Mei Lan followed Lin Qing He's orders to deliver pastries to Gu Zi Ye in the North Zen Room. Upon her return, she encountered You Rong and You Yue outside Lin Qing He's Zen Room.
"Sister Mei Lan, where did you go?" You Yue asked doubtfully upon seeing her return.
"His Highness the Princess ordered me to take pastries to Lord Gu in the North Zen Room as a thank you for helping her by the stream today," Mei Lan replied.
"Oh, I see... That Lord Gu is truly handsome. His Highness the Princess seems to treat him quite specially. Sister Mei Lan, do you think... His Highness the Princess might have fallen for him?"
As soon as You Yue finished speaking, You Rong's face darkened, and he reprimanded her, "Yue'er, don't spout such nonsense!"
You Rong's reaction was too strong, startling You Yue greatly.
She glanced at the grim-faced You Rong and timidly said, "I... I was just saying it casually, I didn't mean anything else."
"Can such things be said casually! If this gets out, it will ruin His Highness the Princess's reputation!"
"Brother... I know I was wrong. Why are you so fierce? I..." You Yue's eyes welled up with tears from his scolding.
"Yue'er, I..." You Rong pursed his thin lips, his brow furrowed. He himself didn't know why he had suddenly reacted so unusually.
Seeing this, Mei Lan quickly tried to smooth things over. "Yue'er, don't be sad. You Rong is scolding you for your own good. If such words get out, even if His Highness the Princess doesn't pursue it, it will cause misunderstandings. If the Emperor finds out, he certainly won't let you off."
You Yue lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers, knowing she was wrong. Her voice was very small, "Sister Mei Lan, Brother... I know I was wrong. I won't speak carelessly again in the future."
Mei Lan said earnestly, "Yes, it's always wise to be cautious with your words and actions when you are in the palace."
Lin Qing He, inside the Zen Room, heard the commotion outside and called out, "Mei Lan, You Yue, come in. What are you two whispering about outside?"
Mei Lan gave You Yue a meaningful glance and whispered, "Alright, let's hurry inside. Let this matter drop, and we won't mention it again."
"Yes, Sister Mei Lan."
Mei Lan led You Yue back into the Zen Room where Lin Qing He was staying. You Rong stood alone outside, gazing at the closed door with complicated emotions.
Putting other things aside, Lin Qing He liking someone else, for him, should be a good thing.
After all, he didn't like her.
But... why did his heart feel so heavy?
You Rong couldn't figure it out, so he simply pushed it out of his mind, unwilling to dwell on it.
After resting for a night at Jianan Temple, the next day, as dawn broke, Lin Qing He rose, had a simple breakfast, and according to protocol, needed to go to the temple's front courtyard to participate in the prayer ceremony.
Lin Qing He specifically asked Mei Lan to summon You Rong.
After You Rong entered and saw Lin Qing He, his eyes flickered slightly. He cupped his hands and said, "This servant greets His Highness the Princess. May I ask if Your Highness has any instructions in summoning this servant?"
Lin Qing He nodded. "Prepare yourself and accompany this Princess to the front courtyard for the prayer ceremony. Remember to stay close to this Princess at all times."
This way, it would be easier for her to act if there were assassins attempting to kill the Emperor.
This point, she naturally couldn't explain to You Rong.
A look of confusion flashed across You Rong's face, but he didn't ask further. He respectfully replied, "Yes, this servant obeys."
"Alright... then let's go to the front courtyard. Mei Lan and You Yue will wait in the Zen Room for our return."
Mei Lan and You Yue said in unison, "Yes, Your Highness the Princess."
Upon arriving at the front courtyard of Jianan Temple, the abbot and several senior monks had already prepared the items needed for the prayer ceremony. The Emperor was also in place, standing with the princes and ministers beside him.
Seeing Lin Chen Rui's figure, Lin Qing He's brows furrowed slightly, and she instinctively looked at You Rong with concern.
Seeing that You Rong showed no particular reaction, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and led him towards the Emperor.
"Your subject greets Father Emperor."
The Emperor reached out to help Lin Qing He up and smiled kindly, "Qing He has arrived. No need for such formalities. Come to your Father Emperor's side. Abbot Fang said the prayer ceremony is about to begin."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
The Emperor spoke cordially and affectionately with Lin Qing He, his face full of kindness. No one noticed Lin Chen Rui's gaze darken, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes.
Hmph!
Lin Qing He was born to Consort Jing. Because she bore some resemblance to the late Consort Jing, Father Emperor doted on her so much! This doting surpassed that of every prince in the palace!
However, upon second thought, no matter how much the Emperor favored Lin Qing He, she would never be an empress. She posed no threat to his ambition of seizing the throne, so Lin Chen Rui no longer cared.
After standing for a while, Abbot Fang loudly announced, "The auspicious hour has arrived. The prayer ceremony officially begins!"
Everyone, including the Emperor, became solemn and serious.
Abbot Fang continued loudly, "Please, Your Majesty, step forward and offer incense."
The Emperor stepped forward as directed by Abbot Fang. Wang Wan handed the lit incense to the Emperor. Holding the incense, the Emperor bowed three times with everyone, and then placed the incense in the censer.
Next, Abbot Fang and the senior monks of Jianan Temple recited the prayer scriptures together.
Lin Qing He listened absentmindedly, her thoughts already far away.
With such peace and quiet, was there truly no one intending to assassinate? Or was this just the calm before the storm?
Lin Qing He glanced back, confirming You Rong was behind her, and then subtly observed her surroundings.
Further behind them were soldiers. If there were truly assassins, You Rong would surely be able to rescue the Emperor in time.
However, You Rong had no weapon. This thought made Lin Qing He start to ponder.
Suddenly, a few monks participating in the prayer ceremony exchanged glances, drew soft swords from their waists, and leaped towards the Emperor, shouting, "Dog Emperor! Take your life!"
The prayer ceremony descended into chaos. Ministers scrambled in all directions, not forgetting to shout, "Protect the Emperor! There are assassins! Someone! Quickly, protect the Emperor!"
Lin Qing He had been on guard all along. As soon as assassins appeared, without a second word, she turned and rushed towards a guard. Before the guard could react, she snatched his sword and threw it towards You Rong.
"You Rong! Catch the sword! Go protect His Majesty!"
You Rong caught the long sword smoothly, glanced back at Lin Qing He with a grave expression, and said, "Princess! Get to safety!"
Lin Qing He nodded heavily, turned, and ran to hide behind a tree in the front courtyard.
She had no martial arts skills. In such a chaotic situation, she had to find a way to protect herself, otherwise, if she died, all her efforts would be in vain.
You Rong's eyes sharpened. Holding the sword, he charged to the Emperor's side, parried the assassin's sword aimed at the Emperor's vital points, and with a counter-move, dealt with that assassin.
Seven or eight monks then surrounded him. You Rong stood before the Emperor alone, preventing the assassins from harming him.
But one man's strength is no match for many, especially when You Rong was fighting almost ten opponents. Soon, he was wounded in the shoulder by an assassin's sword. He clutched the bleeding wound and stumbled back a few steps.
The Emperor worriedly exclaimed, "You Rong! Be careful!"
Seeing three monks attacking You Rong simultaneously with their swords, aiming for his vital spots.
At the critical moment, a guard who had been held back rushed forward and, from behind, struck down all three monk assassins. The remaining assassin monks were also captured one after another by the guards who had recovered from their shock.