Chapter 34 The Day Before the Assessment

Upon hearing Ji Xiaolan's words, everyone's inner thought was, "Aren't you just spouting nonsense?"

This would be fine if it were a normal assessment, but it was an assessment that was conducted after Xiao Yanzi entered the palace, and then Qing'er joined in. Emperor Qianlong and the Empress Dowager would be watching the assessment results, which put enormous pressure on them!

If those of them who have been studying in the Imperial Study for a long time fail to perform as well as Xiao Yanzi and Qing'er in the assessment, they feel they might as well give up on life!

Looking at the expressions of those below, Ji Xiaolan naturally guessed what they were thinking and comforted them, "Don't worry, the questions won't be too difficult. Xiao Yanzi, Qing'er, you two don't need to be nervous. No matter what the result of this assessment is, there won't be any punishment for you. I arranged this assessment mainly to see how good you two are, and then I'll arrange the next lessons based on your assessment results, understand? So don't worry about what will happen if you don't do well..."

Although Ji Xiaolan said so, who wouldn't really be worried?

Oh, there really is one. Yongqi? There's absolutely nothing to worry about him. Just let him perform normally!

Firstly, if he performs normally, it means that Xiao Yanzi's appearance will not affect him, so no one has any reason to cause trouble for Xiao Yanzi;

Secondly, if he deliberately failed the exam for Xiao Yanzi's sake, Xiao Yanzi might hit him, feeling that he looked down on her, which wouldn't be fun.

Thirdly, it lets Qianlong know clearly that he is still a responsible prince, not someone who would disregard everything for the sake of a woman!

These three reasons prevented Yongqi from going easy on Xiaoyanzi. If he did, it would bring him and Xiaoyanzi endless trouble, so he couldn't do it!

After making a few jokes, Ji Xiaolan began today's lesson. However, because there was an assessment tomorrow, he ended get out of class early again. "Everyone, go home and get some rest today to recharge your energy. We'll have the assessment here at the same time tomorrow! You may all leave now!"

When Ji Xiaolan said it was time to leave, everyone rushed off in a flurry, leaving Yongyan, the Fu brothers, and Qing'er at the very back. Fu Ertai asked, "Fifth Prince, how's Xiaoyanzi's skill level lately? Will Master Ji deliberately make tomorrow's assessment more difficult?"

Before Yongqi could speak, Xiaoyanzi spoke up first, "I'm clearly right here, why don't you just ask me directly, instead of asking Yongqi?"

Fu'ertai was somewhat bewildered by Xiao Yanzi's questioning. Wasn't this his habitual way of avoiding suspicion? Especially after knowing that Yongqi liked Xiao Yanzi very much, he had to take a few steps back. What if he was misunderstood, or Xiao Yanzi took a liking to him? Wouldn't the Fifth Prince kill him?

Fu Ertai frowned, pondered for a moment, and then spoke: "You are the Fifth Prince's man. If I ask the Fifth Prince directly, no one will say anything. Everyone knows I am the Fifth Prince's study companion. But if I ask you directly, what if someone sees us and says this and that..."

The main issue is Xiao Yanzi's somewhat awkward identity. If you call her a palace maid, Yongqi treats her like a treasure, and the Yonghe Palace treats her like a mistress; but if you call her a mistress, she doesn't have a title. When people in the palace see her, they at most call her "Miss" out of respect for Yongqi, but in private, they call her all sorts of things...

Yongqi was displeased. "Ertai, when did you become so timid? Are you afraid of those rumors?"

Voltaire blurted out instinctively, "Just kidding, I was mainly worried you'd be upset..."

Yongqi then understood what Fuertai meant. Wasn't this the reason why he didn't want Xiaoyanzi to stay in the Fu family before?

If Xiao Yanzi falls for Er Kang, both he and Ziwei will cry; if she falls for Er Tai, he will be devastated!

However, Yongqi added, "You're my brother, how could I not trust you? Besides, Xiaoyanzi is such a devoted person, she only has eyes for me, how could she possibly see you?"

"..." Voltaire was speechless, thinking to himself, "You might as well not have explained at all!"

When Fu Erkang saw his younger brother being roasted so badly by Yongqi that he almost vomited blood, he almost couldn't help but burst out laughing. However, he managed to restrain himself and changed the subject, saying, "Xiao Yanzi and Qing'er were added later. I don't think Master Ji will deliberately make things difficult for them. If Qing'er's grades are too bad, I'm afraid she won't be able to get through to the Empress Dowager!"

Yongqi nodded. "I agree with Erkang. Master Ji doesn't need to deliberately make things difficult for Xiaoyanzi and Qing'er. So, tomorrow, they just need to perform as usual! Especially Xiaoyanzi, no matter what questions Master Ji gives you tomorrow, you need to stay calm. You know, if it's really difficult, then everyone will be in trouble..."

Qing'er smiled at Yongqi and the others, then glanced at Xiaoyanzi, "Don't worry, Xiaoyanzi and I aren't that fragile. It's just an assessment. Whether we do well or not, it won't affect our fighting spirit!"

Little Swallow quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right! If we don't do well on the test, we can learn from the experience and do better next time, right? It's not a big deal. Failure won't defeat us!"

Qing'er smiled and continued, "That's right, that's right! Don't underestimate us. Maybe we can even beat you tomorrow!"

"Just make sure you don't get embarrassed and can't back down then!" Xiao Yanzi raised an eyebrow at Yongqi, clearly wanting to see what he would say.

Yongqi immediately said, "If you really beat us in the test, then I'll go to Father Emperor and ask him to give us an afternoon off so we can go out of the palace and have some fun. How about that?"

Xiao Yanzi and Qing'er looked at Yongqi with shining eyes, "Are you serious?"

Yongqi nodded. "Of course it's true! When has my Fifth Prince ever gone back on his word?"

"Okay, Qing'er, let's work harder tomorrow and try to beat them in the test!"

The two little girls were full of fighting spirit, and Yongqi and the Fu brothers were also happy. They couldn't wait and wanted tomorrow morning to come!

"Erkang and Ertai, how about I treat you to a meal at Yonghe Palace today? Qing'er, you come too. Let's have a small gathering at Yonghe Palace today to wish each other good luck in tomorrow's assessment, what do you say?"

The Fu brothers exchanged glances, then turned to Yongqi and said, "If you have no problem, then we naturally have no problem either."

"Since you've already agreed, I have no reason to refuse. Besides, I also want to go see Consort Yu!"

So, the group headed towards Yonghe Palace. The eunuchs guarding the gate were astonished to see Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi returning with their entourage. They bowed repeatedly and called out to them. Consort Yu, inside, was overjoyed to see so many people had come today. "Your subject Fu Erkang/Fu Ertai greets Consort Yu. May Consort Yu be blessed!"

"Qing'er greets Consort Yu!" Qing'er stood beside Xiao Yanzi and bowed to Consort Yu. Consort Yu quickly replied, "No need for formalities. I really didn't expect you all to come here..."

Yongqi and Consort Yu were of one mind, and upon hearing Consort Yu's words, Yongqi knew what she was thinking. He comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. On my way back, I already had Xiaoshunzi prepare extra food. There will definitely be enough for them!"