You Rong's brow furrowed slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "There was no poison in the meals these past two days."
Wang Gongyang's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! This servant personally witnessed that wicked servant adding something to your meal!"
"Eunuch Wang, I can confirm there was no poison in the food."
"But..." Wang Gongyang met You Rong's deep gaze, and his words faltered.
When the Crown Prince was young, he had studied medicinal principles with a physician from the Imperial Medical Academy. This was why he had been able to discern Lin Qinghe's poisoning attempt so quickly and even found an antidote, a poison that counteracted the one Lin Qinghe had administered, thus neutralizing it.
If the Crown Prince said there was no poison in the food, then there was none.
Wang Gongyang frowned with worry. "Your Highness, even if Lin Qinghe hasn't poisoned your meals these past two days, she is still Duan Guifei's person. She is not to be trifled with. You must be vigilant and not be deceived by her feigned appearance."
You Rong's dark eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. "I don't need you to remind me of this. I am aware."
Wang Gongyang felt somewhat relieved. He bowed and said sincerely, "Your Highness, this servant knows you are suffering greatly under house arrest in the Eastern Palace. But please, be patient and cautious. One day, you will inherit the throne, ascend to the imperial seat, and personally take revenge on Duan Guifei for Empress Dowager!"
Mentioning Empress Wang, You Rong clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and his aura grew colder.
After a moment, You Rong suppressed the surging hatred within him and said in a deep voice, "I will avenge my mother. Eunuch Wang, you may withdraw. Do not come to my chambers unnecessarily from now on. Be careful that Lin Qinghe and others do not trouble you."
"Yes, this servant obeys."
Wang Gongyang quietly departed from the Crown Prince's chambers. The night was deep, and besides You Rong, no one in the Eastern Palace knew he had been there.
-------------------------------------
"Sigh... sigh..."
Lin Qinghe lay on the table with a troubled expression, sighing repeatedly.
A full two days had passed, and her efforts to win You Rong's favor had made no progress. No matter how she tried to please him, it was like trying to warm a cold backside with a hot face. You Rong barely spared her a glance.
She couldn't help but wish for an assassin to attack You Rong so she could perform a dramatic rescue and make him believe she was truly repentant.
"Sister Qinghe? Sister Qinghe... are you in your room?"
The voice from outside pulled Lin Qinghe from her thoughts. She replied with a hint of impatience, "What is it?"
Zhu Hong said, "Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday. A banquet will be held at Cining Palace. The Crown Prince must attend, and as his personal maid, Sister Qinghe, you must accompany him."
Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes lit up.
Being able to leave the Eastern Palace meant more opportunities to earn favor with You Rong!
Lin Qinghe immediately went to open the door, cleared her throat, and said, "Cough cough... Very well, I understand. I will go with the Crown Prince to Cining Palace now."
"Yes, Sister Qinghe."
Lin Qinghe arrived at You Rong's chambers, a smile blooming on her face. "Your Highness, we will be attending the Empress Dowager's banquet at Cining Palace later. I have even brought an extra cloak, in case Your Highness feels cold on the way."
Unfortunately, You Rong did not appreciate her gesture. He glanced at Lin Qinghe coldly and strode away.
"Alas! Crown Prince, Your Highness, wait for me..."
Lin Qinghe hurried to catch up, but You Rong walked so quickly that she was panting and barely managed to keep pace with him outside the Eastern Palace.
Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet at Cining Palace, Lin Qinghe felt a pang of disappointment.
You Rong, unloved by his father and not favored by his grandmother, was seated at the very end of the banquet, in a position inferior to even ordinary officials.
From the beginning of the birthday celebrations to this point, nearing the end, no one had mentioned You Rong, the Crown Prince.
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong, who sat quietly with a placid expression, utterly out of place amidst the lively banquet. She couldn't help but feel he was rather pitiable.
After the banquet concluded, Lin Qinghe followed You Rong out of Cining Palace, on their way back to the Eastern Palace.
She had thought the outing today was in vain, but as they walked through the Imperial Garden, a boisterous voice suddenly emerged.
"Yo, isn't this my fifth brother? Why the hurry? Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, and you've had a rare chance to leave the Eastern Palace. Third Brother hasn't had a chance to have a proper chat with you yet."
Before Lin Qinghe could react, a figure dressed in a dark blue robe blocked their path.
Zhu Hong quickly curtsied, "This servant greets Third Highness."
So this was You Rong's arch-enemy, the Third Prince, You Feng.
Lin Qinghe saw his face, so vastly different from You Rong's, and found it wretched and sinister. She was speechless that the original owner had been fond of him! She truly couldn't compliment the original owner's taste.
After You Feng appeared, You Rong's expression turned extremely unpleasant. He tried to walk past You Feng, but a group of eunuchs behind You Feng repeatedly blocked his path.
"Crown Prince, our master is speaking to you! Can't you hear!" one eunuch shouted shrilly, impatiently.
You Rong clenched the hands hanging at his sides, a flicker of anger in his eyes. He said coldly, "Get out of my way!"
You Feng heard this and smiled coldly. "Hmph... Fifth Brother has quite a temper. Still think you are the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, once adored and fawned over by everyone? Since you can't recognize your current situation, as your Third Brother, I must make you truly understand!"
You Feng glanced at the lotus pond to his right, his smile growing even more sinister. "Xiao Xizi, throw him into the pond!"
"Yes, Third Highness!"
As soon as the words fell, several eunuchs grabbed You Rong. Despite his struggles, they pushed him towards the edge of the lotus pond.
Lin Qinghe's heart tightened. She stepped forward to help, but one of the eunuchs holding You Rong shoved her aside.
Seeing that You Rong was about to be thrown into the lotus pond, Lin Qinghe shouted angrily, "It's freezing cold now, and the Crown Prince recently caught a chill! Is it not too much for Third Highness to do this!"
You Feng glanced at Lin Qinghe and scoffed dismissively. "Oh, it's you. You were sent to the Eastern Palace as a servant by your mother, but don't forget who your true master is!"
You Feng said without mercy, "Throw him in!"
With a "plop," several eunuchs heaved You Rong into the lotus pond, sending a huge splash of water into the air.
Zhu Hong cried out in alarm, "The... the Crown Prince cannot swim!"
Lin Qinghe's heart tightened. Gritting her teeth, she disregarded everything else and quickly ran to the edge of the lotus pond, leaping in and plunging into the water herself.