The next day, Thirteen woke up again, took the medicine, and felt a little better than the day before, but was still weak and unable to speak.
Although he couldn't speak much yet, he eventually woke up. After receiving the imperial physician's words, Emperor Kangxi was relieved and sent him a lot of tonics. He also visited several times.
In the following days, Heyue took care of him personally, without asking anyone else to do it.
Thirteen was quite happy with this, sticking to Heyue every day and only letting Heyue serve him.
The patient's dependence was understandable to Heyue, and although the servants secretly laughed, they dared not show it to his face.
Even if they knew, Heyue and Shisan wouldn't care what others thought.
Thirteen was seriously injured this time, and it took him three or four days to be able to sit up and speak.
According to the imperial physician, given the severity of the injuries sustained that day, it was extremely fortunate that he had recovered so quickly.
Just as Heyue fed him his medicine that day, Emperor Kangxi arrived.
Upon seeing Kangxi, the Thirteenth Prince hurriedly rose to pay his respects: "Father..."
Kangxi stepped forward and pressed down on his shoulder, his face full of anger: "Get some rest for me."
Thirteen had no choice but to lie back down, looking quite restrained.
Seeing that he was in much better spirits than a few days ago, Kangxi smiled with satisfaction: "As expected of my thirteenth son, he is blessed with good fortune and a long life, and he has recovered so quickly."
"Thank you for your concern, Father. It's all because I'm useless." Thirteen lowered his eyes, his pale face filled with shame.
"It's not your fault. The thieves were too rampant. I will definitely investigate them thoroughly." Kangxi was furious, but then comforted him, "Take good care of yourself these days. Your wife was terrified when you were injured that day and took care of you all night."
After saying that, he glanced at Heyue with a mocking look in his eyes.
He Yue felt quite uncomfortable. What was she so frightened about? This Kangxi really knew how to lie through his teeth.
Thirteen took it seriously, looking at Heyue with a mixture of guilt and joy, and took her hand.
When Emperor Kangxi saw this, he couldn't help but laugh.
"You were injured for my sake. Whatever you want, I will give it to you." At this moment, Kangxi was not like an emperor, but more like a loving father who doted on his son. He did not mention rewards, but simply gave it to him.
This is a rare honor for the princes other than the crown prince.
Thirteen, clutching his wound, kowtowed on the bed: "It is only natural for your son to protect Father Emperor. I dare not take credit for it, let alone ask for anything." He paused, his face flushed, and stammered, "But your son has a wish, and I beg Father Emperor to grant it."
Seeing his troubled expression, Kangxi raised an eyebrow, quite curious: "Tell me, I will grant you anything I can."
Thirteen held Heyue's hand, looked up at her, and that look was filled with love for his beloved and a certain firmness.
He Yue's heart skipped a beat, as if he realized something. He was both incredulous and worried, afraid that he might say something that would anger Kangxi.
He wanted to stop him, but then he turned to Kangxi again, his eyes filled with pleading, and said each word with deep emotion: "In this life, I only love Heyue and only wish to have her children. I do not want any other women to cause Heyue any pain. I beg you, Father, to grant my wish."
After saying that, he kowtowed again.
He Yue's heart felt as if it had been struck hard by something, filled with a sense of shock, yet also a quiet joy.
Although I had expected it, I still couldn't help but be moved when I heard his words in person.
At this moment, she no longer worried about angering Kangxi. Since he had already spoken and was so resolute, what reason did she have to back down?
Emperor Kangxi remained silent for a long time, his face ashen.
Thirteen never raised his head, remaining in the same kowtowing posture, as if his mind was made up.
But he was injured and couldn't hold on for long; soon he began to sway precariously.
He Yue tenderly supported him, letting him lean half his body against her, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
When Emperor Kangxi saw this, he raised an eyebrow, waved his hand, and signaled Wei Zhu to leave.
Wei Zhu responded and led all the servants out.
Kangxi turned to Heyue and asked calmly, "What do you think?"
He Yue smiled slightly and knelt down as well: "Your subject, like the thirteenth prince, only wishes for one life and one love."
Emperor Kangxi murmured, "One life, one love, one partner?" It seemed as if he was recalling something from a long time ago, his expression a mixture of reminiscence and emotion.
After a long while, he finally came to his senses, looked at the two of them, and said indifferently, "I originally thought that only Rong Ruo was so devoted in this world, but I did not expect that my prince would also follow his example. Yinxiang, do you know what your choice means?"
Thirteen's back stiffened slightly as Heyue pondered the meaning of those words, making some guesses while also finding it hard to believe.
A firm voice echoed in his ears: "Your son knows, your son has no regrets."
"So you have no regrets!" Kangxi snorted heavily, his eyes filled with anger: "You have no regrets, but where does that leave my favor? I had high expectations for you, and I thought you would eventually become what I hoped you would be, inheriting everything from me. Now you have given up such a great opportunity for a woman. You have disappointed me too much!"
He Yue listened with trepidation, the words "inherit everything from me" making it all too clear.
It turns out that Kangxi had already considered deposing the crown prince and had even developed expectations for the thirteenth prince.
He Yue never expected things to turn out this way.
"I have failed my father, but my mind is made up. I beg my father to grant my request." Thirteen remained unmoved.
He Yue couldn't understand what kind of feelings he had when he rejected everything that was so readily available. Had he really thought it through?
A wave of bittersweet emotions washed over me; I had never imagined that his feelings for me had reached such a point.
"Heyue, I ask you, which would you rather choose: the identity of the Thirteenth Prince's Consort or the identity of the future Empress? I'm giving you the chance."
Kangxi glanced at the thirteenth prince and snorted coldly: "Let me make this clear from the beginning: you are Yinxiang's primary consort. No matter how many women he has or how many children he has, in the future... you will be his empress, and your son will be the crown prince. My word is law."
He Yue felt Shisan tighten his grip on her hand suddenly, as if he wanted to break it.
Noticing his change in mood, He Yue couldn't help but smile.
Does this thirteenth prince really think she'd covet the positions of empress and crown prince?
He showed no hesitation or fear just now, but now he's revealing his weakness.
At that moment, Heyue felt that everything she had chosen was worthwhile.
She looked up and met the emperor's gaze, and said without hesitation, "Thank you for your kindness, Father Emperor. Heyue will only take thirteen."
The moment she uttered those words, the hand holding hers suddenly loosened its grip, slowly intertwining their fingers, a subtle blend of ambiguity and tenderness.
He smiled slightly.
Kangxi was surprised, and then looked at her seriously. Seeing her calm and resolute gaze, he finally sighed and said, "So be it. I did not expect you two to be so deeply in love with each other. I will grant your wish."
"Thank you, Father Emperor!" Thirteen happily expressed his gratitude.
Even in a gentle and cheerful manner, joy could not be concealed.
With Kangxi's words, we no longer need to worry about this.
"However, I have a condition." Kangxi's face darkened again.
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