After watching the competition, Emperor Qianlong was overjoyed. "Good! You have all made progress in the past few years. It seems that when Xiao Yanzi returns, it will be even more difficult for her to challenge you for first place!"
Xiao Jian said, "Xiao Yanzi has been in the martial arts world for too long. I'm afraid that when she competes with the princes again, she might accidentally hurt you all."
Yongzhang laughed and said, "Xiao Jian, let's not even talk about whether this Little Swallow can hurt us or not. Even if she does hurt us, it's because we're not skilled enough. Why do you need to worry that we'll blame her?"
Yongcheng chimed in, "That's right, are we the kind of people who can't afford to lose? If we can win, we'll fight; if we can't, we'll just try harder and win next time!"
Upon hearing this, Yongqi laughed smugly, "I've remembered what you said. When Xiaoyanzi comes back, if you lose, you're not allowed to cause trouble for her. Father Emperor is my witness!"
"Good, I'll remember that. If you ever lose to Xiao Yanzi in a competition and then try to cause her trouble, I won't let you off the hook!"
Qing'er changed the subject to the gift Xiao Yanzi gave Yongqi, "Yongqi, we haven't seen what Xiao Yanzi gave you yet..."
Xiao Jian chimed in, "That's right, Fifth Prince, quickly open it and see what Little Swallow sent you!"
Over the years, every time Yongqi's birthday arrived, although Xiaoyanzi did not appear, she would always prepare a gift for Yongqi. Every year the gift was different. Some were weapons, some were self-defense pills or powders, and some were portraits of Xiaoyanzi, sachets, jade pendants, etc., under the pretext that they would remind Yongqi of her and not forget her!
Seeing that everyone's attention was on the gift Xiao Yanzi had given him, Yongqi couldn't refuse, so he opened the box in front of everyone. Inside was a hairpin. Xiao Shunzi explained, "Fifth Prince, this is no ordinary hairpin. It has a mechanism on it."
Xiao Jian sighed, "It seems that Xiao Yanzi has given Yongqi another weapon for self-defense."
Qing'er laughed and said, "Hairpins can be worn, and they can also be used for self-defense in critical moments. I have to say, Xiao Yanzi is really thoughtful."
Emperor Qianlong looked at Yongqi meaningfully and said, "Yongqi, Xiaoyanzi is so devoted to you, you mustn't let her down!"
"Father, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to help her, protect her, and love her. I will never do anything to let her down!"
After everyone left, Yongqi sat on the bed with the hairpin Xiaoyanzi had given him, reminiscing about all the little things he had experienced with her. "Xiaoyanzi, you really have a heart of stone. You've been gone for so many years. You promised to come back to see us, but you haven't!"
Little Swallow, hiding outside the window, felt very sad listening to Yongqi's words. However, if she wanted to stay by his side for a long time, she could only endure the pain of separation for now. "Yongqi, I'm sorry, I broke my promise. I will make it up to you when I come back!"
A few days later, Emperor Qianlong set off by water with everyone. They stayed on the boat the whole way. Yongqi spent his days bickering and chatting with Qing'er, Xiao Jian and the others, and helping Emperor Qianlong with government affairs. The days were really boring. Xiao Shunzi would sigh to the sky every day, "Sigh, when will the princess come back?"
Xiao Guizi muttered, "If the princess doesn't come back for a day, the Fifth Prince will feel uneasy. And when he's uneasy, none of us can live well either..."
"Yes, if the princess were to come with us on our tour, it would definitely be a lot of fun."
"The princess has a lot of clever ideas. If she were by the side of our Fifth Prince, we could also have some fun."
"Erkang, have we arrived in Hangzhou yet?"
"Your Majesty, we will arrive in Hangzhou tomorrow."
In the blink of an eye, it was February 27th. On this day, Emperor Qianlong and his entourage finally arrived in Hangzhou. "Xiao Jian, you lead the way. Yongqi, Erkang, let's follow and take a look."
"Xiao Jian obeys." Xiao Jian led the way, bringing everyone to the now-renovated Xiao residence. "Young Master is back! Young Master is back..."
The servants of the Xiao family rushed out. Xiao Jian looked at them and was very moved. "I have brought guests back today. You all hurry up and make tea and prepare the guest rooms."
When the butler saw the group of people behind Xiao Jian, he knew they were no ordinary people, and he quickly arranged for people to prepare tea and guest rooms.
After Yongqi entered the Xiao residence, he wanted to go and see Xiao Yanzi's room. "Xiao Jian, where is Xiao Yanzi's room?"
"Please trouble the steward to lead the way so he can take a look." He still had to attend to Emperor Qianlong and the others, so he couldn't leave and had no choice but to ask the steward to lead the way.
"Young master, please follow me." The butler led Yongqi toward Xiaoyanzi's room, muttering to himself along the way, "Miss came back once a few years ago, but unfortunately she left after only two days. However, we have someone clean this room every day, so it's always ready."
Looking at the buildings and furnishings along the way, Yongqi thought to himself, "Little Swallow, if your parents hadn't died, would you have grown up safely here?"
With her parents and brother by her side as she grew up, Xiao Yanzi must have been an outstanding yet mischievous girl.
"Butler, could I stay here alone for a while?"
"This..." The butler hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "Alright."
He could tell that the young man in front of him cared a lot about their young lady, so he wouldn't do anything bad. He decided to let him be.
"This is Xiao Yanzi's dressing table. If Xiao Yanzi lived at home, she would sit in front of the dressing table every day and have her maid help her with her makeup."
He then went to the study next door, which was filled with books. "This is Little Swallow's study. She studies writing here every day..."
Yongqi looked at the furnishings in the room, and many images of Xiaoyanzi living here flashed through his mind. "Xiaoyanzi, if only I could have prevented the tragedy that befell your parents back then."
If he had met her sooner, he wouldn't have let her suffer so much!
No, after meeting him, Xiao Yanzi lived a very tiring life every day. The dangers around him were no less than those outside. Perhaps, letting Xiao Yanzi live among ordinary people would have been the best choice.
In the common folk, Xiao Yanzi could act freely and unrestrainedly, but when she stayed with him in the palace, she had to suppress her true nature at every turn, weighing the pros and cons of everything she did. Just thinking about all this gave him a splitting headache. "Xiao Yanzi, did I make a mistake back then?"
"Yongqi, I won't allow you to think like that! Since you came into my life, I've realized that my life can be so wonderful and meaningful! You didn't do anything wrong, and neither did I. We just wanted the best for both of us!"
The words Xiao Yanzi had said to him in the past came to mind once again. Yongqi sighed, "Xiao Yanzi is still working hard for our future. How can I back down and make her sad?"
After staying in Xiao Yanzi's room for an hour, Yongqi finally left. When he came out, Qianlong and the others had already left. "Xiao Jian, where are the master and the others?"
"They've all gone back. As for you, whether you stay here or go back is up to you."
Yongqi asked in surprise, "Can I stay here overnight?" Xiao Jian nodded and said, "Of course, we have plenty of guest rooms in the Xiao residence. If you want to stay, just find a room yourself."
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