After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 70

However, Barang kicked her knee hard again, and Xiaoyanzi fell to her knees again. Her knee was numb from the pain, as if it was no longer hers. She looked up at Rong Mama, who was shaking the silver needle expressionlessly, as if she was admiring her masterpiece.

"Princess Huanzhu, this time you have offended not only the Empress, but also the Queen of Dayan. If she wants to punish you, it will be useless even if the Emperor comes to plead for you in person. I advise you to be obedient, otherwise I will give you a few more injections." Rong Mama's voice was cold and ruthless, as if she was treating an insignificant stranger.

Xiaoyanzi was so angry that she couldn't speak. She just felt like there was a fire burning in her chest. She secretly wondered: What on earth are the wild goose girl and wild goose boy? Could they be more powerful than the emperor? She was born in the common people and only knew that the emperor was the Son of Heaven, the most noble and powerful person in the world. In her opinion, although this wild goose girl was powerful, she was just a clown in front of the emperor.

Thinking of this, Xiaoyanzi straightened her back again and swore to herself: "I will endure you for now. After I return to the palace, I will definitely complain to the Emperor! Then we will see if you dare to treat me like this again!" However, she also knew in her heart that this lesson was unforgettable, and she would not easily forget the humiliation and pain.

The cold wind continued to howl, as if it was also complaining about Xiaoyanzi's experience. In this magnificent palace, a contest of power, status and dignity has just begun...

As time went by, the sun gradually set and the sky darkened. Xiaoyanzi was still kneeling on the ground, her knees numb from the pain. Her face was covered with tears and dirt, and she looked extremely embarrassed. The Queen, Li Qingge and others had already left the hall, leaving only Balang and Batu to watch over her.

Xiaoyanzi was filled with anger and resentment. She didn't understand why the queen treated her like this. She just wanted to pursue her love and happiness, but she was treated so cruelly. She looked up at the sky and saw dark clouds, as if even the sky was crying for her.

"Father Emperor, where are you? Why don't you come to protect me?" Xiaoyanzi silently called out the name of Emperor Qianlong in her heart, hoping that he could hear her call and save her from the dire situation. However, she knew that this was just her fantasy, as Emperor Qianlong was not here at the moment and he could not hear her call.

At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence. Xiaoyanzi looked up and saw a familiar figure running towards her. It was her good friend Ziwei! Ziwei ran to Xiaoyanzi anxiously, squatted down and hugged her tightly.

"Xiaoyanzi, how are you? Did they do anything to you?" Ziwei's voice was tearful. She looked at Xiaoyanzi's miserable appearance with heartache, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

When Xiaoyanzi saw Ziwei, she felt like she saw a savior. She hugged Ziwei tightly and cried about her experience: "Ziwei, I am in so much pain! They beat me, scolded me, and pricked me with needles! Why didn't the emperor come to protect me?" Her voice was full of despair and helplessness.

Ziwei felt so distressed when she heard Xiaoyanzi's crying. She gently stroked Xiaoyanzi's hair and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, Xiaoyanzi. I am here with you. The Emperor will know about this and he will seek justice for you!" Her voice was gentle and firm, as if she was injecting strength into Xiaoyanzi.

With Ziwei's comfort, Xiaoyanzi's mood gradually stabilized. She looked up at Ziwei and said gratefully: "Ziwei, thank you for saving me. With you by my side, I am not afraid anymore." Although her voice was still a little choked, it was much better than before.

Ziwei smiled and said, "We are good friends, so of course we should help each other. Come, I'll help you up, and we'll go to the emperor to complain!" After that, she helped Xiaoyanzi up, and the two of them walked towards the depths of the palace together...

At this moment, the Queen, Li Qingge and others were enjoying delicious tea and exquisite cakes in another palace. They were chatting and laughing, as if they had completely forgotten the existence of Xiaoyanzi. However, they did not know that a storm was about to come, and the source of this storm was the Xiaoyanzi they despised...

