"You don't need to worry about this, Eighth Brother! I will definitely put He Xue's mind at ease, because of all the waters in the world, I will only drink from one gourd!" The Crown Prince strode in.

The prince walked up to He Xue and naturally took her hand in his.

"Brother Crown Prince, what brings you here?" He Xue asked, looking at the Crown Prince.

"I was worried, so I came to check!"

"Your Highness, have you been drinking?" He Xue smelled alcohol on the prince.

“You drank a little and didn’t like it? Then don’t drink it anymore!” the prince said.

"It's alright, no need!" He Xue quickly waved her hand. It was unrealistic for the Crown Prince not to drink, and there was no need for her to force him.

The Eighth Prince noticed that ever since the Crown Prince arrived, He Xue's eyes seemed to be shining, and He Xue's eyes were filled with nothing but the Crown Prince.

This scene deeply hurt the Eighth Prince. He Xue had always been cold to him, so why did she change her attitude towards the Crown Prince?

"Second Brother, some things are easier said than done!" The Eighth Prince's words disrupted the warm atmosphere between He Xue and the Crown Prince.

The Eighth Prince thought that the Crown Prince's words were just to fool He Xue. What man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? How could the Crown Prince dare to guarantee that he would only marry He Xue? Even if the Crown Prince was willing, I'm afraid the Emperor would not allow such a thing to happen.

"Eighth brother, how come you don't know I can't do it?" the Crown Prince retorted.

"Because you are the Crown Prince, do you think Father Emperor would want to see such a scene? Besides, what you're doing will only put He Xue in a difficult position!"

"Your title is merely my identity, not a shackle that binds me. I will always keep my word! I will not make things difficult for He Xue!" the Crown Prince said resolutely.

"Your Majesty, I shall wait and see!" the Eighth Prince said dismissively.

"Eighth brother, you're getting married soon, so you'll definitely have a lot to do. You don't need to worry about He Xue here; I'll take good care of her!"

"We will definitely come to congratulate our eighth brother on his wedding day!" the Crown Prince said with a smile.

"He Xue, take good care of yourself! I'll come see you another day!" The Eighth Prince said to He Xue, ignoring the Crown Prince.

As the Eighth Prince reached the door, he turned to look at the Crown Prince and asked, "Second Brother, are you so certain that He Xue will marry you?"

The Crown Prince struggled to suppress his anger, "You think you're provoking me? Actually, you're courting death!"

You can see for yourself whether I am capable of marrying Xue.

You will never be my match, because you lost from the moment you were born.

I'm not unaware of your underhanded dealings over the years, but I've turned a blind eye. However, if you dare to lay a finger on He Xue, don't blame me for showing no brotherly affection!

The Eighth Prince clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his hands showing just how angry he was.

He Xue gently tugged at the Crown Prince's hand, telling him that this was no big deal; killing someone by destroying their spirit was the best approach. The Eighth Prince cared most about his background, so there was no need to emphasize it.

The Eighth Prince left without saying a word.

When Shuyi saw the Eighth Prince come out, she lowered her head and said, "Take care, Eighth Prince!"

The Eighth Prince tried to act as usual, but the Crown Prince's words were too hurtful. He couldn't maintain his nonchalant demeanor, so he nodded and walked past Shuyi.

After leaving the General's Mansion, the Eighth Prince said a few words to his attendants before mounting his horse and returning to the palace.

As Shuyi was about to step into the house after the Eighth Prince left, she heard the Crown Prince speak.

"Second Brother, could you do me a favor and let me speak with He Xue for a few minutes?"

Shuyi looked around in shock. There was no one else there. Was the Crown Prince talking to him?

Shuyi looked into the room in disbelief.

"Second Brother, I would like to speak with He Xue alone for a few minutes!" the Crown Prince said.

Shuyi pointed to herself and asked, "Is His Highness calling me a servant?"

"That's right, isn't it said that the husband and wife should follow each other's lead? It can also be that the wife follows the husband's lead. You are He Xue's second brother, so naturally you are my second brother too!"

Shuyi never expected the Crown Prince to say such a thing. In the entire Qing Dynasty, the only person who could be the Crown Prince's elder brother was probably Prince Zhi. She never expected that the Crown Prince would actually call him his second elder brother today.

If he told his cronies about this, they probably wouldn't believe him.

"Your Highness, speak slowly. Your second brother will keep an eye on things and make sure no one disturbs you and your little sister!" Shuyi patted her chest and assured him, thoughtfully closing the door behind her as she left.

He Xue looked angrily at Shu Yi's back. She never expected that Shu Yi would sell her out because of a single word, "Second Brother."