"What's so strange about her? She's the Little Swallow who flew from the common people to the palace, I think she's great!" Yongqi retorted without another word.
"But you, Third Brother, instead of being curious about Little Swallow, why don't you go back and check your studies, lest Father Emperor be unhappy again!"
Yongzhang smiled helplessly, "You really know how to hit people where it hurts!"
"Alright, I'm leaving now. Keep a close eye on your own people, otherwise, who knows how many people in this palace might be plotting against her!"
"Third Brother, wait for me."
Yongcheng's relationship with Yongqi was naturally not as good as his relationship with Yongzhang, so he didn't want to stay and gossip about anything and left with Yongzhang!
Seven-year-old Yongrong continued to look at Yongqi with curiosity, "Fifth Brother, could this be my future sister-in-law?"
Yongqi was so frightened that she quickly covered his mouth, "What nonsense are you talking about at such a young age!"
"I...I didn't talk nonsense..." Yongrong struggled to remove Yongqi's hand, still wanting to continue speaking.
But Yongqi ruthlessly interrupted him, saying, "Sixth brother, you should go back to your mother!"
Seeing Yongqi's anxious look, Yongrong knew he couldn't go too far, so he quickly nodded, "Okay, okay, I won't say anything more, I'll go find Mother!"
After getting rid of Yongrong, Yongqi felt extremely awkward again. "Um, Xiaoyanzi, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yanzi interrupted him, "Yongqi, I'm hungry!"
Yongqi instantly forgot Yongrong's words and said, "Little Swallow, how about we go to Cining Palace to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager and get a free meal while we're at it?"
"Is it alright?" Little Swallow looked at him with some worry. "Won't the Empress Dowager be angry?"
Yongqi gently patted Xiaoyanzi's shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm here. She definitely won't be angry. Even if she is, you're so good to her, you'll definitely be able to make her stop being angry!"
Yongqi turned to Xiaoguizi and said, "Xiaoguizi, go back and tell your mother that Xiaoyanzi and I have gone to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. Tell her not to wait for us!"
"Yes, sir!" Xiao Guizi obeyed and left.
Fu Erkang then spoke up, "In that case, Ertai and I will head back first!"
After Yongqi nodded, the two brothers walked towards the outside of the palace.
He and Xiao Yanzi went to Cining Palace. "Fifth Prince has arrived!"
"Yongqi greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well!"
"Little Swallow greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well!"
The two bowed in succession, and the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "Both of you, get up."
"Your Majesty, I was unable to pay my respects earlier today. I hope Your Majesty will not be offended?"
The old lady smiled and shook her head. "It's normal that you have classes and studies and can't pay attention to me. Besides, aren't you already here?"
"It's almost time for dinner, so you and Xiao Yanzi can stay and have a meal with Qing'er and me!"
"Then thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Granny Gui, please add two more sets of bowls and chopsticks!"
After Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi took their seats, the Empress Dowager asked, "Xiaoyanzi, how did you feel about Master Ji's class today?"
Little Swallow stood up again and replied, "Your Majesty, although there are still some things I don't understand, please rest assured, I will study hard and try to keep up with everyone's pace!"
Seeing that Xiao Yanzi's attitude towards learning was quite good, she naturally didn't want to make things difficult for her. "Alright, Xiao Yanzi, sit down and answer her!"
"Yes." Little Swallow sat back down.
She had just sat down when the Empress Dowager's voice came again, "Little Swallow, this is Qing'er, the daughter of Prince Yu. However, her parents are no longer alive, so I brought her back."
"Qing'er told me that when she first met you yesterday, she felt an instant connection with you and really wanted to be your friend..."
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Qing'er looked at Xiao Yanzi with some joy, "Xiao Yanzi, I'm Qing'er, I'm 12 years old, so I should be a little older than you, right? From now on, you can call me 'sister' or just call me by my name!"
Upon hearing this, Yongqi almost burst out laughing, thinking to himself, "If Xiao Jian knew that Qing'er made Xiao Yanzi call her 'sister,' I wonder whether he should cry or laugh?"
Yongqi pinched himself to stop himself from laughing out loud. After finally calming himself down, he realized that Xiaoyanzi and Qing'er's good friendship was temporarily established. "Your Majesty, can I go to the Imperial Study with Xiaoyanzi?"
Although she was taught in the Cining Palace, she really wanted to go to the Imperial Study and attend classes with everyone!
"You want to go too?" The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised and worried. "But attending classes in the Imperial Study will be very tiring. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it!"
Qing'er looked at the Empress Dowager with a determined gaze, "Empress Dowager, Qing'er is not afraid, please agree!"
"Fine, you know I can't go against your wishes!"
Although the Empress Dowager was worried, since Qing'er had already expressed her opinion, she, as an old woman, couldn't say anything more.
At worst, she could just go to the Imperial Study and watch them have class, just like the emperor!
After finishing their meal, the two returned to Yonghe Palace. "Mother, we're back!"
"May Your Highness, Consort Yu, be blessed!"
"Yongqi, has the Empress Dowager said anything?" Consort Yu looked at Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi with some concern, afraid that they would do something wrong and be scolded by the Empress Dowager!
"Starting tomorrow, Qing'er will be joining us in our study!"
"What? Qing'er is going to class too?" Consort Yu was shocked.
She asked in confusion, "How could the Empress Dowager bear to let her go?"
Yongqi smiled helplessly, "Mother, Qing'er is willing to go to class, so there's nothing the Empress Dowager can do. Who knows, tomorrow, not only will Father Emperor be watching our classes in the Imperial Study, but the Empress Dowager will also come to see what's going on!"
He looked at Little Swallow beside him and said, "Alright, Mother, let's go back and rest for a bit. We're going horseback riding and archery this afternoon!"
"Yongqi, it's one thing for you princes and young masters to go horseback riding and archery, but why does Xiaoyanzi have to go too?"
Yongqi explained, “Mother, Father Emperor said that our Qing Dynasty was conquered on horseback. Since we are in the palace, we should learn more. Besides, Xiaoyanzi is interested, so why not take her to learn?”
"Besides, who knows, Qing'er might have gone along this afternoon too!"
Yongqi had someone prepare a set of riding and archery clothes for Xiaoyanzi, and then sent her back to her room. "Xiaoyanzi, go back and get some sleep. I'll wake you up when it's time!"
"Okay, I'm going to sleep now!" Yongqi helped Xiaoyanzi to the bedside, and after watching her get into bed, he quietly left the room.
Afterwards, Yongqi returned to his study. He sat down and reorganized the content that Ji Xiaolan had taught him that morning, making notes so that he could tutor Xiaoyanzi again that evening!
Xiao Yanzi slept for about half an hour before Yongqi woke her up, saying, "Xiao Yanzi, wake up."
Yongqi gently patted Xiaoyanzi's cheek, "Lazybones, get up quickly, it's time to go archery!"
Little Swallow was woken up by being patted on the shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw Yongqi sitting beside her. "Yongqi..."
"Alright, get up quickly, change your clothes, we're going to the archery range!"
After Yongqi had the palace maid help Xiaoyanzi change her clothes and shoes, he rushed to the archery range!
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