After Consort Yu's birthday celebration, the next day was the Dragon Boat Festival.
The palace smelled of zongzi all day long.
At noon, Emperor Qianlong and others were watching the dragon boat race.
Strangely, Yongyan, Kangwei, and Xiaoqing, who always enjoy lively gatherings, were not present.
Fu Lun stepped forward and explained, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the others are about to take the stage."
Emperor Qianlong then realized that these people had gone to row dragon boats.
"Is that so? Then I'll have to see for myself who will win between these people and those professional dragon boat athletes..."
Ji Xiaolan, who was sitting near Emperor Qianlong, suddenly spoke up, "Since the Crown Prince and the others are so interested, why don't we play some games too..."
Upon hearing this, Yongqi knew it couldn't be anything good, and as it turned out, his wish came true. "Eleventh Prince, Twelfth Prince, you two can write poems on the theme of dragon boats."
Yongqi said dejectedly, "Master Ji, you really never let us off the hook!"
Emperor Qianlong laughed heartily, "Xiaolan's idea is excellent, Yongxing, Yongqi, hurry up and do it."
Those who are required to compose poetry have no choice but to obey orders.
The dragon boats led by the three couples, Yongyan, Kangwei, and Xiaoqing, also arrived.
"Go, Father and Mother!" Mianyao was the first to cheer for Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi.
The others, not to be outdone, cheered for their parents. Halfway through the race, Mianhua shouted, "Father, Uncle is about to overtake you..."
"Father, Mother, hurry up..." Mianyao called out.
In the end, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi's team won, followed by Xiaoqing, and Kangwei came in last.
Emperor Qianlong led the applause, saying, "Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, you two are truly amazing!"
"You even went to the dragon boat race together this year!"
Mianyao mercilessly exposed Yongyan's reason for participating in the dragon boat race, "Grandpa, Father and Mother just didn't want Master Ji to keep an eye on their poetry writing, so they went to the dragon boat race..."
Mianyao's words embarrassed Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi.
Ji Xiaolan couldn't help but laugh out loud, "In previous years, whenever it was time to compose a poem, your father and mother were always the first to run away."
Emperor Qianlong also recalled what had happened before and laughed along, "Little Swallow, it seems that writing poetry is your Achilles' heel."
Little Swallow sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Father, memorizing poems is already killing me, and now you want me to compose poems? Just thinking about it gives me a headache..."
She can write poetry spontaneously when she is in a good mood or for other reasons, but she cannot be ordered to write poetry on the spot.
After the competition ended, Emperor Qianlong bestowed many fine gifts upon everyone and then let them go off to have some fun.
Because the Imperial Noble Consort Ling is due to give birth in a few days, she was not allowed to participate in today's event.
The Empress also did not come because she was unwell.
At this moment, those strolling with Emperor Qianlong in the Imperial Garden included Consort Yu, who was 52 years old; Consort Shu, who was 38 years old; and Consort Ying, who was 35 years old.
Nine-year-old Jinghua followed Consort Ying, who was the daughter of the deceased Consort Xin.
After Consort Xin passed away, she was entrusted to Consort Ying for upbringing.
Mianhua followed beside Consort Yu, while Mianyao held Qianlong's hand and walked slowly. "Grandpa, you have so many calluses on your hands..."
"Grandpa Emperor, even if you're the emperor, do you still have to practice martial arts this hard?"
Emperor Qianlong laughed and said, "If you are the emperor, then you should practice martial arts even more diligently."
"Otherwise, when faced with danger, one can only wait for the guards to come and save oneself, which is too dangerous for an emperor."
When Mianyao heard what Qianlong said, she nodded. "It seems so. I remember my mother also told me that no matter what my status is, it's better to have martial arts skills than not to."
"If one is physically weak, mastering both medicine and poison techniques can ensure the safety of oneself and one's relatives and friends."
