Lin Qinghe finished washing and dressing You Rong, called for a maid to help her with her own makeup, and then, holding You Rong’s hand, they left the prince’s mansion and prepared to board the carriage to the palace.
Before boarding, Nanny Li secretly glared at You Rong, giving him a warning look, which made You Rong shrink closer to Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe naturally noticed this. Her eyes suddenly turned cold, she gripped You Rong’s hand tightly, and softly soothed him, "Your Highness, let's get in the carriage. Don't be afraid, I'm here…"
You Rong nodded and boarded the carriage first. Lin Qinghe glanced coldly at Nanny Li from the side before bending down and entering the carriage as well.
Nanny Li was momentarily stunned. Lin Qinghe’s gaze earlier had sent a shiver down her spine, but she dismissed it as her imagination. Composing herself, she instructed the coachman to set off for the palace.
Inside the carriage, Lin Qinghe’s alluring eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful expression on her delicate face. You Rong, meanwhile, was playing with her slender fingers, unaware of her contemplation.
After about half an hour, the carriage stopped in front of the palace gate. Lin Qinghe and You Rong alighted and proceeded directly to the Empress Dowager’s sleeping quarters, Cining Palace.
As they entered Cining Palace, Lin Qinghe pulled You Rong to kneel and pay their respects. The Empress Dowager smiled benevolently, "No need for such formality. Come closer to this old woman."
Lin Qinghe and You Rong took a few steps forward. Lin Qinghe still curtsied and said, "Greetings, Empress Dowager."
"No need for such formality. Rise, sit down... You Rong, sit next to me." The Empress Dowager pulled You Rong to sit beside her and looked at him with affectionate eyes. "You've come to the palace so early today? In the past, when you were in the palace, you wouldn't get up until noon. Is it because you've gotten married and are not used to living in the prince's mansion with your consort?"
You Rong shook his head and honestly replied, "No, it's because the Consort insisted on waking me up, saying we needed to come to the palace to pay respects to Father Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager today and couldn't be late."
The Empress Dowager looked at Lin Qinghe with surprise, "You listen to your consort that much?"
You Rong grinned and said, "Because the Consort is very good to me, unlike... " He paused. "The Consort is very good! I must listen to her!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately smiled with great satisfaction. "Good, good, good. It seems You Rong likes the Consort very much. Did you and the Consort do as I told you last night…"
You Rong's eyes were bright, and he said eagerly, "Yes! I lay on the bed with the Consort, and we slept under the same quilt. After dawn, we will consummate the marriage!"
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed, while Lin Qinghe could only stand by and offer an awkward smile.
Did this fool not know he was causing misunderstandings with his words!
But this was precisely what the Empress Dowager wanted to hear, and Lin Qinghe could not explain. She could only lower her head guiltily, not daring to meet the Empress Dowager's gaze.
Little did she know that to the Empress Dowager, this demeanor was a sign of her shyness as a newlywed.
The Empress Dowager patted You Rong's hand, then took Lin Qinghe's hand and smiled kindly, "It seems you are taking good care of You Rong. I rarely see him like someone this much. Seeing you two as a couple puts my mind at ease. You Rong... is different from others. I hope you will continue to care for him well in the future."
Lin Qinghe quickly replied sincerely, "Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. Your granddaughter-in-law will definitely take good care of His Highness Prince Rong and will not slacken in the slightest."
"Hmm, very good." The Empress Dowager said to the nanny beside her, "Go to my storeroom and select some fine male companions, along with some bird's nest tonics. Have the Consort of Prince Rong take them back to the mansion later. They are a welcoming gift from me to her."
"Yes, Empress Dowager, this servant will go at once."
The Empress Dowager had been quite displeased that You Rong, a direct descendant prince, had married the illegitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion. However, given You Rong's condition and the Emperor's agreement to Prime Minister Lin's plea, she could not say much. Seeing how much You Rong liked Lin Qinghe today, and how well Lin Qinghe treated You Rong, she had let go of her reservations.
After all, she only wished for You Rong to marry a virtuous woman, have a child or two, and be cared for throughout his life.
Lin Qinghe’s eyes drooped slightly. She thought that the Empress Dowager truly doted on You Rong, and this made her more confident about what she was about to do.
After staying in Cining Palace for a while, it was almost lunchtime. She repeatedly looked towards the palace gate, her expression gradually becoming displeased. Finally, she said in a deep voice, "Nanny Zhang, go to Qianqing Palace and have the Emperor come to Cining Palace for lunch. Today is the day Prince Rong and his consort are officially visiting the elders in the palace after their wedding. If he, as the Father Emperor, does not come, what sort of propriety is that!"
"Yes, Empress Dowager, this servant will report to the Emperor in Qianqing Palace."
Watching Nanny Zhang’s retreating figure, Lin Qinghe felt a pang of sorrow.
Indeed, imperial rulers have always been the most heartless, whether towards concubines or their offspring. You Rong, once the favored heir apparent meticulously groomed by the Emperor himself, was now injured and mentally impaired. The Emperor could disregard nearly twenty years of father-son affection and ignore You Rong, even detesting You Rong's very existence as a stain on the royal family's reputation.
Two quarters of an hour after Nanny Zhang left, a eunuch's sharp voice echoed from outside: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Lin Qinghe looked up and saw the Emperor of Bei Yan, clad in dragon robes, striding in. He bore some resemblance to You Rong, but as the ruler of a nation, his imposing aura deterred anyone from looking at him directly.
Lin Qinghe pulled You Rong to bow together, "We pay our respects to Father Emperor."
The Emperor nodded and said, "You may rise." He then approached the Empress Dowager and clasped his hands, saying, "Your son greets Mother Empress."
The Empress Dowager snorted, "The Emperor is truly a busy man. Yesterday, you said you would come to my Cining Palace for lunch, but you've forgotten, and I had to send someone to fetch you!"
The Emperor pursed his lips, knowing he was in the wrong, and said, "Please forgive me, Mother Empress. I was engrossed in reviewing memorials and momentarily forgot my promise to Mother Empress. I am at fault."
Since the Emperor had admitted his fault, the Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly. She said to the Emperor, "Prince Rong is here with his consort to pay respects today. Emperor, please stay for lunch. I shall have someone serve the meal."
The Emperor replied, "Yes, Mother Empress."
Just as the Empress Dowager ordered the meal to be served, Nanny Zhang entered and bowed, "Empress Dowager, Noble Consort has arrived and is requesting an audience outside."
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by the arrival of Consort Xiao, but still said, "Let Consort Xiao in. And have someone prepare an extra set of tableware. Consort Xiao can join us for the meal."
"Yes, Empress Dowager."
After Nanny Zhang withdrew, the elegant and dignified Consort Xiao soon arrived, supported by palace maids. She curtsied before the Empress Dowager and said softly, "Your humble servant greets Empress Dowager, and greets Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager gave a perfunctory "Mm" and bade Consort Xiao to rise.
The Empress Dowager was unhappy about Consort Xiao's arrival, but Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up.
Consort Xiao's arrival was just perfect. Nanny Li was her person. How would Consort Xiao explain herself to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor later!