Lin Qinghe had no choice but to let You Rong hold her.
After a long while, You Rong suddenly jolted, released her, and said anxiously, "Your Highness! Let's quickly return to Qianqing Palace!"
Lin Qinghe paused, "Why return to Qianqing Palace?"
"To ask His Majesty to revoke the imperial decree of marriage!"
If the imperial decree of marriage had already been issued, the Son of Heaven's word was his bond. It would not be easy to revoke it then!
Hearing this, Lin Qinghe smiled. She grabbed the frantic You Rong and, knowing his haste, deliberately teased him, "Are you referring to the imperial decree of marriage for Minister Gu? There's no need to revoke it."
You Rong's expression froze. "No need to revoke it? Your Highness, could it be... you still wish to marry Minister Gu? But you just said the person you like is..."
Lin Qinghe impatiently interrupted him, "I said from the beginning it was the imperial decree of marriage for Minister Gu, not an imperial decree of marriage between me and Minister Gu."
You Rong didn't grasp her meaning immediately and looked confused, "What does Your Highness mean?"
"I requested His Majesty to grant a marriage for Minister Gu, but the recipient is Minister Gu and Princess Chang'an... Don't you think they are a perfect match, like a golden boy and jade maiden?"
This move served two purposes: it stimulated You Rong and resolved the potential threat of Yun Ruobing!
You Rong suddenly understood, looking at the smiling Lin Qinghe, "So just now... Your Highness was deliberately deceiving me? You wanted to make me anxious?"
"That's right!" Lin Qinghe admitted frankly, pouting, "If I hadn't tricked you, when would you have ever confessed your feelings? How long would I have had to wait? Until the end of time?"
You Rong's eyes were filled with affection. "No, give me a little more time, and I will surely clear my family's name, achieve success, and then proudly marry Your Highness!"
You Rong's主动 mention of clearing the You family's name made Lin Qinghe's eyes sparkle. She decided to be open with him.
"Regarding the injustice against the You family, have you made any progress? You can tell me, and perhaps I can help."
You Rong hesitated for a moment, but he chose to tell Lin Qinghe everything, even though he knew she was raised by Consort Qing and had a close relationship with the Second Prince, Lin Chenrui.
At this moment, You Rong inexplicably believed that Lin Qinghe would stand by his side.
"The Second Prince is definitely involved in this matter. Although there's no concrete evidence yet because the Second Prince is too cautious, I've already made a deal with the Sixth Prince. He'll help investigate two crucial individuals in this matter: Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe. If we investigate them closely, we'll surely find something!" You Rong said with determination.
Lin Qinghe had heard of Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe.
She pondered for a moment and said, "To find a clue, we must first make them panic. Find an opportunity to visit them. If you can't get anything from them, it might reach Lin Chenrui's ears. He's always been suspicious, and perhaps he'll reveal something."
You Rong's face lit up. "You're right! Only when they become flustered will we be able to find more clues!"
"You must be careful with this matter. After all, you've only recently become the Chief Eunuch, and His Majesty doesn't fully trust you yet. When you visit them, it's best not to let His Majesty know, lest he become suspicious of you too."
"Yes, I understand."
Lin Qinghe frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in her voice. "Stop calling yourself 'nu cai' (servant). We're going to be husband and wife soon, so you're not allowed to call yourself 'nu cai' in front of me anymore!"
"Nu..." The word stuck in his throat. Under Lin Qinghe's expectant gaze, You Rong swallowed it and replied, "Yes, Your Highness. When we're alone, I won't call myself 'nu cai' again."
Lin Qinghe's stern face immediately broke into a smile. "Hmph! That's more like it..."
You Rong looked at the lively little face before him, his heart warming. He gently stroked the back of her hand and softly asked, "Your Highness, are you truly alright? You were raised by Consort Qing, and you're very close to the Second Prince, you..."
"You don't need to overthink it. Consort Qing raised me, but she merely wanted to please His Majesty. There was no genuine affection. Lin Chenrui is the same. Over the years, they've repaid what they call 'nurturing' with what they've gained from me from His Majesty. It's more than enough."
Lin Qinghe paused, her eyes clear and bright, looking directly at You Rong. "Moreover, if Lin Chenrui truly frames loyal officials, not only will I not shield him, but His Majesty will also not forgive him!"
You Rong gazed deeply at Lin Qinghe, his heart filled with emotion.
What had he done to deserve such a wonderful woman?
Abruptly, You Rong blurted out, "I'm sorry..."
Lin Qinghe blinked in confusion, "Why do you say sorry?"
"It was my fault for misunderstanding you before, thinking you were arrogant and overbearing. When you asked me to teach you horseback riding, I spoke to you disrespectfully. If time could turn back, I would never have believed rumors and would have treated you well..."
The more he thought about it, the more guilty You Rong felt.
She was just a young woman, who had mustered great courage to approach the man she fancied, only to be directly doused with a bucket of cold water by him.
How heartbroken she must have been at the time?
Lin Qinghe understood You Rong's guilt, but she couldn't explain to him that he wasn't wrong; the original host was indeed extremely arrogant, overbearing, and vicious.
She smiled and said, "It's fine. Let the past be the past. After all, I later became angry and tormented you for quite some time. You must remember to treat me well from now on, understand?"
You Rong's gaze was as gentle as water. "...Yes, Your Highness. I swear, from now on, I will treat Your Highness well. If Your Highness tells me to go east, I will never go west!"
Lin Qinghe turned her face away slightly, unaccustomed to meeting You Rong's gaze, which was filled with such deep affection.
She casually found an excuse, "Alright, I should return to Yaohua Palace. You should also hurry back to the Imperial Study to await orders. Be careful His Majesty might need you."
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to leave, her wrist was grasped by a warm hand, and the next moment, she was embraced by You Rong.
Lin Qinghe's cheeks flushed, and she said anxiously, "You Rong! What are you doing? Let go..."
You Rong buried his face in Lin Qinghe's neck, took a deep breath, and inhaled her faint, delicate fragrance.
He whispered, "Your Highness, I know this is improper, but can you let me hold you for a little longer? It feels like a dream, too unreal... Do you really like me?"
Lin Qinghe, who had intended to push You Rong away forcefully, inexplicably found herself unable to. Her raised hand slowly lowered and wrapped around You Rong's waist.
Lin Qinghe: "I like you! I like you! I like you... I've already said I like you! How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me!"
You Rong's lips curved upward, his expression gentle. "No need to say it again. I know Your Highness likes me, and I feel the same... I like Your Highness."