The next day at dawn, Xiao Yanzi closed her eyes and subconsciously touched the spot beside her. It was already a little cool. She opened her eyes and found that the person she wanted to see was no longer in bed.
She struggled to get up and put on her clothes. Xiaomeng seemed to notice her movement and quietly came in. "Madam, let me help you."
Although Xiaomeng meant well, Xiaoyanzi refused, saying, "The Empress Dowager has given us a holiday. I don't need to go out and meet people, nor do I need to comb my hair."
Since she didn't need to style her hair in a traditional Chinese hairstyle, she naturally didn't need anyone's help.
After tidying her hair a bit, she went out of the room. As soon as she stepped outside, a gust of cold wind hit her. "It's so cold today!"
Xiao Meng brought her a fur coat and draped it over her shoulders, saying, "This was ordered by the Fifth Prince; we had to make sure you put this on."
This time, Little Swallow didn't refuse. After putting on her fur coat, she asked, "What are we having for breakfast today?"
Xiao Meng replied, "It's purple rice porridge that the Fifth Prince made himself, and it's still being kept warm in the small kitchen."
"Wow, I'd better hurry up and eat." Yongqi cooked it himself, so the taste must be amazing.
Xiao Yanzi hurried to the small kitchen, and Xiao Meng helped pour the purple rice porridge into a bowl. After Xiao Yanzi finished eating the porridge, she felt a warm feeling in her stomach. "Yongqi is so good."
She had already put him through so much trouble yesterday, yet this morning she still made him porridge herself. It seemed she needed to treat him better from now on.
"Xiao Meng, you can go now. I don't need you here anymore." After finishing her breakfast, Xiao Yanzi went back to her bedroom.
With Consort Yu and Mingyue Caixia taking care of the two children, she really didn't need to worry about them much. So this morning, she could stay in bed and read storybooks.
(The children are relatively well-behaved during the day and don't make much noise, but they occasionally make noise at night, so Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi have an easier time during the day.)
Xiao Yanzi entered the bedroom, closed the door, took out the storybook she had been reading earlier from the desk, took off her shoes, got into bed, leaned against the pillows, and comfortably read the storybook. However, looking at the plot, she felt a little sorry for the male protagonist. "This guy is too pitiful. He went out to play for a while, and his parents were gone, and he lost his throne. He went out to fight a war, and when he came back, his wife had become his sister-in-law. In just a few years, he had nothing left..."
"Life is truly unpredictable..." Xiao Yanzi sighed as she continued reading. When she reached the male lead's ending, she felt even more indignant for him. "He's finally dead. If he hadn't died, I would have stabbed him. Living is just too tiring..."
The male protagonist's most trusted brother murdered his mother, seized his throne, and even took away his only beloved. However, after taking her away, he treated her poorly. After she had a child with his brother, all she cared about was the child, and he became a pawn in her game...
Seeing the tragic fate of the characters in the story ruined Xiao Yanzi's good mood, so she tossed the storybook aside and went back to sleep.
Although she was eager to know how the tour would be arranged, it was too cold, so she stayed in bed and waited for Yongqi to return before asking him.
-------------------------------------
At 9:00 AM, Emperor Qianlong sat on a soft couch in his study in the Qianqing Palace, with Yongqi, Xiao Jian, the Fu brothers, and Benjamin standing below him.
"Your Majesty, it is too cold today, so before I came, I specially brewed this pot of hot chocolate. Your Majesty can drink it to warm your stomach."
Benjamin stepped forward and poured hot chocolate for Qianlong, then poured a cup for Yongqi and the others.
After drinking it, Emperor Qianlong felt better and his body did feel warmer.
Emperor Qianlong laughed heartily and said, "Your hot chocolate, although I've had it several times, every time I drink it it feels like the first time. I never get tired of it!"
In such a joyful and relaxed atmosphere, talking about something as fun as traveling incognito naturally doubles the happiness.
After taking a sip of chocolate, Emperor Qianlong looked at the group and asked, "Tell me, what are your plans regarding your incognito travels?"
