Fu Erkang nodded in agreement, "That's right, you're a good brother and friend to all of us. If you get married, we'll definitely go."
Xia Ziwei asked, "Benjamin, first you need to decide whether you want to marry a Chinese girl or a girl from your own region?"
Qing'er then asked, "If you marry a Chinese girl, we will all definitely make time to attend the wedding. But if you marry a girl from your own region, you'll have to send us a message well in advance."
Benjamin laughed and said, "In China, I'm only addressed as 'Painter Benjamin' in the palace. Outside the palace, people call me a foreign devil. To be honest, I'd rather marry a girl from my own country than a Chinese girl."
"If I were to marry a Chinese girl, I couldn't be 100% sure she would be welcomed in my hometown."
"However, marrying a girl from your own region will cause far fewer problems."
Moreover, they share a common language and have received the same education, so getting along with each other won't be too troublesome.
Fu Erkang said in a low voice, "I've heard that Father Emperor plans to abdicate next year and let Yongqi ascend the throne. If you want to marry a girl from your hometown, you'd better hurry up. If Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi can't make it to your wedding, they will definitely be very disappointed."
Xiao Jian said, "Since you've already been to Hangzhou, why don't you set off back now..."
Benjamin was stunned when he heard Xiao Jian's words. "What? Go back now? Master Xiao, are you kidding me?"
"His Majesty sent me along to paint the scenery along the way. I have a mission to complete, so how can I just go back?"
"Besides, I haven't even told my master yet that it won't be that easy to leave..."
Fu Erkang laughed and said, "That's easy. Just have Yongqi tell the Emperor, and then send someone to relay the message back."
"Besides, Priest Lang would probably be even happier if he knew you were going back to get married, wouldn't he?"
Xiao Jian nodded, "I think so too. When you go back and marry your wife, and then bring her back, maybe you'll even have a child by then..."
"Master Xiao, it seems you all want me to get married and have children soon..."
"Since that's the case, then I'll grant your wish."
Moreover, he had been eating dog food from the seventeenth year of Qianlong's reign to the thirtieth year of Qianlong's reign, which was indeed a very unpleasant experience!
Benjamin only dared to ride after seeing that Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi's posture had returned to normal. "Yongqi."
Seeing Benjamin chasing after them, Yongqi asked in confusion, "Why did you come here?"
"I've thought it through. It's time for me to go back, get married, and have children..."
Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi were both somewhat surprised. Yongqi asked, "Why so suddenly?"
Benjamin pursed his lips. "Is it that sudden? You're all married and have children now, even that great heroine Liu Hong has a daughter. It's not surprising that I want to go back and get married and have children, is it?"
Little Swallow asked curiously, "So, you're planning to marry a girl from your area?"
"Yes, people from the same country, with the same education and a common language, will find it easier to get along."
Yongqi smiled and said, "I understand. You came here because you want me to go to Father Emperor and tell him to let you return to the country. You can have someone else do the painting of the scenery along the way."
Benjamin nodded. "Yes! What's that saying? 'The one who understands me is Yongqi.'"
Yongqi laughed and said, "Alright, it's no big deal. I'll go tell Father Emperor right away."
Yongqi is, after all, the future emperor. It would be easier for him to address this matter than for Benjamin to do so himself.
After Yongqi told Qianlong about Benjamin's plans, Qianlong laughed and said, "Benjamin, you can go back with peace of mind. When you get married, I will have someone prepare a congratulatory gift for you."
Benjamin smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty! I will escort you to Hangzhou, hand over the business, and then prepare for your return home."
Emperor Qianlong nodded. "Alright, let's do it that way."
Then, he shifted his gaze to Xiao Yanzi, "Xiao Yanzi, what's wrong with you again? You couldn't sit still in the carriage, so you went riding with Yongqi. Which little girl upset you again?"
Mianhua, standing beside Qianlong, chuckled, "I'm afraid Mother is bringing up those stories about how she met Father again, and my little sister must be getting bored..."
Little Swallow frowned at Mianhua, "Is it really that boring?"
Mianhua swallowed hard, her pleading gaze fixed on Yongqi behind Xiaoyanzi.
Yongqi said helplessly, "They find it boring because they are children. They don't understand yet. When they meet someone they like, they'll know what it's really like..."
To avoid getting pricked all over by the swallows, Emperor Qianlong quickly chimed in, "Yongqi is right, these children don't understand these things..."
"The things you and Yongqi went through, only the two of you truly understand!"
Yongqi nodded, "Yes, so Little Swallow, if you ever want to reminisce about the past, just tell me..."
Seeing that Yongqi was about to start showing off his love again, Qianlong immediately closed the curtain, saying, "Alright, you may all return to your places."
He didn't want to see these two showing off their love in front of his carriage. After the curtain closed, Mianhua couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Looks like Grandfather is tired of it too..."
"You little rascal, you know all this at such a young age?"
Mianhua pouted, "My father brought my nine-year-old mother home when he was ten. I'm only four years younger than him, and with him and my mother around, I've learned things from a young age, things I didn't understand before..."
Emperor Qianlong couldn't help but ask, "So when are you planning to bring someone else's daughter home this time?"
Mianhua smiled, "Anyway, not now..."
"Besides, if I get married and have to take my father as an example, life will be too tiring, I can't live like that..."
Emperor Qianlong asked curiously, "Do you want to be like your grandfather?"
Mianhua immediately shook her head, "No, dealing with one person is already exhausting enough, let alone so many, I can't handle it..."
"It's so much better to be free and independent. Why do you need someone to manage you?"
"I was controlled by my mother when I was young, and I'll be controlled by my wife when I grow up. I think it's better for me to take care of myself..."
Hearing Mianhua's words, Qianlong couldn't help but want to laugh, "Then do you dare to make a bet with Grandfather?"
Mianhua asked curiously, "What are you betting on?"
"I bet you'll meet a woman you're destined to be with, just like your father did..."
Mianhua then asked, "What's the stake?"
"When your father wants to abdicate, you'll have to take over this position..."
"What?" Mianhua's eyes widened. "Grandpa wants me to continue being emperor?"
Mianhua shook her head faster than a rattle drum. "I don't want to be emperor. Being emperor is too tiring. Just look at Grandpa's white hair and wrinkles. I don't want to..."
Emperor Qianlong sighed, "You are your father's eldest son. If you don't succeed him, who else can you rely on? Your younger brother?"
Mianhua countered, "Why can't it be my younger sister?"
"I've heard that the original Feng'an Kingdom was ruled by a woman, so why can't my sister succeed to the throne?"
"..." Emperor Qianlong was speechless.
"Grandpa is still the Emperor, why are you in such a hurry for the future? Maybe my sister is more interested in politics, or maybe my brother is. Anyway, don't put your hopes on me, I won't do it..."
Mianhua's direct refusal left Qianlong speechless. "Like father, like son!"
However, this saying only came true for Yongqi and his son Mianhua, not for him and Yongqi.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com