Lin Qinghe pouted, "This princess has already seen Father Emperor and is waiting specifically for you."
You Rong's heart stirred. The words he was about to say caught in his throat. Realizing there were other palace servants around, he swallowed them and changed his tone, "Your Highness, please come this way to speak."
Lin Qinghe stepped forward, grabbed You Rong's hand, and walked in the direction he indicated.
Mei Lan and the others instinctively moved to follow, but Lin Qinghe threw back a sentence, "This princess has something to say to You Rong. None of you are to follow. Wait for this princess here."
Mei Lan and the others halted, watching as Lin Qinghe and You Rong walked away.
Mei Lan's face was full of worry, while You Yue was filled with confusion. "What else do Brother and Your Highness need to talk about? Why can't they say it in front of us?"
Mei Lan glanced at You Yue, sighed, and said nothing.
Only the silly girl You Yue hadn't realized that the relationship between the princess and You Rong was unusual. But You Rong was an eunuch; how could the princess have anything to do with him...
In a secluded spot, You Rong clasped Lin Qinghe's hand and whispered, "Your Highness, although I am an eunuch now and people wouldn't think much of it, we still need to be careful. If anyone finds out, it will ruin your reputation."
"Ruin this princess's reputation? This princess couldn't care less. In the end, this princess will marry you anyway," Lin Qinghe said dismissively with a smile.
You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe with a mix of helplessness and affection. "Even so, I still don't want you to be the subject of gossip because of me."
"If anyone dares to gossip behind this princess's back, this princess will have Father Emperor deal with them," Lin Qinghe said. "But enough about that. I haven't seen you in the Qianqing Palace for several days. Have you been very busy lately?"
You Rong replied, "Yes. As you suggested, I've been subtly sowing discord between Zhang Zhuhe, Jing Ziyue, and Lin Chenrui. It's already showing results. Today at noon, the three of them met at a teahouse."
Lin Qinghe thought: it seemed that the day You Rong would clear the You family's name was not far off.
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly, holding You Rong's hand, and instructed, "Lin Chenrui is a ruthless person. You must be careful in your actions. If you need this princess's help, remember to ask."
You Rong nodded. "I will. Don't worry."
They talked for a while, but being out in the open, with palace servants potentially passing by, it was inconvenient to say more.
Lin Qinghe said, "This princess is returning now. I gave the pastries I brought specifically for you to the little eunuch at the entrance. Make sure you get them."
"Yes, I will. Hurry back. Once I have time, I will definitely visit you at Yaohua Palace."
Lin Qinghe reluctantly let go of You Rong's hand. After taking a few steps back, she suddenly looked around. Seeing no one, she turned and ran back towards You Rong.
You Rong hadn't reacted yet when Lin Qinghe reached him, stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, gave him a firm kiss on the cheek, and then ran away without looking back.
You Rong stood frozen, his ears turning red. He mechanically raised his hand to touch the spot where he had been kissed.
The soft sensation made his heart pound.
Lin Qinghe ran back. Whether from running or some other reason, her cheeks were flushed. You Yue saw this and asked in surprise, "Your Highness, why were you running so fast? Where is Brother? Did you finish talking?"
Lin Qinghe pursed her cherry lips and feigned calmness. "It's nothing. It's a bit cold. This princess was just running to warm up. I've finished talking with You Rong. Let's go back to Yaohua Palace."
You Yue believed her. "Yes, Your Highness."
Mei Lan, however, frowned, her worry deepening.
On the way back to Yaohua Palace, Lin Qinghe kept asking herself why she had kissed You Rong just now, as if she had taken advantage of him.
As she pondered, Lin Qinghe suddenly heard a system prompt: "Progress increased by 3%, total progress is 95%."
Lin Qinghe's steps faltered. She suddenly understood the confusion from earlier.
She had kissed You Rong to see if it would increase the progress bar!
Yes! That was it!
See, the progress bar had increased!
Thinking this, Lin Qinghe felt inexplicably more at ease.
***
Two days later, You Rong made an excuse to visit the residences of Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe. He told them he was conveying an imperial decree from the Emperor to investigate an unimportant matter and ordered them not to publicize it until it was resolved.
Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe found it strange but couldn't guess that You Rong dared to forge an imperial decree, so they believed him.
That afternoon, both of them received letters from Lin Chenrui's secret guards, inquiring about the reason for You Rong's visit.
Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe answered truthfully, writing their replies for the secret guards to take back to Lin Chenrui.
Second Prince's Residence.
Lin Chenrui, after reading the similar replies from Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe, let out a cold laugh. In a fit of rage, he overturned the desk in front of him.
The servants in the study were terrified and immediately knelt on the ground. "Second Prince, please calm your anger!"
Lin Chenrui's face was contorted with fury. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Do Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe take this Prince for a fool? An imperial decree from Father Emperor? How could it be such a coincidence that they both received one at the same time? They must have colluded with You Rong! Ungrateful wretches! Have they forgotten who put them in their current positions!"
A servant hesitantly asked, "Then, Your Highness's intention is..."
Lin Chenrui's eyes narrowed, a vicious glint flashing within them. "As this Prince said, I will not let the dogs I raised bite me back. Go and arrange for the secret guards... to kill Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe!"
The servant dared not disobey Lin Chenrui and quickly responded, "Yes, I will arrange it immediately!"
After the servant left, Lin Chenrui gave a sinister smile. "Hmph! As this Prince said, if they dare to betray this Prince, then don't blame this Prince for being ruthless!"
Three days later, at night.
Lin Chenrui's arranged secret guards ambushed Jing Ziyue along his route. Seeing Jing Ziyue's carriage approaching, the secret guards exchanged glances, understanding the plan. They covered their faces, drew their swords, and charged out.
The secret guards attacked fiercely, each blow aimed at vital points. Jing Ziyue's guards were no match for them. In just a moment, they were all cut down.
Jing Ziyue tumbled out of the carriage, falling to the ground. He stared with wide, terrified eyes at the advancing secret guards, his body weak. He cried out, begging for mercy, "Who are you? If you want money, I can give it to you. Please spare my life. I'll give you anything..." Su Dan Novel Network
The secret guards remained silent, unmoved.
The leading secret guard raised his long sword and thrust it directly at Jing Ziyue.
Jing Ziyue closed his eyes in terror, believing he was doomed. At the critical moment, several other figures in black emerged from the shadows, blocking the fatal sword strike with their own blades and saving Jing Ziyue.