Return of the Pearl

In the Yangxin Palace, Qianlong's thoughts were still immersed in the kiss he had just had with Yun'er. He carefully savored the beauty of that moment, his heart full of throbbing and happiness. He had never expected that Yun'er's thoughts were exactly the same as his, which made him feel both surprised and a little regretful.

Qianlong secretly sighed in his heart that if he had known Yun'er's feelings earlier, he would have confessed to her without hesitation. In that case, they might have been able to be together earlier and enjoy that sweet time.

However, although he felt a little regretful at the moment, he also understood that everything was the best arrangement. Now they had communicated with each other, and this was such a precious fate.

Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on Qianlong's face. He gazed into the distance, as if he could see Yun'er's figure through the heavy palace walls. He decided to give Yun'er a peaceful sky so that she could feel true happiness and peace in this harem. In order to fulfill this promise, he began to seriously think about how to deal with the affairs of the harem.

Qianlong was thinking about the complicated affairs in the harem, which made him feel a little worried. However, he was determined to create a good environment for Yun'er. He wanted to keep all the intrigues and deceptions away from Yun'er so that she could live peacefully in the harem. He wanted to let all the concubines understand that his feelings for Yun'er were sincere and firm, and no one could hurt her.

Qianlong was immersed in his own thoughts, with a determined light in his eyes. He knew that the road ahead was still long, but he would use his actions to support a vast sky for Yun'er, allowing her to fly freely under this sky and bloom the most brilliant light.

Shufangzhai

After Qianlong left, Xiao Yun's excitement surged like a tide and she could hardly contain herself. She urgently needed to find someone to share this joy, and Ziwei was undoubtedly her first choice.

Xiao Yun ran to Ziwei's room quickly like a gust of cheerful wind. Ziwei and she were the closest friends and had a deep friendship with each other. Xiao Yun couldn't wait to tell Ziwei all the details of how she had just confirmed her relationship with Qianlong and expressed her feelings.

Xiao Yun's words were like a gurgling stream, flowing with endless excitement and happiness, "Ziwei, do you know? Hongli and I, we have finally confirmed our feelings for each other!" Her face was filled with a bright smile, which was a joy from the heart, and her eyes were shining, as if countless stars were shining in them.

Ziwei listened quietly, a relieved smile on her face. She was happy for Xiao Yun and offered her most heartfelt blessings, "Xiao Yun, I'm so happy for you! May your love be as brilliant as spring flowers, as blazing as the summer sun, as abundant as autumn fruits, and as pure as winter snow."

Touched, Xiao Yun held Ziwei's hand and said, "Thank you, Ziwei. It is my greatest fortune to have a friend like you. I believe that our friendship will be as long-lasting and precious as this beautiful love."

The two smiled at each other. In this warm atmosphere, the light of friendship and love shone brightly, as if illuminating the entire room. Their conversation, like beautiful music, echoed in this quiet space, full of warmth and beauty.

The two of them talked to each other like this, and time seemed to stand still in this warm atmosphere. Before they knew it, they had been chatting for the whole night. It was not until the sky turned pale and the dawn light gently fell that they felt a little tired and gradually fell asleep.

However, just as they were falling asleep, there was a sudden knock on the door, breaking the silence like a heavy hammer.

Rong Mama, following the Empress's decree, had come uninvited. Her shrill voice shouted from outside the door, "Princess Ziwei, the Empress has ordered this old servant to teach you the rules!"

This sudden interruption woke Xiao Yun and Ziwei up suddenly from their sleep. They looked at each other helplessly, their eyes full of annoyance and helplessness, and waves of resentment surged in their hearts.

Ziwei studied very hard, trying to make every movement perfect and follow every etiquette. However, Rong Mama made things difficult for her and seemed unwilling to give up until she found some flaws.

What was even more infuriating was that Madam Rong, holding a whip, stood by like a cold-faced judge. As long as Ziwei made the slightest mistake in her studies, Madam Rong would mercilessly swing the whip and whip her fiercely. The sound of the whip breaking through the air was like the devil's grin. Every time it whipped Ziwei, it also stung Xiao Yun's heart.

Xiao Yun watched this cruel scene from the side, and the anger in her heart was about to erupt like a volcano. She could not bear to see Ziwei suffer such torture, and she felt that she must find a way to rescue Ziwei. So, she resolutely prepared to get up and leave Shufangzhai, and go to find Qianlong, hoping that Qianlong could do justice for Ziwei.

But just when Xiao Yun was about to stand up, Aunt Rong seemed to have seen through her thoughts.

A sly glint flashed across Rong Mama's vicious eyes, and she shouted sternly, "Come here, surround Shufangzhai and don't let anyone leave!"

As her order was given, the guards rushed in like a tide and surrounded Shufangzhai. Xiao Yun watched herself being trapped here, her heart filled with helplessness and resentment. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, but she could not change the situation before her.

Ziwei's fragile figure swayed in front of her, and she secretly made up her mind to protect Ziwei at all costs and not let her suffer such harm again.

Xiao Yun's thoughts surged like the tide, and she recalled what Hongli said last night. At that time, Hongli had told Xiao Yun with certainty that as long as she suffered any harm, Hongli would be able to sense it. Although she could not get away to inform Hongli at the moment, a glimmer of hope surged in Xiao Yun's heart when she thought of this method.

At this moment, Aunt Rong once again raised the hateful thorn high up. Seeing this, Xiao Yun was extremely anxious. He completely ignored his own safety and pounced on it, trying to block the falling thorn for Ziwei.

However, the whip mercilessly hit Xiao Yun's back. Xiao Yun did not feel anything special about it, but Qianlong in the Hall of Mental Cultivation suddenly felt as if his back was whipped hard by someone. He instantly understood that Yun'er must have encountered some danger again.

So, Qianlong quickly put down the memorial he was reviewing and rushed towards Shufangzhai anxiously. His steps were quick and powerful, and every step was filled with deep concern and anxiety for Xiao Yun.

Qianlong knew very well that Yun'er might be in dire straits at the moment. He had to rush to her side as quickly as possible, give her the most solid protection, and prevent her from suffering any harm.