Ten days later, Emperor Qianlong announced that he would go on an incognito tour after the Lantern Festival. The younger princes would naturally stay in the palace, while Yongzhang, Yongcheng, Yongqi and others would accompany Emperor Qianlong on the tour.
Emperor Qianlong, accompanied by Yongqi (Benjamin), Qing'er (Xiao Jian), the Fu brothers, and others, strolled in the Imperial Garden. Looking at Yongqi beside him, Qianlong said, "Yongqi, we might run into Xiaoyanzi on this trip, which could ease your longing for her."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this form of address, Emperor Qianlong frowned and said, "Since we're about to embark on an inspection tour, this form of address naturally needs to be changed. Erkang, why don't you tell me your plans?"
"Yes." Fu Erkang explained his plan in detail, and Qianlong was very pleased after listening. "I will do as you say."
"Xiao Jian, we'll be visiting your hometown of Hangzhou during this trip. As for Xiao Yanzi, we might run into her, but she might be busy with her own affairs elsewhere right now. You and Yongqi shouldn't have too high hopes!"
Xiao Jian smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, you are most worried about the Fifth Prince. I am not worried. That little girl, Xiao Yanzi, is so clever and mischievous. Who could hurt her? I'm just afraid that she'll be having so much fun outside that she won't remember to come back!"
Qing'er frowned and glanced at Xiao Jian, saying, "Xiao Jian, what are you saying? Is Xiao Yanzi that kind of person? I bet she's always thinking about coming back as soon as possible to reunite with everyone!"
Yongqi looked down at the love knot and ring in his hand, "I believe her heart is just like mine, always thinking of each other!"
The love knot and ring were gifts from Xiao Yanzi for his birthday, and he was required to wear them at all times to announce to everyone that Yongqi was taken!
Looking at Yongqi's infatuated expression, Fu'ertai teased, "Your Majesty, I think we should hurry up and make preparations. The Fifth Prince is lovesick and probably can't wait to see his future wife!"
Emperor Qianlong laughed loudly, "Hahaha, we must hurry up and prepare! Xiao Jian, Erkang and Ertai, I'll have to trouble you with your work!"
Fu Erkang clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. These are all our duties. If there is nothing else, we will go and make preparations!"
After Qianlong nodded, the Fu brothers and Xiao Jian all went to prepare for the inspection tour. Even Benjamin joined the tour team to find Imperial Physician Chang and ask for his exclusive secret recipes.
Qing'er knew that Qianlong and Yongqi, father and son, probably had something to say, so she made an excuse to slip away, and the two of them slowly walked towards Shufangzhai.
Emperor Qianlong looked at Yongqi beside him and said with emotion, "Yongqi, in recent years, seeing you handle state affairs with increasing ease and get along well with your brothers and sisters, I am truly gratified."
"Father, it is my honor to share your burdens!"
"But Yongqi, is this really the kind of life you want?" Qianlong asked, somewhat reluctantly. "I know that if it weren't for me, and for Consort Yu, you might yearn for a life like an ordinary person, wouldn't you?"
Yongqi took a deep breath and sighed, "Father, as a prince of the royal family, since you enjoy the love and respect of the people, shouldn't you be responsible for them and for the country? I know the responsibilities I bear. Even if... even if I'm just a prince, the burden on my shoulders will not be light..."
“Father, I know the principle of fulfilling one’s duties in one’s position. Besides, Xiao Yanzi has told me more than once that I should continue to work for the well-being of the people in the court. Since this is what she hopes for, then I will do as she wishes!”
"Besides, even Father Emperor can't do whatever he wants, let alone your son? I may yearn for the life of an ordinary person, but I am not an ordinary person after all. Since I am not, I must live up to my status..."
Emperor Qianlong then asked, "If that's the case, can you achieve your desire for a lifetime of monogamy? You yourself said that even I sometimes have to compromise, so what about you?"
"Father, I believe I will not encounter such a problem..."
Emperor Qianlong looked at Yongqi curiously, "Why?"
"Because the person I've chosen is not an ordinary person. Even though I might be held back for various reasons, she won't..."
Emperor Qianlong was somewhat incredulous. "You mean you're placing your hopes on her?"
"Father, to tell you the truth, in my heart, I a thousand times, ten thousand times, don't want Xiao Yanzi to leave. I a thousand times, ten thousand times, hope that Xiao Yanzi will stay by my side forever. She doesn't need to know anything; I just need to protect her. But cruel reality tells me that only when Xiao Yanzi becomes strong can she protect herself, even if in the end she has to leave me and disappear completely..."
"If one day I do something wrong and anger her, I hope she has enough confidence to do what she wants without hesitation, even if she wants to be an empress!"
"Yongqi!" Emperor Qianlong never expected that Yongqi would have such thoughts. "How could you..."
"Father, you haven't experienced my pain, so you can't understand what Xiao Yanzi means to me. All I can tell you now is that if she's gone, I don't want to live anymore!"
Looking at Yongqi, who was only ten years old, his eyes were full of vicissitudes, as if he had experienced a lot of painful things without Yongqi's knowledge. "Yongqi, do you really care about her that much?"
"yes!"
Emperor Qianlong sighed, "No wonder you've been planning for her and Xiao Jian all these years, wanting to give her the best of everything. Although I could see your feelings for her a few years ago, I didn't expect them to be this deep. If you two can't be together, you'll probably go crazy, won't you?"
Yongqi smiled bitterly, "If she is happy, even if I'm not by her side, I'm willing to protect her happiness! But Xiaoyanzi has firmly chosen me, so I will do everything in my power to make her happy!"
"I understand. Don't worry, I will fully support you!"
"Thank you, Father Emperor!" Yongqi immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Emperor Qianlong, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Alright, get up. I'm going back now. Whether you stay at Shufangzhai or return to Yonghe Palace is up to you."
"Respectfully seeing off Father Emperor."
Yongqi stood up and watched Qianlong leave. He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and walked to Xiaoyanzi's room in Shufangzhai. "Xiaoyanzi..."
Shufangzhai is filled with many memories, and Xiaoyanzi's room also holds many memories, of Xiaoyanzi who, after being slapped by Emperor Qianlong, shouted that she would abandon everything and leave the palace...
And then there's Little Swallow, who died in her room at the end. "Little Swallow, tell me, how did we end up like that in our past life?"
"You were so good, why did you end up like this..." Just thinking about that scene made Yongqi's heart clench. He knelt down in front of Xiaoyanzi's bed, his fists clenched, and whispered, "In this life, whoever dares to stop us, I will kill them!"
Some of what she said to Qianlong was true, and some was false. He would only keep Xiao Yanzi by his side and would never allow her to be with someone else. "Xiao Yanzi, you are mine, you belong only to me, and no one can take you away!"
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