Seeing her worried and cautious expression, Hongli felt a pang of heartache. He gently stroked her long hair and softly comforted her:

"If she doesn't like you, so be it. It's enough that I like you. You should know that prejudice is the hardest thing to change. No matter how well you do, people who are prejudiced against you will still find fault with you. So you don't need to restrain yourself for my mother's sake. You haven't done anything wrong. In my eyes, you will always be the best."

These words, simple yet warm, temporarily soothed Su Yushan's troubled heart, as sweet as honey. She said shyly and modestly, "Actually, I'm not as good as you say. I also have many shortcomings."

"No one is perfect, and I have my flaws too. The most important thing is that two people can be tolerant of each other and are willing to compromise and change for each other."

She deeply resonated with Hongli's words. Looking back, she and Hongli did indeed have a difficult time getting along at first. Both of them had too many sharp edges and had countless arguments, yet they could never let go of each other and slowly changed themselves while hurting each other.

It was no easy feat for them to get to where they are today. Su Yushan was filled with emotion, but she couldn't express it. She simply leaned against him silently, savoring the rare tranquility and warmth.

After a moment of silence, Su Yushan suddenly burst out laughing. Hongli asked in surprise, "What are you laughing at?"

With her long fingers gently tracing circles on his heart, Su Yushan whispered to him, "I feel like we're doing something wrong."

Men are particularly sensitive to such words. He had been pure of heart, but upon hearing her describe it that way, a wicked thought suddenly arose in him, and he chuckled softly, "Isn't the feeling of stealing wonderful?"

What's with that blissful look on his face? "You like it? I don't like it at all! I'm terrified of being caught."

Even though she was his woman, she still had to avoid him because of palace rules, and this feeling was really unpleasant.

Fortunately, the young eunuch was quick-witted and locked the door from the inside. It wasn't until the palace servants came to prepare for their master's washing up that he hurried over to the West Warm Pavilion and whispered a reminder to the Fourth Prince.

Hongli reluctantly got up and left the tent, returning to the East Warm Pavilion. After washing up, he had the imperial physician take his pulse.

The imperial physician said his pulse was unstable and needed further observation. Emperor Yongzheng was not at ease letting him return to his residence, so he allowed him to continue living in the palace.

With Su Yushan by his side, Hongli didn't find it boring at all. But unexpectedly, his wife came to the palace to visit him that afternoon!

According to the Fujin, this was the intention of Consort Xi. Consort Xi believed that since the prince was ill, a Fujin was necessary to take care of his daily life. The concubine was not qualified, so Consort Xi invited the Fujin into the palace and ordered that Su Yushan be sent out of the palace.

Upon hearing the news, Hongli recalled the dream and his heart tightened. He immediately refused, "Yushan cannot leave the palace!"