Return of the Pearl

Qianlong wanted to explain, but seeing Yongxuan's almost crazy look, he was afraid that no matter how much he said, he would not be able to change Yongxuan's mind. He asked helplessly, "Then what do you want?"

Yongxuan stood there, his hands clenched tightly into fists, his knuckles white from the exertion. He looked at Qianlong, his eyes filled with determination and resolve, "Father, this is the last time I will address you this way. I request to be adopted out. In your heart, you never considered me your own son, did you?"

As soon as these words came out, Qianlong looked at Yongxuan with mixed feelings in his heart. In just a moment, Qianlong made a decision. He slowly said, "Okay, I promise you."

But Yongxuan smiled, and that smile was full of sadness and helplessness, as if she was a flower withering in the wind, filled with endless sorrow and sadness.

Yongxuan stood there quietly, looking at Qianlong with a mournful gaze filled with endless sadness and disappointment. His voice trembled as he slowly said, "Father, I only asked tentatively, but you agreed so eagerly. It seems you really have never considered us your sons... Well, then please choose a good place for me!"

Qianlong thought to himself that the throne would be passed on to his and Yun'er's children in the future. He would definitely owe something to his other children, and they were destined to have no chance of the throne. But he would also try his best to give them a family inheritance and a relatively happy ending. Of course, the premise was that they did not do anything to harm Yun'er and the children.

Qianlong slowly lowered his head and solemnly wrote an imperial edict on the dragon table, adopting Yongxuan to Prince Yinzhen. After writing it, he personally handed the imperial edict to Yongxuan and said softly: "From now on, you will move out of Zhongcui Palace!"

Yongxuan tightly grasped the heavy imperial edict, knelt on his knees, and kowtowed three times. His voice was low and hoarse, "Okay, this son has finally gotten what he wanted. Father Huang, please take care of yourself."

Yongxuan slowly stood up and walked out with heavy steps. His back looked so lonely and desolate. Every step seemed to step on his heart, making him feel miserable. His eyes were empty and lifeless, tears were rolling in his eyes, but he stubbornly refused to fall.

His heart was filled with despair and sorrow. He didn't understand why his royal father was so cruel and so determined to treat him. He felt as if he had been abandoned by the whole world, wandering alone in the darkness, unable to find any warmth or comfort.

At the moment of leaving, Yongxuan's heart was filled with pain and helplessness. He knew that his fate would be completely changed from now on, and all of this was a burden he could not bear...

In the solemn and dignified Zhongcui Palace, when Yongsheng and Yongyan heard the news that Yongxuan had gone out, their hearts were instantly entangled with endless anxiety, like a tangled mess.

Not long after, Yongxuan returned with heavy steps, holding an imperial edict tightly in his hand. Yongcheng was anxious and rushed forward like an arrow, snatching the imperial edict from Yongxuan's hand. He glanced at the imperial edict eagerly, and then closed his eyes tightly. The expression on his face was full of pain and despair, as if the whole world was collapsing before his eyes.

Yongyan was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth beside Yongcheng. He asked anxiously, "What did the emperor's edict say? Fourth brother, tell me quickly!"

Yongcheng seemed to have lost all his strength. He slowly raised his head and said in a trembling and hoarse voice, "See for yourself."

Yongyan unfolded the imperial edict with trembling hands. It clearly stated that Yongxuan would be adopted out. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, as if he were about to crush his own bones. He stared wide-eyed and cried out in disbelief, "Is the Emperor so cruel?"

Yongxuan smiled sadly, and that smile was as bleak as the fallen leaves in late autumn. He slowly said: "Fourth brother, eleventh brother, this is what I asked for. Don't feel sad for me. At least I am still alive. At least I haven't lost any limbs, right?" There was a lot of self-mockery in these words, but Yongcheng and Yongxing could hear the deep hidden meaning in them. A trace of loneliness and sadness flashed in Yongxuan's eyes, and it seemed as if thousands of ants were gnawing at his heart, making him extremely painful.

Afterwards, Yongxuan began to pack his luggage silently like a puppet that had lost its soul. Every movement he made seemed so slow and heavy, as if every item carried his endless sorrow. He folded his clothes neatly one by one and put them into his luggage. The delicate movements seemed to be saying goodbye to his past self.

Finally, Yongxuan picked up his bag and slowly walked out of the gate of Zhongcui Palace. His back looked so lonely and desolate in the afterglow of the setting sun. Every step seemed to step on his heart, making him feel miserable.

His departure naturally caused an uproar in the harem. After all, Yongqi's legs were disabled, and there were only a few people left who could inherit the throne. Now that Yongxuan had been adopted out, there were only three princes left.

Yonghe Palace

Upon learning that Yongxuan had been adopted out, Yongqi's heart raced, his mind becoming even more certain that his leg must have been broken by the Emperor's men. He secretly wondered, who would be the next prince to suffer? This thought haunted him like a ghost, making him restless.

So, he decided to go to Zhongcui Palace. At this moment, Yongxuan had just left the palace. This was undoubtedly a great opportunity for him. He wanted to take the opportunity to win over Yongsheng and Yongyan.

Yongqi dragged his crippled leg and limped forward towards Zhongcui Palace. Every step felt like walking on the tip of a knife, causing unbearable pain. Fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead, and his face was as pale as paper, but his eyes revealed determination and resolve.

Finally, he arrived at Zhongcui Palace, where Yongcheng and Yongyan were sitting at the table, drinking from each other with worried looks on their faces. Their wine glasses were almost empty. Startled by Yongqi's arrival, they quickly stood up. Yongyan respectfully called out, "Fifth Brother."

Yongqi waved his hand, motioning them to sit down, and then said, "Fourth brother, eleventh brother, please sit down. Could you please have some wine?"

Yongyan hurriedly stood up, took a wine glass for Yongqi and filled it with wine. Yongqi took the glass, drank it all, and then put the glass heavily on the table with a loud "bang".

Yongqi sat with his two brothers and began to talk about life. His words flowed out like a gurgling stream, filled with endless emotion and helplessness. "I never thought that the emperor, for the sake of Concubine Xian, would treat us brothers like this. First, he broke my leg, making it impossible for me to inherit the throne. Now he has adopted my eighth brother out. Fourth brother, eleventh brother, you should be careful too. The emperor might use some excuse to deal with you one day."