Return of the Pearl

Bachelor's House

Fu Lun had naturally heard many rumors about Erkang and Ziwei recently, and he knew very well in his heart that it was difficult to completely stop the gossips. The emperor's action today was not only for Ziwei, but also a great gift and blessing to his Fu family. So, he told Erkang what the emperor had said one by one.

When Erkang finished his duty and returned to the Bachelor's Mansion, he conveyed the news to Ziwei. Ziwei couldn't help but feel a little guilty. She had been afraid of the emperor and had not even entered the palace for a long time.

But when rumors spread, she didn't dare to step out of the house easily. She was troubled by those rumors. No matter how she explained, no one believed her. Instead, they blamed her and heard all kinds of unpleasant words.

At this moment, she finally realized that if the knife did not cut herself, she would never be able to truly feel the pain. The emperor's thundering method was indeed effective. Today, he actually testified for her openly in the court. She knew that she was wrong and she had let down the emperor's deep love.

Moreover, Erkang was covered with wounds, and they had experienced many hardships during their trip to Shandong. Ziwei decided to go to the palace in person to visit the Emperor and Xiao Yun.

Yangxindian

After Qianlong had meticulously written the imperial edict, Xiao Luzi happened to return from the cold palace. He hurried before Qianlong with a respectful expression, bowed deeply, and then solemnly announced, "Your Majesty, I have sent Nala to the cold palace. I have repeatedly instructed that no one is allowed to provide her with anything to eat or drink."

Qianlong raised his chin slightly and nodded gently, a barely perceptible coldness flashing across his face. He slowly raised his right hand and gently handed the imperial edict in his hand to Xiao Luzi, saying in a low and powerful voice, "Go to Jianjia Palace and convey the edict."

Xiao Luzi hurriedly stretched out his hands and respectfully took the imperial edict, with a hint of surprise and realization in his eyes. He thought to himself: "So this is the real imperial edict of enthronement. I was really confused before." Thinking of this, he did not dare to delay at all. He immediately took the order and turned around, walking quickly towards the Jianjia Palace with steady steps.

When Xiao Luzi hurried to Jianjia Palace to deliver the imperial edict, Xiao Yun was resting quietly on the bed because she was pregnant. Seeing this, Xiao Luzi did not disturb her, but came to the front of everyone quietly. He cleared his throat, and in front of the other palace maids and eunuchs, he solemnly unfolded the imperial edict and read it in a loud and clear voice: "By the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

I would like to ask you, Ms. Xiao, that you are from a noble family, with a gentle nature, dignified and intelligent. Since entering the palace, you have been diligent and respectful in your duties for a long time, and you have been self-disciplined and kind, setting an example for others, which has won my heart.

Today, I specially confer upon you the title of Imperial Consort and bestow upon you the name of Huixian to commend your virtues and bestow upon you a good reputation. I hope that you will be respectful and frugal, behave yourself with prudence, assist me, and continue to bring happiness to me.

Admire this! "

The palace maids in Jianjia Palace came forward one after another and stuffed a lot of reward money into Xiaoluzi's hands. Xiaoluzi showed a happy smile on his face and happily took the reward money one by one.

Then, Xiao Luzi solemnly warned: "You must do your best to take good care of the Imperial Concubine!"

The palace maids answered in unison: "Yes, of course!" Their faces were filled with relaxed and happy expressions.

After all, their master was extremely kind and never treated them as servants, and they were also treated very well, so everyone was willing to work hard for the imperial concubine from the bottom of their hearts. One of the palace maids nodded in agreement, and Xiao Luzi gave a few more instructions out of concern before turning around and walking briskly back to the Yangxin Palace to report.

After the queen was deposed, the harem, which was originally as calm as calm water, suddenly became turbulent, and Concubine Xiao unexpectedly jumped to the position of noble concubine, which made all the concubines in the harem full of jealousy and resentment.

In the deep courtyard of this harem, everyone has been in the position of concubine for a long time, and they have never had such honorable positions as noble concubine and imperial noble concubine. Now, they finally have a noble concubine, but it passes them by. How can they be content with it?

Especially in the Yanx Palace, Concubine Ling, who had not given birth to a prince, fell into deep thought. Her heart was like a surging tide, and her thoughts were complicated. She thought to herself: The queen was first deposed, and now the imperial concubine was appointed. The emperor's actions are probably paving the way for the virtuous imperial concubine.

Could it be that the Emperor really intended to make her Empress? She couldn't help but recall the past, carefully trying to guess the Emperor's thoughts, her heart filled with doubt and uneasiness. She deeply understood how brutal and ruthless the struggles in the harem were, and this sudden change made her feel unprecedented pressure and challenges. Her eyes revealed a trace of worry, her brows slightly furrowed, and she secretly sighed in her heart: This harem situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable!

Hong Zhou's Residence

The Imperial Guards actually went to their home in person, rudely took down the high-hanging plaque, and then ruthlessly drove the whole family out of the mansion. Although Qianlong did not order their families to be implicated, all the treatment that Hongzhou had enjoyed was taken back.

Faced with this sudden change, the family members reacted differently. Some were filled with resentment and injustice, while others chose to keep the peace.

Hongzhou's sons had different thoughts. When his wife learned that Hongzhou's rebellion had failed, she hurriedly told her sons not to harbor resentment towards the emperor, but to be grateful instead. After all, the emperor did not implicate them, but only drove them out of the mansion.

Yangxindian

After Qianlong hurriedly dealt with his important matters, he rushed to the Jian family palace to see Xiao Yun in a panic. He had not seen her for almost a whole day. Thinking back to when they were in Shandong, except for the few days when she was abducted, they were almost always together day and night. This had become a natural habit. After only a short separation, Qianlong missed her so much that he could not control himself.

Afterwards, Qianlong finished dinner with Xiao Yun and stayed overnight in the Jianjia Palace as expected. But strangely, he did not call for water. This strange phenomenon caused a stir in the harem and triggered many speculations among the concubines. Qianlong stayed in the Jianjia Palace for many consecutive days, but he never called for water. Some people with delicate minds had already keenly noticed the abnormality.

At this moment, Xiao Yun was already nearly four months pregnant. However, except for a few people in Jianjia Palace and Qianqing Palace who knew about this, Emperor Qianlong strictly ordered that the matter be kept strictly confidential, so that no one else knew about her pregnancy. Moreover, now that the queen was gone, she did not need to pay her respects, which made it even more difficult for anyone to know about this situation.