The door closed, and You Rong, looking at Lin Qinghe who had burrowed into the quilt, said with a doting gaze, "Qinghe, come out. I've already sent Wang Gongyang away."
Lin Qinghe didn't come out. Instead, she clutched the quilt tighter.
That had been so embarrassing!
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I... I'm still a bit sleepy. Let me sleep for a while longer. You go ahead and attend to your matters. Isn't there something urgent in the palace calling for you? You should hurry."
After speaking, Lin Qinghe found it strange that there was no movement outside.
Just as she was about to prick up her ears to listen carefully, the next moment, Lin Qinghe, quilt and all, was scooped up. She let out a startled cry, and the quilt covering her head was removed, revealing You Rong's exceptionally handsome face.
You Rong said, "Your ankle injury needs ointment. I'll apply it for you before I go to the palace."
Speaking of applying medicine, Lin Qinghe suddenly remembered that You Rong's hand had also been injured last night. She quickly pulled his hand over to examine it.
The bleeding had stopped, but the wound was still swollen and alarmingly red, causing Lin Qinghe's heart to tighten. She said anxiously, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's injury needs medicine more. My injury is nothing!"
"It's just a minor injury, no need to worry about it."
"What do you mean 'no need to worry'? What if the wound gets infected? Listen to me, order someone to bring medicine, and I'll apply it to Your Highness the Crown Prince's hand!"
You Rong nodded with a doting expression, "Yes, I'll listen to you."
You Rong ordered for medicinal ointment to be brought. He first applied medicine to Lin Qinghe's ankle and neck injuries, and then let her apply ointment to his palm.
After bandaging the wound on You Rong's palm, Lin Qinghe instructed, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, be careful these few days. The wound cannot get wet. It will heal soon."
"Alright, I'll listen to you..."
You Rong's fair hand gently caressed her cheek, and he said reluctantly, "I need to go to the palace. You rest well. I'll be back soon."
Lin Qinghe nodded, "Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you should go quickly."
You Rong left, and Lin Qinghe once again heard the system prompt: "Progress increased by nine percent, total progress is now ninety-nine percent."
Lin Qinghe touched her chin, pondered for a moment, and muttered, "The remaining one percent, if nothing unexpected happens, should be after the coronation ceremony, when You Rong establishes me as Empress and we get married. Then the task will be completed."
Thinking of this, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but feel annoyed. She cursed softly, "What a useless system... it makes no sense at all. It's messing around with the male lead and the vicious female supporting character. What kind of sick hobby is that..."
She didn't know the system's peculiar taste, but she knew that her future tasks in other worlds would surely make her suffer.
-------------------------------------
The sky outside darkened, and You Rong returned from the palace.
As Lin Qinghe had anticipated, upon returning to the Eastern Palace, You Rong took her hand and said, "Qinghe, after I ascend the throne, I will make you Empress. How about it?"
Lin Qinghe nodded vigorously, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, of course, I am willing!"
She was eager to complete the final one percent of the progress bar so that the mission would be finished.
Hearing this, the expression on You Rong's well-defined face softened considerably. "Yes, I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to prepare properly for the Empress's enthronement ceremony. The date has been set for one month from now."
"A month from now?" Lin Qinghe thought for a moment, "Actually, the Empress's enthronement ceremony doesn't need to be too grand. There's no need to prepare for so long. I think we can keep it simple, and it can be held in ten days. What do you think, Your Highness the Crown Prince?"
A month was too long. She couldn't wait to complete the task in this world!
You Rong refused without hesitation, "The Empress's enthronement ceremony cannot be simple. I want all the people in the world to know that you are the Empress of Xi Chu!"
Her identity was originally that of a palace maid. If the enthronement ceremony were to be kept simple, who knew what rumors would spread, making it seem like he looked down on her. He did not want that.
Lin Qinghe said with disappointment, "Can the Empress's enthronement ceremony really not be simplified?"
You Rong chuckled lightly, pinched Lin Qinghe's nose, and said, "I know you are eager to marry me. But even for ordinary commoners, marriage is a significant event. Moreover, it is the wedding of the Emperor and Empress, which naturally requires more solemnity and cannot be simplified."
Lin Qinghe's cheeks flushed, "Who... who is eager to marry you! Don't talk nonsense!"
"Well, it's not that you are eager to marry, but I am eager to marry you. Is that okay?"
If it weren't for the teasing in You Rong's eyes, Lin Qinghe would have given up. He was clearly playing with her. Angrily, she turned her face away, not wanting to deal with him.
He had even blushed when he first interacted with her. Why was it that after confessing his feelings, he knew only how to tease her and take advantage of her!
You Rong turned Lin Qinghe, who had her back to him, to face him, and said with a doting smile, "I won't tease you anymore. Don't be angry, okay?"
Lin Qinghe puffed out her cheeks and snorted, "I won't forgive Your Highness the Crown Prince. You're just making fun of me... Mmmph..."
Before Lin Qinghe could finish speaking, she was kissed by You Rong.
In just a moment, Lin Qinghe was so dizzy and weak that she lay in You Rong's arms, letting him do as he pleased.
With flushed cheeks, Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth and secretly thought: This person is getting enlightened way too fast!
-------------------------------------
Time flew by, and You Rong ascended the throne as Emperor. Some ministers questioned You Rong's succession, accusing him of usurping power through force and demanding to see the former Emperor. You Rong did not hesitate, drawing his sword in the imperial court and killing the protesting ministers, thereby intimidating those in the court with rebellious intentions.
In just over half a month, You Rong's ruthless and decisive actions won the submission of all officials, and he firmly secured the throne.
Qianqing Palace.
Lin Qinghe was idly passing the time in the hall. At this moment, Zhu Hong entered and said, "Sister Qinghe, Miss Xu from the Prime Minister's mansion requests an audience. Do you wish to see her?"
"Xu Ling'er wants to see me?"
"Yes, Sister Qinghe."
Lin Qinghe sat up straight, a thoughtful expression on her delicate face.
Why did Xu Ling'er want to see her? Could it be that the original heroine was going to try and steal the male lead?
With a stomach full of doubts, Lin Qinghe said, "Please invite Miss Xu in."
Zhu Hong responded with a "Yes" and turned to leave. When she re-entered, Xu Ling'er was behind her.
Xu Ling'er smiled, curtsied, and said, "This humble woman greets Miss Lin."
"Miss Xu, there's no need to bow to me. Please rise quickly."
"Thank you."
Lin Qinghe asked Xu Ling'er to sit down, instructed Zhu Hong to serve tea, and then, with a flicker of doubt in her eyes, asked, "Miss Xu, what brings you to see me today?"
Xu Ling'er nodded with a smile, "Yes. Previously, during the autumn hunt at Mount Yuling, Miss Lin bravely saved my life. I haven't had a chance to thank you yet, so I've specifically come to express my gratitude today."
"Oh, I see. Miss Xu, you are too kind. It was just a small gesture, no need to dwell on it."
Seeing Xu Ling'er's sincere thanks, Lin Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed no melodramatic plot was going to unfold.
Lin Qinghe and Xu Ling'er chatted pleasantly all morning. As soon as Xu Ling'er left, You Rong, having finished his discussion with the ministers, returned from the Imperial Study.
You Rong took Lin Qinghe's hand and asked gently, "I heard Miss Xu came to see you in the palace today? Did she have something she needed?"