"Also?"
"Also what?"
Lin Qinghe had no idea what You Rong was thinking, but she was sure that after tonight, You Rong's opinion of her would change. Therefore, there was no need to rush.
Lin Qinghe thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, it is late now. You should rest early. This servant will take her leave and we can discuss matters tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe curtsied and turned to leave.
After Lin Qinghe left, You Rong sat alone on the soft couch for a long time. His well-defined face was filled with complex emotions. Countless questions surged in his heart, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, one after another.
Were the things Lin Qinghe had said recently true? Could he believe her?
And that day, when he had a cold and was in a daze, he heard someone gently comforting him like his own mother. When he woke up, he saw the arrogant and venomous Lin Qinghe, and he assumed he had been dreaming.
But now, he remembered that the cloak covering him when he woke up was Lin Qinghe's.
That was not a dream, it was real.
For the first time, You Rong felt troubled by a woman, unsure of what to do.
-------------------------------------
The next morning.
Zhu Hong entered Lin Qinghe's room, her eyes shining, gazing at her with admiration.
"Sister Qinghe, have you heard? The Eastern Palace and the Imperial Palace are in an uproar today, all saying that a divine being has appeared, that His Highness the Crown Prince is the chosen heir of the gods, and that with His Highness the Crown Prince, our Xichu Kingdom will be even more prosperous and flourishing!"
The words that appeared on the wall last night, combined with the numerous magpies that had been circling You Rong's chambers for several days, caused these two events to merge, and the stories became increasingly miraculous.
Lin Qinghe gave a faint "Mm," her expression indifferent, showing no surprise. Everything was within her expectations.
Zhu Hong's excitement grew uncontrollable. She was glad she had made the right choice. With someone like Lin Qinghe by You Rong's side, the day You Rong regained his power was undoubtedly near.
Lin Qinghe finished her breakfast. Seeing her about to go out, Zhu Hong asked, "Sister Qinghe, are you going to His Highness the Crown Prince's chambers?"
Lin Qinghe's eyes narrowed slightly. "No, I'm going to the back courtyard."
"To the back courtyard? What are you going to do there?"
Lin Qinghe smiled without answering. Zhu Hong couldn't fathom her thoughts and could only follow with her heart full of questions.
Upon arriving at the back courtyard, Lin Qinghe walked directly towards a certain area. Seeing this, Zhu Hong hurried to say, "Sister Qinghe, you'd better not go any further. Eunuch Zhang is emptying the chamber pots there. Be careful not to catch the smell."
"It's alright, I came specifically to find Eunuch Zhang."
Zhu Hong looked surprised. "Came specifically to find Eunuch Zhang?"
Sister Qinghe knew Eunuch Zhang? Why had she never heard of it?
Lin Qinghe approached Eunuch Zhang. He was startled and quickly put down the chamber pot, saying fearfully, "This humble servant greets Miss Qinghe."
Looking at his fearful and apprehensive demeanor, it seemed Eunuch Zhang had heard of the original owner.
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly. "Eunuch Zhang, we are all servants. You don't need to be so polite when you see me."
Lin Qinghe's attitude, coupled with Eunuch Zhang's knowledge of what "she" had done in the Eastern Palace, made him even more terrified. "Miss Qinghe, do you have something to order this humble servant to do? Please, just tell me. If I can do it, I will surely do it for you."
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe decided not to beat around the bush and stated her purpose directly.
"Eunuch Zhang, it's very simple. After you finish emptying the chamber pots and take them out of the palace, I need you to spread the word about the divine manifestation last night to everyone you meet." Lin Qinghe took a heavy purse from her embrace and handed it over. "If you agree, this is for you."
Eunuch Zhang frantically shook his head and waved his hands. "This humble servant will do as Miss Qinghe commands, but this money... I cannot accept it. I only beg that in the future, Miss Qinghe puts in a good word for me with Noble Consort."
Lin Qinghe was momentarily speechless.
It seemed that in the Eastern Palace, everyone knew the original owner was under Noble Consort Duan. The original owner's behavior had been too high-profile. However, with this identity, her actions were much more convenient.
Lin Qinghe withdrew her wandering thoughts and returned to the topic.
She forcefully shoved the purse into Eunuch Zhang's hand and said, "Don't worry, I will speak to Noble Consort Duan on your behalf as I should. But please accept this money. Remember, this matter... do not speak of it to anyone else. It was I who asked you to do it."
Eunuch Zhang: "Miss Qinghe, please rest assured, this humble servant understands."
On the way back, Zhu Hong hesitated for a moment before finally asking the question in her heart.
"Sister Qinghe, why did you ask Eunuch Zhang to spread the news of the divine manifestation last night to everyone he meets after he leaves the palace? This matter is already known to everyone in the Eastern Palace and the Imperial Palace, and it will spread sooner or later. You didn't need to go to such lengths."
"Sooner or later?" Lin Qinghe smiled. "How much is 'sooner or later'? There's a saying that prolonged delay leads to unforeseen complications. Public opinion within the palace can be controlled in a timely manner, but if it spreads outside the palace, to the ears of the common people, from one to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand, if it continues to spread like this... then even with great power, public opinion among the people cannot be controlled."
To be safe, she couldn't give Noble Consort Duan any time to react.
Zhu Hong suddenly realized. "I see. Sister Qinghe really thinks things through."
Lin Qinghe: "Let's walk faster. His Highness the Crown Prince should be having lunch soon. Let's go and see."
"Yes, Sister Qinghe."
Two days later.
Numerous magpies often circled You Rong's chambers in the Eastern Palace. The news of the divine manifestation quickly spread throughout the capital. People gathered in groups, and storytellers in teahouses, etc., all spoke of this matter.
Coincidentally, You Rong was also lucky. As soon as the news spread, in many parts of Xichu Kingdom that had been suffering from snow disaster for the past two months, the snow stopped coincidentally. This made people believe even more firmly that the divine manifestation was real.
Even more, common people began to worship You Rong, bringing fruits and pastries to the gates of the Eastern Palace to pay homage, all saying that Xichu was now peaceful, thanks to You Rong.
However, while the outside world was abuzz with talk, and people from the Imperial Palace had come to inspect the wall of the Eastern Palace time and again, three whole days had passed, and the imperial decree to lift You Rong's confinement had not yet arrived. Lin Qinghe could not help but become anxious.
In You Rong's chambers.
You Rong calmly picked up his brush to practice calligraphy, which made Lin Qinghe even more worried. She couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it's been three days, and the imperial decree to lift your confinement has not yet come. Aren't you worried at all?"
You Rong's strokes were steady, and he was not affected at all. He asked in return, "Weren't you confident? Why are you worried now?"
"This servant..." Lin Qinghe was momentarily speechless. Looking at You Rong's indifferent face, she was so angry her teeth itched.
It's truly a case of the emperor not being anxious, but the eunuch being anxious!
Just then, Xiao Yuzi ran in frantically, saying urgently, "The Emperor is arriving! His Highness the Crown Prince, quickly go to the entrance to prepare to receive His Majesty!"