The Fourth Prince sighed helplessly, but tolerated her rudeness: "Back then, I begged the Empress Dowager to grant you to the Thirteenth Prince. Do you resent me for that? All these years, you haven't given birth to a single child. Is it because you harbor resentment?"
What is this? She felt completely confused and couldn't understand his words at all.
What does it matter to him whether she has children or not?
"If I had known you had feelings for me, I would never have forced you to marry Thirteen. Even if I had no feelings for you, I could have at least fulfilled your wish and made your life smooth. Instead, I have caused you so much suffering."
Heyue:......
Wait, could he have misunderstood something? What do you mean by her having feelings for him? What do you mean by causing her so much suffering?
What is she suffering from?
The Fourth Prince continued, "I thought you were still young and there were some things you couldn't understand. I thought you would forget those feelings you shouldn't have and live a good life with the Thirteenth Prince after some time. But I never expected you to care so much about me."
I always thought the Fourth Prince was a cold and aloof person, but I never expected him to be such an imaginative person. It's amazing that he could misunderstand me to this extent.
But how did he realize that she was interested in him? He Yue asked herself, she had never shown any such intention.
I've always treated him like an older brother.
Could it be that I did something wrong to cause him to think that way?
Hmm, that's possible.
After all, I've always been careless, and there are some things I haven't paid attention to.
Thinking about it this way, I can't blame him; I misled him.
It seems we should keep our distance from each other more in the future.
He Yue silently warned herself.
"Um, Fourth Master, you may have misunderstood. I have no such thoughts. Can you let me go now?" He Yue intended to explain to him.
This pose is both awkward and ambiguous.
The Fourth Prince glanced at her again, and then actually let her go. He sighed helplessly, "Forget it, I was really confused. Why did I have to drag you down to hell? Just pretend that nothing happened today, live a good life with the Thirteenth Prince, and don't betray his feelings for you."
Honestly, he's the one spouting nonsense, and he's the one advising me. He's said everything, and I've become the one who's unfaithful in the relationship.
He Yue broke free from him, stood up, straightened her clothes, and smiled faintly: "Fourth Master, rest assured, Thirteenth Brother and I are deeply in love, and I would never have any feelings for another. Fourth Master is really too worried. Fourth Brother must have been too heartbroken today and lost his mind to say such things. Once Fourth Brother has calmed down, he will definitely regret what he said."
The Fourth Prince's lips twitched, and he gave her a deep look without saying a word.
He Yue gave a casual curtsy and said, "He Yue takes her leave." Then, without looking back, she pushed open the door and walked out.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, I didn't do anything wrong, otherwise if Thirteen found out in the future, he would be so jealous he would kick over the jar.
A few days later, Physician Sun came to examine Honghui again and found that it was indeed smallpox, as red rashes had appeared on his body. Although the number was small, it was still alarming.
Initially, because it was just a fever and no rash appeared, it went unnoticed.
Heyue didn't see many red rashes at the time, and although she suspected it, she couldn't be sure.
After Judge Sun came last time, the mansion was already under quarantine. All the people who used to serve Honghui were locked in a separate courtyard, and everything used in the house was burned.
The Fourth Prince's wife then found several servants who had survived smallpox from elsewhere, offering them generous rewards to serve Honghui closely.
Things were arranged in an orderly manner, but the fatigue and worry on the Fourth Prince's face only increased.
After all, this is no ordinary illness; it's a battle against death. Whether Honghui can pull through depends on him.
The current emperor also contracted smallpox. He survived, but not everyone can.
Heyue continued to visit the Fourth Prince's wife every day, and even though she couldn't help, she could keep her company and offer her some comfort.
The Fourth Prince also visited several times, but his expression remained indifferent, showing no sign of worry.
He Yue thought to herself, wondering if men are just naturally more hard-hearted than women, or if the Fourth Prince was just too good at pretending.
If it's the latter, then he's the only legitimate son, so what's the point of pretending? It's just a matter of saving face at the cost of suffering!
Adding to what happened that day, Heyue had been ignoring him ever since.
The Fourth Prince acted as if nothing had happened, speaking to her as usual and even having Physician Sun examine her pulse. Once he confirmed there was nothing wrong, he prevented her from approaching Honghui's courtyard again and told her to go back and rest well.
He Yue gritted her teeth in anger, "You're just pretending nothing happened. I suffered for nothing."
Even though nothing happened, he still got the upper hand verbally, and I was wronged for nothing. How could I not be angry?
Fourth Prince's wife also advised her: "You've done your best these days. After all, you're young, and your health is the most important thing. Otherwise, when Thirteenth Uncle comes back and sees how thin you've become, he'll be heartbroken. It's not too late for you to come see Honghui after he's better."
Heyue had never had smallpox and, being a woman who valued her life, didn't have the courage to get close to Honghui. She also never came into contact with the people who served Honghui. She simply accompanied the Fourth Prince's wife in the main house and prayed for Honghui in her heart. Their actions seemed like an overreaction.
"If you're bored, you can go sit in my study and read a book." He Yue, who hadn't paid much attention before, immediately fell silent after hearing the Fourth Prince's sudden words and slunk away.
What a joke! After that incident, how could she dare to go near the Fourth Prince's study?
The Fourth Prince's wife didn't think much of it.
Before leaving, Heyue accidentally caught a glimpse of the Fourth Prince's smiling eyes, immediately understood, and stormed off in a huff.
How cunning!
That outward indifference was all an act!
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