You Rong could not even get a word in. Lin Qinghe then handed several broken plum branches to Xu Ling'er.
This was not the end of it. A cunning glint flashed in Lin Qinghe's eyes as she intended to push You Rong and Xu Ling'er further.
Lin Qinghe feigned annoyance and said, "Miss Xu, I apologize. The remaining plum blossoms have bloomed a bit too much and are no longer beautiful. This servant will go and pick some freshly bloomed ones for you."
Lin Qinghe walked towards the tree, calling out, "Zhu Hong, Xiao Yuzi, come quickly and help."
Because You Rong had repeatedly indulged Lin Qinghe, Xiao Yuzi and Zhu Hong subconsciously believed that You Rong would not stop them from helping to pick plum blossoms. Therefore, as soon as Lin Qinghe called, they went to help Lin Qinghe pick the flowers.
You Rong frowned subtly. His thin lips moved, but he ultimately chose to remain silent and did not prevent Lin Qinghe from picking more plum blossoms.
As soon as Lin Qinghe and the other two left, Xu Ling'er, Xu Yi, and You Rong stood facing each other. You Rong's usual cold demeanor made the Xu siblings feel quite awkward.
Lin Qinghe pretended to direct Zhu Hong and Xiao Yuzi in picking plum blossoms, but her peripheral vision was constantly on You Rong and the others.
Seeing You Rong standing with his hands behind his back, not engaging in conversation with Xu Ling'er, and especially with Xu Yi, the unwelcome third wheel, Lin Qinghe was secretly anxious.
No!
She had to find a way to pull Xu Yi in too, to create some private space for the two of them!
Lin Qinghe thought for a moment, then walked back quickly, her eyes bright as she looked at Xu Yi and said, "I've heard that Master Xu is skilled in martial arts, is that true?"
Xu Yi was taken aback. Although he was a civil official, he had practiced martial arts since childhood, and his skills were indeed good.
Xu Yi nodded, not understanding the reason, "Yes, my martial arts are passable. Miss, you wish to..."
Lin Qinghe smiled faintly, "That's wonderful! This servant wishes to pick plum blossoms from the tree, but unfortunately, I cannot climb trees, nor can Zhu Hong and Xiao Yuzi. Could I trouble Master Xu to lend a hand?"
"This..." Xu Yi secretly glanced at You Rong, his expression hesitant.
But Lin Qinghe would never give him a chance to refuse. She directly grabbed his arm and began to pull him towards the tree, "Thank you kindly, Master Xu."
Unexpectedly, just as Lin Qinghe was about to move, her wrist was caught by a warm hand. The grip was so strong that she let out a muffled groan of pain.
Lin Qinghe looked up and saw You Rong, his face ashen, holding her.
Lin Qinghe frowned. "Your Highness? What is it?"
You Rong tightly pursed his lips, an endless rage seemingly hidden in his dark eyes. With a slight tug, he pulled Lin Qinghe to his side.
Lin Qinghe's wrist was hurting from the grip. Just as she was about to pull her hand away, You Rong let go first, leaving Lin Qinghe looking at him in confusion.
Why did he suddenly look so cold?
"Your Highness, you are..."
You Rong's face was stern. He coldly interrupted Lin Qinghe, "The Grand Tutor is still waiting for me in the East Palace. Return to the palace!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
Lin Qinghe blinked and quickly stuffed the plum blossoms in her hand to Xu Ling'er. She bowed to the Xu siblings and said, "Master Xu, Miss Xu, His Highness suddenly remembered he has urgent business and needs to return to the East Palace immediately. I apologize, and he also said he would pick more plum blossoms for Miss Xu later."
Xu Ling'er smiled gently, "It's alright. His Highness's affairs are important. You should hurry back with His Highness."
Lin Qinghe nodded, brought Xiao Yuzi and Zhu Hong, and followed closely behind You Rong.
Once everyone had left, Xu Ling'er lowered her head and looked at the plum blossoms in her hand. Recalling You Rong's handsome face, her cheeks flushed. She asked softly, "Xu Yi, was that His Highness just now?"
Xu Yi nodded, "Indeed, it was His Highness, who has become quite famous recently. You've only just returned to the capital, so you must have heard about the divine intervention incident?"
"I've heard a little."
Xu Yi looked around and lowered his voice, "Father said that the old officials and the imperial family's powerful figures in the court are very supportive of His Highness. This time, His Highness's position as Crown Prince should be unshakeable..."
Xu Ling'er did not really hear this. She looked at the plum blossoms in her hand, pursed her lips, and smiled faintly. Upon closer inspection, her smile carried a hint of shyness.
-------------------------------------
You Rong walked extremely fast. Lin Qinghe had to jog to barely keep up, but soon You Rong was even further ahead.
Lin Qinghe frowned, at a loss. She had no choice but to call out, "Your Highness, please slow down a little. We cannot keep up."
As soon as she spoke, You Rong's steps did not slow down; instead, they quickened.
Lin Qinghe ran breathlessly to catch up, so annoyed she could have gnashed her teeth.
Why was You Rong suddenly so angry for no reason? Was he on his period?
Lin Qinghe followed You Rong back to the East Palace, still completely baffled as to why he was angry.
You Rong's sleeping quarters.
You Rong sat on the couch with a dark expression. Lin Qinghe thought for a moment, then poured a cup of hot tea and offered it, "Your Highness, please have some hot tea to warm yourself."
You Rong lowered his eyes to look at her, his face still cold.
Lin Qinghe softened her voice and tried to appease him, "Your Highness? Please have some hot tea to warm yourself. It was so cold outside just now. If you catch a cold, it would be my dereliction of duty."
You Rong gazed steadily at Lin Qinghe for a moment. Finally, his heart softened. He took the hot tea, took a sip, and then put the cup down.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief and finally dared to ask the question that had been bothering her all the way.
"Your Highness... were you angry just now in front of the Moon Pavilion?"
You Rong remained silent, but his expression clearly indicated consent.
Lin Qinghe was confused. "Why were you angry, Your Highness? Did I do something wrong?"
You Rong pursed his thin lips, recalling Lin Qinghe holding Xu Yi's arm. He said with suppressed anger, "Do you not know that it is improper for men and women to touch each other!"
Lin Qinghe blinked her clear, innocent eyes. "I know."
Although she was not from ancient times, she had watched plenty of historical romance dramas in her previous life. How could she not have heard that saying?
However, as a modern person with a progressive mindset, Lin Qinghe naturally did not feel that this saying applied to her.
"You know!" You Rong's anger intensified. "Then why did you still..."
"Still what?"
Lin Qinghe was utterly bewildered. She truly did not understand why You Rong was so angry.
As Lin Qinghe was about to ask further, You Rong, with a grim expression, uttered, "I have business in the study," and left without looking back.
Lin Qinghe was left standing there, racking her brain to figure it out.
"Could it be that You Rong fell in love at first sight with Xu Ling'er, and seeing me pull Xu Yi away to create an opportunity for them to be alone, he was worried it would ruin Xu Ling'er's reputation if it got out, and that's why he got angry... Could it be like that?"
As Lin Qinghe pondered, the system's cold voice echoed in her mind.
System: "Notification, the progress bar for this world has increased by twenty percent."
Lin Qinghe's eyes widened in astonishment. "Twenty percent increase in the progress bar?!"