Return of the Pearl
Suddenly, a sharp pain came from her waist, as if thousands of needles were piercing her at the same time. Xiaoyanzi grimaced in pain, her face twisted instantly, as if her heart was about to be torn apart by this force. She held her waist tightly with both hands, her body curled up involuntarily, and her eyes flashed with unbearable pain.

"I'm already kneeling down, why are you still stabbing me?" Xiaoyanzi screamed in a shrill voice, with a bit of trembling and confusion in her voice. Her eyes were wide open, as if they were about to spit fire, but she couldn't fully focus because of the pain.

Rong Mama stood aside coldly, with no expression on her face, as if she was not looking at a person, but an insignificant object. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, with a hint of disdain and ridicule: "You kneel in a crooked posture, like a wriggling worm, who are you trying to disgust?"

Xiaoyanzi was so angry that her face turned red when she heard this, and her eyes seemed to be spitting fire. She gritted her teeth and tried to refute, but found that she couldn't even say a complete sentence. She could only stare blankly, as if she wanted to engrave Rong Mama's image into her bones.

Inside the palace, the queen sat on a high throne, her luxurious clothes reflecting her majestic temperament. She sighed, her eyes fell on Xiao Wu not far away, and her tone revealed a hint of helplessness and fatigue: "Look, this folk Huanzhu Gege, she doesn't know any rules and has no etiquette. Although I am her legal mother, I can't get her most basic respect. Instead, the emperor blames me for being too harsh, which is really chilling..."

Li Qingge stood beside the queen, wearing a light and elegant palace dress, and her temperament was as gentle as water. She gently held the queen's hand, and said in a gentle but firm voice: "Don't be sad, your majesty, with me here, no one can bully you, not even the old Buddha in Mount Wutai." Her eyes revealed a kind of firmness and determination, as if no matter what happened, she would stand by the queen and support her.

After hearing this, the Queen felt a little relieved. She gently patted the back of Li Qingge's hand and sighed, "My daughter is the best. She knows my pain." Her eyes revealed a deep feeling and relief.

At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the palace. Xiaoyanzi's angry shout pierced through the clouds and soared into the sky: "Madame Rong, you bad thing, I've already knelt down, and you still stabbed me, are you deliberately bullying me?" Before she finished speaking, she threw a punch and knocked Madam Rong to the ground.

The queen was so angry that she trembled all over. She stood up suddenly, her fingers tightly grasping the armrest of the chair, as if she wanted to crush it: "This is outrageous! Barang, Batu, are you two dead?" Her voice was sharp and angry, as if it would shake the whole palace down.

Batu turned pale with fear, and quickly knelt on the ground, explaining: "Your Majesty, please calm down. The princess is wild and unruly. She ran away when we were not paying attention. Now she has gone to the Yangxin Palace."

"What a bunch of rubbish! You can't even catch a woman, I..." Before the queen could finish her words, she heard a scream from outside. Her face became even gloomier, as if water was about to drip out.

Xiaoyanzi stumbled back to Kunning Palace, her face as pale as paper, her eyes full of fear. She seemed to have seen something horrible, trembling all over, unable to speak. When she saw Li Qingge, it was as if she had seen a ghost, with a flash of disbelief and fear in her eyes.

Li Qingge clapped her hands and showed a playful smile on her face: "With your mediocre skills, you dare to act wildly in Kunning Palace? Try running again!" Her voice was cold and majestic, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

It turned out that Xiaoyanzi wanted to escape just now, but was spotted by Li Qingge in an instant. She flashed and appeared in front of Xiaoyanzi like a ghost. She grabbed Xiaoyanzi's collar and threw her back into the hall like throwing garbage. This action was so fast that it was like lightning, making people dazzled.

Before Xiaoyanzi could react, she had already returned to the main hall of Kunning Palace. She looked at Li Qingge's powerful martial arts and complained in her heart: "I really didn't check the almanac before going out today! I encountered such a monster! In Kunning Palace, there is not only the vicious Rong Mama, but also this beautiful martial arts master. I am doomed!"