The group looked at each other, and finally, Xiao Jian was the first to stand up and speak, "Your Majesty, the task of gathering information and ensuring safety along the route will be handled by E Min and me."
Benjamin then said, "I just drew what happened along the way and acted as a bodyguard."
Yongqi replied, "Your Majesty, Erkang, Ertai, and I will be responsible for your personal safety."
In other words, Xiao Jian and E Min were the first line of defense, while Yong Qi, Er Kang, and Er Tai were the second line of defense.
Fu Erkang stepped forward and said, "Fifth Princess Consort, Ziwei, Qing'er, and Saiya all know martial arts. They will stay by Father Emperor's side and protect his safety at all times."
Yongqi added, "Xiaoyanzi and I can also send some female guards over to protect us closely."
Emperor Qianlong was getting a headache from listening to this. "All of you keep talking about my safety, but has any of you thought about the route for my inspection tour?"
"Father, I've thought about it. We should first travel by land to Jinan..."
When Yongqi uttered the word "Jinan," Fu Erkang naturally thought of Xia Yuhe, the mother of Xia Ziwei. However, Qianlong thought of more than just Xia Yuhe; he also thought of his first wife, Empress Xiaoxian.
"After passing Jinan, we will travel by water southward. When we pass through Hangzhou, we will go back to pay our respects to Xiao Yanzi's parents."
"If we have enough time later, we can also go to Dali and see where Xiao Yanzi's uncle and aunt live now!"
The sadness that Qianlong had shown upon hearing the word "Jinan" was suddenly replaced by laughter from Yongqi's words.
"Yongqi, you've planned this all out perfectly! If it weren't for Xiaoyanzi insisting that you stay by my side, were you planning to take this opportunity to live in seclusion in Dali with Xiaoyanzi?"
Yongqi fell silent. To be honest, this was indeed his thought at one time!
However, Xiao Yanzi insisted that he stay in Beijing, stay in the palace, and become the future emperor to bring blessings to the people of the Qing Dynasty. As a devoted husband, he dared not disobey!
"It seems I still need to win over Xiao Yanzi's heart more, otherwise my son will truly be ruined."
What's the use of having so much talent if all you think about is your wife? Who knows when you might ruin your empire?
"If Xiao Yanzi weren't a girl, it would be better to pass the inheritance on to her than to you!"
Yongqi is too deeply in love; one wrong move and he could face utter ruin.
On the contrary, although Xiao Yanzi also cares about feelings, she still retains her rationality and knows what she should and shouldn't do!
When others heard Qianlong's words, they wished they could disappear into the ground. How could they possibly listen to such words?
Yongqi chuckled awkwardly again, "If she's willing to be the emperor, giving her the empire isn't out of the question!"
As long as I can be with her, I don't care who the emperor is!
Besides, he didn't like being an emperor. Being an emperor was full of troubles. He just wanted to stay by Xiao Yanzi's side and enjoy a life without having to think!
Yongqi's words made Qianlong roll his eyes. "Look at how wise and powerful the Fifth Prince is in the eyes of outsiders. As for this one in front of me, I really can't bear to look at him!"
However, it seems that the Aisin Gioro family really does produce romantics. Huang Taiji was infatuated with Hailanzhu, Emperor Shunzhi was infatuated with Consort Dong'e, and now, it is Aisin Gioro Yongqi who only loves Xiaoyanzi who flew in from outside the palace.
After expressing his disdain for Yongqi, Qianlong asked, "Then tell me, should the concubines and the Empress Dowager go along?"
After hesitating for a moment, Fu Erkang spoke up, "As for the Empress Dowager, Father Emperor can ask her for her opinion first. As for the concubines in the harem, it depends on whether Father Emperor wants a smaller or larger group."
The implication is that if Emperor Qianlong needed someone to sleep with on the road, he would bring his concubines; if not, he would simply not bring any, thus reducing the number of people and making him less of a target!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com