Chapter 35 Yongyan's Dog Food

After everyone was seated, the food was served one after another. Once all the dishes were served, Consort Yu said, "Please start eating. Help yourselves to whatever you want to eat. Don't be shy."

"Erkang, Ertai, Qing'er, don't be shy, help yourselves to whatever you want to eat." Yongqi said as he put food into Xiaoyanzi's bowl, which made everyone fall silent.

Qing'er and the Fu brothers looked at each other, suddenly feeling that it would have been better if they hadn't come at all. In class, they had to watch them secretly showing affection, but now that they were at Yonghe Palace, they were even more unrestrained!

Seeing Qing'er and the others' expressions, and then watching Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi's interaction, Consort Yu felt a little awkward. "You don't need to worry about him, he'll get used to it..."

Qing'er and the Fu brothers glanced at the people standing by serving, as if Yongqi serving food to Xiao Yanzi was a very ordinary thing.

"Mother, you eat too." Yongqi's three things at the dinner table were to make sure he was full and satisfied, while also taking care of Consort Yu and Xiao Yanzi, which warmed their hearts and made them feel sorry for them.

"There wasn't enough time this time. Next time, when I have more time and my cooking skills have improved, I'll cook for you all myself!"

Fu Ertai exclaimed in surprise, "No way? The Fifth Prince is going to cook for us himself? What would happen if the Emperor found out?"

"Father Emperor won't care about that. Besides, I'm just cooking a meal for my good friend and brother. It's not a big deal. And I'm not neglecting my duties. What can Father Emperor say?" Once he learns two more dishes, he'll move one to the Qianqing Palace and the other to the Cining Palace. As long as Father Emperor and Empress Dowager approve, no one will dare to say anything!

Qing'er laughed and said, "It seems we're in for a treat! Erkang and Ertai, you don't need to refuse! Enjoy it to the fullest!"

Little Swallow nodded in agreement, "That's right! If the cooks aren't worried, then what do we, the eaters, have to worry about!"

Everyone ate slowly. Consort Yu was the first to finish eating and left the table. She said a few words to comfort Xiao Yanzi, telling her not to be nervous and that no matter how she did on the exam, she should just do her best!

After speaking, Consort Yu went back to her room, leaving the children in the dining room.

Qing'er looked at Xiao Yanzi with a smile, "I didn't expect that you would win over everyone in Yonghe Palace in just one month!"

"No, no, it's because they are kind-hearted and didn't look down on my background..."

Fu Erkang laughed and said, "I think it's because the Fifth Prince trained and disciplined them in advance, and Xiao Yanzi was so approachable after she arrived that they all liked her!"

Fu Ertai sighed, "It's unbelievable that among us, the Fifth Prince was the first to have a target and brought her back to his palace so early. I'm so envious..."

Qing'er then asked, "By the way, Yongqi, has the Emperor sent people to look for Xiao Yanzi's background? If there are no clues, searching for her is like looking for a needle in a haystack!"

As long as Xiao Yanzi's background remains unclear, the Empress Dowager's heart will be constantly in suspense, fearing that something might happen!

If her background could be determined sooner, the Empress Dowager wouldn't have to live in such fear!

Yongqi frowned and said, "To be honest, I only know one person who can confirm Xiaoyanzi's identity, but this person came and went in a hurry. Finding him is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

The three asked in unison, "Who are you?"

"That person recited a poem that left a deep impression on me: 'A flute and a sword, I roam the world; a thousand years of sorrows, a pot of wine. My feet tread the dusty road of life; the sky is my roof, the earth my dwelling!'"

The three of them's eyes lit up upon hearing this, clearly intrigued by the song. Qing'er quickly pressed for details, asking, "What's his name? Who is he? How did you meet him?"

"...Well, that's a long story, and I'm afraid there's not enough time today. So, let's wait until after tomorrow's assessment. If you win, we'll leave the palace and find a good place where I'll tell you all about it..."

Qing'er and the Fu brothers were speechless. Qing'er looked at Yongqi with resentment, "If we don't pass the exam tomorrow, you're not going to tell us?"

Yongqi laughed and said, "You can only truly appreciate a person's charm by seeing it for yourself. If I tell you now, there will be no mystery left!"

Everyone fell silent, while Xiao Yanzi, who had been watching the spectacle, was almost bursting with laughter. Yongqi quickly changed the subject, glancing at the time, and said, "It's still early, why don't we all change our clothes and head to the archery range ahead of time..."

Little Swallow chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! The sooner we get there, the more time we can train. By then, even if we can't beat Yongqi and Erkang, we should at least defeat the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince!"

What can they do if Yongyan wants to change the subject? Can they force them to talk?

After everyone changed their clothes, they headed to the archery range together. Along the way, they encountered many eunuchs and palace maids and heard a lot of gossip, but none of it affected their mood.

After arriving at the archery range, Qing'er and the Fu brothers teamed up to face Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, just wanting to vent their anger. Who told Yongqi to only say half of what he meant, piquing people's curiosity but then falling silent? It made everyone want to punch him!

Normally there aren't many opportunities, but on this archery range, no matter who you are, strength reigns supreme, so they have to make them admit defeat!

However, they are facing Yongqi, who has the soul of an adult, and Xiaoyanzi, who has perfect chemistry with Yongqi. Therefore, it is difficult for them to win, but they will not lose badly either!

After they finished their chase and competition, Yunxi and the other princes and young masters arrived one after another. Yongzhang, Yongcheng, and Yongrong all looked at them with mixed feelings. Yongzhang spoke first, saying, "I say, is it really necessary? There's no assessment scheduled for a month later, why are you all working so hard?"

Qing'er stepped forward, looked at Yongzhang, and smiled, "Of course I want to defeat you as soon as possible!"

It was Qing'er who spoke; Yongzhang was left with only internal injuries!

"Alright, enough chit-chat, stand up straight..." Yunxi interrupted their conversation and began their afternoon practice.

The afternoon ended early because they had an assessment the next day. "That's all for today. You'd better put in extra effort for the assessment tomorrow morning. Don't let a bunch of grown men lose to two little girls!"

If this gets out, I don't know whether it will be a disgrace to the palace or a boost to its prestige.

After everyone dispersed, they returned to their respective palaces once again. "Fifth Prince, my brother and I will head back first."

"Okay, drive carefully, see you tomorrow!"

Yongqi watched the Fu brothers leave, then took Xiaoyanzi and first sent Qing'er back to Cining Palace. He went in as usual to greet the Empress Dowager before returning to Yonghe Palace.

After dinner, Consort Yu reminded her, "Get some rest early tonight, don't study too late!"

"I understand, Mother, don't worry." After saying that, Yongqi returned to his room with Xiaoyanzi. As usual, Xiaoyanzi sat beside Yongqi and continued studying. When she encountered something she didn't understand, Yongqi would promptly offer guidance. Occasionally, he would see Xiaoyanzi lost in thought, but before she noticed, he would quickly look away so she wouldn't see...