Xia Ziwei's arrival made their group much more lively. After Xiao Yanzi settled Xia Ziwei in, she went to find Yongqi. Yongqi pulled Xiao Yanzi aside to discuss how to celebrate Benjamin's birthday in four days.
"Yongqi, this time, we'll probably have to trouble Priest Lang to make bread again, won't we?"
Yongqi nodded. "Yes, and we also need to think of something else to send him." The thought of giving Benjamin a gift made him worry. After all, Benjamin had absolutely no interest in their local gold and silver treasures, and he didn't have the means to procure anything from their country for him…
Little Swallow suddenly said, "I remember you said before that he really likes the violin, so why don't we write a song for him? Then, Ziwei, Qing'er, and I can play the violin for him, and my brother can play the xiao. Your erhu sounds a bit out of place, so we won't use it for now..."
"Writing a song is a good idea. Let's gather everyone together tomorrow, pool our strengths, and write the song. Then we can help Priest Lang make the bread!"
Yongqi approved of the idea, so he naturally had to act quickly and finish writing it before Benjamin's birthday.
April 15th finally arrived, and the results of their several days of training were in. Yongqi said happily, "Benjamin, we've all written a song for you. Just sit there and listen to us sing!"
For Benjamin, this was a huge surprise!
Hearing everyone sing, Benjamin clapped his hands happily, "You guys are so talented, it sounds wonderful! Once I learn it, I'll play the violin too!"
Emperor Qianlong also gave Benjamin some rewards, which moved Benjamin deeply. Lang Shining not only made bread for Benjamin, but also brought him hot chocolate that Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi loved in their previous lives.
When Yongqi tasted the familiar hot chocolate again, many memories flooded his mind. He recalled Benjamin bringing hot chocolate to Xiaoyanzi's rescue, the Empress mistaking it for poison, but when Qianlong drank it, he laughed heartily and stopped pursuing the matter of Xiaoyanzi sneaking out of the palace...
"Yongqi, this is so delicious! I want another cup!"
Little Swallow got a little tipsy, but Yongqi quickly stopped her, saying, "Little Swallow, you can't drink too much! It'll make you feel hot!"
"Yes, Princess, it's best to drink less!" If you drink too much chocolate and end up having to see the imperial physician, that would be his fault!
Seeing that both of them had objected, Xiao Yanzi didn't insist. "Alright, I'll do as you say. But this stuff tastes so good, Benjamin, could you get some more from your country? If I sell it, I might make a lot of money..."
When Yongqi heard Xiaoyanzi's last sentence, he was stunned. "No way? Xiaoyanzi, you actually came up with a way to make money with hot chocolate?"
"Look, we're all so happy after drinking this chocolate. If we sold it, we could make a fortune. Ordinary people can't afford it, so we'll sell it exclusively to high-ranking officials, especially those corrupt officials who can't be touched yet..."
Yongqi frowned and said, "But wouldn't that be too easy on those corrupt officials?"
After Yongqi said that, Xiaoyanzi felt that it made sense. It seemed a bit unworthy to sell those hot chocolates to corrupt officials who were destined to die.
"Alright, Little Swallow, let's think about these things later. Today is Benjamin's birthday, and Master gave us another day off. Why don't we think about where we should go to have fun?"
Fu Erkang suddenly said, "I heard there's a Ningyun Mountain outside the city, and there's a Yue Lao Temple on the mountain. Why don't we go take a look?"
Little Swallow couldn't help but laugh out loud, "It seems Erkang is looking for his destined partner..."
Yongqi chimed in, "We're all in pairs, it's hard on him. Let's go to Ningyun Mountain and pray at the Temple of the Old Man Under the Moon, hoping that all of us lovers can be together forever!"
Xiao Jian said, "Since everyone has no objections, I'll go and report to the master. You all go first, I'll be right behind you!"
"Little Swallow, you go first, I'll stay and wait for Xiao Jian."
Little Swallow sighed, "Alright, let's go first."
On the way out of the city, Xiao Yanzi looked at Xia Ziwei curiously, "Ziwei, when you go to the Temple of the Old Man Under the Moon, do you want to pray for a destined partner as well?"
"Little Swallow! These things are best left to nature." Although Xia Ziwei had been traveling the world with Little Swallow for several years, she still wasn't as thick-skinned as Little Swallow. As soon as Little Swallow spoke, Xia Ziwei's face turned red.
"Ziwei, let me tell you, you have to find your destined person yourself. If you miss this chance, and your father comes to find someone for you, that person might not be your destined one!"
Knowing about Xia Ziwei and Fu Erkang's relationship, Xiao Yanzi also wanted to help Erkang and Ziwei get married as soon as possible. However, looking at Xia Ziwei's attitude now, she knew that this matter could not be rushed!
Yongqi pulled Xiaoyanzi back and whispered, "Xiaoyanzi, take it slow. If they are truly destined for each other, even if we do nothing, they will still fall in love!" If they are not destined for each other, no matter what they do, Erkang and Ziwei will not be together!
The group slowly made their way up the mountain, finally arriving at the bustling Temple of the Matchmaker. Qing'er exclaimed in surprise, "I really didn't expect so many people to come to the Temple of the Matchmaker..."
Little Swallow sighed, "Our Matchmaker is really busy! He has to manage the marriages of so many people in the mortal world. I just hope he doesn't get confused and break up our lovers!"
In this life, Xiao Yanzi not only wants to be in love with Yongqi, but also wants a unique and official title. She's determined to have this man! Xiao Yanzi, of course, doesn't know that Yongqi feels the same way!
These lovers naturally prayed to the God of Marriage to grant them a happy ending as soon as possible!
Fu Ertai prayed in his heart, "My destined one, where are you? Please come out!" His heart couldn't take it anymore!
He had just noticed that his older brother's eyes hadn't left Xia Ziwei since she appeared. "Looks like Benjamin and I are the only ones left all alone..."
Xia Ziwei was naturally unaware that she had only known Fu Erkang for a short time before he fell in love with her at first sight.
Yongqi looked at the matchmaker on the altar and murmured to himself, "Matchmaker, if you have eyes, please let Xiaoyanzi and me be together for life, hand in hand until we grow old!" When Xiaoyanzi said she didn't want to stay in the palace anymore, he would let a qualified heir succeed to the throne, and then take Xiaoyanzi and fly away.
"Benjamin, your birthday wish isn't to find your soulmate, is it?" Little Swallow looked at Benjamin curiously. "If you're looking for your soulmate here, it might be a bit difficult..."
"My destined one? I think I've found mine..."
Everyone was dumbfounded. Yongqi hurriedly asked, "Then who is your destined person?"
"Xiao Jian..."
"!!!" Everyone's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "What???"
Little Swallow swallowed hard. "Benjamin, are you going to be my sister-in-law?"
Benjamin quickly shook his head, "No, you've misunderstood. It's Xiao Jian's xiao, and my violin..."
Qing'er finally understood and asked, "You mean to say that you and Xiao Jian are kindred spirits?"
Benjamin nodded excitedly, "Yes, this is it..."
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