The Emperor's face, alternately pale and flushed from the Empress Dowager's reprimand, fell silent for a long moment before he spoke in a low voice, "Mother, you must understand that I have no other choice. My imperial lineage is sparse. Of the adult princes, there are only You Jing and You Rong, and then You Zheng, who is less than two years old. You Rong's intellect is currently that of a child of a few years, and he cannot possibly be made Crown Prince... I am advanced in years. If a nation does not establish an heir, it will inevitably lead to national unrest. Would that not make me a sinner?"
It was precisely for this reason that the Emperor, upon learning that the culprit who instigated the assassination of You Rong was Consort Xiao, concealed it despite his fury. After all, the Crown Prince of a nation could not bear the stigma of fratricide.
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's anger flared further. "Two years ago, I understood your words when you confided in me. I tolerated your sheltering of Consort Xiao and her son, and the establishment of You Jing as Crown Prince. But you owe You Rong. Not only have you offered him no compensation, but you have neglected him for these two years, allowing even the servants to bully him. Ask yourself, are you worthy of him? Are you worthy of his calling you 'Father Emperor'!"
The Emperor knew he was in the wrong and was rendered speechless by the Empress Dowager's words.
He did not wish for this either. At first, he had felt much sympathy for You Rong. But when You Rong's public disgrace had caused him to lose face, this once-favored son became someone he no longer wanted to face, even finding his presence irritating.
The Emperor's face paled slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Mother, I admit I have been remiss regarding You Rong's affairs. I promise you, these things will not happen again. No matter what... I will find a way to protect his lifelong safety and ensure he lives a life of comfort and security."
The Empress Dowager let out a cold snort. "I hope you remember what you have said to me today."
"Mother, rest assured, I speak my word and stand by it."
Only then did the Empress Dowager cease her scolding and wave her hand. "It is getting late, and I am tired. Emperor, you may return to your palace to rest."
"Yes, Mother. I will visit Cining Palace to pay my respects to you another day."
After seeing the Emperor off, the Empress Dowager sat on the couch for a long time before letting out a long sigh.
She could understand the Emperor's actions for the sake of the nation, but she simply felt sorry for her poor, unfortunate grandson, You Rong.
The nanny beside her, sensing the Empress Dowager's thoughts, offered comfort. "Your Majesty, you should be reassured. Prince Rong has now married his Princess Consort. The Princess Consort appears to be a gentle and virtuous woman, and she will surely treat Prince Rong with sincerity. His Majesty has also given his assurance just now. With you and His Majesty watching over him, Prince Rong's future days will undoubtedly be free from suffering."
The Empress Dowager sighed again but said nothing, her brow still furrowed with worry.
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Two days later, Prince Rong's Estate.
Fusheng approached, cupping his hands in a salute. "Today is the Princess Consort's day to return to her maiden home. This servant has already made arrangements and prepared the carriage. His Highness and the Princess Consort may depart."
Lin Qinghe blinked in surprise. Had Fusheng not mentioned it, she would have nearly forgotten about the return to her maiden home. After all, she was not the original body, and she felt no connection to the Prime Minister's Estate.
However, no matter how much she disliked the idea of returning, the formality had to be observed. She could only nod in agreement. "This Princess Consort understands. We will depart shortly with His Highness."
"Yes, Princess Consort."
You Rong, tugging at Lin Qinghe's sleeve, asked with a look of confusion, "Princess Consort, what is returning home? Are we going out to play?"
"Uh..." Lin Qinghe replied, "You can think of it as going out to play. But once we are out, His Highness must listen to me. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing that they were going out to play, You Rong was overjoyed. He tugged at Lin Qinghe's hand, skipping and jumping. "That's great! We can go out to play! I've never been out to play before. I was always confined to the palace, and even after coming to the Prince's Estate, I've been confined to the estate. It's wonderful to go out and play! Princess Consort, don't worry, I'll listen to everything you say!"
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment upon hearing this.
After making a perfunctory visit to the Prime Minister's Estate, she would take You Rong to the marketplace to stroll around. She could buy him some small snacks; he would surely be very happy. Moreover, going out for a walk would also allow her to discreetly inquire about the whereabouts of the divine physician Feng Jing Tian.
Lin Qinghe made up her mind and smiled faintly. "Alright, then let's go."
"Great! Let's go now!"
Leaving Prince Rong's Estate, they boarded the carriage. After about three-quarters of an hour of travel, the carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister's Estate.
Fusheng lifted the carriage curtain and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, we have arrived at the Prime Minister's Estate."
You Rong poked his head out to look outside and immediately frowned, displeased. "Didn't Princess Consort say we were going out to play? Why are we here? Whose house is this? Princess Consort lied! I'm unhappy!"
Lin Qinghe smiled gently and pinched You Rong's cheek. "Be good, we'll just go in for a short visit. We'll be out in at most fifteen minutes, and then we'll take His Highness to play, alright?"
You Rong puffed out his cheeks. Although still a little unhappy, he nodded and said, "Okay..."
"Mhm, let's go down."
Seeing You Rong's obedient demeanor, Lin Qinghe's heart softened. She decided that when they went shopping later, she would buy him whatever he wanted! As much as he wanted!
Lin Qinghe took You Rong's hand and walked into the Prime Minister's Estate. Prime Minister Lin and all the staff of the estate were waiting at the entrance. Seeing the two approach, although they felt it was beneath them, they still cupped their hands in a salute. "Your humble servant greets His Highness Prince Rong and His Highness's Princess Consort."
Lin Qinghe replied, "Father and everyone else need not be so formal. Please rise."
Everyone stood up. Lin Yuyan, the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Lin, sneered dismissively and muttered, "She truly puts on airs, making so many of us wait at the entrance for so long. Once one becomes a Princess Consort, things are different, aren't they? They can already disregard their elders."
Lin Qinghe naturally heard Lin Yuyan's words. She was not foolish and could see that no one in the Prime Minister's Estate welcomed her.
Lin Qinghe thought to herself that since she was too lazy to exchange pleasantries with a crowd anyway, she stated directly, "Father, this Princess Consort has brought some items from the Prince's Estate for everyone. Please have your servants move them inside. This Princess Consort has urgent matters to attend to at the estate today and will not intrude further into the Prime Minister's Estate."
Lin Qinghe took You Rong's hand and was about to leave when Prime Minister Lin blocked her path. "Princess Consort, today is the day to return to your maiden home. If you turn to leave immediately after arriving, it would be considered improper if word were to get out. Furthermore, your mother has many things she wishes to say to you. Please accompany them to the back courtyard for a short visit. This official will then escort His Highness to the front hall for tea."
Lin Qinghe knew that the Prime Minister's Estate feared that her slighting of You Rong would reach the Emperor's ears, which was why they wanted to keep them there.
It seemed she could not leave today without visiting the Prime Minister's Estate.
"Very well, I will follow Father's wishes."
The group walked inside and arrived at the front hall of the Prime Minister's Estate. Lin Qinghe gently patted You Rong's hand and softly coaxed him, "Your Highness, please wait here for a moment. I will return shortly, and then we will go play and I will buy you delicious food."
You Rong nervously clutched Lin Qinghe's sleeve, unwilling to let go. In a strange place, he relied on her even more. However, under Lin Qinghe's gaze, he slowly loosened his grip and said in a low voice, "Mhm, I'll wait here. Princess Consort, you must come back quickly!"
"Mhm, I will be back soon."
Lin Qinghe followed Madam Xu, the wife of the Prime Minister, and others to the back courtyard. You Rong watched her retreating figure until she was out of sight before retracting his gaze and sulkily staring at the boots on his feet.