"Really?" Thirteen remained skeptical.

He seemed genuinely frightened by himself. It was both amusing and strangely endearing, making me like him even more.

"If I really suspected you, do you think I would touch you?" He Yue glanced at him, both amused and annoyed.

Thirteen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then why were you alone in your room today? Your maids were terrified." Thirteen frowned unhappily.

He Yue remained silent, not wanting Thirteen to know about this, so she lied: "It's nothing, I was just lost in thought."

Seeing that she said that, Thirteen did not ask any more questions.

He Yue thought to herself, rather than guessing, she would rather just ask for an answer directly. Why do that?

She didn't want to think of that relationship in such a negative light.

Although it was past dinner time, Heyue was really hungry because she had used up some energy earlier. She got up, ordered hot water, took a bath, had some late-night snacks, and then rested.

Heyue fell asleep shortly after lying down.

Thirteen gazed at her peaceful sleeping face and gave a helpless, bitter smile.

Recalling her passion just now, his body quietly reacted again, and his eyes became even more fiery. In the end, he couldn't bear to disturb her, so he could only suppress his impulse, hug her, close his eyes, and count sheep in his mind like when he was a child.

"You've come." The Eighth Prince's wife happily stepped forward, took her hand, and sat her down on the daybed.

The maidservant served some snacks and tea, then quietly withdrew.

The Eighth Princess leaned her arm casually against the pillow, smiling as she looked at Heyue across from her: "I heard that you had a fight with Yiduli on the street a few days ago, and even got into a physical altercation. Sure enough, you're still the same as always. Once you've taken someone to heart, you won't let them bully you. Zhao Jiayan is really lucky to have such a protective younger sister like you."

"Is Sister talking about herself?" He Yueqiao smiled and blinked. "Sister holds a much heavier place in my heart." She pointed to her heart. "For Sister, I would do anything, even give my life."

The Eighth Princess looked at her deeply, and seeing her earnest gaze, she smiled and said, "Your mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter, you're deliberately saying nice things, as if you're convinced that I'm jealous of Zhao Jiayan Yue."

Ignoring her teasing, Heyue rested her chin on her hand and looked at her seriously: "I can't tell if you're jealous, sister. I'm just guessing. But sometimes I can't help but think about it. Guessing doesn't always mean it's true. So I really want to hear you admit to being jealous. I'll be so happy I won't be able to sleep at night."

The smile on her lips paused slightly, and the Eighth Princess Consort gave her a reproachful look: "Your words are getting more and more out of tune, what's with all this guessing?"

"Then, sister, could you please stop making me guess?" He Yue said with a smile, though it was a joke, her eyes were extremely serious and somewhat sad.

The Eighth Prince's wife finally stopped smiling, pursed her lips and looked at her, her emotions unreadable.

Heyue's smile gradually faded, and she lowered her eyes: "Sister, I have always believed in you. No matter what you do, I am willing to believe that you will not harm me. But sometimes I really can't help but overthink and want an answer, as if only then can I feel at ease."

Since we recognized each other, I've found myself increasingly unable to understand you. I try not to think about it and just tell myself that even if everyone in the world tries to harm me, my sister is the only one who won't. That way, I can stop overthinking.

I originally thought Chunrui was just trying to get into my sister's bed, but I never imagined that she was someone my sister had arranged from the very beginning. We hadn't even recognized each other yet, and my sister had already made arrangements so early on. I couldn't help but think more about it.

I understood why my sister didn't want me to marry the Thirteenth Prince, and I was willing to follow her wishes, even if it meant marrying the Tenth Prince, whom I didn't like. But now that I've married the Thirteenth Prince, and everything is set in stone, I can't understand my sister's reasons for doing this. Can I really divorce him just because I've fallen out of love with him?

My sister knows this is impossible; the royal family wouldn't allow such a thing. So why did you do it, sister? Even though you did it, I still want to believe you and ask you for an answer myself.

The Eighth Princess looked into her eyes, which were clear as water, black and white, just as before. She straightened up and sighed with a bitter smile: "I knew I couldn't hide this from you for long, and I never thought I could keep it from you forever. Since you asked, I won't deny it. As you said, Xiangyi, no, Chunrui, she was arranged by me. Ever since I learned that you were looking for me, I thought of this method. I admit that I had selfish motives. I also wanted to know more about your situation and didn't want you to go astray without understanding history."

The phrase "went astray" truly puzzled He Yue: "What do you mean by that, sister?"

Looking at her bewildered expression, the Eighth Prince's wife shook her head with a smile: "Since you were little, you've been carefree and unrestrained. You're good at fighting and playing, but you've never liked reading and only have a superficial understanding of history. How can I be at ease when you come here in such a muddle?" As she said this, she gave her a look of disappointment.

He Yue lowered her head guiltily.

"Now that you're here, I have to make plans for you to prevent you from harming yourself out of ignorance. I've clearly seen how close you and Uncle Thirteen have been over the years. Uncle Thirteen has indeed taken a liking to you. I shouldn't be interfering in your life, but you only know that you will become Uncle Thirteen's wife, and you know nothing else. How much do you know about the women in his harem and his children?"

He Yue thought she was talking about Thirteen having three wives and four concubines in the future, so she quickly interrupted her: "Sister, don't worry about that. You know I've never been very concerned about matters between men and women. Thirteen is good to me right now, and I'm willing to believe in his sincerity for the time being. At least I can still have some warmth here instead of being all alone. If he betrays me in the future and touches other women, I will naturally no longer care about him."

The Eighth Prince's wife shook her head: "Do you think I don't know that since you entered the manor, the Thirteenth Uncle has doted on you alone? I am gratified by this, and even if the Thirteenth Uncle falls for another woman in the future, I am not too worried."

"What's the reason for that?" Heyue asked, like a curious child.

"Do you know that in history, the Thirteenth Prince's favorite wife was Lady Zhaojia?" the Eighth Prince's wife asked, glancing at her sideways.

He Yue shook her head.

How could she possibly know any of this? And what does this have to do with her? She's not the original Zhaojia clan member anymore.

Even if he favored Lady Zhaojia in history, it cannot be denied that he had feelings for himself.

"Historically, the Thirteenth Prince's wife, Lady Zhaojia, bore him two daughters and five sons, making her the most prolific among his many wives and concubines."

He Yue was speechless. Was this a sow?

She subconsciously touched her lower abdomen, and the thought of having to give birth to so many children like a sow sent chills down her spine. She vowed to herself that she would never have so many children; she didn't want to be a sow who only knew how to give birth.

The Eighth Princess ignored her expressive face and continued casually, "Although there are many women in the inner courtyard, it is enough that Lady Zhaojia has been favored for so many years. In the eyes of other women, she is extremely happy. If things continue like this, she will have many children and grandchildren and will have no other desires."