Zhu Hong said with difficulty, "This is the Crown Prince's order, and this servant dares not disobey. Moreover... the Crown Prince has gone out and is not in the study."
Lin Qinghe held her forehead, and said helplessly, "Forget it. Don't follow me. I'll wait in the study for the Crown Prince to return."
Having said that, Lin Qinghe walked straight towards You Rong's study without looking back.
Whether it was You Rong's order or not, Lin Qinghe now had free access everywhere in the Eastern Palace. Even in the important place of the study, no one dared to stop her. She pushed the door open without permission.
After a tour of the study, Lin Qinghe, bored, sat down at You Rong's desk, propped her chin, and sighed dejectedly.
"Alas..."
You Rong had given a strict order not to let her leave the Eastern Palace, while he himself went out early and returned late every day, and she knew nothing about what he was busy with all day.
If it continued like this, when would she be able to complete the mission of the system's first world!
Lin Qinghe lay listlessly on the desk and, by chance, caught sight of a corner of an envelope peeking out from under a book. Her heart stirred, and she took out the envelope.
The envelope was addressed: To my nephew You Rong, please open.
This was a letter from You Rong's uncle, the Great General who defended the North, who was far away at the frontier?!
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. This was an indispensable figure for You Rong to seize the throne by force!
After hesitating for a long time, Lin Qinghe finally couldn't help but open the already unsealed envelope, took out the letter inside, and read it carefully.
After reading Gu Haotian's letter to You Rong at a glance, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but show a happy expression.
Gu Haotian wrote in the letter that he would return to the capital in half a month. While reminding You Rong to be extra cautious, he also told him to pay special attention to the Emperor.
Gu Haotian's return to the capital meant that You Rong was not far from seizing the throne by force. When You Rong ascended the throne, would it be far from enfeoffing Xu Ling'er as Empress?!
Although she had never seen any substantial progress between Xu Ling'er and You Rong, the progress bar that had reached fifty percent was the best proof!
Lin Qinghe's gloomy mood of the past few days completely disappeared, and she was in high spirits. She put the letter back into the envelope and was about to return it to its original place when a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
"Zhu Hong said you were in a bad mood today. Are you feeling bored staying in the Eastern Palace?"
Lin Qinghe jumped in fright and subconsciously tucked the letter into her wide sleeve. She stood up flusteredly and saw You Rong walking towards her.
Lin Qinghe chuckled nervously, "Heh heh... Your Highness the Crown Prince, you're back. This servant was, was... Right! What did you just say? You felt bored after staying in the Eastern Palace for too long? Yes! This servant was indeed feeling bored!"
You Rong did not suspect anything, and the corners of his lips curved slightly. "It's no wonder you feel bored. You were cooped up in your room for too long while recovering from your injuries." He paused, pondered for a moment, and said, "I need to go into the palace to see my father later. The weather has been warming up recently, and the spring orchids in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. Why don't I take you to see them?"
You Feng and Consort Duan were trying their best to find trouble for him. He had ordered her to be strictly forbidden from leaving the Eastern Palace, fearing that those people, in their desperation, would harm her. If she went out without him accompanying her, he wouldn't be at ease.
Lin Qinghe was feeling guilty and didn't listen carefully to You Rong's words. After he finished speaking, she quickly nodded in agreement.
"Okay! Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Then... let's go quickly, let's go into the palace now!"
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, You Rong would remember the letter on his desk and discover it missing, taking her for a spy. At that time, she wouldn't be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
You Rong curved his lips, his smile doting. "Let's go."
It seemed she was really bored in the Eastern Palace, or she wouldn't be in such a hurry to go out as soon as she heard she could.
On the way into the palace, Lin Qinghe was distracted. The letter hidden in her sleeve was a hot potato. After returning, she had to find a way to put it back in You Rong's study without anyone noticing.
Lin Qinghe regretted it and wanted to knock herself on the head. Why didn't she act more swiftly and put the letter back in its original place instead of stuffing it into her sleeve!
Imperial Garden.
Lin Qinghe walked slowly beside You Rong. With something weighing on her mind, she had no intention of admiring the flowers.
Seeing her distracted, You Rong's brow furrowed slightly. He asked in a low voice, "You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell? Should I order an imperial physician to examine you?"
Lin Qinghe suddenly came back to her senses and shook her head vigorously, explaining, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it's not like that. This servant is, this servant is just... just a little tired."
You Rong said, "There's a pavilion ahead. Let's go there to rest."
"Ah? Oh... Okay, okay."
"Let's go."
You Rong led Lin Qinghe to the pavilion and they sat down.
Under You Rong's gaze, Lin Qinghe felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. You Rong's attitude towards her was too strange. Anyone who didn't know would think that You Rong had fallen for her after she took a sword for him!
Fortunately, when Lin Qinghe was feeling awkward, a eunuch came to deliver a message, successfully rescuing Lin Qinghe.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty has sent this servant to summon you to the Hall of Heavenly Purity for an audience."
You Rong pondered for a moment. "I understand. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
You Rong's gaze returned to Lin Qinghe and he said softly, "I'm going to see my father. I'll be back soon. Stay here and don't wander off."
Lin Qinghe was eager for this and quickly nodded, "This servant remembers. Your Highness the Crown Prince, please go quickly. Don't keep His Majesty waiting."
You Rong gave a few instructions to Zhu Hong and Xiao Yuzi to watch Lin Qinghe, and then followed the eunuch who had just arrived to see the Emperor.
Little did they know, as soon as You Rong left, before Lin Qinghe could even breathe a sigh of relief, seven or eight palace maids and eunuchs arrived.
The leading palace maid said, "Lin Qinghe, Noble Consort wishes to see you. Please come with us."
Zhu Hong instinctively blocked Lin Qinghe's path. "Esteemed sister, I'm sorry, the Crown Prince has ordered..."
Before she could finish speaking, the leading palace maid's eyes turned cold. She slapped Zhu Hong hard across the face and shouted sternly, "Audacious servant! Noble Consort wishes to see a mere palace maid, and it's your place to speak out of turn!"
Zhu Hong fell to the ground after being hit. Enduring the pain, she said, "Sister, our Crown Prince..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Qinghe interrupted her. "Noble Consort wishes to see this servant. It is this servant's honor. I should indeed not refuse. Esteemed sister, please lead the way. This servant will follow you."
Zhu Hong was shocked and exclaimed, "Sister Qinghe, what are you..."
Lin Qinghe gave Zhu Hong a look. Zhu Hong shut her mouth, looking at her with concern, but said no more.
The leading palace maid snorted, "It's good that you're sensible. Let's go!"
Lin Qinghe got up and followed the palace maid.
With such a grand display by Consort Duan, it was impossible for her to refuse. There was no other way but to follow. Zhu Hong understood her signal and hoped that You Rong would be found soon to save her!
Lin Qinghe lowered her eyes, clenching her hand in her sleeve.
Even if You Rong couldn't make it in time, she had to find a way to save herself!
Consort Duan wanted to see her, which undoubtedly meant she had sensed that she was not fully complying with her words.
Palace of Eternal Harmony.
Lin Qinghe was brought before Consort Duan and knelt down. Consort Duan sat on a soft couch, slowly sipped a cup of clear tea, smiled charmingly, and said, "Lin Qinghe, it seems you have been living quite well in the Eastern Palace recently. Even meeting me is as difficult as climbing to heaven."
Lin Qinghe slightly lowered her eyes, a shrewd glint flashing in them.
Suddenly, she said as if unable to contain her excitement, "This servant is finally able to leave the Eastern Palace today! This servant has important matters to report to Noble Consort! It's about the Crown Prince!"