Chapter 259 Cuju Match

After Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi arrived at the Summer Palace, Qianlong only felt sorry for Consort Ling, which relieved the Empress and Xiaoyanzi.

After Emperor Qianlong had appeased Consort Ling, it was almost noon.

After everyone finished their meals, they gathered together to get down to business.

"Father, everything is clear now."

After Yongqi told Qianlong the results of his and Xiaoyanzi's investigation, Qianlong was furious and punished all those involved according to the law!

Little Swallow sighed, "Luckily nothing serious happened, we're all fine."

Yongqi nodded, "Yes, but we don't know how many other people are watching us..."

Fu Erkang laughed and said, "Our group is so extraordinary that even if we retire from the military and go back to our hometowns, we probably still can't escape the attention of these people..."

Xia Ziwei chimed in, "Erkang is right, so since we can't avoid it, we should take everything into our own hands!"

"That's exactly what I mean!" Little Swallow nodded in agreement. "Rather than entrusting your life to someone else, it's better to take care of it yourself!"

Yongqi is so outstanding and capable. If he were to leave, how could the next emperor tolerate him continuing to live?

Qing'er sighed, "Wasn't there a man in Northern Qi who died young because his achievements overshadowed the emperor?"

Fu Ertai said, "You mean Lanling King Gao Changgong..."

Xiao Yanzi had previously read some records about Gao Changgong and was deeply moved by the fate of this war god. "Gao Changgong had made great military achievements and was deeply loved by the people. How could Gao Wei, with his narrow mind, tolerate him? It's a pity that such an outstanding person was actually poisoned to death by Gao Wei with a cup of poisoned wine!"

She looked at Yongqi and said, "With so many helpers and such a wise and enlightened ruler as Father Emperor, Yongqi will never end up like Gao Changgong!"

Like a curious child, Saiya listened to their story about the Battle of Mangshan, in which Lanling Wang led 500 cavalrymen deep into the Zhou army of 100,000 to relieve Luoyang. After hearing the story, she admired Lanling Wang very much, but his ending was truly sad. "It's such a pity that such a good person was killed like this!"

Fu Erkang sighed, "Yes, he was the God of War of Northern Qi, the most difficult obstacle for Northern Zhou in conquering Northern Qi, yet he died at the hands of his own people. If he were still alive, Northern Qi wouldn't have ended up like this..."

However, thinking of the other members of the Northern Qi royal family, he felt that even if Gao Changgong continued to live, he wouldn't have a good life, and might even go mad...

“I think we should shift our focus. Tomorrow is your little princess and little prince’s birthday. How are you planning to celebrate?” Benjamin said, diverting everyone’s attention.

Yongqi sighed, "I'm afraid this matter is beyond our control!"

Emperor Qianlong, Consort Yu, and the Empress Dowager—these three elders—must have been eager to host this banquet for them.

He then looked at Fu Erkang and asked, "Erkang, how's the gift we prepared for Father Emperor coming along?"

Fu Erkang laughed and said, "Don't worry, everything is ready, we're just waiting for that day to come!"

Little Swallow sighed, "It's a pity I can't participate this year!"

Yongqi patted Xiaoyanzi's head and comforted her, "Don't worry, Father will understand!"

"Moreover, for him, the child in your belly is probably the best gift he could ever receive!"

A few days after Mianhua and Mianyao's birthdays, it was Qianlong's birthday.

That morning, Emperor Qianlong sat on the stands with his entourage, looking at the gifts that the younger generation had prepared for him.

Approximate location distribution of Cuju matches

"Father Emperor, Empress Dowager, just you wait and see!"

The gift prepared for Emperor Qianlong this time was a Cuju (ancient Chinese football) match, which was the same as their previous life's balloon-launching competition.

This time, Xiao Yanzi and Yong Qi are still the team captains, but they won't participate in the competition; they'll only be working on the competition strategy.

"I hereby declare the competition open!"

In the first match, Fu Erkang and Xia Ziwei took the lead in grabbing the ball, with both of them putting their feet on the ball and waiting for Benjamin to blow the whistle.

Benjamin blew his whistle, and they began their match on the field.

Looking at the strange soldiers of varying heights and builds in the princess's team, Emperor Qianlong asked with great curiosity, "Little Swallow, where did you find such a team?"

Little Swallow turned to look at Emperor Qianlong and laughed, "Is it strange? That's right, it's strange because I'm a strange person with strange tricks!"

"What's going on? How can their hats hold the ball?"

"Brother, we need to show our strength..."

Fu Erkang said helplessly, "Little Swallow's team has too many unexpected tricks up their sleeves. It'll be difficult for us to win..."

"Fifth Prince, do you know something inside?" Fu'ertai asked Yongqi for help as he chased after him.

Yongqi waved his hand and shouted, "Don't tell me I don't know what their plans are! Even if I did know, I couldn't tell you!"

He couldn't let this competition prevent him from getting into Xiao Yanzi's bed; that would be a huge loss!

So what if we lost the game? As long as Little Swallow didn't lose!

"Yongqi, you're our captain. If you don't help us, are you going to help Xiaoyanzi?" Xiao Jian also called out.

"Brother, there's nothing I can do to help you!"

Yongqi looked helpless, which made the team members really want to go over and beat him up.

The people in the stands stared at Yongqi as if they had seen a ghost. Was this the Fifth Prince they knew?

When Emperor Qianlong and Consort Yu saw Yongqi's behavior, they couldn't help but cover their faces. That wasn't their son; they didn't recognize him!

Yongqi shouted again, "I promised Xiaoyanzi that I would compete with my skills and not hold back. You guys have to do your best!"

The members of the Brothers team: "...You really are talking without understanding the situation!"

The team members on both sides couldn't help but laugh at the sight of their respective captains, but this was war, and they couldn't afford to act recklessly!

The result of the match was that Gege's team scored two goals and Age's team scored one goal.

The people in the stands were all laughing out loud.

Emperor Qianlong rose and declared, "I hereby declare the Princesses' team the victor!"

"Yongqi, Xiaoyanzi, I am very pleased with the gifts you gave me today! You have worked hard these past few days!"

Yongqi said, "If Father Emperor is happy, then this competition was not held in vain!"

"Father, you've given me so many surprises, and today's match is also a surprise for you!"

The palace maids gathered together and used the colorful ribbons to form a large "longevity" character, leaving everyone dumbfounded!

"Good, very good!"

"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless happiness and longevity!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"

An exciting Cuju (ancient Chinese football) match has come to an end. "Alright, the match is over, my mission is complete, I'm going back."

"Thank you, Dugu Yi."

"Just let me know if you find anything good next time! Bye!"

Dugu Yi was a backup chosen by Yongqi, in case someone was eliminated, he would take his place.

The reason A-Ge's team won this point was because of Dugu Yi. After all, his sweetheart wasn't on the field, so he didn't need to hold back!

The morning's competition ended, and in the afternoon, envoys from various countries came to offer their birthday wishes to Emperor Qianlong.