Return of the Pearl

At this point, Yongqi's face showed a look of pain, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. Yongsheng and Yongyan listened to Yongqi's words with mixed feelings. They remembered what Yongxuan said before he left, and the fact that Yongqi's leg was indeed broken, so many signs and the hidden story behind them forced them to think deeply.

Yongcheng frowned, his eyebrows twisted together like two tangled black lines. He said worriedly, "Fifth brother, are we really going to be slaughtered?"

Yongyan also nodded, his head like pounding garlic, his eyes full of anxiety and uneasiness, and he echoed: "Yes, Fifth Brother, we can't just sit there and wait for death."

Yongqi shook his head. "Now we can only take things one step at a time, but we must unite and not let the Emperor's conspiracy succeed. We must not let the child in Concubine Xian's belly inherit the throne. Otherwise, you and I will definitely not have a good end. I am already a useless person and have no chance of the throne, but you still have a chance! I only hope that no matter who ascends the throne, you can release my mother from the cold palace. You also have to plan for your own future, right?"

The three of them chatted back and forth, their worries and anxieties growing stronger. Yongqi, in this conversation, also strengthened his convictions...

The three brothers toasted each other in Zhongcui Palace, each one offering a glass in return, enjoying the moment of drinking and chatting until late at night. Yongqi slowly got up, dragged his slightly tired body, and limped away from Zhongcui Palace.

After Yongqi left, Yongyan stood there for a long time, his eyes following the direction he left. "Fourth brother, do you think what Fifth brother said is true?"

Yongcheng frowned slightly, lost in thought. His eyes were as deep as a pool, as if he was searching for the truth. "Fifth brother's leg injury is indeed true, eighth brother's adoption is also an indisputable fact, and twelfth brother's being sent to the imperial mausoleum is even more unquestionable. Therefore, we really need to make some plans for ourselves.

"Mother has passed away, and my grandfather's family has also passed away. We have lost the power we could rely on and can only rely on ourselves. Fifth brother, all he cares about is freeing his mother from the suffering of the cold palace. Eleventh brother, you can no longer be as carefree and uninhibited as before. We must work hard and gain a firm foothold in the court to ensure that we can obtain what we dream of."

Yongyan nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with firm determination, shining like stars. "Okay, Fourth Brother, I understand."

As soon as they finished speaking, the two brothers turned around and slowly walked towards their rooms. In the silent night, their footsteps seemed particularly clear, as if telling of the determination and persistence in their hearts.

After returning to their rooms, they each went to sleep, perhaps still thinking in their dreams about their future path and how to deal with the upcoming challenges.

Jianjia Palace

Xiao Yun also learned that Yongxuan was adopted out, however, she acted as if she had not heard anything and did not mention it on her own initiative.

When Qianlong returned from the Yangxin Palace and stepped into the Jianjia Palace, his exhausted figure looked particularly lonely in the candlelight. He looked at Xiao Yun, his voice filled with helplessness and melancholy, and said slowly: "Yun'er, Yongxuan took the initiative to request adoption, and I... I agreed. Since I cannot give him the throne, I will find a good place for him!

"My twelfth uncle has no children or grandchildren. When Yongxuan goes there, he'll be all alone, with no one to fight with or rob him of. Perhaps this is a blessing for him." At this point, Qianlong's voice trembled slightly, and the sadness hidden deep in his heart surged up like a tide.

That night, Xiao Yun deeply felt Qianlong's inner grief. After all, Yongxuan was his own flesh and blood, so how could he not be heartbroken? However, as an emperor, he could not show any of his feelings in front of others.

Xiao Yun gently stood on tiptoe and took the initiative to kiss Qianlong on the lips, giving Qianlong silent comfort with her gentle and delicate actions. Qianlong gradually forgot Yongxuan's questioning and immersed himself in Xiao Yun's gentleness. At that moment, it seemed as if all the troubles in the world had disappeared, leaving only their tenderness and love for each other.

Since that day, Qianlong seemed to be stuck to Xiao Yun, and he was almost never separated from her for a moment. He accompanied her to stroll among the sea of flowers, admiring the beautiful posture of the blooming flowers; or he sat with her in the courtyard, watching plays and enjoying the scenery, feeling the warm and beautiful time.

On this day, Emperor Qianlong was concentrating on handling government affairs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. At this time, the secret guard came like a messenger of good news, bringing him a piece of good news that made him overjoyed - Yun'er's brother had been found. Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianlong was extremely anxious and immediately ordered the secret guards to bring him to the capital as quickly as possible.

Although the secret guards had doubts about his identity and found it difficult to confirm his authenticity, Qianlong was full of confidence because he had seen Xiao Jian in his previous life. As long as he could meet him, he would be able to tell the real one at a glance.

Qianlong's heart was filled with joy, and the ecstatic impulse almost made him unable to control himself. He was so eager to share this good news with Yun'er. However, at that moment, his thoughts flashed like lightning, and his thoughts changed.

He thought to himself: If Yun'er knew about this, a smile as beautiful as a flower would surely bloom on her face. What a beautiful picture that would be. But he couldn't be too reckless at this moment. He had to wait for the secret guards to bring the person in and confirm his true identity before telling her the news.

What if this news is wrong and Yun'er is disappointed? Wouldn't that hurt her heart? He would wait patiently for a while longer and give Yun'er a definitive answer so that she could truly feel at ease.

Thinking of this, Qianlong's eyes flashed with tenderness, and his love for Yun'er grew stronger. What he wanted to give her was the most sincere and beautiful thing.

Qianlong slowly picked up the pen and continued to review the mountain of memorials. Today, as if guided by some mysterious force, he was in an exceptionally cheerful mood. Even the memorials that seemed boring on weekdays seemed less annoying.

With the blessing of this joyful mood, he reviewed the memorials much faster than before. The words under his pen danced on the memorials like flowing water, as if he was racing against time to handle all government affairs as quickly as possible. The entire Yangxin Palace was filled with a light-hearted atmosphere!