Her eyes swirled around, thinking about how to get away so she could go to the Yangxin Palace to complain to the emperor. However, Li Qingge seemed to see through her thoughts. Li Qingge asked with a smile, "Do you want to go to the emperor to complain?"

Xiaoyanzi quickly shook her head and murmured, "I dare not, I dare not!" But she was thinking in her heart that as long as the Emperor came, these people would definitely be punished.

Li Qingge sneered, as if she had seen through her thoughts: "Don't pretend, I've seen through your thoughts a long time ago. You want to complain, fine, I'll help you!" After that, she took a deep breath, gathered all her strength, and let out a long roar that spread throughout the palace: "Qianlong! Xiaoyanzi is doing whatever she wants in Kunning Palace. As a father, do you care or not? If not, I'll teach her a lesson for you!"

Her voice was clear and melodious, like the cry of a phoenix in the sky, and it spread far away. The entire palace seemed to be shocked by her voice, and there was silence for a while.

At this time, Emperor Qianlong was reviewing memorials in the Yangxin Palace. When he heard the news, he immediately put down his pen and hurried to Kunning Palace. There was a trace of worry and anxiety on his face, as if he was about to meet someone important.

When Yongqi heard the news about Xiaoyanzi in Jingyang Palace, he was also extremely worried. He immediately rushed over to see how she was doing. His face was full of anxiety and concern, as if he wanted to search the entire palace.

When Qianlong and Yongqi arrived at Kunning Palace, they saw Xiaoyanzi curled up on the ground, her face as pale as paper, with fear and anxiety flashing in her eyes. Li Qingge stood aside, with a calm and indifferent expression on her face.

Qianlong watched this scene, and a surge of anger surged in his heart. He widened his eyes and glared at Li Qingge: "What do you mean by this? Why did you use such a heavy hand on Xiaoyanzi?"

Li Qingge bowed slightly and explained calmly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I am just following the rules. Xiaoyanzi doesn't know the rules and behaves recklessly. I am just teaching her a lesson for you."

Hearing this, Qianlong's expression softened a little. He looked at Xiaoyanzi, with a hint of blame and helplessness in his tone: "Xiaoyanzi, Xiaoyanzi, what can I say about you? Why can't you learn some manners?"

Xiaoyanzi felt a sense of grievance and unwillingness when she heard this. She clenched her teeth, as if to suppress the gasp that was about to come out. She looked at Qianlong, with a firmness and determination in her eyes: "Father, I am not wrong! I just don't want to be bullied by this vicious Rong Mama and this beautiful martial arts master!"

Qianlong looked at Xiaoyanzi's determined eyes, and could not help but feel relieved and emotional. He sighed, with a hint of helplessness and compromise in his tone: "Okay, okay, I know you've been wronged. But you still have to learn the rules and not mess around."

After saying that, he looked at Li Qingge and Rong Mama: "You two should also pay attention to your methods and not be too harsh."

Li Qingge and Rong Mama bowed slightly to show their obedience. Xiaoyanzi looked at the concerned eyes of Qianlong and Yongqi, and a warm feeling and gratitude welled up in her heart. She knew that no matter what happened, they would stand by her side to support and protect her.

Kunning Storm
In Kunning Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated the magnificent palace, making it even more noble and solemn. Xiaoyanzi was held tightly by two burly guards, Balang and Batu. Her hands were handcuffed behind her back, and her feet were firmly clamped, unable to move. However, even in such a predicament, her bright eyes were still wide open, flashing with unyielding light, staring straight at Li Qingge and the Queen who were sitting not far away, her eyes full of anger and unwillingness, as if saying: "When my emperor father comes, you will all be in trouble!"

