Chapter 354: The dust settles, new buds sprout
The stench of blood and toxic sulfur fumes had yet to completely dissipate within the Qianqing Palace, as palace attendants silently and swiftly cleaned up the mess. Shattered glass cups, spilled delicacies, and the glaring pools of dark red blood were meticulously wiped away, as if to erase the traces of this terrifying coup. Yet, the air was thick with a sense of dread and the tension of surviving a catastrophe, like an invisible net, enveloping everyone's heart.
Qianlong remained seated atop the Nine Dragon Throne, his face sullen. The imperial pressure permeated him like a physical substance, nearly suffocating the clan members and ministers who sat in a state of trembling fear below. His cold gaze swept over the Xilin Jueluo Palace, the people held captive by the guards, and the body of the leader of the death squad, finally settling on the commander of the stick-sticking department.
"The traitor Emin," Qianlong's voice was not loud, but it clearly penetrated every corner of the hall, with a coldness that chilled people to the bone marrow, "He will be executed by slow slicing, and his three clans will be exterminated. All adult males of the Xilin Gioro family will be beheaded immediately, and the female family members and minors will be exiled to Ningguta and become slaves to the armored men, and they will never be allowed to return to Beijing." The cruel verdict was like an ice spike, shattering the last glimmer of hope of the Xilin Gioro Mansion.
"Chen Bangzhi," Qianlong's gaze turned to the ashen-faced Chen Ge Lao of Haining, who was being held alone to the side. "As an official appointed by the imperial court, you colluded with traitors and became an accomplice to the evil. You even allowed your daughter to murder the heir to the throne. Your crimes are unforgivable! All your official titles and positions shall be stripped, and your property shall be confiscated. You shall be punished like E Min and executed by slow slicing!"
Chen Bangzhi's whole body went limp and he collapsed to the ground. He had lost the strength to even beg for mercy, and only a desperate, hoarse sound came out of his throat.
Finally, Qianlong's gaze, like the sharpest blade, pierced Zhihua, who was being held by two maids, limp as mud, her hairpins and rings scattered, and already in a state of despair:
"Concubine Chen is vicious and colluded with foreign ministers to attempt arson and murder the first wife and the imperial heir. The evidence is irrefutable. Effective immediately, she will be stripped of her title and demoted to a commoner! She will be imprisoned in the clan prison for life and will not be released until she is dead!"
"No——!" Zhihua seemed to be awakened by the final verdict, and let out a shrill scream that was not like a human voice. She suddenly broke free from the nanny's grip and threw herself on the imperial steps like a mad woman, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please have mercy! I am innocent! I was forced! It was E Min... it was my father who forced me! I did it all for Mian Yi! Mian Yi cannot live without her mother! Your Majesty——" Her cries were heartbreaking, full of despair and unwillingness.
However, Qianlong's eyes remained unchanged, filled only with icy disgust. He waved his hand, as if brushing off an annoying fly. The guards immediately stepped forward and mercilessly dragged the wailing, struggling Zhihua away. Her shrill cries echoed through the empty hall, gradually fading away, finally disappearing into the deep palace night, leaving only a dead silence and a chill in everyone's hearts.
The dust has settled. The conspirators have been executed, and all accomplices have been dealt with. A monstrous conspiracy that threatened to overthrow the imperial court and poison the emperor and his father was completely crushed by Qianlong's strategic planning, Yongqi's drastic measures, and Xiaoyanzi's decisive intervention.
Yongqi hugged Xiaoyanzi tightly, feeling her body tremble and the weakness she felt after the ordeal. He half supported and half held her, bowed to Qianlong and said goodbye: "Your Majesty, Xiaoyanzi is frightened and weak after giving birth. I will take her back to the palace to recuperate first."
Qianlong's gaze fell on Xiaoyanzi's pale yet unusually calm face. A subtle hint of pity and complexity flashed across his dignified eyes. He nodded slightly, "Go and take good care of her. Pass on my oral order to grant Princess Rong ten stalks of century-old wild ginseng, ten boxes of blood swallows, and ten Angong Niuhuang Pills. Make sure you take good care of yourself."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi thanked him together. Xiaoyanzi raised her head, and from a distance, their eyes briefly met in mid-air. In that gaze, there was the majesty of an emperor, the concern of an elder, and a tacit understanding and relief that only they two understood, transcending life and death and reincarnation. Xiaoyanzi's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint but genuine smile. Qianlong nodded, almost imperceptibly. Everything was said without words.
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**Prince Rong's Mansion, East Courtyard Warm Room.**
A sense of peace finally settled after the catastrophe. The candlelight had been deliberately dimmed, leaving only a few soft glows. The air was filled with a tranquil scent of soothing incense and a subtle blend of herbs. The young child slept soundly in his cradle, breathing softly and evenly. Mianrui and Mianxin were also lulled to sleep by their wet nurse. The entire East Courtyard was immersed in an atmosphere of tired tranquility.
Xiaoyanzi leaned against the headboard, dressed in soft pajamas, her long hair draped loosely over her shoulders. Her face remained pale, but her eyes were clear and peaceful. Yongqi sat on the edge of the bed, personally holding a bowl of warm ginseng soup and carefully feeding it spoonful by spoonful to her lips. His movements were incredibly gentle, his eyes focused as if he were handling a rare treasure, filled with cherishment, fear, and an unwavering love.
"Drink slowly, be careful of the heat." He whispered, his voice hoarse after the disaster.
