Rebirth of the Princess Pearl

In the early morning, the sun shines on every corner of the palace, giving the red walls and yellow tiles a golden glow. In the imperial garden, the flowers are gorgeous, and dewdrops roll on the petals like crystal pearls. Birds sing happily on the branches, as if telling stories in the palace.

The Empress Dowager and Qing'er returned from Mount Wutai, and the whole palace became busy. Eunuchs and palace maids shuttled between the palaces, preparing for the return of the Empress Dowager.

The old Buddha sat in the sedan chair, looking solemn and kind. Qing'er followed beside her, her eyes showing agility and intelligence. They walked through the palace gate and went straight to the Cining Palace.

When Concubine Shu learned that the old Buddha had returned to the palace, she secretly planned in her heart. She dressed up carefully and came to the Cining Palace early, hoping to sow discord in front of the old Buddha.

The old Buddha sat in the main seat, sipping the fragrant tea. The Concubine Shu stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said in a tender voice: "Old Buddha, you are finally back. This palace has been in chaos since you left."

The old man gently put down the teacup, raised his eyes and asked: "Oh? What's going on?"

The corner of Concubine Shu's mouth curled up with a barely perceptible sneer, and she said, "Old Buddha, do you know Princess Huanzhu's Xiaoyanzi? She acts recklessly in the palace all day long, without any rules at all. She is also very close to a man from the martial arts world, Xiao Jian. Xiao Jian's background is unknown, but Princess Huanzhu completely disregards the rules of the palace and associates with him like this."

The old Buddha frowned and said, "Is this true?"

At this time, the Empress and Concubine Ling also came to the Cining Palace. The Empress stepped forward to pay her respects and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shu's words are a bit too much. Although Xiaoyanzi is naughty, she is kind-hearted and just a little lively. She has brought a lot of joy to everyone in this palace."

Concubine Ling also agreed, "Old Buddha, the Empress is right. Xiaoyanzi is like a spring breeze blowing into this dull palace. Her little mischief actually reveals a sense of innocence."

Qing'er was listening at the side, her eyes sparkling. She walked up and said, "Master Buddha, Qing'er heard people talking about Princess Xiaoyanzi on the way back. When I saw her today, I found her very interesting."

The old Buddha looked at Qing'er and asked, "Qing'er, why do you say that?"

Qing'er smiled gently and said, "Old Buddha, think about it, there are many rules in this palace, and everyone is very cautious. Princess Xiaoyanzi is like an outlier. Although her actions are not in line with the rules, they are full of vitality. Moreover, Qing'er feels that such a person must have a pure heart, otherwise how could she live so innocently?"

The old Buddha nodded slightly, and had a new opinion of Xiaoyanzi in her heart. She looked at Concubine Shu with a hint of reproach in her eyes and said, "Concubine Shu, you can't slander others at will. The palace emphasizes harmonious coexistence. Don't do this again in the future."

Empress Shu was unhappy, but she could only bow her head and say, "Yes, Lord Buddha."

A few days later, a banquet was held in the palace. The banquet hall was brightly lit, and the tables were filled with all kinds of delicacies. The palace maids shuttled around, serving wine and food to the masters.

Xiaoyanzi, wearing a brightly colored princess dress, skipped into the banquet hall. She looked around curiously and kept saying, "Wow, this place is so beautiful."

Yongqi followed her and said with a smile: "Xiaoyanzi, be careful and don't get into trouble again."

Xiaoyanzi stuck out her tongue and said, "Yongqi, today is such a happy day, we won't get into trouble."

They walked to their seats and sat down. Ziwei and Erkang also came, Ziwei smiled gently, and Erkang looked heroic.

When Qing'er saw Xiaoyanzi and the others, she came over to greet them, "Princess Xiaoyanzi, I've heard a lot about you."

Xiaoyanzi stood up excitedly and said, "You are Qing'er, you are so pretty."

Qing Er was a little embarrassed by Xiao Yan Zi's straightforwardness and said, "Princess Xiao Yan Zi is really good at complimenting people."

After the banquet began, there was singing and dancing. Xiaoyanzi watched the performance on the stage and waved her hands unconsciously to the rhythm. Yongqi smiled helplessly and whispered, "Xiaoyanzi, please restrain yourself."

Xiaoyanzi disagreed and said, "Yongqi, I can't help but listen to such a beautiful dance."

At this time, Xiao Jian also appeared in the corner of the banquet hall. He was dressed in black, with a cold and deep look in his eyes. He came here at Xiaoyanzi's invitation. Although he knew that the palace was dangerous, he still came for Xiaoyanzi.

When Xiaoyanzi saw Xiaojian, her eyes lit up, and she stood up and said loudly, "Brother Xiaojian, you are here."

Her action attracted everyone's attention. Some conservative ministers frowned, thinking that Xiaoyanzi's action was against the rules.

The emperor felt helpless when he saw this, but he didn't want to blame Xiaoyanzi at this time. He stood up and said, "Today is a happy day, everyone doesn't have to be restrained. Xiao Jian, since you are here, please take a seat."

Xiao Jian clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Then he walked to his seat.

The banquet continued, and Xiaoyanzi and Qing'er chatted animatedly. Xiaoyanzi danced and recounted her interesting experiences in the palace, while Qing'er listened with great interest.

"Princess Xiaoyanzi, you are so brave. If I were you, I wouldn't dare to act as you please in the palace." Qing'er said with a smile.

Xiaoyanzi patted her chest and said, "Qing'er, there's nothing to be afraid of. Although there are many rules in the palace, as long as you have nothing to hide, you don't have to be afraid."

