Lin Qinghe's displeasure was evident on her face.
Indeed, she was the heroine, already shielding You Rong.
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to speak, the Emperor called her from not far away: "Qinghe, come here. Your imperial grandmother has arrived. Hurry and wish her a happy birthday."
Lin Qinghe swallowed the words that were about to be spoken, glanced at You Rong, likely a warning that he shouldn't forget her earlier words, then turned and walked towards the Emperor.
As soon as Lin Qinghe left, Yun Ruobing, with a face full of regret, continued: "Thinking back, Mother used to praise you often, saying your martial arts were outstanding and your literary talent was brilliant. You were a rare talent, both skilled in martial arts and literature, and destined for greatness..."
You Rong pursed his thin lips and said indifferently, "Princess Chang'an, I'm sorry, but I don't remember. Also, I have work to attend to and must take my leave."
"You Rong, you..."
Watching You Rong's indifferent back, Yun Ruobing's eyes were filled with complexity and confusion.
Did he truly not remember their childhood? He was already eleven then, he should remember.
Yun Ruobing pondered for a moment, then assumed that You Rong, unwilling to involve others due to the You family's downfall, was deliberately pretending not to know her.
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet began. Lin Qinghe's gaze followed You Rong constantly. Seeing Yun Ruobing appearing around him repeatedly, she felt an inexplicable surge of anger, gulping down several cups of fruit wine in her frustration.
The Empress Dowager preferred quietude and only made a brief appearance at the banquet before returning to Cining Palace. As soon as the Empress Dowager left, Lin Qinghe said to the Emperor: "Father, this daughter feels unwell and will return to Yaohua Palace first."
"Unwell? I shall have someone fetch an imperial physician!"
"No need. This daughter just feels a bit dizzy. I'll be fine after resting."
The Emperor looked worried. Concubine Qing, standing nearby, cast a disdainful glance at Lin Qinghe and turned her face away.
You Rong, standing nearby, heard Lin Qinghe's words clearly and his heart tightened.
She felt unwell. Was it because the injury from her fall from the horse had not yet healed?
Despite knowing it was improper, You Rong cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this servant will escort Princess Lin Qinghe back to Yaohua Palace."
Before the Emperor could answer, Lin Qinghe spoke first, "That would be most excellent. Eunuch You shall escort this princess back."
The Emperor said nothing, merely nodding in agreement, "Then You Rong will escort Qinghe back. Remember, if she truly feels unwell, be sure to have an imperial physician examine her."
You Rong: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Leaving the main hall and walking on the road back to Yaohua Palace, You Rong followed Lin Qinghe. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Your Highness, you are unwell. You absolutely cannot refuse to see an imperial physician out of fear of taking medicine. Perhaps this servant should still fetch one to examine you?"
Lin Qinghe suddenly stopped, turned around, and stared at You Rong with narrowed eyes.
You Rong blinked in surprise, "Your Highness... why are you looking at this servant like this?"
Lin Qinghe's gaze flickered, "This princess asks you, how is that Princess Chang'an from just now?"
You Rong was confused, "How is Princess Chang'an? Why is Your Highness asking about Princess Chang'an?"
Lin Qinghe pouted, clearly displeased. "Didn't she say she knew you from childhood? That you were childhood sweethearts? This princess asks how you feel about her? Do you think she's as beautiful as a celestial being, gentle and kind? Is that right?"
You Rong sensed Lin Qinghe's unhappiness but didn't know why she was suddenly upset.
He furrowed his brow and truthfully replied, "This servant has no impression of Princess Chang'an, nor were we childhood sweethearts. Princess Chang'an has a noble status, while this servant's status is humble. It is inappropriate to comment on Princess Chang'an. Moreover, this servant is not familiar with Princess Chang'an and has seldom heard anything about her, so I cannot make a judgment."
Lin Qinghe summarized You Rong's words into one sentence.
That is: Not familiar! Doesn't understand, doesn't know!
Lin Qinghe was quite satisfied with You Rong's complete lack of knowledge about Yun Ruobing, and her earlier displeasure vanished completely. Sudan Novel Network.
Staring at You Rong's handsome face, a hint of slyness flashed in her eyes, and she changed the subject, asking, "You haven't heard of Princess Chang'an, but you must have heard of Minister Gu. You've seen him too, haven't you? What do you think of him?"
Mentioning Gu Ziye, You Rong recalled the Emperor's words about the arranged marriage. His expression changed drastically, which Lin Qinghe clearly saw.
The hand by his side clenched slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Replying to Your Highness, this servant also does not understand Minister Gu and cannot make a judgment about him."
"Oh? Is that so?"
You Rong replied, "Yes."
Lin Qinghe saw through You Rong's thoughts perfectly.
He did not wish to praise Gu Ziye in front of her, nor did he want to violate the principles of a gentleman by speaking ill of someone behind their back, so he chose to say nothing.
Lin Qinghe secretly wanted to laugh.
She decided to give You Rong a strong dose of stimulus and see if he could still remain so composed.
Lin Qinghe pretended to ponder for a moment, then said, "This princess actually finds Minister Gu quite good. He is upright, refined, and distinguished. I heard Father intends for him to be this princess's consort. You Rong... do you know?"
You Rong's face paled, and a sharp pain, as if pricked by needles, shot through his heart.
He forcefully suppressed the churning emotions in his chest and said with a hoarse voice, "This servant... does not know."
Lin Qinghe frowned upon seeing this.
You Rong was truly able to keep his composure. Wasn't he afraid she would actually choose Gu Ziye as her consort?
Lin Qinghe was so annoyed she wanted to scold You Rong, but just as the words reached her lips, she had a sudden realization. She thought of a way to provoke You Rong and simultaneously resolve the worry of Yun Ruobing.
A barely perceptible curve appeared on Lin Qinghe's lips, and she said indifferently, "Forget it. What's the point of saying so much to you? This princess has already arranged to go out with Minister Gu tomorrow... You don't need to escort this princess back to Yaohua Palace. I can return myself."
Watching Lin Qinghe's receding figure, You Rong froze in place, his expression unreadable.
She was going out with Gu Ziye tomorrow. Did she like Gu Ziye? Was she going to accept the Emperor's arranged marriage?
What about him?
She had clearly said that the person she liked was him!
In just a few days, had her heart changed!
You Rong wanted to rush forward and question her, but his feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
He gave a bitter smile.
He asked himself, what right did he have to question Lin Qinghe?
Lin Qinghe returned to Yaohua Palace. She had thought that stimulating You Rong would surely advance the progress bar, but to her disappointment, after waiting for a long time, the progress bar remained stubbornly still.
Lin Qinghe was slightly disappointed, but as she remembered the plan for the next step, her eyes lit up again.
She refused to believe that she couldn't make You Rong do anything!
The next day, Lin Qinghe went out with You Yue and Mei Lan. Naturally, she did not meet Gu Ziye. She merely toured around, buying many snacks to bring back to the palace.
Lin Qinghe called You Yue over and said, "Take these pastries to You Rong at Qianqing Palace. Tell him you bought them today when you accompanied this princess out. If You Rong asks you who this princess met after leaving the palace, you must say that this princess met with Minister Gu. Do you understand?"