Return of the Pearl

Cining Palace

The rumors surged like a tide, like a violent storm, spreading rapidly inside and outside the palace with unstoppable force. These words were like poisonous snakes, corroding people's hearts, and finally reached the empress dowager's secluded bedroom.

When the empress dowager heard the news, her originally calm face instantly became turbulent. She frowned slightly, like two crescent moons covered by dark clouds, revealing a hint of worry. A trace of imperceptible anxiety and worry flashed in her deep and wise eyes. After thinking for a moment, the empress dowager made a prompt decision and sent someone to summon Qianlong into the palace urgently.

Soon, Qianlong entered the Empress Dowager's bedroom with steady and powerful steps. He stood tall and straight, with an imposing manner, and every step he took seemed so unhurried. When he reached the Empress Dowager, Qianlong bowed respectfully, then straightened his body, looked at her with a firm and sincere gaze, and said solemnly: "Empress Dowager, the child in Yun'er's belly is indeed my blood, there is absolutely no falsehood. Although she was unfortunately abducted by Altai, I dare to swear on the country that there is nothing wrong between them, and nothing has ever happened between them.

During this trip to Shandong, Yun'er was both wise and brave, and made great military achievements for the court. His contributions are invaluable! Now these rumors are spreading. I believe that treacherous villains are stirring up trouble and malicious slander behind the scenes. I will do my utmost to thoroughly investigate the truth and restore Yun'er's innocence and justice! "After saying this, Qianlong clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white from the force, revealing his inner anger and determination.

The Empress Dowager stared quietly at Qianlong in front of her. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Her weathered eyes slowly swept across Qianlong's face, trying to find the truth of the matter from his expression.

Gradually, the doubts in the Empress Dowager's eyes dissipated like morning mist, replaced by full trust and understanding for Qianlong. Finally, she nodded slightly, opened her red lips, and said softly, "Your Majesty, I know you are a man of integrity and would never speak nonsense. Since that is the case, then I will do as you say. We must quickly eradicate this evil trend in the harem and uncover the mastermind behind it to set things right. We must not allow innocent people to suffer injustice, nor let those with ulterior motives go unpunished."

At the same time, An Yi stepped up his investigation, but unexpectedly, the clues he followed eventually pointed to Hong Zhou. Although Hong Zhou had been demoted to a commoner, he was still his master's younger brother. An Yi knew that he had to get solid evidence before he could give his master an explanation, so he resolutely took Hong Zhou to the gloomy dark guard dungeon.

Since Hong Zhou was castrated and turned into a eunuch, it seemed as if all his vitality was sucked out of him and he became obedient. If it weren't for this incident, perhaps no one would remember him anymore. When he saw An Yi, there was no fear on his face, but rather a sense of relief. He knew in his heart that this day would eventually come, and if he could use this opportunity to cause some trouble to the fourth brother, then it would be a worthy death for him.

After An Yi brought Hong Zhou to the dungeon, his eyes were as cold as ice, and his voice was low and majestic as he said, "I believe I brought you here because you should know why. Confess yourself, otherwise I will have to torture you."

Hong Zhou, however, had a calm expression, even a hint of contempt. His voice was hoarse and weak, "I'm in this state now, living a life worse than death. The fourth brother always tries to bribe people and pretend to spare my life, but in the end, he might as well have killed me directly."

An Yi frowned, a flash of anger in his eyes. He shouted angrily, "You rebelled, committed treason, and attempted to kill the king! The master spared your life, but not only are you ungrateful, you harbor resentment! Did you spread the story about Concubine Xian?"

A sly smile slowly appeared on Hong Zhou's lips. That smile seemed to contain endless secrets and jokes, full of sarcasm: "Guess."

An Yi widened his eyes and stared at Hong Zhou, anger erupting in his eyes. He questioned over and over again, his voice becoming hoarse with anger, but no matter how he asked, Hong Zhou always kept his lips closed and refused to utter a word.

An Yi picked up the long whip, shook his wrist lightly, and the whip began to dance in the air like a snake. The sound of the whip breaking through the air was sharp and piercing, as if it could tear apart a person's soul. His eyes were cold, and with a swing of his arm, the whip lashed towards Hong Zhou fiercely.

Hong Zhou's body trembled violently, his clothes were torn in an instant, his flesh was exposed, and blood splattered. He gritted his teeth and endured the severe pain. Veins bulged on his forehead and beads of sweat rolled down, but his eyes remained firm, without any intention of retreating.

An Yi whipped Hong Zhou harder and harder, leaving deep blood marks on his body. The blood marks were twisted and winding like centipedes, which was shocking to see. Hong Zhou's body was shaking violently, and he let out painful groans from his throat, but he still kept his lips tightly closed, refusing to reveal a word.

Seeing this, An Yi picked up another red-hot iron and slowly walked towards Hong Zhou. A trace of cruelty flashed in his eyes, and he pressed the iron hard on Hong Zhou's body. Hong Zhou let out a shrill scream, and the sound seemed to be able to penetrate the eardrum and reach the depths of the soul. His body twisted wildly, trying to break free from the torture of the iron, but to no avail.

An Yi continued to torture Hong Zhou with various cruel methods. The dungeon was filled with Hong Zhou's painful groans and An Yi's cold orders. The tragic scene was unbearable to watch, as if one was in hell on earth...

An Yi knew very well in his mind that Hong Zhou was determined to die at this moment. It would be futile to continue interrogating him like this. As the saying goes, the best strategy is to attack the enemy's plan. Attacking the city is the worst strategy, and attacking the heart is the best strategy. So, An Yi put away the torture instruments.

An Yi stared at Hong Zhou and said in a low but powerful voice, "This is probably the end of your life. But can you really bear to implicate Wu Ya and your children? Think about it carefully. The master is kind and merciful and has spared them, but if the master is truly furious, how can they be safe? You should know that the master cares most about Concubine Xian and the child in her belly, but you chose to harm them. Do you think your children can live the rest of their lives in peace?"

Under the heavy blow of An Yi's words, every word was like a hammer, Hong Zhou's emotions finally changed slightly. His body trembled slightly involuntarily, like a branch swaying in the autumn wind, so weak and fragile. His eyes gradually revealed a look of pain and struggle, which was a surging emotion like a tide.

The softest corner deep in his heart was deeply touched. It was his extremely deep love and endless concern for his family. This love, like a ray of warm sunshine, penetrated the haze in his heart; this concern, like a tough silk thread, tightly wrapped around his heart, making it difficult for him to let go and let go.