said that one should establish a career before starting a family. I take Uncle Fu as my role model, and I hope that Mother will not waver in my will.” Yongqi said this as he and Consort Yu talked all the way to her bedchamber.
Seeing that Consort Yu wanted to say something more, but Yongqi effortlessly deflected her words, Consort Yu was helpless. A son grows up and is no longer under his mother's control. As long as her son could marry a gentle and dignified woman, that was enough.
And now that the young couple is living happily, and I'm still in relatively good health, I'll be able to see Yongqi's child born. I'll have no regrets!
Back in his own bedchamber, Yongqi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It wasn't because of Xinrong, although Xinrong was a very good dancer. It was just their first meeting, and they didn't really have any good feelings for each other.
Yongqi couldn't sleep because of Consort Yu's words, fearing that one day, if he wasn't careful, his mother might bring home a girl she had her eye on. That would be impossible to guard against!
As he pondered this, Yongqi gradually fell asleep.
*
Life went on at a leisurely pace.
Meng Dan of Huibinlou has fully recovered from his previous injuries, while Xiao Jian hides in Huibinlou every day, seemingly helping Liu Qing and Liu Hong, but in reality, he hides among the crowd every day to gather information.
Fu Erkang's fiery temper, which he had when he was first demoted to a cook in the imperial kitchen, has gradually subsided somewhat.
Under Ziwei's tutelage, Xiaoyanzi finally passed the test with Granny Fang. Ziwei also found the days dull and boring, and thought about doing something meaningful, so she taught Xiaoyanzi to read and write.
Little Swallow was utterly unfit for reading and writing. She'd sit there for barely a moment, then wriggle and twist as if crawling with worms. She couldn't concentrate; she'd fall asleep while practicing, and ink would always inevitably end up on her nose.
After spending a few days together, Anke discovered that Xinrong wasn't as profit-driven as in the drama. Instead, while Anke and Qing'er were having fun, Xinrong was actually hoping that they would invite her to join them.
When Anke takes Qing'er to the Ruyi Pavilion for painting, Xinrong will also go along.
When Xinrong saw Benjamin's paintings, his eyes revealed admiration and respect. He would often ask Benjamin for advice on painting techniques.
Since leaving Shufangzhai and being entrusted with important responsibilities by the Emperor again, Yongqi has performed exceptionally well. It's as if the diligent and courteous Fifth Prince of the past has returned.
After much difficulty, Ertai Xiumu hurriedly entered the palace, wanting to invite the princess to go out and play together.
Before they even left the camp, Ji Chu, who had caught up from behind, grabbed them. Like an unshakeable leech, Ji Chu could only force a smile; what could she do? After all, the princess always had Qing Gege by her side.
Moreover, he and Princess Qing were only acquaintances, not close friends. So, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and follow Ertai into the palace.
The two had just entered the palace when they encountered Yongqi, who had just finished his business outside the palace.
After Yongqi left Shufangzhai, Ertai and Yongqi became close friends again. Seeing that Yongqi had finished the tasks assigned by the Emperor, Ertai asked him if he wanted to go outside the palace to rest together.
Yongqi readily agreed, while Ertai completely disregarded the life or death of Jichu standing nearby.
Ji Chu: Weren't you just complaining that I was superfluous? Why don't you complain now? And you're even inviting me out?
Ertai: How can that be the same? The princess is the Fifth Prince's cousin, so I'm just trying to please my future brother-in-law.
Ji Chu: Does Princess Qing have any relation to the Fifth Prince?
Ertai: ...What do you think?
Ertai: Besides, having too many lice makes you less itchy. We already have one, so adding Yongqi would be nice, and we could all join in the fun.
Ji Chu: ...
And so, the three of them arrived at Cining Palace.
Before even going inside, they saw Xingxing emerge from within. Yongqi immediately asked, "Is An'an there?"
Xingxing was almost startled by Yongqi. She was walking peacefully on the road when someone suddenly jumped out. Anyone would be startled in that situation.
Xingxing gently patted her chest, catching her breath. "The princess, Princess Qing, and Princess Xinrong are in the small garden behind Cining Palace. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer. Goodbye, Fifth Prince, General Fu, and General Ji." With that, Xingxing turned and left without a second thought.
Yongqi raised an eyebrow slightly. This little palace woman was young, but she had quite a temper, just like An'an!
Anke suddenly sneezed in the small garden. Xinrong, who was admiring the flowers nearby, heard it and hurried over to ask with concern, "An'an, what's wrong? Have you caught a cold? Should we call the imperial physician to take a look?"
