"You little rascal!" He Yue chuckled as he tickled her, and kissed him several times on the cheek.

Hongxiao kept giggling.

Just then, someone rushed in from outside.

Hailan went out to ask, and when she came back, she excitedly shouted, "Madam, the master is back!"

He Yue beamed with joy, picked up Hong Xiao, and went out to greet him.

Thirteen strode in and happily hugged Heyue: "Heyue, Heyue, I'm back."

"Why did you suddenly come back?" He Yue asked, both happy and puzzled.

Isn't Emperor Kangxi still ill? Why isn't the Thirteenth Prince attending to him at Changchun Garden?

Thirteen took Hongxiao from him, held him in his arms and played with him for a while, then went into the side room with Heyue, sat on the couch, and slowly told her the whole story.

"Father is feeling better now. He said he misses Hongtun and asked me to come back and bring Hongtun to keep him company."

Did Emperor Kangxi order Hongtun to go to Changchun Garden?

Although Thirteen said that Kangxi was feeling better, Heyue did not believe it. Historically, Kangxi died in this year, so how could he be feeling better?

Judging from how happy Thirteenth Prince was, he probably really thought that Kangxi was feeling better.

Could it be that Kangxi knew his illness was serious but didn't want his sons to know, so he kept it from the thirteenth prince and had Hongtun taken away?

Emperor Kangxi had always favored Hongtun, and since Hongtun was almost twelve years old, it wouldn't be a problem for him to attend to Emperor Kangxi when he was ill, so Heyue didn't think much of it.

"Hongli is also in Changchun Garden. The two brothers are looking after each other. Hongtun will be fine, and Father Emperor's illness will recover soon."

Thirteen, fearing that Heyue would be reluctant to part with him, held Heyue's hand and comforted her.

Last year, Hongli, a prince from the Yong Prince's Mansion, was brought to the palace by Emperor Kangxi. It is said that Emperor Kangxi liked Hongli very much and personally took him under his wing to teach him.

Just like the deposed crown prince of the past.

During this year's hunting expedition beyond the Great Wall, Hongli performed exceptionally well, which pleased Emperor Kangxi greatly.

There are rumors that Emperor Kangxi intends to make Hongli the crown prince.

He Yue scoffed. Ever since the Empress Dowager passed away, Kangxi's health had been deteriorating day by day. No matter what, Kangxi would not make a child the crown prince at this time.

How is that different from what Emperor Kangxi did back then?

Almost every elderly person would prefer to have their children by their side when they are sick, especially when they have a group of sons watching them closely.

The current Emperor Kangxi is just an ordinary old man, and he also has a soft side.

Of course, if it is said that Kangxi intended to make Prince Yong the crown prince because of his appreciation for Hongli, then Heyue would believe it to some extent.

Whether Emperor Kangxi's will was real or fake remains a mystery.

But He Yue believed that Thirteen was not the kind of person who would murder his father for the sake of his brother.

If Prince Yong really did such a thing, the Thirteenth Prince would certainly not help Prince Yong harm his other brothers.

"I'll stay at the manor tonight and return to Changchun Garden tomorrow morning. I probably won't have time to come back to see you again. Take good care of yourself at the manor, okay?" Thirteen was very reluctant to part with Heyue.

These days, though he is at Changchun Garden, his heart has already flown back to the mansion. He thinks of Heyue and the children all the time, wondering how they are doing.

Seeing that we had just reunited, only to have to part again tomorrow morning, I felt extremely sad.

Heyue nodded, seemingly unaffected: "Anyway, you've been away for so many days and I and the child have been fine. You can just stay at Changchun Garden from now on and don't worry about me and the child."

These words were originally meant to comfort Thirteen.

But Thirteen didn't feel good about it.

So, all this time he's been missing his wife so much his heart is aching, and this heartless woman doesn't miss him at all?

She's perfectly fine even though I wasn't there?

Knowing that she would be returning to Changchun Garden the next day, she didn't feel any sense of loss or reluctance at all.

Thirteen gritted his teeth, wishing he could drag her over and beat her up.

He's such a simpleton!

Heyue completely misunderstood Thirteen's thoughts. Although she missed Thirteen these days, she didn't feel that kind of heart-wrenching pain from not being able to see him.

After all, Thirteen's visit to Changchun Garden was official business, and he had no choice in the matter.

Heyue is not the type of woman who absolutely needs her husband's company.

The fact that Thirteen was away for a while had absolutely no impact on Heyue.

When I learned that he was coming back, I only felt a faint joy.

Hongchang and the others hadn't seen Thirteen for a long time and missed him dearly. When they learned that Thirteen had returned, they all flocked to the main room.

After paying their respects, the younger children rushed forward and hugged Thirteen's legs, acting coquettishly: "Father, Father, why did it take you so long to come back? Hongmu/Yaya missed you so much! Now that you're back, you won't leave again, right?"

Thirteen patted the children's heads, feeling a warmth in her heart. Instead of answering their questions, she asked, "Have you been well-behaved these days? Have you upset your mother in any way?"

"Your children have always listened to Mother!" Hongmu and Tongya shouted in unison.

Thirteen smiled with relief: "That's good. Tomorrow, Father will return to Changchun Garden. Hongtun will go to the palace with Father to see your Imperial Grandfather. The rest of you will stay at home with Mother and not run around, understand?"

Although the imperial physician said that the Emperor would recover soon, Thirteen was still worried, since Eighth Brother and the others were keeping a close eye on things, just waiting for something to happen to the Emperor.

Thirteen was truly worried about his children.

"Father, why is it my second brother?" Hongchang complained. "I miss my grandfather too. Why don't you take me to visit him?"

After saying that, Tiao glanced at Hongtun defiantly.

Hongtun smiled faintly, ignoring Hongchang's provocation: "I understand."

Thirteen shook his head: "You don't need to go. Your grandfather only selected Hongtun. Also, you are the eldest brother. These days, your father is not here. You need to stay home and protect your mother and younger siblings, understand?"

Hongchang was initially very dissatisfied with this arrangement and wanted to say something, but seeing his father's solemn expression, he knew that his father was serious and would not change his mind, so he reluctantly agreed: "Alright, Father, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of Mother and my younger siblings."

Although he was very dissatisfied with his second brother winning the favor of the Emperor, Hongchang suppressed his dissatisfaction and resentment.

The family had dinner, and the children went home.

Only Heyue and her husband, Thirteen, remained in the main room.

The maid went in to tidy up the bedding and prepare hot water for a bath.

Once everything was tidied up, the maids left.

Heyue and Shisan went inside to rest.

After a long time apart, Heyue once again experienced Thirteen's excessive enthusiasm.

Throughout the night, Thirteen vented his longing and dissatisfaction to the fullest.

But it tired Heyue.

He Yue finally realized the anger that Thirteen was suppressing, and was filled with confusion and annoyance.

The next morning, while Heyue was still lying in bed unable to get up, Thirteen had already taken Hongtun out of the mansion to Changchun Garden.

At the beginning of the Si hour, Heyue finished washing and dressing with the help of her maid.

Hongchang and the others had already come to pay their respects before this, but Heyue did not let them in and asked Hailan to take them back.

Thinking of this, He Yue couldn't help but feel embarrassed, wondering how those little brats would laugh at her.

It's all Thirteen's fault!

On the way back, Tongya asked Tongxuan in confusion, "Second sister, what's wrong with Mother? Is she sick? Why didn't you call a doctor?"