“Yongqi, you’re busy learning to make noodles in the imperial kitchen and also learning embroidery. Isn’t that too tiring? Let me see your hands…”
Yongqi was a little unwilling, and pulled his hands behind his back, saying, "Mother, I'm a grown man, it's no big deal if I get pricked a few times in my hand, especially since medicine has already been applied!"
"You're a grown man, and you're my son too. Quickly, show me your hands!" Consort Yu insisted on seeing them, and Yongqi couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to take her hands as well.
Consort Yu looked down and saw that some had minor burns and others had been pricked by needles. She was both touched and heartbroken. "I appreciate your filial piety, but you two must not let yourselves get so disheveled in the future!"
"Yes, we've learned our lesson this time, so we definitely won't be this embarrassed next time!" The three of them looked at each other and then burst out laughing.
Yongqi said, "Mother, I also asked Father to invite an opera troupe from the Southern Palace. Let's watch the opera at Yonghe Palace this afternoon..."
"A theatrical troupe? What kind of play?" Consort Yu became interested and looked at Yongqi curiously. "Don't pick one that I don't like!"
Yongqi said, "I didn't like watching it before, but maybe I will like it now!"
The three sat in the courtyard, watching the opera troupe set up the stage and begin their performance.
Today's play is about Mu Guiying taking command, which naturally makes Xiao Yanzi very excited and envious!
Consort Yu was deeply moved after reading it, feeling that if men were strong enough, why would women need to show their faces in public?
Little Swallow disagreed with this view, saying, "Your Majesty, why can't it be that if men are strong, women can be just as strong?"
"The fact that Mu Guiying could fight alongside Yang Zongbao shows that their abilities were evenly matched!"
"It's just that Mu Guiying is better, but on the battlefield, there are many people needed: a marshal in charge of everything, generals to fight, soldiers to go to the battlefield, and those in charge of logistics..."
The next part of the time was spent by Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi telling Consort Yu some of their views that they believed should be promoted and spread in the future!
As for Consort Yu, a feudal person, although she couldn't accept it, she also understood one principle: she should just listen to her son, after all, her son was smarter than her!
"You two have so much to say. If you can actually spread it like you say, that would be a real achievement!"
"Alright, you've spent the whole afternoon with me, now it's time to go back and study, right?"
Yongqi nodded helplessly and replied, "I understand, Mother. Don't worry, it definitely won't interfere with my studies!"
After the performance, the opera troupe from the Southern Mansion left. After seeing Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi go into Yongqi's study to study, Consort Yu, supported by Mei'er and Ying'er, returned to her own room.
Mei'er whispered from the side, "Her Majesty seems happier than usual today..."
In previous years, when Consort Yu celebrated her birthday, she showed no joy at all; she always seemed to have aged a year.
This year, however, Consort Yu smiled all day long, and it was a genuine smile from the heart.
Ying'er continued, "Of course! This is clearly all thanks to the Fifth Prince and the young lady. The Fifth Prince cooked for Your Majesty himself, and the young lady even learned embroidery to make this sleep-aid sachet for you. Your Majesty is naturally very touched and happy!"
"Yeah, I used to think I was old, but now when I see Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, I feel like I'm younger..."
"Your Highness, this servant believes that this Little Swallow is no ordinary girl; she will shine brightly one day!"
"This servant thinks so too..."
Consort Yu sighed, "You two girls, it's fine to say such things in front of me, but you can't say them outside, or you'll bring trouble to Yonghe Palace!"
Mei'er and Ying'er said in unison, "This servant understands the seriousness of the matter and dares not speak recklessly!"
"It's good that Yongqi is ambitious, and it's also good that Xiaoyanzi has such wonderful ideas, but what I hope for even more is that they can both be safe and happy!"
She had imagined Yongqi becoming emperor and her becoming empress dowager, but what she hoped for even more was that he could live peacefully. As long as he was alive and well, that would be enough!
"The Fifth Prince is exceptionally intelligent. Even if he can't become a high-ranking official, he'll at least be a prince. Besides, the Emperor likes him so much, so he's sure to have a good life ahead of him!"
"Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. The emperor likes him so much now, but who knows what will happen in the future..."
If Emperor Qianlong treated his concubines this way, how much more so his sons?
Besides, the emperor's thoughts are unpredictable. He might be treating Yongqi so well right now just as a target to shield another prince he favors!
After returning to her room, Consort Yu rested for a short while.
On the contrary, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi in the study remained in high spirits.
Especially Xiao Yanzi, "Yongqi, do you know, when Consort Yu was concerned about me, I really didn't know what was wrong, but my hand, which wasn't hurting before, suddenly started hurting... and I suddenly felt like crying..."
Yongqi hugged Xiaoyanzi and comforted her, "I understand how you feel. It's like before, when I accidentally fell and didn't feel much pain at first, but Mother immediately came to care about me. Her concern made me feel even more pain..."
"This is actually how we are in front of our closest people; we show our most vulnerable side..."
Actually, you don't need to put on an act in front of your closest people!
At that time, I was my true self, so most of the people closest to me were the ones who understood me best!
Consort Yu is now clearly the closest person to them, a feeling that wasn't even as strong in front of Emperor Qianlong, mainly because he is the emperor...
Emperor Qianlong was so high and mighty that he could bestow the title of princess upon a commoner with a single word.
With just a word, he could have his favorite princess beheaded;
He was both imposing and strict yet loving, making it impossible for his son Yongqi and daughter Xiaoyanzi to truly hate him!
"Yongqi, you've all been so good to me, I'm afraid that one day I won't be able to bear leaving you!"
Xiao Yanzi's sudden remark surprised Yongqi.
But after the initial surprise, he calmed down and whispered, "Then do you want to stay? Stay and grow up with me..."
Little Swallow shook her head violently again, "I don't want to! I don't want to stay in the palace as your canary, as your burden!"
"I must venture into the world and become stronger so that I can fight alongside you!"
"Okay, let's both work hard so that we can reunite as soon as possible!"
"Um!"
The two embraced tightly, and Yongqi even wished time would slow down so he could hold her for a little longer.
However, it was time for bed, and he had to send Little Swallow back. "Alright, go back to sleep. See you tomorrow. You don't have to go to school on Dragon Boat Festival, you can play all day!"
Little Swallow laughed and said, "Then I must get some rest and recharge so I can play all day tomorrow!"
Yongqi escorted Xiaoyanzi back home before returning to his own room. "I really wish time would pass faster!"
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