Return of the Pearl

In this moment of grief and indignation, fierce conflicts and contradictions arose among the three brothers. Yongxuan struggled to break free from the restraints of Yongcheng and Yongyan, and shouted at the top of his lungs: "I will seek justice for my mother! Even if it costs my life, I will do it!"

Yongcheng, with tears in his eyes, pleaded bitterly, "Eighth brother, please calm down. We can't act impulsively!"

Yongyan also tried to persuade him, "Brother Ba, we must consider the overall situation and not act on impulse!"

But Yongxuan couldn't listen at this moment. He only felt that the anger in his heart was like a raging flame, which almost burned him to ashes.

The three brothers each had their own thoughts and pains. Amidst this immense sorrow and conflict, their hearts seemed to have suffered unbearable trauma, a wound that might never heal...

Yongxuan stubbornly insisted on going, while Yongcheng and Yongyan anxiously tried to stop him. The three brothers even started fighting in the fierce dispute. They inevitably got bruises on their bodies as they punched and kicked each other. They were panting, their clothes soaked with sweat, and finally they fell to the ground together due to exhaustion. At this moment, they calmed down a little.

After much persuasion from the two of them, Yongxuan finally agreed not to go to the Yangxin Palace. Yongcheng and Yongyan felt relieved and dragged their tired bodies back to their rooms.

However, Yongxuan didn't give up. He secretly left Zhongcui Palace. He was well aware of Yongcheng and Yongyan's concerns, but how could he forget his mother's love for him? He had to go to the Yangxin Palace to get to the bottom of it! He didn't even have time to clean the dust off his body or the wounds on his face. Like a mad beast, he rushed towards the Yangxin Palace without hesitation.

When the young eunuch in the Yangxin Palace saw Yongxuan's miserable state, his eyes widened in horror. He was stunned for a long moment before he quickly bowed and saluted, his voice trembling as he said, "Your servant greets the Eighth Prince. How... did you get into this state?"

Yongxuan stood outside the gate of the Yangxin Palace. His clothes were disheveled, stained with blood and dust, his hair was disheveled, and his face was covered with bruises and scratches.

His once handsome face now looked extremely haggard and sad, but his eyes were extremely firm, like a sharp sword piercing people's hearts. He gritted his teeth and said word by word, "Go and inform the emperor that I want to see him."

The young eunuch felt the strong emotions emanating from Yongxuan and couldn't help but tremble in his heart. He didn't dare to delay in the slightest and ran to report the news to Qianlong.

At this time, Emperor Qianlong was reviewing memorials in the Yangxin Palace. When he heard the eunuch's report, his brows furrowed even more. He knew why Yongxuan came this time. He sighed softly, "Announce!"

Yongxuan walked in as swiftly as the wind. He completely disregarded the usual etiquette and did not greet Emperor Qianlong as usual. Instead, he passionately questioned, "Father, why are you so cruel? No matter what, she is the mother of our sons and ministers! You took her life in such a cruel way, and even refused to leave her body to her mother. Why is that? Now, in your heart, except for the child in Concubine Xian's belly, are we not your sons? Or have you never considered us your sons?"

Yongxuan's series of questions were like sharp thorns that pierced Qianlong's heart. Qianlong put down the imperial pen in his hand, raised his head, and looked at Yongxuan's embarrassed appearance. He knew without thinking that he must have had a fierce fight with Yongsheng and Yongyan before coming here.

After all, Yongcheng and Yongyan knew how to consider the overall situation, but Yongxuan was too impulsive and reckless. What could he say at this moment? Yongxuan's questioning made him think of Yongqi. Maybe he really wasn't a good father. Otherwise, why would his sons have such thoughts?

He was a father, favoring each of his children to varying degrees. He believed he had never wronged any of them, but each of them felt they had never been loved by him. Qianlong sighed deeply, "Did you come here today just to ask me this? You already have the answer in your heart, so why bother coming here again?"

Yongxuan's body swayed, nearly losing his balance. He said with a mixture of grief and indignation, "Father Emperor, are you saying that everything I said is true? Have you really never considered us your sons?"

Qianlong neither nodded in acknowledgment nor shook his head in denial, but in Yongxuan's heart, everything was as clear as a mirror and there was no need to say anything more. His once bright eyes were now dim, full of disappointment and sadness. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something else, but in the end he just lowered his head dejectedly, and his hunched figure looked extremely lonely.

Qianlong felt a mixture of emotions as he watched Yongxuan like this. He wanted to explain, to make Yongxuan understand his difficulties, but some things couldn't be explained in a few words. He closed his eyes helplessly, sighed deeply, and his face showed an indescribable complex expression.

Yongxuan stood there for a long time without moving, as if time had frozen at this moment. His heart was filled with pain and struggle, and his disappointment with the Emperor reached its peak at this moment. He didn't know where to go, and felt confused in his heart, as if he had lost all direction and support.

Yongxuan slowly took a few steps forward, each step seeming to carry a heavy burden. He finally reached Qianlong. He raised his head and looked at him with a firm gaze. "Father, I have one last question. I hope you can tell me the truth."

Qianlong frowned slightly, a barely perceptible displeasure flashing across his face. He slowly said, "What do you want to ask?"

Yongxuan took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to speak: "Father Your Majesty, I want to ask, was my fifth brother's fall from his horse truly an accident?"

As soon as these words came out, a wave of disappointment surged in Qianlong's heart. He stared at Yongxuan, his eyes filled with complicated emotions. "What do you think? Do you think I secretly used some trick to make Yongqi break his leg?"

Yongxuan's emotions instantly became agitated. His eyes widened, filled with grief, anger, and unwillingness. He shouted, "Isn't it true? Fifth brother broke his leg, and twelfth brother has been sent to the imperial mausoleum by you. Will I be next? Sixth brother? Or eleventh brother? Father Emperor, what are you going to do with us three brothers? Getting rid of us all will naturally pave the way for the child in Concubine Xian's belly, won't it?"