Lin Qinghe returned to her room and lay down, only to belatedly remember to open the system to check the world's progress bar.
Lin Qinghe: "System, check You Rong's progress in this world."
System: "The progress bar data for this world is 0."
Lin Qinghe was so shocked she sat up, "Progress is 0? Are you kidding me?! You Rong has already been released from house arrest, how can the progress still be 0?"
After Lin Qinghe confirmed for the third time that the progress bar data was indeed 0, it was as if all her strength had been drained, and she collapsed onto the couch.
She frowned, muttering to herself, "It shouldn't be. The progress shouldn't be 0. Could it be... that the female lead hasn't appeared yet, and the progress bar only increases when You Rong has close contact with the female lead?"
The more she thought about it, the more likely Lin Qinghe found this possibility, and she couldn't help but sigh to the heavens, "When will the female lead Xu Ling'er appear?!"
Affected by this matter, Lin Qinghe was dejected for three consecutive days, wilting like a frosted eggplant, and had no inclination to curry favor with You Rong, staying cooped up in her room.
You Rong's sleeping quarters.
Zhu Hong brought in the evening meal, bowed, and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant has brought the evening meal. Please partake..."
You Rong frowned subtly. "Where is Lin Qinghe? Has she been unwell lately? Why haven't I seen her?"
Zhu Hong was surprised by You Rong's sudden mention of Lin Qinghe. After recovering, she stammered, "Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Prince, Sister Qinghe, she, she..."
"She what? Has she really been unwell?"
"No, Sister Qinghe seems to be in a bad mood lately, sighing in her room all day, listless. However, Sister Qinghe inquires about the Crown Prince's daily routine and meals, and instructs this servant to serve Your Highness diligently."
"In a bad mood?" You Rong asked, "Why is she in a bad mood? Is someone in the Eastern Palace targeting her? Or..."
You Rong's gaze turned cold. Or had she stopped obeying Noble Consort Duan, and Noble Consort Duan had threatened her?
Seeing You Rong's face suddenly darken, Zhu Hong was startled and trembled, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please rest assured, no one in the Eastern Palace dares disrespect Sister Qinghe. Perhaps, perhaps Sister Qinghe..."
Seeing Zhu Hong's hesitation, You Rong pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "She may what? Speak!"
Forced by Zhu Hong, she blushed and whispered, "This servant suspects Sister Qinghe has her period. When women have their period, they feel unwell and their mood can be bad."
Period?
You Rong didn't understand at first, but after a moment's thought, he recalled that when he was young, he had heard old wet nurses mention it in the Empress's palace. Instantly, You Rong's expression became indescribably subtle.
You Rong's ears turned slightly red. He cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness. "Cough, cough... You may leave. Convey my order, Lin Qinghe need not come to duty for the next two days."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
After Zhu Hong left, You Rong hesitated for a moment before walking to the study next door and rummaging through a pile of books.
"I remember bringing back some medical books from the Imperial Medical Academy. They should be here..."
Half an hour later, a bowl of ginger and brown sugar water, delivered by a palace maid, appeared in Lin Qinghe's room. The maid said it was for dispelling cold, as the weather had been cold, and the Eastern Palace had specially prepared it for everyone.
Lin Qinghe stared at the bowl of ginger and brown sugar water, feeling strange. She kept a watchful eye, took it to the window, and poured it out.
If it was to dispel cold, why not just boil ginger soup? Why add brown sugar? Could it be... it was poisoned?
The next day.
Zhu Hong brought the morning meal. Lin Qinghe was absent-minded, chatting intermittently, "Zhu Hong, I haven't gone out these past few days. Has anything happened in the Eastern Palace?"
"Everything in the Eastern Palace has been as usual these past few days. Your Highness the Crown Prince listens to the Grand Tutor's lessons daily and occasionally visits the Emperor to pay his respects. Nothing else has happened, however..."
Zhu Hong paused. "This servant heard that the palace is preparing a grand birthday banquet for the Ninth Princess. The banquet will be held in the Imperial Garden and many ministers and their families have been invited to attend. However, Noble Consort Duan, citing the Crown Prince's academic priorities, has obtained special permission from the Emperor for the Crown Prince to be excused from attending and to remain in the Eastern Palace to continue listening to the Grand Tutor's lessons."
Lin Qinghe's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.
Noble Consort Duan's actions were surely not simple.
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and asked, "Zhu Hong, have you heard any other news about the Ninth Princess's birthday banquet, such as whether any distinguished guests have been invited?"
"This..."
Zhu Hong frowned, thought carefully, and suddenly remembered, "This servant recalls hearing that this time, for the Ninth Princess's birthday banquet, the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Xu, the famed number one talented woman in the capital, Xu Ling'er, has returned to the capital from Jiangnan and will also attend the banquet."
Upon finishing, Lin Qinghe's eyes immediately widened, her face unable to hide her joy, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Really? You say Xu Ling'er will be coming to the palace?"
Zhu Hong was taken aback and looked at Lin Qinghe in confusion, "Yes... yes, it is said that Xu Ling'er will be attending the banquet in the palace this time. Sister Qinghe, why are you so excited? Do you know Xu Ling'er?"
"No! I don't know her! But she is extremely important to me!"
The female lead of this world had finally appeared!
Great, the progress bar at 0 will finally be saved!
Zhu Hong was utterly bewildered, not understanding Lin Qinghe's words at all.
Lin Qinghe couldn't bother explaining to Zhu Hong. She suppressed her excitement and instructed, "Zhu Hong, go and find out for me when exactly the Ninth Princess's birthday banquet will be held. Also, regarding Xu Ling'er, whatever news you hear about her, bring it back to me!"
Zhu Hong nodded with partial understanding, "Yes, this servant will go now."
After Zhu Hong left, Lin Qinghe's dejected demeanor from the past few days vanished, her eyes sparkling with vigor.
Lin Qinghe muttered to herself, "Noble Consort Duan is preventing You Rong from attending the banquet, intending to win over Prime Minister Xu and matchmake You Feng and Xu Ling'er. This won't do! Xu Ling'er must belong to You Rong! I have to find a way to make them meet. According to the original plot, the two will fall in love at first sight!"
Once they fall in love at first sight, their affection will deepen, Xu Ling'er will help You Rong win over Prime Minister Xu, You Rong will usurp the throne, kill Noble Consort Duan to avenge his mother, and You Rong will ascend the throne, making Xu Ling'er the Empress. Everything will be settled.
As she thought about it, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but laugh, her smile stretching almost to her ears.
She could already see the progress bar for this world instantly increasing to 100.
Then her auxiliary mission for the first world would be completed!
In the afternoon, Zhu Hong returned after gathering information, saying that the Ninth Princess's birthday banquet would be held tomorrow. Lin Qinghe also learned from her that Xu Ling'er loved plum blossoms, that Consort Shu in the palace was her aunt, and that Xu Ling'er had just come of age and was not yet engaged.
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered. She already had a plan in mind and immediately got up to go to You Rong's sleeping quarters.