Chapter 54

Returning to the palace with his entourage, Qianlong breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the unchanged palace and his name still bearing the imperial seal. He immediately dispatched men to investigate where the girl had been sent. Sitting on his throne, Qianlong was unsure whether to be thankful for his timely return or to wonder if he was overthinking things. However, the news reported by his servant dispelled his doubts, and he was indeed grateful for his prompt return.

"Your Majesty, the young lady from the hunting grounds has been sent to Yanxi Palace by the Fifth Prince."

Upon hearing this, the suspicious Emperor Qianlong's face darkened considerably; it turned out they hadn't had time yet. His expression grim, Qianlong wanted to execute those people immediately, but his pride also compelled him to find out what tricks they were playing. With this in mind, Qianlong decided to first consult with the Empress before going to Yanxi Palace to investigate.

Hearing the Emperor's words, the Empress knelt down with a stern face. "Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. Regardless of whether Yongqi would actually do such a thing, Consort Yu's reputation..."

"Xia Yuhe passed away six years ago. Consort Yu is from the Irgen Gioro clan, a prominent family within the Eight Banners." Qianlong's tone was harsh. Someone dared to use his beloved consort against him; once the matter was investigated, he would not let them off easily. Qianlong helped the Empress up. The Empress was a confidante, though a bit straightforward, but she was devoted to him.

Hearing the Emperor's meaning, the Empress said no more. Since she had already spoken, she would just let Consort Yu know and treat it as a show.

Once a decision is made, action must be taken. Emperor Qianlong went to Yanxi Palace, and the Empress ordered that only Consort Yu be summoned.

Yanxi Palace was in a state of chaos. After the Fifth Prince hinted that the girl might be the Emperor's long-lost treasure, Consort Ling exerted all her efforts, summoning the imperial physicians left in the palace to save the girl and gain the Emperor's favor. Since Princess He Rui's return, she hadn't been as favored as before. Just thinking of He Rui made Consort Ling grit her teeth. The servants in Yongshou Palace and Chang'an Palace were like an impenetrable wall; no matter how she tried to win them over, it was useless. She had thought that while the Empress and Consort Yu were away from the palace, she could plant a spy, but the one she painstakingly sent in was sent back to the Imperial Household Department before it even had a chance to gain a foothold. She thought it would be difficult for her to turn the tables, but unexpectedly, she encountered such good fortune.

"His Majesty has arrived!" The announcement caused Consort Ling to rub her eyes several times until they were red before going out to greet him.

"How is that girl?" Emperor Qianlong didn't even glance at Consort Ling and walked straight inside.

Consort Ling thought the Emperor was anxious and particularly concerned about the girl. "In the inner chamber, the imperial physician said that the girl was seriously injured. It's truly pitiful. How much courage does it take for a girl to venture into the hunting grounds alone?" Consort Ling was unaware that the girl she had taken in had injured the Emperor's favorite, whom she hated.

"How did Consort Ling know that the girl had trespassed into the hunting grounds?" Emperor Qianlong asked casually.

"This servant is just guessing." Consort Ling had a strange feeling in her heart. "Didn't His Majesty take the Fifth Prince to the hunting grounds? The Fifth Prince brought back an injured girl, but he didn't explain clearly. This servant just assumed that the girl had trespassed into the hunting grounds."

Emperor Qianlong didn't respond to Consort Ling's words. In his view, her explanation was merely a cover-up. Looking at the unconscious girl, he wasn't sure if she was talking in her sleep or doing it on purpose. She was muttering something like, "If the things are here, I'm here; if the things are lost, I die..." Qianlong found it amusing; these people's plans were truly meticulous. He was convinced of their conspiracy. Playing along, he patted the girl's face. "Hey, wake up." "I need to interrogate you properly." "Can you hear me? How old are you?"

"Eighteen, born in the year of Renxu." The girl, still unconscious, spoke clearly, whether to cooperate with Qianlong or to pretend to be dazed.

Emperor Qianlong calculated that He Rui and He Ya were indeed born in the year of Renxu. "Then, what month were you born?" Their investigation was truly meticulous; how did they know? Yongzhang should investigate carefully.

"Mother said, the first day of the eighth lunar month."

Mother? Who is this girl's mother? Is she someone they're working with? Or perhaps the mastermind? "Who is your mother? What's your surname?"

"I don't know, my mother said my surname is Xia,"

It seems this "mother" is a key figure; how could she possibly "not know"? This person is very well-hidden! "What's your name?"

"Little Swallow".

Emperor Qianlong wanted to laugh. Everyone knew Xia Yuhe was a talented woman; how could she possibly name her child like that? Think of He Rui and He Ya's given names—both flower names, just like their mother, each one a delicate flower, like a rose or a crape myrtle. This "Little Swallow" was just too incongruous; even an imitation should at least be somewhat convincing. Qianlong wanted to laugh inwardly, but on the surface, he feigned a look of sudden realization. "Little Swallow, the little swallow that flew from the lakeside, I understand." A little liar speaking with a thick Beijing accent. "I will definitely make sure you get better." Let's see what kind of tricks you're playing. "Consort Ling, take good care of this child." With that, Qianlong left Yanxi Palace.

