New Return of the Pearl: The Group's Pet Swallow Flies

The queen did not think it was a problem at first if no one could leave the palace, but when she thought about the children who would be free to leave the palace when they grew up, she could not help but feel nostalgic for the past life outside the palace.

After all, although this palace is extremely exquisite and prosperous, the harem is limited in scope. Even if you walk around it day after day, coming and going, wandering around, looking at the same scenery for more than ten years, and wandering around for more than ten years, you will inevitably feel bored and tired.

Such thoughts lingered in the queen's mind, and she couldn't help but sigh again. In fact, she was not jealous of Xiaoyanzi and others who could receive endless love, but seeing these children being cared for since childhood, and now they can grow up and go out to play and have fun, she had a desire to go out of the palace, to enjoy the sights and have fun. But she knew that this was just a luxury, and the emperor and the people in the palace would certainly not allow the concubines to leave the palace easily. Whenever she thought of this, the queen could only sigh helplessly.

Rong Mama, who was standing by, listened to the Queen's words silently, and her heart was full of love. In fact, she had also longed for the world outside the palace.

After all, she had been imprisoned in the inner palace since she entered the palace. Time passed quickly, and more than ten or twenty years had passed, but she had never been able to break free from the cage that bound her. During these long years, she spent her days serving others, and carefully dealing with the various rules and complex interpersonal relationships in the palace.

Compared with the high and mighty empress and others, although they were also in the palace, at least they had no worries about food and clothing, and did not have to work hard for a living. However, people of her status not only had to undertake heavy service work, but also had to be cautious at all times, fearing that the slightest carelessness would bring about a fatal disaster. Although the empress was easier to talk to, and she was also the closest and most trusted person of the empress, as a servant beside her master, she still had to be cautious in her words and deeds.

Day after day, year after year, the repetitive labor made her physically and mentally exhausted. Every night when it was quiet, she would lie alone in bed, silently looking at the dark ceiling above her head, her heart filled with endless fatigue and helplessness. When would this kind of life end? She didn't know, and perhaps there would never be an answer...

At this moment, the atmosphere in the exquisite pavilion in the backyard of Jingren Palace seemed a little solemn and depressing. The Queen and Rong Mama stood opposite each other, silent, as if shrouded in an invisible silence. Their eyes were cast towards the fish in the river that were playing happily and having fun.

Time passed by, and the two seemed to be immersed in their own thoughts, and neither of them knew how to break the silence. Occasionally, a breeze blew through, blowing their hair, but it still couldn't blow away the heavy atmosphere.

Looking at the fish swimming freely in the water, they could not help but feel a surge of emotion. Sometimes, they could not help but imagine, if humans could have a short memory of only seven seconds like the fish, would they be able to easily forget all the troubles and sorrows in life? Perhaps, in this way, those painful memories could be put behind them in an instant, and their hearts would no longer be tortured.

However, despite all her thoughts, Rong Mama never forgot her identity and duties as a servant. After a lot of inner struggle, she finally plucked up the courage to speak: "My lady, look at these fish. If they want to jump over the dragon gate, they need to make great efforts and have considerable luck! And even so, there are very few who can really turn into dragons and fly in the sky. This is just a very small probability. We have never seen any fish succeed. As for your desire to leave the palace... Alas, I really don't know how to persuade you."

The queen sat quietly at the edge of the pavilion. When she heard Rong Mama's words, she did not turn around or make any response. She just sighed softly and continued to stare at the fish in the river, with deep helplessness and confusion in her eyes.

In fact, in terms of happiness, she was indeed an extremely lucky woman. As the mother of a country, she was in the core position of the Qing Empire. She not only had an extremely noble status and power, but more importantly, she had a son who she could rely on. Even if the child could not ascend to the supreme throne in the future, her status and the resources in her hands were enough to ensure that the mother and son would live a safe and worry-free life.

In this magnificent palace full of political intrigues, the emperor always treated her with due respect; and the high and mighty old Buddha gave her full trust. As for the other concubines in the palace, no one dared to easily provoke the powerful queen. In this way, she really didn't need to think too much about those annoying things.

However, to her surprise, ever since the child named Xiaoyanzi entered the palace, the entire palace seemed to be injected with a new vitality. The originally quiet and depressing atmosphere suddenly became lively, and even the relationship between the concubines in the palace became unusually harmonious. The intrigues that were once everywhere seemed to have suddenly disappeared without a trace, and such a harmonious and warm situation really made her feel relieved.

Now, no one covets the Phoenix Seal in her hand, which symbolizes power, and she can spend these long years in peace with her beloved son. For more than ten years, they have been living a life of luxury and comfort. Whenever she thinks of this, the queen will silently comfort herself in her heart: Maybe at this moment, she already has enough happiness, so why bother to pursue those things that are out of reach and unattainable? It is better to let nature take its course, neither to embarrass herself nor to add to her troubles. Isn't it good to live a plain life like this?

As she thought about it, the queen's frown gradually relaxed, as if she had finally figured out a problem that had been bothering her for a long time. The haze in her heart also dissipated a lot, and she felt a lot more relaxed.

"Your Majesty, it's almost noon. Do you think it's time to serve the meal?" Madam Rong, who was standing by, carefully observed the Queen's expression. After seeing the rare look of relief on the Queen's face, her heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled a little. So she asked softly with a smile on her face.

