You Rong hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, it is I."
Hearing it was You Rong, Lin Qinghe paused. She quickly got out of bed and ran to open the door, not even taking the time to put on her outer robe, wearing only her inner garments and barefoot.
The door was pulled open, revealing Lin Qinghe with her dark hair unbound and a simple, elegant face, which made You Rong's heart beat a little faster.
Lin Qinghe's eyes curved slightly, and she asked with a smile, "It's so late, why are you here? Is something the matter?"
You Rong lowered his gaze and saw Lin Qinghe was barefoot. He frowned and scooped her up. Lin Qinghe was startled and cried out, clutching his neck.
"You Rong, what are you...?"
"Your Highness, it's late and cold. You should put on shoes before coming out."
Lin Qinghe chuckled, "I couldn't help it. When I heard it was you outside, I was so eager to see you that I forgot to put on my shoes."
In the dim candlelight, Lin Qinghe could clearly see the tips of You Rong's ears turn red. She suddenly found teasing him to be quite amusing.
You Rong remained silent. Lin Qinghe hugged his neck tighter and pulled him down, bringing their faces closer. She said softly, "Is it possible... only I miss you, and you don't miss me at all?"
You Rong pursed his thin lips, "No, I miss Your Highness just as much, which is why I couldn't resist coming to see you, and to bring you the snacks I bought outside the palace today."
Lin Qinghe heard the answer she was satisfied with and raised her eyebrows, her mood lifting.
You Rong placed Lin Qinghe on the bed to sit and then crouched down, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her feet. Lin Qinghe sensed it and instinctively tried to pull her feet back, but You Rong held on stubbornly.
"Your Highness's feet were on the ground just now, they must be dirty. I'll clean them before putting them back on the bed."
"You..."
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong, who was focused on wiping her feet, and felt a strange sensation in her heart.
In ancient times, men were always superior to women. Even though she was a princess, if she ordered her consort to wash or wipe her feet, it would surely be a subject of ridicule if it got out. Yet, he willingly knelt before her, meticulously and attentively wiping her feet.
After cleaning them, You Rong held Lin Qinghe's icy feet in his large hands, his brow furrowing even deeper.
"It's not winter yet, the weather isn't that cold. Why are Your Highness's feet so cold? In the future, have the palace maids prepare a couple of foot warmers to put in the bedding for warmth..."
You Rong said, but his warm hands held Lin Qinghe's feet tightly, trying to warm her cold feet.
Lin Qinghe understood; this was a lingering effect of taking Zihuan, making her body extremely sensitive to cold.
She smiled and teased, "What need for foot warmers? Marry me soon, and you can warm me up every day from now on."
This time, it wasn't just You Rong's earlobes that turned red; a blush crept up his cheeks.
Seeing his silence, Lin Qinghe was even more eager to tease him. She continued, "Okay? You Rong... Don't you want to marry me sooner? Or don't you want to warm my feet every day?"
You Rong: "That's not it! I will marry Your Highness as soon as possible, if you are willing... I will warm Your Highness's feet every day from now on."
"I wish for nothing more, why would I be unwilling."
You Rong looked at the adorable Lin Qinghe, his handsome face filled with doting affection. Seeing her feet were a little warmer, he tucked them into the quilt, pulled the quilt up to wrap her completely, and said softly, "It's getting late. You should rest. I'll go back to Qianqing Palace first. If I have time, I'll come to see you."
Lin Qinghe grabbed You Rong's hand. "We've only spoken a few words, and you're leaving already? I can't bear to part with you. I'm not sleepy anyway. Stay and chat with me, okay? Please..."
You Rong knew he shouldn't stay. If they were discovered, rumors of a princess meeting a eunuch at night would surely damage her reputation. But in the end, he couldn't resist Lin Qinghe's increasingly soft pleas.
You Rong sat down by the bed. "Okay, what do you want to talk about? I'll stay with you."
"What should we talk about..." Lin Qinghe's dark eyes darted around. "Tell me why you went out of the palace today? Did my father send you on an errand?"
"No. Today I met Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue outside Zuichun Tower. After meeting them, I also ordered gifts to be sent to their residences. I believe Lin Chenrui will know about their meeting with me tomorrow."
"So, does that mean we just need to wait for them to panic and reveal their hands?"
You Rong nodded. "That's right. Uncle Nangong's informants placed around them will be closely watching their every move these days, and we are sure to gain something."
Lin Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief at this. "That's good. If we can clear this up soon, we can also clear the names of your You family!"
This way, her mission in this world might be completed.
You Rong: "Yes, we will definitely find out..."
As they were talking, Lin Qinghe's sleepiness crept in. She leaned her head on You Rong's shoulder and fell asleep.
You Rong lowered his gaze to Lin Qinghe's peaceful sleeping face, and a soft spot in his heart melted like cotton.
He gently laid Lin Qinghe down, pulled the quilt up to tuck her in, and finally couldn't resist. He leaned down and imprinted a light kiss on her forehead.
"Your Highness, I will marry you as soon as possible. Wait for me..."
-------------------------------------
The next morning, at the Second Prince's residence.
When Lin Chenrui heard that You Rong had met Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue at Zuichun Tower, his face immediately turned grim. He raised his hand and smashed the teacup in his hand with a "bang."
"You Rong! That damned servant!" Lin Chenrui gritted his teeth. "He helped Lin Chenjing undermine me in front of Father, and now he's going to such lengths to make trouble for me!"
The servant trembled with fright and said softly, "Second Prince, in my humble opinion, You Rong meeting Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue is probably not to win them over for the Sixth Prince. Could it be related to the You family's rebellion? Now that You Rong has joined the Sixth Prince's faction and is a favored official in front of the Emperor, if Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue were to switch sides, wouldn't we be..."
"They dare!"
Lin Chenrui's face was full of sinister malice. He slammed his palm heavily on the desk, scaring the servant into retreating with a thud. He swallowed nervously and continued, "This subordinate believes we need to be extremely cautious about this matter. In case Zhang Zhuhe and Jin Ziyue are indeed swayed, we should prepare in advance, Your Highness, don't you think?"
Lin Chenrui's eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "I want to see Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue. Arrange it. Make sure to find a hidden place where no one can find out!"
The servant quickly replied, "Yes, Second Prince, your subordinate will attend to it immediately!"
After the servant left, Lin Chenrui sat in place, his eyes narrowed, a vicious glint flashing in their depths.
If Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue dared to betray him, then he wouldn't be blamed for being ruthless!