The Twelfth Prince's smile vanished instantly, his gentle demeanor fading, his eyes turning deep and serious: "Thirteenth Brother, don't joke! I've always known Pinggu's character well; she would never harm anyone!"

Thirteen had anticipated this reaction and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I would rather believe that everyone around Twelfth Brother is as virtuous as him, but this happened at Twelfth Brother's residence, and Heyue ate the bird's nest she gave her. She almost miscarried the day after returning to the residence, so I have to be suspicious. In the end, Pinggu is not Twelfth Brother. I believe in Twelfth Brother, but I can't believe in others."

"You say that your sister-in-law got into trouble because she ate the bird's nest that Aunt Ping gave her, but do you have any evidence? If you conclude that Aunt Ping was responsible because of this, I will be the first to not believe it. Not to mention that Aunt Ping has no grudge against your sister-in-law and has no reason to frame her, the bird's nest was sent by Aunt Ping because I was grateful that your sister-in-law visited Yuxiu and was considerate of her pregnancy. Are you going to suspect me, Thirteenth Brother?"

Thirteen frowned: "Twelfth Brother, I never doubted you..."

“If that’s the case, then stop talking. If you don’t have any evidence, Thirteenth Brother, then find some before you speak. I will not protect you then!” Twelfth Prince interrupted him without any mercy.

Having said all that, Thirteen knew that continuing the conversation would be pointless and would only damage their brotherly relationship, so he had no choice but to give up.

After drinking tea and chatting for a while, Thirteen took his leave. Before leaving, he still advised, "I didn't say this without reason. I hope Twelfth Brother will investigate carefully. Otherwise, if she can harm Heyue today, who knows if she will do the same to others in the future? Twelfth Brother has more than just Twelfth Brother in your household."

After saying this, seeing the Twelfth Prince frowning and deep in thought, she left.

Back at the mansion, it was already late afternoon. Heyue was sitting on the daybed in the side room, propping her head up with one hand, listening to Hailan read aloud with a bored expression.

When he returned, she lazily didn't get up to greet him.

Hailan stopped reading, breathed a sigh of relief, bowed to Thirteen, and left the room with Chun Ya.

Thirteen sat down on the other side of the daybed, observing her complexion. Her expression eased slightly, and she asked with a smile, "Feeling better?"

Heyue nodded and complained, "I told them I was fine, but they just wouldn't let me go out."

"So you let Hailan study for you?" Thirteen raised an eyebrow and replied.

He Yue didn't seem to care: "What's wrong?"

"You know perfectly well that your girl doesn't like studying either, just like you, yet you force her like this. You really are a bullying master." Thirteen rested his chin on his hands, gazing at Heyue's face, his eyes crinkling with a hearty smile.

He Yue glanced at him sideways, her tone quite resentful: "Hmph, you all have the guts to stop me from going out all day, what's wrong with letting me read a book for a while? Besides, if the baby in my belly listens, it will become smarter when it is born."

Thirteen paused for a moment, frowned and pondered, then nodded in realization, his interest piqued: "That makes sense. Then I'll study with you whenever I have time, how about that? Our son will definitely be the smartest in the future."

"What if it's a daughter?" Seeing his satisfied expression, Heyue snorted, dissatisfied.

"As for daughters, all they need to do is be beautiful, as beautiful as you. But they also need to be able to fight like you so they won't be bullied. There's no need for them to learn these things that restrict their freedom," Thirteen said without hesitation.

The displeasure on Heyue's face disappeared, and she immediately smiled broadly, nodding seriously: "It seems that you are quite qualified as a father."

“How can it be considered acceptable? I am the best father in the world.” Thirteen immediately objected and retorted.

Heyue didn't hold it against him, and instead asked him, "Why are you so late today?"

Thirteen looked away and said, "It's nothing. I just went to my fourth brother's house for a while."

He Yue didn't believe it at all.

What kind of person is he? With a flick of her finger, Heyue knew whether he was telling the truth or not, and her face immediately darkened: "Fine, if you don't tell me, don't even think about coming into my room tonight!"

Thirteen's expression changed, and he looked miserable, repeatedly begging for mercy: "Alright, alright, I'll say it, okay!"

He Yue gave a soft hum, her face still sullen, waiting for his reply.

"I just went to my twelfth brother's residence," Thirteen said hesitantly.

He Yuexin said, "Indeed."

He Yue learned from Hai Lan that Thirteen had asked about her whereabouts yesterday, and seeing that he hadn't returned for a long time today, she guessed that he had gone to Twelfth Prince's place.

"But what did you find out?" Heyue asked immediately.

Seeing her like this, Thirteen no longer concealed it and told her what Twelfth Prince had said.

He Yue frowned: "So, the Twelfth Prince trusts this Ping Gu quite a bit. He wouldn't easily believe this without evidence."

Thirteen nodded and glanced at her: "I originally thought you were weak, so I didn't tell you. Who knew you would be so persistent? It's not appropriate for you to get involved in this matter. It's better for me to handle it. I will definitely not let such a vicious person go."

He Yue ignored his advice and frowned in thought: "I still wonder about her motives. I have never had any interaction with her, so why would she want to harm the child in my womb?"

"Don't think too much about it, just rest well. We can't do anything to her for now. Just don't go to your twelfth brother's house for the time being, lest she do something to you again. As for your twelfth brother, besides him, only Su Ma La Gu knows about Ping Gu's affairs. I will advise your twelfth brother to investigate this Ping Gu."

He Yue nodded; she had no other choice.

"What did the imperial physician say about my pulse diagnosis today?" Thirteen asked her hurriedly, remembering this matter.

Upon hearing this, He Yue smiled, clearly pleased: "There is some good news."

"What's the joy about?" Thirteen asked, glancing at Heyue's belly, completely baffled.

Isn't the joy already in her belly? What other joyous news could there be?

He Yue thought to herself, "I wonder how he'll react when he finds out. I'm really looking forward to seeing his expression."

After a moment of hesitation, she slowly said, "The imperial physician said..." Seeing him staring at her expectantly with a nervous expression, He Yue smiled and, without continuing, beckoned him over, "Come here for a moment."

Seeing her rarely show such a gentle demeanor, and with a captivating charm in her eyes, Thirteen was instantly mesmerized. He got up, walked over, and sat down beside her.

As she came close to him, her faint fragrance wafting over, the Thirteenth Prince's eyes narrowed, he swallowed hard, and forced himself to endure.

Since He Yue became pregnant, Thirteen has not touched her for a long time. With his beloved by his side and so tempting, how could he resist?

"He-Heyue, you-you sit down first." Thirteen's eyes darted away as he reached out to push her, but he didn't dare to use force, and he stammered.

He Yue chuckled, reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips closer to his.

Thirteen could no longer utter a word. He stared straight at her face, which was getting closer and closer until he could see the pores on her cheeks clearly. His gaze gradually became intense.

Just as he instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, itching to pounce on her like a tiger, He Yue's lips brushed against his, then moved to his ear and whispered something.

Thirteen sat there motionless, as if struck by lightning, oblivious to the strange sensations within her body.

After a long while, she finally turned her gaze to Heyue, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Really...really?"