He Yue paused slightly, stopped in her tracks, and met the man's quiet, complex gaze.

After an unknown amount of time, the person slowly emerged from behind the tree, but did not leave. Instead, he walked up to Heyue.

He Yue gazed at her calmly and without any embarrassment or guilt.

Although the person in front of her had clearly heard the conversation, He Yue had a clear conscience.

She has not wronged anyone, and has no reason to feel guilty.

In the end, it was Xiao Guoluo who spoke first, with a bitter smile on her lips: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen to you."

He Yue was slightly surprised. She had thought that He Yue would question her or scold her, but she did not expect that He Yue would not show any anger or resentment and could speak to her calmly.

Perhaps I didn't understand her, and just treated her like any other jealous woman.

But they forgot that the person in front of them was also the younger sister of the Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Guoluo, and was close to her. Although she was only his cousin, she was also intelligent and perceptive.

He Yue nodded and smiled: "I know."

A hint of hesitation flashed across Xiao Guo Luoshi's face. After a long while, she mustered her courage and looked up, her clear eyes meeting hers: "Can we take a walk?"

Knowing that she had something to say, Heyue did not refuse and nodded in agreement.

The two walked side by side under the moonlight, their shadows stretching long, and all around them was quiet and peaceful.

Xiao Guoluo was a girl from a modest family, gentle and compliant, the kind of woman that men found extremely attractive.

It is said that in the Tenth Prince's residence, Lady Xiao Guoluo was the most favored, and even at palace banquets, he only brought her along.

“I’ve known for a long time that there is a woman in your heart.” Xiao Guoluo’s tone was calm, without the slightest dissatisfaction: “At first, you were determined to marry that woman as your concubine. Even though she later married someone else, you still couldn’t let go of her, but you didn’t dare to get close to her. I know that you are conflicted. You are thinking about her, but you are also afraid of hurting her.”

He Yue was taken aback when she heard her husband bring up the matter in front of her, especially in such a calm tone, about her husband's feelings for another woman. She fell silent for a moment.

I don't know whether to say she's generous or just too naive.

Little Guo Luoshi didn't notice her expression and continued, "I was also jealous and resentful of that woman. I wanted to question her about why she seduced the master and then married someone else. But on what grounds could I question her?"

She was the man's beloved, and no matter what I felt inside, I had to pretend to be indifferent. This feeling was truly painful. Until that day, when I saw that woman—so vibrant and radiant—I finally understood many of the man's thoughts.

She paused, and He Yue understood, but she pursed her lips and did not respond, her heart remaining completely unmoved.

Other people's thoughts are their own business. He Yue asked herself, apart from that time when she agreed to accept the Tenth Prince's proposal to her sister, she had never given him any false impressions after being betrothed to him, and had always kept her distance.

Xiao Guoluo's expression gradually dimmed, but she remained calm. She stopped and looked up at the dappled shadows of the trees and the exquisite, tall palace walls under the moonlight. Her gaze was blank: "When I first met him, I accompanied my cousin to visit the Eighth Prince's residence. I recognized him at first sight. No matter how simple-minded he seemed to outsiders, in my eyes, he was a pure, innocent, and heroic young man. He didn't have many schemes and treated me with a sincere heart."

Afterwards, I became his concubine as I had wished, and he loved visiting my room. We were like an ordinary married couple, and at that time, I was so content, thinking it would be like that forever, until you came along, and everything changed.

Xiao Guoluo looked at Heyue, her eyes filled with no resentment, only a faint sadness: "He still dotes on me exclusively, never wronging me, but there is another woman in his heart, whom he has never had, yet always keeps in his heart."

I don't blame you for stealing my heart. In this world, feelings are the most unpredictable thing. I once thought that I was the only one you truly cared for, but it wasn't until then that I understood the difference between liking and caring.

What's in front of you can be liked and cherished, but what you can't have will be forever etched in your heart, and no one can change that.

He Yue was surprised by Xiao Guoluo's insight and asked with a slight smile, "So?"

Xiao Guoluo smiled faintly, the sadness in her eyes disappearing without a trace, replaced by a clear and firm expression: "Whether the master has you in his heart or not, you are now someone else's wife, and I am by his side. One day, he will forget you. Although I am sad, I am not worried."

"Then I wish you all your dreams come true and a long and happy marriage with the Tenth Prince." He Yue sincerely wished him well, believing that such a person deserved to be treated better.

"Thank you." Little Guo Luoluo smiled gently, her bright eyes sparkling.

The two continued walking back, neither of them speaking again.

Back at the Qianqing Palace, the two returned to their respective seats.

Yuxiu had been looking outside, and when she saw her return, she breathed a sigh of relief and scolded, "Why did you take so long?"

"It was too stuffy inside, so I lingered outside for a while and met the Tenth Prince's concubine, Lady Guo Luoluo. We had a very pleasant conversation."

"Oh?" Yu Xiu raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes showing surprise, and teased in a low voice, "You really are destined to befriend those sisters, one after another."

He smiled gently but remained silent.

The Fourteenth Princess's eyes flickered slightly, and she leaned closer and smiled, "The Thirteenth Sister-in-law is still the most charming. Everyone likes her. The Eighth Sister-in-law has praised her more than once."

Her gaze inadvertently drifted to the Tenth Prince opposite her, her smile meaningful and her words carrying a hidden meaning.

He Yue chuckled lightly and retorted without any politeness: "Those who are hypocritical to others will receive the same hypocrisy in return, and those who are sincere to others will receive the same sincerity in return. I'm sure Fourteenth Sister-in-law knows this."

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