The concern in Xinrong's eyes was genuine, and besides, the three of them had truly become confidants after spending this time together.
An Ke casually shook her head and waved her hand, "It's nothing, it's alright, no need to summon the imperial physician." An Ke couldn't help but shudder when she thought of the bitter medicine that Physician Hu had prescribed for her.
But there was nothing that could be done about it. After all, Physician Hu was paid a monthly salary from the palace and was subject to the Emperor's orders. The Emperor was worried that An Ke would suffer from a series of minor and major illnesses, so he specifically instructed the imperial physicians not to prepare medicine that was too sweet for An Ke and to make sure that An Ke drank the medicine herself.
This completely eliminated the possibility that the imperial physician would prescribe medicine that wasn't bitter for An Ke, and also eliminated the possibility that An Ke would throw away the medicine.
Anke: Your Majesty, you are truly cunning and treacherous!
Your Majesty: You're no less clever than me, you're such a sly little devil, I have to outwit you every single day.
If you didn't know better, you'd think they were flattering each other!
"You two get back into your positions, I'm going to start drawing." Anke had specially brought the drawing board and charcoal pencils from Ruyi Pavilion. Today was also a sunny day, and Anke was in high spirits. She pulled them to the small garden and was about to draw their portraits.
Just as Anke was about to put down her pen, Yongqi and the others arrived at the small garden.
"An'an, are you going to draw?" Yongqi's voice came from behind.
An Ke knew that she probably wouldn't be able to finish her painting today, so she silently put away her easel and charcoal pencils. Composing herself, she turned around and said, "Yes, Fifth Brother's timing is really bad."
“I just finished my business for Father Emperor and happened to run into Ertai and General Ji at the palace gate. Ertai said he wanted to invite you out of the palace for fun, so we came together.” Yongqi was not annoyed and spoke calmly as always.
The moment Xinrong saw Yongqi, she stopped what she was doing and quickly bowed to him. After Yongqi woke her up, she and Qing'er stood silently to the side, while Xinrong looked at the outstanding young man before her with great curiosity.
Seeing the princess joking with him, he wasn't angry at all; his eyes were full of gentle smiles. Xinrong felt as if she were completely immersed in the Fifth Prince's smile.
"So, does that mean Fifth Brother is going too?" Anke asked Yongqi, but she was quite certain.
Then I thought of Xinrong, who was standing beside me. In the drama, she had already married Yongqi and become his wife. However, during the great escape, she fled with Xiaoyanzi. Although he returned later and gave Xinrong a child, he did not fulfill his duties and responsibilities as a father. He abandoned them again and went to Dali.
Anke didn't know what to do next, and she couldn't stop Yongqi from going on the trip with her. Xinrong would probably follow her and Qing'er too.
"Of course, that's perfect. Fifth Brother is watching you, so you definitely can't eat too much candy." Yongqi looked at Anke with a smile on his lips. He had heard early in the morning that An'an had a toothache because she ate too much candy, and the Empress Dowager had invited the imperial physicians to Cining Palace early that morning.
The news spread so quickly within the palace that Yongqi heard about it just before he left to run errands for his father. If the matter hadn't been so urgent, Yongqi probably would have immediately gone to Cining Palace to visit his sister.
"No way? You heard about it so quickly?" An Ke looked utterly dejected. She knew that people in the palace loved to gossip; after all, who doesn't chat a bit while working? But she never expected that one day, her embarrassing story would become the talk of the town.
Yongqi looked at Anke with a "guess what" expression. Anke suddenly closed her eyes for a moment, then suddenly opened them again. Adhering to the principle that as long as I don't feel embarrassed, embarrassment is not my problem, Anke quickly regained her composure.
Yongqi watched in amazement. In this palace, when it came to changing faces quickly, An'an was second to none.
Ertai stepped forward with a concerned expression and asked softly, "Princess, how many candies did you eat yesterday? Does your tooth still hurt?"
Looking at the gentleness on Ertai's face, Anke seemed to be bewitched and said softly, "I haven't taken many pills and the pain is already gone. Although Doctor Hu's medicine is bitter, it works." Speaking of taking medicine, Anke felt a pang of sadness.
Ji Chu's eyes met Qing'er's across the sky. Ji Chu smiled and nodded slightly at Qing'er. Qing'er remembered the scene when he put his arm around her waist, and her face flushed instantly.
Xinrong looked around, sensing that something was off about the four of them, and had an expression of smug satisfaction.
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