Today's major national event is that Emperor Qianlong is going to Black Dragon Pool to pray for rain.
As it happened, the younger generation was getting bored staying in the palace, so Emperor Qianlong took Xiao Yanzi, Xia Ziwei, Qing'er, and the other younger generation out with him.
Today, the original plan was for several young girls to ride in a carriage with Emperor Qianlong, while the young gentlemen rode horses. But judging from the current situation, it seems that Yongqi will be riding a horse with Xiaoyanzi.
Emperor Qianlong looked curiously at Xiao Yanzi, who was already sitting on the horse. "Xiao Yanzi, what's wrong with you today? Yongqi carried you out, and now you want to ride a horse together?"
Little Swallow muttered, "Your Majesty should ask your good son instead!"
"Father, please get in the carriage first. Let's hurry up and set off." Yongqi subtly changed the subject. Qianlong, being an experienced man, naturally saw through their misunderstanding and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "The children have indeed grown up. It seems we need to speed things up."
Otherwise, if someone were to die, it would truly be a laughing stock for the royal family!
Emperor Qianlong boarded the carriage, followed by Xia Ziwei and Qing'er. The others mounted their horses. This trip did not involve a large number of people; most were younger members of the family. Among those riding horses, only Fu Heng and E Min, who were close to Emperor Qianlong's age, were accompanied.
Therefore, Emperor Qianlong relied entirely on his two maids, Xia Ziwei and Qing'er, to keep him entertained while he sat in the carriage.
"Ziwei, I heard that you and Erkang have been getting quite close lately. What do you think? Does Erkang catch your eye?" Qianlong's sudden words left Xia Ziwei completely bewildered.
"Father, you know everything?"
Emperor Qianlong smiled slightly and said, "You two meet every few days. How can you hide the emotions in your eyes from anyone?"
"If Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, Xiaojian and Qing'er, you and Erkang could really be together, it would put my mind at ease."
"However, Xiao Jian is in charge of the Xiao family army for me, and now there is news that some people are making trouble. I'm afraid that sooner or later, Xiao Jian will also have to go to the battlefield. Qing'er, are you afraid?"
As soon as Qianlong finished speaking, Qing'er chimed in, "Your Majesty, Qing'er is not afraid. When I was little, I didn't know anything and could only wait foolishly in the mansion. But now, I have all sorts of skills. No matter if Xiao Jian has to go through fire or water, I'm willing to accompany him!"
Xia Ziwei looked at Qianlong earnestly and said, "Father, Qing'er and I have learned a lot of skills under Xiao Yanzi's influence. If we really need to go to the battlefield, we can go with the army and let the outside world see that the women of our Great Qing Dynasty are no less capable than the men!"
"That's good. It seems I really need to have a talk with the Empress Dowager and get your marriages arranged."
“Although you two have a good relationship, if you hold the ceremony together, the time will probably be too tight. Also, you will definitely want to attend each other's weddings and have a good time in the bridal chamber. So let's do it in order of age. First, Xiao Jian and Qing'er, then Yong Qi and Xiao Yanzi, and Er Kang and Zi Wei…”
Upon hearing this, Qing'er's eyes widened. "Does His Majesty mean that we should hold my wedding with Xiao Jian first?"
"You know how much the Empress Dowager loves you. To get her to agree, we'll all have to work together!"
"As long as the Empress Dowager agrees, I will immediately have the Imperial Astronomical Bureau select an auspicious date for your grand wedding!"
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Qianlong told Qing'er, who was kneeling and expressing her gratitude, to get up quickly. "It's too early to express gratitude now. Let's think about how to persuade the Empress Dowager!"
Xia Ziwei pressed on, "Father, what about Fifth Prince and Xiao Yanzi? Are we really going to wait until Xiao Yanzi turns eighteen before they get married, as she said?"
If this is done, won't her good time with Fu Erkang be postponed again?
Emperor Qianlong sighed, "The main problem actually lies with Xiao Yanzi. Once she understands this, the rest won't be a problem. But you all know Xiao Yanzi's personality. She's used to being free and unrestrained. If she were to stay in the mansion all day after marriage, being a good wife and mother, she definitely wouldn't do it. Besides, she still thinks of herself as a child..."
Qing'er sighed as well, "Yes, Xiao Yanzi said that if she couldn't be 100% sure she could provide a good life for her child, she wouldn't bring the child into this world. That would be irresponsible to the child!"
"But everyone knows the Empress Dowager's temperament. If she gets married but doesn't want children, even if Consort Yu agrees, the Empress Dowager won't be willing. She will definitely force Yongqi to take a concubine!" After all, at her age, what she cares about most is having many descendants for the royal family.
Speaking of this, Xia Ziwei frowned. "Furthermore, the Fifth Prince is the Emperor's most favored prince. I wonder how many people are eyeing the position of the Fifth Prince's wife. If Xiao Yanzi doesn't have a child, the court officials will probably submit a memorial urging the Fifth Prince to take a wife."
At that time, I guess a lot of people would have been cursing Xiao Yanzi. If you don't want to have children, then let Yongqi have children with someone else. Getting married but not having children is like taking something for granted without contributing anything.
Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, who were riding horses outside, overheard the conversation inside the carriage, and the sweet atmosphere between the two vanished instantly.
What Xia Ziwei and Qing'er were talking about was exactly what Xiao Yanzi was worried about. Up until now, she was not ready to be a mother, so how could she get married and have children so soon?
However, if this continues, the Empress Dowager will still get anxious. Perhaps when she loses her patience, she will actually take Yongqi as a concubine, and then everything will be over!
Although she knew very well that Yongqi was no longer a lamb to be slaughtered!
Even if the Empress Dowager really forced him, he probably wouldn't get his way!
"Little Swallow, don't worry, as long as you're willing to marry me, I'll wait as long as it takes!" As long as he's by her side, she'll do anything!
Little Swallow casually asked, "What if I never want to get married, and I think we're fine as we are now? Can you really withstand all the pressure and not marry or take anyone else as a concubine?"
"Then it must be something I did wrong that made you not trust me. Tell me, and I'll change. If... if you really don't want to marry me... then I'm willing to give up everything and follow you wherever you go!"
"As for the world, I will work with Father Emperor to find someone more suitable than me!"
Xiao Yanzi had already sensed Yongqi's panic, but she still said, "Haven't you thought about how we'll be separated by vast distances? You're in the imperial court, and I'm in the martial world. We'll do what we're supposed to do, without disturbing each other..."
Yongqi's horse suddenly stopped, and he looked down at Xiaoyanzi in front of him. "Xiaoyanzi, don't joke like that! I can't stand it!"
"I can't bear the thought of us being separated forever! I can't bear the thought of other people appearing in your life! So, Little Swallow, please, don't leave me, don't separate from me!"
"Okay, give me some more time. Once I've thought it through, we'll get married!"
"Okay! I'll think about it with you!" After pausing for a while, the horse continued forward. Yong and Yan leaned close together, with Xiao Yanzi nestled in Yongqi's arms, looking at the scenery ahead. The heavy mood they had just felt had dissipated.
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