Fu Sheng quickly brought the physician over, "Your Highness, the doctor is here! The doctor is here..."
You Rong suppressed his emotions, stepped aside, and ordered the physician to examine Lin Qinghe's injuries. Fortunately, after examination, the physician said that the burns were only superficial, and her ankle was merely sprained. With medicinal wine applied and a good rest for two days, she would be fine.
You Rong nodded, instructed Fu Sheng to escort the physician out, and then called for a maid to bring hot water to help Lin Qinghe bathe and change. During this time, he went to the study, his expression cold and stern as he commanded the guards, "Go investigate! Why did the manor suddenly catch fire today? We must find out the truth!"
The guard cupped his fists and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, your subordinate will attend to it immediately!"
After the guard retreated, You Rong sat before the desk, his face ashen.
The sudden fire in the manor, You Rong was not foolish enough to believe it was a coincidence!
You Rong clenched his fists, his eyes turning sinister.
No matter who it was, if they harmed her, he would not let it go!
Meanwhile.
After Lin Qinghe bathed and changed, a maid was about to apply the medicine given by the physician when You Rong returned, having also bathed and changed his clothes. He took the medicine from the maid's hand and said, "This Prince will apply the medicine to the Princess Consort. You may all withdraw."
The maids curtsied and said, "Yes, we take our leave."
As the servants withdrew and closed the door, only Lin Qinghe and You Rong remained in the chamber. You Rong poured the medicinal wine onto Lin Qinghe's ankle and gently massaged the sprained area. Seeing Lin Qinghe instinctively pull her foot back from the pain, he lightened his touch and asked with concern, "Does it hurt a lot?"
Lin Qinghe shook her head, "It's nothing, just a little bit of pain."
Even so, You Rong's expression of distress did not lessen. Guilt towards her and anger towards the arsonist intertwined in his chest.
Lin Qinghe's eyes drooped slightly, her thoughts elsewhere, her mind clearly not fully focused on You Rong's expression.
They remained in quiet contemplation until You Rong had applied medicine to both Lin Qinghe's burns and her sprained ankle. Unexpectedly, he suddenly pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly, as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.
You Rong's voice was hoarse, "When I returned to the manor and couldn't find you, this Prince was almost scared to death. If you were still in the room, if something happened to you, this Prince doesn't know what he would have done..."
You Rong was filled with lingering fear. Even now, with Lin Qinghe safe in his arms, his hands trembled uncontrollably.
At this moment, Lin Qinghe heard a system prompt: "Progress bar increased by twenty percent, total progress is ninety percent."
The progress bar had increased as expected, but Lin Qinghe's small face held a complex expression, not as happy as she had imagined.
She recalled You Rong's figure rushing into the fire without hesitation. For some reason, she could empathize with You Rong's current feelings.
She opened her mouth, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately chose to say nothing. Instead, she raised her hands and hugged You Rong back just as tightly.
After a long embrace, You Rong pushed Lin Qinghe away slightly. Their eyes met, and You Rong lowered his head to kiss her lips. The kiss, initially gentle and light, gradually became more passionate, as if he wanted to consume all her breath.
He desperately needed to feel her presence!
They fell onto the bedding. You Rong gazed at the beautiful Lin Qinghe beneath him, his Adam's apple bobbing, his breathing uneven as he whispered, "Qinghe... are you willing to give yourself to this Prince?"
Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze, her face flushed. She remained silent, her arms tightly around You Rong's neck, burying her face in his chest. You Rong's breathing deepened, and he couldn't help but lower his head to kiss her again...
After their intimacy.
You Rong, content, held the person in his arms and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, murmuring, "Qinghe, this Prince loves you... From now on, I will never let anyone have a chance to hurt you, I swear!"
Listening to You Rong's steady breathing, Lin Qinghe, whose eyes had been closed, opened them. She turned her head and looked at You Rong with an expression of profound complexity.
After a long moment, Lin Qinghe closed her eyes and thought silently, *Don't overthink it. I'm just completing the mission.*
-------------------------------------
The next day.
When Lin Qinghe woke up, the space beside her was empty. She reached out and touched the bedding; it was no longer warm. You Rong must have gotten up some time ago.
Lin Qinghe threw back the covers and stood up. Outside, Granny Xu's voice could be heard, "Princess Consort, are you awake? May your servant come in to assist you with washing and changing?"
Lin Qinghe responded with a hum and said, "Come in."
Granny Xu pushed the door open and curtsied, "Your servant greets the Princess Consort."
Lin Qinghe nodded, signaling Granny Xu not to stand on ceremony, and then asked, "Where is His Highness? Did he go to the palace early this morning?"
Last night, he had accompanied the envoy in the palace and had rushed back. Had it perhaps delayed his affairs?
Granny Xu replied, "Replying to the Princess Consort, His Highness went to the study early this morning and has not yet emerged. However, His Highness instructed us to prepare warm porridge and, once the Princess Consort woke, to serve you your breakfast first."
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and understood why You Rong had gone to the study so early. He was likely investigating the arsonist from last night. As for who had set the fire to kill her, Lin Qinghe had a general idea.
Lin Qinghe's slightly furrowed brow smoothed out. She didn't dwell on it, trusting that You Rong would handle it properly.
Meanwhile, in the manor's study.
You Rong sat at his desk and asked the guard before him, "How is it? Have you found anything? Was the arsonist from the palace?"
The guard hesitated for a moment, then cupped his fists and replied, "Replying to Your Highness, your subordinate has investigated and found that it was indeed someone from the palace. It was... it was done by His Majesty's dark guards. Your subordinate also sent people to investigate the palace; His Majesty is not unwell and met with the dark guards in the Palace of Heavenly Purity yesterday evening."
You Rong's lips thinned into a tight line. Based on all these circumstances, his father the Emperor feigning illness to have him entertain the envoy was merely a ploy to get him away, thereby allowing the dark guards to make a move on Lin Qinghe!
He thought that after discussing the matter of the arranged marriage, he had made it clear that he would not take another as his wife, and his father would give up. He hadn't expected him to go this far, even attempting to kill Lin Qinghe so that he would take another princess consort!
You Rong's deep eyes were filled with rage, his expression extremely grim. The guard, seeing this, was greatly alarmed and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, this... please remain calm, Your Highness. After all, it is His Majesty..."
You Rong's gaze sharpened, interrupting the guard, "Go and summon General Jiang Wen to see this Prince."
The guard was puzzled but dared not ask further. He quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, your subordinate will go at once."
The guard left, the study door opened and then closed again. You Rong sat motionlessly, his expression cold, a determined glint flashing in his eyes.
He had said it before, no matter who harmed her, he would not let it go!