The Empress Dowager adored the two children, and her spirits improved considerably.

"You're a good girl. Have many more children in the future, and it will be a lively and joyous occasion." The Empress Dowager looked at Heyue with affection.

He Yue smiled and agreed, but inwardly she thought, "Does she think I'm a pig?"

Giving birth to two children almost cost her her life; she really didn't want to go through that kind of pain again.

"With Yinxiang away, it must be tough for you to manage the household after just giving birth. I have some good things here; take them back and nourish yourself. Look how thin you are; you must have suffered a lot. For us women, childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell; we must take good care of our bodies so that it will be easier to have more children in the future." The Empress Dowager looked at Heyue with a smile, completely satisfied.

Heyue smiled and said respectfully, "Thank you for your consideration, Grandmother. Your granddaughter-in-law will definitely listen to you and make sure to nourish herself properly."

The Empress Dowager smiled even more happily and said "good" three times in a row.

After all, the Empress Dowager was getting old, so Heyue and the Fourth Prince's wife did not stay long.

Hailan and Chunya left the palace carrying a pile of tonics and similar gifts bestowed by the Empress Dowager. The Fourth Prince's wife then invited Heyue to the Yongjun Prince's residence.

After the Fourth Prince's wife's reaction that time, Heyue was somewhat reluctant to let the Fourth Prince's wife have contact with the children.

Upon further reflection, he realized that no matter what the other party's intentions were, they would never harm the imperial grandson, so he agreed.

Sitting on the couch in the west side room of the main house, playing chess with the Fourth Prince's wife, while Hailan and Chunya looked after the two children in the east side room.

Despite losing everything, He Yue felt no displeasure whatsoever.

"After all these years, your chess skills haven't improved at all," the Fourth Princess Consort sighed, shaking her head.

He Yue rested her chin on her hand and smiled indifferently: "Whether it's good or bad, it's just a matter of my mood. Whether I've made progress or not doesn't matter."

"I remember when you were little, you were naughty. I would confine you to the study to practice calligraphy and read books, but you were naughty and never took it seriously. Even someone as strict as me couldn't do anything with you, so I eventually just let you be."

Hearing her recount what happened back then, Heyue smiled but remained silent, secretly pondering her intentions.

“Even my master has never treated his own daughters this way, yet he cares so much for you. I have never been able to understand it.” The Fourth Princess looked up at her, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

He Yue boldly met her gaze without uttering a word.

Fourth Princess Consort sighed and then smiled: "I thought that the Prince had taken a fancy to you, who was much younger than him, but why did he give you up to the Thirteenth Brother? Later I realized that I was overthinking it."

He Yue pursed her lips slightly and lowered her eyes. She had never cared about these trivial matters before, and she never thought that her relationship with Prince Yong would lead to so much speculation and trouble.

Yu Ying's betrayal, Thirteen's suspicion, Prince Yong's misunderstanding, and the manipulation by the Crown Prince and Eighth Prince's wife were all caused by her carelessness.

It was her indifference and her arrogance that led her to believe that the age difference would prevent any surprises. Little did she know that everyone thought the same way, or that they would use this incident as a point of attack against Prince Yong and the Thirteenth Prince.

Ultimately, there is a difference between men and women, but she never took that word to heart.

The Fourth Prince's wife glanced at her unmoved expression, chuckled, put down a white chess piece, stared at the chessboard, and whispered: "What kind of person is the Master? If he really likes it, he will get it himself. Why would he give it up to someone else? Even if that person is his own brother, so what?"

Later I realized that my father lacked too much family affection. My mother loved my fourteenth brother the most and neglected my father. My father's own sister was more afraid of him than close to him. His children respected him more than others. Only you dared to be so unrestrained with my father.

"I've placed all my love and affection for my younger sister on you. You and my thirteenth brother are both people I hold dear. Moreover, I think what I admire most about you is your boldness and straightforwardness."

Looking at Heyue's gradually calming expression, the Fourth Princess continued, "Becoming the master's woman is not lucky. Being a beloved sister in the master's heart, that is true luck."

"Why would Fourth Sister-in-law say that? Back then, Heyue was ignorant and caused a lot of trouble. It was thanks to Fourth Sister-in-law's help that I was punished many times over by Fourth Brother." Heyue pretended to be puzzled.

"It's probably because you've kept these things in your heart for a long time and want to say them out." Fourth Princess Consort smiled bitterly: "No woman can enter the master's heart. Even Li Shi, the master only favored her, but did not take her to heart. You are more fortunate than us."

Was she lucky? She never thought it was luck; she had been scheming from the very beginning, infiltrating places that Prince Yong was not on guard.

He Yue didn't respond to this, because she had nothing to say.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

A series of light, messy footsteps suddenly rang out, and Hongshi, dissuaded by his nanny, ran in with his short legs.

"Mother, Mother..." The little body ran to the Fourth Princess's side, hugged her leg, and called out in a childish voice.

Heyue clearly caught a glimpse of disgust flashing in the Fourth Princess's eyes, which vanished in an instant before returning to its loving state. She reached out and picked up Hongshi, placing him on her lap, and asked with a smile, "Hongshi, what brings you here?"

Hongshi opened his round eyes and looked at Heyue curiously for a few moments before obediently replying, "If Second Brother won't play with Hongshi, Mother will play with Hongshi, okay?" He grabbed Fourth Princess's sleeve with his little hands and looked up at her expectantly.

"Your second brother is not well, and your mother is talking to your thirteenth aunt. How about letting the maids and nannies keep you company?" Fourth Princess Consort gently persuaded him.

Hongshi looked at Heyue across from him, his brows furrowing, but he still nodded reluctantly: "Okay."

Then he climbed off Fourth Prince's wife and ran out again.

He Yuexin thought to herself, "Hongshi was quite cute when he was little."

Looking at the Fourth Princess Consort, she still had a gentle demeanor, showing no displeasure whatsoever, but just now she clearly showed her displeasure at Hongshi's intimacy.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!