He Yue shuddered, not daring to think about it.
Seeing his nonchalant expression, and the way he seemed to be deliberately preventing her from thinking any further, He Yue's heart instantly felt both sour and bitter.
She rushed over and wrapped her arms around his waist, her heart heavy as if weighed down by a stone. After a moment's pause, she spoke in a muffled voice, "Don't worry, no matter who it is, I will not allow them to hurt you again."
Thirteen didn't speak, but gently stroked her back, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
While Thirteen was asleep, Heyue left the tent.
After standing outside for a while, Heyue still didn't know where to go and felt lost and helpless.
Hailan, standing behind her, asked in confusion, "Madam, where are you going?"
Where to go?
He Yue didn't know either. She had a direction in her heart, but she felt that her feet were heavier than a thousand pounds. It was as if she had made a decision with this step and could never turn back.
Hailan stopped asking questions and simply stood there silently with her.
The refreshing breeze across the grassland brushed against her face, but it couldn't pull her wandering thoughts back.
Soldiers in Manchu armor walked by one by one, but she felt as if she were all alone, so lonely and helpless, except for the person in the tent who was her warm harbor.
Thinking of Thirteen, who was still sleeping in the tent, scenes of the two of them in the past flashed before my eyes. So much sweetness, so much warmth, so many unforgettable moments. Every time I thought of them, my heart felt bittersweet.
Finally, he made up his mind and started walking in one direction.
The Eighth Prince's maidservant reported, "The Prince just went out with Princess Nuomin."
Princess Nuomin?
He Yue then remembered that it was the frightened horse that had bumped into her Mongolian princess that day.
How did my sister end up with Princess Nuomin? When did they become so close?
Although she didn't see anyone, Heyue breathed a sigh of relief and decided to go back.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she turned to the maid and asked, "Does Eighth Sister-in-law often go out with Princess Nuomin?"
The maid named Qiaoliu was a second-class maidservant serving the Eighth Prince's wife. Knowing that the Thirteenth Prince's wife was very close to her, she spoke frankly: "That Princess Nuomin is very willful and capricious. The Prince's wife has always disliked her, so how could she often go out with her? Princess Nuomin often comes to play with our Prince's wife. The Prince's wife is not feeling well and originally did not want to go out, but Princess Nuomin insisted on pestering her, so the Prince's wife had no choice but to go with her."
This statement suggests that he is quite dissatisfied with Princess Nuoming.
Seeing Heyue's serious expression, he quickly smiled and said, "If there is anything you need, Thirteenth Princess Consort, I will definitely inform you when you return."
He Yue seemed to be deep in thought, said "No need," and turned to leave.
Since you dislike Princess Naomin, why are you so insincere with her? Why did you agree to go out even when you were feeling unwell?
It seems necessary to go and meet Princess Nuomin.
Heyue did not return, but instead mounted her chestnut horse and asked passing soldiers for directions until she found an open space.
It was far from the tents, but not far away, and Heyue easily found the Eighth Prince's wife and Princess Nuomin.
The two were running one after the other on the grassland. The Eighth Prince's wife was dressed in a blue riding outfit and was a few steps behind. Princess Nuomin, dressed in a flamboyant red Mongolian outfit, was riding her horse and was provocatively turning back to wave her whip at the Eighth Prince's wife.
It is said that this Nuomin is Qiqige's younger sister, and their personalities are indeed very similar.
He Yue's lips curled up. When it comes to horseback riding, few can compare to her sister. Although Princess Nuomin is good at riding and archery, her sister deliberately let her win.
Without further hesitation, Heyue cracked her whip, quickly stepped forward, and passed her sister.
The Eighth Prince's wife was surprised for a moment, but quickly regained her composure. She saw Heyue quickly pass by Princess Nuomin, stop not far in front of her, turn around, raise her chin, and look back at Nuomin provocatively.
Nuomin's pretty face flushed red with anger. She reined in her horse, jumped off, and strode towards Heyue. With one hand on her hip and the other holding a riding whip, she pointed it at Heyue and angrily demanded, "You did this on purpose!"
Meeting her fiery gaze, Heyue dismounted with a smile and walked up to her, equally arrogant: "I did do it on purpose, but I won against Princess Nuomin, didn't I? Princess Nuomin is so angry, is she not convinced?"
"Hmph! Don't be so arrogant, I'll definitely beat you next time!" She angrily retracted her whip, her face showing disdain.
"Then let's see if the princess has the chance." Heyue chuckled and walked towards the Eighth Prince's wife, glancing back at her: "Just now, my eighth sister-in-law intentionally let me win. Did the princess really think she had won against my eighth sister-in-law? As for riding skills, I am my eighth sister-in-law's apprentice."
It means you can't even beat her apprentice, so what's there to be proud of?
Nuomin's face flushed red with anger, and her gaze turned as sharp as a knife as she glared at her.
The Eighth Princess shook her head helplessly, stepped forward, glanced at her, turned to Nuomin, and smiled slightly: "Princess Nuomin did not go all out just now. How about we have a full-fledged competition another day when there is an opportunity?"
Nuomin withdrew her glare from Heyue, her expression softening slightly: "You really know how to talk."
“I always speak like this, so please don’t expect flattery from me, Princess.” Heyue retorted bluntly, then suddenly raised her eyebrows: “Oh, right, last time Princess bumped into my horse and injured me, and Princess didn’t even apologize. I didn’t hold it against Princess, after all, I’ve always been polite.”
He winked and smiled, but what he said was infuriating.
“You…” Nuomin pointed at her, her face turning pale, unable to speak. Wasn’t this a blatant insult, implying that she was rude?
The Eighth Prince's wife was puzzled by her aggressive attitude today. Upon hearing this, she paused slightly, withdrew her hand, and lowered her eyes.
"Hmph! I already said, I didn't do it on purpose. The horse bumped into you on its own. What does it have to do with me? You're so unreasonable, woman. Is this the etiquette of the Central Plains? It's nothing special!" Nuomin suddenly suppressed her anger and curled her lips arrogantly.
After Heyue said those words, she kept an eye on the Eighth Prince's wife. When she saw her lower her eyes, her heart sank.
She still smiled and listened to Nuomin's words without getting angry: "Whether it was intentional or not, I don't intend to hold it against you. But Princess, you should practice your riding skills more in the future. You must not do this again. Fortunately, it was me who was bumped into. It would have been bad if you had bumped into Father Emperor."
"You're talking nonsense! I didn't deliberately offend you! It was clearly my horse that was drugged..." Nuomin glared at her, instinctively trying to defend herself, but suddenly stopped, glanced at the Eighth Prince's wife, and said resentfully, "That horse was my beloved horse, and it's gone just like that. I haven't even asked the culprit for compensation yet."
Looking at Heyue again, a mocking smile appeared on his lips: "However, you two are such close sisters, yet you know nothing about her..."
"Princess Nuomin!" The Eighth Prince's wife's face darkened, and she sneered.
Nuomin Gege pursed her lips and stopped talking.
With a cold face, the Eighth Prince's wife pulled Heyue away, saying, "Princess Nuomin, have fun. We'll take our leave now."
After saying that, he grabbed Heyue and left without another word.
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