After stabilizing the situation within the palace, You Rong returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. He glanced at Consort Xiao and You Jing, who were kneeling on the ground in a sorry state. He approached the dazed Emperor and cupped his hands, saying, "Father Emperor, the rebels outside have all been cleared. How should Consort Xiao and the Crown Prince... be dealt with?"
The Emperor glanced at the two kneeling figures without the slightest hesitation and said coldly, "Imprison them in the dungeon and have them executed by slow slicing at an appointed date!"
Consort Xiao cried out, begging for mercy, but the Emperor remained unmoved. With a wave of his hand, he had them dragged away.
Inside the Hall of Heavenly Purity, the Emperor looked at You Rong's indifferent face, recalling how he had once disdained him for being foolish and neglected him. Now, seeing You Rong, who had come to his rescue, his heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.
He knew You Rong harbored resentment towards him, yet You Rong had never considered patricide or regicide to seize the throne. Otherwise, today would have been an excellent opportunity.
In the end, the Emperor said nothing more. He waved his hand and said, "You may withdraw now. I am tired and wish to rest."
"Yes, Father Emperor, your son takes his leave."
The matter of the Crown Prince's rebellion was dealt with swiftly. The next day, You Jing and Consort Xiao were executed. The Emperor fell gravely ill as a result, and all state affairs were temporarily handled by You Rong. You Rong was busy in the palace for several days and could not return to his mansion.
Only when he finally had a moment of free time did he head straight to his mansion. Lin Qinghe was currently idly leaning over her desk, holding a brush and writing something, her lips pursed, as if murmuring to herself. Su Dan Novel Network.
Upon seeing Lin Qinghe, You Rong inexplicably felt a sense of peace. The fatigue and fierceness in his brows vanished, leaving only tenderness.
Lin Qinghe knew You Rong had been too busy in the palace to leave. She hadn't gone to disturb him but had been passing the time by practicing calligraphy. While feeling rather dejected, she heard the system notification: "Progress bar increased by 5%, total progress is 71%."
Lin Qinghe was taken aback and suddenly looked up. Seeing You Rong standing at the doorway, her eyes widened, "Your Highness! You've returned!"
You Rong responded with an "Mm" and walked towards Lin Qinghe.
As You Rong reached her, Lin Qinghe was about to examine him for any injuries. Before she could even look properly, she was pulled into You Rong's embrace. Her chin was lifted, and You Rong lowered his head to kiss her.
After a kiss that was both urgent and possessive, yet not devoid of tenderness, Lin Qinghe's face flushed as she was held in You Rong's arms. You Rong said in a husky voice, "Princess Consort, I have missed you dearly these past few days, very, very much..."
Every word was like a feather caressing Lin Qinghe's heart. She didn't know how to describe the feeling. She lowered her eyes and softly replied, "Me too. I've missed you dearly these past few days, very, very much..."
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Time flew by. More than half a month had passed since Consort Xiao and the Crown Prince’s rebellion. The two were executed, and the Emperor fell ill, his health greatly declining. Although he had not yet appointed You Rong as Crown Prince, everyone knew that the future emperor would undoubtedly be You Rong.
At this juncture, it was inevitable that countless people in the capital would rack their brains to curry favor with You Rong, including Prime Minister Lin.
Prime Minister Lin had previously been courted by You Jing. Fortunately, he had not participated when You Jing rebelled, so the Emperor had not investigated him. However, he had, after all, pledged allegiance to You Jing, and he feared that You Rong would hold a grudge and be the first to eliminate him after ascending the throne.
Prime Minister Lin lost sleep over this matter, his health visibly deteriorating. Finally, he heeded Lin Yuyan's advice and went to discuss with the Emperor the matter of remarried Lin Yuyan to You Rong as his principal consort.
The Emperor considered that it was indeed beneath You Rong to have Lin Qinghe, a mere concubine's daughter, as his principal consort. Moreover, once You Rong ascended the throne, the principal consort would preside over the six palaces as Empress. It was indeed appropriate to choose a woman of good standing.
Lin Yuyan was exceptionally beautiful and bore the title of the capital's most talented woman. She was also the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion and had previously been betrothed to You Rong. The Emperor deemed her a suitable candidate.
The Emperor quickly agreed to Prime Minister Lin's proposal. Prime Minister Lin returned to his mansion overjoyed and told Lin Yuyan, "Yan'er, prepare yourself well. His Majesty has agreed to let you marry Prince Rong as his principal consort. The imperial decree of betrothal should be arriving at Prince Rong's mansion soon."
Lin Yuyan's heart leaped with joy, "Really?"
"Of course, it's real. Does Father ever lie to you?"
Lin Yuyan was overjoyed. Ever since she saw You Rong's handsome face in the palace that day, she had fallen for him again. If You Rong had not been injured and foolish back then, she had always quite liked him.
Seeing You Rong regain his senses and be so gentle and considerate towards Lin Qinghe, Lin Yuyan was filled with resentment. She believed Lin Qinghe had stolen everything that belonged to her. The position of Princess Consort should have been hers!
Lin Yuyan then asked, "Father, by the way, what about Lin Qinghe? Did His Majesty say how she would be dealt with?"
"This... His Majesty said that out of consideration for her careful care of His Highness Prince Rong, she only needs to relinquish her position as principal consort and become Prince Rong's secondary consort."
Lin Yuyan was immediately displeased, "What?! Lin Qinghe can still remain in Prince Rong's mansion?! No! I don't want her staying in Prince Rong's mansion! Father, quickly ask His Majesty to drive her out of Prince Rong's mansion!"
"This..." Prime Minister Lin said helplessly, "Yan'er, don't be unreasonable. Let Lin Qinghe remain in Prince Rong's mansion if she must. You will be the principal consort anyway. When Prince Rong ascends the throne, the position of Empress will be yours. Why should you concern yourself with whether Lin Qinghe stays in Prince Rong's mansion?"
Lin Yuyan thought about it and agreed. After all, she would be the principal consort once she married in, and as the principal consort, she could manipulate Lin Qinghe as she pleased.
Lin Yuyan snorted disdainfully in her heart and reluctantly said, "Fine, let her stay then."
Prime Minister Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. "That's right. When you arrive at Prince Rong's mansion, you must serve Prince Rong well, do you understand?"
"Yes, daughter understands."
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Prince Rong's Mansion.
You Rong and Lin Qinghe were about to have lunch when Fusheng rushed in from outside, saying, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, an imperial decree has arrived! The chief eunuch who will read the decree is already at the mansion gates."
An imperial decree?
Lin Qinghe and You Rong exchanged glances, both feeling a bit puzzled.
Lin Qinghe couldn't help but wonder if it was an imperial decree appointing You Rong as Crown Prince.
You Rong pondered for a moment and then said, "Have everyone gather at the mansion gates to receive the decree. Your Highness and I will be there shortly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
You Rong led Lin Qinghe to the mansion gates to receive the decree. As the eunuch finished reading, Lin Qinghe looked enlightened.
She had thought it was an imperial decree appointing You Rong as Crown Prince, but it turned out to be an imperial decree of betrothal. The decree also mentioned her relinquishing her position as principal consort to Lin Yuyan and becoming a secondary consort!
Lin Qinghe's expression remained calm, showing no particular emotion. You Rong, however, looked anxious. Even before the decree was finished, he clasped Lin Qinghe's hand and anxiously explained, "Princess Consort! I knew nothing about this imperial decree from my father! Believe me, I want no one but you!"