The Love between Hanxiang and Qianlong

Hanxiang thought about it, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she said excitedly.

“Perhaps we should not just focus on the city, if there are any refugees, most of them are outside the city.

And if Fang Zhihang is really a corrupt official, he will definitely drive those poor people out of the city in order to deceive your eyes and create the illusion that the people live and work in peace and contentment!"

Her voice was full of firmness and confidence, as if she had seen the truth.

When Qianlong heard Hanxiang's words, his expression was full of her appreciation, and he spoke softly.

"Baby, you're great, but we can only go out quietly and not let anyone notice us. Let's wait a few days until they relax and then we can find out the news!"

As he spoke, he gently touched the ends of her hair, his face full of affection and doting.

After hearing this, Hanxiang smiled with joy, nodded slightly, and snuggled up to Qianlong.

Walking on the street with Emperor Qianlong, their steps seemed relaxed and natural, with no signs of inquiring for information or engaging in any political activities.

Instead, they acted more like a normal couple having a good time on a date.

Emperor Qianlong would lower his head from time to time to talk with the Empress. Both of their faces were filled with happy smiles, as if they were the only ones left in the whole world.

After seeing this scene, the person hiding in the dark and watching couldn't help but feel a little confused.

He originally thought that Emperor Qianlong's visit must have some important political purpose, but the scene before him made him begin to doubt his judgment.

However, as a loyal subordinate, he knew that he had to act according to orders, and no matter what Emperor Qianlong's true intentions were, he needed to report what he observed truthfully.

So he quietly left the surveillance site, his heart full of curiosity and anticipation about what might happen next.

He knew that his return would likely trigger a series of political waves.

But he also understood that this was just part of court politics and he was just a small pawn in it.

No matter what, he must stick to his duties and report everything he knows to his superiors truthfully.

Fang Zhihang has been on high alert these days. He knows very well that Emperor Qianlong's whereabouts are by no means ordinary, and every subtle movement may contain profound political signals.

As a local official, he had to be sensitive to the emperor's movements so that he could respond promptly to any situation that might arise.

He sent his trusted men to secretly follow the whereabouts of Emperor Qianlong and the Empress, trying to figure out the emperor's true intentions from their activities.

However, after several days of tracking, Fang Zhihang discovered that Emperor Qianlong did not seem to be engaging in any information-gathering or political activities.

Instead, all he saw was an emperor accompanying his empress, who was walking down the street like an ordinary couple, enjoying their rare leisure time.

They strolled around the market, tasted various snacks, and even stopped at a chess stall. Emperor Qianlong even played a few games of chess with an old man himself.

Seeing this scene, Fang Zhihang's doubts gradually dissipated. He began to wonder if his previous worries were too much.

Perhaps, Emperor Qianlong's secret visit was really just to accompany the Empress and enjoy the atmosphere of folk life, and not to find out some important news as he had previously guessed.

Thinking of this, Fang Zhihang decided to stop monitoring Emperor Qianlong.

He believes that his previous speculation may have been due to an over-interpretation of the emperor's whereabouts, and in fact, Emperor Qianlong may not have any special intentions.

Therefore, those hiding in the dark relaxed their vigilance, thinking that Emperor Qianlong was really just enjoying his leisure time and had no other intentions.

When Emperor Qianlong saw this, he was secretly delighted, for he knew that the opportunity had finally come.

He quickly disguised himself and took Hanxiang, Xiaoyanzi and others out of the city gate, wanting to see the real situation among the people with his own eyes.

However, when they walked out of the city gate, the scene before them shocked them.

The people were seen in tattered clothes, with many of them looking pale and thin, obviously having been hungry for a long time.

What’s worse, there are old people and children who have starved to death lying on the roadside, with no one paying attention to them.

There was also a woman who had lost her husband, crying and holding her dead child in her arms. The child's face was pale and colorless, and it was obvious that he was no longer alive.

When Xiaoyanzi saw this scene, she was so angry that she trembled all over.

"Fang Zhihang is too bold and deserves to die! He drove all these refugees out. Isn't he afraid of having nightmares at night?"

Her words were full of anger and condemnation towards Fang Zhihang.

Hanxiang was also feeling bad. When she saw a mother biting her finger and feeding her child with her blood, she couldn't help but step forward to dissuade her.

"What are you doing? You will die!"

The woman raised her head, her eyes full of despair and helplessness.

"I have nothing to eat and no milk, so I can only feed him with my own blood, otherwise he will starve to death."

Hearing this, Hanxiang and Xiaoyanzi couldn't help but shed tears.

They knew very well that the suffering of these people did not happen overnight, but was the result of long-term poverty and oppression.

They decided that they must do something for these people, even if it was just a small amount of help, they would do their best.

She took the food down from the carriage and said to them, "We have some steamed buns and beddings here. Just line up and get them. Don't rush to get them. We have them all."

When the refugees heard this, they quickly gathered around. They had been hungry for too long, and when they heard that food was available, they rushed over, fearing that if they were too late, the food would be snatched away by others.

Hanxiang shouted loudly when she saw this.

"Don't rush to eat. There's food available. The elderly and children should line up in front, and the young and middle-aged should follow behind. Everyone, line up one by one. After you finish eating, follow me into the city and I will make arrangements for you."

Someone questioned: "Why should we believe you? What if you tricked us into entering the city for other purposes?"

Facing the refugees' doubts and questions, Hanxiang was both honest and resolute.

She understood their situation and concerns, so she explained more patiently.

"You really have no choice but to believe me."

Hanxiang said, “But please see, we only provided food and bedding, and did not force you to do anything.

If I really meant bad to you, why would I bother giving you this food?

Wouldn't it be easier to just ignore you and let you fend for yourself?"

The refugees looked at each other, and they began to realize that what Hanxiang said made sense.

But some people still asked cautiously: "Why are you so nice to us?

We don’t want to owe anyone a favor.”

Hanxiang looked at the leader with admiration in her eyes.

She knew that although these people were in trouble, their vigilance and self-esteem had not disappeared, which was a good start.

"I believe you have all heard about the emperor's incognito visit, right?"

Hanxiang asked.

The man nodded.

"Just because the emperor went on a secret visit, that corrupt official Fang Zhihang drove us all out and left us to fend for ourselves."

Hanxiang took a deep breath and then spoke slowly.

"To be honest, I am the Empress of the Qing Dynasty, and the one next to me is the Emperor.

The purpose of our incognito visit this time is to understand the suffering of the people and punish those officials who are corrupt and break the law.

If you trust me, please follow me into the city.

I promise that you will have food and clothing, and we will seek justice for you."

After hearing this, the refugees showed expressions of shock and disbelief.

They didn't expect that the beautiful and gentle woman in front of them was actually the Empress of the Qing Dynasty.

And that seemingly ordinary man is actually the current emperor.

"Thank you, Queen, and thank you, Your Majesty!"