Return of the Pearl

The next day, the morning light shone on the court. In front of all the ministers, Qianlong resolutely announced that he would abdicate the throne to the Thirteenth Prince. The ministers were shocked and made earnest suggestions, saying that the emperor was in his prime and there was no need to pass on the throne so quickly. However, Qianlong had made up his mind and was as firm as a rock.

The Thirteenth Prince had anticipated this. He knelt on his knees, respectfully accepted the imperial edict, and said in a loud and firm voice, "I will definitely live up to your trust."

After adjourning the court, Qianlong summoned the Thirteenth Prince to the Yangxin Palace and handed him an imperial edict. The Thirteenth Prince looked puzzled and slowly opened it. At that moment, a sour feeling surged in his heart. The words on the imperial edict seemed to jump, blurring his vision.

Qianlong's voice came slowly, full of deep affection and expectation: "I don't expect you to be like me, but I hope you won't regret it in the future. You are of marriageable age. The person you like is up to you to choose. I will not arrange a future wife for you, because as Yun'er said, she will be with you for the rest of her life.

I have known such suffering myself, and I do not wish you to go through this hardship again. Therefore, whether or not you choose to fill your harem with concubines is your decision. If you also wish to be like Yun'er and I, a lifelong couple, then this imperial decree is the last great gift I bestow upon you as the Emperor."

The Thirteenth Prince tightly grasped the imperial edict, tears pouring out like a broken dam. He, as a son, rarely cried since he was born. Even when the Tenth Princess made things difficult for him, he never shed a single tear. But today, in front of her, he could no longer suppress his emotions and burst into tears.

The Thirteenth Prince choked up and said, "Your Majesty, I have been raised under the influence of you and the Empress Dowager. I am also devoted to the love of a lifelong couple. I thank Your Majesty for this generous gift. With Your Majesty's will, no one in the court will embarrass me."

Qianlong also shared his many years of experience as an emperor with the Thirteenth Prince. The two of them had a heart-to-heart conversation in a harmonious and warm atmosphere. Time seemed to stand still, and the deep friendship between the father and son was forever engraved in the long river of history.

Three months after Yongle ascended the throne, Qianlong and Xiao Yun quietly left the capital as if they had evaporated from the face of the earth. Their whereabouts became a mysterious mystery, and no one knew where they had gone. From then on, they began a free and comfortable life of traveling and enjoying the scenery.

After Yongzhen ascended the throne, he worked diligently and conscientiously. As expected, all the civil and military officials in the court mentioned the matter of the selection of concubines. However, the Thirteenth Prince calmly took out the imperial edict left by Emperor Qianlong. As soon as the edict came out, all the civil and military officials in the court were silent, and no one dared to say a word.

Time flies. In the second year of her marriage, the Tenth Princess gave birth to a baby boy. However, Emperor Qianlong and Xiao Yun did not return, but sent someone to deliver a gift.

Five years passed quickly, and Yongzhen governed the Qing Dynasty in an orderly manner, with peace and prosperity for the people. When he heard the news that the twelfth prince was ill and about to die, he was anxious and left the palace in disguise without hesitation. He was grateful to this brother whom he had never met but who had given him a lot of help.

Yonglang and the Tenth Princess saw the Twelfth Prince for the last time. There was no grudge between the brothers. Instead, they confided in each other like real brothers.

Yongzhen personally arranged the affairs for the twelfth prince after his death. The tenth princess returned to Beijing first. On the way back to Beijing, Yongzhen accidentally saw someone raping a woman. He was furious and flew out, subdued the villain in one fell swoop, and successfully rescued the woman.

It seemed as if this woman and he were destined to be together, and they fell in love at first sight. Yonglang learned that she was the daughter of a local wealthy businessman, and that those people kidnapped her just to demand a huge ransom from her father. He decided to stay in the local area for a while. During these two months, they spent every day together, and their feelings grew deeper and deeper.

He loved her like a treasure, so he plucked up the courage to propose to her and revealed his true identity. When the rich businessman heard this, he did not hesitate at all, because the story of the emperor and the queen had long been passed down by word of mouth among the people.

Yonglang directly brought the daughter of the wealthy businessman back to the palace and canonized her as empress. After Qianlong and Xiao Yun learned about this, they rushed back without stopping to attend their wedding. They also met the son of the tenth princess. However, not long after, the two of them left quietly again. This time, their departure was a farewell forever and they never came back.

Qianlong and Xiao Yun walked hand in hand in the world. Their footprints were all over the mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, and they saw all kinds of scenery in the world.

In spring, they wander in the sea of flowers, feeling the caress of the spring breeze, admiring the colorful spring flowers blooming, the petals dancing in the wind, like a fairyland. They laugh among the flowers and become one with nature, as if time has stopped for them.

In summer, they found a quiet place and admired the elegant chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums swayed gently in the breeze, emitting bursts of elegant fragrance, which made people feel relaxed and happy. They sat beside the flowers, listening to the birds singing, and enjoying this quiet and beautiful time.

When autumn comes, the bright moon hangs high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow. Qianlong and Xiao Yun snuggle together, looking up at the bright moon together, admiring the beautiful scenery under the moonlight. They are immersed in this quiet atmosphere, feeling each other's warmth and love.

On cold winter days, they strolled in the snow, admiring the world covered in silver. Snowflakes fluttered down like elves dancing. They left a series of footprints in the snow, as if writing their own romantic story.

In this way, for decades, they have traveled to every landscape in the world, feeling every moment with their heart, and deeply engraving these beautiful memories in their hearts, which have become the most precious treasure in their lives.

Yangxindian

Yonglang stood there quietly, his eyes looking into the distance, his thoughts surging like the tide, and his heart's longing for his father and mother entangled like silk threads.

At this time, the queen came over slowly with light steps, put a warm cloak on him, and asked softly, "Husband, are you missing the emperor again?"

Yonglang turned to look at the queen, his eyes falling on her slightly protruding belly, and whispered, "This is already our fourth child. After this one is born, let's not have any more. After all, the first three were sons. Regardless of whether this one is a daughter or not, we don't want any more, okay?"

The queen nodded slightly, her inky hair fluttering gently in the night breeze. She replied gently, "I will obey my husband."

Then, they smiled at each other, held hands, and looked up at the bright moon together. The moonlight sprinkled on them, as if covering them with a layer of silver gauze, making their figures look dreamy.

On this quiet night, they enjoyed the tranquility and beauty together, and admired the full moon hanging high in the sky. It seemed as if time had frozen, leaving only them and this beautiful moment.

Since his wedding, he and the Emperor and Empress seemed to be separated by an invisible chasm, and it was difficult for them to meet again. However, he did not become depressed because of this. Instead, he worked harder to govern the Qing Dynasty. He knew very well that the Emperor would be able to see his efforts and growth.

Now that he is married and has the responsibility of being a father, he often prays silently in his heart, hoping that the Emperor and Empress can freely pursue the life they desire, without any constraints, and enjoy the beauty of the world. He believes that their love will shine like the stars and will last forever in the long river of time.