"Crown Prince, are you troubled by something?" He Xue noticed that the Crown Prince's brows were furrowed.

"There are some troublesome matters, but I, the Crown Prince, will handle them well!" the Crown Prince said with a smile.

"Brother Crown Prince, you must speak up if there's anything on your mind. Don't keep it bottled up inside. Although I can't help you, I can be a good listener!"

"Alright, I'll definitely let you know if anything happens, Crown Prince!" The Crown Prince pondered how to remind He Xue to be careful of Suo'etu, but he was afraid of scaring her, so he didn't say anything. He decided to send someone to protect He Xue secretly instead.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has sent someone to summon you, requesting that you go to the Qianqing Palace!" He Zhu said as he entered the palace.

"I understand!" The Crown Prince looked at He Xue. "Don't eat too much, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable again!"

Tell Aunt Tong that I'll come see her again next time!

"I understand, Your Highness, you should go quickly! Don't keep Uncle Emperor waiting!" He Xue said to the Crown Prince while eating the Ruyi Roll in her hand.

"Alright! Take your time eating!" The Crown Prince looked at He Xue with doting eyes.

As He Xue watched the Crown Prince's departing figure, she recalled what the First Prince had said: the Crown Prince carried too much on his shoulders.

The Crown Prince was a wise man. He knew the resentment of the First Prince and others, and he tried his best to maintain his brotherhood with the First Prince because he didn't want to become a lonely figure because of his status as Crown Prince. He truly cherished the friendship he shared with the First Prince and the others.

"Brother Crown Prince!" He Xue called out to the Crown Prince.

The crown prince stopped and turned to look at He Xue.

"He Zhu, close your eyes and turn around!" He Xue said to He Zhu as she walked.

Without any hesitation, He Zhu immediately turned around and closed his eyes. He dared not delay He Xue's words; they carried even more weight with him than the Crown Prince's.

If he offends His Highness the Crown Prince, Princess Xue can plead for him, but if he displeases Princess Xue, His Highness the Crown Prince will certainly not let him off the hook.

He Xue came to the Crown Prince wanting to hug him and pat his shoulder, but the Crown Prince was taller than her, so she could only hug his waist.

Upon seeing this, the Crown Prince half-squatted down in front of He Xue.

He Xue hugged the Crown Prince and gently patted his shoulder. "Brother Crown Prince, don't carry everything on your shoulders. I will always be with you!"

"Alright!" The Crown Prince also gave He Xue a gentle hug.

"Alright, Your Highness, you can go now!" He Xue waved to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince looked at He Xue with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, feeling as if He Xue was abandoning him after using him!

Upon hearing the Imperial Noble Consort's words, the Fourth Prince said with a serious expression, "Mother, rest assured! Your son only wishes to be a wise prince who assists Second Brother!"

"Your mother knows your feelings, but you must be wary of the people around you. Your current status is second only to the Crown Prince, and it's hard to guarantee that they won't have any improper thoughts. Don't let them affect you!"

Moreover, no matter what they say to you, you must stick to your original intention. Even if your maternal grandfather comes to you, you must not listen and tell him to come to your mother! The Imperial Noble Consort was worried that the Fourth Prince would find it difficult to refuse Tong Guowei because of her.

"Mother, I know what to do! Don't think so much, taking good care of your health is the most important thing!" The Fourth Prince couldn't bear to see the Imperial Noble Consort worrying about him.

"You are your mother's son, and your mother must consider everything for you!"

Mother never expected to escape death this time. Mother will try her best to see you get married and have children.

Your mother doesn't ask you to do anything great, she just wants you to be safe and well!

"Mother, you will surely live to be a hundred! Your son does not want to be a child without a mother!" The Fourth Prince still feels lingering fear when he thinks of the Imperial Noble Consort's serious illness!

"Your mother will always be with you!" The Imperial Noble Consort knew that what had happened before had frightened the Fourth Prince, and she did not want to say anything that would upset him.

"Okay! Pinky promise!" The Fourth Prince also extended his little finger.

The Imperial Noble Consort smiled and made a pinky promise with the Fourth Prince, "He Xue just made a pinky promise with me too! You two are truly siblings!"

"We all hope that Mother will always be with us!" The Fourth Prince buried his head in the Imperial Noble Consort's knees.

"Good!" The Imperial Noble Consort gently patted the Fourth Prince, singing a lullaby she used to lull him to sleep when he was a child.