Return of the Pearl

The rage in Qianlong's heart was like a raging flame, growing more and more intense, almost devouring him. He looked at the queen's expression of unrepentance until her death, and felt that communicating with her was like playing the lute to a cow, and a summer insect could not talk about ice.

He said with deep sorrow, "Empress, oh Empress, you are supposed to be the mother of the country, loving the people like your own children, but you are so indifferent to the people, treating them as nothing! Do you know how miserable Shandong is now? The people are even at the point of exchanging their own children for food, while you enjoy wealth and luxury in this palace! I have already dealt with all the officials involved in this incident in Shandong, and now you are the only one left. Tell me, how should I deal with you?"

The queen knelt on the ground with her fists clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms. Her heart was filled with resentment and unwillingness. "Your Majesty, those are just lowly people like ants. What does it matter if a few of them die? What's the big deal? You can deal with them however you want! Just don't implicate my family and the twelfth prince." Her eyes were full of stubbornness and determination, as if she was silently fighting against Qianlong.

When Qianlong heard the queen's words full of resentment and unwillingness, he shook his head helplessly, his face full of pain and disappointment. He said sadly: "The people are like water, and you are like a boat. Water can carry the boat, but it can also overturn it. Well, you don't understand these principles at all. What's the point of me telling you so much?" His voice was full of resentment and sigh, as if he was feeling sad for the queen's ignorance.

After hearing what Qianlong said, the empress's anger burned even more fiercely, almost bursting out. She said angrily: "I don't understand. Only your Concubine Xiao understands, right? I have received accurate information. Your Concubine Xiao's sympathy is overflowing, and she has caused the emperor to be injured. Why didn't you tell me these things?"

When Qianlong heard what the queen said, his brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes. He said coldly: "Queen, I remember everything you have done. Now, you should give up the throne. But I don't want you to die so easily. At least before you die, you should taste the deep fear that the people of Shandong feel when they are on the verge of death." His words were full of determination and ruthlessness, as if he was sentencing the queen to her fate.

Qianlong no longer had the heart to say even a few words to the empress. He angrily flicked his sleeves and left resolutely. He came here out of concern for the twelfth prince. He thought that if the empress admitted her mistakes sincerely enough, he might show mercy and leave her body intact, so that she would suffer less pain and be able to bid farewell to this world in a more decent way. However, at this point, Qianlong felt that there was no need for him to be so kind and lenient to the empress.

The moment Qianlong stepped out of Kunning Palace, he immediately issued an order to cut off the Queen's food and water supply in Kunning Palace. She was not given any food or a drop of water, and no one was allowed to visit her.

Then, he issued an order without hesitation, ordering the imperial guards to guard the queen's bedroom tightly, not allowing even the slightest gap, and strictly forbidding her to take a single step out of the bedroom, directly placing her under house arrest.

After Qianlong returned to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, he quickly picked up his pen and wrote an imperial edict to depose the empress in one stroke. In this edict, his words were as sharp as swords, pointing directly at the empress's guilt.

Qianlong's mind was as clear as a mirror. He knew very clearly that the imperial edict to depose the empress was very different from other imperial edicts. This imperial edict must be announced in the court with the utmost solemnity. He must make sure that all the civil and military officials in the court knew clearly about the empress's heinous behavior. Otherwise, there might be people who would choose to plead for her for various reasons.

He concentrated on carefully putting away the imperial edict deposing the empress, and every move he made was meticulous and serious. Afterwards, he handled the complicated government affairs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation in an orderly manner, showing the emperor's calmness and wisdom. Then, he walked slowly towards the Jianjia Palace with steady and firm steps, and every step seemed to carry his firm determination and expectations for the future.

When Qianlong arrived at Jianjia Palace, he saw that Xiao Yun had woken up from her sleep. She was sitting there quietly, looking relaxed and contented, immersed in the pleasure of tasting the pastries. She looked like a little greedy cat enjoying delicious food. She ate with such relish, as if she had been plagued by an irresistible hunger recently, making her love the pastries.

When Qianlong walked in, what caught his eyes was a beautiful scene like a poem and a dream. Xiao Yun was like a lazy little kitten, leaning there leisurely, enjoying the food leisurely. She looked so cute that people couldn't help but feel pity for her.

At this time, when the palace maids saw Qianlong's figure, they were immediately panicked like frightened birds. They hurriedly saluted and greeted in unison: "Your servants pay their respects to the emperor." The sound was crisp and pleasant, echoing in the palace.

Xiao Yun then slowly turned around. A hint of surprise first flashed across her face, and then she bloomed into a smile of surprise as bright as a spring flower. That smile was as warm as the sunshine, instantly illuminating the entire palace and also illuminating Qianlong's heart.

"Hongli, are you done?" Xiao Yun's voice, as clear and pleasant as a silver bell, rang out, breaking the silence in the palace.

Hearing this, Qianlong hurried forward and held Xiao Yun tightly in his arms. He gazed at Xiao Yun affectionately, his eyes filled with tenderness and love, and said softly, "No need to be polite. I'm done. I'll spend the rest of the day with you and the child."

After hearing this, Xiao Yun's face suddenly blossomed with a smile as bright and beautiful as a spring flower. She smiled sweetly, took a piece of the pastry in her hand, and gently handed it to Qianlong.

In fact, Qianlong was not particularly fond of food, especially cakes and sweets, and he had no particular preference for them. But just because Yun'er handed it to him, he took it without hesitation and put it in his mouth to chew carefully.

The palace maids were all very perceptive. Seeing the emperor and the empress interacting so intimately, they understood what they meant. They then bowed and quietly retreated, leaving the room to the two of them.

At this moment, the two of them seemed to be in a beautiful world isolated from the world. Everything around them became quiet and beautiful. The years were peaceful, warm and sweet. They stared at each other, with only each other's figures in their eyes, as if time had stopped at this moment, and the whole world belonged to only the two of them.