After the awards ceremony, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi went to Yonghe Palace.
"Mother, we're back."
Before Consort Yu could answer, the two little ones, Mianhua and Mianyao, rushed over. Mianyao said happily, "I knew Father and Mother would defeat the enemy and come back safely!"
“Father, Mother…” Mianzhi also stretched out his hands and looked at Yongqi.
Yongqi took Mianzhi and laughed, "This little guy has gained quite a bit of weight..."
"Kids are always growing, so they're bound to get heavier."
"But you guys, you've been outside for so long, you all look quite thin."
Yongqi smiled and said, "But at least, we drove out the foreign enemies, reclaimed the city, and the people on the border can now rest and recuperate."
After having lunch at Yonghe Palace, they returned to the Rong Prince's Mansion.
They took the things urgently needed from the Prince's Palace and moved to Yuqing Palace, which was located between Fengxian Hall and Zhaigong Palace.
Yuqing Palace is a rectangular four-courtyard complex. Entering through the main gate, the first courtyard is inside the star gate.
There are three guard rooms, and the Yangyao Gate on the west side is connected to the Zhai Palace.
After passing through Xiangxu Gate, you will enter the second courtyard, Dunben Hall. There are three side halls on the east and west sides. Go up the stairs and cross the platform to reach the main hall of Dunben Hall. There are side rooms and end rooms on the east and west sides.
Generally, eunuchs and palace maids lived in the first courtyard, while Yongqi, Xiaoyanzi, Mianhua, and Mianyao lived in the second courtyard.
The east wing was the residence of the wet nurses, while the west wing was the residence of the four talented scholars and two beautiful women, who were his trusted confidants and were responsible for taking care of Mianzhi.
The third courtyard contains a library, a pharmacy, and a stage.
By the time everything was moved, it was almost 7 PM.
Having finally returned, Little Swallow naturally wanted to take a good bath.
Yongqi, of course, wouldn't miss such a perk. "Little Swallow, let me help you..."
Little Swallow glanced at Yongqi, "You're asking me to help you? How am I supposed to take a bath then?"
Yongqi hugged Xiaoyanzi from behind, "You can do it..."
Yongqi kissed her as he helped Xiaoyanzi take off her clothes.
After the clothes landed, Yongqi carried Xiaoyanzi into the bathtub, and the two of them fooled around in the bathtub for an hour.
After Yongqi dried Xiaoyanzi's body, he changed her clothes, carried her to bed, covered her with a blanket, and then had someone take the hot water and clothes out.
After closing the door, blowing out the candles, getting into bed, and drawing the curtains, Xiao Yanzi automatically rolled into Yongqi's arms again. "Xiao Yanzi, sleep well."
Because they became the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, many people came to celebrate for them.
Yongqi had Xiaoshunzi take some men to record the gifts and store them in the back warehouse, then sent those men away.
He and Xiao Yanzi fooled around for so long yesterday, Xiao Yanzi must be exhausted, how could I let her do these things?
Little Swallow didn't seem to wake up until almost noon.
"Little Swallow..."
Little Swallow sat up with her eyes closed, stretched, and yawned. "What time is it now?"
"It's almost noon..."
Hearing this answer, Xiao Yanzi leaned weakly on Yongqi's shoulder, "I'm so tired, I don't want to get up..."
Yongqi chuckled and said, "Even if you don't want to get up, you should at least eat something and fill your stomach before going to sleep..."
"Help me rinse my mouth, then feed me..."
"Okay, I'll help you..."
Little Swallow closed her eyes, enjoying Yongqi's pampering, "This kind of life is so comfortable..."
"Yongqi, how many more years until we can retire?"
"At least ten years, at most eighteen years..."
"Thank goodness you're here with me, otherwise these days would be too unbearable!"
Suddenly, Xiao Yanzi remembered something, opened her eyes abruptly, wrapped her arms around Yongqi's neck, and said, "Who knows how many of those ministers are plotting to take you as a concubine? You have to be careful..."
