Lin Qinghe carefully recalled You Rong's recent behavior. It didn't seem like he had regained his senses. Or perhaps... he had recovered but hadn't told her, deliberately pretending not to have?
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes and pondered for a long time, deciding to find an opportunity to test You Rong later.
After changing her clothes, Lin Qinghe went to the front hall for a meal. She subtly observed You Rong. He ate as usual, with food all over his mouth. Lin Qinghe took a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and her earlier suspicion began to waver.
Could it be that even if You Rong hadn't regained his senses, the mission progress bar would still increase?
Lin Qinghe was lost in thought, a question that persisted until she left the manor, boarded the carriage, and was on her way to the palace.
Inside the carriage.
You Rong suddenly leaned in, resting his chin on Lin Qinghe's shoulder. He looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, just as before, and asked with a face full of guileless curiosity, "Why hasn't the Princess Consort been speaking today? Are you unhappy?"
Lin Qinghe's heart stirred. She feigned a bitter smile and shook her head, "No, it's nothing. I was just thinking... Doctor Feng has been treating His Highness for so long, yet there's been no improvement. What if His Highness never recovers? What then?"
Lin Qinghe secretly observed You Rong's expression, but couldn't detect any trace of deception.
You Rong chuckled foolishly, "Princess Consort, don't be sad. Shall I imitate a puppy for you? You're always happiest when I imitate a puppy. Woof, woof, woof... Woof, woof, woof..."
Lin Qinghe: "..."
Could it be that she was just being overly suspicious, and You Rong hadn't actually regained his senses?
You Rong squatted in the carriage, pressing his face against Lin Qinghe's leg, continuing his act of a hyperactive puppy. As Lin Qinghe's mind wandered, his eyes flickered slightly.
The carriage stopped before the palace gates. Lin Qinghe temporarily put aside her chaotic thoughts and descended from the carriage with You Rong to pay respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace.
Upon arriving at Cining Palace, as soon as they entered, the Empress Dowager smiled kindly and beckoned to them, "You Rong, Qinghe... You've arrived. Hurry inside, let this old woman have a good look at you."
Lin Qinghe and You Rong approached the Empress Dowager and curtsied, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"No need for formalities, sit down quickly."
After they were seated, the Empress Dowager affectionately took You Rong's hand and asked, "You Rong, you encountered assassins at the hunting grounds last time. Were you frightened? How are you? Did you fall ill after returning to the manor?"
You Rong shook his head and replied with unusual seriousness today, "Imperial Grandmother, please don't worry. With the Princess Consort here, I wasn't frightened. The Princess Consort also took very good care of me at the manor, so I didn't fall ill."
"Good, good... Then this old woman is relieved."
The Empress Dowager patted You Rong's hand and added, "I have something to tell Qinghe. You Rong, why don't you go play outside with the nannies for a while?"
You Rong obediently replied, "Yes, Imperial Grandmother. I will accompany you for lunch later."
"Mmm, you're such a good boy... Go on."
You Rong cast a deep glance at the Empress Dowager, then turned and pretended to be very happy, hopping out with the nannies. Su Dan Fiction Network.
With You Rong gone, Lin Qinghe had some idea of what the Empress Dowager wanted to discuss. After all, the manor was filled with people arranged by the Empress Dowager. However, since the Empress Dowager genuinely cared for You Rong, Lin Qinghe wasn't afraid of her knowing.
As expected, the Empress Dowager took Lin Qinghe's hand and asked, "Qinghe, Mother Xu and Fusheng mentioned that you often take You Rong to Misty Rain Pavilion to see an elderly man with white hair. Are you treating him?"
Lin Qinghe nodded and did not conceal anything, truthfully stating, "I report to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, yes. The person I brought His Highness to see at Misty Rain Pavilion is the renowned Doctor Feng of the martial world. I have been having Doctor Feng treat His Highness all this time."
The Empress Dowager was stunned in disbelief, "You... you invited Doctor Feng to treat You Rong?! What did Doctor Feng say? Can You Rong be cured?"
Lin Qinghe replied, "Doctor Feng said there's an eighty percent chance of curing You Rong, but it will take some time."
The Empress Dowager's eyes welled up with tears of excitement, "Really? Qinghe, you're not lying to this old woman? Did Doctor Feng really say You Rong can be cured?"
"I report to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, what I said was personally spoken by Doctor Feng. I have not uttered a single false word."
However, she had not yet told the Empress Dowager that Doctor Feng was very confident You Rong could be cured, and that You Rong might have already regained his senses.
The Empress Dowager repeatedly exclaimed with joy, "Good, good, good... That's wonderful. My greatest wish is for You Rong to be cured. If he can be cured, I would even give him my life..."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please rest assured. With Doctor Feng's abilities, I believe His Highness will surely be cured!"
After comforting the Empress Dowager for a few sentences, Lin Qinghe did not forget to add, "Oh, right. Regarding Doctor Feng treating His Highness, I think it's best not to make a fuss about it. After all, there were assassins at the hunting grounds last time who wanted to kill His Highness. I'm worried..."
A cold glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, "Rest assured, I understand. Just wait. When You Rong recovers... those people will pay!"
Lin Qinghe then secretly breathed a sigh of relief. You Rong not mentioning his recovery was likely due to similar concerns, to avoid attracting the attention of Consort Xiao and You Jing, thus facilitating his own actions.
The Empress Dowager eagerly inquired if Doctor Feng needed any precious medicinal ingredients for You Rong's treatment, and told Lin Qinghe to ask for whatever was needed.
As they spoke... the Empress Dowager mentioned something she found utterly baffling, "Qinghe... I've always heard that Doctor Feng is elusive, like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail. Even the Emperor has been unable to find him. How did you manage to invite him to treat You Rong?"
"Um, well..." Lin Qinghe said guiltily, "When I was in the countryside, I heard that Doctor Feng enjoyed playing chess. Coincidentally, a nearby scholar loved chess, and I learned from him. So, I thought of setting up a chess game at Misty Rain Pavilion to lure Doctor Feng out. I didn't expect Doctor Feng to actually be attracted."
What Lin Qinghe said was very similar to what the manor servants had told the Empress Dowager, so she didn't suspect anything, which made Lin Qinghe secretly relieved.
Because Lin Qinghe genuinely cared for You Rong, the Empress Dowager treated her generously, bestowing countless rare treasures, top-grade tonics, and medicinal ingredients for Lin Qinghe to take back to the manor.
After having lunch with the Empress Dowager, as Lin Qinghe and You Rong were leaving Cining Palace, Consort Xiao, who was in Huachun Palace, received the news. A malicious glint flashed in her eyes, and she led a group of palace maids to intercept them in the Imperial Garden, determined to teach Lin Qinghe a lesson!
Lin Qinghe was gazing thoughtfully at You Rong, pondering whether he had regained his senses. Before she could come to a conclusion, she saw Consort Xiao approaching, her intentions clearly hostile.
Lin Qinghe's heart stirred. The corner of her lips curled into a barely perceptible arc.
It's about time... She would use Consort Xiao to test You Rong!