Consort Ying stepped forward and said, "If I weren't already too old, I would also like to learn martial arts."
Mianyao smiled and said, "Your Highness Ying, although it's too late to learn martial arts, it's never too late to learn medicine and poisons..."
Consort Ying looked at Mianyao curiously, "Really? Little Yao'er, you'd like to teach me?"
Mianyao patted her chest and said confidently, "As long as Consort Ying wants to learn, Yao'er will teach her until she learns."
Mianhua chuckled, "You yourself still need Imperial Physician Chang to guide you, and you already want to teach Consort Ying..."
He looked at Consort Ying and said, "Your Highness, if you want to learn medicine, you can go directly to my mother."
“My mother’s medical skills are far superior to this girl’s.”
Mianyao frowned and waited for Mianhua, "Are you still my brother? You're always undermining me!"
Mianhua smiled and said, "It's precisely because he's your own brother that I have to sabotage you. Otherwise, if you raise any problems, your father and mother will have to clean up the mess for you."
"..." Seeing that she couldn't win the argument with Mianhua, Mianyao pouted and looked at Qianlong, "Grandpa, look at him!"
Emperor Qianlong laughed a few more times, "You silly girl, just listen to your brother. If something really goes wrong, it will cause trouble for your father and mother."
Seeing that Mianyao was still unhappy, Consort Ying stepped forward and said, "Little Yao'er, how about this, you teach me first, and then I'll go to your mother. This way, it will also help reinforce your knowledge, okay?"
Mianyao nodded, "Empress Ying is still the best to me."
Consort Yu smiled helplessly, "You little rascal."
Consort Ying looked at Consort Yu, "Sister Yu, I really envy you. You have a son and daughter-in-law like the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and a precious granddaughter like Xiao Yao'er..."
Consort Yu smiled and shook her head, "You'll understand once you spend more time with this little girl..."
"Don't come crying to me when the time comes."
At this moment, Consort Ying was naturally unaware that after Mianyao arrived at her Chuxiu Palace, she turned it into a complete mess, but that's a story for another time.
"I really envy you, Yao'er. Why is your memory so good?" Jinghua looked at Mianyao curiously.
Even though everyone had to learn roughly the same subjects, Mianyao managed to master them all.
"Auntie, this is probably just a matter of personal talent."
Seeing that her niece was even more capable than her, Jinghua felt utterly devastated.
She sometimes wondered why her fifth brother had to get married so early.
Why was she born so late?
Otherwise, why would she be taking classes with her niece? And this niece is incredibly talented!
Mianyao patted Jinghua on the shoulder, "Take your time, study hard, and I believe you can find your own path."
Consort Shu, who was watching the show, laughed, "Yes, don't be so anxious. Besides, Xiao Yao'er is, after all, your fifth brother and sister-in-law's child. How could she be an ordinary person? If you insist on comparing them, aren't you just asking for trouble?"
Upon hearing Consort Shu's words, Jinghua quickly nodded, "Your Highness is right, I was overthinking it..."
Consort Ying also looked at Consort Shu, "It seems that Sister Shu is indeed more capable."
Consort Yu listened to their conversation and chuckled, "It's only if Jinghua herself is open-minded; otherwise, nothing we say will make a difference."
Emperor Qianlong chimed in, "Consort Yu is right, Jinghua, you mustn't get stuck on this."
"Even if you want to make comparisons, you should compare yourself to your past self and see if you have improved."
"Comparing yourself to others is just asking for trouble."
Jinghua nodded obediently, "Father, don't worry, I've figured it out."
Emperor Qianlong smiled and said, "It's good that you understand."
The crowd strolling in the Imperial Garden heard laughter coming from Shufangzhai and curiously headed towards it.
The performers on stage were unaware that someone had arrived outside and continued performing the story of Journey to the West.
Yongyan, Kangwei, and Xiaoqing, three couples, each had their own child in their arms, and the three little children watched with smiles.
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