Seeing You Rong injured, Lin Qinghe's heart clenched, and she quickly stepped forward.
Fortunately, the situation had been brought under control and the assassins apprehended. Lin Qinghe walked to You Rong's side, supported him, and asked worriedly, "You Rong, how are you? Is your injury serious?"
You Rong clutched his wounded shoulder, blood still dripping from the wound.
He shook his head with a pale face, "Your servant's injury is not serious..."
"Not serious! You're so badly hurt!" Lin Qinghe intentionally raised her voice and said anxiously to the Emperor, "Father, You Rong is not lightly injured. You must have the imperial physician treat him immediately!"
The Emperor's expression was solemn, and he immediately commanded in a deep voice, "Wang Wan, help You Rong down and have the accompanying imperial physician treat him!"
Wang Wan bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Wan had several eunuchs under him escort You Rong away for treatment. Lin Qinghe, worried about You Rong, asked the Emperor a few questions. Coupled with the Emperor's urgency to interrogate the assassins, she easily found an excuse to leave.
She quickly rushed to the meditation room where You Rong was staying and pushed the door open hastily.
"You Rong, how is your injury? Are you alright..."
The scene before her made Lin Qinghe's words come to an abrupt halt.
The imperial physician was bandaging You Rong's bare torso. His abdominal muscles were clearly defined, and his skin was fair, making Lin Qinghe involuntarily swallow.
This was not the time to notice such things, but she truly couldn't tear her eyes away.
His physique... was simply too good!
You Rong clearly reacted, pulled up his inner robe, and tidied himself. He frowned. Lin Qinghe snapped back to reality, gave an embarrassed smile, and said, "Hehe... um, this princess came to check on your injury, You Rong... Imperial Physician Li, is You Rong's injury serious? Will he be alright?"
Imperial Physician Li cupped his hands and said, "Replying to Your Highness the Princess, You Rong's shoulder wound is deep, but fortunately, it has not injured the bones or tendons. It is merely a flesh wound. This minister has already bandaged it. With proper rest for a period, he will be fine."
Lin Qinghe said, "Mm, this princess understands. It's good that he's alright."
"Then if there's nothing else, this minister shall take his leave."
"Mm, you may withdraw."
As Imperial Physician Li left, only You Rong and Lin Qinghe remained in the meditation room. In the silence, Lin Qinghe felt a little awkward. She cleared her throat and broke the silence, "Ahem... um... you performed well in protecting His Majesty. Father will surely reward you handsomely!"
You Rong's gaze flickered. He didn't seem to pay much attention to rewards. He watched Lin Qinghe, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
You Rong said, "When the assassin attacked His Majesty, why was Your Highness able to so quickly snatch a guard's sword and throw it to this servant?"
He had stood behind Lin Qinghe and noticed her every move. Thus, he had seen Lin Qinghe turn and snatch a guard's sword to throw to him almost as soon as the assassin appeared.
It was as if... she had known this assassination attempt would happen.
Lin Qinghe gave a guilty, dry laugh, "Hehe... that's because, because... your father was a great general, so you must have been influenced since childhood and possess good martial arts skills. This princess was anxious and thought of you first to protect His Majesty. That's all."
"Is that... really all?" You Rong was half-believing.
He had a vague feeling that it wasn't.
"Of... of course, it is. Otherwise? Do you think this princess can foresee the future and know in advance that someone would assassinate Father?"
You Rong said in a low voice, "This servant did not mean that."
Fearing that You Rong would continue the topic, Lin Qinghe seized the opportunity and said, "Since your injuries are not serious, this princess is relieved. Rest well here in the meditation room. This princess will go and see Father to inquire about the investigation of the assassins. Have they made any progress?"
With that, Lin Qinghe turned and left quickly.
Once outside and certain that You Rong could not see her, Lin Qinghe stopped and patted her chest, letting out a long sigh of relief.
How could You Rong's gaze be so sharp? She had almost been exposed.
If she had to say it, she had read countless palace intrigue novels and watched dramas. It was a common trope for emperors to be assassinated when traveling incognito, so she had indeed anticipated it.
In the meditation room, You Rong lowered his gaze. A thoughtful expression settled on his handsome face.
He always felt that Lin Qinghe was hiding something...
-------------------------------------
Two hours later.
The sky outside was gradually darkening. Lin Qinghe accompanied the Emperor after dinner and they both went to You Rong's meditation room.
You Rong endured his injury and knelt to pay his respects, "Your servant greets His Majesty and Your Highness the Princess."
"No need for excessive formalities. Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
You Rong stood up. The Emperor looked at him with a gratified expression and said in a deep voice, "You Rong, your protection of His Majesty today during the prayer ceremony was meritorious. I must reward you handsomely!"
"Ensuring His Majesty's safety is this servant's duty and responsibility. Your Majesty need not reward this servant!"
"How can that be? Your protection was meritorious, and it is only right that you are rewarded!" the Emperor said with a smile.
Lin Qinghe chimed in, "Your humble daughter believes Father is right. Since ancient times, rewards have been given for merit and punishments for crimes. You Rong's protection was meritorious, so he naturally deserves a reward."
"Hahaha... Qinghe is right! Then I shall reward You Rong..." The Emperor paused, thought for a moment, and said, "One thousand taels of gold, and he shall be promoted to a seventh-rank supervisory eunuch."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she gave You Rong a look, saying, "You Rong, why don't you quickly thank Father for the reward?"
You Rong knelt again, "Your servant thanks His Majesty for his grace."
The Emperor: "Mm, rise."
After You Rong stood up, Lin Qinghe's dark eyes rolled around. She believed this was the best time to mention having You Rong serve by the Emperor's side.
Lin Qinghe hugged the Emperor's arm and said softly, "Father, your humble daughter sees that You Rong has good martial arts skills. Why not let You Rong serve by your side? That way, he can also protect your safety. What do you think?"
The Emperor stroked Lin Qinghe's head and smiled, "No need. I have plenty of guards by my side. I heard you specifically requested You Rong to be brought to your palace. Let him remain in Yaohua Palace."
Lin Qinghe pouted and said, "This daughter cannot trust the guards by Father's side. During today's assassination attempt, they all acted like stunned idiots and couldn't recover for a long time. If not for You Rong, the consequences would have been dire... Father, your humble daughter is also worried about you. Just let You Rong serve you. With him around, this daughter can be more at ease. Father wouldn't want this daughter to suffer from anxiety day and night because of you, would you?"
The Emperor, believing her, was filled with gratification. "You child... to be so worried about me shows your filial piety. I shall agree to your request. Once You Rong's injuries have healed, he shall serve in the Palace of Heavenly Purity."
Lin Qinghe's face was full of smiles. "Yes, Father." At the same time, she reminded You Rong, "Quickly thank Father. It is your fortune to be able to serve by Father's side. Remember to serve Father diligently and wholeheartedly from now on." You Rong's expression shifted slightly. He pursed his lips, cupped his hands, and said, "Your servant obeys. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."