While Lin Qinghe was slightly dazed, You Rong held her tightly. The force was so great that she couldn't help but frown, snapping her back to attention.
Lin Qinghe sighed softly and said, "Your Highness, please let me go first."
You Rong's face was pale. Not only did he not let go, but he tightened his grip on her fiercely, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
"I won't let go! Qinghe, you married into the Prince Rong's mansion, so you are my princess consort. I want you to stay by my side always! You can't go anywhere!"
Though his words were forceful, You Rong's heart was filled with unprecedented panic.
If she insisted on leaving, he knew he wouldn't have the heart to force her to stay. Could he really just watch her walk away?
You Rong dared not think about it. Even a moment's contemplation made his heart ache as if it were torn in two.
Just then, the system's prompt tone sounded: "Progress bar increased by ten percent, total progress is sixty-one percent."
"Uh..." Lin Qinghe said helplessly, "Your Highness, you're holding me too tightly and it hurts. Please let go first. I never said I was leaving Prince Rong's mansion, or leaving you..."
You Rong paused, half-believing, "Really?"
"Of course, it's true!"
You Rong loosened his grip but still held Lin Qinghe's hand tightly, his gaze filled with apprehension. "You said you wouldn't leave Prince Rong's mansion, so what did you mean by those words just now?"
Lin Qinghe pouted and said indignantly, "Naturally, it was to provoke Your Highness. Your Highness has regained your senses quite some time ago, yet you still hid it from me. You don't trust me!"
You Rong was greatly surprised. "You... you knew I had regained my senses?"
"Naturally. I knew the very first day Your Highness regained your senses. It was you who intervened to stop Consort Xiao's maidservant in the palace, wasn't it?"
To think that Lin Qinghe had seen through him long ago. Remembering how he had deliberately acted meek in front of her during this time, You Rong's ears turned slightly red.
"Princess consort, I didn't intend to hide it from you, and it's absolutely not because I don't trust you! I was just waiting for the right moment to tell you!"
Lin Qinghe raised her eyebrows slightly and teased, "Oh? Is that so? Your Highness is telling me now, do you feel that this is the right moment? Or... are you afraid I'll leave Prince Rong's mansion? Hmm?"
You Rong coughed lightly, knowing that he had been too hasty just now, his mind solely focused on preventing Lin Qinghe from leaving, abandoning all his previous plans.
You Rong tightened his grip on Lin Qinghe's hand slightly and said in a low voice, "Princess consort, this was my fault. I shouldn't have kept it from you. Please don't be angry... I promise, I will never hide anything from you again!"
Lin Qinghe chuckled softly. "I wasn't planning to be angry with Your Highness anyway."
You Rong's heart leaped with joy. He gazed at Lin Qinghe with burning eyes, excitedly pulling her into his embrace, and solemnly said, "Princess consort, I apologize for the hasty marriage into Prince Rong's mansion and any grievances you have suffered. But I promise, from now on, I will do my utmost to treat you well!"
After they had a moment of affectionate closeness, Lin Qinghe pulled You Rong to sit down, and then began to discuss serious matters. "Your Highness has been meeting many people in the study recently. Have you uncovered the truth behind the cliff fall years ago?"
You Rong's gaze turned slightly cold. "There's no need to investigate. I know very well who harmed me, but... I have no evidence to accuse them."
Lin Qinghe, perhaps more clearly than anyone else besides You Rong, knew that Consort Xiao and Crown Prince You Jing were the ones who had harmed You Rong. However, she also had no concrete evidence.
Lin Qinghe's expression became slightly worried. "Then what should we do? We can't let the perpetrators go unpunished, and let you suffer for more than two years for nothing..." And lose the position of Crown Prince that rightfully belonged to him.
A flicker of ruthlessness flashed in You Rong's eyes. He took Lin Qinghe's hand and gave her a gentle smile. "Princess consort, you don't need to worry. I will handle it. Those people... I will never let them off the hook. And what rightfully belongs to me, I will reclaim one by one!"
Lin Qinghe actually believed this. It was likely that You Rong was already planning to force You Jing and Consort Xiao into rebellion.
Lin Qinghe blinked her bright eyes and continued to ask, "Then... when do you plan to inform the Empress Dowager and His Majesty about Your Highness regaining your senses?" This is from the Su Dan novel website.
You Rong said, "In another five days, it will be Father Emperor's fiftieth birthday. I will announce that I have regained my senses to everyone at Father Emperor's birthday banquet."
At that time... Consort Xiao and You Jing would surely be in turmoil, wishing they could take his life immediately, yet finding themselves powerless to act. To ensure the throne was secure, there would only be one path left for them: to strike first, rebel, and force their way into the palace!
Lin Qinghe appropriately squeezed You Rong's hand in return and smiled faintly. "Whatever choice Your Highness makes, I will stand by your side and accompany you."
You Rong's heart warmed. "Mmm... I know."
At night.
You Rong returned after bathing. Lin Qinghe was already lying in bed. He hesitated for a moment before also lying down on the bed.
On the bed, they both found themselves at a loss for words. Lin Qinghe also felt a bit awkward, tossing and turning without any signs of sleepiness.
You Rong coughed lightly to ease the awkward atmosphere and said in a low voice, "Cough, cough... If Princess consort is uncomfortable, I can go to the study to rest..."
Although they had already performed the wedding ceremony and slept in the same bed before, at that time he was like a child of a few years old, unlike today. He understood that she might feel uneasy and was willing to give her time to adapt.
Just as You Rong was about to get up, Lin Qinghe grabbed his arm. She said with slight embarrassment, "Your Highness, I don't mind... Please lie down. Let's... retire for the night."
In the dim candlelight, Lin Qinghe couldn't clearly see the expression on You Rong's face. She only knew that he lowered his head and looked at her, remaining motionless.
The atmosphere became strange once more.
Lin Qinghe's cheeks began to feel hot for some reason.
It was as if she had deliberately kept You Rong back, thinking of something impure!
She wanted to increase the progress bar, but she wasn't that impatient!
Lin Qinghe let out a dry laugh and retracted her hand. "Hehe... uh... if Your Highness has something urgent to attend to in the study, it's fine. You should go quickly, don't mind me!"
Lin Qinghe turned her back to You Rong, silently regretting it. You Rong hadn't said a word, and she didn't know what he was thinking. Would he think she was too frivolous? After all, he had ancient ideals now. If she had known, she wouldn't have spoken up to keep him back earlier. She should have just let him go to the study as he said!
Lin Qinghe's mind was a whirlwind of messy thoughts. Just then, You Rong lay back down, hugged her from behind, and said in a low voice, "Princess consort, don't be afraid. I will not force you to do anything you are unwilling to do. Sleep soundly."
For some inexplicable reason, the room quieted down, leaving only the soft sound of their breathing. Lin Qinghe felt an unusual sense of peace. She, who had been tossing and turning restlessly just moments ago, closed her eyes and unknowingly fell asleep.
Listening to the steady breathing of the person in his arms, You Rong's lips curved into a doting smile. He gently turned over with Lin Qinghe in his arms, so she was lying face to face with him. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he felt an unprecedented sense of contentment.