The Emperor’s birthday banquet concluded, and as You Rong was about to escort Lin Qinghe out of the palace, the slightly tipsy Emperor narrowed his eyes and said sternly, "You Rong… accompany me to the Imperial Study. I have something to tell you."
You Rong’s brows furrowed. He did not reply. Lin Qinghe nudged him, "Your Highness, hurry along. Do not keep His Majesty waiting. I will wait for you in the carriage outside the palace gate."
Only then did You Rong cup his hands in salute and reply, "Yes, Father Emperor."
As You Rong followed the Emperor away, the atmosphere in the hall was not only tense for Consort Xiao and You Jing, but also for the assembled officials.
Everyone knew why the Emperor had appointed You Jing as Crown Prince two years ago. It was because You Rong had suffered a head injury and become foolish. Now that You Rong had recovered his senses, and given the Emperor's continued favor towards him, everyone was already speculating whether the Emperor would depose You Jing and reinstate You Rong as Crown Prince.
Imperial Study.
The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing all the palace attendants. Only he and You Rong remained in the hall. Their eyes met, and for a moment, as father and son, as sovereign and subject, neither could find words to speak.
After a long pause, the Emperor spoke first, asking, "You Rong, these past two years… after recovering your memory, do you remember them?"
You Rong's gaze flickered slightly. He lowered his eyes and replied, "Reporting to Father Emperor, your son remembers."
The Emperor's expression shifted, and he asked again, "Do you… resent Father Emperor in your heart?"
This time, it was You Rong’s turn to fall silent for a long time. He looked up to meet the Emperor's gaze and said truthfully, "Your son resents! But your son can understand the choice Father Emperor made. As the ruler of a nation, you did not err."
At these words, the Emperor felt even more ashamed and deeply remorseful towards You Rong. He opened and closed his lips several times, unsure of what to say.
Seeing this, You Rong directly cupped his hands in salute, "Father Emperor, the hour is late. Your son must leave the palace and return to his manor. I shall take my leave, and I will come to pay my respects to Father Emperor another day."
As he watched You Rong walk towards the entrance of the Imperial Study, the Emperor suddenly called out, "You Rong, what is rightfully yours, I will return to you! Do not worry. Can you forgive Father Emperor this once? Do not resent Father Emperor?"
You Rong paused briefly, his steps faltering, but he did not answer the Emperor. He left the Imperial Study without looking back.
The events of the past two years and more had indeed left a rift between father and son.
You Rong's gaze was firm and cold as he walked forward.
He did not need anyone to return what belonged to him. He would reclaim it all with his own ability! Those who had harmed him, he would not let go. He would exact revenge one by one!
You Rong arrived outside the palace gate. Lin Qinghe, peeking out from the carriage, brightened upon seeing him and smiled, calling out, "Your Highness, you’ve come out of the Imperial Study. Hurry over, let's go back to the manor. Otherwise, we’ll be late for dinner."
The cold aura emanating from You Rong instantly dissipated. His eyes filled with a smile. He strode to the carriage and took Lin Qinghe's outstretched hand, "Alright, let's go back to the manor for dinner."
In the Imperial Study.
The head eunuch brought in a cup of hot tea and carefully placed it before the lost in thought Emperor. "Your Majesty, I have brought you some hot tea. Have a sip to sober up. I saw you drink quite a lot at the banquet earlier."
The Emperor snapped back to reality, his expression somewhat dejected. He picked up the teacup and took a shallow sip. He set down the cup and let out a long sigh.
The head eunuch cautiously asked, "Is Your Majesty thinking about Prince Rong's affairs?"
The Emperor sighed, "Yes. I have wronged him. He resents me, and I understand…"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. You have doted on Prince Rong since he was young. Your bond has always been deep. In a few days, Prince Rong will surely understand Your Majesty, and your father-son relationship will be restored as it once was."
The Emperor pondered for a long time, then said, "Choose some gifts to send to Prince Rong's manor, and also… have someone keep an eye on Consort Xiao and the Crown Prince. If they dare to harm You Rong…"
The Emperor did not finish his sentence, but the head eunuch, having served him for many years, naturally understood his meaning.
The head eunuch bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will attend to it immediately."
---
Yuan Chun Palace.
As You Jing stepped inside, he heard a cacophony of smashing objects.
He quickened his pace and entered, only to see Consort Xiao with a ferocious expression smashing a vase, muttering fiercely, "Bitch! It must be that bitch’s doing. Otherwise, how could You Rong have recovered his senses? She makes me so angry, I will never let that bitch off…"
You Jing quickly stepped forward and held Consort Xiao’s arm, "Mother Consort, calm down. Be careful not to harm yourself."
Seeing You Jing, Consort Xiao immediately grasped his arm and lowered her voice, "Jing'er, it's good you've come. Mother Consort tells you, we must take You Rong’s life immediately! You saw at His Majesty's birthday banquet today. He just recovered his senses, and His Majesty's attitude towards him changed instantly. If we let him live a few more days, he will certainly try to snatch your position as Crown Prince!"
You Jing had already seen this without Consort Xiao having to say it. He knitted his brows and said worriedly, "Mother Consort, if we make a move now, won't it be too rash? If something goes wrong and Father Emperor finds out, won't we be…"
"We can't afford to worry about that! We must kill You Rong while he has just recovered his senses and has not yet regained his strength!" Consort Xiao’s eyes gleamed with malice. "You go out of the palace and contact your maternal uncle. Have him arrange for someone to assassinate You Rong immediately! The sooner the better! If we fail, then it will be all or nothing. We…"
Consort Xiao’s words trailed off, she did not continue.
You Jing was worried, but he also understood that You Rong had to be eliminated, or it would lead to endless trouble.
You Jing nodded, "Mother Consort, do not worry. Your son knows what to do."
"Good, hurry out of the palace and make the arrangements. Remember, it must be fast!"
"Yes, Cheng understands."
You Jing turned and left. Consort Xiao sat down, her eyes narrowed, gritting her teeth and saying coldly, "My son is destined to be the Crown Prince. He will ascend the throne in the future. I will never allow anyone to snatch what belongs to him!"
---
Three days later, Prince Rong's manor, You Rong's study.
Lin Qinghe brought in the freshly stewed ginseng soup, placing the tray down. He took out a bowl and ladled the soup, smiling, "Your Highness, you have been busy in the study all day. Have some ginseng soup quickly. I stewed it specially for you."
You Rong put down his brush and smiled, "Mm, good."
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to hand him the bowl, he suddenly saw an arrow flying towards You Rong from outside the window. His pupils contracted, and he exclaimed, "Your Highness, be careful!"
You Rong reacted extremely quickly. He turned and caught the arrow with his bare hand. His gaze sharpened. He threw the arrow back in the direction of the window. As expected, he heard a muffled groan of pain, followed by the sound of someone falling heavily to the ground.
You Rong quickly rose, pulled Lin Qinghe into his arms, and hid behind a screen. At the same time, a volley of arrows shot in from outside, making a mess of the room.
Lin Qinghe, still shaken, buried his face in You Rong's chest. He heard You Rong let out a disdainful scoff, "Hmph, they are indeed becoming impatient…"