Gu Ziye walked over, cupped his fists, and bowed. "Your subject greets Your Majesty, and Your Highness the Princess."
The Emperor smiled faintly. "Lord Gu, there's no need for such formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. May I know why Your Majesty summoned me?"
The Emperor lowered his head to look at Lin Qinghe beside him and chuckled. "Qinghe, didn't you say Lord Gu helped you twice? That you wanted to thank him in person? This is the perfect opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Gu Ziye said with trepidation, "Your Majesty, your subject did not assist the Princess with anything. The matter of the Princess's attempted assassination last time was merely my duty. As for the journey to Jianan Temple... it was too insignificant to mention. Please, Your Highness, do not give it another thought, nor specifically thank your subject for it."
"Oh, is that so?" the Emperor replied to Gu Ziye, but his gaze was fixed on Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe smiled faintly. "Although Lord Gu says thanks are unnecessary, it is a fact that you aided this Princess. I still wish to express my gratitude. Thank you, Lord Gu."
"Your Highness is too kind. Your subject is truly unworthy of such thanks."
Watching their polite exchange, the Emperor could see that Lin Qinghe's attitude towards Gu Ziye was favorable, which made him believe that the arranged marriage proposal had a good chance of success.
The Emperor mused for a moment and then said, "That's right, Qinghe. The birthday gift I intended to give your imperial grandmother is still in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. How about you go there for me and fetch it? What do you say?"
Lin Qinghe, without overthinking, nodded in agreement. "Yes, Father. This daughter will go and retrieve it for Father."
The Emperor smiled and looked at Gu Ziye. "The birthday banquet has not yet begun. It would be troubling Lord Gu to accompany Qinghe on this trip."
You Rong's expression changed drastically. He urgently said, "Your Majesty! How could we trouble Your Highness and Lord Gu? Allow this servant to retrieve the birthday gift for you!"
"You Rong, I have other matters to entrust to you later. Let Qinghe and Lord Gu go. The banquet has not started anyway."
"This servant..." You Rong clenched his fist slightly, understanding that the Emperor was trying to matchmake Lin Qinghe and Gu Ziye.
But he had no right to object.
Seeing You Rong's unsettled expression, Lin Qinghe, far from being foolish, sensed the Emperor's intentions. A sly glint flickered in her bright eyes.
The stagnant progress bar might just be nudged forward by making You Rong jealous of Gu Ziye. Perhaps it could even increase the progress.
Lin Qinghe feigned ignorance of You Rong's feelings and said with a faint smile, "That's right, You Rong. You stay here. This Princess will go with Lord Gu. It just so happens that I have many things to discuss with Lord Gu."
The Emperor heard this and chuckled heartily. "Then... Qinghe and Lord Gu, hurry along."
"Yes, Father."
Gu Ziye felt a pang of doubt, not understanding why the Emperor wanted him to accompany Lin Qinghe. However, since the Emperor had given the order, he naturally could not refuse. He replied, "Yes, your subject obeys. I will accompany Your Highness to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to retrieve the birthday gift for the Empress Dowager."
Watching Lin Qinghe and Gu Ziye walk away, You Rong pursed his thin lips, his gaze complex.
His heart felt as if it were being squeezed, filled with an inexpressible discomfort.
Once they were out of earshot, the Emperor chuckled. "You Rong, didn't you notice? I did that deliberately, wanting them to have some private time together. Yet you were so eager to offer to fetch the gift for me."
You Rong lowered his eyes. "...It is this servant's fault. This servant is foolish and did not grasp Your Majesty's intentions."
"Never mind. I didn't mean to scold you. It's just that on other matters, you are usually very astute. Today, I found you somewhat peculiar. Well, I must go and see the Empress Dowager."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
You Rong followed behind the Emperor, his mind in disarray.
Judging by Lin Qinghe's demeanor, she didn't seem to dislike Gu Ziye. She had conversed with him happily on both occasions.
Compared to himself, Gu Ziye was of a higher status, a mere servant. To her, he wasn't even a complete man. If she truly fell for Gu Ziye, it wouldn't be surprising.
Thinking this, You Rong's heart felt immensely bitter.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Lin Qinghe and Gu Ziye walked side by side. Gu Ziye was refined and courteous, while Lin Qinghe seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Suddenly, a system prompt echoed in her mind: "Progress bar increased by five percent. Total progress is eighty-two percent."
Lin Qinghe raised her eyebrows, a wide smile spreading across her lips.
It seemed her guess was right. You Rong was indeed jealous of Gu Ziye.
It appeared she could use Gu Ziye to provoke You Rong, at least to force him to admit his feelings for her!
Upon arriving at the Palace of Heavenly Purity and retrieving the birthday gift for the Empress Dowager, Lin Qinghe and Gu Ziye returned together to the venue of the banquet.
As soon as she entered, Lin Qinghe excitedly searched for You Rong. To her surprise, in a corner of the great hall, she saw You Rong speaking with a woman in a lotus-pink dress.
Lin Qinghe frowned and walked over, calling out with slight displeasure, "You Rong! What are you doing there!"
You Rong looked up, his eyes filled with an unfathomable complexity. He quickly lowered them, preventing Lin Qinghe from discerning his emotions.
You Rong said calmly, "Your subject greets Your Highness the Princess. Princess Chang'an has just returned to the capital and is attending the palace for the first time. She did not know her seat and came to ask your servant. Your servant was informing Princess Chang'an."
Lin Qinghe looked up and saw the pure and lovely Yun Ruobing. She subconsciously tightened her grip on her hand.
Yun Ruobing was the female lead!
She had thought Yun Ruobing wouldn't appear, but here she was.
Yun Ruobing smiled gently and curtsied. "Ruobing greets Your Highness the Princess."
Lin Qinghe's brows furrowed tightly. She gave a cool, indifferent "Hmm" and said to You Rong, "Since you've already informed Princess Chang'an, go about your business! What are you dawdling for!"
She did not want to see You Rong with Princess Chang'an. Although the progress bar was more than half complete, she was still somewhat wary of Yun Ruobing.
If anything were to happen between You Rong and Yun Ruobing, her mission would be in vain!
You Rong said softly, "...Yes, Your Highness the Princess. Your servant will take his leave."
Just as You Rong was about to depart, Yun Ruobing called out, "That... Eunuch You, please wait. Ruobing has something else to ask. Do you still remember when I was young, I visited the General's Mansion with my mother? We met then."
Seeing Yun Ruobing's expectant expression, You Rong's brow furrowed slightly. He thought carefully but had no recollection.
Just as You Rong was about to say he didn't remember, Lin Qinghe impatiently interjected, "You Rong! I told you to go about your business. Why are you still standing there! Are you ignoring my words!"
If she didn't stop this, they would end up reminiscing, and with their childhood connection, who knew what kind of feelings might develop.
Lin Qinghe's tone was unpleasant, causing Yun Ruobing's brow to furrow slightly. "Your Highness the Princess, from what Ruobing understands, Eunuch You is the chief eunuch, whose duty is to serve His Majesty, not you. He does not need to heed your yelling!"