But halfway there, he couldn't bear it any longer and turned back. The lotus seedpod was still there, but Yonglian had already left. Yonghuang carefully picked up the lotus seedpod from among the fallen leaves.

He longed to tell Yonglian that he liked it very much and didn't mind it at all; he had kept the lotus pod all along, but he didn't know if Yonglian knew the truth.

If Yonglian always thought that he hadn't taken the lotus seedpod, wouldn't that be a lifelong regret?

Thinking of this, Yonghuang felt a lump in his throat and tears welled up in his eyes again.

Yonghuang wanted to reveal the truth before Yonglian's spirit, but there were still eunuchs guarding the place. These eunuchs were not to be trusted, and he dared not speak carelessly, for he always remembered his mother's instructions---

The lotus seedpod is a secret between the mother and son; they cannot tell anyone!

To avoid causing trouble, Yonghuang held back and never mentioned the matter. Instead, he told Yonglian what he had seen and heard at the Summer Palace and the Mulan Hunting Ground.

He talked for half an hour, until the eunuch reminded him to stop.

Before leaving, he took one last look at the golden coffin and said reluctantly, "Yonglian, I'm leaving. I hope that in the next life... we can still be brothers, fly kites together, and ride horses and hunt together."

After expressing his heartfelt wish, Yonghuang turned away sadly, left the Xiefang Palace, and departed with his imperial father.

Although many things are irreparable, life must go on. Hongli learned his lesson and secretly reminded himself that he must show more care and understanding towards these children in the future, and not always be so stern.

Because Yonglian's death was so sudden, and the imperial mausoleum had not yet been built, Hongli decided to first transport Yonglian's coffin to Tiancun on the outskirts of the city and then make further plans after a suitable burial site was selected.

Five days had passed since Yonglian's death. The Empress Dowager once again brought up the matter of posthumously granting Yonglian the title of Crown Prince, but Hongli resolutely refused.

"Only the future heir apparent can be established as the Crown Prince. Yonglian has already passed away, so there is no longer this opportunity. There is no need to posthumously confer the title of Crown Prince; posthumously conferring the title of Prince will suffice."

The Empress Dowager became angry at the mention of this matter and couldn't help but scold, "I told you long ago to have more children with the Empress, precisely because I was afraid something might happen to them. Now that the legitimate son is gone, you are not allowed to make any more excuses. You must have another legitimate son with the Empress!"