The Emperor and Lin Qinghe left the meditation room. You Rong sat alone at the table, his brows furrowed and his expression grave.
What was Lin Qinghe plotting?
Was sending him to serve in the Qianqing Palace meant to use him to curry favor with the Emperor on her behalf? But why, as a princess, would she put so much effort into arranging people before the Emperor? Was it to help Lin Chenrui, or did she have other intentions?
Including the assassination attempt during today's prayer ceremony, did she seem to know something?
Stepping back, if Lin Qinghe truly intended to place him by the Emperor's side, was it for some ulterior motive? And if so, what was it, and why didn't she tell him a single word?
Or perhaps she hadn't had the time to tell him yet?
You Rong's doubts, like bamboo shoots after spring rain, sprouted one after another.
***
The next morning, the Emperor led everyone from Jianan Temple to return to the imperial palace.
Regarding the assassin incident, after the assassins were captured, they all died of poison that same night. The mastermind behind it all left no clues. The Emperor was furious and ordered the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the case, demanding a clear resolution.
Upon returning to Yaohua Palace, Lin Qinghe instructed Mei Lan to invite Imperial Physician Zhang to examine You Rong's shoulder wound again.
Learning that there was no serious issue and that it would largely recover in five to six days, Lin Qinghe visibly relaxed. After rewarding Imperial Physician Zhang, she had Mei Lan escort him out.
In the side hall, only You Rong and Lin Qinghe remained.
You Rong's eyes were slightly lowered, his gaze dark and unreadable.
He was waiting for Lin Qinghe's next words.
To his surprise, she merely instructed, "You Rong, recuperate well in your room these few days. If you need anything, just send Xiao Xizi to inform this princess."
You Rong blinked in surprise. "...Yes, Your Highness the Princess."
"Well, if there's nothing else, this princess will take her leave. Rest early."
After Lin Qinghe left, You Rong's brows knitted tightly.
Did she truly have nothing to say to him?
Could it be that sending him to serve in Qianqing Palace was, as she claimed, simply because she valued his martial arts skills and believed he was capable of protecting the Emperor's safety?
You Rong pondered and pondered, but could find no satisfactory answer, so he decided to stop thinking about it.
Moving from Yaohua Palace to serve in Qianqing Palace was indeed a good opportunity for him. It would be more convenient for him to contact his father's former subordinates and better investigate the unjust case of his You family!
Lin Qinghe returned to her sleeping quarters.
Lin Qinghe sat at her desk, propping her chin on her hand, tapping it rhythmically on the table. Her eyes narrowed, a glint flashing in their depths.
Her plan had taken its first step: getting You Rong to serve before the Emperor. Next, she would devise a way to help You Rong gain the Emperor's trust and eventually attain the position of Chief Eunuch. Then, he would have the means to reverse the You family's unjust verdict, which should surely increase his favorable impression of her.
However... with You Rong going to Qianqing Palace, it would be more troublesome to see him. Would there be any unforeseen complications?
After careful consideration, Lin Qinghe made up her mind. Before You Rong's injuries fully healed and he went to serve in Qianqing Palace, she needed to significantly boost his favorability.
And the best way to increase You Rong's favorability was to inform him of the reasons why she went to such lengths to send him to serve in Qianqing Palace.
How could she let him know...
Suddenly, Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up; she had an idea.
***
Five days later.
You Rong's injuries had healed. As previously arranged, he was to report for duty at Qianqing Palace the next day.
You Yue came to the side hall to pack You Rong's clothes and belongings. As she packed, her eyes began to redden.
Noticing this, You Rong gently stroked You Yue's small head and comforted her, "Don't be sad. I'll be serving in Qianqing Palace, and you'll be by the Princess's side. She often goes to greet the Emperor, so we'll definitely see each other often. Besides... even if the Princess doesn't go to Qianqing Palace often, I'll come to see you if I have the chance."
You Yue said sadly, "I don't want brother to go serve in Qianqing Palace. More importantly... serving by the Emperor's side, as the saying goes, 'accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.' If there's a slight misstep, one's head might roll. I don't want brother to go serve in Qianqing Palace. I even pleaded with the Princess, but... but the Princess insisted that brother go, I, I..."
As she spoke, tears began to stream down You Yue's face. "Now I only have brother as my family. I don't want brother to be in danger,呜呜..."
You Rong wiped the tears from You Yue's face, his brows slightly furrowed. He said softly, "Yue'er, don't worry. I'll take good care of myself and won't let anything happen to me. You too, don't make brother worry. Stay in Yaohua Palace and serve the Princess well. She's not a bad person... she won't make things difficult for you."
You Yue had many words she wanted to say, but she also understood that they were now lowly palace maids and eunuchs, and they could not defy their masters.
To avoid worrying You Rong too much, You Yue could only force back her sadness and nod, "Mm... Yue'er will. Brother, you don't need to worry about Yue'er."
The siblings talked for a long while. You Yue wiped away her tears and continued packing You Rong's belongings. After everything was neatly packed, she reluctantly left.
As soon as You Yue left, You Rong stood with his hands behind his back, looking out at the night sky. His handsome brows were slightly furrowed.
Lin Qinghe, what exactly was she plotting?
In Lin Qinghe's sleeping quarters.
"Mei Lan, come in."
Mei Lan pushed the door open, walked to Lin Qinghe, and curtsied, "Your Highness the Princess, you summoned this servant. Do you have something to instruct?"
Lin Qinghe said, "Mm, go and fetch me a few jars of wine. The stronger the better!"
"Ah?" Mei Lan looked surprised. "Your Highness the Princess, why do you suddenly want this servant to fetch wine?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Hurry and bring the wine."
Mei Lan dared not disobey Lin Qinghe's orders and replied, "Yes, this servant will go now."
A quarter of an hour later, Mei Lan returned with several jars of potent wine. Lin Qinghe took a sniff, the pungent aroma stinging her nostrils, confirming the wine was strong.
Lin Qinghe curved her lips and said, "Alright, no one stays to keep watch tonight. Everyone withdraw."
"Your Highness the Princess, you... should this servant stay?" Mei Lan asked with concern.
The Princess suddenly asked for so much strong wine, and Mei Lan had no idea what her intentions were, worrying that the Princess might get into trouble.
Lin Qinghe insisted, "No need. You all withdraw. Are you... not obeying this princess's command anymore?!"
Mei Lan's expression changed drastically. She said fearfully, "This servant would not dare... This servant will take her leave now."
"Mm, you may go."
After Mei Lan and the others withdrew, Lin Qinghe picked up a wine pot and took a few gulps of the potent liquor. The burning sensation of the strong wine went down her throat, making it feel like fire.
Lin Qinghe let out a long sigh and muttered, "This wine is too strong... But for acting, one must be dedicated."
Lin Qinghe slightly mussed her clothes, picked up the wine pot, and splashed some wine on herself, making her smell strongly of alcohol. She then looked in the bronze mirror at her slightly flushed cheeks, patted her face to get into character, and, feigning drunkenness, walked towards the side hall.
Today, she would teach You Rong a lesson in what it means to be three parts drunk and act to the point of tears!