Yaohua Palace.
Dawn had just broken, and Lin Qinghe was still asleep when Mei Lan pushed the door open, strode to the bed, and nudged her shoulder, calling out urgently, "Your Highness, wake up, quickly wake up..."
Lin Qinghe mumbled drowsily, half-asleep, "What is it? So urgent, what happened?"
Mei Lan said, "News has come from Qianqing Palace. Before dawn, You Rong and Commander Nangong, along with Minister Jing, General Zhang, and many generals of the You family army, knelt before Qianqing Palace to request an audience with the Emperor. The Emperor has now summoned the Second Prince."
"What!" Lin Qinghe woke up instantly, sat up, and asked, "Is what you just said true?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, it is absolutely true. Little Xi Zi brought the news."
Lin Qinghe's heart stirred.
Such a commotion must mean You Rong had found evidence of Lin Chenrui framing You Jiang.
No!
She had to go see immediately. If Lin Chenrui, with his glib tongue, managed to convince the Emperor, who knew what would happen to You Rong!
Lin Qinghe immediately threw off the covers and got out of bed. "Quick! Have someone come in to help this princess wash and change. I'm going to Qianqing Palace!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Two quarters of an hour later, Lin Qinghe arrived outside Qianqing Palace. Noble Consort Qing was already waiting outside, her expression anxious, barely noticing Lin Qinghe's arrival.
A young eunuch outside Qianqing Palace said with a troubled look, "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that no one is to disturb him. Please do not make things difficult for this servant."
Lin Qinghe frowned. She understood that in such a major affair, it would be improper for her to barge in. She nodded and said, "This princess understands. This princess will wait here for Father Emperor."
The young eunuch secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration of this servant."
Standing outside Qianqing Palace, Lin Qinghe's mood was no better than Noble Consort Qing's; she was equally uneasy.
After waiting outside Qianqing Palace for a full hour, the doors of Qianqing Palace opened.
Lin Chenrui was brought out under guard, his hair disheveled, his face contorted, almost mad. "Father Emperor! Your son is innocent! You must believe me, Father Emperor... your son is truly innocent..."
Noble Consort Qing's face changed drastically upon seeing this. She rushed forward but was blocked by the Imperial Guards. Noble Consort Qing angrily shouted, "Get out of the way! Who do you think you are, daring to stop this imperial consort!"
The Imperial Guards remained unmoved and said in a deep voice, "Noble Consort, His Majesty has ordered that the criminal Lin Chenrui be escorted to the Celestial Prison for interrogation. During this time, no one is permitted to visit!"
"What? Celestial Prison? His Majesty is actually going to imprison Rui'er in the Celestial Prison!" Noble Consort Qing staggered, almost falling to the ground, but was quickly supported by the palace maids beside her.
A palace maid anxiously asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
Lin Chenrui saw Noble Consort Qing and immediately cried, "Mother Consort, quickly help your son! Explain to Father Emperor, your son did not frame loyal subjects, did not intend to rebel, Mother Consort..."
However, no matter how Lin Chenrui struggled or shouted, he could only be escorted away step by step by the Imperial Guards.
Seeing this, Noble Consort Qing shrieked, "This consort wishes to see the Emperor! All of you, get out of my way, this consort wishes to see the Emperor!"
The young eunuch by the door said, "His Majesty has ordered that no one will be seen today. Noble Consort, you should return."
"Get out! This consort wishes to see the Emperor! All of you, get out of my way, this consort wishes to see the Emperor..."
The young eunuch, having clearly received the Emperor's orders, said no more. He gave a look to two Imperial Guards, who stepped forward and forcibly dragged Noble Consort Qing away.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe's heart settled somewhat.
It seemed the situation was more favorable to You Rong.
After waiting a little longer, You Rong and Nangong Jie emerged from Qianqing Palace.
Seeing You Rong, Lin Qinghe's heart tightened. She quickly stepped forward and examined him carefully. Seeing that he was covered in bloodstains, she frowned deeply.
"How did you get injured? Are your wounds serious? This princess will order a physician to see you!"
You Rong stepped forward, grasped Lin Qinghe's hand, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness need not worry. This servant is unharmed."
With that, You Rong turned to Nangong Jie and said, "Uncle Nangong, the Princess and I still have something to discuss. I will take my leave now and see you later."
Nangong Jie nodded. "Yes, go ahead."
You Rong's gaze returned to Lin Qinghe's eyes. Knowing she had many questions, he said, "This is not the place to talk. Let's return to Yaohua Palace, and this servant will explain everything to you."
Lin Qinghe found his words reasonable. She nodded and led You Rong back to Yaohua Palace.
As soon as the palace doors closed, Lin Qinghe impatiently went to examine You Rong. "Quickly let this princess see how your injuries are. Why is there so much blood on you? You wouldn't say anything when I asked earlier, you're making this princess so anxious..."
Before she could finish speaking, You Rong suddenly pulled Lin Qinghe into his arms, holding her tightly.
Lin Qinghe was startled. "You Rong... what's wrong?"
You Rong said hoarsely, "Your Highness need not worry, I am fine. It's just a small injury. The bloodstains are from killing Lin Chenrui's hidden guards."
"Is that really so?"
"Yes."
Lin Qinghe was finally relieved. They held each other for a full quarter of an hour before You Rong released her and began to tell her everything that had happened at Qianqing Palace.
You Rong said, "Lin Chenrui intended to kill Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe, but we saved them. Zhang Zhuhe had letters exchanged with Lin Chenrui at the time. The contents of these letters conclusively prove that Lin Chenrui instructed him to frame my father, collude with foreign enemies, and plot rebellion. With witness testimony and physical evidence, the Emperor was furious. He summoned Lin Chenrui to the palace and agreed to let Minister Gu of the Ministry of Justice re-examine the case, so my father can be vindicated and our You family can receive justice in the eyes of the world!"
You Rong held Lin Qinghe's hand, his eyes gentle. "Your Highness, thank you."
Lin Qinghe pursed her lips and smiled. "Why are you thanking this princess? All of this is your own merit. You went through all the hardships to find the evidence."
You Rong remained silent, but embraced Lin Qinghe again, holding her tightly.
At the brink of life and death, it was her he thought of, which made him persevere!
After a long while, You Rong said in a low voice, "Your Highness, although I intended to seek your hand in marriage after achieving fame and success, I truly cannot wait any longer. Once this matter is resolved, I will ask the Emperor to grant me your hand in marriage. May I?"
Lin Qinghe pushed You Rong away slightly, cupped his face, and smiled. "This princess fell for you as a person, not your achievements. Even when you were a eunuch, this princess wanted to marry you. So... what do you think?"
You Rong's eyes burned, his heart indescribably agitated. He lowered his head and kissed Lin Qinghe passionately.
After a lingering kiss, Lin Qinghe leaned weakly against You Rong, who said hoarsely, "Your Highness, I will cherish you for my entire life..."