Chapter 16 Qing'er's Concern

"Little Swallow, let me teach you!" Since they didn't have a female general, Yongqi had to step up by himself.

Yongqi should teach Xiaoyanzi first, and then Xiaoyanzi can teach Qing'er!

Seeing that the problem was solved, Yunxi could finally relax. "Alright, Fifth Prince, then you can take care of those two for now. You can leave the rest of the assessment tasks for last!"

"No problem! Thank you, Prince Shen!"

After that, Yunxi focused her attention on the other princes and young masters.

Yongqi then specifically taught Xiaoyanzi, while Qing'er watched from the side.

"Qing'er, watch and learn from her. I believe you and Xiao Yanzi are both so smart, you'll definitely be able to learn!"

Qing'er frowned. "But even if I understand the movements, I might not have the strength."

Yongqi comforted him, "Just practice more, take your time, there's no rush!"

"Come on, Little Swallow, pick up the bow..."

As Yongqi spoke, he placed the arrow on the bow, grasped Xiaoyanzi's hand, and aimed at the bullseye. "Watch your hand..."

After all the preparations were completed, Yongqi allowed Xiaoyanzi to shoot the arrow.

With Yongqi's help, Xiaoyanzi hit the bullseye with her first arrow.

Little Swallow shouted excitedly, "You hit it! Yongqi, you're amazing!"

Yongqi laughed and said, "If you practice more, you'll be even better than me in the future!"

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Meanwhile, in Jinan, Shandong, at Xia Yuhe's home, she had a new batch of maids brought in.

Xia Yuhe looked at Xia Ziwei standing to the side and said, "Ziwei, take a look and choose whichever one you like to be your personal maid."

Xia Ziwei looked at the group of maids standing in front of her, and finally chose a maid of medium height with a round face. "What's your name?"

"Replying to Miss, my name is Jin Suo." Jin Suo lowered her head and answered obediently.

"Mother, I think she's quite good." Xia Ziwei turned to look at Xia Yuhe. "What do you think of her?"

"Since you like it, then it's up to you!" Xia Yuhe nodded.

Then she looked at Jin Suo and said, "Jin Suo, from now on you will stay by her side and serve her well. If you do well, you will naturally receive plenty of benefits."

Jin Suo nodded quickly and replied, "Thank you, Madam, thank you, Miss."

After Xia Yuhe had made arrangements for the other maids, she let Xia Ziwei make her own arrangements.

"Jin Suo, come with me."

Jin Suo followed Xia Ziwei to her room, where Xia Ziwei asked, "Jin Suo, how old are you?"

"I am eight years old."

Xia Ziwei asked again, "Then how did you..."

Although she didn't finish speaking, Jin Suo understood.

She explained, "My parents are both gone, that's why I had to come out and work as a maid..."

Xia Ziwei sighed, "What a pitiful person. But once you come to me, your good days will begin. Although you won't become extremely wealthy, you'll have no problem eating and drinking your fill."

"Thank you, miss."

Afterwards, Xia Ziwei asked Jin Suo many more questions before taking her out of the room.

Xia Ziwei strolled ahead, saying, "Since we're free now, I'll show you around the entire mansion so you can get familiar with the surroundings!"

"Yes." Jin Suo silently followed behind Xia Ziwei.

She answered whatever Xia Ziwei asked, and time passed slowly like that.

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It's 5 PM today. Inside the archery range of the palace, "Little Swallow, Qing'er, I'll have Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Guizi escort you back today. I need to go see Father Emperor; I have some things I want to say to him."

"Okay." Little Swallow pouted, feeling a little disappointed.

Yongqi had always accompanied her on her travels, and they spent most of their time together except when they were sleeping.

Suddenly, with Yongqi not by her side, Xiao Yanzi really felt a little unaccustomed.

She stared at Yongqi's departing figure, lost in thought for a long time.

Seeing that Xiao Yanzi was still staring blankly at Yongqi's departing figure, Qing'er teased, "Xiao Yanzi, stop looking, he's already far away!"

Little Swallow then came to her senses, "Qing'er, please stop laughing at me!"

"Alright, alright, I won't laugh at you anymore. Let's go, I'll take you back to Yonghe Palace!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi immediately refused, saying, "I'll take you back to Cining Palace instead."

"If something happens to me, it's nothing serious. But if something happens to you, the Empress Dowager will probably be furious!"

"Besides, I'm not really ready to go back so soon! I want to go out for a walk."

"But you can't. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you in the Cining Palace!"

Seeing the determination in Xiao Yanzi's eyes, she couldn't refuse. "Alright, let's go then."

Xiao Shunzi, Xiao Guizi, and Shuangxi followed closely behind them.

Qing'er said, "Little Swallow, I can tell that you rely on Yongqi a lot and like him very much..."

"Qing'er, I..."

Xiao Yanzi wanted to explain, but she didn't know how, because what Qing'er said seemed to be what she really thought.

She lowered her head and said dejectedly, "I know I'm not qualified..."

Yongqi was so outstanding, so dazzling, and so favored by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. He might just be the next emperor. And what about her?

An orphan girl who doesn't even know who she is and can't do anything, following him around will probably only embarrass him!

Qing'er smiled and comforted her, "Little Swallow, don't be so self-conscious!"

"Although we don't know your background yet, your existence makes the Emperor and Yongqi even happier, doesn't it?"

“Before, Yongqi and I didn’t have much interaction. It’s because of you that we have more to talk about!”

"I can tell that Yongqi cares about you a lot and likes you very much!"

"Moreover, I think it's not just me who noticed it; many people in the palace have noticed it too..."

Qing'er paused for a moment, then frowned and said, "But Little Swallow, as a friend, there are some things I still need to tell you."

"If what you're pursuing is someone who only has you by his side, then this path is extremely difficult, and it might even be impossible, so..."

Little Swallow forced a smile. "I know. I knew it when I was outside the palace."

“Those people outside the palace still have several wives, let alone those inside the palace. Doesn’t the Emperor have just as many concubines…”

Qing'er looked at Xiao Yanzi worriedly, "Then you..."

Little Swallow sighed, "Qing'er, I've never dared to dream of anything, at least not now, but once I become better, perhaps I'll be able to pursue something..."

Right now, she's nothing, so she can't say anything!

If she's not careful, she might become someone else's leverage against Yongqi. She can't be such a burden!

Qing'er smiled and said, "Although I'm worried about you, I believe Yongqi can do it!"

"I also believe that you will all be alright!"

"No matter what others think, I support you!"

"Qing'er, thank you!" Xiao Yanzi looked at Qing'er with great emotion. "Luckily, there's someone in the palace I can talk to, otherwise I really don't know how much longer I could stay in this palace..."

"Little Swallow, we must have hope for the future!"

"We go to school together now, practice archery together, and there are so many things we'll do together in the future. I think that future will definitely be wonderful!"

As the two chatted, the Cining Palace came into view.

"Qing'er, now that you're here, you should go in and see the Empress Dowager!"

"I can tell you're flustered because Yongqi isn't here. Do you really want to go in?"

Little Swallow nodded, "I want to go in. I can't rely on him for everything!"

She doesn't want to be a useless person who can't do anything without Yongqi!

“Okay, let’s go in together!” The two little girls held hands and walked into the Cining Palace.

"Your Majesty, Qing'er is back!"

"Little Swallow greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well!"

Qing'er could greet the Empress Dowager freely, but she couldn't!

She can't afford to make the slightest mistake now, lest someone seize the opportunity to slander Yongqi!