As the progress bar increased, Lin Qinghe's objective was achieved. She wanted to say more, but her head grew heavy, her eyelids drooped, and she couldn't help but close her eyes.
Before falling asleep, Lin Qinghe cursed inwardly.
This wine's after-effects were far too potent!
Seeing the person slumped softly in his arms, You Rong's expression was complex. After a long moment, he sighed deeply, scooped Lin Qinghe up, and walked steadily towards her sleeping quarters.
After Mei Lan withdrew, she thought long and hard. Worried that Lin Qinghe had asked for so much strong liquor, she feared something might happen and returned to the sleeping quarters to check.
Discovering Lin Qinghe was not in her chambers, Mei Lan's face turned ashen with fright. She rushed out to call for help, only to bump into You Rong, who was carrying Lin Qinghe.
Mei Lan gasped, "Your Highness! Your Highness... what happened?!"
You Rong said gravely, "Her Highness is drunk. I'm bringing her back to rest."
Hearing this, Mei Lan quickly made way. "Good. Be careful, and please place Her Highness on the bed."
You Rong nodded and walked inside, carrying Lin Qinghe.
As You Rong was about to stand up after placing the drunken Lin Qinghe onto the bed, she grabbed his hand and mumbled hazily, "Don't go! Not now, at least. Don't go..."
"Your Highness, you are drunk. This servant has already brought you back to your palace. You should rest."
You Rong pulled his hand away. Lin Qinghe, with her eyes closed, reached out and grasped empty air. She immediately pouted and began to cry softly. "Wuwu... You Rong, don't go, don't go..."
Under Mei Lan's astonished gaze, You Rong's body stiffened, his earlobes reddened, and he was at a loss.
Mei Lan also looked awkward. "...You Rong, perhaps you should let Her Highness hold your hand for now? I will go get some sobering soup. Her Highness should be better after drinking it."
Lin Qinghe continued to sob unconsciously. You Rong had no choice but to offer her his hand.
As soon as Lin Qinghe clutched You Rong's hand, she became as docile as a kitten, rubbing her cheek against it. She stopped crying and her sleeping face was serene.
Seeing this, You Rong lowered his gaze slightly, feeling an inexplicable flusteredness.
Mei Lan, seeing that Lin Qinghe had quieted down, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to say, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll go get a bowl of sobering soup right away."
With that, Mei Lan quickly left the sleeping quarters.
You Rong stood by the bed, his well-defined fingers firmly clasped. He furrowed his brow, his gaze falling on Lin Qinghe's flushed little face, his mind racing with thoughts.
A quarter of an hour later, Mei Lan returned, carrying a bowl of sobering soup. She knelt by the bed, gently nudged Lin Qinghe's shoulder, and called out softly, "Your Highness, wake up, wake up... This servant has brought sobering soup. Would you like a sip?"
Lin Qinghe frowned and murmured displeasurably, clearly resisting.
Mei Lan held the sobering soup, her expression troubled, unsure what to do.
You Rong pursed his thin lips and said, "Give it to me. I'll try."
"Yes."
You Rong helped Lin Qinghe sit up, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. He took the sobering soup from Mei Lan, held the bowl to her lips, and whispered, "Your Highness, drink some sobering soup. Otherwise, you'll have a headache when you wake up tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe seemed to take You Rong's words to heart. Without opening her eyes, she obediently took small sips until the entire bowl of sobering soup was finished.
You Rong handed the empty bowl to Mei Lan. Just as Mei Lan was about to take a handkerchief to wipe Lin Qinghe's lips, You Rong took a handkerchief from the tray first, wiped her mouth, and then gently laid her back down.
Watching this scene, Mei Lan felt something was strange, but upon closer reflection, she couldn't pinpoint what it was. She shook her head, telling herself not to overthink.
"I will take care of Her Highness. You may withdraw, as you have duties at the Hall of Heavenly Purity early tomorrow."
Just as You Rong was about to withdraw his hand, Lin Qinghe pouted and said with a tearful voice, "Don't go, You Rong, don't go..."
Mei Lan: "Uh, this..."
You Rong said helplessly, "It's fine. I'll stay in the sleeping quarters tonight to keep watch. You go back and rest."
Mei Lan considered it. Given the current situation, there seemed to be no other option but for You Rong to stay.
Mei Lan nodded. "Alright. I will guard outside the hall. If anything happens, you can call me in."
You Rong: "Mm."
Mei Lan exited the sleeping quarters and closed the door. Only You Rong and Lin Qinghe were left in the room.
That night, You Rong did not sleep. He gazed down at Lin Qinghe until the sky outside began to lighten. He carefully withdrew his hand, which was being tightly held, rubbed his numb fingers, and after a long while, finally stepped out of the sleeping quarters.
He instructed Mei Lan to take good care of Lin Qinghe, then gathered his belongings and left Yaohua Palace, heading directly for the Hall of Heavenly Purity.
---
It wasn't until noon that Lin Qinghe's eyelids fluttered twice on the bed, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Hiss--"
Lin Qinghe gasped in pain, her head throbbing. She managed to sit up, massaging her aching forehead. Fragmented memories of last night surfaced in her mind.
Lin Qinghe never lost her memory when she drank. She vaguely recalled what she had done last night after getting drunk.
The scene of her truly acting out, clinging to You Rong and refusing to let him go, crying and pleading with him not to leave – Lin Qinghe felt incredibly embarrassed recalling it.
She had been dedicated to her role, even acting while drunk, but those scenes... she didn't want to think about them!
The door to the sleeping quarters was pushed open, and Mei Lan entered. She walked to the bed and curtsied in greeting.
"Your Highness, you are awake? Do you feel unwell? Shall this servant call for an imperial physician to examine you?"
Lin Qinghe sighed. "No need. This princess is fine. Where is You Rong? When did he leave? Did he go to the Hall of Heavenly Purity?" Su Dan Fiction Network
Mei Lan replied, "Back to Your Highness, You Rong left this morning at the hour of Chen and has already gone to the Hall of Heavenly Purity."
"Mm, this princess understands. Come and help me change and wash up."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After changing and washing up, Mei Lan ordered You Yue to bring the morning meal. Lin Qinghe ate her breakfast, somewhat distracted, her thoughts already drifting far away.
You Rong had gone to the Hall of Heavenly Purity. What was the next step to help him gain the Emperor's trust and favor?
Lin Qinghe tried to recall the Emperor's preferences from the original body's memories, but after thinking carefully, she found little useful information.
Suddenly, Lin Qinghe felt a jolt.
That's right!
The Emperor doted on the original body so much for two main reasons: the original body was born to Consort Jing, and the original body bore a strong resemblance to Consort Jing.
In that case! Perhaps she could find a way through the deceased Consort Jing!
Lin Qinghe immediately asked, "Mei Lan, do you know where the palace attendants who served my mother, Consort Jing, when she was alive, are now?"