Chapter 65 The Swallows Leave the Palace

Little Swallow clasped her hands together and said in her heart, "May my loved ones be safe and happy, and may all their wishes come true!"

After the daytime excitement subsided, Consort Ling, Consort Shu, and others who were on good terms with Xiao Yanzi bid her farewell and dispersed, leaving only Consort Yu, Yongqi, and Xiao Yanzi.

"Little Swallow, have you packed everything?" Consort Yu asked, holding Little Swallow's hand. "Did you bring all of Imperial Physician Chang's top-quality medicinal herbs?"

Little Swallow nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is prepared, we're just waiting for dawn tomorrow..."

"I don't know when you'll be back after you leave this time. I'll miss you."

Little Swallow leaned against Consort Yu and cried out, "Your Majesty, I will miss you too!"

Over the past year, she has come to regard Consort Yu as her own mother!

Now that I'm really leaving, I'm truly reluctant to go!

However, she had no choice but to leave; only by leaving could she become a better version of herself!

After Consort Yu finished speaking with Xiao Yanzi, she left the space to Yongqi and Xiao Yanzi. "Alright, I'm going back to rest. Yongqi, you and Xiao Yanzi have a good chat."

Xiao Yanzi followed Yongqi to his study, where Yongqi handed her a booklet he had prepared called "Yanzi's Life Guide." He said, "This booklet records everything about clothing, food, housing, and transportation. I hope it will be helpful to you!"

Little Swallow took the thick booklet, and tears welled up in her eyes again. "How awful! It's clearly my birthday, but these tears just keep falling..."

Looking at the various things Yongqi had written, she felt both moved and heartbroken. "You must have spent a lot of time writing these things, right?"

"As long as I know that what I've written can help you and bring you back safely, none of this matters."

Little Swallow put down the booklet, threw herself into Yongqi's arms, and cried her heart out, "Yongqi, I can't bear to part with you!"

Yongqi held Xiaoyanzi tightly and whispered, "How could I bear to let you leave?"

"If I could, I would want to keep you by my side at all times and never be apart from you for a moment!"

"But Little Swallow, we all have to face reality. The road ahead is very difficult!"

"But as long as we are of one heart and never give up, I believe that one day we will see the dawn of victory!"

"The future we desire will surely come!"

Little Swallow nodded, "I believe you, we will definitely win!"

The two embraced tightly until Yongqi felt it was too late, at which point they let go of each other. "Alright, Xiaoyanzi, it's late. You need to go back and rest, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow."

"Yongqi, I want to stay here, just for one night!"

Little Swallow lowered her head and slowly said something that shocked Yongqi!

"Little Swallow, don't do this. If people find out, it won't be good for either of us!"

Don't test his resolve, and don't trust him too much!

With his beloved wife right beside him, he found it hard to control himself!

Seeing that Yongqi had so firmly rejected her, Xiaoyanzi had no choice but to go back to her room. "Alright, I'm going back to sleep then."

After escorting Xiao Yanzi back to her room, Yongqi finally breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close! Luckily, she managed to control herself!"

He almost agreed just now, but thankfully he held back!

If they let themselves off even slightly now, their image of playing the subservient role in the palace for so long will instantly collapse!

Although they might not actually be seen by anyone, in the palace, one must always be careful of eavesdroppers; there might be a pair of eyes watching them from any crack!

The next morning, Xingchen, Shizhu, and the others put Xiaoyanzi's luggage on the carriage. Since Qianlong had to go to court, he had to ask Consort Ling to send Xiaoyanzi off on his behalf.

The Empress Dowager sent Qing'er over, and Xiao Yanzi's carriage had already stopped at Shenwu Gate. Consort Ling looked at Xiao Yanzi and said, "Xiao Yanzi, I wish you a safe journey."

Consort Shu also came to see Xiao Yanzi off, saying, "Come back soon, my Yongyue misses you, my little Yanzi sister."

