Chapter 2 The Morning After
Lin Qinghe got up, washed, and was about to head to You Rong's sleeping quarters.
"Zhu Hong, has His Highness the Crown Prince already begun his lessons with the Grand Tutor in the study?"
Zhu Hong took the handkerchief Lin Qinghe handed her, put it away, and replied, "Sister Qinghe, His Highness the Crown Prince left early this morning."
Lin Qinghe was slightly surprised. "His Highness the Crown Prince left early? Is he going to the palace to see His Majesty the Emperor?"
"No, Your servant was attending to His Highness the Crown Prince in his chambers this morning and overheard him speaking with Eunuch Wang. It sounded like he was going out to see Prime Minister Xu."
Zhu Hong's words immediately piqued Lin Qinghe's interest. "You said His Highness the Crown Prince is going to see Prime Minister Xu?"
Zhu Hong nodded. "That's right. Your servant must not have misheard. His Highness the Crown Prince is going to Chunri Tower to keep an appointment with Prime Minister Xu."
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, a thoughtful expression on her face as she stroked her chin.
You Rong was quite astute. He was already beginning to connect with Prime Minister Xu, a powerful ally. If things continued this way, You Rong would soon be betrothed to Xu Ling'er and take her as his Crown Princess.
Seeing Lin Qinghe fall silent, Zhu Hong asked with a hint of confusion, "Sister Qinghe, is something amiss?"
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and smiled faintly. "No, I was just lost in thought about something else."
Zhu Hong, not suspecting anything, believed Lin Qinghe. As Lin Qinghe waved her away, Zhu Hong suddenly shuddered, remembering something.
Zhu Hong stopped in her tracks and said, "Oh, right, Sister Qinghe. This morning, Noble Consort Duan's people sent another message."
Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow and calmly sat down. "What message?"
"The note said for your servant to carefully observe the patrol routines of the Eastern Palace guards and to inform them of any patterns in their shift changes."
"Patterns in their patrol changes? Why would Noble Consort Duan's people suddenly ask you to pay attention to this? Don't they have free passage in and out of the Eastern Palace?"
As soon as she spoke, Lin Qinghe belatedly remembered that ever since You Rong's confinement was lifted, the Eastern Palace guard had been replaced. Furthermore, with You Rong's involvement in state affairs, he had gained sufficient authority to manage the Eastern Palace, preventing Noble Consort Duan's people from easily slipping in.
It now seemed that Noble Consort Duan must be planning something new, thus her urgency to gain access to the Eastern Palace…
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and said, "Zhu Hong, truthfully relay the patrol shift change times of the Eastern Palace guards to Noble Consort Duan."
Zhu Hong was utterly perplexed. "Sister Qinghe, why would you do that? Aren't you afraid that Noble Consort Duan's people will sneak in, discover that you have now switched your allegiance to His Highness the Crown Prince… and retaliate against you?"
Lin Qinghe curved her lips and said with a faint smile, "They will find out sooner or later anyway… Moreover, even if we don't let Noble Consort Duan's people in, she won't stop her actions against His Highness the Crown Prince. It's better to let them in, understand what they are planning, and know ourselves and our enemy to win every battle, isn't it?"
Zhu Hong felt that Lin Qinghe's words were not without merit. She bowed and said, "Sister Qinghe, Your servant knows what to do. Tonight, I will transmit the Eastern Palace guards' patrol shift change times to Noble Consort Duan."
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Good."
***
In a private room on the upper floor of the renowned Chunri Tower in the capital city.
Wang Gongyang pushed the door open and stepped back slightly, allowing You Rong to enter. Prime Minister Xu, already inside the room, hurriedly rose to bow. "Your servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince."
You Rong nodded slightly. "Prime Minister Xu, there is no need for such formality. Please rise."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince." After rising, Prime Minister Xu felt a bit awkward facing the cool and dignified You Rong. "Please sit, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Your servant has ordered some wine and dishes. Please take a look and see if they are to your liking. Would you like Your servant to order more…?"
After You Rong took his seat, he got straight to the point. "Prime Minister Xu, I summoned you here today to discuss matters. You need not be so reserved; let us sit and talk."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Once both were seated, Prime Minister Xu spoke first. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, regarding the person you ordered the city to investigate, Your servant is still doing his utmost. As soon as there is any news, it will be reported immediately. However, Your servant is somewhat slow-witted; why do you wish to investigate a retired imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Office who has returned to his hometown?"
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his gaze deepening, and he said in a low voice, "I once learned some superficial knowledge in the Imperial Medical Office and understand some principles of medicine. When my mother, the Empress, was initially feeling slightly unwell, I took her pulse. It was merely a case of slight weakness; she would never have fallen into critical condition after being treated by the imperial physicians…"
Prime Minister Xu was greatly shocked. "Your Highness the Crown Prince means… someone poisoned the Empress?"
"Even if it wasn't poison, someone must have tampered with the medicinal soup my mother was taking to recuperate. I investigated, and as soon as my mother fell ill, this Chen Yu was in a hurry to retire and return home. He disappeared as soon as he left the palace, his whereabouts unknown, his life and death uncertain. He is the most suspicious. That is why I asked Prime Minister Xu to help find him," You Rong stated each word clearly. "Chen Yu, I want him alive or dead!"
Prime Minister Xu was not foolish; he already understood.
Although His Highness the Crown Prince did not mention Noble Consort Duan in his words, this matter must be related to her.
Prime Minister Xu cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Your servant will do everything in his power to find Chen Yu!"
You Rong lowered his eyes, suppressing the raging hatred within him, and said calmly, "Yes, thank you for your trouble, Prime Minister Xu. I will not forget your assistance in the future."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
After they finished speaking, You Rong noticed Prime Minister Xu hesitating. He said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister Xu has something to tell Us? Please speak freely."
Prime Minister Xu said, "Then I shall speak directly. His Highness the Crown Prince, due to the divine signs, has been supported by the imperial clan, his confinement has been lifted, and he has even begun to assist in state affairs. However, the imperial clan's reverence for you surpasses that for His Majesty the Emperor, which naturally causes some resentment in His Majesty's heart…"
Prime Minister Xu said no more, but You Rong was not so foolish as to miss the implication.
The matter of the divine signs had caused his father to be somewhat displeased with him in private. Prime Minister Xu was warning him to be careful. Coupled with his maternal uncle being the Great General who guarded the North and held military power, his father must be even more wary of him.
You Rong said, "Prime Minister Xu need not worry, I have my limits."
"In that case, Your servant is relieved," Prime Minister Xu said solemnly once more. "Please believe, Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Xu family will henceforth follow your lead!"
After discussing matters, seeing that an hour had passed, You Rong was about to leave. As he walked towards the door of the private room, he suddenly stopped.
Prime Minister Xu asked cautiously, confused, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, do you have any other matters to instruct Your servant on?"
You Rong's eyes flickered. "Is Prime Minister Xu's legitimate daughter, Miss Xu, not yet married?"
Prime Minister Xu's thoughts raced.
Did His Highness the Crown Prince have his eye on his daughter?
Although he did not wish for his daughter to be involved in the struggle between the princes, her status as the Prime Minister's daughter meant she could not avoid it. Now that he had pledged his allegiance to His Highness the Crown Prince, it would be a good choice if his daughter could marry His Highness the Crown Prince and become his consort.