The Thirteenth Prince's handsome face darkened, his brows furrowed into a knot, and after a long while, seemingly unable to speak, he turned his face away from her and stammered, "Will you... will you always treat me this well?"
Huh? He Yue looked at his shy, timid, and somewhat awkward and nervous appearance and found it quite amusing: "Of course, if anyone bullies you, I will definitely stand up for you!"
She patted her small chest, her expression firm and her eyes serious.
Before, one could ignore such a person, but now that one has acknowledged them as someone to protect, He Yue cannot allow others to bully them.
“Remember what you said!” The Thirteenth Prince turned around, smiled, his eyes sparkling, and stared at her intently.
Without giving it much thought, He Yue arrogantly raised her chin: "I always keep my word."
After saying that, he swung his arm and went back.
The thirteenth prince chased after him with a broad smile.
Catching up with Heyue, the Thirteenth Prince turned his head to look at her fair and jade-like face and her curved eyebrows. Though his words were soft, they were full of confidence: "Don't worry, I will protect you from now on."
He Yue turned to look at him in surprise, momentarily dazed.
From her past life to the present, the only person who has ever said this to her is her older sister.
Hearing those words again now evoked a surge of emotion within me.
Although she didn't need anyone's protection, and she didn't know if his words were impulsive or just casual remarks, it didn't diminish the joy and emotion she felt upon hearing them.
"I've got it." He Yue looked into those clear, sincere black eyes with eyes full of bright joy, and her smile radiated from her heart.
※
Mid-Autumn Festival night, August 15th.
Heyue still accompanied her family to the palace to attend the palace banquet.
Because Emperor Kangxi was still in the northern frontier, the Mid-Autumn Festival that year was somewhat simple.
Because the emperor was not present during the Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace this year, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.
The palace banquet was hosted by the Empress Dowager and the four concubines. This year, Wanyan Luocha was demoted due to some incident and did not enter the palace. As a result, the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet went smoothly this year, and there were no more Wanyan Mingshuang and her ilk causing trouble.
Yan Yue even mocked Wan Yan Ming Shuang, saying that people who are too arrogant will indeed suffer the consequences.
What happened to Wanyan Mingshuang was none of Heyue's business, and Heyue was indifferent to the matter.
Yan Yue then spoke of Yi Duli: "You said that before, when Yi Duli was studying, we couldn't see him, and I accepted that. But now that he's in the palace, we're so far away and still can't talk to him. I see that Yi Duli has lost a lot of weight. I wonder how tired he's been these days. Studying is indeed hard work."
Following her sixth sister's gaze, Heyue saw Yiduli sitting silently by the civil officials' side, with her uncle Yisanga beside her.
It had been a long time since I'd seen him. He looked a bit whiter and thinner, and sat there quietly, appearing somewhat silent.
Although he is young, he is already handsome and dashing, making many young girls' hearts flutter.
Isanga was a highly sought-after figure in the court. Like Ma Qi, he was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, but he had more seniority than Ma Qi. Isanga's only legitimate son naturally attracted the covetousness of countless people.
In terms of background, although the sixth sister was not bad, in her aunt's eyes, the educated and beautiful princess was still more appealing.
For example, someone like Yuxiu, who comes from a similar background, is talented and beautiful, and is gentle and dignified.
Heyue sighed. Only Sixth Sister remained oblivious to everything, completely carefree.
However, since Itori left, Sixth Sister has mentioned Itori much more often than usual.
In the past, Sixth Sister never cared as much about Yi Duli as she does now.
Heyue smiled as she looked at her sixth sister, who was resting her chin on her hand in a wistful expression.
Yan Yue noticed her gaze, blinked, touched her face, and asked, puzzled, "Is there something dirty on my face?"
Heyue shook her head, then solemnly pointed a finger at her left cheek: "Sixth Sister has flowers on her face."
Yan Yue was even more confused, looking rather silly in her dazed expression.
"Why does Sixth Sister care so much about Yiduli? Anyway, he has to study. Auntie obviously doesn't want Yiduli to play with us. To avoid upsetting Auntie, we should stop seeing Yiduli."
He Yue put on a serious face and said that she didn't intend to talk about this matter; it was better for Sixth Sister to figure it out herself.
Upon hearing this, Yan Yue puffed out her cheeks angrily, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared fiercely at Yi Duli in the distance: "What's wrong with studying? Is studying something to be proud of? Why can't I talk to him?! If this bastard dares to ignore me, I'll smash his head in!"
Heyue turned her head away and focused on eating, ignoring her sixth sister's anger.
Next, Yan Yue would glare at Yi Duli with a fierce, murderous look from time to time.
Iduli sensed something was wrong. He looked up and met her fierce gaze, but felt a strange unease and couldn't sit still.
The palace banquet was proceeding smoothly for half of the event when Heyue suddenly felt the urge to urinate and left the banquet.
After resolving the matter, Heyue was on her way back when she bumped into a palace maid.
He Yue was knocked back two steps, almost falling to the ground, when she heard a short gasp from the other side.
"Hey, which palace maid are you from?! Are you blind?!" the other person shouted in a shrill voice.
He Yue was annoyed. It was clearly her who had suddenly run out and bumped into her, yet she was the one who accused her first. He Yue was determined to have a serious talk with her. She wasn't some palace maid, and she didn't deserve to be scolded by her at will!
She looked up and saw that the other person was seventeen or eighteen years old, with willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, fair skin, and cherry-red lips. She was dressed in a light orange palace maid's outfit, and her appearance was outstanding.
At this moment, she was glaring at Heyue with a displeased expression.
Seeing that Heyue was young, the woman was slightly taken aback, her expression softened a little, but she remained aloof: "Which palace do you serve in? Why are you running around alone? Be careful someone sees you and you'll be in big trouble."
Sensing that her attitude was not as bad as before, He Yue's anger subsided slightly, but she was unwilling to argue any further. She simply acted obediently and was about to explain that she was not a palace maid and go back.
Before Heyue could speak, the palace maid suddenly frowned and exclaimed, "Oh dear, I forgot about the important matter!"
Just as he was about to walk past Heyue, he suddenly stopped, stared at Heyue for a few moments, and then a clever idea struck him. He smiled and said, "What a coincidence! Go to Yikun Palace and get a cloak for our master. He can't do without me. When you get back to the table, give it to me directly."
Before Heyue could refuse, she turned and hurriedly ran back.
Heyue's black line.
How do I resemble a palace maid?
Wait, that's not right. I'm only ten years old. Where would there be a ten-year-old palace maid in the palace?
He Yue squinted, wondering what this person was up to.
Because Yu Ying and Hai Lan didn't come with her when she came out, He Yue also wanted to see who was plotting against her and what their purpose was, so she found a guard-like person nearby.
"Brother Guard, may I ask where Yikun Palace is?" Heyue smiled innocently. At the age of ten, she was exquisitely beautiful with a sweet voice, easily winning people's favor.
The guard-like man stared at her blankly, remaining silent for a moment.
He Yue asked again, and the guard finally showed a gentle smile: "Little sister, what do you want with Yikun Palace? Are you a member of any household? You can't just wander around in the palace."
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