Chapter 27
Evening.
As soon as You Rong returned from the palace, Zhu Hong informed Lin Qinghe of his return.
Within a quarter of an hour, Lin Qinghe brought the evening meal to You Rong's sleeping quarters, a fawning smile on her face. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you've returned. Are you hungry? This servant has prepared dinner. Would you like to eat first?"
You Rong raised his eyes, scanned Lin Qinghe, and pursed his thin lips, his expression displeased.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe muttered to herself, "Didn't he go back to have some alone time with Xu Ling'er? Why is he still frowning?"
Lin Qinghe handed the chopsticks to You Rong. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please eat..."
You Rong did not take them, his gaze fixed on Lin Qinghe with an unreadable expression.
Lin Qinghe was bewildered by his stare. Before she could figure out what was happening, You Rong said sternly, "In the plum grove today, you said you forged my letter with good reason. Tell me... why on earth did you dare to forge my letter?!"
Lin Qinghe thought the matter was over and had not paid it any mind. To have it brought up so sharply and sternly by You Rong, she was taken aback.
Once she regained her composure, she inwardly cursed.
"Does You Rong still want to hold her accountable for acting on her own initiative, thus disrespecting his master's authority?!"
"She's truly ungrateful, not even considering who she was acting on behalf of!"
Despite her inner complaints, Lin Qinghe dared not show the slightest displeasure to You Rong.
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and said loyally, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant did indeed have a reason for forging your letter."
You Rong's eyes narrowed slightly, and he remained silent, waiting for Lin Qinghe's explanation.
"Miss Xu is exceptionally talented and beautiful, known as the most talented woman and beauty in the realm. Furthermore, she is the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Xu and is doted upon by him. Last time, during the Ninth Princess's birthday, Consort Duan went to great lengths to prevent you from attending the banquet, intending for the Third Prince to capture Miss Xu's heart and take her as his principal consort, thereby winning over Prime Minister Xu."
Lin Qinghe paused and continued, "If Prime Minister Xu were to be won over by the Third Prince, it would be a great disadvantage to you, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This servant, in a moment of urgency, took it upon herself to forge your letter, sending an invitation to Lord Xu and subtly mentioning for him to bring Miss Xu along."
Lin Qinghe's explanation did not improve You Rong's grim expression; instead, it became even more somber.
You Rong's hands tightened slightly. "So... you forged an invitation to Xu Yi on my behalf, intending for me to win Miss Xu's affections first?"
Lin Qinghe nodded vigorously. "That's right. If Miss Xu becomes the Crown Princess and wins over Prime Minister Xu, your influence, Your Highness the Crown Prince, will undoubtedly increase significantly, allowing you to rival the Third Prince's faction in court!"
You Rong's heart suddenly tightened, and a complex mix of emotions surged within him.
He looked at Lin Qinghe with complicated eyes and said in a low voice, "You weren't doing it to see Xu Yi, you wanted me to marry Xu Ling'er as the Crown Princess..."
Lin Qinghe did not hear You Rong's words clearly, but that did not stop her from wanting to prove her loyalty.
Lin Qinghe knelt and bowed respectfully. "Please, Your Highness the Crown Prince, look into this. Forging a letter is a capital offense! But this servant truly acted with only your best interests at heart!"
Such a display of unwavering loyalty, willing to sacrifice everything for her master, yet You Rong found no joy in it. His heart sank.
After a long pause, Lin Qinghe, seeing that You Rong remained silent, subtly observed him and immediately frowned.
Lin Qinghe said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince? Your complexion has suddenly turned very pale. Are you feeling unwell? This servant will go and fetch the imperial physician immediately!"
As Lin Qinghe was about to go fetch the imperial physician, You Rong dismissed his complicated thoughts. He said sternly, "There's no need. I'm just a bit tired and want to rest. You may withdraw."
Lin Qinghe vaguely felt something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint what it was. She could only respond respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This servant will withdraw now."
Lin Qinghe bowed slightly and slowly backed away.
The moment she stepped out of You Rong's sleeping quarters and the door closed, Zhu Hong approached with a worried expression and asked softly, "Sister Qinghe, you've come out. How was it? Did His Highness the Crown Prince blame you?"
Lin Qinghe grinned and gave Zhu Hong a reassuring look. "Don't worry, His Highness the Crown Prince didn't blame me. However... His Highness the Crown Prince seemed a bit unwell. Go to the Imperial Physician's office and ask the physician to prescribe some tonics for His Highness. Also, tell the kitchen to stew more nourishing broths for His Highness, like deer penis soup."
Under Zhu Hong's puzzled gaze, Lin Qinghe suppressed the curve of her lips and cleared her throat. "Ahem... we will soon have a Crown Princess. In short... just do as I say."
"Crown Princess?"
"The legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's residence?"
Although Zhu Hong was curious, as a servant, she dared not ask too many questions about her master's affairs. She curtsied and said, "Yes, this servant understands."
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Good, go ahead."
"Yes, Sister Qinghe."
Inside the sleeping quarters.
You Rong looked at the table full of food, his appetite gone. His mind replayed Lin Qinghe's words.
When he thought she had risked a capital offense by forging his letter just to see Xu Yi, he had been furious. But now, realizing it was a misunderstanding, that she had forged his letter to bring him closer to Xu Ling'er and to win over Prime Minister Xu for his sake, his heart felt even more heavy, as if it were filled with something suffocating.
After pondering for a long time, You Rong called out sternly, "Eunuch Wang, come in."
Wang Gongyang, who was guarding the door, pushed it open and walked to You Rong, kneeling to pay his respects. "Your servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Rise. I have something to instruct you to do."
"Yes, please instruct Your Highness the Crown Prince."
You Rong's eyes flickered. "You will go to Prime Minister Xu's residence now and tell him that I wish to meet him tomorrow at Chunri Tower to discuss some matters."
"Yes, your servant obeys."
You Rong waved his hand, signaling Wang Gongyang to go about his business.
As Wang Gongyang rose, he noticed the untouched meal on the table and couldn't help but say, "How does this Lin Qinghe serve you? She doesn't know you dislike fish, yet she dared to have the kitchen prepare fish soup and steamed fish! I'll have this meal removed and ask the chef to prepare a new one. But Your Highness really shouldn't have Lin Qinghe serve you, let alone mention that she's someone from Consort Duan's faction..."
Before Wang Gongyang could finish speaking, You Rong's gaze sharpened, and he said coldly, "Eunuch Wang! Are you teaching me how to conduct myself?!"
Wang Gongyang's face paled in fright. He immediately knelt and kowtowed, begging for forgiveness. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant was wrong. Please quell your anger!"
You Rong let out a cold snort and warned, "Eunuch Wang, I will spare you this time, given your many years of service by my side. If there is a next time, you will be punished accordingly!"
Wang Gongyang was filled with trepidation. "Yes, this servant remembers. Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince, for your leniency."
You Rong: "You may withdraw."
Wang Gongyang: "Yes, your servant obeys."