The queen sat on the gorgeous throne, wearing a glittering phoenix robe. She had a dignified face and a calm expression. She just snorted softly at Xiaoyanzi's angry eyes, not taking it seriously at all. Her eyes were deep, as if she could see through everything, and there was an imperceptible sneer on the corner of her mouth, as if she was dismissive of Xiaoyanzi's struggle and resistance.

Li Qingge sat next to the queen. She was wearing an elegant palace dress, and her temperament was gentle and noble. She was like nothing had happened, leisurely tasting the pea yellow and donkey rolls that had just been delivered from the kitchen. The delicate pastries melted on the tip of her tongue, sweet but not greasy, which made her squint slightly. The fragrance of tea rose up, intertwined with the incense in the palace, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. She enjoyed it by herself, as if the disturbances in the outside world had nothing to do with her.

Soon, the eunuchs outside shouted: "The emperor has arrived!" The voice was sharp and long, penetrating the entire Kunning Palace. When everyone heard it, they hurriedly stood up and knelt on the ground to greet him. Even Balang and Batu quickly let Xiaoyanzi go and knelt on the ground.

"Long live the emperor!" Everyone shouted in unison, the sound was deafening, full of awe and worship. Only Li Qingge continued to eat slowly, as if he hadn't heard anything, waiting for Qianlong to come in.

Qianlong strode into Kunning Palace, wearing a dragon robe, majestic and solemn. His steps were heavy, his breathing was rapid, and his face showed a complex expression, with surprise, anger, and a hint of subtle fear. He wondered in his heart: How did Xiaoyanzi get into a fight with the queen of the Great Yan Kingdom? This queen is very skilled in martial arts and ruthless. Even I have to give her some points. Isn't Xiaoyanzi walking into the muzzle of a gun?
Qianlong was in a state of confusion, fearing that this matter would get out of hand, and Queen Da Yan would start a war if she got angry, which would put the Qing Dynasty in danger. He took a deep breath, tried to calm his emotions, and then stepped into the threshold of Kunning Palace.

When Xiaoyanzi saw Qianlong, she felt like she saw a savior. She broke free from the restraints of Balang and Batu, rushed over, and cried, "Father, you are finally here. If you were a step later, I would have been bullied to death by them." She cried loudly and exaggerated how the queen and others bullied her. Her tears rolled down like beads from a broken string, soaking her clothes, which made people feel pity.

However, Qianlong did not comfort her immediately as usual. He looked around with a gloomy face and asked the queen: "What is going on?"

The queen was relieved when she saw that Qianlong did not directly side with Xiaoyanzi. She quickly recounted the whole story in a gentle and respectful voice: "Your Majesty, I was drinking tea and chatting with Queen Dayan, and Xiaoyanzi suddenly came in and pointed at me and scolded me, saying that I framed Wei and was jealous of her good relationship with your majesty, and used despicable means to harm Concubine Ling. I was really wronged!" When Qianlong heard this, his face darkened. He turned to look at Xiaoyanzi and asked sternly: "Is what the queen said true?"

Xiaoyanzi was frightened by Qianlong's anger. She trembled and said, "It was...it was the Queen who framed Concubine Ling. She was so bad!" Then she started crying again, and her eyes were blurred by tears.

When Qianlong heard this, he got furious. He slammed the table and shouted angrily, "How dare you! It was my decision that Wei was demoted. What does it have to do with the Queen? How dare you slander the Queen?" His voice was deafening, making the entire Kunning Palace tremble.

Xiaoyanzi was so frightened by Qianlong's anger that she froze. She was shaking and tears kept falling. She was too influenced by those folk operas and thought it was another old-fashioned plot of a concubine harming others, so she blurted out: "Who else could it be if not the queen? Concubine Ling is so good to the emperor, how could the emperor bear to let her down? Men are like this, they fall in love with every woman they meet. First it was my mother, and now he is going to let down Concubine Ling again?"

