After Lin Qinghe finished speaking, she eagerly awaited You Rong's reaction, having prepared herself for the worst, expecting him to once again cite his lowly status and reject her with a string of words.
However, to her surprise, You Rong looked at her, his eyes unfathomably deep. After a long pause, he said indifferently, "Your Highness Princess, it is getting late. You should return to Yaohua Palace."
Lin Qinghe emerged from You Rong's residence, completely bewildered.
She stared at the closed door of You Rong's dwelling, a million questions in her head.
"That's it???"
Had she just confessed her feelings, not commented on the lovely weather, and this was his reaction?
No! It should be said he had no reaction at all!
Lin Qinghe, already upset by Wang Wan and Wang Yue, felt even more incensed now!
You Rong was a heartless blockhead!
Lin Qinghe said indignantly, "Let's go! Back to the palace!"
Mei Lan and You Yue exchanged glances, not understanding why Lin Qinghe had suddenly become angry, and dared not ask further, quickly following her.
After walking only a couple of steps, Lin Qinghe abruptly stopped again, her anger instantly vanishing. A smile spread across her face, her lips almost splitting to her ears.
Lin Qinghe heard the system's prompt: "Progress bar increased by five percent, total progress is twenty-seven percent."
Lin Qinghe stopped walking. You Yue and Mei Lan exchanged glances again, seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
You Yue whispered, "Your Highness Princess, why have you stopped? Is something wrong?"
Lin Qinghe smiled, her previous dejection and irritation completely gone. "It's nothing! This Princess is perfectly fine! Let's go, we'll return to Yaohua Palace. Prepare some good dishes for tonight's dinner. This Princess wants to have a good meal to celebrate. Remember to prepare plenty of food, you two will eat with me too!"
With that, Lin Qinghe walked briskly towards Yaohua Palace.
She retracted her previous statement. You Rong was indeed a blockhead, but he was merely a slightly slow-witted blockhead, not entirely devoid of feeling.
You Yue and Mei Lan, still confused, wondered what there was to celebrate for Lin Qinghe to be so happy.
Despite their bewilderment, they quickly followed Lin Qinghe's steps.
They were still puzzled as to why the Princess's mood had changed so rapidly, faster than the weather in June.
In You Rong's residence.
You Rong sat quietly at the table, his eyes cast down, gazing at the note Lin Qinghe had given him. He opened it and read it with concentration.
The handwriting was neat and elegant. As he looked at each word, he could almost see her concentrating as she wrote.
Unknowingly, You Rong's mind again drifted to Lin Qinghe's words spoken without hesitation just now.
"Not for any other reason, but because this Princess likes you..."
You Rong's well-defined features gradually softened, and the corners of his mouth curved into a pleasant arc.
After a while, You Rong's wandering thoughts finally returned. His eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp.
Wang Wan... indeed needed to be eliminated. Otherwise, he would only become a stumbling block in the future!
You Rong wrote a letter. Under the cover of no one paying attention, he went to the North Palace Gate and handed the letter to the soldiers on duty, asking them to forward it to Nangong Jie.
The content of the letter was simple: ask Nangong Jie to find a way to investigate whether Wang Wan had any dealings with a certain prince in the court, and what gifts he had received from officials.
If these matters could be clarified, Wang Wan's acceptance of bribes and his actions to secure benefits for officials or princes from the Emperor would surely make him unable to escape blame!
On the other side.
In Wang Yue's residence, his official attire as a fourth-rank eunuch had been stripped off. He was wearing ordinary eunuch's grey robes and was packing his belongings, preparing to be sent to the Department of Imperial Laundry.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Wang Wan entered.
Wang Yue quickly knelt and bowed, "This humble one greets Godfather."
"Rise," Wang Wan personally helped Wang Yue up. A trace of ruthlessness flashed across his阴柔 (yinrou - effeminate and sinister) wrinkled face. "Thanks to your words before the Emperor today, I was spared punishment. Rest assured, I will not forget what you did for me today. For now, endure the hardship in the Department of Imperial Laundry for a while. I will find an opportunity to arrange for your release."
"Yes, Godfather. This humble one understands. Thank you, Godfather. This humble one is willing to do anything for you!"
Wang Wan smiled with satisfaction. "Well, among my godchildren, you are the smartest and most filial. This time... it was my oversight. I never expected that young man You Rong would have the Fifth Princess backing him up!"
"This humble one also finds it strange. Previously, I heard that the Fifth Princess detested You Rong, often scolding and hitting him. How could she be helping him like this?"
Wang Wan thought about it, but could not figure it out. However, he then dismissed You Rong from his mind.
"The Fifth Princess is of marriageable age and will not remain in the palace for much longer. Once she takes a consort and leaves the palace, that young man You Rong... we will have plenty of ways to deal with him!" Wang Wan said resentfully.
Wang Yue flattered, "Yes, Godfather. One day, you will surely make that young man You Rong suffer!"
However, Wang Wan did not live to see Lin Qinghe leave the palace. These, however, are matters for another time.
-------------------------------------
Time passed, and another five days went by.
Lin Qinghe specifically sent someone to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to inquire. She heard that the Emperor was very satisfied with You Rong's service, and the medicinal meals he prepared daily were even more favored by the Emperor.
Now, it was common knowledge in the palace that besides Wang Wan, You Rong was another favored figure by the Emperor.
Many people racked their brains trying to curry favor with You Rong, hoping he would speak well of them to the Emperor.
Lin Qinghe was quite pleased with this development, but when she thought of Wang Wan, she became troubled. Sudan Novel Network.
Were there any ways to get rid of Wang Wan?
If they investigated whether Wang Wan had received bribes from officials and princes, it was certain that something could be found to make a case. However, it would be too slow, and if not careful, it might even implicate important court officials or princes. The Emperor might choose to downplay the matter, and Wang Wan would still be fine. This would only alert him and make him even more eager to deal with You Rong.
Lin Qinghe frowned, her slender, fair fingers tapping the table rhythmically.
She racked her brain, but could not come up with a suitable method to eliminate Wang Wan.
Just then, Mei Lan entered. Seeing Lin Qinghe with a worried expression, she said, "Your Highness Princess, you look unhappy. Are you bored in the palace?"
Lin Qinghe casually replied, "Indeed. I can't leave the palace..."
"Then... in two days, it will be the horse racing day. If Your Highness is feeling bored, why not go to the racetrack that day to watch the princes and young lords race horses? You always enjoyed it during the horse races in previous years, didn't you?"
Lin Qinghe recalled the horse racing from the original body's memories.
The Eastern Li Kingdom placed great importance on horse racing. There was a fixed date each year when a group of royal descendants and children of high-ranking officials would participate, each choosing a horse to compete. The winner would receive rewards from the Emperor. On this day, not only the Emperor would attend, but many imperial consorts as well.
Suddenly, Lin Qinghe felt a jolt, and her eyes lit up.
Perhaps there was a way to get rid of Wang Wan!
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered. She said impatiently, "Mei Lan, quickly! Go to the Imperial Physicians' Office and invite Imperial Physician Zhang!"