Yong Qi added, "Xiaoyanzi is like this. Although she can be reckless sometimes, she has a good heart."

Suddenly, a minister stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Buddha, I feel that Xiao Jian is a man of the underworld after all, and it seems inappropriate to let him attend the banquet in the palace."

Before the emperor could speak, Xiaoyanzi stood up and said, "Minister, Brother Xiaojian is my good friend and a very kind man. He has done many good things, so why can't he attend the banquet?"

The old Buddha looked at Xiaoyanzi and said, "Xiaoyanzi, please sit down first."

Xiaoyanzi sat down reluctantly, still mumbling: "Brother Xiao Jian is obviously a good person."

The emperor said, "Minister, Xiao Jian is here today because I invited him. Although he is a man of the underworld, he has a good character. I believe he will not do anything against the rules."

After hearing the emperor's words, the minister had no choice but to sit down.

After the banquet, Xiaoyanzi took Qing'er's hand and said, "Qing'er, let's go to the Imperial Garden to play."

Qing'er nodded in agreement, and they walked towards the imperial garden together.

In the imperial garden, flowers are in full bloom. Butterflies are dancing among the flowers, and bees are busy collecting nectar among the stamens. Little Swallow is running in front, and Qing'er is chasing after her with a smile.

"Princess Xiaoyan, please slow down." Qing'er shouted.

Little Swallow stopped, turned around and said with a smile: "Qing'er, the flowers here smell so good."

At this time, the Empress and Concubine Ling also came to the Imperial Garden for a walk.

The Queen Mother saw Xiaoyanzi and Qing'er and said, "You two children are having a really good time."

Xiaoyanzi smiled and said, "Empress, the Imperial Garden is so beautiful, of course we have to have fun."

Empress Ling Fei smiled and said, "Yes, seeing you guys so happy makes me feel happy too."

On the other side of the palace, Xiao Jian, Yongqi and Erkang were discussing something.

Xiao Jian frowned and said, "I always feel that although the palace is temporarily calm, there are still undercurrents. I am worried that Xiaoyanzi will be plotted against again."

Yong Qi patted Xiao Jian on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Jian, don't worry too much. Erkang and I are here to protect Xiao Yanzi. Besides, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager have changed their attitude towards Xiao Yanzi."

Erkang nodded and said, "Yongqi is right. But we still can't take it lightly."

Xiao Jian clenched his fists and said, "I must find out who wants to hurt Xiao Yanzi and not let them succeed."

As time went by, the palace seemed to have returned to peace, but the emperor had not forgotten the life stories of Xiao Jian and Xiao Yanzi.

One day, the emperor was reading memorials in his study, and the story of Xiao Jian and Xiao Yanzi kept coming to his mind. He knew it was time to reveal this secret.

He called Xiao Lizi and said, "Xiao Lizi, go and call Xiao Yanzi, Xiao Jian, Yongqi, Ziwei, Erkang and Qing'er to the imperial study."

Little Leo took the order and left.

After a while, Xiaoyanzi and others came to the imperial study.

Xiaoyanzi asked curiously, "Father Emperor, what do you want to talk to us about?"

The emperor looked at them, took a deep breath, and said, "I want to tell you something very important today."

Everyone looked at the emperor in confusion.

The emperor continued, "Xiao Jian, Xiao Yanzi, do you know your life stories?"

Xiao Jian's heart moved, and he said, "Your Majesty, you want to..."

The emperor nodded and said, "Xiao Jian, you are the son of Fang Zhihang, the prefect Fang, and your name is Fang Yan. Xiao Yanzi, you are Fang Zhihang's daughter, and your name is Fang Ci. You are siblings. Your father was persecuted and wrongly killed in the literary inquisition, which led to your separation."

Xiaoyanzi's eyes widened, her face filled with shock: "Father Emperor, this...how is this possible?"

Xiao Jian also said excitedly: "Your Majesty, is what you said true?"

The emperor said, "I will not lie to you. I have investigated everything very clearly. After my rebirth, I have always wanted to make up for the regrets of my previous life, which includes letting you two recognize each other as siblings."

Xiaoyanzi's eyes were red, she looked at Xiao Jian, her voice trembling: "Brother Xiao Jian, it turns out that you are my biological brother."

Xiao Jian walked forward, hugged Xiao Yanzi tightly, and said, "Xiao Yanzi, brother has been looking for you for a long time."

Yongqi, Ziwei, Erkang and Qing'er were also moved by this scene.

Yongqi said: "This is great, Xiaoyanzi, you finally found your relatives."

Ziwei said gently: "Yes, this is God's blessing."

Erkang also said: "I hope you can live happily in the future."

Qing Er smiled and said, "Princess Xiaoyanzi, Master Xiaojian, this is a great joyous event."

The emperor looked at them with a pleased smile on his face, and said, "I hope you can cherish this family relationship. From now on, you can live openly in the palace."

Xiao Jian and Xiao Yanzi released their embrace and knelt down before the emperor at the same time, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor helped them up and said, "Get up. I also hope there will be more warmth like this in the palace."

From then on, Xiao Jian and Xiao Yanzi lived in the palace as brother and sister. Their relationship became better and better, and other people in the palace gradually accepted Xiao Jian. Xiao Yanzi also became more sensible. Although she was still a little naughty occasionally, she never got into trouble like before. The whole palace was filled with a harmonious atmosphere, just like the flowers blooming in the imperial garden, beautiful and warm.