After saying this, Qianlong was so angry that he almost fainted. He widened his eyes and glared at Xiaoyanzi, as if he wanted to see through her. Changing your mind? Xiaoyanzi actually dared to say that to him! He took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger, and then said in a cold voice: "What nonsense are you talking about? How can you casually inquire about my feelings for Concubine Ling? Wei was demoted because she made a mistake, and it has nothing to do with the Queen. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will never forgive you!"

Xiaoyanzi was frightened by Qianlong's anger and trembled. She dared not speak anymore and just cried silently. Li Qingge, who was listening beside her, almost couldn't help laughing. She thought that although Xiaoyanzi spoke directly, Qianlong had a lot of love history. However, she didn't show it, but just sipped her tea and watched the farce continue.

Qianlong felt sorry for Xiaoyanzi's grievance. He sighed and softened his tone: "Xiaoyanzi, don't do this again. The Queen is the mother of the Qing Dynasty. How can you blame her casually? As for Concubine Ling's matter, I have my own way of dealing with it. You don't need to worry about it."

Xiaoyanzi listened to Qianlong's words. Although she was unwilling in her heart, she did not dare to refute. She wiped away her tears silently, knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "I know I was wrong, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Qianlong looked at Xiaoyanzi's well-behaved appearance, and his anger dissipated a lot. He waved his hand and said, "Get up, and be careful about your words and actions in the future." After that, he looked at Li Qingge and said, "Queen of Dayan, I am sorry for what happened today. I hope you will forgive me."

Li Qingge smiled slightly, her voice gentle and polite: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. What happened today was just a misunderstanding. I don't take it to heart." After saying that, she looked at Xiaoyanzi, "Miss Xiaoyanzi has a straightforward personality, which is very cute."

Xiaoyanzi was a little surprised when she heard what Li Qingge said. She didn't expect that the queen of the Great Yan Kingdom would speak for her. She was a little at a loss for a moment. She stared at Li Qingge blankly, not knowing how to answer.

Qianlong watched the interaction between the two and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Haha, yes, Xiaoyanzi is straightforward and sometimes can be a headache. But that's also her charm." After saying that, he looked at the queen and said, "Queen, you should take better care of Xiaoyanzi in the future. After all, she is still young and immature."

Upon hearing this, the Queen quickly replied respectfully, "Yes, I obey your command." After saying that, she looked at Xiaoyanzi with a meaningful look in her eyes.

The storm was thus calmed down. Peace and harmony were restored in Kunning Palace. However, beneath this peaceful surface, countless undercurrents and disputes were hidden. The grudge between Xiaoyanzi and the Queen, the delicate relationship between Qianlong and the Queen of Dayan, and the tension between the Qing Dynasty and Dayan... All of this seemed to foreshadow the unrest in the future.

The Harem: The Sorrow of Concubine Ling

The emperor, as the ruler of a country in the Forbidden City, enjoys supreme honor and power. His life is as dazzling as the magnificent palace, but also unfathomable. The harem, a place for hidden beauties, is full of beauties, fat and thin, each with its own merits. They are either gentle and virtuous, or talented, or beautiful, all to win the emperor's favor and love. And the emperor, his mind is like the unpredictable weather, sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy, who he favors and who he ignores is all up to his mind.

The prosperity and bustle of the harem were all for the continuation of the royal bloodline and the guarantee of the Qing dynasty's foundation for generations to come. The selection every three years was like the flowers blooming in spring, with batches of fresh faces being sent into the deep palace, adding new vitality and color to the harem. Emperor Qianlong was well aware of his responsibilities and missions, and he extended his grace and favor to concubines more for the future of the Qing dynasty and for the glory of the royal family.

However, there are also unknown emotional entanglements and power struggles in the harem. Although the legendary love between Emperor Shunzhi and Consort Dong E is touching, it is regarded as an outlier in the Aisin-Gioro family. They pursue monogamous and loyal love, but ignore the interests and responsibilities of the royal family. Such love, although beautiful, is difficult to gain a foothold in this deep palace.

