Fourth Princess looked at Heyue deeply, then suddenly smiled: "Sister-in-law, you are truly a broad-minded person. If Madam Nian were half as sensible as you, I wouldn't have such a headache."
He Yue sneered inwardly. Comparing her to Nian Shi? That implied that He Yue was being lumped together with Nian Shi.
One is the primary consort, and the other is a secondary consort. How can they be compared?
The meaning of belittling Heyue is too obvious.
Moreover, He Yue is not magnanimous at all; she simply doesn't want to be used as a pawn.
He caught sight of the Eighth Prince's wife walking up behind the Fourth Sister-in-law and greeted her with a warm smile: "Eighth Sister-in-law, it's been a long time. How have you been these years?"
When Heyue saw the Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Guoluo, again, she was able to face her calmly, as if all the previous grudges had disappeared.
The Eighth Prince's wife also smiled broadly: "Of course I'm doing well. Everyone else hopes I'm not doing well, but how could I do as they wish? Of course, I should live even better."
These words were spoken to Heyue, and also to the Fourth Prince's wife.
Fourth Princess Consort smiled slightly: "Eighth Sister-in-law is always so proud and confident, no wonder everyone envies you."
The Eighth Princess covered her mouth and chuckled: "Fourth Sister-in-law, you flatter me. It's just a matter of living for one's pride."
With a quick glance, he looked Heyue up and down a few more times, then exclaimed in admiration, "You haven't changed in all these years. Thirteenth Brother really spoils you."
“As Eighth Sister-in-law said, a person lives for a breath of air.” Heyue replied with the same words, a smile playing on her lips.
The Eighth Prince's wife's smile deepened as she stepped forward and affectionately took Heyue's arm: "Thirteenth Sister-in-law is becoming more and more to my liking. We should have a good chat. Fourth Sister-in-law, you don't mind, do you?"
Fourth Princess Consort smiled and waved her hand: "You two chat, I won't disturb you."
With that, he turned and went elsewhere.
Only the two of them remained. The Eighth Princess reached out and stroked Heyue's belly, sighing softly, "Thirteenth Sister-in-law is truly blessed, so enviable. I imagine your children will be very cute."
Heyue held her hand and placed it on her stomach. Without the slightest fear, she smiled sweetly and said, "If you like it, Eighth Sister-in-law, after the baby is born, you can hold him/her tightly. I think he/she will like you very much."
Meeting Heyue's open gaze, the Eighth Princess Consort paused for a moment, then quickly regained her smile, leaned closer to Heyue, and sighed softly, "I heard that when you were pregnant with Hongtun, you almost lost your life. You really don't learn your lesson. Do you think if I had used even a little bit of force, you might have lost the baby?"
He Yue smiled slightly and asked softly, "Can you?"
Before she could answer, Heyue took another step closer and hugged her, completely ignoring the hand on her stomach that seemed ready to tighten at any moment. She whispered, "If there's anyone who can make me completely let my guard down and willingly give up my life, it's only you, sister."
Feeling the other person stiffen, He Yue lowered her eyelids and said, "Sister, I will protect Thirteen's life. I will not allow anyone to hurt him, not even you. If you want this child's life, you can take it, of course, if you can bring yourself to do it."
Upon hearing this, the person in front of him sighed softly and smiled bitterly: "You really are ruthless. Such a gamble is far too big."
Even so, the Eighth Princess withdrew her hand from Heyue's stomach, took a step back, and looked at Heyue with a smile: "You're right, I won't harm the child, but are you sure you can protect your husband? You should know that now, I won't be lenient anymore. Even if I don't take his life, I can still make sure he never has a chance to rise again."
"Then I'll wait and see." He Yue smiled faintly, showing no fear whatsoever.
At this point, the two were truly on opposite sides.
Who is right and who is wrong is no longer important; what matters is that each of us has someone we want to protect.
That afternoon, Thirteen returned from the palace, and Heyue was sitting in the pavilion in the garden, lost in thought.
The autumn wind was bleak, and even wearing a cloak did not keep me warm.
Thirteen learned of Heyue's whereabouts from the maid and came looking for her. He held her in his arms and gently complained, "Why were you sitting outside? What if you catch a cold?"
Heyue leaned against him and sighed softly, "I feel so depressed. Getting some fresh air will help clear my head."
Thirteen naturally knew that the wives of the various households had come to the mansion today. Seeing Heyue's appearance, he naturally knew who it was related to, and couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"She's just a stranger, why be sad for her?"
In Thirteen’s heart, Eighth Prince’s wife was naturally an irrelevant person, and because of He Yue, Thirteen had no good feelings towards Eighth Prince’s wife.
He Yue found it amusing.
"Why are you angry? I just want some peace and quiet. Actually, I'm not that upset."
There was a bit of disappointment, but having known this would be the outcome, Heyue naturally wouldn't make things difficult for herself.
Some things may have been destined from the moment we arrived here.
The road ahead will continue without hesitation for Heyue.
Thirteen's expression softened a bit: "It's good that you think that way. Remember, you're pregnant, and I don't want you to get hurt over unrelated people."
"You're calling yourself 'Master' again?" He Yue glared at him with displeasure.
I finally managed to get rid of this habit when I was in Yangzhou, but now that I'm back, I've reverted to it.
It sounds awful to always use "Master" like that!
Thirteen touched his nose and smiled: "Okay, then I won't act like this in front of you anymore, alright?"
That's more like it.
He Yue felt much more at ease.
Five days later, Kangxi finally released Hongtun from the palace.
Heyue and Thirteen personally went to the palace to bring Hongtun back.
Although it had only been a few days, Heyue felt as if it had been a month since she last saw Hongtun, and she missed him terribly.
Upon seeing Heyue and Shisan, Hongtun immediately let go of Weizhu's hand, ran over quickly, and rushed into Heyue's arms, joyfully exclaiming, "Mother, Father, Hongtun missed you so much!"
Heyue tenderly stroked Hongtun's face.
Thirteen's expression changed immediately, fearing that if Hongtun's behavior were to reach the Emperor's ears, the Emperor would be angry.
After all, Hongtun was by his imperial grandfather's side, and for him to show such a longing for his father and mother, people who didn't know the situation might think that Hongtun had suffered some injustice.
However, since Hongtun had never left his and Heyue's side, this behavior was simply his nature, and Thirteen could only sigh inwardly.
Wei Zhu smiled and said, "Thirteenth Prince, His Majesty invites you in to speak."
Thirteen was taken aback for a moment, then quickly agreed and told Heyue and Hongtun to go back first.
Hongtun spontaneously knelt on the ground, facing the Qianqing Palace, and kowtowed: "Grandson is going back. Grandfather, take care. Grandson will come to see you again."
He Yue, Shisan, and Wei Zhu were all stunned, not expecting Hongtun to do this.
I felt extremely gratified, and also a little proud.
Heyue was also delighted by her son's thoughtfulness.
Although it's not something you can just see the emperor whenever you want, even if it's the emperor's own son or grandson.
But such innocent and childlike words are most endearing, revealing the child's truest thoughts.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