Xiaoyanzi drank obediently, the warm soup sliding down her throat, the warmth gradually spreading to every part of her body. She looked at the dark circles under Yongqi's eyes and the new stubble on his chin, knowing that the pressure and worry he had endured these past few days was no less than her own. She reached out and gently stroked his tired cheek, her fingertips tenderly.
"Yongqi...thank you for your hard work."
Yongqi took her hand, pressing the back of it against his cheek, feeling the coolness of her palm and the real presence of her presence. "As long as you and the children are safe, nothing I do will be hard." His voice was low and firm, and then a chilling lingering fear flashed in his eyes. "It's just... when I think of E Min and Zhi Hua's vicious plan, how they almost... I wish I could grind them to dust!"
Xiaoyanzi shook her head gently, then grasped his broad, warm hand with her backhand. Her eyes held the clarity of someone who had weathered many storms. "It's all over. Evil has its consequences, and they've gotten what they wanted." She paused, her gaze gently resting on her flat belly, a spot that had once known the pain of loss but now held new hope. Her fingertips unconsciously traced gentle circles there, and the corners of her mouth curled into a soft, maternal arc.
Yongqi keenly caught her subtle movements and changes in expression. An indescribable premonition instantly struck him! He suddenly paused in feeding her the soup, his eyes fixed on her, his voice trembling with a subtle tremor and a huge sense of hope: "Xiaoyanzi...you...?"
Xiaoyanzi raised her eyes and met his nervous and expectant gaze. Her cheeks flushed slightly, with a hint of shyness, but more of great joy and happiness. She nodded gently, her voice as light as a feather brushing against her heart, but with an incomparable strength of affirmation:
"Yes. The imperial physician... told me quietly when he took my pulse before the palace banquet. It's only been a little over a month... and the baby isn't quite stable yet, so I didn't dare to say anything." She tightened her grip on her belly slightly, as if feeling the silent arrival of the little life. "Originally... I wanted to give you a surprise after this storm is over..."
A surge of ecstasy washed over Yongqi like a surging tide! All his fatigue, shock, and fear were washed away by this sudden surge of happiness! He could barely hold the bowl of soup, so he suddenly dropped it and hugged Xiaoyanzi tightly in his arms. His strength was so great, yet it carried a sense of cherishment, a fear of losing her again.
"That's great... That's great! Xiaoyanzi!" His voice was choked with sobs, and with great joy and indescribable excitement, hot tears flowed out without warning and dripped on Xiaoyanzi's neck, "We have a child! We are going to have a child again!" This is not only the arrival of a new life, but also the most powerful comfort for all the pains of the past, and the most beautiful gift for their love that has gone through hardships but has always remained steadfast!
Little Swallow leaned against his strong, warm chest, listening to his ecstatic heartbeat and feeling his excited tears. Her own eyes instantly moistened. She hugged him back and nodded vigorously, "Yes! This time... we will definitely be able to give birth to him (her) safely and watch him (her) grow up..." The pain of losing a child in a previous life, the setbacks of her first pregnancy in this life, all transformed into the most steadfast expectation for the future.
Yongqi let go of her slightly, cupped her face, and gently wiped away the tears with his fingertips. His eyes were surprisingly bright, filled with infinite longing for the future and a firm will to protect her: "I will! I swear! This time, I will stay by your side, guarding him (her) every step of the way! No one should even think of hurting you again!" His eyes swept across the baby in the cradle, and as if penetrating the wall, he saw the sleeping Mianrui and Mianxin, and finally fell back to Xiaoyanzi's still flat belly. His voice was gentle but full of strength, "We have Rui'er, Xin'er, this little one, and... this new baby... Xiaoyanzi. We will be the most lively and happiest family!"
Inside the warm room, candlelight burned quietly, casting the embraced figures against the wall in a warm and fulfilling light. Outside, the dew deepened, but the lights in the east courtyard shone with an exceptional warmth, dispelling all gloom. All the storms, all the intrigues, were now a thing of the past. After the dust settled, there was the tranquility of survival and a new life filled with hope.
Yongqi carefully helped Xiaoyanzi lie down, tucking in the quilt for her, his gaze lingering tenderly on her peaceful sleeping face. He leaned over and placed a cherished kiss on her smooth forehead, whispering, "Sleep well, don't think about anything. I'm here."
He stood up and extinguished most of the candles, leaving only a tiny flickering light on the table. He walked to the cradle and looked down at his sleeping child. The little one was dreaming, his lips slightly curled up. Yongqi's eyes were filled with the tenderness of a new father. He reached out his finger and gently touched the baby's soft cheek.
Then, he walked to the window and cast his gaze toward the west courtyard of the palace. Once brightly lit, it was now a deadly darkness, like a completely forgotten grave. The tenderness in his eyes instantly faded, transformed into a cold, deep darkness.
"Little Dengzi." His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by his confidant who was guarding outside the door.
"I'm here!" Little Dengzi immediately responded and came in.
"Prepare the horses." Yongqi's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable determination. "Go to the clan prison. This prince... should go see that commoner Chen."
Some debts, some hatreds, some people, needed to be completely settled. For Xiaoyanzi's past and present lives, for those innocent lives lost, and for the eternal peace of his future children. The warmth and hope of the East Courtyard needed to be protected by the despair of the West Courtyard being completely shattered. In the night, Prince Rong's back stood tall as a pine tree, carrying the chilling and murderous aura of guarding a treasure, as he stepped into deeper darkness.
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