"Father, although there are many people in the harem, the only one who truly treats me is Concubine Ling." Xiaoyanzi, a straightforward woman who dares to love and hate, is standing in front of Emperor Qianlong at this moment, righteously asking for justice for Concubine Ling in his mind. Her eyes are firm, like a little Bao Gong, who is not afraid of power and only seeks justice in her heart.

The Queen, the head of the harem, was immediately furious when she heard Xiaoyanzi's words. She was wearing a gorgeous phoenix robe, a head of pearls and jade, and sat majestically on the throne, glaring at Xiaoyanzi. "You little girl, how dare you call me an 'old witch'? How can I tolerate such an insult? Wei is of humble origin, how dare she call herself the emperor's wife? I am the real Queen, how can she overstep her bounds?" The Queen's voice was sharp and harsh, like the cold wind in winter, which made people shudder.

"How dare you!" Emperor Qianlong was furious and slapped Xiaoyanzi. Xiaoyanzi staggered to the ground and her cheeks instantly became red and swollen. She was stunned, tears welled up in her eyes, and she cried, "Father, how could you do this to me? Why are you trying to hurt me?" Her voice was desolate and sad, like the fallen leaves in autumn, blown away mercilessly.

Emperor Qianlong said angrily: "You have behaved rudely and disrespected the Empress. You have also trespassed into Kunning Palace without permission and dared to discuss my private affairs. Wei is just a concubine, how can you have the right to interfere? It's because I spoiled you too much that you have become lawless. Come, drag Princess Huanzhu out and give her thirty strokes of the cane!" His voice was cold and ruthless, like icicles in winter, which made people feel cold.

Xiaoyanzi was so frightened that she begged for mercy. She knew she had caused a great disaster, but she was unwilling to be punished like this. She looked at Emperor Qianlong with a look of pleading and helplessness. However, the emperor did not soften his heart, but became more determined to punish her.

At this time, Yongqi hurried over. He was wearing gorgeous prince's clothes, kneeling in front of Emperor Qianlong with great dignity, and pleading: "Father, please be merciful. Xiaoyanzi is young and ignorant, and she is a girl. If she is seriously injured, how can she be worthy of her deceased mother's spirit in heaven?" His voice was low and powerful, full of concern and love for Xiaoyanzi.

When Xiaoyanzi heard Yongqi's words, she felt a warm current in her heart. She understood Yongqi's intention, so she said in grief, "Mother, why did you leave me so early? Leaving me alone to suffer in the world? A child with a mother is like a treasure, while a child without a mother is like a weed. If I had known that I would be punished for recognizing my relatives, I should have followed you and would not be alone on the road to the underworld." Her voice was desolate and sad, like the elegy in the autumn, which made people feel pity.

When Emperor Qianlong heard this, he couldn't help but think of Xia Yuhe. That gentle, virtuous, and talented woman was once a bright spot in his heart. However, she passed away early, leaving Xiaoyanzi, a lonely and helpless daughter. Thinking of this, Emperor Qianlong felt a surge of sympathy. He looked at Xiaoyanzi's swollen cheeks and sad eyes, and couldn't help feeling a little regretful and self-blaming.

The Queen was even more furious. She blamed the Emperor for always using the excuse that Xiaoyanzi had no mother to protect her, but ignoring her feelings and interests. She believed that the Emperor's favoritism towards Xiaoyanzi had exceeded the limit and even threatened her status and authority. So, she said coldly: "Your Majesty, you can't always favor Xiaoyanzi like this. She made a mistake and should be punished accordingly. Otherwise, where are the rules and order of the harem?"

Li Qingge, the woman who had been standing silently by the side, was speechless at this moment. She looked at Xiaoyanzi's sad face and Emperor Qianlong's complicated eyes, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart. She sighed that Xiaoyanzi was willing to use her deceased mother as a shield for power. How could she be conscientious in doing so? In the dead of night, would she be afraid that Xia Yuhe's ghost would come to her to claim her life?
However, Li Qingge also understood that the struggles and disputes in the harem were not something she could intervene in. She could only stand aside silently and watch all this happen and end. Her heart was filled with helplessness and sadness, and she felt sorry and sympathetic for the women in the harem.