Yongqi nodded, "Don't worry, I'll definitely guard it and those people won't come to bother you!"
"We've accomplished so much over the years, and we've just earned military merit. Who would dare to come looking for trouble at this time?"
"Don't even mention me, Father Emperor and my brother won't let them off the hook..."
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After Xiao Yanzi rested for half a month, Yongqi finally allowed outsiders to enter Yuqing Palace.
Yongqi went to handle important matters with Emperor Qianlong, and then the wives and daughters of ministers came to Yuqing Palace.
"Your subject/daughter greets the Crown Princess, may the Crown Princess live a thousand years!"
"Rise, please take a seat."
When they arrived, Xiao Yanzi was playing with Mianzhi in her arms. "What wind blew you all to our Yuqing Palace today?"
"Your Highness, this is my family's legitimate daughter..."
Before she could even open her mouth, Little Swallow knew what nonsense she was about to spout. "Stop! You all came here just to persuade me to take your daughters in for Yongqi?"
"Crown Princess, you have enjoyed the Crown Prince's favor for almost eight years now, it's time..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Yanzi glanced at her, and she dared not say another word.
“Bad person, chase her away…” Mianzhi glared angrily at the woman in front of her. “Father… is Mother’s…”
Hearing her son's words, Xiao Yanzi couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Did you hear that? Trying to offer yourself as a bedmate? No way!"
"Call me jealous, call me selfish, whatever you want. Anyway, this position is mine now, and Yongqi belongs only to me. None of you can get close!"
"Crown Princess, how can you be so arrogant and domineering, relying on the Emperor and the Crown Prince's favor? You are not worthy of the title of Crown Princess."
Hearing someone say that about her, Xiao Yanzi found it quite novel. "Come, come, tell me, what's your name?"
"...I..." The woman's mother was so frightened that she immediately covered her daughter's mouth.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. My daughter spoke without thinking and was just talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart!"
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She had barely begged for mercy when her husband tumbled in, practically crawling on the floor.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. This old minister has failed in his duty to discipline his children. Please punish me!"
"(How could I have such a clueless daughter? How dare she talk about the Crown Princess? She's got a death wish! I still want to live!)"
God knows, when he found out that his wife and daughter had come to Yuqing Palace, wanting to be granted the status of a concubine by the Crown Princess, he had already planned how he would die and where he would be buried...
Then came the other ministers, all kneeling below, trembling with fear.
Little Swallow chuckled and said, "What do you gentlemen mean by this? Have I done something wrong that makes you all kneel before me?"
"No, no, the Crown Princess did nothing wrong..."
"If that's the case, then why are you kneeling? Get up! If word gets out, won't it be said that I'm disrespecting you because of my military achievements?"
They were so frightened that their legs went weak and they couldn't stand up.
"The Four Great Talents, go and help them up, then bring them a chair so they can sit properly..."
“Your Highness, whatever punishment Your Highness wishes to impose, this old minister is willing to accept it.”
If they can't get a pardon from the Crown Princess and Yongqi comes instead, they'll all be in deep trouble!
All the ministers echoed the sentiment, which terrified the wives and young ladies of the royal family.
"Mingyue, remember to spread the word about today's performance, so that everyone knows that I, Xiaoyanzi, will be the only woman for Aisin Gioro Yongqi."
"Anyone who dares to even think about entering the Eastern Palace will only face death. If you don't believe me, come and try, and see if your life is tougher than my whip!"
"Get out." With that one word, all the ministers, along with their wives and daughters, fled.
Seeing them run away, the four talented scholars and the two beauties couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Mother... amazing..." Mianzhi gave Xiaoyanzi a thumbs up, "Father... deserves a beating..."
Yes, the person responsible for letting these people sneak into the palace to offer themselves as concubines must be held accountable!
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