After a grueling night, it rained the next morning, and the dry weather that had lasted for several days finally brought a touch of coolness. Hongli's fever had not subsided, but fortunately, after a night's rest, he finally regained some energy.

He had been lying in bed for the past two days, and his head was spinning. He wanted to go outside to enjoy the rain, but the eunuch said that the imperial physician had instructed him that he was still ill and could not be exposed to the wind.

Left with no other choice, he could only stay indoors, standing by the half-open window listening to the rain.

The sound of rain pattering on banana leaves is pleasant and calming, bringing peace to the heart. Yet, in this tranquil scene, one person is missing.

But he wondered if Yu Shan had woken up yet. This little lazy cat always loved to sleep in. Sometimes, even after he went to the palace and returned to his residence, she would still be lying in her tent, sleeping soundly.

She didn't have him by her side last night, and she wondered if she slept soundly, whether she slept until the sun was high in the sky, or whether she tossed and turned all night thinking about him.

When Yu Ying came in from outside, she happened to see a tall and elegant man standing by the window with a slight smile on his lips. She rarely saw such a smile. He must have been thinking of Su Yu Shan to make him smile.

Hearing footsteps, Hongli's smile faded, and he regained his composure, his expression turning as cold as ever.

Palace servants entered one after another to serve the morning meal. In order to bring him and his wife together, Consort Xi specifically instructed the servants to leave after serving the food and not to get in the way.

Yesterday, when Su Yushan was still here, he had Su Yushan feed him during his meals. In front of Su Yushan, he acted gentle and vulnerable, as if to gain Su Yushan's sympathy.

Yu Ying also intended to serve him his meal, but he seemed indifferent and refused to let her feed him. He used his left hand to hold the chopsticks and spoon, and even though he was not used to it and it was difficult to pick up food, he resolutely refused to let Yu Ying feed him.

Yu Ying had no choice but to go along with him.

After breakfast and medicine, she invited him to rest in the tent, but he refused to lie down and ordered the palace servants to prepare pen and ink.

Yu Ying hurriedly reminded her, "Your arm injury has not yet healed, and the doctor instructed you not to hold a pen and write."

Hongli frowned deeply. "I have more than one hand."

The palace servants dared not disobey, and immediately went to prepare paper and pen, then silently withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Yu Ying was not good at flattery, and besides, she knew Hongli's personality. No matter how much she tried to please him, he would never fall in love with her. If she went too far, she might even annoy him. So she didn't say much and just stood silently to the side. Her slender hand, adorned with a white jade bracelet, lightly lifted her sleeve, and her right hand held an ink stick, carefully grinding ink in the Duan inkstone.

Hongli held the pen in his left hand, straightened his posture, and tried to write with his left hand.

In the past, when they were in the Imperial Study, the brothers practiced together. To temper his character, Hongli would practice writing one hundred characters with his left hand every day. After leaving the Imperial Study, he stopped practicing. Now, when he uses his left hand to hold the pen again, he is inevitably a little rusty.

Fortunately, he had a solid foundation, and after practicing for about 15 minutes, he regained his feel for it.

After he finished writing the characters smoothly, he began to ponder, gazing absently at the slanting wind and drizzle outside the window.

After staring blankly for a long time, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he picked up his pen to write down his thoughts.

He was not satisfied with the two sheets he wrote, so he crumpled them into balls and set them aside. Then, feeling that this was not right, he got up and put the paper balls into the incense burner.

He was satisfied when he finished writing the third sheet and put down his pen. After the ink dried, Hongli specially found a wooden box and stored the paper inside.

Every day after that, Yu Ying would see him put a piece of paper into the box.

She didn't know what he had written, but she could guess that it was probably a letter to Su Yushan. Unable to see her, he used this method to express his longing.

It is truly rare for a prince, who is high and mighty, to fall so deeply in love with a woman.

She was grinding ink for him, but he used that ink to depict his longing for another person—a truly ironic scene.

At that moment, Yu Ying couldn't help but wonder how long Hongli's devotion to Su Yushan would last? A few years? More than ten years? Or a lifetime?

If one day Hongli changes his mind, how will Su Yushan feel?

It's better to never have something than to have it completely and then lose it completely. Just like her, if you don't have any expectations, you won't be disappointed.

Comforting herself in this way, Yu Ying felt a little better, ignoring Hong Li's indifference towards her and coldly observing their love-hate entanglement.

Being in the palace was not as comfortable as being in one's own home. Yu Ying not only had to serve Hongli every day, but also had to pay her respects to Consort Xi.

Consort Xi was very pleased with her intelligent and gentle daughter-in-law. Worried that her daughter-in-law might be jealous over Su Yushan's matter, Consort Xi specifically advised her to be more open-minded.

"Young men are not yet settled. Su is quite beautiful, which is why Hongli was attracted to her. After a while, once he gets tired of her, he will naturally see your good qualities. You are husband and wife, and you have a long road ahead of you. Su is just a concubine. No matter how much she is favored, she can never surpass you. Just relax and take it easy. Good days are ahead! Don't be discouraged by these little things."

Consort Xi spoke gently and persuasively. Yu Ying was grateful and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The maids in the back courtyard are all Fourth Prince's women. It is only natural that he dotes on them. In fact, Fourth Prince is also quite good to me. He often comes over to visit and has not neglected me too much."

Yu Ying did not complain to Consort Xi; instead, she spoke highly of Hongli. She knew very well that Consort Xi had spies in the household, and she was certain Consort Xi knew exactly how Hongli treated her.

If she complains about Hongli, Consort Xi can't help her much and will feel uncomfortable. After all, no mother wants to hear others say bad things about her son. But if she says good things about Hongli against her will, Consort Xi will definitely think that she is righteous and considerate of the overall situation.

As expected, Consort Xi smiled with satisfaction upon hearing this.

“You’re so sensible! That Su woman comes from a humble background and doesn’t know the rules. How can she compare to you? Even if she gives birth to a son, he’ll only be born out of wedlock. My little granddaughter is already over two months old and doesn’t need your care. You should take good care of yourself and try to give Hongli another legitimate son. With a legitimate son to keep him in check, I think he’ll be even more attentive to you.”

Yu Ying smiled in response, but she was uncertain in her heart. Since she finished her postpartum confinement, Hongli had not touched her, claiming that she was weak and needed to recuperate. At this rate, when would she be able to give birth to a son?

However, she couldn't openly discuss these matters, and since Consort Xi couldn't help her, she could only rely on herself and strive to seize opportunities.

However, she had to wait until Hongli's injuries healed before making a decision.

Hongli in the palace felt like each day was an eternity, while Su Yushan outside the palace also felt tormented. Previously, Hongli was by her side every day, and she didn't feel anything. But this time, after being separated for six or seven days, not being able to hear his voice, and not having his company at night, she couldn't help but feel a little unaccustomed. She didn't know how his injuries were, whether he still had a fever, or when he would be able to return.

A melancholy Su Yushan leaned over the wooden tub, sighing softly. Feeling some soreness in her shoulders, she called Chang Yue to massage them for her.

Chang Yue's massage seemed a bit too forceful. Su Yushan thought that a stronger massage would relieve her fatigue, so she kept quiet, closed her eyes, and sat in the wooden tub filled with floating flower petals, letting Chang Yue continue to massage her.

After a while, Chang Yue's hand slowly slid down. Su Yushan was startled and thought to herself that Chang Yue was not as lively as Yun Fang and would not usually play around with her. Could it be that the person massaging her was Yun Fang?

Surprised, she turned around and her starry eyes widened. She couldn't help but exclaim, "What? It's you? You've been up to no good again!"