Return of the Pearl

Qianlong's eyes widened, filled with anger and disappointment, his voice booming like thunder in the tent: "Rebellious son, I have always done things with a clear conscience! You are simply hopeless! How dare you, a disobedient and unfilial thing, speculate about me like this!" His voice was full of anger and heartache, as if every word was filled with his disappointment and anger towards Yongqi.

A bitter and self-deprecating smile gradually emerged on Yongqi's handsome face. His eyes, which used to be as bright as stars, were now filled with two complicated emotions: resentment and grief.

His lips trembled slightly, and he spoke very slowly in a tone that seemed to carry all the pain and disappointment in the world: "Without regret? Father, you are truly partial to me! Where does your heart lie? We are all your own flesh and blood, so why can the unborn child in Concubine Xian's belly easily gain such unconditional favor from you? But for us, even a little bit of your love and care is simply wishful thinking, completely unattainable!"

Qianlong saw all this and knew very well that Yongqi had obviously completely lost his mind at this time. No matter what he said, he probably couldn't calm him down.

Thinking of this, Qianlong no longer hesitated, and took decisive steps towards the direction where Xiao Yun was. Every step seemed so firm and powerful, as if nothing could stop him from moving forward.

When he came to Xiao Yun, his movements were as gentle as a spring breeze. He carefully stretched out his hands to help her up, and leaned close to her ear, whispering softly in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Yun'er, don't worry about these troubles. Let's go." After that, he took Xiao Yun's hand and left this place of trouble without looking back.

Yongqi looked at the two of them supporting each other as they walked away, and an indescribable feeling of sadness welled up in his heart. His eyes were full of sorrow and loneliness, as if the whole world had become gray and dull.

However, he had never expected that when he returned to the palace and learned of his mother's miserable condition, the feeling of despair would overwhelm him like a tide. He could not believe what he saw, and his heart was filled with pain and regret. He seemed to be in endless darkness and could not find a glimmer of hope.

Qianlong and Xiao Yun snuggled up to each other and returned to their warmly and elegantly decorated tent. Xiao Yun noticed that Qianlong still looked a bit depressed, and her heart was filled with worry and heartache.

She pursed her lips gently, then slowly opened her petal-like red lips and soothed him in a voice as gentle as the gurgling of water, "Hongli, please don't take those words to heart, and don't let him make you too sad. And does your hand hurt?"

Qianlong deeply felt Xiao Yun's consideration and understanding. The warmth slowly surged from his heart and flowed through his body like a hot spring. In fact, it was a bit of an exaggeration to say that he was sad. It was more of a feeling of disappointment that penetrated deep into his bones.

After all, he had placed great hopes on Yongqi. Thinking of this, Qianlong sighed softly, and that sigh was filled with endless emotion and helplessness. He slowly said, "With Yun'er's care, it naturally doesn't hurt. It's okay. I'm still young and strong. There will always be an heir. If it really doesn't work out, Yun'er, let's keep having children until we have a suitable heir! Okay, Yun'er..."

Before Qianlong could finish his words, Xiao Yun stretched out her soft, boneless hand and gently pushed Qianlong. There was a bit of a woman's coquettishness in that action, mixed with a bit of intimacy, as if she was acting like a spoiled child with Qianlong.

She slightly frowned her pretty eyebrows, with a hint of resentment on her face, and said softly, "You haven't even given birth to this one yet, and you're already thinking about giving birth to another one! It's fine with me, since I wasn't the one who felt the pain during childbirth anyway. If you're really not afraid of pain, then let's have more children."

As soon as Xiao Yun said this, Qianlong couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then he suddenly realized that he had indeed neglected this key point. He stared at Xiao Yun, his eyes full of tenderness and deep love, and that look seemed to be able to melt Xiao Yun.

He slowly stretched out his hand, gently held Xiao Yun's soft hand, and said softly: "Okay, at least it's me who feels pain, not you." After that, he held Xiao Yun's hand tightly in his hand, as if he was afraid that Xiao Yun would disappear if he let go.

After hearing what Qianlong said, Xiao Yun's fair cheeks instantly flushed with a bright blush like the sunset, and her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. She knew very well that no matter what storms she would encounter in the future, as long as Qianlong was by her side, she would have nothing to fear.

When Qianlong looked at Xiao Yun's shy and lovely appearance, his heart was filled with happiness and satisfaction. He looked at Xiao Yun with a warm light in his eyes, as if the woman in front of him was the most precious treasure in his life, the comfort and support of his soul.

They actually stayed in the hunting ground for several days in a row. It was as if time had stood still in this hunting ground. The fiery enthusiasm of the princes in the past had long disappeared without a trace, and was replaced by a listless look, as if their souls had been taken away.

Qianlong took in all of this and naturally sensed their lack of enthusiasm. He made a resolute decision. With a wave of his hand, he declared in a voice as resounding as a bell, "Let's return to the capital!"

At this time, Xiao Yun had been pregnant for more than six months. Her slightly bulging belly was like a towering hill, carrying the hope of a new life coming. Her face was filled with a strong maternal glow, and the tenderness and kindness seemed to seep out from every pore of her.

Her every smile, every gesture exudes endless tenderness and kindness, making people feel the greatness and sacredness of maternal love. She gently strokes her belly, her eyes full of expectation and happiness, as if she is whispering to the fetus in her belly, telling her beautiful vision of the future.

Ever since Yongqi met Qianlong that day, he seemed to have fallen into a deep darkness, unable to extricate himself. In the days that followed, he was in a state of deep decadence, as if he had lost the vitality and hope of life.

Although the skin wounds on his body have healed in the past few days, his legs are unfortunately disabled. He walks with a limp, and every step he takes seems so difficult and arduous, as if he is fighting tenaciously against the cruel fate. Every step of his staggering steps is filled with endless struggle and pain.