Return of the Pearl

After Xiao Jian left, ripples appeared in Xiao Yun's heart. A trace of uncertainty was entangled in her heart like a silk thread. She stood there quietly, thinking to herself, and she didn't know whether it was because she became sentimental because she was pregnant, or for some other reason, but she always felt that this brother was a little weird.

"Hongli..." Xiao Yun whispered Qianlong's name, her voice filled with endless confusion and bewilderment. Her eyes looked into the distance, as if she had thousands of words to say, "Brother gives me a strange feeling, as if there is an invisible but insurmountable gap between us, and an indescribable sense of distance. His concern for me does not seem to come from the most sincere emotions deep in my heart, but gives me an indescribable strange feeling, that feeling is like a hazy fog, which makes me unpredictable." Xiao Yun's words came out slowly like a gurgling stream, and the complex emotions contained in them made people feel distressed, as if they could feel her inner struggle and uneasiness.

As soon as these words came out, Qianlong felt as if he had been hit hard in the heart, and surprise surged up like a tide. He really had not expected that Yun'er would have such feelings. It seemed that it was not his illusion. He recalled that the secret guard had mentioned that Xiao Jian's identity was in doubt, and now he realized that it was indeed reasonable.

Qianlong was filled with regret, constantly blaming himself for acting too rashly and impulsively. Why hadn't he investigated everything thoroughly first? He should have thoroughly investigated the truth before bringing Xiao Jian to Yun'er. That would have been the safest and most appropriate thing to do! Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frown, his expression like a thick dark cloud hanging heavy over his head, and between his brows, a deep sorrow that was hard to conceal was revealed, and anyone who saw it could easily see it.

Qianlong stretched out his hands and tightly grasped Xiao Yun's soft, boneless hands. His eyes were filled with deep concern and endless love. He spoke in an extremely gentle tone, "Yun'er, since things have come to this, I will send someone to investigate thoroughly again. For the time being, it would be best if you two do not meet again."

After hearing this, Xiao Yun hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised one hand and gently stroked his bulging belly, thinking secretly in his heart.

It was indeed not appropriate to have any unexpected situations at this time. After all, the fetus in her belly was the most important. It seemed that she still needed to wait a little longer. So, she nodded slightly and responded in an extremely soft voice: "Okay..."

When Qianlong saw that Xiao Yun agreed, he felt relieved, but he was still worried. So he stayed by Xiao Yun's side for a while longer, then turned around reluctantly and left with slightly heavy steps. He walked straight to the Yangxin Palace, ready to deal with the mountain of important government affairs.

As soon as he stepped into the Yangxin Palace, he immediately gave an order without saying a word, requiring An Yi to go in person to investigate the matter in depth. After hearing the order, An Yi saluted respectfully, then quickly turned around and left to carry out the mission. Qianlong's originally chaotic mind was finally forced to be suppressed at this moment.

Xiao Jian came to the mansion carefully arranged by Qianlong. He stayed there like a quiet statue, and never even stepped out of the door. An Yi monitored him for many days but could not find any clues.

During this period, Xiao Jian mentioned to the guards at the door several times that he hoped to enter the palace to visit Xiao Yun again, but was rejected every time. Xiao Jian frowned and fell into deep thought. He racked his brains but could not figure out where he had gone wrong.

He felt that his face was exactly the same as Xiao Jian's. He was confident that he had not revealed any flaws and all the details matched perfectly. However, at this moment, he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt in his heart.

However, he seemed to have completely forgotten that there was an incomparably wonderful existence called blood ties. The false concern was like an illusory bubble, seemingly beautiful but actually bursting with a poke; and the true feelings came from the most sincere emotions surging from the depths of the soul, as sincere as the bright stars, shining brightly.

There's an insurmountable chasm between the two! False concern is like a performance behind a mask, artificial and easily seen through. True affection, on the other hand, is a genuine outpouring of emotion from the heart, simple and pure, like warm sunshine, filling the heart. How can the two be compared? How can they be equated?

He had been so confident, but now he couldn't even enter the palace, so how could he rescue the Holy Envoy? The guards outside the door were naturally unable to stop him, but he knew that his mission was not yet completed and he couldn't leave so easily.

So, he cleverly avoided the guards outside the door and quietly left the residence like a ghost. Seeing this, An Yi immediately followed him, thinking to himself, this man is indeed very problematic! His eyes flashed with suspicion and vigilance, as if he wanted to see through Xiao Jian's every move.

An Yi quietly followed Xiao Jian, but was shocked to find that he had actually run into Yong Bi. An Yi's brows knitted together like a mountain range, and he thought to himself: This is Hong Zhou's son! Hong Zhou is already dead, why are they still so persistent and unwilling to give up?

An Yi lowered his voice and held his breath, listening quietly to the conversation between Xiao Jian and Yongbi. He couldn't help but be shocked. This "Xiao Jian" was actually a member of Tongtian Sect. He came here to rescue the so-called Holy Envoy, and the real Xiao Jian had already fallen into their clutches.

An Yi was certain that Xiao Jian would not escape, so he returned to the palace as quickly as a gust of wind and reported the matter to Qianlong. When Qianlong heard the news about Xiao Jian and An Yi's reply, his heart was in turmoil and he was full of thoughts. Then, he ordered people to secretly monitor Xiao Jian and make sure to rescue the real Xiao Jian from the predicament. Also, the holy envoy must be kept under strict supervision and must not be allowed to make any mistakes.

The last time An Yi was ordered to wipe out the Tongtian Sect's lair, he was already a step too late. They had already fled like birds and beasts, leaving the building empty and only a few people were captured. Could this also be related to Yongbi? Qianlong was full of doubts and ordered An Yi to investigate thoroughly and get to the bottom of it.

Qianlong returned to his room and saw Xiao Yun sleeping peacefully. He sighed softly and didn't tell her the news, lest she worry or fear. In his heart, Qianlong already understood that since the Xiao Jian before him was a fake and the real Xiao Jian had been captured, he must have suffered torture and hardship. It would be better to wait until Xiao Jian was rescued before telling Yun'er! Let her continue in this peaceful dreamland, enjoying peace and tranquility. He would protect her from the wind and rain!