The next morning.
Lin Qinghe, accompanied by Mei Lan and Zhu Ju, arrived at Yongshou Palace.
After announcing their arrival, Caiyi, a palace maid serving Consort Qing, emerged and respectfully said, "Fifth Princess, please... Consort has asked you to come in."
Lin Qinghe nodded slightly and stepped into Consort Qing's chambers.
Consort Qing, elegant and graceful, with a refined makeup, sat on a soft couch. Lin Qinghe approached her, curtsied, and bowed, "Your humble subject greets Mother Consort."
Consort Qing smiled faintly, reaching out to help Lin Qinghe up. "Qinghe, no need for such formalities. I haven't seen you at Yongshou Palace recently; I've missed you. Come... sit and we can talk."
After sitting down, Lin Qinghe smiled and said, "Your humble subject has not been feeling well lately and has been resting in Yaohua Palace. I haven't been able to go out, nor have I been able to pay my respects to Mother Consort. Today, feeling much better, I've come to greet Mother Consort immediately."
"You child... how thoughtful. Are you feeling better? Have you seen the imperial physician? What did he say?"
Lin Qinghe replied, "I've already seen Imperial Physician Zhang. There's no serious issue, just some weakness."
"It's good that you're alright. I have some excellent bird's nest here. When you return later, I'll have someone prepare some for you to take back."
Lin Qinghe: "Thank you, Mother Consort."
"There's no need to be so formal between us."
As she exchanged pleasantries with Consort Qing, maintaining a facade of deep mother-son affection, Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze slightly, her thoughts racing.
How could she find an excuse to go to the Second Prince's manor from Consort Qing?
As she was pondering this, Caiyi, Consort Qing's palace maid, brought in a plate of pastries.
Consort Qing pushed the pastries toward Lin Qinghe and said with a gentle smile, "Try them. I made these myself last night. I was planning to send some to Yaohua Palace today, but you've come instead."
Lin Qinghe said, "Thank you, Mother Consort." She picked up a plum blossom cake, took a few bites, and swallowed. "Mother Consort, these pastries are truly delicious."
Consort Qing smiled faintly, "Mm, you and Rui'er have always loved my pastries since you were little. Even as you've grown up, your tastes haven't changed."
Lin Qinghe's mind jolted, and she thought of a way to go to the Second Prince's manor.
She asked, "Mother Consort, did you make many of these pastries?"
"I made a lot. Knowing you like them, I'll have you take more back with you later," Consort Qing replied with a smile, thinking Lin Qinghe was simply being gluttonous.
Lin Qinghe shook her head and said, "Mother Consort, it's not that. I was thinking of sending some to my Second Brother. It's been a while since I've seen him. Father Emperor mentioned recently that Second Brother is exceptionally capable and the most able of all the princes to assist him. He told me to learn from him more."
Consort Qing's eyes lit up, "Qinghe, did your Father Emperor truly say that about Rui'er?"
"Of course. Father Emperor said it to me himself," Lin Qinghe said with a sincere expression.
The Emperor hadn't said it, but she knew Consort Qing enjoyed hearing such things, so she decided to fabricate it. If she could please Consort Qing, then she could leave the palace.
Just as Lin Qinghe had anticipated, Consort Qing's face immediately brightened with joy, "Your Father Emperor is right. You two siblings haven't seen each other in some time. You must miss your Second Brother too. How about this... I'll give you my token, and have Caiyi pack some pastries into a food box. Could you trouble yourself to go to Rui'er's manor and deliver them to him?"
This request was exactly what Lin Qinghe wanted. Her eyes curved slightly, and she smiled, "Very well, Mother Consort."
Leaving Yongshou Palace and exiting the imperial palace, she boarded a carriage bound for the Second Prince's manor.
Along the way, Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.
From the memories of the original body, Lin Chenrui, though lacking brotherly affection for Lin Qinghe, was very polite to his Fifth Sister due to the Emperor's favor towards her.
If that were the case, he shouldn't refuse if she asked for a maidservant.
About half an hour later, the carriage stopped at the Second Prince's manor.
Mei Lan lifted the carriage curtain, "Your Highness Princess, we have arrived at the Second Prince's residence."
Lin Qinghe nodded, alighted from the carriage, and was courteously led by the steward of the Second Prince's manor to the main hall to be seated.
"Your Highness Princess, please wait a moment. The Second Prince is currently in his study handling official matters. I have already sent someone to inform him, and he will be here shortly."
Lin Qinghe took a sip of clear tea, "Mm... This Princess understands."
In less than fifteen minutes, Lin Chenrui arrived.
Lin Chenrui's appearance was acceptable, but perhaps due to his inherently cunning and ruthless nature, he had a somewhat somber look.
Lin Chenrui sat down and said indifferently, "Fifth Sister, why have you come to my manor today? Is there something you need?"
Lin Qinghe smiled, "This morning, I went to Yongshou Palace to greet Mother Consort. Mother Consort personally made many pastries, mentioning that you and I both loved them since we were young. So, Mother Consort asked me to bring some over. Coincidentally, Father Emperor mentioned some time ago that you are the most capable of the princes to assist him and told me to learn from you, so I came."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chenrui raised an eyebrow slightly, "Did Father Emperor truly say that to you?"
"Of course. Father Emperor said it to this Princess himself."
Lin Chenrui's mood visibly improved, the corners of his mouth turning upwards. "Father Emperor is too kind. Assisting him is a responsibility that befits a subject. However, I also thank my Imperial Sister for making this trip today to bring me gifts. Tell me, what do you want? Your brother will give it to you!"
His Father Emperor had always doted on Lin Qinghe, whose birth mother was of low status. Maintaining a good relationship with her would not be detrimental.
Lin Chenrui's words were exactly what Lin Qinghe had hoped for.
She immediately said, "I heard that You Rong's sister, You Yue, was sent by Mother Consort to serve as a maidservant at your manor. Could you possibly allow me to take her with me?"
Lin Chenrui didn't particularly care about a mere maidservant, but Lin Qinghe's request struck him as odd.
"Why do you suddenly want to take away a small maidservant? And You Rong's sister, no less?"
Fearing Lin Chenrui would become suspicious, Lin Qinghe feigned anger and said, "Second Brother, you may not know, but I brought You Rong to Yaohua Palace as a servant. No matter how I beat and torment him, he remains stubborn and refuses to bow to me. Hmph! You Yue is his last living relative, isn't she? I don't believe he can remain indifferent if I threaten her!"
Lin Chenrui had heard some rumors about this; ever since You Rong was brought to Yaohua Palace, Lin Qinghe had taken pleasure in tormenting him daily.
Therefore, Lin Chenrui didn't think much of it and smiled, "She's just a servant. If Imperial Sister wants her, I'll have someone bring her to you."
Lin Qinghe was secretly delighted but maintained a calm demeanor, saying, "If that's the case... thank you, Second Brother."
In the main hall, Lin Chenrui casually pointed to a maidservant and said, "Go and bring You Yue here."
The maidservant's expression flickered slightly, but she dared not object. She curtsied and said, "Yes, Second Prince. This servant will go and bring You Yue here at once."