Qianqing Palace.
You Rong had been on duty at Qianqing Palace for three days. Wang Wan assigned him menial tasks like cleaning, and he had not had the opportunity to serve the Emperor.
You Rong understood very well that the people Wang Wan arranged to serve the Emperor were all his so-called godchildren. Wang Wan's motive was to prevent anyone from being favored by the Emperor more than he was, thus losing his own power.
In the afternoon, You Rong finished cleaning the corridor outside Qianqing Palace and bumped into a general. Upon closer inspection, he said with a slight surprise, "Uncle Nangong!"
Nangong Jie was the commander of the Imperial Guards in the capital and a close friend of You Rong's father, You Jiang.
Nangong Jie nodded slightly, looked around to ensure they were alone, and lowered his voice, "Come with me to a quiet place, and we can talk."
You Rong nodded and followed Nangong Jie to a secluded spot.
Nangong Jie's expression was filled with emotion as he squeezed You Rong's shoulder forcefully and said, "You Rong, I had someone make arrangements for you before you entered the palace. I intended to assign you to a less demanding position in the palace, and then find a way for you to leave when the time was right. Little did I know, you were taken by the Fifth Princess to Yaohua Palace. I cannot go to Yaohua Palace, so how have you been there? Has the Fifth Princess made things difficult for you? And why are you now serving in Qianqing Palace?" Sū Dān Xiǎo Shuō Wǎng
Facing Nangong Jie's string of questions, You Rong replied, "Uncle Nangong, rest assured, I am doing well in Yaohua Palace. The Fifth Princess has not made things difficult for me. I am serving in Qianqing Palace because someone attempted to assassinate the Emperor at the blessing ceremony at Jianan Temple. I successfully protected His Majesty, and that is why he assigned me to Qianqing Palace."
Nangong Jie frowned. "The Fifth Princess was raised by Consort Qing and has a very good relationship with the Second Prince. She... truly did not make things difficult for you?"
You Rong stated firmly, "Her Highness the Princess did not make things difficult for me. She even took Yue'er to Yaohua Palace and has been taking good care of her."
Nangong Jie looked suspicious. "Is that truly so? It wasn't... the Fifth Princess and the Second Prince plotting something together?"
You Rong opened his mouth to explain for Lin Qinghe, but how could he? He couldn't tell Nangong Jie that Lin Qinghe liked him.
After a moment, he could only say with certainty, "Uncle Nangong, the Princess did not scheme against me. I can guarantee this. Believe me!"
Nangong Jie hesitated, then felt that these matters were not important. He changed the subject, "You haven't truly been castrated. Serving in Qianqing Palace is too dangerous. If you are discovered... it would be an offense of deceiving the Emperor. I will find an opportunity another day to request the Emperor to let you leave the palace?"
You Rong's eyes flickered. "Uncle Nangong, no need. I have another purpose for serving in Qianqing Palace."
"Another purpose?"
"Indeed." You Rong said, "If I want to overturn the case, besides finding evidence that proves my father was framed, I also need the Emperor's approval to overturn it. The only one who can make this decision is the Emperor. Therefore... I will strive to gain His Majesty's trust and favor, and then request the Emperor to allow a re-investigation into the You family's rebellion case!"
Just as Lin Qinghe had said, this was the only path he could take.
Nangong Jie's stern face was filled with worry. "You Rong, you must think carefully. Serving the ruler is like accompanying a tiger. Gaining the Emperor's trust and favor is no easy feat! Conversely, you..."
You Rong interrupted Nangong Jie with a resolute expression. "Uncle Nangong, rest assured, I know what I am doing! I will definitely succeed! For my father and mother... for the over a hundred souls of the You family who died unjustly! I will definitely succeed!"
Nangong Jie sighed helplessly. "Alas! Your temperament is just like your father's..."
You Rong interrupted Nangong Jie's somber mood and asked, "Uncle Nangong, did you come to find me today because you discovered some clues?"
Nangong Jie shook his head. "No. The Second Prince is cautious in his actions and has kept himself completely detached from everything. The former Minister of Punishments who handled the case, Jing Ziyue, and the deputy general of the You family army who accused your father of rebellion, Zhang Zhuhe, I have had people secretly following them, but I haven't found any connection between them and the Second Prince."
Here, Nangong Jie said with indignation, "But you can rest assured! I have placed informants around them. As soon as they expose the slightest flaw, we will immediately follow the clues and investigate thoroughly!"
You Rong's heart sank with Nangong Jie's words.
In fact, he also understood that if Lin Chenrui had not handled everything so perfectly, his father would not have been convicted of rebellion.
After a moment, You Rong composed himself. "Uncle Nangong, rest assured, I believe they will eventually show their hand. In any case... I must avenge my parents!"
"Good. Rest assured, I will do my best to help you. If you need to contact me, go to the North Gate and tell the soldier on duty. He will inform me. You are serving in Qianqing Palace, so be extremely careful."
"Yes, I will."
After parting ways with Nangong Jie, You Rong returned to his quarters.
He sat at the wooden table, his eyes slightly lowered, appearing lost in thought, pondering something unknown.
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Two more days passed.
Lin Qinghe had just gotten up and was about to go to Qianqing Palace to pay her respects to the Emperor, and also to see You Rong.
At this moment, Meilan entered from outside, her face beaming with joy. "Your Highness, Mama Li requests an audience. I heard she has recreated the sachets that Consort Jing made when she was alive!"
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. She said eagerly, "Quick! Invite Mama Li in!"
"Yes, your servant will go now!"
Meilan left and returned, with Mama Li following behind her.
Mama Li bowed. "Your servant greets Your Highness..."
Lin Qinghe quickly helped Mama Li up. "Mama Li, no need for such formalities. Please sit down quickly. You said you have recreated my mother's sachets, is that true?"
Mama Li nodded with a smile. "Yes, I have been working on it for several days and have finally recreated sachets that smell very similar to those made by Consort Jing when she was alive."
Mama Li took out two sachets from her embrace and handed them over. "Your Highness, look... these are the sachets I have recreated. I remember this scent, it is indeed extremely similar to what Her Ladyship made back then."
Lin Qinghe took the sachets and sniffed them. They had a faint herbal scent with a hint of floral fragrance, a refreshing aroma. No wonder the Emperor liked them.
Lin Qinghe said joyfully, "Mama Li, thank you."
"Your Highness is too kind. It is my honor that Your Highness likes them."
Lin Qinghe bestowed many gifts upon Mama Li and had Meilan escort her out personally.
In the sleeping quarters.
Lin Qinghe looked down at the sachets in her hand, her eyes sparkling, and a slight smile curved her lips.
After Meilan returned, Lin Qinghe immediately said, "Prepare some pastries tomorrow. I want to go to Qianqing Palace to pay my respects to Father Emperor!"
Meilan replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Your servant will prepare them now."