Mei Lan nodded and replied, "Your Highness, it is absolutely true. You Yue was initially sent to work in Noble Consort Qing's Yongshou Palace, and later Noble Consort Qing sent her to the Second Prince's manor."
Lin Qinghe's expression grew serious, and her heart skipped a beat. She instinctively blurted out, "Could it be... my second brother has taken her as a concubine?"
"No, when Zhu Ju inquired, she also heard that You Yue was often bullied at the Second Prince's manor. She did rough labor and often went hungry. Even the maids and servants in the Second Prince's manor could bully her at will."
Hearing that You Yue had not been made a concubine by Lin Chenrui, Lin Qinghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If that were the case, it would be difficult for her to ask for the person back.
But now that You Yue was at the Second Prince's manor, it was not easy for her, as a princess, to leave the palace to visit the Second Prince's manor.
Lin Qinghe thought of the original body's relationship with the Second Prince. The original body's mother was a commoner who was deeply favored by the Emperor and brought into the palace as a concubine. Unfortunately, she died during childbirth when the original body was born, so the original body was raised by Noble Consort Qing.
The Emperor's affection for the original body's mother extended to the original body, showering her with immense favor. As a result, Noble Consort Qing, relying on the original body's connection, received considerable favor from the Emperor. She even instigated the original body to speak highly of Lin Chenrui in front of the Emperor.
It seemed that if she wanted to leave the palace to visit the Second Prince's manor, she would need to visit Noble Consort Qing at Yongshou Palace first.
It was already afternoon, and she feared that even if she went, she wouldn't be able to leave the palace. So, she decided to visit Yongshou Palace tomorrow.
Having made up her mind, Lin Qinghe temporarily put the matter aside and asked Mei Lan, "I ordered you to go to the Imperial Physician's Office to inquire about Imperial Physician Zhang. Did you do it?"
Mei Lan replied, "Your Highness, this servant has already been to the Imperial Physician's Office. According to what Imperial Physician Zhang said, we will stew more ginseng soup and send it to You Rong these past few days."
"Good, I understand," Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. Thinking she had nothing to do, she got up and walked out, "Let's go, follow this princess to the side hall to see You Rong."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Upon arriving at the side hall, Xiao Gui Zi was about to feed You Rong soup. Seeing Lin Qinghe arrive, he quickly knelt and bowed, "This servant greets Your Highness."
"Mmm, rise," approaching the bed, she saw You Rong about to get up to bow, Lin Qinghe quickly said, "No need for formalities, just lie down."
You Rong pursed his thin lips, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Mmm."
Lin Qinghe sat on a wooden stool by the bed and subtly observed You Rong, whose complexion had slightly improved. She asked softly, "How do you feel? Is your body better? If your wound hurts, tell Xiao Gui Zi, and he will send for an imperial physician to examine your injuries."
You Rong's expression was as indifferent as ever, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This servant is much better. This servant is of lowly birth, how could I trouble the imperial physicians so often."
Lin Qinghe frowned, "You don't need to belittle yourself. What about servants? Servants are also people, they are also lives. There's no such thing as troubling or not troubling. The imperial physicians at the Imperial Physician's Office receive high salaries, and their job is to treat and care for people. This is what they ought to do."
Hearing these words from Lin Qinghe, You Rong thought of the palace servants she had executed and found it ironic.
Seeing that You Rong remained silent, Lin Qinghe did not dwell on it and looked at the ginseng soup in Xiao Gui Zi's hand.
She had expressed her fondness for You Rong that morning, so now she naturally had to show it more.
Lin Qinghe said, "Xiao Gui Zi, give the ginseng soup to this princess, and this princess will feed it to You Rong."
"This..."
You Rong's eyes flickered, "Your Highness, you have a noble status, how can you do this? Put it down, this servant will drink it himself."
Lin Qinghe refused to listen. She took the spoon, stirred the ginseng soup in the pot, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to You Rong's lips, smiling faintly, "Drink it quickly. If you don't drink it, you will be disobeying the princess's order."
You Rong had no choice but to open his mouth.
The ginseng soup he swallowed tasted not bad, but You Rong felt deeply disgusted from the bottom of his heart.
"Mmm, there's still a little... drink it all. Mei Lan went to the Imperial Physician's Office to inquire with Imperial Physician Zhang. You were severely injured and just woke up, your body is very weak. Eating more to replenish qi and blood will help you recover faster."
You Rong swallowed the last mouthful of soup and turned his face slightly away, saying, "Thank you for taking care of this servant, Your Highness."
"It's nothing. As long as you recover faster, this princess will be content," Lin Qinghe said with a smile.
You Rong's expression was slightly awkward. He pursed his pale lips and said, "Your Highness, it is getting late. You should return to your chambers to rest."
The sky outside was already darkening, so it seemed a bit too early to rest.
Lin Qinghe understood what You Rong meant, that he didn't want to see her. She was also sensible and didn't want to overstay and become even more disliked.
Lin Qinghe pretended not to understand You Rong's hidden meaning and continued to say with a smile, "Alright, then this princess will return to her chambers to rest. You should recuperate well. If you need anything, just send Xiao Gui Zi to inform this princess."
"Yes, this servant understands." Su Dan Novel Net
Lin Qinghe grunted. After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and emphasized again, "You Rong, what this princess said this morning was all true. But you don't need to worry. I said I wouldn't force you, and I won't. I will let you see my sincerity."
After speaking, without waiting for You Rong's reply, Lin Qinghe left the side hall with Mei Lan and Zhu Ju.
After Lin Qinghe left, You Rong clenched his fist slightly.
To say she liked a eunuch who couldn't perform human functions was ridiculous!
So ridiculous that the listener found the words unbelievable!
You Rong's expression darkened. Xiao Gui Zi, who had been ordered to take care of him, did not notice and said with a hint of envy, "Brother You, although I don't know why the princess's temperament has suddenly changed, she is truly good to you now. She brought your severely injured self to the side hall to recuperate, had imperial physicians treat you. While you were unconscious for days, it was the princess who took care of you day and night, and the princess's injured hand..."
Xiao Gui Zi paused and continued, "When the imperial physician was scraping away the necrotic flesh from your wound, you were in so much pain that you feared you would bite your tongue. In a moment of desperation, the princess put her hand into your mouth. She was bitten until she bled, but the princess didn't even blink an eye. She told the imperial physician not to bother with her and to continue treating you."
Hearing this, You Rong's mind flashed with the image of Lin Qinghe holding the spoon, and there was indeed a deep tooth mark on the back of her hand.
His heart trembled.
"You said... the princess took care of me day and night? And gave me her hand to bite to stop me from biting my tongue?"
"Yes, and I found it quite strange. Before I served by the princess's side, I heard that the princess treated Brother You quite poorly. But seeing these past few days, it doesn't seem like it. She seems to treat you quite well..."
Xiao Gui Zi just found it strange and couldn't figure it out. No matter how much he thought about it, he would never imagine that Lin Qinghe would confess her love to You Rong.
A princess of noble status, favored by the Emperor, falling in love with a eunuch, no one would believe it was possible.
You Rong looked pensive, his brow furrowed.
Lin Qinghe... what exactly was she plotting?!