Chapter 100 Xiao Jian is getting anxious

Little Swallow sneered, "Ryukyu has long since submitted to the Qing Dynasty. How dare they make such a demand? Even if they dared, we'd have to see if they can bear the consequences."

"That's right, then let's meet whatever comes our way, no one can separate us!" At this moment, Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi naturally did not know that this crisis was actually Xiao Jian and Qing'er's.

The next morning, the main force set off back to the Summer Palace. After staying at the Summer Palace for only three or four days, they set off back to the palace. After returning to the palace, Qianlong gave Yongqi and the others a task, asking them to be responsible for receiving the people from Ryukyu.

The group accepted the order and patiently waited for the fourth day of the tenth month. They finally arrived at the Forbidden City. "Shang Mu greets the Emperor of the Great Qing."

The visitor this year was King Shangmu, who was only eighteen years old. Even Emperor Qianlong, the highest leader of their country, did not expect that the person from Ryukyu would be a young master of the same age as Qing'er and Fu Erkang.

"Your Highness Shangmu, please rise." After the two had finished exchanging gifts and bestowing rewards, Qianlong said with a smile, "I have already prepared a welcoming banquet at the Ziguang Pavilion. Your Highness Shangmu, why don't you go and take a look?"

"Okay." After everyone arrived at Ziguang Pavilion, there was food, drink, fun and entertainment, and the atmosphere seemed quite good.

Prince Shangmu raised his wine cup, looked at Yongqi, and said with a smile, "Fifth Prince, I have heard many rumors about you on the way to Beijing. I admire you."

Yongqi retorted, "I wouldn't dare, everything I've done has been for the sake of the Qing Dynasty..."

After chatting in the Ziguang Pavilion and the banquet ended, Emperor Qianlong asked Yongqi and the others to accompany Prince Shangmu to the palace. Although Yongqi was somewhat reluctant, he still dutifully led Prince Shangmu around the palace.

Qing'er and Xiao Yanzi were strolling in the Imperial Garden. Qing'er was curious about the person from Ryukyu. "Xiao Yanzi, do you know who came this time?"

"King Shangmu was the young emperor who ascended the throne the year I left the palace. Although he was young, he was decisive and efficient, and was very popular with the people."

"...So, he, Er Kang, and I are the same age? We hadn't even learned much yet, and he was already the ruler of a country? That's amazing."

"Our Shunzhi Emperor ascended the throne at the age of six, but passed away in his early twenties. Our Kangxi Emperor ascended the throne at the age of eight, but did so many good things for the Qing Dynasty. If we really compare, I still think our Kangxi Emperor was more impressive!"

The girls chatting never imagined that their casual conversation would lead to Prince Shangmu falling in love with Qing'er at first sight.

"Fifth Prince, who is that girl?" Yongqi followed Shang Mu Wang's gaze and realized that the person Shang Mu Wang was talking about was Qing'er. He began to worry about Xiao Jian and Qing'er.

"Little Swallow, Ziwei, Qing'er." Yongqi called out to the girls, and they noticed the stranger beside him. As they approached, they heard Yongqi introducing Qing'er, "She is Princess Qing, who grew up by the Empress Dowager's side. She is the most precious princess in this palace."

"Fifth Prince, how could it be so exaggerated? Don't talk nonsense!" Qing'er found Yongqi's words a bit outrageous. "Is this King Shangmu of Ryukyu?"

Yongqi nodded, "Father Emperor asked us to take him for a walk around the palace, but we didn't expect to run into you all..."

I should have known better than to come to the Imperial Garden. If I had caused trouble for Xiao Jian and Qing'er, Xiao Jian would have been furious with me!

"Um... Princess Qing, right? I don't know, are you ever married?" King Shangmu got straight to the point, which startled Qing'er and the others.

Although they all wanted to say that Qing'er already had someone she wanted to marry, Qianlong's imperial edict had not yet been issued. So if they spoke carelessly at this time, and it reached the ears of Qianlong and the Empress Dowager, it would be no fun!

Yongqi explained, "Although Qing'er is not yet married, the Empress Dowager treats her well..."

Before Yongqi could finish speaking, Prince Shangmu interrupted him, "Since there is no marriage arranged, then Princess Qing, do you think I am to your liking?"

Qing'er swallowed hard and blurted out, "...King Shangmu, you are very good. I am not good enough for you!"

King Shangmu grew anxious. "How can you say you're not good enough? I say you are, and you are! As long as you agree, I will ask the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty for your hand in marriage!"

Xiao Jian, who was busy arranging things for Shang Mu Wang's men, had just arrived when he saw Shang Mu Wang wanting to propose to Qing'er. He clenched his fists, but couldn't attack Shang Mu Wang. When Qing'er saw Xiao Jian, she instinctively ran behind him, calling out, "Xiao Jian!"

She leaned against Xiao Jian's back, looking like she needed protection. King Shangmu looked at Xiao Jian and frowned, saying, "Is it because of you that Princess Qing is unwilling to marry me?"

No one spoke, which was taken as tacit agreement. King Shangmu also controlled his temper and laughed, "Alright, let's have a contest, best two out of three. If I win, I'll take her away; if I lose, I'll go back by myself."

Xiao Jian shook his head, and King Shangmu frowned and asked, "What? You don't even dare to compete?"

Xiao Jian explained, "Qing'er is a living, breathing person with the right to choose. She is not a tool for our struggle. If Qing'er is willing to go with you, then I will not stop her. But if she is not willing, then I will stop her no matter what!"

Little Swallow stepped forward and added, "Besides, even if Qing'er agrees, the Empress Dowager won't allow you to marry Qing'er!"

"And who are you?"

"Princess Feiyan, Little Swallow."

"Oh, it's you. But no matter what you say, I'm determined to marry Qing'er." His mother said that if you love someone, you have to keep her by your side. Hesitation will only let the person you love go into someone else's arms, which is not what he wants to see!

"Enough with the nonsense. Qing'er chose you because she knew you first, but now, I want to test your strength against her..."

Xiao Jian was about to speak when Qing'er stopped him, "You want to have a competition? Okay, then compete with me!"

Upon hearing Qing'er's words, everyone present was worried about her, fearing that she might impulsively agree. Xiao Yanzi took Qing'er's hand and advised, "Qing'er, think it over."

"I have to decide my own marriage. If you want to marry me, you have to be stronger than me! We'll have three rounds: first, we'll compete in general knowledge of literature; second, we'll compete in martial arts; and third, we'll compete in playing the guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument). Best two out of three! How about it? Are you up for the challenge?"

King Shangmu was secretly delighted. If it was a best-of-three series, he only needed to win the first two rounds. At this moment, he had no idea how capable Qing'er was, so he was certain to lose this competition!

The news that Qing'er was going to compete with Prince Shang Mu quickly spread throughout the palace. The Empress Dowager was very worried. "Qing'er, why don't you let Xiao Jian compete instead?"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured and believe me. My marriage will never be controlled by others, so I will definitely win!" Qing'er comforted the Empress Dowager all night, and the competition began the next day. The outcome was obvious: Prince Shangmu lost the competition and naturally had no face to stay.

This incident also gave Xiao Jian the courage to ask Emperor Qianlong for an imperial decree to grant him marriage. However, Emperor Qianlong said, "Xiao Jian, whether you and Qing'er can get married or not depends not on me, but on the Empress Dowager. As long as you can persuade the Empress Dowager, I will give you this imperial decree immediately!"