In the end, Emperor Qianlong finally softened his heart. He looked at Xiaoyanzi's sad face and Yongqi's pleading eyes, and finally said, "Okay, I'll forgive you this time. But you must remember the lesson and don't make the same mistake again." Although his voice was cold, it revealed a hint of tenderness and care that was hard to detect.

When Xiaoyanzi heard the emperor's words, she was filled with gratitude. She kowtowed to express her gratitude and then left Kunning Palace. She knew that although she had escaped punishment this time, she still had a long way to go and she had to be more careful in the harem.

What about Li Qingge? She looked at Xiaoyanzi's departing figure and Emperor Qianlong's complicated eyes, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart. She knew that the struggles and entanglements in the harem would never end, and all she could do was to silently guard the innocence and kindness in her heart.

Spring days in the Forbidden City always bring a sense of indescribable depression and dullness. The sunlight shines through the layers of glazed tiles and sprinkles on the bluestone slabs, but it seems unable to dispel the chill lingering in the air. Xiaoyanzi, a woman who once flew freely like a swallow, now stands at the center of the vortex of power, facing unprecedented challenges.

Her eyes showed both unyielding stubbornness and undisguised panic. The situation before her forced her to make a choice. If she did not fight back, the situation would be out of control. On the side, Li Qingge, dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, had a smile on her lips, and her tone was a bit sarcastic: "Hey, look at our Qing Dynasty, which claims to be the Celestial Empire and a country of etiquette, but has fallen to this point. An illegitimate daughter dares to openly bully the queen. It's really eye-opening. I have to look at you with new eyes, Your Majesty!"

These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing Qianlong's heart. He was surprised, angry, and even more humiliated. Qianlong, the supreme ruler of the Qing Empire, was like an ordinary person whose scars were exposed at this moment. He roared angrily: "Beat her hard! Anyone who dares to beg for mercy will be beaten with twenty more strokes! I will make her remember this lesson forever!"

However, Li Qingge keenly caught the hesitation in Qianlong's eyes. She knew that although the emperor was furious on the surface, he didn't really want to punish Xiaoyanzi in his heart. So, she raised a meaningful smile, as if everything was under her control.

Beating with a stick is a science in the Qing Palace. The strength and depth must be just right. The eunuchs in charge of the punishment are all veterans in this field. They know how to carry out the punishment according to the emperor's wishes. At this moment, they set up a bench and let Xiaoyanzi lie prone on it. Two young eunuchs held her shoulders and the sticks fell like raindrops.

Xiaoyanzi cried out in pain, her voice full of despair and helplessness: "Father, don't you love me anymore? Mother, mother, take me away, I don't want to stay here..." Every cry she made was like a sharp blade cutting Qianlong's heart. His face was livid, and he clenched his teeth tightly, as if trying to suppress the gasping sound that was about to come out. He knew in his heart that although he was angry about Xiaoyanzi's behavior, he loved her more and was reluctant to let her go.

The eunuchs in charge of the punishment, in accordance with Emperor Qianlong's order, were only going to "beat her gently" to show that they would not hurt her bones. However, at this moment, Li Qingge's eyes suddenly flashed, as if an invisible force had controlled the eunuchs in charge of the punishment. The boards in their hands suddenly increased in force, and fell on Xiaoyanzi like raindrops. Xiaoyanzi screamed in pain, and her voice was so shrill that it shook the entire Kunning Palace.

The water-red pants, under the heavy blows of the board, were gradually soaked with blood. However, because the color was similar to the pants, no one noticed it at first. Qianlong thought the eunuchs were acting and didn't take it seriously. He sat on the high dragon throne, but his eyes involuntarily turned to Xiaoyanzi. He saw her thin body trembling under the board, and an indescribable pain surged in his heart.

