Hearing her self-deprecating humor, Zheng Lin felt even more guilty. After spending several years together, he understood Yu Chan's personality.

“If you really wanted to use this method, you wouldn’t have helped me keep it a secret from my mother for so long. I know you’ve always been thinking of me, and I’m sorry for putting you in such a difficult position.”

Yes! She had always been thinking of him and didn't want to put him in a difficult position, but what about him? Not only did he not love her, but he also spoke harshly and cruelly, accusing her of wrongdoing. This was the reason for Yu Chan's heartache and disappointment.

However, since he doesn't like her, he won't consider her feelings, so what's the point of her complaining?

Back then, she was young and naive, and acted on her own. She didn't understand her sister's worries and thought that as long as the two of them spent time together, they would eventually develop feelings for each other. She didn't expect to replace her sister in his heart; she just wanted him to show her some tenderness.

Only after she actually tried did she sadly discover that many things in this world do not respond to effort. Even though there was no possibility for Zheng Lin and her sister, he refused to open his heart and was unwilling to give her a single bit of tenderness.

After realizing the situation, Yu Chan wasn't saddened; instead, she laughed, laughing at her own foolishness.

"I'm not in a difficult position; you're the one in the most difficult position. For you, it's torture to marry me against your will and share a bed with me."

Yu Chan had always thought that even if Zheng Lin didn't like her, he shouldn't hate her. But when he discovered they had consummated their marriage, his shock and disgust were palpable. He suddenly flew into a rage at her. At that moment, Yu Chan truly realized how much Zheng Lin loathed her.

Zheng Lin knew that he had impulsively said many harsh words that day, and his reaction was too intense, which broke her heart and made her so desperate that she ran away from home.

Now that he had calmed down, Zheng Lin only hated himself for being too selfish and for not thinking about her. "We are married, and we should consummate our marriage, but I kept delaying it, and you never complained. I have seen all your kindness to me, and even if you didn't say it, I understand it in my heart."

My attitude was indeed very unfair to you. I have kept your teachings in mind, and I will reflect on my actions and learn from them. I will never wrong you or hurt you again.

Gazing at her, Zheng Lin sincerely expressed his feelings and tried to reason with her, "Yu Chan, please don't be angry with me anymore, come home with me?"

She wasn't angry with him, she was just extremely disappointed in him.

Zheng Lin has always been cold to her, so these words don't seem like something he would say. I guess his older brother scolded him, and he's only being insincere in front of her family to show her affection.

Yu Chan could not accept such hypocrisy, and she refused to go back with him.

Su Mingfeng didn't force her sister to agree, but told Zheng Lin to go back first and let Yu Chan stay there temporarily to relax.

That night, Zheng Lin went home alone. He came again the next day, but she refused to go home. So Zheng Lin neglected his business at the shop and came to stay with her every day.

On the fourth day, Zheng Lin said that his mother's old illness had relapsed and she was bedridden, and he kept talking about her.

Su Jiafeng advised her younger sister to go back and visit her mother-in-law. Zheng Lin kept coming here to bother her second brother and sister-in-law, and Yu Chan felt bad about it. In addition, her mother-in-law was sick, so Yu Chan had no choice but to go back with him.

However, her return was not out of forgiveness for Zheng Lin, but purely to save face for her mother-in-law.

Even after returning home, her inner turmoil remained unresolved. She refused to sleep in the same tent as Zheng Lin again, instead sleeping on her own bed, far away from him.

She didn't have the courage to divorce him, but she was completely disappointed in Zheng Lin and would never treat him with the same wholehearted devotion as before.

Zheng Lin knew she still harbored resentment towards him, so he didn't force her and went along with her wishes, showing her more care and consideration than before.

Su Yushan only knew that her younger sister had returned to her husband's family home. As for whether the two had reconciled, she wasn't sure and didn't feel comfortable asking. She only hoped that this turn of events would serve as a wake-up call for Zheng Lin, prompting him to cherish the person he had now.

After all, life is unpredictable, and some people may be gone in the blink of an eye.

Su Yushan cherishes everything she has now. She has suffered and been hurt, but God has ultimately been kind to her. The fact that both of her children are safe and healthy is her greatest comfort.

The ordinary days passed by at a leisurely pace. A dozen days later, news came from the other courtyard that Princess Jin's child had been successfully vaccinated against smallpox.

Emperor Hongli named the child Yongshen, hoping that he would be careful in his words and deeds and not repeat the mistakes of his mother.

Su Yushan pondered to herself that among Emperor Qianlong's sons in history, there didn't seem to be any with this name. His sons were mostly named with characters containing the radical for "king," but Yongshen's name did not follow this rule. In other words, this child was not a historical figure. Su Yushan's appearance ultimately changed the fate of many people in an invisible way.

As for what kind of person Yongshen will become when he grows up, and whether Hongli will still recognize him, all of this remains to be seen.

Yongshen's fate is up to fate, and Su Yushan can't worry about that now. What worries her most right now is that she has finished her confinement period, and according to the original plan, the emperor is very likely to bring Yonghuang into the palace.

When she told Hongli about this, he advised her not to worry, saying that he had a solution.

In early April, Hongli arranged for his wife's son to be vaccinated against smallpox in the palace.

Originally, An'er would have turned two in July, and usually arrangements would only begin after she turned two. However, Hongli actually vaccinated the child three months earlier.

He said it was the imperial physician's idea. April and May are neither too hot nor too cold. Waiting until the height of summer is not suitable for smallpox vaccination, and autumn and winter are too cold. If it is delayed any longer, it will be next year. Therefore, it is just right to do it three months in advance.

Upon hearing the news, Dong Ling smiled and sighed, "The Fourth Prince has thought long and hard about the matter of the young prince before setting such an auspicious date. It seems he still cares about the young prince very much."

Yu Ying wholeheartedly agreed, her face beaming with pride. "An'er is, after all, his legitimate son. No matter how much he dotes on Su Yushan, he will never neglect his legitimate son."

In fact, smallpox vaccination can be done in early autumn, and it wouldn't be a problem to wait until next year. The reason why Hongli was in such a hurry was because Yushan had already given birth, and he was worried that the emperor would bring up the matter of letting Yonghuang enter the palace again, so he deliberately brought forward the date of An'er's smallpox vaccination.

That year, her daughter's smallpox vaccination went wrong and she couldn't be saved, which left Yu Ying with a phobia of smallpox vaccination. However, the imperial grandson had to be vaccinated, and she couldn't run away from it. She could only follow Hongli's arrangement and send An'er into the palace.

Fortunately, An'er was stronger than his sister and survived the smallpox vaccination ordeal.

As Hongli had expected, Emperor Yongzheng indeed brought up the matter of bringing Yonghuang into the palace again when he had some free time. Hongli calmly cupped his hands and said:

“Your Majesty, I understand your deep love for your grandson. However, I believe that An’er should be sent to the palace.”

"Oh?" Yongzheng raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do you mean by that?"