Lin Qinghe brought Mei Lan to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Upon entering the hall, she curtsied, "Your humble daughter greets Your Imperial Father."
"Qinghe has arrived. No need for formalities. Rise and come here," the Emperor said. As Lin Qinghe walked over, the Emperor took her hand, looking at her with a benevolent smile, "Why have you come again today? Do you have something to ask of me?"
"Not at all! Your humble daughter made some osmanthus cakes by hand and brought them especially for Your Imperial Father to taste!"
"Oh, is that so?"
"Of course!"
Lin Qinghe took out the osmanthus cakes from the food box. After the Emperor tasted them, he said with great satisfaction, "Qinghe is truly becoming more sensible, knowing to honor me. But thinking about it, you've been through your capping ceremony for two years. You're eighteen this year. It's time for me to consider finding a good husband for you!"
Mention of marriage, Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat. She feared that with an imperial decree, she would be married off to some unknown fellow, and her mission would be ruined!
Lin Qinghe quickly pouted playfully, "My marriage is not urgent, Your Imperial Father. I wish to meet someone I truly love before I can marry him. Moreover... I don't wish to be married off so soon. I want to stay in the palace and be filial to Your Imperial Father for a few more years."
"You child... you're not young anymore. You should be married. How can you stay in the palace with me forever?"
"I didn't say I want to stay with Your Imperial Father forever, I just want to stay with you for two more years. Aren't you well, Your Imperial Father?" Lin Qinghe hugged the Emperor's arm and swayed it, looking at him with pleading eyes.
The Emperor had always doted on Lin Qinghe. How could he resist her playful charm? Moreover, he truly was reluctant to see her married. He shook his head helplessly and said, "Alright, stop swaying. My old bones will fall apart if you keep shaking them like this. I promise you, is that enough?"
Lin Qinghe's eyes brightened, "Your Imperial Father is indeed the best to your humble daughter!"
After bidding the Emperor farewell, Lin Qinghe stood outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity with a slight frown.
Why hadn't she seen You Rong just now? Shouldn't he be serving the Emperor?
Mei Lan saw Lin Qinghe wasn't moving and asked doubtfully, "Your Highness the Princess, why aren't you leaving?"
Lin Qinghe didn't answer. After thinking for a moment, she asked a young eunuch standing outside the gate of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, "Where is You Rong? Is he working in the Palace of Heavenly Purity? Where is he now?"
The young eunuch respectfully replied, "Reporting to Your Highness the Princess, You Rong has been assigned by Eunuch Wang to clean the back of the palace. He should be there cleaning now."
You Rong was assigned to cleaning?
Lin Qinghe belatedly realized that many palace maids and eunuchs tried to serve the Emperor, hoping to win his favor, and thus get close to power and wealth. Wang Wan, who could become the chief eunuch, was an old fox. Those serving the Emperor must be his people. You Rong, being new to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, would naturally not be given an opportunity to impress the Emperor by Wang Wan.
Understanding this, Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered. Following the young eunuch's direction, she went to the back of the Palace of Heavenly Purity and found You Rong.
You Rong was sweeping fallen leaves with a broom. Seeing Lin Qinghe, he was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses. He quickly cupped his hands and bowed, "This servant greets Your Highness the Princess."
Lin Qinghe stepped forward to help You Rong up. Her eyes curved into a smile, "You Rong, I came to greet Your Imperial Father today and specifically to see you. You've been working in the Palace of Heavenly Purity these past few days. Are you adapting well?"
You Rong lowered his eyes, his heart filled with confusion.
Did she not remember what she had said while drunk a few days ago?
You Rong thought again. Lin Qinghe had been so drunk that she had lost consciousness that day. It was normal that she wouldn't remember. He decided not to dwell on it.
He said, "Reporting to Your Highness the Princess, this servant is working in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and everything is fine. I have no issues adapting."
"That's good." Lin Qinghe turned around and took the food box from Mei Lan, handing it to him. "This is some pastry. I brought it specifically for you. Take it back to your residence. If you're hungry at night, you can eat some. Or if you're hungry during duty, you can carry a few pieces with you to fill your stomach."
"This... Your Highness the Princess, this servant cannot accept..."
Before You Rong could finish speaking, Lin Qinghe forcefully stuffed the food box into his hand, pretending to be fierce with a stern face. "Take it! This is my command. If you don't take it, beware of being caned!"
Seeing her feigned arrogance, You Rong's heart inexplicably softened. Unbeknownst to himself, his gaze gentled.
"This servant accepts it. Thank you, Your Highness the Princess."
"Mm... It's nothing. If you like it, next time Your Highness comes to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to greet Your Imperial Father, I'll bring you more!"
After a brief chat, Lin Qinghe suddenly turned around and said, "Mei Lan, it seems I've dropped my handkerchief at the entrance of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Go and ask the palace maids there if they have seen my handkerchief."
Mei Lan, believing her, replied, "Yes, Your Highness the Princess. This servant will go now."
After sending Mei Lan away, Lin Qinghe took out three sachets and a piece of paper from her wide sleeves and handed them to You Rong together.
Lin Qinghe lowered her voice, "These sachets were made by my late mother. Your Imperial Father particularly likes them. When you serve Your Imperial Father, place them on his bed, or beside him. The fragrance can refresh the mind. The paper also contains information I inquired from my mother's former personal maid about Your Imperial Father's daily preferences. Remember them, so you can serve Your Imperial Father according to his wishes."
Clutching the items Lin Qinghe had put into his hands, You Rong couldn't quite describe how he felt.
He looked at Lin Qinghe with complex emotions, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Lin Qinghe knew You Rong must want to mention what happened that night when she was drunk, and say things like his low status and that he wasn't worthy of her affection, refusing her.
Lin Qinghe spoke first, "Don't overthink it. I'm telling you these things because I want Your Imperial Father to live more comfortably in his daily life and meals!"
You Rong pursed his lips.
If it weren't for her drunken confession that night, he might have truly believed her words.
She had gone to such lengths to gather this information, all for him!
The words of gratitude were at You Rong's lips, but he didn't know how to express them. He had always been poor at expressing himself.
Lin Qinghe seemed truly afraid that You Rong would once again earnestly refuse her. So, she didn't give him the chance, leaving him with a parting remark, "I must return to Yaohua Palace. Next time I come to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, I will bring You Yue to see you."
Saying this, she turned and left quickly without waiting for You Rong's reply.
As Lin Qinghe's figure disappeared from sight, You Rong looked down at the items in his hand, his thoughts in turmoil.
Did she truly like him this much?
So much that she didn't care that he was already an eunuch?
Lin Qinghe returned to the front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, took a deep breath, and calmed her mind, shifting her thoughts back to the matter at hand.
She needed to make Wang Wan arrange for You Rong to serve the Emperor.
Her eyes flickered, and she had an idea.
Using the matter of the handkerchief, Lin Qinghe punished several young eunuchs under Wang Wan's command. This meant they couldn't serve the Emperor injured tonight. With insufficient personnel, Wang Wan would naturally have to let You Rong fill in.