When You Rong returned to the Prince Rong's estate, it was already late. He gently pushed open the door to the side room and entered. However, by the time he reached the bed, Lin Qinghe was already awake.
"Your Highness, you're back."
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to throw off the covers and get out of bed, You Rong pressed her down. "Don't get up. It's a bit cold at night. Be careful not to catch a chill."
"Then... have you had dinner? I'll have Granny Xu get you something to eat."
"No need. I've already had dinner. I'm not hungry. Don't get up."
Hearing this, Lin Qinghe had no choice but to sit back on the bed. In the candlelight, she subtly observed You Rong. His expression was normal. Had something happened during his visit to the palace?
You Rong noticed Lin Qinghe's gaze and said dotingly, "Wangfei, what do you want to ask me? It's alright, ask away."
Seeing You Rong's openness, Lin Qinghe didn't hold back. She asked directly, "Did Your Highness go to the palace to see His Majesty about the arson? Did anything... happen between you and His Majesty?"
You Rong was slightly surprised. Instead of answering, he asked, "You know that the arson is related to my Imperial Father?"
"I suppose I do," Lin Qinghe replied. "A few days ago, His Majesty bestowed a marriage upon us, and you threw away the imperial decree. His Majesty is bound to hold a grudge against me. Coincidentally, yesterday His Majesty claimed to be unwell and asked you to receive the envoy on his behalf. While you were away, the estate suddenly caught fire. I haven't offended anyone recently. When I thought about it... His Majesty is the most likely suspect for the arson. Of course, this is just my speculation, without any concrete evidence."
You Rong sighed inwardly at Lin Qinghe's intelligence. He held her hand and said, "That's right. It was Imperial Father who ordered the secret guards to do it. He wants me to establish a new Wangfei, so... I'm sorry. It's all my fault..."
Lin Qinghe pinched You Rong's face, which was filled with self-reproach, and smiled. "How can this be Your Highness's fault? Your Highness has nothing to do with this matter. It wasn't you who ordered the arson. Furthermore, the most important thing is that neither of us is harmed. You shouldn't blame yourself."
You Rong gazed at Lin Qinghe and suddenly pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head and kissing her hair. "Qinghe, why are you so wonderful? I must have burned incense for a thousand lifetimes to be able to marry you as my wife..."
Just then, the system's prompt sounded again: "Progress bar increased by 3%, total progress is 93%."
Lin Qinghe relaxed, leaning into You Rong's embrace. "It's good that Your Highness knows my worth. But... you confronted His Majesty about this today. He must be furious. What happened next? Did His Majesty punish you, or did you..."
You Rong had no intention of hiding anything from Lin Qinghe. He told her everything he had done.
"Imperial Father has signed the abdication decree. After I ascend the throne as Emperor, Imperial Father will retire to the Jiangnan imperial palace to live out his days."
Lin Qinghe exclaimed in surprise, "His Majesty will agree to abdicate?"
Although she had only met the emperor a few times and didn't know him well, emperors had always been power-hungry. How could he abdicate while still alive and let someone else succeed him?
You Rong's eyes lowered slightly, and he said calmly, "The military power of the Imperial Guards in the capital city and the Yanbei Army are now in my hands. Many ministers in the court are also under my command. Therefore... Imperial Father had no choice but to issue the abdication decree."
This made Lin Qinghe suddenly understand.
That's right. If the emperor was unwilling to abdicate, You Rong could easily force him to do so if he wished.
Lin Qinghe felt a strange emotion.
The emperor had harbored Concubine Xiao and You Jing, and despised the foolish You Rong. Despite being treated so, You Rong had never harbored thoughts of rebellion. Now, simply because the emperor wanted to kill her, he did not hesitate to force the emperor to abdicate.
You Rong sensed Lin Qinghe's thoughts. He lowered his head, kissed her hand, and said softly, "Qinghe, you are different to me. Everyone else, more or less, wanted something from me. That's why they were good to me, flattered me. It was like this since I was young. Even my deceased mother treated me well with the hope that I would become the Crown Prince. You are the only one who didn't dislike my foolishness, didn't seek anything from me, and only treated me with kindness..."
Lin Qinghe listened to You Rong's strong heartbeat and felt a pang in her heart.
She wasn't as good as You Rong claimed. She wasn't seeking nothing from him. She sought his love, so she could successfully complete her mission.
You Rong, unaware of Lin Qinghe's thoughts, solemnly promised again, "Qinghe, believe me. I will cherish you for the rest of my life and will never let anyone harm you!"
Lin Qinghe nodded heavily. "Yes, I believe Your Highness..."
***
Ten days later, the emperor abdicated, announcing You Rong as the next emperor of Northern Yan. You Rong successfully ascended the throne. Within a few days, You Rong, overriding all objections, officially appointed Lin Qinghe as Empress.
Today was the enthronement ceremony. Lin Qinghe wore an exquisitely ornate phoenix coronet and a complex, exquisite empress's ceremonial robe. You Rong led her before the assembled officials to receive their obeisance.
"Your subjects greet His Majesty. May His Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years. May Her Majesty the Empress live for a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years."
You Rong said in a deep voice, "All your esteemed officials may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Her Majesty the Empress."
You Rong turned his head to look at Lin Qinghe, his eyes full of adoration. Lin Qinghe returned a faint smile. Without a word, they both understood each other's feelings.
***
Three months later, in the backyard of the Misty Rain Pavilion in the capital city.
"Girl, hee hee... I finally beat you once. Look! I won! I won this round!"
Lin Qinghe smiled and said, "Indeed, Physician Feng won this round. I lost."
Feng Jing Tian was overjoyed and shouted to the handsome young man in the courtyard, "Rascal, come look! I won today! Let's see if you dare to gossip that I always lose in the future!"
Ye Qing Yan didn't speak and gave Feng Jing Tian a big eye-roll, his eyes almost rolling to the back of his head.
Who couldn't tell that Lin Qinghe had gone easy on him today? Otherwise, how could he have won!
Seeing Ye Qing Yan roll his eyes, Feng Jing Tian glared at him fiercely. "You brat! We agreed you'd follow the girl to improve your chess skills, but look at you... your chess skills are still as terrible as ever! Rotten wood cannot be carved!"
Ye Qing Yan was instantly furious. He threw the herbs in his hand to the ground and said angrily, "Stinky old man! Don't push it! Do you think your chess skills are brilliant? Didn't you also lose to her!"
"Nonsense, I just won one game!"
"It's because she went easy on you! I could tell she was going easy on you, can't you? What are you pretending for! Aren't you ashamed of yourself!"
"You, you... you stinking brat, see if I don't teach you a lesson!"
"Come on! See if I don't betray my master today!"
Lin Qinghe watched the master and disciple fight in the courtyard and couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head with a helpless expression.
Just then, Granny Xu arrived and bowed. "Madam, the Master has come to fetch you back to the estate. He is waiting for you in the carriage outside."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. "How did he get out of the palace... to pick me up? I'll go out now!"
Lin Qinghe said goodbye to Feng Jing Tian and Ye Qing Yan, saying she was leaving. Unfortunately, the two were so engrossed in their heated argument that they didn't pay her any attention.
Lin Qinghe hurried out of the Misty Rain Pavilion and stopped in front of the carriage, still catching her breath. The carriage curtain was lifted, and You Rong, smiling in the carriage, extended his hand to her. "Slow down, what's the hurry? I'm not going anywhere..."
[This world concludes tomorrow~~ Weibo: Xiao Cai Mi Yao Nu Li Ya, Reader Group: 303345244.]