The queen subconsciously reached out and touched her abdomen, and indeed she felt a faint sense of hunger. She nodded slightly and said softly, "Well, then give the order."

"Yes!" After getting the Queen's approval, Rong Mama hurriedly responded, then turned around and winked at the maids standing not far away. The maids understood and immediately trotted towards the direction of the imperial kitchen.

The queen slowly stood up and prepared to return to the house to rest. After all, it was already midsummer in July, and the weather was becoming increasingly hot. Although it was still a little cool by the lotus pond, as the sun rose higher and higher above her head and the light became more and more blazing and dazzling, the air around her began to gradually become dull and hot.

At this time, a little palace maid in a light pink palace dress came briskly. When she was a few steps away from the Queen and Rong Mama, she stopped, knelt respectfully and saluted, saying: "Good luck to your Majesty! Your Majesty, just now, Eunuch Lu from the Qianqing Palace sent someone to tell you that the Emperor will come to our Jingren Palace to have lunch at noon, so he specifically asked us to prepare the food in advance."

After hearing this, the Queen exchanged a look with Rong Mama beside her. At that moment, a fleeting joy flashed in their eyes, but soon returned to normal. Then, Rong Mama gently waved her arm and gestured to the little palace maid standing beside her, indicating that she should leave first.

"The emperor hasn't been here for a long time. Why did he come to Jingren Palace to eat at noon today?" the queen muttered to herself. Over the years, the emperor's visits to Jingren Palace have been few and far between. Although she has changed her aggressive temper, the emperor still seems to prefer to go to Concubine Ling or Concubine He. Therefore, he rarely comes here.

Thinking of this, the Queen's smile gradually faded, replaced by slightly frowned brows and a puzzled look. She asked worriedly, "I really can't figure out why this is happening?"

At this time, seeing her own queen standing there motionless, as if lost in deep thought, Rong Mama couldn't help but get a little anxious. So, she quickly reminded her, "My queen, no matter what, it is a great thing for the emperor to come in person! Let's quickly prepare some of the emperor's favorite meals, so as not to keep him waiting too long."

The Queen nodded slightly to show her agreement, and a touch of tenderness appeared on her dignified and beautiful face: "Well, go and tell the people below to do it, and make sure to prepare more of the Emperor's favorite dishes. Oh, there is one more thing, go and call Yongji to me. His father will be here soon, and the child should get close to his father and cultivate feelings with him."

"Yes, Your Majesty, don't worry. I will arrange it right away!" After responding respectfully, Madam Rong did not dare to delay even a bit. She turned around and quickly assigned the capable palace maids and eunuchs around her to invite the twelfth prince Yongqi to come as soon as possible.

----

Not far from Jingren Palace, there is a slightly remote palace. At this moment, in a study room in this palace, Yongqi, who was only nine years old, was sitting upright at the desk. He was wearing a light yellow robe, and his small figure looked very cute.

The young boy is concentrating on studying, his bright eyes fixed on the book in his hands, as if the book contains endless treasures waiting for him to discover. If someone walks into this study and sees this scene, they will nod and praise secretly: "This child is really well behaved! School is over, but he is still studying so hard. It's really rare."

However, if you take a closer look, you will be surprised to find a secret - it turns out that this seemingly diligent and studious little prince, although holding a solemn and serious "Analects of Confucius" on the surface, actually hides a small and exquisite book inside the thick pages of "Analects of Confucius". And this quietly hidden book is not an orthodox reading material such as classics, history, and collections, but some martial arts stories full of excitement and adventure plots.

After all, nine years old is the age of innocence, liveliness and activity. However, as a prince of noble status, he cannot play freely like other children of the same age. Because he is in the palace, there are too many rules and etiquette to abide by, and every word and action must be cautious. Therefore, in front of outsiders, he has to always maintain a dignified and well-behaved image and try his best to play the role of the legitimate son and prince.

Only when no one was noticing could he secretly take out his beloved martial arts storybook, immerse himself in that world full of chivalry and heroism, and slightly release the childlike nature deep in his heart.

Therefore, for him, his favorite thing to do in his spare time is to leisurely read books full of mystery and fantasy elements, such as strange stories and weird talks.

If we want to know where these books came from, we have to mention his caring companion outside the palace. It was this companion who took risks and secretly brought fascinating books into the palace for him to read, including some wonderful stories about Jianghu knights.

Yongqi, who was only nine years old, was immersed in the pages of the book, but his thoughts could not help but drift far away. He could not help but think of his brothers and sisters whom he had not seen for three years, especially the various legendary deeds he had heard about them in recent times. It was rumored that Sister Xiaoyanzi had become the leader of the martial arts world, and such an achievement was truly amazing!

Whenever he thought of this, Yongqi's heart was filled with sincere admiration. He never expected that the usually lively and playful Sister Xiaoyanzi could show such a strong and powerful side like those brave and fearless female knights described in the book. It can be said that women are as good as men!

Just as Yongqi was immersed in his wild imagination, there was a sudden knock on the closed study door. Then, a clear and pleasant voice of a palace maid came from outside the door: "Twelfth Prince, the Emperor will come to Jingren Palace to have lunch at noon today. The Empress has specially asked me to invite you over."