Hongtun said everything was fine, and although the trip was fraught with danger, it was still worthwhile.

Heyue learned about his journey from his son.

It turned out that when they were traveling back to the capital by water, they encountered a group of villains. Their boat was punctured, and the villains killed everyone on board. Fortunately, Hongli and Hongtun jumped into the water in time and escaped the disaster, but they still had to recuperate for several days.

He Yue listened with trepidation, but kept feeling relieved that Hongtun and Hongli had returned safely.

“Oh, right, Mother.” Hongtun suddenly remembered something and said, “There was someone who seemed to know Father and Mother. He kept saying that if anyone was to blame, it was because I was Father and Mother’s son, and that Father and Mother should also taste the bitterness of losing their beloved.”

He Yue was stunned.

What kind of people harbor such deep hatred towards them?

That evening, Heyue thought carefully and finally thought of someone. She suddenly sat up, startling Thirteen who was beside her.

"What's wrong?" Thirteen asked in surprise, and held her shoulder.

"I've got it!" He Yue excitedly grasped Thirteen's hand: "I've figured out who wanted to kill Hong Tun, it's Li Shaoqiu!"

Upon hearing this, Thirteen's eyes sharpened: "How do you know?"

He Yue repeated Hong Tun's words, murmuring, "He's not dead yet. He escaped back then, and because we returned to the capital, we forgot about him. Speaking of Jiangnan, he's our only enemy. He's here to avenge Ping Gu!"

When Pinggu was taken to the capital and beheaded, only Li Shaoqiu escaped. Li Shaoqiu had feelings for Pinggu, so how could he not seek revenge?

A shadow crossed Thirteen's eyes, and he clenched his fists: "I won't let him get away with this!"

Anyone who wants to harm his son should be prepared to pay the price.

"Tomorrow I will request permission to go to Jiangnan to suppress bandits and take the opportunity to find Li Shaoqiu. Such a person cannot be allowed to live any longer."

Although Heyue didn't quite agree and was worried about him getting hurt, she thought again that he had already been through the battlefield, so what could a small place like Jiangnan do to him? So she didn't object anymore.

The Fourth Prince Hongli was also among those harmed. Naturally, Yongzheng could not refuse and was eager to get rid of this group of rebels as soon as possible. He immediately dispatched two thousand elite Eight Banner troops, led by the Thirteenth Prince, to Jiangnan.

This trip lasted for half a year.

During this time, some things also happened in the capital.

Ruoyu went back to her parents' home.

Yan Yue visited He Yue and talked about Ruo Yu.

"Niohuru was pregnant before. Because Ruoyu had always been favored, Niohuru framed Ruoyu for plotting to harm the child in her womb, which almost caused her to miscarry. The evidence was conclusive, and Prince Guo, in a fit of anger, confined Ruoyu to her quarters."

Ruoyu was wronged, and no matter how much she cried out for justice, it was useless. She tried every means to see Prince Guo, but she never had the chance. Yesterday morning, Ruoyu's cat died suddenly after eating Ruoyu's snacks. Ruoyu was terrified, so she tried every means to escape. She wanted to ask you to help her.

"I can't interfere in other matters, but Ruoyu almost lost her life. I can't ignore it. No matter what, Niohuru cannot harm Ruoyu."

If it is true that Niohuru was jealous of Ruoyu's favor with the emperor and thus harbored malicious intentions, then as Ruoyu's aunt, Heyue could not ignore the situation.

However, there are some things that Heyue needs to clarify.

In her opinion, poisoning someone simply out of jealousy for the concubine's favor is going too far.

He Yue understood Ruoyu's personality and naturally wouldn't draw conclusions easily. It wouldn't be good if this matter damaged the brotherly relationship between Thirteen and Prince Guo.

"Bring Ruoyu here. I have something to ask her myself." Heyue said seriously.

Yan Yue sensed something was wrong and quickly agreed, sending someone back to the manor to invite Ruo Yu over.

When I saw Ruoyu again, she looked much more haggard and had lost her former liveliness and cuteness. She was so fierce and unruly that it made me feel even more sorry for her.

Upon seeing Heyue, Ruoyu knelt down in tears and pleaded with her, "Auntie, please help Ruoyu! I beg you."

Having watched Ruoyu grow up, Heyue still had feelings for her. She reached out to help her up, took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears on her face, and said softly, "Tell me what's on your mind."

Ruoyu sat beside Heyue, nestled affectionately into Heyue's arms, and sobbed as she poured out her grievances.

"Ever since Ruoyu entered the Prince Guo's mansion, the prince has doted on her. Whenever he greets the primary wife, she often makes things difficult for me, forcing me to kneel as punishment, copy Buddhist scriptures, and even bullying the maids in my courtyard."

I was indignant and told the master about it. Not only did he not believe me, but he also said that I was arrogant because of his favor and disrespectful to my stepmother. That's why the primary wife took the opportunity to punish me. The master also said that it was normal for the primary wife to punish the women in the inner quarters, and told me not to take it to heart.

After that, the primary wife made things even more difficult for me, and I dared not tell the prince anymore, for fear that he would hate me. I thought I was just suffering some grievances, but I never expected that the primary wife would become pregnant and then plot to frame me, making the prince mistakenly believe that I was plotting to harm the royal offspring.

How could I possibly have the guts? It's a pity that the master believed the wife's words and has never stepped into my room again, nor will he listen to my explanations. Now, the wife has even tried to poison me. Aunt, you love Ruoyu the most, please save Ruoyu!"

Ruoyu nestled in Heyue's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

After Ruoyu had cried herself out, Heyue wiped away her tears, called a maid to wash her face, and then sat her down again. Only then did Heyue solemnly ask, "Ruoyu, your aunt is asking you a question. You must answer honestly."

Ruoyu nodded blankly: "Aunt, please speak."

Heyue and her sixth sister exchanged a glance before she asked, "Since you married Prince Guo, have you ever been disrespectful to the Niohuru clan?"

Ruoyu's eyes flickered, but she hurriedly shook her head: "No, no, how could Ruoyu be disrespectful to her stepmother?"

Under He Yue's stern gaze, Ruoyu's voice grew softer and softer. After she finished speaking, she lowered her head and dared not look at He Yue.

He Yue smiled coldly: "Ruoyu, you should know that sometimes you can make amends if you say or do the wrong thing, but once you become stubborn and keep making the same mistake, neither your aunt nor your mother can help you."

Seeing that she was still silent with her head down, Heyue softened her tone: "Ruoyu, I am your aunt, I will not harm you. You can tell me the truth, and your aunt can help you as much as possible. If you don't tell the truth, I will not care anymore."

Ruoyu hurriedly looked up, her eyes pleading, "Aunt, please don't refuse to help me, Ruoyu begs you!"

"Then tell me the truth, did you disrespect the primary wife?"

Ruoyu hesitated for a moment, fiddling with her clothes, and whispered, "Yes..."

He Yue breathed a sigh of relief, while Yan Yue angrily pointed her index finger at Ruo Yu's forehead: "I told you to respect the mistress and behave yourself, but you ignored me completely, didn't you? Do you still think you're a pampered young lady from your family? What primary wife would tolerate a favored concubine climbing over her head? No wonder she's trying to harm you like this!"

Ruoyu pouted, looking aggrieved: "She gave me a hard time the day after my wedding to the Prince, I was just resentful..."