"Little Swallow thanks both ladies for their kindness!"

Rong Momo also came to see her off on the orders of the palace. "Princess Feiyan, Her Majesty the Empress is unable to come in person due to her pregnancy, so she had to send this old servant to come instead!"

"Be very careful when you leave this time. Be cautious in everything you do, lest you get hurt."

Little Swallow nodded repeatedly, "Little Swallow thanks Your Majesty the Empress and thankes Granny Rong for the guidance!"

"Little Swallow, after you leave, you must take good care of yourself." Qing'er held Little Swallow's hand and sighed, "If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's concern, I really would like to go out with you..."

"Qing'er, just stay by the Empress Dowager's side and don't worry, I will write to you!"

"Little Swallow, let me see you out of Beijing." This was the shared thought of Yongqi and Xiao Jian. "If you won't let Xiao Jian and me interfere in your future affairs, then you should at least let us see you out of Beijing, right?"

"If you can only feel at ease if you send me out of Beijing, then go ahead and send me!"

Little Swallow had no choice but to agree.

Yongqi helped Xiaoyanzi into the carriage, and then he and Xiao Jian got in together.

After getting into the carriage, Xiao Yanzi lifted the curtain again and looked at Consort Yu, Consort Ling, Consort Shu and others, and then saw the other princes who rushed over. "You should all go back early, don't stay here in the wind."

"Little Swallow, you must come back safely! I'm still waiting to test my swordsmanship with you!" It was the Fourth Prince, Yongcheng, who spoke. "Remember that!"

Little Swallow laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely remember!"

Yongrong shouted, "Sister Xiaoyanzi, come back soon! I'm waiting for you to be my fifth sister-in-law!"

"Sixth Prince, then I'll take your good wishes!"

Anyway, although her affair with Yongqi wasn't brought up in public, most people in the palace were aware of it, so there was nothing wrong with admitting it.

"Return safely."

The Third Prince, Yongzhang, uttered only four words.

Little Swallow was deeply moved. "Third Prince, please keep an eye on my brother and make sure he doesn't do anything wrong that might hurt Qing'er's feelings!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yanzi's words, Xiao Jian, who was sitting in the carriage, immediately became displeased. "Xiao Yanzi, do you think your brother is such an unreliable person? Do I need the Third Prince to keep an eye on me?"

"That's hard to say!"

Little Swallow's words made everyone present burst into laughter!

Even Yongzhang chimed in, "Don't worry, I'll definitely keep an eye on him!"

"Little Swallow, stop joking!" Qing'er spoke up to defend Xiao Jian.

Little Swallow wanted to make a joke, but it was almost time and she couldn't delay any longer, so she had to say goodbye to everyone formally.

Afterwards, she led her friends out of the palace.

Upon arriving at the scholar's residence, they met Liu Qing, Liu Hong, Jiang Ying, and a few others, and exchanged a few pleasantries with the Fu brothers. "Erkang, Ertai, Yongqi, and my brother are entrusted to your care!"

Fu Erkang said, "Don't worry, Ertai and I will protect them!"

Yongqi asked, "Erkang and Ertai, Xiao Jian and I are seeing Xiaoyanzi off out of Beijing. Do you two want to come along?"

Upon hearing Yongqi's words, the two brothers immediately decided to go with him.

Fu Erkang laughed and said, "Of course, Ertai, let's get in the car."

In the innermost row of a carriage sat Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi;

On the left and right sides were the positions of Xiao Jian and the Fu brothers, while Xingchen and Shizhu were driving the carriage outside.

Mei Zhu and Qing Yun, who did not know martial arts, sat in the carriage behind.

Inside the carriage were some of their belongings. Liu Qing and Liu Hong were driving the carriage, while Zhu Baiyu led two people on horseback in front, followed by four or five other people on horseback.

Little Swallow asked, "Yongqi, how much longer until we reach Yongding Gate?"