The Emperor ordered a retrial of the You family's rebellion case, presided over by Gu Ziye. With all witnesses and evidence in place, the case was quickly settled.
Lin Chenrui, for framing loyal officials, harming countless people, and plotting rebellion, was deemed treasonous. He was stripped of his princely title, his family's assets were confiscated, his concubines and children were exiled to the frontier, and Lin Chenrui was beheaded as a public example.
The You family's innocence was restored, and they were posthumously awarded noble titles. His wife was granted the title of a first-rank honored lady.
Upon learning this, Consort Qing went to plead with the Emperor but was reprimanded, demoted from her position as consort, and confined to Yongshou Palace.
Still not giving up, Consort Qing found someone to deliver a letter to Lin Qinghe, begging her to intercede with the Emperor on behalf of herself and Lin Chenrui. Lin Qinghe, without even looking at it, tossed the letter aside.
Three days after Lin Chenrui's public execution.
Lin Qinghe knew the Emperor was in a somber mood. She went to Qianqing Palace early to accompany him and talk.
Just then, a young eunuch entered to report, "Your Majesty, You Rong is outside requesting an audience."
The Emperor frowned, then said, "Have him come in. It so happens I have something to discuss with him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the eunuch left, he returned with You Rong following behind. You Rong bowed, his hands clasped in front of him, "This servant greets Your Majesty and Your Highness the Princess."
"You Rong, rise. There is no need for such ceremony."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor looked at You Rong with a hint of guilt in his expression, sighing, "You Rong, I have wronged your father and your entire You family. Your father was a distinguished general, leading Dongli to countless victories. If only I had investigated more thoroughly at the time, this would not have happened..."
You Rong clasped his hands again. "Your Majesty need not think this way. The evidence was conclusive. As the ruler of a nation, facing the court officials and the people of the realm, many things are beyond your control. This servant understands."
The Emperor was greatly relieved. "It is good that you can think this way. Thus... I have considered it. I will confer the title of County Princess Ping'an upon your sister, and I will find her a good marriage in the future. As for you... I have also seriously considered it. The You family army cannot go without a commander for a day. Are you willing to inherit your father's legacy and become the commander of the You family army?"
"This..." You Rong hesitated. "Your Majesty, before that, this servant must first beg for your forgiveness!"
"Beg for my forgiveness?" The Emperor looked puzzled. "What crime have you committed?"
You Rong knelt down, his hands clasped. "This servant has committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign. Years ago, when Your Majesty saved my sister and me, you ordered us to enter the palace and serve as your eunuchs for life. However, this servant was not... not castrated. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
The Emperor was taken aback for a moment. When he recovered, he chuckled, "While it is true you committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign, I do not blame you. Quickly rise. It brings me great comfort that your You family can continue its bloodline through you. How could I blame you!"
The Emperor's words were within Lin Qinghe's expectations, so she wasn't overly worried when You Rong said he wanted to beg for forgiveness.
However, You Rong did not rise and continued, "This servant has one more matter to request of Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request!"
"Oh? You have something else to ask of me?" The Emperor raised his eyebrows with amusement. "Speak, what is it you wish to ask of me?"
You Rong looked up and met Lin Qinghe's eyes. The ardor in his gaze made Lin Qinghe's cheeks flush, and she couldn't help but look away.
You Rong spoke each word deliberately and with great solemnity, "Your Majesty, this servant admires Princess Your Highness and wishes to ask for her hand in marriage! I beg Your Majesty to grant our union!"
This time, the Emperor fell silent. His eyes narrowed, and he stared at You Rong with an inscrutable expression.
After a long moment, the Emperor said sternly, "You Rong! You have immense courage! While I feel I owe your You family, Qinghe is my most beloved princess. How can you simply ask for her hand in marriage!"
You Rong felt a pang of urgency. "Your Majesty, I truly love Princess Your Highness!"
Lin Qinghe also became anxious, tugging on the Emperor's sleeve. "Father Emperor... Your daughter, your daughter also truly loves You Rong. Please, Father Emperor, grant us our union, won't you?"
However, when Lin Qinghe spoke, the Emperor became even angrier. "Good! You Rong, when you were still a servant, you were already seducing Princess Your Highness?"
"This servant did not! This servant truly loves Princess Your Highness and wishes to marry her, to treat her well for a lifetime. I beg Your Majesty to grant our wish!"
Lin Qinghe, anxious to speak, felt the Emperor's hand grasp hers. When You Rong couldn't see, he gently patted her hand.
Lin Qinghe was startled and looked at the Emperor with confusion. Although she didn't understand his intention, she no longer felt the urge to plead with him immediately.
