Wang Gongyang entered the sleeping quarters and, upon seeing You Rong, his eyes welled up uncontrollably.
"Your Highness, this servant has heard everything. The Emperor has rescinded your confinement order, and he even came to the Eastern Palace to have lunch with you today before returning to the palace. This is wonderful, truly wonderful... *sob*... Empress, may your spirit rest in peace, you have finally endured through this."
Seeing Wang Gongyang overcome with joy and tears, You Rong felt a touch of helplessness. "Eunuch Wang, please, I asked you in because there is something important to discuss."
Wang Gongyang wiped his tears with his sleeve. "Yes, Your Highness, please instruct me, this servant is listening."
You Rong narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp, and said in a low voice, "I will write a letter for you to take out of the palace tomorrow and deliver to Prime Minister Xu's residence. I need his help to investigate someone."
"Prime Minister Xu?" Wang Gongyang looked puzzled. "Your Highness has had little interaction with Prime Minister Xu. Will he truly help you?"
You Rong pursed his lips. "Prime Minister Xu is a wise and cautious man. He has never been close to You Feng and appears unwilling to be involved in the struggle for the throne. However, as the Prime Minister of the nation, he cannot remain an outsider. He is merely observing.
You Rong paused. "Moreover, among the congratulatory cards sent by many officials today, there was one from Prime Minister Xu's residence. Due to the matter of the divine manifestation, many old officials in the court and royal kinsmen of influence will choose me. The situation in the court is becoming clear. Prime Minister Xu has made his decision. As long as I show sufficient sincerity, he will help me!"
Wang Gongyang's expression showed sudden understanding. "So that's how it is... This servant understands. This servant will definitely deliver Your Highness's letter to Prime Minister Xu's residence."
You Rong nodded. Wang Gongyang brought the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, You Rong finished writing the letter.
Handing the letter to Wang Gongyang, You Rong said, "When you leave the palace for Prime Minister Xu's residence tomorrow, be extremely careful. Do not be seen by anyone. The person I am asking Xu Yulin to investigate is related to the matter of his mother's death. Be careful not to alert the enemy."
Wang Gongyang said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. This servant will be careful."
"Good, if there is nothing else, you may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Wang Gongyang bowed and took two steps back. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered something crucial.
Wang Gongyang, unable to hide his anger, said, "That's right, Your Highness. That wicked servant, Lin Qinghe, cannot be kept alive. This servant will immediately order someone to drag her out and execute her!"
As soon as he finished speaking, You Rong shot him a cold glance and slammed his hand on the table, creating a considerable sound.
"Eunuch Wang, you have served me for over a decade, and I did not know you were so adept at acting on your own initiative!"
Wang Gongyang's heart trembled in fear. "This servant knows his mistake. Please, Your Highness, do not be angry. But this servant is acting solely for Your Highness's benefit. Lin Qinghe, she is Consort Duan's..."
You Rong's expression was displeased, and he sternly interrupted Wang Gongyang. "Enough! Her affairs... you do not need to concern yourself with. I have my own plans."
Wang Gongyang looked at You Rong with worry.
Your Highness has never taken a concubine. Without experiencing intimate relations, he... and Lin Qinghe... it is only natural for Your Highness to develop some affection for her.
But Lin Qinghe is Consort Duan's person, a woman of extreme malice. Your Highness, you must not be captivated by her!
Wang Gongyang's worries had no chance to be spoken. You Rong waved his hand, signaling him to leave quickly.
Wang Gongyang had no other choice and could only withdraw with a heavy heart.
***
You Rong's sleeping quarters.
Lin Qinghe pushed open the door and placed the meal she had brought onto the table, a flattering smile on her small face. "Your Highness, it is time for dinner. This servant had some dishes you like prepared. Please try them."
You Rong let out a faint "Mm," put down his brush, and went to eat.
You Rong ate with deliberate grace, his movements elegant, like a beautiful painting that was pleasing to the eye.
Lin Qinghe, however, was not in the mood to admire it. She held her chopsticks and served You Rong, her expression hesitant. After a long while, she could no longer hold back and spoke.
"Your Highness, you said that if I helped you lift the confinement, you would believe I was genuinely repentant, right?"
You Rong looked up, glancing at Lin Qinghe indifferently, and remained silent, continuing his unhurried meal.
Lin Qinghe: "???"
What did You Rong mean by this?
Could it be that now that he had lifted the confinement, with countless officials flattering him and gaining the confidence to confront Consort Duan, he intended to discard her?
And then, being petty and holding a grudge for what the original owner had done to him, he wanted to chop her up to vent his anger?!
Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat. Her small face showed anxiety and unease as she looked at You Rong. "Your Highness, you will believe me, won't you?"
You Rong put down his chopsticks, lowered his gaze slightly, and appeared lost in thought, remaining so without further comment.
Lin Qinghe, unable to fathom You Rong's intentions, gripped her hands tightly, her heart seeming to pound out of her throat.
What did he mean by this?
Say something!
Perhaps because You Rong heard Lin Qinghe's unspoken thoughts, he looked up at her, his expression calm. "Mm, I believe you."
Lin Qinghe's face lit up with joy. Her eyes curved into smiles. "That's wonderful! Your Highness, please rest assured, this servant keeps her word. From now on, I will be loyal to you, spare no effort, and serve until death!"
You Rong pursed his lips and suddenly uttered something that left Lin Qinghe bewildered. "It is enough for you to be loyal to me. Nothing else is needed."
"Ah? Why?" Lin Qinghe asked, perplexed.
Wasn't it good for someone to spare no effort and serve until death for him?
You Rong withdrew his gaze and did not answer, leaving behind only, "Tomorrow, the Grand Tutor will come to the Eastern Palace to teach me. I need to go to the study now to prepare."
With that, he rose and left, leaving Lin Qinghe standing there, utterly confused.
Lin Qinghe assumed You Rong was just a strange person and did not take it to heart. Thinking that she had successfully gained You Rong's trust and that the mission had finally made progress, Lin Qinghe returned to her own room filled with joy.
Just as she was about to use the system to check You Rong's world progress bar, Zhu Hong happened to arrive. She whispered from outside, "Sister Qinghe, may I come in?"
Zhu Hong was looking for her at this time... Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered. "Come in."
Zhu Hong pushed the door open and, after cautiously confirming no one was outside, closed the door.
Lin Qinghe asked directly, "Do you have something to tell me?"
Zhu Hong nodded and produced a slip of paper. "Sister Qinghe, this is a note sent by Consort Duan. This servant has read it. It asks about your situation in the Eastern Palace after the太子's confinement was lifted. It also wants to confirm if you are poisoning the太子 daily."
Lin Qinghe took the note from Zhu Hong's hand and scanned it briefly.
Consort Duan was quick. You Rong only lifted his confinement in the afternoon, and before it was even dark, she was already inquiring for news.
Zhu Hong pondered for a moment and asked, "Sister Qinghe, what should this servant do now? This note... should I reply or not?"