The Empress Dowager scoffed, "Is Imperial Concubine Xiao truly just incompetent in her teachings? Or did she perhaps instigate..."
The Emperor frowned, interrupting his mother's words, "Mother, regarding the wicked servants in Prince Rong's manor, I have ordered a thorough investigation. Once it's clear, they will be severely punished. Rest assured, you need not worry."
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor, her expression growing even more displeased. She hesitated to speak several times, ultimately swallowing the words that had reached her lips.
"Let the wicked servants in Prince Rong's manor be severely punished," the Empress Dowager declared. "As for the servants sent to the manor, I will personally select them. I have lived for more than half a century, and my judgment of people is far superior to some others!"
The Emperor cupped his hands and replied, "Yes, Mother."
The midday meal ended unpleasantly. The Emperor cast a complicated glance at You Rong, then spoke to the kneeling Imperial Concubine Xiao, "Mother will be resting soon. You may accompany me as we depart."
Imperial Concubine Xiao, understanding his intentions, quickly agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty."
As Imperial Concubine Xiao and the Emperor left, Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed, her heart filled with dissatisfaction. Both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager knew that Imperial Concubine Xiao had ordered the servants to bully You Rong, yet they chose to feign ignorance, pushing some servants forward as scapegoats while Imperial Concubine Xiao, the mastermind, remained unscathed.
The Empress Dowager's expression was filled with remorse as she held You Rong's hand and carefully applied medicine. Tears welled in her eyes as she said, "You Rong, my good grandson... It is my failing that I could not protect you, causing you to suffer this ordeal..."
You Rong looked at the Empress Dowager. He didn't understand why she was so saddened, but he still managed a smile and patted her back, comforting her, "Grandmother, don't worry. Grandson isn't in pain. Not at all..."
Unbeknownst to him, You Rong's brave demeanor only intensified the Empress Dowager's heartache.
After tidying You Rong's clothes, the Empress Dowager turned to Lin Qinghe, extending her hand. "Child, come closer to me."
Lin Qinghe respectfully approached. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager clasped Lin Qinghe's hand, her tone growing more intimate. She sighed and said, "I can see that you are a kind-hearted and good child. From now on, I entrust You Rong's care to you. Rest assured, as long as I am alive, no one will ever dare to bully you again."
The Empress Dowager placed a jade pendant into Lin Qinghe's hand. "This is my token. In the future, if you have any matters, you may bring it to the palace to see me. No one will dare to stop you."
Lin Qinghe tightened her grip on the jade pendant. Although she didn't understand why the Empress Dowager hadn't pursued Imperial Concubine Xiao's guilt, she could feel the Empress Dowager's genuine concern for You Rong.
Lin Qinghe said solemnly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager. Please be assured, I will take good care of the Prince."
The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly with satisfaction. "Good, good... very good."
Meanwhile.
In the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
The Emperor dismissed all the palace attendants. Imperial Concubine Xiao immediately embraced his arm, soft-voiced, "Your Majesty, you must do justice for this concubine! Today, in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, the Empress Dowager clearly implied that this concubine instigated the servants..."
Before Imperial Concubine Xiao could finish speaking, the Emperor's eyes sharpened, and he slapped her across the face. Imperial Concubine Xiao fell to the ground, clutching her stinging cheek, her face filled with shock as she stared at the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, what is this..."
The Emperor snorted coldly, "Return to your Palace of Qinghe. You are not to step outside without my permission!"
"Your Majesty, what did this concubine do wrong? For you to treat me like this? *Sob sob*... Surely you don't believe the Empress Dowager's suspicions about me?"
The Emperor's expression was grim, unmoved. "Go back!"
"Your Majesty, this concubine is wrongly accused! This concubine has always wished well for Prince Rong and carefully selected trustworthy servants to attend him. Though there were mistakes, even without merit, there was effort. This concubine is..."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, "I said, go back to your Palace of Qinghe, or else... I will not hesitate to make sure the Crown Prince has no mother."
Imperial Concubine Xiao visibly flinched, gritting her teeth in silence. Fearing further consequences, she quickly said, "Yes, this concubine takes her leave."
As Imperial Concubine Xiao exited the Palace of Heavenly Purity, her eyes instantly turned venomous. She refused to believe the Emperor had discovered anything. She was certain he was still biased towards You Rong, just as before. Even now, with You Rong rendered a simpleton, the Emperor remained the same! Imperial Concubine Xiao secretly swore that one day, she would eliminate You Rong and would never allow any threat to her Jing'er's throne!
As Imperial Concubine Xiao made her way back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, she encountered Lin Qinghe and You Rong emerging from the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility in the Imperial Garden.
Upon seeing Imperial Concubine Xiao, You Rong visibly trembled, pulling on Lin Qinghe's sleeve and hiding behind her. Lin Qinghe's eyes lowered slightly as she subtly took his hand, offering comfort.
Imperial Concubine Xiao, still seething, walked up to Lin Qinghe, abandoning any pretense of civility. She sneered, "Hmph! I thought you were merely a daughter of a lowly concubine, but you have such ambition! You've only just married into the manor and already you're so calculating. Truly remarkable!"
Lin Qinghe feigned ignorance. "This concubine does not understand what your Ladyship means. I hope your Ladyship will enlighten me."
"Heh heh... I truly underestimated you. But what does it matter? Do you think you can soar to the heavens by relying on a fool? Be careful not to make people laugh their heads off!"
The word "fool" caused Lin Qinghe's eyes to narrow. For some reason, she no longer wished to hide her claws in front of Imperial Concubine Xiao.
Lin Qinghe retorted, "Whether I make people laugh their heads off remains to be seen, but the red mark on your Ladyship's face is quite peculiar."
Imperial Concubine Xiao's face turned black with rage. "You! You court death!"
As Imperial Concubine Xiao raised her hand to strike, Lin Qinghe stood tall, unfazed. She said calmly, "Your Ladyship would be wise to reconsider. We are still within the palace walls. Every word and action of yours may very well reach the Empress Dowager or His Majesty's ears at any moment."
Imperial Concubine Xiao's raised hand froze. Recalling the attitudes of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor towards her earlier, her anger intensified. "Are you threatening me?!"
"It is not a threat, Your Ladyship. I am merely informing you of the facts."
"You!"
Imperial Concubine Xiao was so enraged she gnashed her teeth. Lin Qinghe took a step forward and lowered her voice, "Your Ladyship, if you do not want something to be known, do not do it. Do you still remember those people you used and then callously disposed of?"
Imperial Concubine Xiao's face changed dramatically. "You! What nonsense are you spouting!" The individuals sent to assassinate You Rong had all been secretly executed by her. It was impossible for anyone to know!
Under Imperial Concubine Xiao's terrified gaze, Lin Qinghe offered no reply. She curtsied and said, "It is getting late. The Prince and I need to leave the palace and return to our residence. We will take our leave now."
With that, Lin Qinghe pulled You Rong along and left without looking back. Imperial Concubine Xiao stood frozen, glaring fiercely at Lin Qinghe's retreating figure, clenching her fists so tightly that her long nails dug into the soft flesh of her palms without her noticing. What did this bitch know? Or was she deliberately trying to trick her?!