The news of You Rong replacing Wang Wan as the Chief Eunuch spread throughout the imperial palace the very next day.
Some rejoiced at this news, while others worried.
Lin Qinghe was naturally among the jubilant. Upon learning that You Rong had become the Chief Eunuch, she secretly exulted.
Excellent! This was the outcome she had meticulously sought after trying to eliminate Wang Wan!
Meanwhile, in Yongshou Palace.
Upon hearing that You Rong had been appointed Chief Eunuch, Lin Chenrui's face darkened, and he directly smashed the teacup in his hand.
"This young fellow You Rong, I truly underestimated him. I thought that by entering the palace as a servant, he would have no chance of ever rising again. I never expected him to gain the Emperor's favor!"
Consort Gui Qing, however, appeared unconcerned. "Rui'er, why be angry? No matter how much the Emperor favors You Rong, he is still merely a servant. Furthermore... regarding the You family's affairs, we were meticulous enough. There's no way it could be traced back to us. Even if You Rong has his suspicions, without evidence, he cannot say anything to the Emperor."
Lin Chenrui let out a cold snort. "Mother Consort, you might not know, but although You Rong is a servant and the past events cannot be traced back to us, he suspects us and harbors resentment. If he has opportunities to speak with Father Emperor, for instance, when we arrange our people for official positions, and he says something to Father Emperor that sparks suspicion, it would be greatly detrimental to us."
Hearing this, Consort Gui Qing's charming face grew serious.
"If that is the case... we must find a way to eliminate this You Rong."
Lin Chenrui's gaze turned sinister. "Naturally, we cannot let him live! However, I have not yet devised a foolproof plan to get rid of him. Let's allow him to live a few more days for now!"
Consort Gui Qing, fearing that delays might lead to unforeseen complications, frowned and cursed, "It's all Lin Qinghe's fault. If she hadn't gone to the horse farm that day, how would so many things have been stirred up, giving You Rong an opportunity to become Chief Eunuch? And it also caused you to expend effort winning the horse race, leaving the Emperor no time to attend to other matters. Moreover, she hasn't come to Yongshou Palace to pay her respects for a long time, relying on the Emperor's favor and no longer showing me any respect..."
Lin Chenrui listened to Consort Gui Qing's curses, finding them somewhat peculiar but didn't dwell on it.
After all, in Lin Chenrui's view, no matter how favored Lin Qinghe was by the Emperor as a princess, she posed no threat to his bid for the crown prince position.
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After You Rong became the Chief Eunuch, the most noticeable change was the daily influx of "gifts" from various individuals, ranging from eunuchs and high-ranking court officials to princes and imperial relatives.
You Rong surveyed the precious items and calligraphy scrolls sent to his chambers. He rummaged through them and found a scroll sent from the Sixth Prince's manor.
Upon opening and examining it, You Rong's eyes narrowed, and his expression became thoughtful.
A moment later, he ordered for brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to be brought. He intended to write a reply to the Sixth Prince.
The content of the letter was simple: he could help the Sixth Prince's man secure the position of Provincial Governor of Jingzhou, in exchange for which the Sixth Prince would help him secretly investigate Zhang Zhuhe, the former deputy general of the You family army, and Jing Ziyue, the former Minister of Justice who presided over the You family's rebellion case, and is now the Minister of Justice.
The Sixth Prince's maternal clan was powerful and deeply entrenched in the court, capable of rivaling the Second Prince Lin Chenrui. With his assistance, the information obtained would surely be more comprehensive.
He put down his brush, blew on the ink to dry it, and sealed the letter in an envelope. You Rong then summoned a young eunuch and instructed him to leave the palace to deliver the letter to the Sixth Prince's manor.
He was confident that the Sixth Prince would be very willing to cooperate with him.
As the young eunuch took the envelope and was about to leave, You Rong suddenly called out, "Wait."
The young eunuch turned back and respectfully asked, "Eunuch You, do you have any other instructions for this subordinate?"
You Rong pursed his thin lips. "On your way back to the palace, buy some candied haws and other snacks from the street and deliver them to Yaohua Palace for the Fifth Princess."
The young eunuch found it strange but dared not ask further. He quickly acknowledged, "Yes, Eunuch You, this subordinate has noted it."
"Mm, you may go."
After the eunuch left, You Rong walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, looking outside. His gaze lowered, and an unknown thought crossed his mind, causing a handsome curve to appear on his lips, a look of affection on his handsome face.
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Yaohua Palace, that evening.
Lin Qinghe, having been forced to drink bitter medicine for six or seven days, could no longer stand the taste. She disregarded any suspicion and eagerly instructed Imperial Physician Zhang to publicly announce her complete recovery, stating she needed no further medication!
Imperial Physician Zhang looked troubled. He explained that for someone whose heart meridian was injured and whose internal organs were damaged, it would take at least three months to recover plausibly.
Lin Qinghe completely ignored him, pressuring Imperial Physician Zhang to find a solution, even if it meant claiming she had taken some immortal elixir. She wanted to recover immediately and stop taking medicine!
Imperial Physician Zhang, at his wit's end, reluctantly declared that Lin Qinghe no longer needed to drink medicine and would only require acupuncture moving forward.
Of course, the acupuncture was merely a pretense. Imperial Physician Zhang would come every two days to go through the motions.
No longer having to swallow medicine as bitter as gall, Lin Qinghe agreed without a second thought.
Shortly after Imperial Physician Zhang left for the day, You Yue arrived, carrying a pile of snacks. She placed them in front of Lin Qinghe and said, somewhat sourly, "Your Highness Princess, these were sent by my elder brother, who had a young eunuch bring them, saying they are for you."
Lin Qinghe looked at the pile of candied haws and sugar cakes and other snacks, surprised. "These are... You Rong sent these for this princess?"
You Yue nodded emphatically. "The little eunuch said that brother ordered him to run an errand outside the palace and specifically asked him to buy these and bring them to Yaohua Palace. My brother is truly something... his own sister is here, why didn't he buy anything for his own sister..."
Lin Qinghe picked up a sugar cake and put it in You Yue's mouth, smiling. "That's because your brother knows that this princess will not lack for snacks. Quickly, take some of your favorites back. Leave a little for me."
You Yue, being young, beamed upon hearing this. "Mm! Thank you, Your Highness Princess!"
"You're welcome, they're all bought by your brother anyway. I'm just lending them to you through my hands..."
Lin Qinghe picked up a candied haw and took a bite. The sweetness that spread in her mouth made her eyes narrow comfortably.
It tasted good.
It seemed that You Rong actually knew how to send her snacks; he wasn't completely dull and unfeeling after all.
Two days later, Lin Qinghe, who had declared herself greatly recovered, immediately went to Qianqing Palace to pay her respects to the Emperor.
Her primary objective, of course, was to see You Rong.
While paying her respects to the Emperor and noticing his weary expression, Lin Qinghe solicitously massaged his head and asked in a soft voice, "Father Emperor, why do you seem so troubled? Have you encountered any difficulties?"
The Emperor sighed. "Alas... it's those incompetent imperial relatives. They've been found to be seizing farmland from the common people. I am contemplating who would be the most suitable person to handle this case."