You Rong's gaze was dark and unfathomable as he said in a deep voice, "Zhu Hong told me you were taken away by Concubine Duan's people."
Lin Qinghe clutched Gu Haotian's letter tightly in her sleeve, her eyes guiltily shifting away. "Your Highness the Crown Prince need not worry. Concubine Duan is angry that this servant betrayed her, but she now fears you, so she only dares to mete out a small punishment to vent her anger."
"Oh? Is that so?" A cold glint flashed in You Rong's eyes.
Lin Qinghe, not noticing You Rong's strangeness, feared he would press further and quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince! This servant is fine. Have you finished your discussion with His Majesty? Why don't we return..."
Lin Qinghe's words abruptly stopped. She widened her eyes in surprise, staring at You Rong, who had suddenly reached out to stroke her cheek.
Lin Qinghe instinctively recoiled. You Rong's arm wrapped around her slender waist, preventing her from taking a single step back.
Her breath was filled with the cool sandalwood scent emanating from You Rong, making her feel utterly uncomfortable and inexplicably awkward.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, what are you..."
You Rong stared at Lin Qinghe's face. "The person who hit you... I truly wish to cut off her hands."
Lin Qinghe's back suddenly felt a chill. She struggled to retreat, trying to put as much distance between herself and You Rong as possible, and gave a dry laugh. "Heh heh... Your Highness the Crown Prince need not worry, this servant is fine. Can you please let go of me first?"
Why is he so close!
She felt her breathing becoming constricted!
You Rong's gaze flickered, and he abruptly let go of Lin Qinghe, returning to his usual indifferent demeanor. "Let's go back."
Having said that, he took the lead and walked towards the palace gate.
Lin Qinghe stood rooted to the spot, touching her cheek where You Rong had touched it. She silently mused how inexplicable it was and quickly followed.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Lin Qinghe felt that You Rong had become distant again, as cold as he was at the beginning, and his gaze towards her was strangely unreadable.
Lin Qinghe ensured that her act of taking Gu Haotian's letter had not been noticed by You Rong. Was this sudden change in him due to her being taken away by Concubine Duan in the palace, causing him to grow suspicious again?
Lin Qinghe had a headache.
After finally managing to deal with Concubine Duan, she still had to deal with You Rong!
Despite her weariness, Lin Qinghe had to once again declare her loyalty to You Rong. Otherwise, even if You Rong and Xu Ling'er got married and the progress bar reached one hundred percent, if You Rong, due to his suspicions, were to snap her neck, she would be in dire straits!
Lin Qinghe arrived at You Rong's sleeping quarters and knocked on the door. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant has brought you your supper."
You Rong's voice came from the study. "Enter."
"Yes."
Lin Qinghe placed the supper on the table. She did not notice that the moment she turned around, You Rong's scowl vanished.
Lin Qinghe said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please eat."
As You Rong ate, Lin Qinghe's dark eyes rolled around twice, and she pretended to casually bring up, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, could this servant ask for a favor?"
You Rong: "What is it?"
"At Yonghe Palace, this servant already told Concubine Duan that she would rather die than obey her commands again. From now on, Your Highness the Crown Prince is this servant's master, and this servant will pledge her life to you. Concubine Duan was furious because of this, but she feared you and dared not kill this servant. However, this servant has an elderly grandfather outside the palace, and I fear Concubine Duan will not let him off. This servant wishes to ask Your Highness the Crown Prince to send someone to protect him. Is that possible?"
Lin Qinghe's expression was filled with worry, but inwardly, she was secretly pleased.
This move was brilliant. It not only demonstrated her unyielding stance at Yonghe Palace and her unwavering loyalty to You Rong, but it also prevented You Rong from thinking she was seeking credit.
You Rong tightened his grip on his chopsticks, his expression indifferent. "I understand. I will order someone to handle it."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Qinghe bowed deeply with gratitude and continued to obsequiously serve You Rong. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, try this fish. It's fresh, tender, and juicy, with a smooth texture. This servant specifically asked the chef to prepare it for you."
You Rong looked down at the fish in his bowl without a word and put a piece into his mouth.
Lin Qinghe asked expectantly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, how does it taste?"
You Rong: "Passable."
"Then this servant will serve you more. Please eat more. Fish is rich in nutrients and is most suitable for strengthening your body..."
As they were eating dinner, Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she casually said, "Oh, right, Your Highness the Crown Prince. When this servant was taken to Yonghe Palace, I accidentally overheard Concubine Duan mention that the Great General Zhenbei is returning to the capital? Does Your Highness know about this?"
You Rong's eyes grew cold. "I know."
"Indeed, the Great General Zhenbei is Your Highness the Crown Prince's maternal uncle. He is returning to the capital, so you should know... I have always heard that the Great General Zhenbei dotes on you greatly. You must be very happy that he is returning to the capital this time. I wonder when exactly the Great General Zhenbei will arrive?"
You Rong's eyes grew colder by the moment. After hearing Lin Qinghe's words, they were so cold that it felt like ice shards could fall.
Heh!
So genuinely devoted to You Feng! Eagerly trying to inquire about the military seal!
He had actually believed her words about abandoning the dark and turning to the light! Believed all the acts she had performed in front of him!
Anger and bitterness mingled in his heart. For a moment, You Rong wanted to break Lin Qinghe's neck in a fit of rage.
Lin Qinghe found it strange that You Rong didn't respond. She looked up and was startled by his icy gaze. "Your... Your Highness the Crown Prince, why are you looking at this servant like that? Did I say something wrong?"
In just a moment, You Rong lowered his gaze slightly, suppressed all his turbulent emotions, and said indifferently, "It's nothing. I was lost in thought about other matters. You may withdraw. I am tired and wish to rest."
Lin Qinghe vaguely felt something was amiss and wanted to ask again, but You Rong had already stood up and walked towards the bed with his back to her. She had no choice but to withdraw.
With a creak, the door closed.
You Rong's face was gloomy. He raised his hand and struck the screen beside him. The screen crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces of wood.
Why didn't he kill her?
Why did he still keep her alive?
His mind repeatedly replayed the scene of Lin Qinghe expressing her affection for You Feng, and You Rong felt as if his heart was being stabbed by a sword, a throbbing pain in his gut.
After an unknown amount of time, a fierce glint flashed in You Rong's eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "Lin Qinghe, you brought this upon yourself! You feign a hypocritical facade to deceive me, then you will continue to feign it... for your entire life!"
You Rong coldly called out, "Wang Gongyang, come in!"
Wang Gongyang quickly entered the room. Upon seeing the shattered screen, his heart leaped in alarm, and he hesitantly said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you summoned this servant. Is there something you wish to command?"
You Rong's eyes sharpened, and he said coldly, "I order you to thoroughly investigate the entire Eastern Palace and eliminate all informants within. Also, Lin Qinghe... from this day forward, find someone to watch her every step. Without my command, she is not to leave the Eastern Palace by half a step!"
Wang Gongyang felt confused but dared not ask further. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This servant will go and do it immediately!"