The things Mianyao did over the past few years are all too painful to recall.
Ever since she could walk on her own, she has loved to study in the pharmacy. As a result, this little girl would sometimes put farting powder in the palace maids' water, and other times sprinkle itching powder in the eunuchs' clothes, causing the palace maids and eunuchs of Yonghe Palace to jump around constantly. They were all terrified of this young lady.
Last May, I wanted to make a pastry as a birthday gift for Consort Yu, but I almost burned down the imperial kitchen.
Every time she gets into trouble, it gives Xiao Yanzi a headache.
Mianyao is even more mischievous than Xiaoyanzi in her previous life, but she has a powerful background and strength. Even though she makes a mess of the palace, no one is really angry with her.
Because she was very good at acting cute and charming, and knew how to manipulate others, Emperor Qianlong, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Consort Yu, Consort Ling, and Consort Shu all doted on Mianyao and let her do whatever she wanted.
Every time Xiao Yanzi got so angry with her that she jumped up and down, Qianlong and the others would protect her.
However, the person Mianyao feared most was also in Yonghe Palace, and that was Yongqi.
Whenever Qianlong and the others tried to protect Mianyao, Yongqi would always step in and tell them not to interfere, letting Xiaoyanzi discipline Mianyao.
Although Mianyao is still young, she should be punished for doing something wrong!
Being a child and not understanding is not an excuse to avoid punishment.
So, after she had her way with the eunuchs and palace maids, Xiao Yanzi would give Mianyao a small amount of powder so that she could also experience that feeling.
"Yao'er, look, you can't even stand this little bit of powder. How can those talented men and beautiful women stand so much?"
"Yao'er, your mother sees that you are interested in these things, so she agrees to let you learn them so early. However, these things are not meant to be used to harm your own people."
After experiencing it firsthand, Mianyao would apologize to the eunuchs and palace maids, promising that she would never tease them again.
After nearly burning down the imperial kitchen, she would also give the best ointments to those who helped put out the fire.
Over time, Mianyao, who used both kindness and severity, gained considerable authority in the palace despite being only 6 years old.
This authority did not come solely from her father and mother, but more so from her own abilities.
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Two ministers hurriedly approached Emperor Qianlong, saying, "Your subject Xie Yuan pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Qianlong was somewhat surprised and waved his hand, saying, "Get up. What's the matter that's so urgent? Why did you rush to the Imperial Garden to see me?"
"Your Majesty is overjoyed! This is an auspicious omen!" Xie Yuan held up a brocade box with both hands. "Please take a look, Your Majesty."
Xiao Luzi took the brocade box, opened it, and handed it to Emperor Qianlong.
"Your Majesty, these are the first batch of coins produced by the mint this year. They've just come out of the furnace. When we were inspecting them, we found this one, which actually has an auspicious cloud on it..."
"Your Majesty, this is a sign from Heaven, a sign that the country will be prosperous and the people at peace this year, with favorable weather and abundant harvests."
"Your Majesty, this coin is an auspicious object. Wearing it will bring good fortune, avert disaster, and ensure lasting peace..."
The words of the two ministers pleased Emperor Qianlong, who immediately bestowed the auspicious coin upon Xia Ziwei, saying, "Ziwei, you have experienced many hardships and tribulations over the years, which has often worried me. Since this is an auspicious object, I will bestow it upon you as your talisman."
Xia Ziwei accepted the auspicious coins and quickly said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."
Little Swallow laughed and said, "This year is truly an auspicious year. You have the Emperor's auspicious coins, and I have the Emperor's auspicious lock. We will definitely be happier this year than last year."
In the evening, everyone sat in the courtyard, enjoying food and drinks while watching the fireworks display – it was quite a lively scene.
Emperor Qianlong suddenly called Yongqi and Erkang over from behind him, "Yongqi, Erkang, have you both finalized the plans for this trip to the south of the Yangtze River?"
Yongqi said, "Father, please rest assured, I have prepared all the carriages and horses. The sixteenth day of the first lunar month is an auspicious day, just one day after the Lantern Festival..."
Emperor Qianlong nodded. "Not bad, not bad. This time, we're going on another family trip. Your Majesty, you must come along this time."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Alright, alright, I'll go with you."
Emperor Qianlong then looked at his concubines and said, "Empress, Consort Yu, Consort Ling, Consort Shu, and Consort Ying, you will all come with me."
"Little Swallow, Ziwei, Qing'er, you can't escape either, you have to come along."
"Grandpa, I want to go too." Mianyao came over and grabbed Qianlong's hand. "Grandpa, take me with you. I won't cause you any trouble!"
"Since you're going, then Mianhua, Yuchen, and Dong'er should all go with you."
The other three-year-olds stayed at home.
That evening, after the banquet ended, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi led Mianhua and Mianyao back to the Rong Prince's Mansion.
"You two little ones, go to sleep now."
"Goodnight, Father and Mother."
After Mianhua and Mianyao returned to their respective rooms, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi also went into their rooms.
Little Swallow sat on the bed and laughed, "We're going on another inspection tour. I wonder what exciting stories will unfold this time."
Yongqi sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. "With you, Little Swallow, here, there are bound to be many exciting stories."
"I heard that my uncle has sneaked out to play again. Maybe we'll have a chance to see him again."
Upon hearing Yongqi's words, Xiaoyanzi's eyes widened. "What? Uncle is out playing again?"
Yongqi nodded. "Yes, now that Feng'an Kingdom has become Feng'an County, it's not a big place to begin with, and there aren't actually that many things to deal with. So, Uncle will naturally find opportunities to sneak out and play."
Little Swallow muttered, "I wonder when Uncle's runaway sweetheart will reappear. I'm really worried that Uncle will never see him before he dies. That would be such a miserable life for him..."
Yongqi comforted them, "If they are destined to meet again, they will surely meet again."
"What if we're not meant to be?"
Yongqi said in a low voice, "Then we can only try to persuade Uncle to let it go..."
"If it were you, could you let go?"
Yongqi shook his head. "I will never let you escape. Even if you do, I will search the whole world for you. I will find you no matter what!"
"Besides, nothing like that will ever happen between us. You're the mother of my three children now, you can't run away."
Little Swallow nodded. "Yes, it can't escape."
Then, as if remembering something else, she asked, "By the way, Yongqi, will we be going to Feng'an County this time?"
Yongqi sighed, "That's unlikely. If you want to go, we can apply to Father Emperor and go ourselves."
"Father is, after all, the ruler of the country, and it is not good for him to be away from home for too long."
Xiao Yanzi thought Yongqi's words made sense, so she stopped thinking about it.
She was just about to comfortably undress for bed when she felt Yongqi's mouth near her ear. She panicked a little, "What are you doing?"
Yongqi's forehead touched hers, and he whispered, "Let's enjoy ourselves a few more times before they go on patrol..."
"You scoundrel..."
Little Swallow's coat was torn open and thrown on the ground.
"Even if I'm a rogue, I'm only a rogue to you."
Another piece of clothing was thrown out.
Yongqi's kiss landed on Xiaoyanzi's neck, and Xiaoyanzi whispered, "Put out the candles..."
Yongqi, however, refused, saying, "You look so beautiful today, I want to take a closer look..."
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