Lin Qinghe was at a complete loss, her mood extremely depressed.
Meilan saw this and hesitated before cautiously asking, "Your Highness Princess, the flowers in the imperial garden have bloomed. You seem to be in a bad mood. Would you like to take a walk?"
Youyue chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness Princess, why don't we stroll in the imperial garden to clear your mind? You haven't left Yaohua Palace in days."
Lin Qinghe thought that You Rong's injuries had healed, and he also hadn't left Yaohua Palace for a long time.
Perhaps taking him out for a walk might lead to some new progress.
Lin Qinghe said, "Alright, prepare yourselves and go call You Rong. We'll take a walk in the imperial garden together."
Hearing that You Rong would be joining them, Youyue's eyes lit up. She responded with a smile, "Yes, Your Highness Princess! I'll go call my brother now!"
Lin Qinghe changed into a lotus-pink dress. Meilan was still attaching various ornate hairpins and ornaments to her hair. Lin Qinghe frowned, pulled off the messy accessories, and kept only a single hairpin.
"That's enough. What are you putting so much on my head for? It's not only cumbersome but also heavy. From now on, when you dress me, remember to keep it simple. Don't put these gaudy things on my head again."
Meilan dared not speak, as it was the Princess herself who had demanded such things in the past, wanting all the beautiful and precious ornaments in her coiffure.
"Yes, Your Highness Princess, I have remembered."
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Let's go. I imagine Youyue and You Rong are already waiting outside the palace."
As they walked out of the bedchamber, they indeed found You Rong and Youyue waiting outside.
Lin Qinghe's gaze met You Rong's immediately.
Her eyebrows curved into a gentle smile, and she asked, "You Rong, are your injuries truly healed? If you still feel uncomfortable, you can say so directly. Don't force yourself to accompany this princess out."
You Rong's eyes flickered, and he quickly composed himself, allowing no one to detect his emotions.
He bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness Princess. This servant's body has fully recovered and there is no discomfort."
"Good, that's excellent. This princess is relieved. You've been bedridden for so long; you must be bored indoors. It's a good opportunity to walk in the imperial garden and get some fresh air... Let's go. We'll head there now."
You Rong replied, "Yes, Your Highness Princess."
Lin Qinghe walked past You Rong, a faint floral fragrance drifting by. You Rong couldn't help but subtly clench his fist.
Her serene and elegant demeanor today was truly...
You Rong's expression instantly darkened. He pursed his thin lips, cast aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and quickly followed Lin Qinghe and the others.
After a tour of the imperial garden, with many precious flowers like peonies, Lin Qinghe had lost interest in appreciating them. However, Meilan and Youyue, the two young maids, were quite engrossed.
Lin Qinghe subtly observed You Rong. He followed behind with a placid expression, appearing diligent and dutiful.
It was clear he had no interest in admiring flowers.
Since You Rong wasn't interested in flowers, nor was Lin Qinghe, she found an excuse. "This princess is a bit tired. Meilan, let's find a pavilion ahead to rest for a while."
Meilan said, "Your Highness Princess, ahead is the lotus pond. The lotuses in the pond are blooming beautifully, and there's a pavilion nearby. You can admire the lotuses while resting. Would you like to go there?"
Lin Qinghe nodded. "Then let's go."
Upon reaching the pavilion, Meilan and Youyue took out handkerchiefs to wipe the stone bench and table. Lin Qinghe waved it off, "No need to rush. It's not dirty." With that, she sat down.
Seeing this, Meilan stopped wiping the table and poured a cup of clear tea for Lin Qinghe. "Your Highness Princess, you must be thirsty. Please have some tea."
"Mmm, I have walked quite a bit, and I am indeed a little thirsty."
Lin Qinghe took the teacup and drank it in one go. Setting down the cup, she glanced at You Rong and Youyue, and ordered, "You must be thirsty too. Don't just stand there. Sit down with us and have a cup of tea to quench your thirst."
Meilan and Youyue's faces changed drastically.
Meilan said anxiously, "Your Highness Princess, while it's acceptable for you to be informal in Yaohua Palace, this is the imperial garden. If others see us sitting as equals with Your Highness Princess, they will..."
Lin Qinghe's face hardened, and she interrupted Meilan, "So what if others see! It is this princess who commanded you to sit. Who would dare punish you! Sit down quickly, have a cup of tea each to quench your thirst. You Rong, you too, sit down with us!"
Meilan and the others reluctantly sat down, filled with trepidation.
You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe with slightly complex eyes. She pretended not to notice and personally poured him a cup of tea, saying expectantly, "You must be thirsty too. Drink up quickly."
You Rong accepted the teacup. "This servant thanks Your Highness Princess."
"No, no, drink it quickly," Lin Qinghe said with a smile.
As the group of master and servants rested in the pavilion, Lin Qinghe chatted with Youyue. When she looked back at You Rong, she found him staring into the distance, lost in thought.
She followed You Rong's gaze.
There was only a pond of lotuses.
Lin Qinghe asked curiously, "You Rong, You Rong... what are you looking at? You seem so engrossed?"
After being called several times, You Rong finally came to his senses. His expression had become gloomy, and he pursed his lips without speaking.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe frowned and said, "Never mind. This princess was just asking casually. If you don't want to answer, then don't."
As these words fell, the atmosphere inexplicably became tense.
Youyue was very anxious, fearing Lin Qinghe would be angry. She explained in a low voice, "Your Highness Princess, it's not like that! It's because, it's because... we used to have a pond of lotuses at home. Father planted them for Mother. Whenever there were lotus seedpods, Mother would pick them to make lotus seed soup for us. Brother must have seen them and remembered past events, which is why... he didn't mean to be disrespectful to Your Highness Princess!"
As Youyue finished speaking, Lin Qinghe clearly saw You Rong purse his lips even tighter.
She understood at once.
Lin Qinghe's emotions stirred slightly, and she smiled. "If you wanted to eat fresh lotus seed soup, you should have said so earlier. You Rong, wait here. Youyue, Meilan, you and I will go pick some lotus seedpods! When we return to Yaohua Palace later, we'll make fresh lotus seed soup!"
Lin Qinghe was the first to walk towards the lotus pond.
Meilan and Youyue hurried to follow.
When the two of them caught up, Lin Qinghe was standing by the lotus pond, picking several lotus seedpods. She picked all the ones within reach. For those further away that she couldn't reach, Lin Qinghe took off her shoes and socks and waded into the water to pick them.
Meilan was extremely worried. "Princess, please come up quickly! It's too dangerous. Let me go down and pick them for you!"
"No need. The water isn't deep; what danger is there? Why would you get your clothes dirty? Wait up here. I'll pick them and throw them up to you."
You Rong watched Lin Qinghe picking lotus seedpods in the lotus pond, his heart touched.
He hadn't even spoken, yet she, thinking he merely wanted fresh lotus seed soup, personally went into the water to pick them, not caring about soiling her dress...
Suddenly, a sarcastic voice rang out from behind.
"Heh heh... And who might this be? Isn't this the renowned General You, son of You Jiang, Young Master You Rong!"