Return of the Pearl

When the concubines in the harem heard that the emperor personally exempted Xiao Yun from paying respects and granted him such a special dispensation that they no longer needed to pay respects to the empress in the future, they would be lying if they said they were not envious.

However, more of them were in a mentality of watching the show. After all, this was tantamount to a blatant provocation to the Queen's authority. In their eyes, someone had done what they wanted to do but dared not do, so they naturally took a gloating attitude.

But Concubine Ling sat there quietly, without any excitement on her face. Instead, a sense of crisis arose in her heart. She clearly remembered that the emperor had exempted her from paying respects when she was in great favor, but he specially allowed her not to pay respects in the future. This was a treatment that had never been seen among the concubines in the harem. She vaguely felt that Xiao Yun would be the first powerful rival she would meet in the palace.

The concubines began to feel jealous, and they all complained and talked about Xiao Yun. The queen could no longer maintain her usual composure, and she angrily drove all the concubines back.

After everyone left, the queen could no longer suppress her anger and became furious. Her face turned ashen with anger, her hands clenched into fists, and she smashed the tables and chairs around her with all her might, cursing non-stop. The air around her seemed to freeze, and there was a tense and depressing atmosphere. The furnishings in the palace were also shaking in the queen's anger, as if telling of the queen's anger and helplessness.

Qianlong actually stayed at Xiao Yun's place for six consecutive days, which made the eunuchs in the Jingshifang feel relaxed and happy. However, the empress was very uneasy.

She was already dissatisfied with Xiao Yun, and since she entered the harem, she had caused her a lot of trouble. So, the queen decided to go to the Yangxin Palace to fulfill her duties as the queen and persuade the emperor to treat everyone equally and not favor one person too much.

However, what the queen could never have imagined was that the moment she stepped into the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, what she saw was a scene that made her extremely furious and one she would never forget for the rest of her life.

Yangxindian

Qianlong was concentrating on handling government affairs. When everything was almost done, his magnetic voice rang out: "Yun'er, come here."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yun slowly stood up. Her hands, as white as mutton fat jade, gently picked up a plate of exquisite and delicious pastries. She walked in front of Qianlong with light steps and placed the pastries carefully on the dragon table.

Upon seeing this, Qianlong raised a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his mouth. He stretched out his powerful arm and pulled Xiao Yun suddenly. She fell into his arms unexpectedly. She cried out softly, and a shy blush appeared on her face, as gorgeous as a blooming peach blossom.

Qianlong looked at her dotingly, his eyes full of tenderness and love, "Yun'er, I have finished processing the memorials and feel a little tired. Shouldn't you give me some reward?"

Xiao Yun was a little confused for a moment, with a glimmer of doubt in her beautiful eyes. Before she could react, Qianlong suddenly leaned over, accurately captured her delicate and tempting red lips, and began a passionate and lingering kiss.

With this kiss, it seemed as if time had stopped, and the whole world was immersed in their love. Qianlong's kiss was deep, and Xiao Yun gradually sank into it.

After a long while, Qianlong slowly let her go. Xiao Yun's eyes were as clear as water. She looked at Qianlong with a reproachful look and said coquettishly, "Hongli, don't you consider the time, place, and occasion? This is the imperial study. What if someone comes in?"

Qianlong was completely unfazed by this. He stretched out his powerful arms and tightly grasped Xiao Yun's slender waist. His domineering posture fully demonstrated the emperor's majesty and strength. He said affectionately and domineeringly, "Who dares to enter this imperial study without my permission? Besides, the memorials have been processed. We don't need to return to the palace today. Yun'er, I miss you so much!"

Xiao Yun gently pushed Qianlong, her voice as melodious as the sound of nature, with a hint of shyness and charm, "It's not evening yet?"

Qianlong responded with a smile, "I can't wait until tonight." As soon as he finished speaking, he kissed Xiao Yun's lips passionately again. The kiss seemed to carry endless love and desire, as if to melt Xiao Yun's entire body in this affectionate kiss. His hands also began to wander freely on Xiao Yun's body, as if lighting a fire, instantly igniting the desire and passion in Xiao Yun's heart.

In this imperial study, their clothes gradually slipped off. Xiao Yun's eyes were blurred and intoxicated. She and Qianlong were immersed in this ocean of joy, forgetting everything. The sunlight shone on them through the window, adding a touch of romance to them. The whole imperial study was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere, as if time had stopped for them.

Filled with rage and resentment, the Empress stormed towards the Yangxin Palace like a raging fire caught in a raging wind. Her beautiful face, slightly distorted by anger, was filled with resentment and dissatisfaction, and her eyes burned with rage, as if she wanted to burn everything to ashes.

The queen shouted at the top of her lungs to see the emperor, her voice filled with endless resentment and hatred, as if to shake the entire palace to the point of collapse.

However, at this time, the sounds of play and laughter in the Yangxin Palace were endless. How could Xiao Luzi dare to let the queen in? His eyes widened, his face showing fear. Although there was no imperial decree, he still stood resolutely at the door, holding out his hands, trying to block the queen's way.

Under normal circumstances, the queen might not have been so extreme, but the thought that the emperor had stayed at Xiao Yun's place for six consecutive days undoubtedly ignited the raging fire of jealousy and anger in her heart. Her rationality gradually disappeared under the burning of this anger, leaving only the desperate impulse.

The Queen was actually trying to break into the Imperial Study directly. Xiao Luzi tried his best to stop her. He knew very well what the Emperor was doing in there, and he absolutely could not let the Queen in at this time. His face was full of anxiety and worry, and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.

The queen seemed to have a rebellious mentality. The more she was stopped, the more she wanted to go in. She suddenly raised her hand and slapped Xiao Luzi hard. The sharp armor scratched Xiao Luzi's face, leaving a deep bloody mark. Blood gushed out instantly, staining his cheeks red.

Not only that, the queen kicked Xiao Luzi and knocked him to the ground. The other eunuchs did not have the courage and guts like Xiao Luzi. They were scared and turned pale. They could only watch the queen walk in.

Xiao Luzi stood up with difficulty. Although his body was still trembling slightly, he still struggled hard, making a final effort to catch up with the queen.

He took heavy and staggering steps, and each step seemed to use up all his strength, as if he was dragging a thousand-pound burden under his feet. His originally flexible body now seemed so clumsy, and he moved forward unsteadily, trying to stop the queen's steps.

However, in the end he still failed to catch up with the queen. Xiao Luzi stood at the door, his figure looking somewhat lonely and helpless. He did not follow in, but just stood there quietly, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

He didn't know what would happen next, and his heart was filled with worry and anxiety, but he knew very well that he had really tried his best. His tired body seemed to tell of his efforts and persistence.