After lunch, they bid farewell to Consort Ling, changed their clothes, and went to the archery range.
When it was time to leave get out of class at dusk, Yongqi took Xiaoyanzi, Qing'er, and the Fu brothers out of the palace. This time, they went out with the same setup as last time. Sitting outside the carriage were Xiaoshunzi, Xiaoguizi, and Xingchen, followed by several guards.
Inside the square carriage, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi sat in the innermost row, the Fu brothers sat to Yongqi's left, and Qing'er sat to his right. Yongqi looked at Fu Erkang and asked, "Erkang, where are they training?"
Fu Erkang said, "Because they were specifically brought for training by you, they weren't placed with the others. We have a residence outside the city where they train."
Fu Ertai, standing nearby, added, "The old people and children in the tenement also live with them. There's a small school next to the residence that teaches those children..."
Upon hearing this, Yongqi laughed and said, "Erkang and Ertai, you two are quite thoughtful!"
The two brothers said together, "We dare not disobey the Fifth Prince's orders!"
The carriage slowly made its way out of the city, and when it arrived at a residence, they all got off the carriage.
They walked into the courtyard. The children had finished their classes and were preparing to eat. Liu Qing and Liu Hong had also finished their training for the day and were eating with the children. Just then, they saw Yong Qi and his group. Liu Qing and Liu Hong quickly stood up and bowed to everyone. Yong Qi quickly waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. I just brought Xiao Yanzi to see you all today!"
Following Yongqi's gaze, Liu Qing and Liu Hong saw Xiao Yanzi standing to Yongqi's right. Xiao Yanzi was dressed in bright red and was a little shorter than Yongqi. She had big eyes and looked at them with great curiosity. "I've heard Yongqi mention you before, but I'm only meeting you today. I'm Xiao Yanzi, and it's a pleasure to meet you!"
Liu Qing and Liu Hong fell silent. How could such a young girl address the Fifth Prince of the current dynasty by his name? She must be of extraordinary background. Liu Qing quickly clasped his hands in greeting and said, "We dare not, we dare not."
Yongqi looked at the two of them and said, "A year from now, Xiaoyanzi will be traveling outside the palace. I need you to stay by her side and protect her safety!"
Liu Qing and Liu Hong then realized that this little girl was the one Yongqi had mentioned a few months ago. However, they were still puzzled. There were many martial arts masters in the palace who were more skilled than them, so why were they being sought out? And why were they being specially trained and given time and money to improve their martial arts skills?
"Little Swallow grew up amidst hardship and displacement, and you all grew up among the common people from a young age. Compared to the guards in the palace, I think you share similar experiences with Little Swallow and know better how to survive in the world of martial arts!"
If Xiao Yanzi stayed in the palace, it would be better to have people from the palace with her so that they could take better care of her; but now that she is going to the martial arts world, she will naturally need people from the martial arts world who know how to survive in the martial arts world!
Little Swallow added, "Don't worry, I'll try my best not to cause you any trouble!"
Liu Qing and Liu Hong smiled awkwardly. Liu Hong said, "Fifth Prince has provided both money and effort to help us, so naturally we will do our best to protect your safety as promised!"
"Liu Hong is right. Since we promised you, we will definitely keep our word. No matter where you go, we will accompany you to the end!"
“That’s very good.” With that, Yongqi took out another silver ingot from his pocket. “Take this and buy some nice things for everyone in the tenement. If that’s not enough, go to the Scholar’s Mansion and ask Erkang and the others.”
Yongqi gave the silver ingot to Liu Qing, who took it and knelt down to thank him again, saying, "Thank you, Fifth Prince!"
"Get up. This is outside the palace. There's no need for so much formality. From now on, when you go out, just call her by her name, Xiao Yanzi, to avoid revealing your identities and causing her trouble!"
Liu Qing and Liu Hong nodded in agreement. They were just grateful that they weren't allowed to call Yongqi by his name directly!
They would rather call a prince by his name than call a girl without any rank by his name; the former was just too awful to say!
After chatting briefly with the other maids, Xiao Yanzi and Qing'er returned to the palace with Yongqi. Seeing Xiao Yanzi's low spirits, Yongqi comforted her, "We're still young, and Father and Mother will always worry about us, that's why they're watching us so closely. Once we grow up and are able to protect ourselves, we'll naturally be able to leave more! Xiao Yanzi, Qing'er will have to wait a little longer, but you won't. In a little over a month, we can leave the palace to play. We can even go hunting in the hunting grounds..."
"You're right, then I'll wait patiently!" It's only a little over a month, she can wait that long!
Time flies, and ten days have passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, Consort Shu of Chengqian Palace is about to give birth. A few days ago, Emperor Qianlong gave Xiao Yanzi a day off to go to Chengqian Palace to chat with Consort Shu and ease her tension and anxiety. However, this morning, while they were eating and chatting, Consort Shu suddenly went into labor. Xiao Yanzi was so frightened that she was completely at a loss. It was Yongqi who reacted quickly and had the imperial physicians and midwives summoned in time...
Emperor Qianlong had just finished his morning court session when he heard the news that Consort Shu was about to give birth. He rushed to Chengqian Palace. The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the concubines from various palaces also rushed to Chengqian Palace after receiving the news.
Consort Shu's screams echoed throughout, making Xiao Yanzi extremely nervous. Seeing that Xiao Yanzi was terrified, Yongqi quickly covered her ears, saying, "Don't worry, I'm here! I'm with you!"
Consort Yu stood beside Xiao Yanzi, patted her shoulder to reassure her, and said, "Xiao Yanzi, don't worry, Consort Shu is a lucky person, she'll definitely be alright!"
At 9:00 AM, Consort Shu's shouts ceased. Those holding babies took them in, and those changing the sheets changed them. Consort Shu's wet nurse happily carried the baby out of the room, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Empress Dowager! Consort Shu has given birth to a little prince!"
The Empress Dowager stepped forward and took the child. Both Emperor Qianlong and the Empress Dowager looked happily at the little prince lying in the Empress Dowager's arms. The Empress and other concubines were all congratulating Emperor Qianlong on the birth of another son. However, only they themselves knew how many of their congratulations were sincere and how many were feigned.
"How is Consort Shu?" Seeing the young prince, Qianlong remembered to ask about Consort Shu's condition. The wet nurse replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, Her Highness is fine..."
"Granny, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager wishes to see the young prince." Consort Shu's personal maid approached, and the Empress Dowager handed the child back. She then looked at Emperor Qianlong, "Your Majesty, have you decided on a name for this child?"
Emperor Qianlong smiled and said, "Let's call him Yongyue."
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager nodded, "Yongyue is a good name."
The birth of the Tenth Prince Yongyue by Consort Shu was a great joy in the palace. Immediately afterwards, many fine things were brought into Consort Shu's palace. However, Consort Shu had no interest at all. All she wanted to do was see her son and hope that he would live a life of good fortune, just like his name suggests!
(Yue: In ancient legends, it was a divine pearl bestowed by Heaven upon a virtuous and holy emperor, a sign of good fortune.)
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