In the study.
Hearing Fu Bo's loud greeting, You Rong had already sensed that Lin Qinghe had arrived. When he heard her say she was entering, he frowned and turned to the people inside, saying, "Hurry up! Hide, you can't let the Princess find out you're here!"
Jiang Wen, as a military governor, was skilled in martial arts. With a light touch of his toes, he leaped onto the roof beam. The other civil officials, lacking martial arts skills, were in a frantic state, scrambling under the desks, hiding behind bookshelves, or behind screens.
Just as You Rong was about to tell them to hide better, it was too late. With a creak, the study door opened, and Lin Qinghe stood at the entrance with a faint smile on her face.
When You Rong met her gaze, he walked over nervously, a silly grin on his face, and asked, "Princess, why have you come?"
Lin Qinghe subtly glanced into the study and saw a pair of black boots peeking out from behind the bookshelf, further confirming her suspicions.
"I heard you and Steward Fu were playing in the study, so I came to see."
"Oh? Is that so... This King and Steward Fu were playing hide-and-seek. Would you like to play too, Princess?"
"Playing hide-and-seek? Then why isn't the King hiding?"
"This King, this King... this King hadn't thought of where to hide yet when the Princess arrived."
A mischievous glint flashed in Lin Qinghe's eyes, and she said deliberately, "Is that so? Then would you like me to tell you where to hide? I know a place where the King will absolutely not be found!"
You Rong nodded emphatically in agreement, "Yes! I want to! Princess, please quickly tell me where to hide so Steward Fu can't find me?"
Lin Qinghe said with a half-smile, "It's very simple. The King can hide... under the desk, behind the bookshelf, or behind the screen. If you're even more skilled, you can hide on the roof beam. That way, Steward Fu won't be able to find you."
As soon as she finished speaking, not only You Rong but everyone else in the study was startled, and they all began to suspect that Lin Qinghe had already detected their presence.
You Rong became even more flustered, "Princess, you... you're right! This King will hide in the places you mentioned. Steward Fu will absolutely not find me!"
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction, knowing when to stop. To avoid truly exposing You Rong, she reached out and pinched his cheek, saying, "Alright, then hurry and go hide. Once you've hidden, have Steward Fu come find you. I'll go back and make you something delicious. Come back for dinner when you're done playing, understand?"
"Yes, Princess, this King understands!"
Lin Qinghe turned and left with her entourage. You Rong watched her go, then returned to the study and closed the door. The moment the door closed, Jiang Wen leaped down from the roof beam.
Jiang Wen asked uncertainly, "Your Highness, did the Princess suspect we were here?"
You Rong also harbored doubts but couldn't be sure if Lin Qinghe's words were a coincidence. He shook his head without speaking.
Jiang Wen pursed his lips and said with concern, "Your Highness, can we trust the Princess? She is the daughter of Prime Minister Lin, and Prime Minister Lin has already been won over by the Crown Prince. This subordinate worries... perhaps we should discreetly eliminate her?"
As soon as he finished speaking, You Rong's gaze fell on him, as cold as frost. "Who dares to touch her! She is this King's Princess!"
Jiang Wen was shocked and quickly knelt down, clasping his hands in salute, "This subordinate knows his mistake. I beg Your Highness to forgive me. This subordinate was merely concerned for Your Highness..."
You Rong said coldly, "She wouldn't. This King trusts her! I don't want to hear any disrespectful words towards her from any of you again today!"
"Yes, Your Highness, we remember."
Everyone was surprised. It seemed the King truly valued this Princess greatly.
You Rong nodded slightly and ordered everyone to sit down to continue their discussion. After the discussion, he heard everyone report that because two years had passed, and another force was actively obstructing their investigation, there was virtually no remaining evidence of Consort Xiao and You Jing's crimes.
It would be as difficult as climbing to heaven to present strong evidence proving their involvement in the assassination two years ago.
You Rong was silent for a long time. "Lord Li, you mentioned that another group is obstructing your investigation and even helping Consort Xiao and the Crown Prince destroy evidence. Who is this other group? Have you found out?"
"This..." The several officials and Jiang Wen exchanged glances, all stammering.
You Rong knitted his brows tightly. Seeing this, he said to Jiang Wen, "You tell this King, who does this other group belong to? The feudal lords or other royal kin?"
Jiang Wen's expression was solemn. He hesitated for a moment, then clasped his hands in salute, "Reporting to Your Highness, the other group is... is... His Majesty's secret guards."
You Rong's expression froze. He thought he had misheard and asked again, with certainty, "Jiang Wen, what did you just say? You said the other group is His Imperial Father's secret guards?!"
Jiang Wen's expression was complicated. Under You Rong's incredulous gaze, he still nodded, "Yes, Your Highness, those people... are His Majesty's secret guards."
You Rong's face turned slightly pale. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, "So Father Emperor actually knows that Consort Xiao and You Jing were the culprits who assassinated this King, and not only did he not blame them, but he also concealed the evidence for them!"
Everyone fell silent, not daring to speak.
You Rong suddenly felt a chill in his heart, a mixture of sadness and ridicule.
The Father Emperor who once doted on him had actually sided with the murderers who wanted to kill him!
Jiang Wen seemed to have something to say. You Rong lowered his gaze, suppressing his sadness. His handsome face turned ice-cold, and he spoke first, "This King understands. Since no evidence can be found, this King doesn't mind forcing them to leave behind more evidence!"
"Your Highness means..."
You Rong sneered, "If they learn that this King has regained his senses and has quickly regained more than half of his influence in court, do you think Consort Xiao and You Jing will be desperate enough to jump into a corner and seek their own demise?!"
Jiang Wen and the others still didn't understand, looking at each other.
"Your subordinates do not understand Your Highness's intentions. We beg Your Highness to explain..."
A fierce glint flashed in You Rong's deep eyes, and he said coldly, "This King wants to force them to rebel! Force them to walk to their own demise!"
-------------------------------------
After You Rong and Jiang Wen finished their discussion, he ordered Fusheng to secretly escort them out through the back gate of the Prince's mansion. He went to the Prince's mansion's kitchen alone.
Lin Qinghe was making soup for him. Looking at her busy figure, the heart that had been encased in ice began to warm up little by little.
He knew why Father Emperor was shielding You Jing and Consort Xiao. He also understood that from the perspective of a ruler, Father Emperor had not done anything wrong. However, during the two years he was foolish, Father Emperor's indifference and disdain towards him... You Rong couldn't help but feel disheartened.
Looking at Lin Qinghe's figure, You Rong wished he could hold her in his arms.
Only his Princess would not despise him. Even if he were just a fool, she treated him with genuine affection, cared for him with all her heart, schemed for him, and protected him regardless of the danger.
You Rong, unable to resist the longing in his heart, slowly walked behind Lin Qinghe and embraced her tightly.