A cunning glint flashed in Lin Qinghe's eyes as she heard this. "Your subject actually thinks there is a suitable candidate. I wonder if I should speak of it."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? Qinghe knows of someone suitable? Tell me about it!"
Lin Qinghe moved to the front, knelt, and massaged the Emperor's legs. "Your subject has heard that the Minister of Justice, Lord Gu, is upright, young, promising, courageous, and ambitious – a rare and excellent official. If Your Majesty has no suitable candidate, perhaps you could consider him."
To avoid arousing suspicion, Lin Qinghe added, "However, these are all things your subject has heard from the palace maids and eunuchs. Whether they are true or not, your subject cannot guarantee. Your Majesty should carefully consider it yourself before making a decision."
The Emperor smiled. "Lord Gu, I am indeed somewhat familiar with him. He is indeed capable. Last time, when Wang Wan plotted against you, it was thanks to his diligence that the matter was uncovered."
Lin Qinghe feigned surprise. "That matter was investigated by him? Then your subject truly owes him a thank you. Counting the incident on the road to Jianan Temple, Lord Gu has helped your subject twice now."
"Oh? Qinghe and Lord Gu have this history? I was not aware of it."
"Your Majesty attends to state affairs day and night. Such trivial matters are naturally not something your subject would mention to Your Majesty. Furthermore, there is no need for Your Majesty to intervene in thanking Lord Gu; your subject can thank him herself."
The Emperor chuckled meaningfully. "Hmm... it is indeed rare for Qinghe to mention any official in court. It is the first time today, and I find myself rather surprised."
Lin Qinghe chuckled, offering a perfunctory excuse.
She mentioned Gu Ziye to the Emperor with the sole intention of securing his future support for You Rong and the You family's case, as Gu Ziye was highly regarded by the Emperor.
Lin Qinghe accompanied the Emperor for dinner before returning to Yaohua Palace.
Along the way, Lin Qinghe felt a sense of disappointment. After You Rong became Chief Eunuch, he was not always by the Emperor's side. Therefore, in the Hall of Heavenly Purity, she only saw him once, and before she could even speak, he had already left in a hurry to attend to imperial business.
The next day.
The Emperor issued a decree appointing Minister of Justice Gu Ziye to thoroughly investigate the matter of imperial clan members encroaching upon commoners' farmland. After the young eunuch delivered the imperial decree, the Emperor lowered his gaze, appearing lost in thought.
You Rong, who was grinding ink for the Emperor, noticed this and inquired, "Your Majesty, why do you seem preoccupied? Is something weighing on your mind?"
The Emperor returned to his senses and asked instead, "You Rong, what do you think of the Minister of Justice, Lord Gu?"
"This... Lord Gu is an official of the court. It is not for a humble servant to judge casually."
"Alas!" the Emperor said. "What is there to judge? I am asking you, answer honestly!"
You Rong pondered for a moment and said, "Your servant has heard of Lord Gu. It is said that Lord Gu is upright and reliable. In all the cases he handles, he personally investigates them with utmost diligence and care, never wrongly accusing or convicting anyone. Furthermore, Lord Gu is the son of Scholar Gu from the Imperial Academy. Scholar Gu is exceptionally learned, and Lord Gu possesses much of his demeanor, being equally accomplished in his studies!"
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction. "Hmm, indeed. Lord Gu is currently in his prime, twenty-two years of age. You Rong, what do you think of him... as a consort for Qinghe?"
You Rong's expression froze, his heart in a turmoil. He hastily replied, "Your Majesty, this... this is likely not appropriate. After all, Princess Qinghe has had no contact with Lord Gu. She might..."
The Emperor smiled. "That is not necessarily true. I see that Qinghe has some regard for Lord Gu. She has never mentioned any man to me before, yet today she spoke of Lord Gu and praised him highly. She has a significant connection with Lord Gu; he helped her... Moreover, I am quite satisfied with Lord Gu and believe he would be a suitable candidate as Qinghe's consort."
"Your Majesty, but Lord Gu, he, he..." You Rong's mind was in chaos. In his panic, he disregarded everything else and even lied, "Your servant has heard that Lord Gu is already engaged. It would certainly be inappropriate for Your Majesty to betroth the princess to Lord Gu!"
"Lord Gu is engaged?" The Emperor frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "It is not an issue. After all, he is only engaged, not yet married. As long as Qinghe likes him, I can personally issue a decree to have them break off the engagement and find a good match for the other woman."
"Your Majesty, Princess Qinghe, she, she..."
You Rong's words trailed off, his face gradually paling.
If he were to say that Lin Qinghe loved him, what then? In the Emperor's eyes, he was now a servant, a eunuch! How could he be worthy of Lin Qinghe!
But if he spoke the truth, it would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor.
The Emperor looked at You Rong with confusion. "What about Qinghe? Why did you stop?"
"Your servant, your servant... your servant did not intend to say anything. It is just that one must respect Princess Qinghe's wishes."
The Emperor, believing him, smiled. "Hmm, in two days it will be the Empress Dowager's birthday. I will find an opportunity then to arrange for Qinghe and Lord Gu to spend more time together. I believe Qinghe will develop a favorable impression of Lord Gu."
You Rong emerged from the Hall of Heavenly Purity, his handsome thin lips pressed tightly together, his face alarmingly pale.
If His Majesty were to issue a decree arranging a marriage between Lin Qinghe and Gu Ziye, would he not be...
You Rong clenched his fists.
No!
Lin Qinghe loves him. As long as she refuses, with His Majesty's favor towards her, he would certainly not force the marriage between them!
Yes! It must be like this!
You Rong told himself repeatedly, yet for some reason, he remained deeply uneasy.
You Rong's gaze darkened, and he quickened his pace towards his residence.
He needed to seize the time to clear the You family's name and to escape his identity as a eunuch, so that he could have the qualifications to seek her hand in marriage!
-------------------------------------
Two days later, on the Empress Dowager's birthday, a banquet was held in the palace. Many officials and their families, as well as palace consorts, princes, and princesses, attended the feast.
Lin Qinghe searched her original body's memories for information about the Empress Dowager and learned that the Empress Dowager preferred peace and quiet, residing in Cining Palace year-round and disliking disturbances. Throughout the year, apart from the Emperor, few others had the chance to see her.
Knowing that her original self had no particular connection with the Empress Dowager, Lin Qinghe no longer paid it much mind. She tidied herself up early and, with Meilan and You Yue, headed to the venue of the banquet.
She was sure to see You Rong at the banquet!
Excitedly, she arrived at the banquet and, at a glance, spotted You Rong standing behind the Emperor. Her face lit up, and she eagerly walked over.
"Your subject greets Father Emperor."
Lin Qinghe bowed to the Emperor, but her eyes were fixed solely on You Rong.
Sensing Lin Qinghe's gaze, You Rong felt a warmth in his heart, and a trace of tenderness appeared on his handsome face.
Fortunately, the Emperor did not notice any of this. He personally helped Lin Qinghe up and spoke a few words to her. Seeing Gu Ziye enter the hall, the Emperor called out, "Lord Gu, come here for a moment."