Chapter 238 The Emperor's Heart is Clear, Tears Turn to Warmth
"The Emperor has arrived—!"
Eunuch Su's shrill voice still echoed from the beams of the warm room as a figure in a bright yellow dragon robe entered, carrying a biting chill. Qianlong's towering figure blocked the doorway, blocking out much of the already thin afternoon light. The warm room suddenly darkened, as if enveloped by a heavy, dark cloud. His sharp, hawk-like gaze swept across the room—Ziwei, her pale, tear-stained face buried deep in Erkang's arms, trembling. Xiaoyanzi, her eyes red, clung to Ziwei tightly, like a mother leopard protecting her cub. Yongqi stood with a frown on his face, his sword pressed against his chest. Mingyue, kneeling on the ground, trembled like a leaf in the wind.
The air was so stagnant that it was suffocating. Only the occasional crackling sound of the silver charcoal in the charcoal basin harshly struck everyone's nerves.
"Emperor Father!" Xiaoyanzi raised her head suddenly, blurting out this name that was engraved deep in her soul as if she was grabbing a lifeline. Then she realized that it was inappropriate and hurriedly added, "Emperor...Emperor!"
Qianlong's gaze lingered for a moment on her reddened eyes, the rage swirling there echoing the same fury she'd felt in her past life, when she'd shielded him from the whip at the Imperial Clan Court. He nodded slightly, his gaze finally settling on Ziwei. She huddled in Erkang's cloak, the half of her face exposed pale, her eyelashes wet with tears, strands clinging to her eyes. She looked as fragile as a butterfly with wet wings in a storm.
"My Princess Mingzhu," Qianlong's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable weight of power that instantly suppressed the panic in the room. "Raise your head."
Ziwei shuddered, and with Erkang's silent encouragement, she timidly raised her tearful eyes. Those eyes, always filled with tenderness and kindness, were now filled with only broken fear and helpless tears, which stabbed Qianlong's heart.
"Son...Son Chen..." Her lips moved, her voice was as thin as a mosquito, with a strong nasal tone.
Qianlong stepped towards her. The hem of his bright yellow robe, embroidered with golden dragons, brushed against the pool of uncured sugar and broken porcelain on the floor, making a soft rustling sound. He didn't speak immediately, but reached out and gently brushed away a strand of hair from Ziwei's cheek, tangled with tears. His fingertips carried the chill of the outside air, yet his movements were remarkably gentle.
"My daughter," he began slowly. His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck like a rock, resonating with everyone, making the walls of the warm room seem to hum. "Why shed tears over a few gutter maggots?" His gaze fell gravely on the half of the jade pendant that Ziwei clutched tightly, almost embedding it in her palm. "Xia Yuhe's token is in your hands, and my blood, which I personally acknowledged, is in your veins. The Forbidden City is not the place for a few ants to distort right and wrong!"
His gaze suddenly turned, as sharp as a knife, and swept towards Mingyue who was kneeling on the ground: "Where is that gossiping slave?"
Mingyue was so frightened that her soul left her body. She hit her forehead heavily on the cold blue brick floor with a muffled "bang": "Reply...Reply to the Emperor! Xiao Dengzi...Xiao Dengzi has gone to look for Wang Shuner!" Her voice was shaking, as if she was going to faint at the next moment.
"Su Peisheng!" Qianlong called out in a deep voice, but his eyes never left Ziwei.
Eunuch Su, who had been standing at the door with his head bowed, immediately stepped forward and said in a shrill voice with extreme caution, "Your servant is here!"
"Pass on my oral order," Qianlong's voice was low, but it carried the force of thunder, and every word seemed to have been quenched by ice. "Order the Sticking Rod Office to immediately arrest Wang Shun'er and his accomplices and pry their mouths open for me! All the palace maids in Jingren Palace are to be detained together. No one is allowed to enter or leave without my permission! Tell the Ministry of Punishment that I want a confession, I want solid evidence, and I want the source of this slander against the heir apparent!"
"Yeah!" Su Peisheng responded decisively, bowed and backed away quickly, disappearing out the door with quick and silent steps.
"Father Emperor!" Xiaoyanzi could no longer contain herself. She took a step forward eagerly and pointed in the direction of Jingren Palace. "It must be Concubine Gao! She still refuses to give up even after Nanny Li was driven away! She..."
"Xiaoyanzi," Qianlong interrupted, looking at her gravely with a penetrating gaze that seemed to penetrate her current fury and see the deep, determined desire to protect her loved ones. Xiaoyanzi knew this look all too well; it was the look of heartache and understanding he'd worn in his past life when he'd learned she'd taken the blame for Ziwei's crime. He didn't point out anything, only saying in a deep voice, "When the water recedes, the stone will reveal itself. I want to see who's stirring up this muddy water right under my nose!"
