The evening was approaching.
Granny Xu came, bowed and saluted, and asked, "Your Highness Consort, it is time for dinner. Shall I bring the meal for you to have?"
Lin Qinghe, with matters weighing on her mind, had been in low spirits all day. When Granny Xu arrived, she finally came back to her senses and glanced outside, only to realize that the sky had already darkened.
Lin Qinghe nodded, "Yes, serve the meal. Where is His Highness? Will he join us for dinner?"
Granny Xu said, "His Highness met General Jiang Wen at the manor at noon and just went out again. He said he was going to the palace and told you not to wait for him to have dinner together."
"His Highness is going to the palace?"
"Yes, Your Highness Consort."
Lin Qinghe's brows furrowed slightly, her expression showing a hint of worry. However, she ultimately didn't ask further questions and waved her hand, signaling Granny Xu to go and serve the meal.
After Granny Xu left, Lin Qinghe thought and thought, but still couldn't help but worry about You Rong.
She knew well that You Rong was meticulous and would not have gone to confront the Emperor about the arson without preparation, but she couldn't help but worry.
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Within the imperial palace.
The Emperor, upon learning that the plan to set fire and kill Lin Qinghe had failed and after heavily punishing the hidden guards, was feeling agitated and was considering finding other ways to kill Lin Qinghe. At that moment, the head eunuch pushed the door open and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, Prince Rong has arrived and requests an audience."
The Emperor frowned deeply upon hearing this. He instinctively assumed You Rong's visit at this hour was regarding the fire at Prince Rong's manor last night. However, he quickly reassured himself, confident that You Rong could not possibly know that he had ordered the hidden guards to carry out the act.
But the Emperor was currently vexed and unwilling to see You Rong, so he waved his hand, "I am tired and will see no one. Tell him to return for now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The head eunuch retreated. The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his head throbbing with a dull ache, a sense of weariness washing over him. Ever since You Rong regained his senses, everything had gone awry. First, Consort Xiao and Rong Jing led a rebellion, and then You Rong dared to defy him for a mere woman.
The Emperor sighed.
All he wanted was a capable heir to the throne, someone to protect this great empire for their You family. Why was it so difficult?
Just then, the head eunuch's anxious voice was heard from outside: "Your Highness Prince Rong, His Majesty said he is seeing no one. Please return and do not make things difficult for this servant. Your Highness Prince Rong..."
With a creak, the palace doors were forcefully pushed open. The head eunuch had been unable to stop You Rong.
You Rong walked in step by step and stood before the Emperor.
The head eunuch's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, and he said fearfully, "Your Majesty, this servant had no choice. His Highness Prince Rong insisted on entering, and this servant could not stop him..."
The Emperor frowned and sized up You Rong, unable to fathom any of his thoughts. Seeing You Rong's determined demeanor, the Emperor pondered for a moment and said, "Enough, I understand. You may withdraw."
The head eunuch said, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will take his leave."
After the eunuch withdrew, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and said displeasantly, "Why have you come to the palace so late and forced your way in to see me? What is the matter?"
You Rong's face was grim, and he got straight to the point, "Last night, the manor caught fire. It was Your Father, the Emperor, who ordered the hidden guards to set the fire, intending to burn the Consort to death and make me obey you to take another consort. Am I correct?"
You Rong's statement was declarative, not a question.
The Emperor was stunned. He hadn't expected You Rong to be so direct. For a moment, his imperial countenance was filled with rage, angry at You Rong for daring to question him, and also angry that his actions had been so brazenly exposed.
The Emperor slammed his palm heavily on the desk before him, "Insolent! As a subject, how dare you question how I conduct my affairs?!"
Facing the furious Emperor, You Rong's expression remained calm, "Then, as a son, what is your plan for me speaking these words to Father Emperor?"
"I..." The Emperor's words faltered, and for a moment, he was unable to answer.
You Rong smiled, his smile laced with a hint of mockery, "Why can Father Emperor not answer? It is because Father Emperor has never considered me a son, isn't it?"
"Nonsense! If you were not my flesh and blood, with your repeated defiance, I would have had you executed long ago!"
"That is because You Jing rebelled and was executed. Father Emperor has no other choice, does he?"
"You scoundrel, you..." The Emperor's face turned as black as ink with anger, and the hand pointing at You Rong trembled slightly.
You Rong looked directly at the Emperor and spoke his mind, "Father Emperor has no fatherly affection for me, does he? What Father Emperor needs is a qualified successor, one who is to your liking and obeys your every command. Otherwise, after I was injured and became foolish two years ago, your attitude changed drastically. You harbored the murderers who attacked me, showed extreme disdain for me, and even let me fend for myself, isn't that so!"
The Emperor glared at You Rong fiercely in his rage, his chest heaving violently, yet he was unable to utter a single word. Perhaps it was because You Rong's words were too accurate, leaving him speechless.
The two confronted each other for a long time. The Emperor gritted his teeth and said, "You Rong! I am the Emperor, and it is not your place to dictate to me! Since that is the case... I will be frank with you. Kill Lin Qinghe, take another consort, and soon I will establish you as Crown Prince. Otherwise..."
With that, he believed You Rong would understand the unspoken words.
This statement succeeded in making You Rong's expression even colder, "Father Emperor, I have said, I will not have any woman other than Lin Qinghe! I have also said that I will never let anyone harm her again. Even if it is Father Emperor... I will not tolerate it!"
"Insolent! What do you mean by that? Are you planning to rebel like You Jing?!" the Emperor roared.
You Rong took out an imperial decree and placed it before the Emperor, "This is what I have prepared. Please examine it, Father Emperor."
The Emperor opened it and glanced at it, so furious he almost spat out a mouthful of blood, "What is this! You are forcing me to abdicate!"
Compared to the enraged Emperor, You Rong's expression was much calmer, "That's right. This is an edict of abdication. After Father Emperor abdicates, I will arrange for you to retire to the Jiangnan imperial villa to enjoy your old age. Father Emperor need not worry about court affairs; I will handle them properly after I ascend the throne."
"You..." The Emperor gritted his teeth and squeezed out a sentence, "I will never agree!"
You Rong said, "That is beyond your control. When You Jing rebelled last time, the command of the Imperial Guard was in my hands, the over one hundred thousand troops of the Yanbei Army also followed my orders, and the majority of the court officials were also under my command..."
You Rong paused, then continued, "Father Emperor, I am not here today to discuss abdication with you, but to inform you."
Having spoken, You Rong completely ignored the Emperor, who was now furiously smashing things, and turned to leave without looking back.