The people of the Eastern Palace followed You Rong to the gate to greet the Emperor. As soon as they arrived, a sharp voice was heard, "The Emperor is here!"
Lin Qinghe knelt down behind You Rong.
You Rong's face was calm. "Your son greets Your Father."
The others said in unison, "We greet Your Majesty!"
Lin Qinghe followed suit, kneeling and kowtowing. She heard a deep voice say, "Rong'er, rise. Everyone else, be at ease."
You Rong: "Thank you, Father Emperor."
"Thank Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe stood up and calmly observed the man, who bore a slight resemblance to You Rong and was clad in a bright yellow dragon robe.
This was the Emperor of Xi Chu, You Rong's father, You Lin.
You Rong stood tall and dignified before the Emperor. The Emperor gazed at him for a moment, then clapped him heavily on the shoulder. With what seemed like a touch of emotion, he said, "Nearly a year, and my son has grown so much."
You Rong clasped his hands. "Yes, Father Emperor. It has been nearly a year since we last met. You appear spirited and healthy, which puts my mind at ease."
"You child, always so filial, always thinking of me," the Emperor said, taking You Rong's hand. "Come, let us go inside and sit to talk."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
You Rong followed the Emperor inside, while Lin Qinghe and the other palace servants waited outside the hall.
Lin Qinghe's eyes drooped slightly. From the Emperor's affectionate demeanor towards You Rong, she had guessed his intentions for visiting the Eastern Palace with about eighty to ninety percent certainty.
She was sure that from today onwards, You Rong would no longer be confined to the Eastern Palace!
Inside the great hall.
The Emperor sat down and beckoned to the standing You Rong. "Rong'er, come and sit beside me."
"Yes, Father Emperor." You Rong walked to the Emperor's side and sat down.
The Emperor's expression was complex, while You Rong remained as indifferent as ever, his face betraying no joy or sorrow. After a moment of silence between father and son, the Emperor broke it.
"Rong'er, your mother passed away, and you were overcome with grief, often speaking carelessly to me and Consort Duan. I was very disappointed in you. But you must understand, I have always had extremely high expectations for you, which is why I was so disappointed then."
You Rong lowered his gaze, carefully concealing the emotions raging within him. On the surface, he said respectfully, "Your son understands. It was your son's fault for disappointing Father Emperor."
The Emperor sighed softly and squeezed You Rong's shoulder. "Now, a year has passed, and I can understand you better. You and the Empress had a deep mother-son bond. You were heartbroken by her passing, which caused you to act that way. It was I who failed to comfort you properly at the time."
You Rong: "It has nothing to do with Father Emperor. It was my fault. Please do not worry about it any further, Father Emperor, or your son will feel even more guilty."
You Rong's words brought a look of relief to the Emperor's face. "I knew it! Among my sons, you are the most filial, sensible, intelligent, and talented!"
"Father Emperor flatters me. Your son dares not accept such praise."
"Good. Not arrogant, not impatient. You possess the bearing befitting a Crown Prince!" The Emperor said with satisfaction. "From this day forward, you may freely enter and exit the Eastern Palace. Your studies, which have been suspended for a year, will resume. I will have the Grand Tutor continue to teach in the Eastern Palace. You must study diligently. I will personally test your progress later. If I find you have been slacking, I will show no mercy."
You Rong clasped his hands in a salute. "Yes, please rest assured, Father Emperor. Your son will certainly study diligently and not fail your expectations!"
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction and said "good" several times.
That day, the Emperor stayed in the Eastern Palace and had lunch with You Rong before returning to his own palace.
After the Emperor left, within a quarter of an hour, carts laden with rare treasures and exquisite gifts were sent to the Eastern Palace one after another. The usually quiet Eastern Palace was bustling with activity today, a stark contrast to its usual state.
Xiao Yuzi's voice was filled with joy. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Minister of Rites, Lord Lu, is here to see you. Do you wish to meet him?"
Before You Rong could speak, Lin Qinghe rolled her eyes and said coldly, "Meet him? Absolutely not! Pass on the Crown Prince's order: His Highness the Crown Prince is feeling unwell and will not be receiving any visitors recently. Please ask all the lords to return to their residences and visit another day."
He had only just been released from confinement, and already so many people were coming to curry favor. If You Rong did not keep a low profile, wouldn't he be handing ammunition directly to Consort Duan? If Consort Duan's faction accused the Crown Prince of forming a faction, You Rong would be in trouble again.
"This..." Xiao Yuzi looked at Lin Qinghe with some difficulty and then at You Rong with a questioning gaze.
You Rong pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "Do as she says."
Xiao Yuzi looked relieved and said hurriedly, "Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This servant will go now."
As soon as Xiao Yuzi left, Lin Qinghe leaned towards You Rong and asked eagerly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, how was it? Besides lifting your confinement, what else did the Emperor say to you?"
You Rong raised his eyes slightly, glanced at Lin Qinghe, and did not conceal anything. He said, "From tomorrow, Father Emperor will have the Grand Tutor resume his lessons in the Eastern Palace. He also said that after some time, when a suitable opportunity arises, he will allow me to enter the imperial court to assist him in managing state affairs."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
The Emperor's words ensured that You Rong's status today was different from the past. No wonder so many officials, many of whom were originally part of the Third Prince's faction, wanted to come to the Eastern Palace to see You Rong.
Lin Qinghe's heart stirred. She poured a cup of tea and handed it to You Rong, looking at him expectantly. She asked, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, now that this servant has helped you get out of confinement, do you still remember what you said before? You said you would believe this servant, right?"
You Rong turned his head, meeting Lin Qinghe's eyes, and remained silent, gazing at her.
After a moment, he was about to speak, but was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
Lin Qinghe frowned, slightly annoyed. "Who is it? Didn't I say that His Highness the Crown Prince is unwell and not seeing anyone? Why are you disturbing His Highness the Crown Prince again?!"
At such a crucial moment, who could be causing trouble?!
The person outside the door seemed to pause, then raised their voice and shouted, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! It is this servant, Wang Gongyang... This servant has something to report to you!"
Wang Gongyang? Who is that?
Lin Qinghe frowned and thought carefully. Through the original body's memories, she suddenly recalled that Wang Gongyang was a eunuch who had been by You Rong's side since childhood. When the original body arrived at the Eastern Palace, he had made Wang Gongyang suffer greatly for protecting You Rong, and eventually banished him to the backyard to do manual labor.
Lin Qinghe was about to tell Wang Gongyang to leave, but You Rong spoke first. "You may withdraw first. I have something to say to Eunuch Wang."
Lin Qinghe, fearing she might displease You Rong, curtsied and said in a low voice, "Yes, this servant will take her leave."
When Wang Gongyang saw Lin Qinghe emerge, he glared at her fiercely, snorted, then held his head high, like a victorious rooster. He strutted past Lin Qinghe and entered You Rong's sleeping quarters.
Lin Qinghe was speechless.
Forget it. The sins of the original body, she had to bear the consequences.