"It would be a lie to say I'm not sad, but I've long been used to being born in a place like this. Being sad is useless, so I might as well cheer up. If I can't even handle this little difficulty, I don't deserve to be Father Emperor's son."
His tone revealed a hint of disappointment, but more so a determination and perseverance to face difficulties head-on.
Heyue felt relieved, took his hand, and smiled slightly: "No matter what difficulties we face, I will face them with you. Together we will protect our child and this family."
Thirteen's expression softened with emotion. He grasped her hand tightly and smiled, "Thank you, Heyue."
"Why are you saying thank you? We're family, we should stand together through thick and thin," Heyue complained, dissatisfied.
Next, Yue and Shisan went to Prince Yong's residence. Besides meeting Prince Yong, they also picked up Hongchang, Tongxuan, and Tonghui.
After four years apart, Heyue was filled with excitement at the thought of seeing her children soon. She was eager to see them, take a good look at them, and kiss them.
However, upon arriving at the gate of Prince Yong's residence and alighting from the carriage, Heyue felt uneasy and dared not proceed.
Having been away from them for so many years, and not giving them enough care and love, Heyue is afraid that they will not recognize her as their mother and will resent her for abandoning them.
Thirteen seemed to see through her thoughts, took her hand and comforted her: "Don't worry, you are their mother, they won't blame you. If they do blame someone, it's me, their father, for leaving them in the capital."
He Yue snorted, her face darkening. "You know that's good. If they blame me later, I'll push you out. You can't go back on your word."
Faced with Heyue's accusations, Thirteen dared not utter a word in rebuttal and could only nod sheepishly.
Actually, he wasn't feeling much better than He Yue. Even though he had left them in the capital, he was still somewhat nervous and expectant.
The steward, Liu Fu, came out with a smile and welcomed He Yue and her companion into the mansion, heading towards the study in the front courtyard: "The Thirteenth Prince and Thirteenth Princess have finally arrived. The Prince has been waiting for them in the study for some time now."
Prince Yong was standing behind the desk, teaching Hongchang to practice calligraphy.
Little Hongchang stood on the chair, his small hand held by Prince Yong, gripping the wolf-hair brush as he slowly wrote, his little face extremely serious, as if he were doing something very important.
When Heyue and Shisan entered and saw this scene, their eyes welled up with tears.
Although many years had passed, Hongchang back then was just a tiny little boy who had just learned to speak, completely different from the five-year-old boy in front of her. Yet, Heyue recognized him at a glance.
Suppressing the urge to rush forward and hug him, Yue and Thirteen called out, "Fourth Brother."
Upon hearing the sound, Prince Yong looked up, released his large hand from Hongchang's small hand, but supported Hongchang's arm and nodded to them: "You're back?"
It was a simple sentence, without much intense emotion, but the joy flowing between them after so many years was palpable.
Hongchang looked up and saw Heyue and Shisan. His eyes lit up, and he smiled, calling out in a clear voice, "Mother!"
Heyue was surprised, not expecting that Hongchang still remembered her. She couldn't help but feel happy. When she saw little Hongchang jump off the chair, Heyue's heart jumped up, afraid that he would fall.
Fortunately, Prince Yong protected him, and Hongchang did not fall. Instead, he ran steadily toward Heyue.
Heyue opened her arms and hugged Hongchang tightly, giving him a big kiss on the cheek, which made Hongchang giggle. He wrapped his arms tightly around Heyue's neck and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Mother, Mother, you're finally back! Hongchang missed you so much! Waaah..."
She started crying as she spoke.
Heyue tenderly wiped away his tears, looked into his bright, clear eyes, and gently comforted him, "I'm sorry, Hongchang, it's all my fault. I will never abandon you again."
Because she was pregnant, Heyue couldn't pick Hongchang up, so she could only comfort him by holding him like this.
With difficulty, she stood up with the help of Thirteen. Holding Hongchang's little hand, she stood up, looked at Prince Yong, and smiled slightly: "Fourth Brother, thank you for taking care of Hongchang and the others all these years."
Prince Yong walked closer, raised his hand and patted Hongchang's head. Meeting Hongchang's bright smile, he smiled faintly and said, "Hongchang is very smart, well-behaved, and very likable."
Hongchang tugged at Prince Yong's sleeve and stretched out his arms to him.
Prince Yong leaned down, and Hongchang stood on tiptoe, wrapped his arms around Prince Yong's neck, quickly kissed him on the cheek, grinned, and called out in a clear voice, "Hongchang also likes Fourth Uncle!"
Heyue and the thirteenth prince stared in astonishment at the scene before them. Prince Yong showed no displeasure, but rather appeared completely unfazed.
Unexpectedly, Hongchang and Fourth Brother get along like this. Fourth Brother is not cold and aloof like usual when facing Hongchang. He is very much like a loving father.
"Cough, it should be Fourth Uncle," He Yue silently corrected herself in her mind.
Thirteen looked on with envy, having never even been seen by his son yet. He quickly came over with a fawning smile and said to Hongchang, "Hongchang, come here and call me Father."
Hongchang glanced at him, then immediately hid in Heyue's arms, hugging Heyue's leg and refusing to look at him again.
Thirteen's smile froze, and he looked quite annoyed.
He Yue secretly gloated, "Serves you right!"
Prince Yong noticed the thirteenth prince's sullen expression, put his fist to his lips, and said with a suppressed laugh, "I have already sent someone to bring Tongxuan and the others over. Thirteenth brother and sister-in-law, please sit for a while."
Thirteen looked at his fourth brother, who seemed more mature than before, and felt a pang of sadness. He stepped forward and hugged his fourth brother, saying, "Fourth brother, I'm sorry. I've been hiding in Jiangnan all these years, leaving you to face everything alone. It's my fault for not being able to share your burden."
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