Chapter 177 Yongqi and Qianlong Play Chess

After leaving the study, they waited for the imperial kitchen to prepare dinner.

Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi arrived at the restaurant, while Consort Yu, Consort Shu, and Consort Ling were playing with the children.

The two women were somewhat embarrassed upon seeing Consort Shu and Consort Ling, and quickly bowed, "Yongqi/Xiaoyanzi greets Consort Shu and Consort Ling..."

Consort Shu and Consort Ling both waved their hands and said, "No need for formalities."

Consort Ling covered her mouth and laughed, "Little Swallow, Yonghe Palace is really lively here."

Little Swallow smiled awkwardly, "Did the news spread so fast?"

Consort Shu nodded. "Yes, Li Ruoyu was extremely smug after she left."

Consort Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Let's all wait and see how Little Swallow deals with her..."

Everyone teased them, and just when Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi were about to give in, the imperial kitchen's food arrived. Yongqi quickly said, "Mother, Your Highnesses, let's eat quickly."

The young princes and princesses are taken care of by palace maids and nannies. Only if they cannot handle it will the masters step in to take care of them.

With both empresses present, Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi behaved themselves and refrained from any unnecessary antics.

Consort Yu felt somewhat uncomfortable looking at the two behaving so properly.

After dinner, Consort Shu and Consort Ling returned to their respective palaces.

Just when Yongqi thought he could spend the night with Xiaoyanzi, Xiaoluzi arrived. "This servant greets Consort Yu, Fifth Prince, and Fifth Princess Consort."

"Xiao Luzi, what brings you here?" Yongqi felt a headache coming on when he saw him.

"Fifth Prince, His Majesty requests your presence." Xiao Luzi said respectfully from below, though he was also afraid that the Fifth Prince might slap him away if he was displeased.

"Did Father Emperor say what it is?"

Xiao Luzi shook his head. "His Majesty only said that the Fifth Prince should go to the Qianqing Palace."

Yongqi pouted, wanting to say that if it wasn't something important, he wouldn't go. However, Xiaoyanzi pushed him out of Yonghe Palace, saying, "Father Emperor needs to see you, so hurry up and go. Don't keep Father Emperor waiting too long!"

"You're so happy I'm leaving?" Yongqi looked at Xiaoyanzi's gloating expression and felt very annoyed. "They really do take what they have for granted..."

Xiao Luzi, standing to the side, wished he were invisible. "(What did I just hear? Am I going to be silenced by the Fifth Prince?)"

He quietly moved to a spot where he could see Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, but couldn't hear them talking.

Hearing Yongqi's grumbling, Xiao Yanzi couldn't help but laugh. "What are you saying? Who doesn't cherish it?"

As she spoke, she leaned close to Yongqi's ear and said, "If I didn't cherish you, would I have treated you like that this afternoon?"

Yongqi felt Xiaoyanzi's tongue gently brush against his ear. His eyes darkened, and he wrapped his arms around Xiaoyanzi's waist and kissed her lips.

Little Swallow's eyes widened in surprise!

This is the main gate of Yonghe Palace!

With so many eunuchs and palace maids passing by, how can Yongqi face people after pulling such a stunt?

She struggled, trying to push him away, but unexpectedly, Yongqi's lips moved to her neck, and a fresh strawberry appeared.

"You..." Little Swallow looked at him with a mixture of shame and anger, and then, not to be outdone, she left the same mark on his neck.

After doing her bad deed, Little Swallow ran into Yonghe Palace.

Yongqi touched the new strawberry on his neck, quite pleased with himself, before following Xiaoluzi to Yonghe Palace.

Xiao Luzi arrived at Yonghe Palace precisely at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM);

If Yongqi hadn't wasted time, he would have arrived at Qianqing Palace before 7:15 PM.

However, because Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi had more time to play, they set off at 3:45 PM.

When they arrived at the Qianqing Palace, they were met with a sarcastic remark from Emperor Qianlong: "Yongqi, I sent Xiao Luzi to find you, and you made me wait for almost half an hour!"

(15 minutes, 4 quarters of an hour, half an hour, 1 hour)

"..." Yongqi smiled awkwardly, "Father, let's talk about serious matters. What is it you wanted to see me about?"

Emperor Qianlong snorted, then sat down on the dragon throne, looked up at him, and asked, "Where is that Li Chengyun now?"

“…” Yongqi remained silent.

Emperor Qianlong continued, “Don’t think I don’t know anything. You may be jealous, but you should know your limits. If you accidentally let him die here, war between our two countries will be inevitable. You should know that I do not want our two countries to go to war. In that case, it will only be the people of both countries who suffer!”

Yongqi nodded, "Your subject knows, so I also told them to be careful. Besides, that Li Chengyun is no pushover either; your subject has suffered quite a few losses..."

"Besides, he was the one who first plotted to sneak into our Great Qing Dynasty. I was just teaching him a lesson..."

Not to mention, he attacked them several times. If it weren't for the sake of the people of both countries, he would have had them killed long ago!

"It's good that you know..." Qianlong glanced at him irritably, then added, "If Xiaoyanzi finds out that you're plotting against someone behind their back, and something goes wrong, even if I spare you, Xiaoyanzi won't let you off the hook!"

After all, if this kind of thing gets out, the one who will be scolded the most is Xiao Yanzi!

Yongqi replied helplessly, "Father, please don't scare me. I'll be careful!"

He glanced at Emperor Qianlong. "You didn't call me here just for this matter, did you?"

If it's just for this, he might as well not have come at all. He would have been more comfortable holding Xiao Yanzi in Yonghe Palace!

Emperor Qianlong smiled slightly, "Come and play chess with me."

Yongqi was dumbfounded. "Father, are you serious? At such a good time, instead of cultivating relationships with your concubines, why are you playing chess with me?"

Emperor Qianlong glared at him. "Are you going to get down or not?"

"Get down!" Yongqi immediately obeyed and obediently sat down opposite Qianlong.

Xiao Luzi quickly set up the chessboard and pieces, and the two began playing Go.

However, Emperor Qianlong made it clear from the start, "You are not allowed to deliberately lose to me! You must give it your all! If you dare to hold back, I will tell Xiao Yanzi!"

"..." Yongqi looked at Qianlong with a look of utter disbelief. "Are you still my father?"

He had only ever heard of daughters-in-law complaining to their fathers-in-law, never fathers-in-law complaining to their daughters-in-law!

Emperor Qianlong snorted, "In this palace, only Little Swallow can keep you in check. Of course, I'll complain to her! What's wrong with complaining? It's not shameful! Besides, as long as I achieve my goal, that's all that matters!"

Yongqi was speechless. "Fine, fine, you're the Emperor, whatever you say is right!"

While playing chess, Yongqi asked, "Father, if I win, will you let me go back?"

Emperor Qianlong glanced at Yongqi and said, "Best two out of three. If you win, I will let you go back!"

"You said it yourself, you are the ruler of a country, your word is law!"

"Rest assured, I keep my word!"

"Alright!" Yongqi then focused all his energy on playing chess with Qianlong, and time passed by unnoticed.

After the three games of chess were finished, "Father, you've conceded!"

"Not bad, not bad, your chess skills have indeed improved a lot." Qianlong stretched and looked at Yongqi with satisfaction. "After the morning court tomorrow, invite Xiao Jian and Ertai to come here for a small meeting about the incognito tour."

Upon hearing this, Yongqi was naturally pleased. "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."

He glanced at Qianlong again, "Then, Father Emperor, may I return now?"