He Yue nodded: "If it really is Thirteen's child, why would she worry? At that time, it was Thirteen's first child after all. No matter what, I could not easily take action. She couldn't possibly not know that. Her actions were clearly out of guilt."

She was certain that if Thirteen had even the slightest suspicion, he would not keep the child. So she let the palace know, and in order to cover up this scandal, Thirteen would be forced to keep the child.

But look at how she looked just now, where is that scheming? She was clearly a desperate, panicked little woman.

“What the Lady says is absolutely right. If that is truly the case, then this Wusu woman is simply unforgivable!” Granny Wang’s eyes turned cold.

"Has the Thirteenth Prince had any doubts?" Granny Wang asked again.

He Yue nodded: "He knows."

Granny Wang breathed a sigh of relief: "Things have come to this point, so there's no need for you to think too much about it, Madam. With this reason, and the fact that Lady Wusu gave birth to a daughter, the Thirteenth Prince will definitely not look at her again. This is a good thing for you, Madam."

“But I don’t want to let this slide. I have to find out the truth.” He Yue shook her head, her expression resolute.

Granny Wang frowned: "That princess wants to..."

He Yue smiled slightly: "Since Wu Su doesn't seem to be a scheming person, the only one who could have given her advice is Qiu Ling, who is closest to her. And her pleading today clearly shows that she cares a lot about Qiu Ling. There must be some secret between them, or it may be more than just a good master-servant relationship."

Granny Wang frowned in confusion. He Yue knew that people in ancient times might not have thought of such a thing, but this was only He Yue's guess, and she still needed to confirm it.

So Heyue grasped Wang Mama's hand, tilted her head back, and said with bright eyes, "Mama, I'd like to trouble you to send someone to investigate the past between Wusu and Qiuling."

Wang Mama nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, Madam, this old servant will definitely find out the truth."

"Also, let's not kick Qiu Ling out for now. Lock her in the woodshed and interrogate her to see if we can get anything out of her." He Yue paused, then shook her head: "No, no, Thirteen once arrested and interrogated her, but she denied everything. It seems she is extremely loyal to the Wusu clan. Ordinary coercion may not work."

After thinking for a while, Heyue whispered something to Granny Wang.

Granny Wang's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, Madam, this old servant will definitely take care of it."

Three days later, Thirteen's letter arrived, containing some observations from his southern tour, as well as his longing for Heyue. He mentioned that he had bought some trinkets for her and the children and had them sent back.

He even asked her if she missed him, how the baby was, and who it looked like. He felt heartbroken and guilty for leaving her to face the pain of childbirth alone, and told Heyue not to be angry with him. He promised that when they got back, he would let her hit or scold him as she pleased and would never fight back.

He Yue thought to herself, "He speaks so nicely, but when he comes back, I'll definitely punish him properly and forbid him from entering the room for a month."

After thinking for a moment, he decided not to tell him about the Wusu family matter, and decided to investigate it first.

In her reply, she only said that she and her child were doing well, much more at ease than when he was there, and that there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

Thinking of how angry he would be when he saw the letter, Heyue couldn't help but smile.

Hmph, let him worry a bit.

In addition, he was instructed to be careful outside and not to get hurt again. If he got another wound, he would be punished by having to sleep in the study by himself for one night. That was all.

After thinking for a moment, he put ink on the two children's little hands, pressed their handprints at the end of the letter, and then sealed it with a smile. He then had the messenger deliver the letter that same day.

At the beginning of Shenshi (3-5 PM), Heyue was looking through the trinkets that Shisan had brought back when Wang Mama hurriedly came in and whispered, "Madam, Qiuling has gone."

He Yue raised her eyebrows, glanced at Wang Mama, and a look of surprise flashed across her face: "Oh? How did you get there?"

"The wound worsened, and he couldn't withstand it."

"What did she say?"

Granny Wang leaned close to Heyue's ear and whispered something.

He Yue frowned and waved her hand: "Give them twenty taels of silver and have them carried out for burial. What bad luck."

Granny Wang responded and left.

Heyue beckoned to Hailan, who leaned closer in confusion. After hearing Heyue's instructions, Hailan blinked and asked, "Madam, is this alright?"

"Whether it works or not, we have to try. Just do as I say." He Yue smiled.

Hailan nodded and left.

Next, Heyue waited patiently for the snake to emerge from its hole.

However, news came that evening that the eldest princess was ill.

"I never imagined that someone as gentle as Wusu could be so ruthless, not even sparing a child," sighed Granny Wang.

"Go and fetch a doctor. Make sure the eldest princess is safe. Also, bring the eldest princess here and have someone watch over Wusu. Don't let her leave the room." Heyue coldly instructed Hailan.

Seeing Heyue's angry expression, Granny Wang moved her lips but ultimately said nothing.

He clenched his fist in a huff, secretly harboring resentment.

Fifteen minutes later, the child was brought over, his cheeks and body burning hot, and he had fallen into a coma.

Even if He Yue had disliked her before, she would have been heartless to treat such a young child. I don’t know where Wu Su Shi got such a cruel heart.

This is her own flesh and blood; even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs.

Heyue instructed that the eldest princess be placed on the couch in the west side room. The doctor was brought in, and Heyue gestured for him to dispense with the formalities: "Quickly examine the child."

The doctor glanced at the child, frowned, and sat down without saying a word to take the princess's pulse.

After a moment, he stood up and bowed: "Your Highness, the child's fever is too high and he needs to be given medicine as soon as possible. However, the child is too young, and if the medicine is given, there may be aftereffects."

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