The next day at noon, Yongqi, Benjamin, Qing'er, Xiao Jian, and the Fu brothers gathered around a table for lunch. Yongqi recounted the events of the previous night to everyone. Qing'er found it hard to believe, "You mean you saw Xiao Yanzi at the brothel? But you went there and couldn't find her?"
"But I'm certain she's inside, she just won't come out to see me!"
Xiao Jian asked, "How can you be sure she's inside?"
Yongqi sighed, "Ever since I went in, I've noticed a gaze fixed on me. I recognize that gaze very well; it must be Xiaoyanzi. But I don't know why she won't come out to see me... I've been with Xiaoyanzi for so long; my intuition is right!"
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jian said, "If you are sure that Xiao Yanzi is indeed inside, then she has her reasons for not coming out to see you, and we can just wait; otherwise, if Xiao Yanzi is not inside, then I will have to tell her the truth!"
Clearly, Xiao Jian wanted to watch the show, and the others were naturally gloating, waiting to see Yongqi make a fool of himself. After finishing the last sip of soup, Yongqi laughed and said, "If Xiao Yanzi really isn't inside, I will apologize to her!"
The clothes he wore to the brothel last night have been destroyed, and he has absolutely no trace of anyone else's scent on him. "If Little Swallow can show up and beat me up, then it'll be worth it!" Yongqi said, then got up and left. "I've finished eating, you can enjoy your meal."
Everyone watched Yongqi's retreating figure, filled with mixed emotions.
Fu Ertai looked up to the sky and sighed, "It's over, the Fifth Prince has completely gone mad!"
Fu Erkang chimed in, "Love truly is the most terrifying thing in the world. It has actually turned our wise and mighty Fifth Prince into what he is today... Who would believe it if word got out?"
Qing'er laughed and said, "With Xiao Yanzi gone, he can only be himself in front of us. It's really tough on him!"
Fu Erkang looked at Xiao Jian curiously and asked, "Xiao Jian, can you contact Xiao Yanzi now?"
Xiao Jian shook his head, "This girl is deliberately keeping her whereabouts a secret, so even I can't find her!"
"I'm going to walk around some more tonight to see if I can run into her. Do you guys want to come along?" Yongqi, who had already left, turned back. After exchanging glances, everyone shook their heads. "No thanks. My brother and I have things to do, so we won't join in the fun!"
"Qing'er and I still have to go to the Empress Dowager's place, so we won't accompany you."
The Fu brothers thought to themselves, if they really encountered Xiao Yanzi, wouldn't they have to watch the two of them being all lovey-dovey? They couldn't bear that sight!
Qing'er and Xiao Jian naturally wanted to give Yongqi and Xiao Yanzi more space, and also give themselves some time.
Yongqi then looked at Benjamin, who quickly replied, "The master still needs me, and I'm too busy!"
"Alright, then I'll have to go by myself!" Yongqi breathed a sigh of relief when Benjamin didn't agree.
After having dinner, Yongqi once again went out alone. This time, however, he went to the city wall and stood on it, looking at the myriad lights of the city. "Little Swallow, come out quickly!"
These past few years apart, his longing for her has grown as vast as the mountains and the sea. He fears that if he delays any longer, he might make a mistake when he reunites with Xiao Yanzi!
For as long as Yongqi gazed at the moon from the city tower, Xiaoyanzi watched him from behind. Yongqi murmured, "Xiaoyanzi, no matter how long it takes, I will wait for you!"
Little Swallow watched Yongqi leave, then went to the spot where he had just stood. "Yongqi, just bear with it a little longer. I'll come looking for you in a few more days!"
As Yongqi walked back, he knew in his heart that Xiaoyanzi had been watching him from the city wall. "Xiaoyanzi, what's wrong with you?" Why wouldn't you come out to see me? What happened?
However, Yongqi's information channels also failed to find any recent news about Xiaoyanzi. They had no choice but to wait for Xiaoyanzi to contact them.
"Little Swallow, tomorrow is my birthday, will you come?" Or will it be the same as before, where you just send a gift but never show up?
February 7th is Yongqi's birthday, as well as the birthday of the eleventh prince Yongxing. However, Yongxing is still young and did not come out with them, so their main focus was on Yongqi.
The next morning, Emperor Qianlong held a birthday banquet for Yongqi, saying, "Yongqi, go and see the gift I gave you."
This time, Emperor Qianlong specially prepared a book on governing the country for Yongqi, which contained various contents on how to govern the country and maintain peace. Yongqi was deeply moved when he saw it, saying, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty!"
Emperor Qianlong laughed and said, "Yongqi, take the time to look at this carefully, and don't let me down!"
Because Emperor Qianlong sealed the book, no one else knew what was inside. Generally, when a prince celebrated his birthday, Emperor Qianlong would bestow gold and silver jewelry upon him. Only on special occasions and for special individuals would they receive a gift specially prepared by Emperor Qianlong himself!
Therefore, the mysterious gift that Emperor Qianlong prepared for Yongqi has aroused much speculation among the people.
"Fifth Prince, the gift from Princess Feiyan has arrived!" Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Guizi came to deliver the message, and Yongqi's eyes immediately lit up. Yongzhang, Yongcheng, and the others teased, "Look at our Fifth Prince! He usually looks so imposing, but as soon as he hears about Princess Feiyan, his eyes change instantly..."
"Fifth Brother, I think you've managed to steal Sister Little Swallow away with your current look!" His eyes shone, his face was full of smiles, and he looked like a gentle and refined gentleman. "However, my Sister Little Swallow has been traveling in the martial world for so long, she might meet even more outstanding people!"
Upon hearing this, Yongqi was instantly displeased. He glared at Yongrong and said, "No matter how outstanding others are, they can't compare to me. Besides, Xiaoyanzi only has me in her heart. No one else can catch her eye!" Anyone who dares to flirt with his Xiaoyanzi should not blame him for being impolite!
Yongzhang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Sixth brother, take it easy! If you upset your fifth brother, don't blame your third brother for not protecting you!"
Yongcheng chimed in, "Hey, the one you two should be most careful of is our Feiyan Princess, who's been away from the palace for a long time. If she finds out we're teasing the Fifth Prince here, she'll skin us alive!"
"That's right! Everyone in the palace knows that Princess Feiyan is the most protective of Fifth Brother. If they find out that you're teasing and bullying him, she'll definitely not let you off the hook!"
Yongzhang chimed in, "Fourth Sister is right, Sixth Brother, you'd better be careful!"
Yongrong pouted, "The way you're talking makes it sound like I'm the only one teasing Fifth Brother. Haven't you all teased him enough over the years? When Sister Xiaoyanzi comes back, I'll go and complain to her first. If we're going to be in trouble, we'll all be in trouble together!"
Yongqi looked at them helplessly and said, "Hey you guys, are you just messing with me? Just because I'm not showing my strength doesn't mean you think I'm a pushover! I'm in a good mood today, so let's have a little spar and see how good our martial arts are!"
Emperor Qianlong was clearly intrigued. "Excellent! Let me see if you've all made any progress!"
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