Return of the Pearl

Over the years, Qianlong's love for Xiao Yun has become deeper and deeper, like a gurgling stream, stretching endlessly. Looking back, there are only a few concubines left, and the prosperity of the past is gone. Since having Xiao Yun, Qianlong has not taken anyone into his harem. Instead, the number of concubines has gradually decreased due to various reasons.

At this moment, the pain in Qianlong's abdomen surged like a tide. The intense pain made his face turn pale as paper in an instant, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. He gritted his teeth tightly, his lips trembled slightly, but he forced himself not to utter a groan.

His hands were clenched into fists, and blue veins bulged on his arms, as if he was struggling stubbornly against the unbearable pain. His body was trembling slightly, and his steps were a little staggering. Every step was as difficult as walking on the edge of a knife, but he still stood stubbornly outside the hall, unwilling to leave, his eyes fixed on the closed door, his heart full of concern for Xiao Yun.

Today was Emperor Qianlong's birthday. Normally, he should have gone to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to accept the worship of his ministers and celebrate his birthday together. However, he stubbornly stayed in the Jianjia Palace and refused to leave. Everyone knew that Emperor Qianlong doted on the Imperial Noble Consort extremely, so no one dared to say anything to persuade him.

In this way, time passed slowly, and it was not until the afternoon that Qianlong felt that the pain that was like a beast biting him was gradually relieved. Not long after, a clear cry suddenly came from the delivery room.

The nanny came out with the baby in her arms, smiling brightly. The young eunuch rushed forward anxiously and asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Mammy smiled and replied, "He's a healthy little prince."

The young eunuch hurriedly took the child and carefully held it in front of Qianlong. Qianlong stared at the baby in his arms with mixed feelings. Although the child was Yun'er's, he felt that the child was no different from his own. After all, he had truly felt the pain of childbirth.

Afterwards, Qianlong carried the child into the delivery room. Seeing this, the others silently retreated tacitly. Qianlong was still as generous as usual and rewarded everyone with a year's salary, and the midwives received an additional bounty. The deep meaning of this was self-evident. It was just a disguised hush money. At this moment, Xiao Yun was in excellent condition.

Qianlong was holding the child, his steps were a little unsteady, and he seemed to stumble slightly. Seeing this, Xiao Yun couldn't help but jokingly said, "Hongli, are we going to have another baby?"

Qianlong shook his head slightly and said gently, "We already have an heir, so we won't have any more children."

Qianlong and Xiao Yun smiled at each other, their eyes full of affection and attachment. They poured out their love, and that emotion was like a gurgling stream, moistening each other's hearts, and like gorgeous fireworks, blooming brightly in each other's lives.

Xiao Yun's eyes followed the figure of Qianlong carefully holding the child. The baby was as quiet as a little angel fallen into the mortal world, lying obediently in the warm cradle, not moving, crying or making a fuss.

Xiao Yun gently extended her slender jade fingers, gently tapping the swaddled baby like a breeze caressing flower petals. Her red lips parted, and her voice was as sweet as the gurgling of water. "Hongli, have you given this child a name?"

Qianlong's arms, holding the child, paused slightly. His eyes were filled with tenderness and kindness, as if they could melt all the coldness in the world. He said slowly, "Yun'er, I'll name him Yong'an. What do you think of this name?"

Xiao Yun frowned slightly. She was indeed a little confused about the meaning of the name Yonglang, but she firmly believed that the name Qianlong chose for his child must contain endless profound meaning and expectations. So, she smiled, a smile as bright as the warm spring sun, and said gently, "It's up to you to decide."

Qianlong and Xiao Yun whispered for a while, their words interwoven like strands of silk threads, creating a warm atmosphere. Then, Qianlong, holding the 13th Prince Yongzhen, walked out of the room slowly with steady steps.

Without hesitation, Qianlong immediately ordered the enthronement of Xiao Yun as empress, and scheduled the grand enthronement ceremony to be held at the Thirteenth Prince's full moon banquet.

At this moment, a petite figure came running like the wind and grabbed Qianlong's clothes tightly. It turned out to be the Tenth Princess. Her anxious voice rang out: "Father, please show me my brother!"

Upon hearing the voice, Emperor Qianlong hurriedly bent down and gently handed the Thirteenth Prince to the Tenth Princess. The Tenth Princess stretched out her little hand and gently held her brother's rosy little face, her face filled with joy. She said cheerfully: "Your Majesty, see, I told you he was my younger brother!" The warm and sincere family affection shown between the father and daughter was like a bright light, which moved people.

However, this heartwarming scene of a loving father and a filial daughter was like a sharp sword, piercing the hearts of countless people. When the other concubines learned that Xiao Yun was crowned queen, they felt a sense of relief in their hearts, as if all this was destined and natural.

Those concubines who had no children were even calmer in their hearts. They knew very well that the emperor had never belonged to any of them. As for those concubines who had children, only Concubine Ling was left, and she only had two daughters. She had long lost the desire to compete for favor or seize the throne.

Time passed like a white horse, and in a blink of an eye, it was the Thirteenth Prince's third-day bathing ceremony. It was a sunny day, and the whole palace was filled with a festive atmosphere.

The scene of the third-day bathing ceremony was decorated exceptionally beautifully. Various colorful silks and flowers decorated the venue, emitting bursts of fragrance. The Thirteenth Prince was gently placed on a brocade-covered mat. His rosy little face was filled with an innocent smile, which made people feel pity for him. The scene was grand and lively, but Xiao Jian still failed to get back in time.

When objects with beautiful meanings were presented in front of him one by one, his little eyes looked around curiously, as if he was exploring this new world. He stretched out his chubby little hands, touched the objects tentatively, and then slowly moved his fingers, as if he was seriously thinking about which one to choose.

His chubby little hands were seen groping among many objects, and finally he grasped the abacus steadily. This scene surprised everyone present and they all exclaimed in admiration.

The abacus seemed to be given new meaning in his hands. It symbolized that the Thirteenth Prince would be extremely intelligent in the future. Congratulations from the crowd came one after another, as if they were sending the best wishes for the future of this little life.

The scene of the third-day bathing ceremony was filled with a joyful and warm atmosphere, which expressed infinite expectations and good wishes for the Thirteenth Prince's future.