Return of the Pearl

Qianlong stared quietly at the scene before him that was so tragic that it was unbearable to look at. Everywhere he looked, he saw ruins and devastation. The broken walls and ruins were crumbling, as if telling of the tragic attack they had suffered. The rubble on the ground was piled up in a disorderly manner, as if it had experienced a thrilling catastrophe. In the air filled with smoke, the scene was full of devastation, and the dilapidated scene was heartbreaking.

He frowned, his brows filled with worry. The deep worry hung over his heart like a dark cloud. He asked in a low and worried voice, "Is there anyone alive?"

Upon hearing Qianlong's inquiry, An Yi stepped forward quickly like a ghost. His steps were light and swift, as if he was afraid of disturbing Qianlong's thoughts. He bowed respectfully and reported with an extremely pious attitude: "My master, we have captured dozens of people alive."

Qianlong looked down at Xiao Yun in his arms. Her face, as pale as paper, made him feel pity. A trace of pity and reluctance flashed in his eyes, and a hint of hesitation flashed across his face. That hesitation was like wisps of mist, lingering and lingering between his brows.

After pondering for a moment, he slowly raised his head and said in a firm and powerful voice, "Take him away for questioning. Make sure you find out who is behind this."

After receiving the order, An Yi turned and left like a black whirlwind. His figure quickly disappeared in the chaotic battlefield, leaving only a faint black shadow, as if he had never appeared.

Qianlong not only showed great generosity by proactively compensating the inn for the losses it suffered, but also carefully checked the conditions of the other people one by one. Fortunately, they were all safe and sound and did not suffer any harm.

The killers' target was extremely clear, and they aimed directly at Emperor Qianlong without any hesitation or deviation. In that small and cramped carriage, they experienced a long and difficult night. Xiao Yun slept very uneasily that night. She kept tossing and turning with a frown, as if she was entangled in some terrible nightmare and could not break free. Her uneasy expression was like the moon shrouded in dark clouds, exuding sadness and confusion.

Until the next morning, when the sky was just beginning to turn pale, An Yi shook his head helplessly, his eyes filled with pity and helplessness. Looking at the killers who were being tortured horribly, An Yi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "These people are really tough. Even after being tortured so cruelly, none of them gave in. They are truly admirable and hateful!"

After saying that, An Yi repeated his old trick. He slowly approached the killers. His voice was low and stern, as if it came from the abyss, "Tell me, are you sent by Prince Heshuo He, Hongzhou?" However, these people sat there like puppets, dully without any reaction. Their eyes were empty and lifeless, like the pitch-black abyss, without a ripple or a trace of life.

An Yi knew very well that it would be futile to continue interrogating them. These people were probably carefully trained assassins, and their will was as firm as steel and difficult to shake.

So, An Yi quickly detained these people temporarily. Then, with steady and resolute steps, he came before Emperor Qianlong. He knelt on one knee with his head lowered. His voice was filled with a hint of self-blame and guilt as he slowly said, "Master, it was my incompetence that prevented me from identifying the mastermind behind this."

These words made Qianlong fall into deep thought. His brows were slightly wrinkled, like undulating mountains, and there was an imperceptible solemnity between his brows. A trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and that doubt was like the twinkling starlight, looming.

Qianlong was very clear about An Yi's methods. If even An Yi could not figure them out, it only meant that these people were indeed extraordinary. They were like ghosts hidden in the darkness, elusive and difficult to understand.

"Let's kill them all, change the route, and take a detour back to Beijing. We must ensure safety." Qianlong's words were loud and clear, and his tone was full of firmness and determination.

After listening to this, An Yi respectfully accepted the order. He nodded slightly, then turned around and left. His movements were quick and neat without any delay. His figure quickly disappeared from everyone's sight, and he went to carry out Qianlong's order to ensure their safety along the way.

When Xiao Yun woke up slowly, she was surprised to find that their route had changed. She widened her eyes and stared at the scenery outside the car window, which was completely different from when she came, her heart full of doubts and confusion.

Xiao Yun gently turned her head and looked at Qianlong, her eyes full of questions. Her voice was as soft as the gurgling of water: "Hongli, where is this?"

Seeing this, Qianlong quickly reached out his hand and carefully helped Xiao Yun up. His movements were so gentle as if he was afraid of hurting her. He said gently, "We have changed the route and will not go through Hebei anymore."

When Xiao Yun heard this, she immediately understood the reason. It was all because of the thrilling assassination last night. She nodded slightly and didn't say much. She just leaned quietly beside Qianlong, with a hint of sadness on her face.

They did not walk fast along the way. The carriage moved forward slowly, just like flowing slowly in the long river of time. They walked slowly for two days. There was no trouble along the way. During these two days, Xiao Yun often looked at the unfamiliar scenery outside the window, with a thousand thoughts in her mind, and Qianlong always stayed by her side, giving her endless care and warmth.

Heshuo Heqin Prince's Mansion

After Hong Zhou learned that the assassination attempt by those death squads had ended in failure, the anger in his heart was like a raging volcano, which was ignited in an instant and erupted rapidly. The power of anger seemed to be able to swallow him whole at any time.

"What a bunch of useless idiots! I have raised them for so long, spent so much manpower and resources, and with so many people working together, we still failed at the last moment!" He said hatefully with gritted teeth, his tone filled with endless anger and disappointment, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, full of hatred and contempt for those dead men.

However, this did not discourage Hong Zhou. He knew very well that he still had a trick up his sleeve. When this thought emerged in his mind, a sinister smile gradually appeared on his face. That smile seemed to be wrapped in a biting chill, which made people shudder and feel fear.

"It doesn't matter. The next plan will definitely succeed." He thought to himself. The voice seemed to come from the bottom of a deep valley, full of calculation and sinisterness.

At this moment, Hong Zhou's mouth corners slightly raised, with a chilling and sinister smile on his face. The smile was full of cunning and evil, like a poisonous snake waiting for an opportunity in the darkness.

"Fourth brother, just prepare yourself to receive the great gift that I will give you!" His voice was low and full of provocation. Every word he said was filled with contempt for Qianlong and a declaration of war, as if he was going to start a violent battle.