He turned to Ziwei, his tone softened, his voice unmistakable in its soothing tone: "Ziwei."
"Your son is here." Ziwei hurriedly tried to get up from Erkang's arms and salute, but Qianlong raised his hand to stop her.
"Sit down." Qianlong's voice carried an irresistible gentle strength. He personally reached out and firmly supported Ziwei's still trembling shoulders, motioning her to sit back on the rosewood chair covered with brocade cushions. "You are the Mingzhu Princess, personally appointed by me, and a princess of the Qing Dynasty. Rumors and gossip cannot harm such a noble lady. Wipe away your tears." His eyes fell on her wet cheeks, filled with the majesty of an emperor and a deep sense of pity. "My daughter, you should only smile, not shed tears."
Ziwei stared at Qianlong in amazement. The power in his words was like a warm current, instantly breaking down the shaky embankment in her heart. The pain she had been suppressing could no longer be contained, and tears rolled down silently. But they were no longer filled with panic and fear, but with the relief of having grievances vented. She nodded vigorously, choking back her words, "Your Highness... Your Highness understands... Thank you, Your Highness..."
Qianlong watched the light in her eyes return and breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Erkang, his gaze scrutinizing and entrusting him: "Fu Erkang."
"Your servant is here!" Erkang immediately knelt on one knee, his posture respectful and upright, but his posture of protecting Ziwei did not change at all.
"Protect Princess Mingzhu." Qianlong's words were concise and powerful, his eyes sharp. "For the next few days, the peace and tranquility of Shufangzhai is in your hands. If any more gossip disturbs Princess Mingzhu's peace, you will be held accountable."
"I obey your order! I guarantee with my life that I will never let the princess be disturbed again!" Erkang responded loudly, his eyes as firm as a rock.
Qianlong's gaze finally passed over Yongqi's tense jawline and Xiaoyanzi's still-clenched fists, then finally returned to Ziwei. A subtle hint of fatigue etched within his authority: "The wedding is imminent, so prepare for it with peace of mind. My decree is the most unwavering principle in the world. As for the rest," his eyes suddenly grew cold, like an icy blade sweeping across the gloomy sky outside, "I will take care of it."
He said no more. The bright yellow figure turned swiftly and strode towards the door. Heavy dragon boots stepped over the threshold, stirring a gust of cold wind, causing the red silk hanging in the warm room to sway gently, making a subtle rustling sound. The bright yellow, representing supreme power, quickly disappeared outside the vermilion gate of Shufangzhai, leaving only the stagnant air in the room and the heavy pressure of the emperor's lingering prestige.
It was not until the bright yellow completely disappeared outside the moon-shaped door of Shufangzhai that the taut strings in the warm room loosened with a "bang".
Jinsuo had been kneeling in the corner, unaware that the rosewood tray of pearls she was holding had tilted. Her hand gave way, and several perfectly round pearls tumbled to the floor with a clattering sound, startling in the silence. Suddenly, as if waking from a dream, she hurriedly bent down to pick them up, her fingers trembling violently.
Ziwei leaned back in her chair, as if all her strength had been drained away. Erkang's warm palm rested on the back of her cold hand, conveying a steady stream of comforting strength. She closed her eyes and let out a long, trembling breath. The cold fear that had been clogged in her chest was finally forcibly dissipated a little by Qianlong's final, heavy words: "I'll take care of it."
Xiaoyanzi rushed to Yongqi in a few steps and grabbed his arm, her nails almost digging into his sleeve. Her voice was very low, but it was full of sparks: "Yongqi! Did you hear that? The emperor has spoken! The sticking rod department is in action! Let's see how that old witch Gao Guipin can jump around!" There was a raging fighting spirit in her eyes, as if she was going to pick up the sword and rush to Jingren Palace in the next second.
Yongqi took her slightly trembling hand in his, his palm warm and soothing. His brow remained furrowed, but his gaze was as steady as the depths of the abyss. He gazed out the door, where Qianlong had departed, and whispered, "The Emperor will personally investigate and will surely uncover the truth. However..." He paused, his voice growing deeper. "If the rumor could be spread throughout the palace during the confinement period, it's likely not just in Jingren Palace. Everyone in Shufangzhai must be extra cautious these days."
Outside the window, the sky darkened even further. Leaden clouds weighed heavily on the Forbidden City's glazed golden roof. Tiny snowflakes, whirled by the chill wind, rustled against the window paper, like countless prying whispers. Inside Shufangzhai, the festive red silk remained vibrant, reflecting the lingering fear and newly ignited anticipation on everyone's faces. A brief silence descended from the center of the storm, yet everyone knew it was merely a thunderbolt struck by the emperor himself before the storm.
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