Thirteen's expression changed slightly at the shock of her resolute tone, and she quickly softened her voice: "Okay, Heyue, let's talk this out. You can't just say you're ignoring me like that!"
He Yue ignored his pitiful state and remained cold: "I'm not joking with you. Don't think that just because the Emperor favors you now, you can do whatever you want. You have so many brothers, none of whom are weaker than you, and none of them don't have their own ambitions. There's also the Crown Prince above you. If you continue like this, you might become a thorn in someone's side and be removed! If you still care about my safety and the safety of the entire household, remember my words: be a good prince, be a good brother to the Crown Prince, and don't be the one to stick your neck out and be used as a pawn!"
As she spoke each resounding word, Thirteen's expression changed repeatedly before she gradually fell silent. Gone was her earlier feigned pitifulness; her eyes, filled with speculation and scrutiny, intently gazed at Heyue's angry little face.
As He Yue finished speaking, she saw that he remained silent, staring intently at her. She knew that her words would surely cause him some shock, but she didn't care: "Don't think that just because I'm a woman I don't understand these things. You are straightforward, strong-willed, and unwilling to be inferior to others. Now you have the Emperor's favor, which has both good and bad aspects. The Emperor trusts you, and as long as it doesn't involve those important matters, you can do whatever you want. Your future will only get better and better. Becoming a prince or a duke is not a problem. But if you get involved in the Crown Prince's affairs, it will only become your fatal weakness. You could be dragged down at any time, and that person could be your brother or even the Emperor."
If Thirteen didn't take the previous words seriously, the last sentence made his eyes narrow suddenly, his face turn pale, and he opened his mouth, but only managed to say: "Heyue, what are you saying? These words are not to be trifled with, you can't talk nonsense."
After saying that, he hugged her and took a deep breath: "Heyue, don't be afraid. I didn't think about anything. I just want to be with you and have lots of children. What does anything else have to do with me? Where did you hear these rumors? You can't think about them anymore."
"Do you think I'm joking? Or do you think I'm exaggerating and that you're right?" He Yue understood his avoidance, but she couldn't accept his concealment from her.
"Sometimes the more you want, the more you lose your true self. I don't want you to lose your most shining qualities when you suffer setbacks in the future."
Her tone softened and became gentle as she reached out and patted his back lightly.
Thirteen froze, remaining silent.
He Yue looked up and stared at him, but he immediately looked away. He Yue clearly saw the guilt in his eyes.
"Look at me, don't run away." He turned his face with both hands, not allowing him to avoid it even slightly. His eyes, which were like stars in the night sky, dimmed, revealing a hint of confusion and guilt.
Heyue stared at him intently, conveying her determination: "The you I like now is the best version of you. I don't want you to become someone I don't like, someone who feels like a stranger to me. You don't have to listen to me, you can be stubborn, I won't force you. I'm willing to share whatever the outcome is with you. The only thing I don't want to see is you being worn down by reality and losing your original brilliance."
Thirteen's eyes flickered, and he stared at her intently, his gaze meeting the clarity and determination in her eyes. His heart felt like that of a small boat adrift in a giant wave. After a long period of turmoil, the waves were calmed by the wind, and the small boat returned to peace and tranquility, finding a place to rely on.
Suddenly, Thirteen grabbed her hand tightly, his lips trembling, his eyes glistening with tears. After a long while, he finally embraced her tightly.
This embrace was different from any other; it was like a lost child clinging to their only direction, unwilling to let go.
Heyue sighed softly: "No matter what you do, I just hope that you will always be your most authentic self. If gaining something means losing something more precious, I would rather you stay like this for the rest of your life."
Some say that sweet words are the best medicine in the world, capable of soothing all wounds.
She never bothered with sweet words, nor would she say that what she said today wasn't sweet enough, and might even be considered shocking to men of this era, and had embarrassed them, but it was her truest thought.
She admitted that she liked Thirteen as he was now, and therefore couldn't bear to see him get hurt in the future, and didn't want him to become someone else.
She was willing to do everything in her power to protect his sincerity, shield him from harm, and ensure that his heart remained untainted by anything.
He wanted to gain the emperor's favor, his father's attention, and more power. He Yue was willing to help him, provided that his heart did not change.
Thirteen did not answer her question in the end. He Yue knew that he must be very confused and unable to think things through in a short time.
He Yue didn't expect to persuade him this time, but only to give him more options, some concerns, and some hesitation.
Once this step is successful, the rest will be much easier.
※
Thirteen went on a southern tour with the emperor, and Heyue became bored again, so she often went to visit her sixth sister.
As the months progressed, Sixth Sister's belly began to swell slightly. Sometimes, out of curiosity, Heyue would put her ear to Sixth Sister's belly in hopes of hearing some movement, only to be met with laughter from the nanny who served Sixth Sister: "This child won't move until it's older. It's too early now. Thirteenth Princess, there's no need to rush."
He smiled wryly, but he was still full of curiosity about the child.
"You're just like Iduli. He also listens to the sounds on my belly just like you do, and then complains about how lazy the baby is, not even greeting his father. Such a big person, yet he acts like a fool." Yan Yue chuckled.
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