You Rong returned less than fifteen minutes later, holding a bowl of soft, sticky congee in his hand.
You Rong: "Your Highness, this servant will feed you the congee."
Lin Qing He was indeed hungry. Wanting to continue the topic that had been interrupted time and again with You Rong, she decided to fill her stomach first.
You Rong's movements were careful, blowing on each spoonful to cool it before feeding it to Lin Qing He. Watching her eat spoonful after spoonful, his gaze upon her held a doting affection that he himself had not realized.
His gaze inadvertently fell upon Lin Qing He's soft lips, and You Rong's ears turned red. As if scalded by fire, he quickly averted his gaze.
He remembered how he had given her medicine soup mouth-to-mouth when she was unconscious.
At the time, he hadn't thought anything of it. But now, recalling the softness and warmth of her lips made his heart race.
After finishing the bowl of congee, Lin Qing He's stomach, which had been rumbling loudly from hunger, finally began to settle.
Lin Qing He looked at You Rong, still unwilling to give up, and continued to ask, "You Rong, this princess clearly sensed you had something to say just now. What exactly did you want to say?"
You Rong: "Your Highness, you mistook me. This servant has nothing to say."
"But you clearly..."
You Rong interrupted Lin Qing He, "Your Highness, Imperial Physician Zhang said that you have just woken from a serious injury and need to rest well. This servant will help you lie down and rest."
Lin Qing He: "..."
This was something she had asked Imperial Physician Zhang to say, and now it felt like she had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet.
You Rong, without further ado, helped Lin Qing He lie down, pulled the quilt to cover her, and said softly, "Your Highness, please rest well. This servant will take his leave now."
You Rong left, and the door to the bedchamber closed. Lin Qing He lay on the bed, her eyes wide open, gazing at the bed curtains above, and let out a soft sigh.
"Alas--"
The progress bar had increased by fifty percent. Coupled with You Rong's various actions towards her, she couldn't believe You Rong didn't have any feelings for her.
But why didn't he say it? This left her utterly bewildered.
Could it be that he felt his feelings for her were not yet strong enough to be spoken aloud?
Lin Qing He also thought of something most important: the female lead of this world, Yun Ruo Bing, had not yet appeared. When would Yun Ruo Bing appear?
Had her actions altered the original course, and Yun Ruo Bing would not appear at all?
Outside the palace.
You Rong stood at the entrance of the palace, lingering for a long time. His gaze was fixed on the closed palace door, as if he could see Lin Qing He inside through it.
"I will investigate everything as soon as possible, and when I am qualified to make you a promise, I will tell you in person that I love you!"
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The next morning.
After You Rong helped Lin Qing He up to eat breakfast, his brows furrowed, and his expression was worried.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, this servant must return to Qian Qing Palace today. From now on, You Yue and Mei Lan will serve you. This servant has already instructed them on when you should take your medicine. You must not dislike the bitterness of the medicine and secretly discard it. As the saying goes, good medicine tastes bitter; if you do not take your medicine, your body will not recover."
Lin Qing He: "..."
She was so regretful her intestines were turning green.
To avoid any suspicion, she had decided to take medicine for a period. Imperial Physician Zhang had prescribed some tonic. Who knew what kind of bizarre concoction Imperial Physician Zhang had prescribed; the herbal decoction was so bitter she could barely swallow it.
Last night, she could no longer bear it and had secretly carried it to the window to pour it out, only to be caught red-handed by You Rong. He insisted on watching her drink every last drop before he would let it go.
Lin Qing He wore a bitter expression and said in a muffled voice, "This princess understands. You're like an old woman, you've nagged about it several times... Hurry back now, don't delay your matters at Qian Qing Palace."
The position of chief eunuch was vacant, and someone would soon remind the Emperor.
You Rong had made a contribution by saving her this time, and he had also saved the Emperor previously. Coupled with his satisfactory service to the Emperor, if he returned now, the Emperor would likely promote him to the position of chief eunuch.
You Rong's expression was slightly helpless. He took out a packet of preserved fruits wrapped in oil paper from his怀 and handed it over. "Your Highness, if you find the medicine bitter, this is preserved fruit. Eat one after you finish your medicine, and it won't be bitter anymore."
Lin Qing He took it, her eyes curving into a smile. "Mm, I understand. Don't worry, hurry back to Qian Qing Palace."
You Rong gazed at Lin Qing He deeply, swallowing the words he wanted to say. "Yes, this servant will leave. Your Highness, please take care of your health."
Watching You Rong's retreating back disappear at the palace entrance, Lin Qing He's dark eyes rolled around.
Next, she had to find a way to stimulate You Rong, make him confess his feelings, and then increase the progress bar again.
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Qian Qing Palace.
The Emperor saw You Rong return to attend to him and asked, "I am unable to visit Qing He today. You just returned from Yao Hua Palace, how is Qing He? What did the imperial physician say?"
You Rong replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Zhang said that Her Highness only needs to rest for a period of time and will be fine. Before this servant returned today, I saw that Her Highness's complexion had already greatly improved. Your Majesty need not worry too much."
"That is good..." The Emperor sighed. "Who would have thought that Wang Wan would be so audacious, daring to plot against the Princess because of a mere servant? It is usually because I have been too lenient with him due to his years of service!"
You Rong said nothing, quietly pouring the Emperor another cup of fresh tea.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, a hint of probing flashing within them. He suddenly asked You Rong, "You Rong, how do you judge Wang Wan?"
You Rong contemplated seriously and replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, although Wang Wan deserves to die for his crimes, he was a good servant who was diligent and dedicated in his service to Your Majesty."
The Emperor smiled at You Rong's answer, seemingly quite satisfied.
"You are indeed kind-hearted and honest, speaking your mind. I had thought that since Wang Wan is dead and accused of plotting against the Princess, and you were even bullied by his godson, you would have utterly condemned him when judging him."
You Rong cupped his hands and bowed. "Your Majesty, this servant merely feels that since Wang Wan is dead and has received his due punishment for his sins, and given that he was indeed diligent and dedicated in serving Your Majesty, there is no need to fabricate more baseless charges against him."
"Your disposition is very much like your father's..."
The Emperor's words suddenly stopped. His face darkened, and his brows furrowed tightly as he seemed to ponder something.
You Rong pursed his lips and remained silent.
After a long while, the Emperor let out a long sigh. "The position of chief eunuch is now vacant. In my opinion, for now, you will temporarily fill the position of chief eunuch. You Rong, are you willing?"
Becoming chief eunuch, a favored attendant to the Emperor, would undoubtedly attract flattering attention from some in the court. This would make it even more convenient for him to clear the name of the You family in the rebellion case.
This was what Lin Qing He wanted, and it was also what You Rong wanted.
You Rong knelt and kowtowed in salutation. "Thank Your Majesty for your grace. This servant will certainly do his utmost to serve Your Majesty well, in return for Your Majesty's high regard for this servant!"