You Rong's expression flickered slightly. He cupped his hands and said, "There was a slight complication. People from the Marquis of Pingyang attempted to assassinate me at the Lishan Imperial Palace, and His Majesty was injured while saving me."
"His Majesty was actually injured saving you?"
Huo Guanzhong was greatly astonished. If You Rong hadn't said it himself, he would never have believed Lin Qinghe would do such a thing.
You Rong nodded. "Indeed."
Before heading to the Lishan Imperial Palace, You Rong had planned that if Lin Qinghe dared to insult him again, he would not hesitate to become a rebel and use the forces of Yang Tianhao, who guarded Qinghe City, to revolt.
Yang Tianhao was the maternal uncle of Princess Chang'an, Lin Zhilan, and had always been displeased with Lin Qinghe. He was certain that if he extended an olive branch, Yang Tianhao would unhesitatingly lead his troops in rebellion to support Lin Zhilan as the new emperor.
But seeing Lin Qinghe's anxious inquiry at that moment... inexplicably, he chose to tell them to hold off for now.
Despite his surprise, Huo Guanzhong was more puzzled. He asked, "Although there was a complication, it didn't impede the progress of your plan. Why did you change your mind?"
You Rong lowered his gaze, concealing the thoughts in his eyes, and said indifferently, "I have thought it over carefully. This course of action is too risky and has many flaws. Even if we successfully force our way into the palace, Princess Chang'an is not yet in the capital. It would be inevitable for ambitious individuals in the capital to stir up trouble, making it a loss that outweighs the gain for us."
Huo Guanzhong took his words as truth and nodded repeatedly. "That makes sense. You truly are thorough... It seems we still need to perform the rites of Heaven worship and await Princess Chang'an's return to the capital before we can make further plans."
You Rong said calmly, "Mm."
After talking with Huo Guanzhong for a long while, Huo Guanzhong got up to leave. You Rong sat quietly before his desk, his eyes lowered, gazing distractedly at the teacup before him.
He asked himself, had he truly told Yang Tianhao not to lead his troops to the Lishan Imperial Palace, wasting such a good opportunity, for the sake of being more thorough?
***
Within the Imperial Palace.
Lin Qinghe was about to retire for the night when the secret guards arrived. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the informant stationed at You Residence has reported that they have obtained the latest news."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. "Quick! Present it to me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The secret guard stepped forward and produced the letter secretly passed by the informant from his embrace. Lin Qinghe eagerly took it and read it. After finishing, Lin Qinghe frowned deeply, causing the secret guard's heart to skip a beat.
"Your Majesty... what did the informant say?"
Lin Qinghe did not reply and handed the letter in his hand to the secret guard.
The secret guard took it and his face was filled with shock. "Your Majesty! Prime Minister You is actually colluding with Lord Huo and others in an attempt to rebel! This... Your Majesty absolutely cannot act on emotion. You should immediately apprehend these traitors and bring them to justice!"
Lin Qinghe was surprisingly calm at this moment, showing no anger, surprise, or sadness, making it impossible for the secret guard to fathom her thoughts.
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and said unhurriedly, "There is no need to inform Grand Tutor Xu about this matter for now. I have my own plans. Order the informant embedded in You Residence to be more cautious and report all their actions to me."
Seeing this, the secret guard grew anxious. "Your Majesty! Your subordinate knows that you have an unusual affection for Prime Minister You, but he is attempting to rebel. You cannot..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted the secret guard. "I said I have my own plans. You only need to do your duty and keep a close eye on them for me."
The secret guard wanted to speak but stopped, eventually cupping his hands in resignation. "Yes, your subordinate obeys."
Lin Qinghe dismissed the secret guard and sat on the couch, her eyes lowered, a cold expression on her delicate, small face.
She had truly underestimated You Rong!