The Fifth Prince Yongqi, the man who had been silently guarding Xiaoyanzi, seemed to be about to collapse at this moment. He saw it all, felt the pain in his heart, but was powerless to change it. He clenched his fists, his nails dug deep into his palms, but he seemed to feel no pain. His eyes were full of anger and helplessness, as if he was about to burn with a raging flame to burn all the injustice and cruelty.

However, at this moment, an unexpected voice broke the dull atmosphere. It was the Queen's voice, and she said coldly: "Enough! Your Majesty, are you really going to ignore me for the sake of an illegitimate daughter?" The Queen's voice was full of majesty and dissatisfaction. She could not accept losing face in front of this illegitimate daughter.

Hearing this, Qianlong frowned. He knew that he could not completely ignore the Queen's feelings for Xiaoyanzi. So, he said in a deep voice: "Stop it! Xiaoyanzi, remember this lesson and don't do it again!"

Upon hearing this, the eunuchs in charge of the punishment immediately stopped beating her with the boards in their hands. Xiaoyanzi lay on the ground, panting and covered with wounds. She looked up at Qianlong, her eyes full of confusion and resentment. However, Qianlong just looked at her coldly and turned away.

There was a dead silence in Kunning Palace. Xiaoyanzi lay on the ground, no one cared about her. Only the fifth prince Yongqi walked to her side silently and helped her up. He whispered, "Xiaoyanzi, don't be sad, I will always be with you."

Xiaoyanzi felt a warm current in her heart when she heard this. She looked up at the Fifth Prince, her eyes full of gratitude and dependence. She knew that no matter what happened, the Fifth Prince would always be by her side, protecting her.

However, the storm did not subside. The Queen's resentment towards Xiaoyanzi grew deeper and deeper, and Li Qingge was secretly controlling everything. Xiaoyanzi knew that her future would be even more difficult. But she was not afraid, because she knew that with the Fifth Prince by her side, she would have the courage to face all challenges.

The spring sunshine once again shines on the Forbidden City, but it seems to bring a bit of warmth. Xiaoyanzi and the Fifth Prince walk out of Kunning Palace hand in hand, their figures lengthening in the sun, as if foreshadowing the hope and brightness of the future. Li Qingge stands aside, watching all this with cold eyes, but in his heart he is thinking about how to stir up trouble again.

How deep is the love within the palace walls? How can outsiders easily see through the love, hatred and vengeance in the Forbidden City? How will the future of Xiaoyanzi and the Fifth Prince be written? All of this seems to be surrounded by the high palace walls, and it is impossible to peek into its full picture. But no matter what, they will work together to face the unknown future.

On a spring day in the Forbidden City, the sun shone dappled on the magnificent palace, but it could not illuminate the haze in the hearts of the Queen and Rong Mama. The two of them stood in the corridor of Kunning Palace, and finally showed a long-lost satisfied smile on their faces. There was a sense of happiness and relief in that smile. Ever since Xiaoyanzi entered the palace, their lives have never been peaceful. Today, they can finally vent their anger.

The queen was wearing a luxurious phoenix robe, a head of pearls and jade, and her eyes were shining with victory. She gently patted Rong Mama's hand beside her and whispered, "This girl finally knows how powerful she is. Let's see if she dares to act wild in our Kunning Palace again!"

Rong Mama nodded in agreement, her face full of wrinkles but smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum: "Yes, Queen, you can finally rest assured. This girl deserves to be punished!"

At this time, Li Qingge stood not far away, her eyes passed through the crowd and fell on the unconscious Xiaoyanzi. She felt mixed emotions in her heart. Although she used mind control to control the eunuch in charge of the punishment, she did not really want to kill Xiaoyanzi. She just wanted this little girl who always caused trouble to remember her lesson. After all, there was no deep hatred between them.