Return of the Pearl

Jingyang Palace

Although Concubine Shu was frightened by the scene of Nara lighting the sky lantern, she was still a little calmer than other people. However, when the news that the twelfth prince was punished to guard the imperial mausoleum came like a bolt from the blue, she felt a bone-chilling chill instantly sweeping through her body, as if she had fallen into a bottomless ice cellar, and she shivered with cold.

Her heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and the pain made it almost impossible for her to breathe. The emperor's cruel and ruthless face kept appearing in her mind, and her heart was filled with endless fear and despair.

She couldn't understand why. Nara was guilty of a heinous crime and it was understandable that she was punished like this, but the twelfth prince was the emperor's own flesh and blood. Moreover, the twelfth prince had always been well-behaved and sensible and had done nothing wrong. How could the emperor be so cruel as to punish him to guard the imperial mausoleum and make him never get ahead in his life?

Once upon a time, she also cherished the dream of winning the supreme throne for her son, but now, she clearly realized that the power of heaven is unpredictable and she could not win the emperor's favor at all. In the eyes of the emperor, she might just be an insignificant existence.

How could she fight for her son? She could see it clearly now. If she wasn't careful, not only would she not be able to win that position, but even her son's life might be in danger. She felt extremely sad and helpless, as if the whole world was against her, and she fell into deep despair.

As for the other concubines who had no children, after hearing this shocking news, the jealousy burning like flames in their hearts instantly rose up. They all gritted their teeth, their faces distorted by jealousy, and their eyes were full of resentment and unwillingness. Some of the concubines even clenched their fists unconsciously, their nails digging deeply into their palms, as if they wanted to vent their jealousy in this way.

In the solemn and dignified Cining Palace, the dowager sat on the throne. When she heard the news that Emperor Qianlong was going to send the twelfth prince to guard the imperial mausoleum, a trace of panic and uneasiness suddenly flashed across her originally calm face. Her brows were furrowed, and a deep "川" character formed between her eyebrows. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. She slowly stood up and paced back and forth in the hall. Her steps seemed a little heavy, and every step seemed to step on her heart.

Afterwards, the Empress Dowager gathered herself and turned to Nanny Gui beside her and said, "Go quickly and call the Emperor to the Cining Palace. I have something important to discuss with him."

Nanny Gui took the order and left, and the Queen Mother sat back on the throne, her hands tightly clasped, her eyes fixed on the palace gate, her heart filled with anxiety and worry.

Jianjia Palace

When Nanny Gui arrived, Emperor Qianlong was quietly reciting the Book of Songs to Xiao Yun. As Xiao Yun listened, she gradually became sleepy, her eyelids drooping, and she was about to fall asleep. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, Nanny Gui walked in, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your servant greets the Emperor."

Qianlong looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Nanny Gui. He slowly put down the book in his hand that still exuded a faint scent of ink, raised his chin slightly, and said calmly, "No need to be polite."

Upon seeing this, Aunt Gui quickly bent down and replied respectfully, "The Empress Dowager requests that you go to the Cining Palace right now."

When Xiao Yun heard this, her eyes, which were originally a little hazy, suddenly widened, and her eyes were full of understanding and worry. Her heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand. The worry made her breathing become a little rapid. She couldn't help but call out softly, "Hongli", with a hint of trembling in her voice, as if it was overflowing from the depths of her heart.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, and a hint of sadness appeared on her originally fair face. She stared at Qianlong closely, her eyes full of concern and uneasiness, as if she wanted to convey her worries to Qianlong through her eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start. She could only use this gentle call to express her inner worries and concerns.

Qianlong turned around and patted Xiao Yun's hand gently and soothingly, as if he was afraid of disturbing her. Then he said softly, "If you are tired, you can rest first. I will be back soon."

Xiao Yun's heart felt as if being gnawed by countless ants, her worry becoming more intense and heavy. Her heart seemed to sink into an endless abyss, tightly wrapped in deep worry, unable to break free. She knew very well that the Queen Mother did not understand the truth, and there might be many misunderstandings about the affairs of the Twelfth Prince. She did not know what kind of conversation Qianlong and the Queen Mother would have in the Cining Palace, and what the situation would be like. When she thought of these unknowns, her heart became more and more panicked, like a small boat in a storm, drifting helplessly in the surging waves.

Not long after, Nanny Gui led Qianlong to the Cining Palace. As soon as Qianlong stepped into the palace gate, the empress dowager immediately stood up. Her sharp eyes were fixed on Qianlong, her eyes full of doubts and questions.

Her gaze was as sharp as a torch, as if it could see through Qianlong, and there was also a hint of imperceptible anxiety and worry in it. The empress dowager's posture was straight and upright, exuding a sense of majesty and solemnity. She stood there quietly, waiting for Qianlong's response.

Qianlong's face was as calm as a still pool of water, without a ripple. His expression was always so calm and composed. He walked at a steady pace, bowed slightly, his movements elegant and solemn, and said softly: "Son pays his respects to the Empress Dowager." His voice was soft and gentle, like a breeze brushing past his ears, but with deep respect and sincerity.

Although the empress dowager still had some unresolved doubts in her heart, she was by no means the kind of person who did not know right from wrong and acted unreasonably. She slightly frowned her two slender eyebrows, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, and she stared at Qianlong with a gaze as sharp as a torch. She opened her red lips and said, "No need to be so polite. What's going on with the twelfth prince?" There was some anxiety and concern in her voice, as if she wanted to know the truth of the matter immediately.

Qianlong calmly gave Nanny Gui an imperceptible look, and Nanny Gui immediately understood and retreated quietly. After Nanny Gui left, only Qianlong and the Empress Dowager were left in the room.

Qianlong slowly straightened up, took a deep breath, and calmed his mind. Then, he methodically and patiently narrated to the empress dowager everything the twelfth prince was thinking, hoping for, and asking for, without any omission or ambiguity.