You Rong’s anger startled Zhu Hong and Xiao Yuzi, who immediately knelt down, pleading, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, please calm your wrath…”
Lin Qinghe met You Rong’s furious gaze, faltered, her heart trembling. She quickly knelt as well, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, please calm your wrath. I did indeed impersonate you to write to Lord Xu, but I had my reasons. Please believe me, everything I do is for you!”
If you and Xu Ling’er hit it off, it would be nothing but beneficial for both of us. Winning over Prime Minister Xu would be a powerful assist for your future ascension, and for me, it would naturally accelerate the completion of my mission.
Lin Qinghe naturally couldn't voice her true thoughts, especially with Xu Ling’er present.
You Rong stared intently at Lin Qinghe, kneeling before him. He let out a cold laugh, his anger surging. He grabbed Lin Qinghe and strode towards the carriage.
Lin Qinghe stumbled, nearly falling, but managed to regain her footing and hurried to keep up with You Rong’s pace.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness…”
“Silence!”
You Rong stopped at the carriage, his icy voice startling Lin Qinghe into silence. By the time she recovered, You Rong had already pulled her into the carriage. You Rong sat opposite her, his expression frigid, and commanded sternly, “Return to the Eastern Palace!”
The coachman dared not object, responding with a quick, “Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince,” before flicking the reins to urge the horses forward.
Outside the carriage, Xiao Yuzi and Zhu Hong exchanged bewildered glances. Seeing the carriage depart, they hastily bowed to Xu Yi and Xu Ling’er before scurrying to catch up.
In the plum grove, You Rong’s carriage receded into the distance. Xu Yi and Xu Ling’er looked at each other. Xu Yi frowned, confused, “What did His Highness the Crown Prince mean by that? The invitation that day… it wasn’t from him? Was it sent by some palace maid?”
Xu Ling’er lowered her gaze slightly, her delicate face lost in thought. After a moment, she shook her head.
She couldn’t fathom You Rong’s intentions. However, when she learned yesterday that You Rong had sent an invitation for Xu Yi to bring her to the plum grove for a meeting, she had been quite pleased.
Inside the carriage.
Lin Qinghe stealthily observed You Rong. His thin lips were pursed, his expression cold, and his clenched fists seemed to be suppressing his anger.
Lin Qinghe hesitated for a long time before attempting to explain, “Your Highness the Crown Prince…”
You Rong raised his eyes, his chilling gaze falling upon her, causing the words to die on Lin Qinghe’s lips.
You Rong clearly wanted her to shut up.
Lin Qinghe’s brow furrowed subtly. With no other recourse, she decided to remain silent, planning to explain once they returned to the Eastern Palace.
To avoid further angering You Rong, she lowered her head and shrank into a corner of the carriage, trying to minimize her presence. She hoped that this would help to quell his anger during the journey, allowing him to listen to her explanation calmly upon their return.
Little did she know, You Rong’s anger only intensified.
Why wasn’t she explaining?!
Was her silence an admission of having nothing more to say!
Did she want to see Xu Yi so badly that she would risk the death penalty for forging the Crown Prince’s letter!
Or was she relying on the fact that he now favored her a little, confident that he wouldn't pursue the matter of her forging the letter!
Throughout the journey, Lin Qinghe felt a chill down her spine. Without looking up, she could imagine You Rong glaring at her with an intensity that could snap her neck.
Lin Qinghe felt a pang of exasperation. While she admitted to having a slight ulterior motive, it was for You Rong’s own good. Besides, he himself liked Xu Ling’er. She couldn’t understand why he was so furious.
Did he feel she had acted presumptuously, undermining his authority as her master?
The more Lin Qinghe pondered, the more she felt this possibility was high. She mentally prepared a set of responses. However, as the carriage stopped at the entrance to the Eastern Palace, You Rong coldly uttered, “I need to go to the palace.”
Lin Qinghe could only watch as the carriage curtains were lowered. The coachman cracked the whip, and with a shout, the carriage sped away.
Lin Qinghe: “…”
Did You Rong have a screw loose? He flew into a rage for no reason, then abandoned her and left.
Zhu Hong hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and saying softly, “Sister Qinghe, it’s cold outside. Shall we go inside?”
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and replied sheepishly, “I know. Let’s go.”
Upon returning to her residence, Lin Qinghe dismissed Zhu Hong. As she paced the room, the system’s voice echoed in her mind.
System: “Hint, the progress bar for this world has increased by five percent. The total world progress bar is now twenty-five percent.”
Lin Qinghe’s eyes widened in shock, “The progress bar increased by another five percent?!”
Lin Qinghe disbelievingly opened the system. After confirming the progress bar had indeed increased, she rolled her eyes so hard they almost went to the back of her head.
What a hypocrite, You Rong! He acted furious about her privately meeting Xu Ling’er, yet secretly he was thrilled.
His claim of going to the palace probably meant he had the coachman turn back to the plum grove to find Xu Ling’er for a romantic rendezvous, enjoying the scenery together. His anger was simply because he disliked them being third wheels!
After mentally dissecting You Rong from head to toe, Lin Qinghe shook off her earlier gloom and excitedly asked Zhu Hong to bring in the snacks she had bought on the way.
She didn’t care if You Rong was outwardly cold and inwardly passionate. As long as the progress bar increased, she was happy.
-------------------------------------
In the palace, the Imperial Study.
With a creak, the door to the Imperial Study opened. Chief Eunuch Li emerged and respectfully said, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty requests your presence. Please…”
You Rong nodded slightly and stepped into the Imperial Study. He approached the Emperor and knelt to pay his respects, “Your humble son greets Father Emperor!”
The Emperor put down the memorial he was holding, a gentle smile gracing his stern face. “Rong’er, no need for such formalities. Rise.”
“Yes, your humble son thanks Father Emperor.”
After You Rong stood up, the Emperor’s expression became slightly puzzled. “Rong’er, why have you suddenly come to the palace to see me today? Is there something?”
You Rong lowered his gaze, clasped his hands, and said, “Yes, Father Emperor. The other day, you asked me who should be dispatched to re-survey the land across various regions and strictly investigate officials and merchants colluding to seize the people’s fertile land. After much consideration, I believe Xu Yi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is capable of shouldering this important responsibility.”
The Emperor’s sharp eyes narrowed. “Xu Yi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? Why does Your Highness the Crown Prince believe Lord Xu is capable of such a weighty task?”
You Rong pursed his thin lips. Under the Emperor’s scrutinizing gaze, he straightened his posture and calmly explained, “Lord Xu is the son of Prime Minister Xu, and Prime Minister Xu is known throughout the court as a loyal subject who dedicates his life to the nation. Therefore, Lord Xu would naturally not engage in factionalism or corrupt practices. Furthermore, there is no need to worry that Lord Xu will be threatened or framed by colluding officials and merchants while carrying out his duties in various regions.”
You Rong paused. “I believe Lord Xu is the most suitable candidate for this matter.”
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction, thoroughly agreeing with You Rong’s words. “Rong’er speaks wisely, and it deeply resonates with me. Then, as you suggested, I will soon issue an imperial decree for Xu Yi to oversee this matter in various regions.”
You Rong’s eyes flashed, his expression unchanging. “Yes, Father Emperor.”