Chapter 304 The Story of Yongyan

After the banquet, they all went home.

After that, preparations began both inside and outside the palace for Yongqi's 26th birthday!

This is Yongqi's first birthday after ascending the throne, so it cannot be treated lightly.

In the morning, it was time for court officials to present gifts to Yongqi, and also the time for people from Mongolia, Hui, Burma, Annam, Ryukyu and other countries to present their birthday gifts.

Yongqi hosted a banquet for everyone in the morning, and in the afternoon, it was a family dinner.

The family banquet was held at the Qianqing Palace.

Among the elders attending the banquet were the Empress Dowager, who had become the Grand Empress Dowager; Emperor Qianlong, who had become the Retired Emperor; Yongqi's biological mother; and several of Emperor Qianlong's close concubines, including Consort Ling, Consort Shu, and Consort Ying.

Yongyan, Kangwei, and Xiaoqing sat at a table with their children, and Benjamin and Jimmy also came over.

Liu Qing, Liu Hong, and others outside the palace were in charge of the banquet at Huibinlou, since it was the Emperor's birthday and the whole country was celebrating!

Xiao Jian couldn't resist asking the question, looking at Xiao Yanzi curiously, "Our Empress, what gift did you prepare for the Emperor today?"

Xia Ziwei chimed in, "I'm curious too."

Little Swallow glared at them, "This is not something you can see!"

Everyone remained silent, "..."

After a moment of silence, Yongqi smiled and looked at Xiaoyanzi, "No matter what gift it is, nothing is more precious than Xiaoyanzi!"

Upon hearing this word, everyone immediately slapped their skin to remove goosebumps; it was just too disgusting!

Xia Ziwei looked at Qianlong and said, "Father, aren't you going to do anything about your son?"

Emperor Qianlong couldn't help but smile and said, "He's the emperor now, how can I, the retired emperor, possibly interfere?"

"It's none of my business, and I'm too lazy to care. If you can't stand it, you can cover your ears and ignore it."

Even Emperor Qianlong has given up, so what else can the rest of us do?

Mianhua and Mianyao then brought people to perform a short segment of the Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi story for Yongqi, some parts of which were not suitable for children.

(In the story, Xiao Yanzi is the beloved fifth princess, while Yongqi is an orphan without parents.)

When Xiao Yanzi went out for a trip with her parents, she was chased by bad guys. In her hasty escape, she was rescued by Yongqi.

Although Yongqi's face was still dirty, he still managed to win Xiaoyanzi's heart.

Xiao Yanzi, using the excuse that Yongqi was her savior, turned him into her personal bodyguard.

He would call Yongqi whenever he felt like it, gradually luring him into bed and taking advantage of him.

To avoid her parents' disapproval, Little Swallow acted first and informed them later, eating the person before telling them.

Xiao Yanzi's parents, who had always doted on her, had no choice but to agree and make Yongqi their son-in-law.

He was made to swear an oath to be good to Xiao Yanzi for the rest of his life!

However, Xiao Yanzi wanted Yongqi for all eternity, for him to be her devoted subject for all eternity!

After watching the children's performance, Yongqi clapped his hands and praised them repeatedly.

"Okay, who came up with this story?"

"Your Majesty, it is indeed us, the Four Great Talents!"

Mianhua explained, "The four great scholars came up with this story, and my sister and I led people to rehearse it urgently, hoping to satisfy Father Emperor."

Little Swallow laughed and said, "I'm afraid some parts have been deleted, right?"

Xiao Dengzi chuckled awkwardly, "We did delete some things, mainly because those scenes weren't suitable for the performance..."

Little Swallow asked curiously, "Are there any surviving manuscripts?"

The little stool nodded. "Yes."

Hearing what Xiao Yanzi said, Xiao Dengzi understood and immediately went to get the manuscript and handed it to Xiao Yanzi.

Yongqi wanted to take it too, but Xiaoyanzi put it in her bosom first, saying, "Be careful in public!"

"..." Yongqi wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't dare.

Therefore, Yongqi could only channel his anger into food, thus silencing himself.

Seeing Yongqi's sullen expression, Xia Ziwei couldn't help but laugh. She whispered to Qing'er beside her, "See, as expected, our Empress is truly capable..."

Qing'er nodded, "That's true."

When the elders, including the Empress Dowager, saw Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi interacting, they could only feel helpless and burst into laughter.

After all, we've gotten used to their behavior over the years.

After the family dinner ended, everyone dispersed.

Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi went to see Yongxing. "The Emperor has arrived, and the Empress has arrived."

Yongxing rose and bowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

Yongqi waved his hand and said, "Eleventh brother, let's not use those distant terms of address in private..."

Yongxing then reverted to his previous address, "Fifth Brother, Fifth Sister-in-law."

Yongqi sat down next to Yongxing. "Sit down."

"Why are Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law here?"

"Today is my birthday, and it's also your birthday..."

Yongxing was somewhat incredulous, "Fifth Brother still remembers?"

Yongqi nodded and smiled, "Of course I remember!"

“I’ve sent you birthday gifts in previous years too. You don’t think I’ll forget about it now that I’ve become emperor, do you?”

"Your birthday gifts for this year are still being tallied up. Once the tally is complete, they will be delivered to you."

Little Swallow added, "Eleventh Brother, your Fifth Brother has always had you in his heart..."

"Then my fourth brother..."

Yongqi sighed, "As long as Fourth Brother is no longer used by others and does things he shouldn't do, he can live a good life."

"I don't want to kill my own siblings unless there's a valid reason, understand?"

Yongxing nodded. "Fifth Brother, I understand!"

"I will not repeat the mistakes of the myna bird!"

"I will live a good life and do my best for the people..."

Little Swallow laughed and said, "Eleventh Brother, we are all very happy that you think this way."

Yongxing smiled, then asked with some concern, "Fifth Brother, you and Fifth Sister-in-law are deeply in love, and you haven't taken any other concubines yet. I'm afraid those old ministers won't stay quiet for long..."

When Yongqi first ascended the throne, they probably didn't dare to offend him.

However, when the time for the triennial imperial selection comes, they will definitely submit a memorial requesting Yongqi to select a candidate to produce offspring for the royal family!

Yongqi sneered, "If they're not afraid of death, then go ahead and submit a memorial!"

Yongxing asked curiously, "Judging from what Fifth Brother said, it seems that you have grasped their lifeline?"

Yongqi nodded and said, "Is there anything in this court that I don't know?"

"If they want to push their luck, they can try and see if their heads are strong enough!"

Upon hearing Yongqi's words, Yongxing's eyes were filled with envy. "Fifth Brother, you're so awesome!"

"When you grow up, you'll be the same."

"I want to be like Fifth Brother, with one love for life!"

Yongqi stood up and said, "Alright, once you find the person you're looking for, I will arrange a marriage for you!"

"It's almost time, your fifth sister-in-law and I will head back now."

"Okay, Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law, take care."

After leaving Yongxing's residence, they strolled leisurely through the palace.

"Yongqi, judging from Yongxing's condition, he really won't cause us any trouble because of his mother and brother's affairs!"

Yongqi sighed, "I hope he has really figured it out!"

"Father's sons were not many to begin with. Now, some have died young, and others have passed away prematurely. Of the remaining ones, the fourth brother and the sixth brother have been adopted out, leaving only the eleventh brother, the twelfth brother, the fifteenth brother, and the seventeenth brother."

"If Fourth Brother and Eleventh Brother remain obstinate, then I cannot show them any mercy!"

Little Swallow nodded, "Yes, I hope they can all figure it out!"

The overall situation is now settled, so there's no point in them thinking about it anymore.