Before Lin Qinghe could recover from her shock, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. The door to the bedchamber opened, and You Rong entered.
Lin Qinghe turned to look at him. As their eyes met, You Rong's heart tightened.
In just a few days, her waking moments felt like a lifetime ago to him.
It was good that she was awake!
Seeing You Rong standing motionlessly at the door, Lin Qinghe felt puzzled and asked, "You Rong, why are you just standing there? Come over."
You Rong's eyes drooped slightly, and the hand at his side clenched almost imperceptibly. He didn't move forward, as if he hadn't heard Lin Qinghe's words.
He had heard.
It was the overwhelming emotions churning within him that made his thoughts sluggish. He needed to calm himself first.
"You Rong? Did you hear me, this princess? You Rong..."
Lin Qinghe called out to You Rong several times, but he remained unresponsive. Puzzled, she started to lift the covers, intending to get out of bed.
Lin Qinghe had forgotten that she had been unconscious for a full six days and her body was weak. The moment she tried to stand, her legs buckled, and she was about to fall.
Seeing this, You Rong quickly moved to support Lin Qinghe and said urgently, "Your Highness! You've just woken from a coma. It's best to rest. This servant will help you lie down."
Lin Qinghe sat back on the bed, smiled, and said, "This princess was worried when you wouldn't speak, thinking something had happened to you, which is why I was so anxious to get up. If I had fallen, it would have been your fault."
You Rong pursed his thin lips, placed the neatly folded quilt behind Lin Qinghe to make her more comfortable, and then nodded, saying, "Yes, it is this servant's fault. This servant will not do so again. If Your Highness calls for this servant again, this servant will respond immediately."
This unexpected reply made Lin Qinghe pause.
Why did You Rong seem like a different person after she woke up?
It wasn't her imagination. The look in You Rong's eyes had shifted from his usual indifference to a profound tenderness.
Lin Qinghe's dark eyes darted around, trying to figure out the reason for You Rong's drastic change. Before she could come up with an idea, You Rong spoke first.
"Your Highness, this servant understands that you wish to help me, but this servant would never want you to harm yourself. You were fortunate this time, and you have recovered from danger. If..."
You Rong paused, remembering the terror he felt three days ago when Lin Qinghe's life was uncertain.
You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe and said solemnly, "From now on, Your Highness must think of yourself first in all matters and never put yourself in danger again!"
Lin Qinghe gazed at You Rong, silent for a moment, and then asked, "You know?"
But if You Rong knew her entire plan, he shouldn't be saying things like putting herself in danger again. Although the pill made by Zi Huan would leave aftereffects, it wouldn't be life-threatening.
You Rong nodded, "This servant knows. You deliberately sprinkled powder that could drive horses mad onto Wang Wan, risking yourself, in order to frame Wang Wan for plotting against the princess."
Lin Qinghe: "..."
So, You Rong only knew part of it, and it seemed he had figured it out himself, not from Imperial Physician Zhang.
If that was the case, the reason for the sudden surge in the progress bar was that You Rong mistakenly believed she had risked her life to get rid of Wang Wan for him.
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered. She decided to go along with it; she wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to increase his favorability.
She lowered her head and whispered, "... Apart from this method, this princess truly couldn't think of any other way to get rid of Wang Wan so quickly. Seeing how Wang Wan bullied you in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, this princess felt so distressed..."
"Your Highness, this servant..."
Lin Qinghe seemed to suddenly remember something and explained anxiously, "This princess likes you. I willingly did all of this. You don't need to feel indebted or guilty. As I said, my liking you is my own affair and has nothing to do with you."
Seeing Lin Qinghe so timid and afraid of displeasing him, a part of You Rong softened like cotton.
He gazed at Lin Qinghe tenderly and took her slightly cool hand. "Your Highness, this servant knows. This servant also..."
The words on You Rong's lips stopped abruptly.
He hadn't yet cleared his family's name or overturned their unjust verdict. As a servant, what could he promise her?
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong with anticipation, waiting for his next words. Seeing his long silence, she couldn't help but want to urge him on. Just as she was about to speak, a sharp voice was heard from outside, "The Emperor is here!"
You Rong quickly released Lin Qinghe's hand and bowed to the Emperor who strode in, "This servant greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor ignored them and rushed to the bedside. He embraced Lin Qinghe tightly and said excitedly, "Qinghe, you're finally awake! Do you know how terrified I've been these past few days?"
"..."
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth in frustration.
At such a critical moment, couldn't you have arrived just a little later, Your Majesty!
She had clearly sensed that You Rong had something to say to her, possibly to express his feelings!
As things stood, she couldn't drive the Emperor away to let You Rong continue. She sighed inwardly, mustered her spirits, and began conversing with the Emperor.
After all, a moment's carelessness could reveal what she and Imperial Physician Zhang had done, which would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor.
Lin Qinghe said, "Father Emperor, I apologize. It is your child's fault for causing Father Emperor worry."
"What foolishness are you speaking, Qinghe? You have done nothing wrong. The fault lies with that damned Wang Wan, for daring to harm you! Rest assured, I have already had him executed. Fortunately, you are alright... otherwise, even if he died ten thousand times, it would not quell my hatred!"
Not long after the Emperor arrived at Yaohua Palace, Noble Consort Qing and many other concubines also came. While they claimed to be visiting Lin Qinghe, their true intention was to see the Emperor.
Lin Qinghe found it difficult to manage them all. Fortunately, the Emperor noticed and, with a stern face, waved his hand, stating that Lin Qinghe, having just woken from a serious injury, needed good rest. He then ordered the concubines to leave and not disturb her convalescence at Yaohua Palace in the coming days.
Lin Qinghe was finally freed from the pretense of their solicitous care.
The Emperor stayed with Lin Qinghe for a while and then left.
As soon as the Emperor left, Lin Qinghe eagerly asked You Rong, "You Rong, did you have something to say to this princess just now?"
You Rong's eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Replying to Your Highness, this servant... did not have anything to say to you just now."
Lin Qinghe was stunned for a moment and said urgently, "How could you not have anything to say? You clearly had something to say. You... *grumble--grumble*..."
An untimely sound suddenly rang out, interrupting Lin Qinghe's words again.
A hint of pampering flashed across You Rong's well-defined face. The corners of his lips curved upwards, and he said softly, "Your Highness, you are hungry. This servant will fetch a bowl of light porridge for you to eat first."
You Rong left. Lin Qinghe clutched her stomach, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Stomach, oh stomach!
I know you've been hungry for days, but can't you be a little more cooperative!
At such a crucial moment, you interrupted me again!