"Which way did the Emperor go?" Consort Ling asked the palace maid beside her.

"Reporting to Master, we are heading in the direction of Chang****."

Consort Ling twisted the handkerchief a few times, then put it down again. The person inside must be a princess; judging from what the Emperor just said, she'd probably be very favored in the future. She needed to win her over now. Consort Ling was making her plans, but little did she know that someone was already plotting against her.

~~~

As Emperor Qianlong traveled towards Changping, he needed to appease Consort Yu, the real Xia Yuhe.

Consort Yu learned from the Empress that there might be a grand conspiracy behind the assassin who injured Princess He Rui. The Emperor wanted to investigate the matter thoroughly, and if the assassin offended her and caused her distress, she should endure it for now. Once the truth was revealed, the Emperor would naturally give her justice. Consort Yu was somewhat confused. After returning to Chang'an Palace, she remembered the female assassin calling out the name "Xia Yuhe" in the hunting grounds. Her eyes widened. Was the female assassin impersonating her child? "Does the nanny know...where was that young lady sent?"

"Your Majesty, I heard from someone that it is Yanxi Palace."

Consort Ling and Consort Yu gritted their teeth.

When Emperor Qianlong arrived at Changsi Palace, he saw Consort Yu with a worried expression. Qianlong assumed that Consort Yu was worried about He Rui. "Don't worry, He Rui will be fine."

"Your Majesty, this servant cannot understand." Consort Yu bit her lower lip. "How could He Rui... be hurt by a child who suddenly appeared called 'Xia Yuhe'?"

Looking at Consort Yu's appearance, Emperor Qianlong briefly recounted what had just happened in Yanxi Palace: "A mere swallow dares to presume to claim to be Xia Yuhe's child. If it weren't for my desire to investigate their motives, I would have exterminated their entire family."

"Your Majesty," Consort Yu blinked her tearful eyes at Qianlong, "this servant..."

"How could I let you suffer such injustice?" Emperor Qianlong patted Consort Yu on the back, truly a shrewd and perceptive person.

"The assassin is staying with Consort Ling's sister, which puts her in great danger. There are other sisters in Yanxi Palace, as well as the Sixteenth Prince. What should we do?"

Hmph, Consort Ling probably wishes she could keep that assassin here! As for the Sixteenth Prince, "Li Yu, go and deliver the imperial decree to bring the Sixteenth Prince to the Chang'an Palace for Consort Yu to raise."

"This...Your Majesty, if she were to be brought here again, I fear Consort Ling might..."

"What can she do! Does a mere bondservant like her have the right to educate a prince?" Qianlong sneered. Look at his cousin's family—Fu Erkang, a bondservant, was actually claimed by Consort Ling to be her son. Out of respect for Consort Ling, he was sent to the hunting grounds as a guard, and now he dares to dream of conquering the Central Plains? And now an assassin has injured his beloved princess. Once I've had my fill of this spectacle, I'll have you all executed!

Upon hearing the imperial edict, Consort Ling nearly fainted. The Sixteenth Prince was her lifeblood, and the Emperor had actually given Yonglu to Consort Yu. Consort Ling knelt on the ground, seething with resentment, yet dared not disobey the decree. Unable to change reality, Consort Ling decided to take action. A ruthless woman, she arranged for Yonglu's wet nurse to be brought in and found a small blanket she had previously prepared for Consort Xin's child. Only then did she have the wet nurse carry Yonglu to the Chang'an Palace.

Consort Ling was indeed meticulous, but Xia, the wet nurse by Consort Yu's side, was not someone to be easily fooled. The wet nurse was sent back outside the palace, and the young prince's clothes were changed from the inside out as soon as he entered the palace. The small quilt that Consort Ling thought would be useful was thrown into the fire by Xia.

Emperor Qianlong nodded as he watched Xia Mama's actions. Having a knowledgeable nanny by Consort Yu's side would certainly not be a disadvantage. Qianlong recalled that He Ya had said Xia Mama was invited back by He Rui, who was quite adept at judging people.

Ever since Consort Yu discovered the problem with the medicine, she had been unable to conceive. Now, holding the newly replaced Yonglu, Consort Yu's expression was very complicated, but she quickly composed herself, knowing that this would be her son from now on.

Seeing the wet nurse return from Chang'an, Consort Ling gritted her teeth in hatred. Hearing that the Emperor was still in Chang'an, Consort Ling swayed slightly. The two children she had worked so hard to have had now become someone else's. Consort Ling turned to look at Xiao Yanzi, who was still unconscious, hoping that she could bring her a turning point after she woke up.

~~~~

He Rui woke up at midnight in the hunting grounds. The imperial physicians, who hadn't rested, immediately stepped forward to take He Rui's pulse and asked if he felt severe abdominal pain. After taking his pulse, the physicians wiped their sweat, indicating that the medicine had worked. "Your Highness, the princess is fine, and the young master is safe."

Haricha let out a long sigh of relief, praying for Buddha's blessing, a silly grin spreading across his face.

"Your Highness, the master wants you to come in." Baozhu, who had been with He Rui for many years, came out of the tent, looked at the prince's expression, and covered her mouth to chuckle.

Harichagai rushed into the tent without even bothering to reward the imperial physician.