The Emperor said coldly, "If you retract your words now, I can pretend this never happened. Otherwise..."
The warning in his words made the unspoken implications clear.
You Rong pursed his lips but showed no sign of backing down, insisting, "This servant loves Princess Your Highness and wishes to marry her. I beg Your Majesty to grant our union!"
"Is that so? If you insist on marrying Qinghe, I will revoke all the promises I have made to you and leave you as a commoner, forever excluded from the court. Would you be willing to accept that?"
You Rong lowered his gaze, appearing to hesitate.
Seeing this, the Emperor couldn't help but frown.
However, in the next moment, You Rong said with unwavering resolve, "To Your Majesty, I am willing! Although it may cause Princess Your Highness some hardship, I promise that even if I am not in court, I will learn to manage a business, engage in trade, and ensure Princess Your Highness has the very best in food, clothing, and daily necessities!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Emperor smiled. "This is excellent. I have not misjudged you. You will surely treat Qinghe well in the future, and you will be her good husband."
You Rong was taken aback. "Your Majesty, you mean..."
The Emperor smiled and shook his head helplessly. He turned to Lin Qinghe beside him, affectionately pinching her nose. "You are something else. You and You Rong have mutual feelings for each other. Must I tear you apart? Look at how anxious you are, not even married yet, and you're already protecting an outsider, forgetting your Father Emperor. I was merely testing him just now. I will issue the imperial decree for your marriage tomorrow!"
Upon hearing this, You Rong was overjoyed. "This servant thanks Your Majesty!"
Lin Qinghe curtsied and said softly, "Your daughter also thanks Father Emperor."
The next day.
The Emperor's imperial decree of marriage was delivered to the You family, and the Imperial Observatory was instructed to select an auspicious date for You Rong and Lin Qinghe's wedding, to be held in half a month.
The date was chosen by Lin Qinghe herself; she selected the earliest possible one because she did not want to delay the final progress bar any further.
The marriage between the Emperor's most favored princess and the commander of the You family army was naturally grand and magnificent. The Emperor himself attended the You mansion, and this wedding truly shocked the entire capital.
After the wedding ceremony, Lin Qinghe, clad in her phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, was escorted to the bridal chamber.
You Yue secretly came from the main hall, taking Lin Qinghe's hand, her eyes shining with joy. "Princess Your Highness, it's truly wonderful! You've become my sister-in-law. I'm so happy."
Lin Qinghe smiled and replied, "Yes, this princess is also very happy."
You Yue held Lin Qinghe's hand and spoke at length, expressing how, after the You mansion's troubles, her brother was her only family, and now with Lin Qinghe marrying You Rong, she had gained another, which made her immensely happy.
It wasn't until You Rong returned that You Yue stuck out her tongue and left the bridal chamber.
You Rong stood before Lin Qinghe, his palms clenched. Then, he slowly raised his hand and lifted the veil from her head.
Beneath the veil, Lin Qinghe was stunningly beautiful, like a celestial being descended to earth. You Rong was mesmerized.
He gently touched Lin Qinghe's cheek and whispered, "Princess Your Highness, you are truly beautiful."
Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing. "You are too, this princess's consort is truly handsome!"
You Rong's heart stirred. He leaned in and kissed Lin Qinghe's luscious lips, pressing her onto the bed. In their passionate embrace, Lin Qinghe pushed gently against You Rong's shoulder. "Wait, we haven't drunk the wedding wine yet..."
A flicker of restraint crossed You Rong's eyes. He forced himself to sit up, retrieved the two cups of wedding wine from the table, and they drank together, their hands intertwined.
This time, You Rong could no longer restrain himself. He pushed her onto the bed and kissed her passionately, his breathing uneven. "After drinking the wedding wine, the Princess and I are husband and wife. This life, and all future lives, we will be husband and wife..."
Lin Qinghe blushed. "Mmm..."
Lin Qinghe couldn't say any more as You Rong's lips fiercely sealed hers.
The red candle flickered, and within the gauzy curtains, entwined figures could be dimly seen...
A night of passion.
When Lin Qinghe awoke again, she gazed deeply at the sleeping You Rong beside her, then closed her eyes, organizing her slightly disheveled thoughts.
The system's prompt sounded: "Progress bar increased by five percent. Total progress bar at one hundred percent. Congratulations, task-taker Lin Qinghe, for completing the auxiliary mission in this world. You will now enter the next world."
Lin Qinghe forced herself to clear her mind, feeling her soul being drawn from her body, and then entering the next world.