Five days had passed since their return from the Lishan Imperial Resort. Lin Qinghe had announced she was recuperating and would not attend court, but in reality, she had been secretly plotting with Xu Taifu and others, making grand preparations for the upcoming imperial sacrificial ceremony.
To prevent Yang Tianhao from raising troops in rebellion, Lin Qinghe subtly ordered nearly fifty thousand troops from two armies to be stationed in Jincheng, not far from Qinghe City.
Within the Changning Palace.
Wang Jiang wore a puzzled expression. He couldn't understand why His Majesty seemed somewhat displeased since their return from the Lishan Imperial Resort. Could it be that being confined indoors for so long while recuperating had made the Emperor bored?
Wang Jiang could no longer restrain himself and cautiously inquired, "Your Majesty, it's warmer outside today, and the winter chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, looking exceptionally beautiful. Would you like to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden?"
Lin Qinghe had indeed felt rather confined during these past five days. Wang Jiang's suggestion struck her as a good idea, and she agreed, saying, "Very well, prepare the imperial carriage. I shall take a walk."
Wang Jiang's face lit up with joy, and he smiled, "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant will have someone prepare hot tea and braziers in the Imperial Garden. Oh, and fetch His Majesty's cloak! Though it's warmer, a cold wind can still make one shiver!"
Lin Qinghe nodded, "Mmm, go ahead."
After Wang Jiang helped Lin Qinghe put on the cloak, the palace attendants followed her as she proceeded towards the Imperial Garden.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, as Wang Jiang had said, the winter chrysanthemums were in their prime. However, Lin Qinghe had no mood to admire flowers. She walked a few steps and sat down in a pavilion, propping her chin on her hand, looking rather dejected. Soudan Novel Network.
Lin Qinghe sighed one after another.
The progress bar had indeed increased, and perhaps You Rong's perception of her had improved somewhat. Yet, he had not abandoned his intention of pulling her down from the throne. This meant that if she were not careful, not only would her mission fail, but her very life might be at stake.
She had painstakingly made all the arrangements in anticipation of Lin Zhilan's return to the capital. By all rights, You Rong and his faction shouldn't be able to stir up much trouble, but she still felt a lingering sense of unease.
As Lin Qinghe was lost in thought, a sudden commotion erupted in the distance. "Hurry up… these porcelain pieces are very precious! You'd better be careful, and don't dawdle, walk faster… Ah! Why did you trip? These porcelain pieces are all broken! Can't you walk properly?!"
"I'm sorry, Young Master Li, it's this servant's fault… I'm so sorry…"
Lin Qinghe frowned slightly and looked towards the source of the noise. She saw a man in dark robes who had fallen to the ground, flusteredly apologizing to the man in green facing him.
This person looked somewhat familiar…
Lin Qinghe thought for a moment and recalled he was one of the original body's many male consorts, named Fu Qingyu.
The last time he had expressed his reluctance to leave the palace, she had instructed Wang Jiang to house them in an unused palace building, allowing them to leave whenever they wished.
The man in green arrogantly kicked Fu Qingyu several times. Fu Qingyu, with a look of panic, dared not resist and silently endured the beating.
Lin Qinghe said with considerable displeasure, "Wang Jiang, go and bring them over. Ask what happened!"
Wang Jiang quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Wang Jiang hurried over, reprimanded the two, and then brought them to the pavilion.
Fu Qingyu, still shaken, was even more frightened upon seeing Lin Qinghe. He knelt down and greeted her, his voice trembling, "This servant greets Your Majesty…"
The other man in green looked overjoyed and eagerly said, "This servant, Zhang Qinghong, greets Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed even tighter, and she asked in a deep voice, "I heard you arguing just now, what is going on?"
Before Fu Qingyu could speak, Zhang Qinghong impatiently complained, "Your Majesty, I asked him to help me carry some things back, but he deliberately broke my porcelain. Some of those vases are very valuable, Your Majesty… You must uphold justice for me!"
Fu Qingyu faltered for a moment, and a flicker of anger crossed his gentle face as he earnestly explained, "Your Majesty, no… no, this servant didn't do it on purpose. Qinghong asked this servant to help carry his things, and this servant absolutely did not break them intentionally. It was just that the chest of porcelain was too heavy, which is why… which is why…"
"Don't try to deny it! You did it on purpose! You're jealous because my family background is better than yours and I brought more belongings into the palace!"
Fu Qingyu: "No, I didn't… I really didn't!"
"Still denying it? Everyone knows you came from a brothel. People who have been in places like that are the most scheming! I know you well!"
Fu Qingyu's face turned red with anger, "I… I didn't!"
Looking at the aggressive Zhang Qinghong, Lin Qinghe's gaze darkened. She wasn't foolish; she could clearly see who was being bullied.
Lin Qinghe sternly said, "Silence!"
Both Fu Qingyu and Zhang Qinghong were startled and quickly kowtowed, begging for mercy, "This servant knows his mistake, please Your Majesty forgive our transgressions…"
Lin Qinghe looked at Zhang Qinghong with a cold gaze, "Your statuses are the same. Fu Qingyu is not your servant, and he is not obliged to help you carry things or obey your commands, do you understand?"
Zhang Qinghong's face changed drastically, and he quickly begged for forgiveness, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant understands. This servant will never dare to do so again, please forgive this servant…"
Lin Qinghe let out a cold snort and warned, "Whoever is in this palace must behave themselves, or they will be sent away immediately. This palace is not a place where one can arbitrarily throw tantrums without any rules!"
Zhang Qinghong nervously responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant remembers. This servant will never dare again…"
Only then did Lin Qinghe relent, waving her hand with a touch of impatience.
Seeing this, Wang Jiang berated Zhang Qinghong angrily, "Hurry up and leave! Don't stand here offending His Majesty!"
"Yes, yes… this servant will leave now, will leave now!"
Zhang Qinghong scrambled away. Fu Qingyu remained kneeling, his face pale, appearing greatly fearful.
Fu Qingyu trembled and said, "Your Majesty, then… then this servant will also take his leave…"
Lin Qinghe looked at Fu Qingyu's bruised hands and guessed that he must have been bullied by other consorts and made to do a lot of work.
Images of the original body's frequent beatings and scolding flashed through Lin Qinghe's mind. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she said, "You may rise and sit down."
Fu Qingyu blinked in surprise, "Your Majesty, you…"
Wang Jiang urgently said, "His Majesty told you to rise and sit, so rise and sit! Why are you still standing there dumbfounded? Are you planning to disobey an imperial decree?!"
"No… no, this servant obeys!"
Fu Qingyu nervously rose and sat opposite Lin Qinghe. Lin Qinghe turned to Wang Jiang and said, "Have someone fetch some ointment. His hands are injured."
"Yes, this servant will go now."
Fu Qingyu quickly said upon hearing this, "Your Majesty, it's not necessary, this servant is fine…"
Lin Qinghe glanced at Fu Qingyu. He was so frightened he shut his mouth and dared not speak further until Wang Jiang returned with the ointment. Lin Qinghe motioned for him to apply it, and he, with a slight blush, began to tend to his hands.
Just then, You Rong walked over from a distance and stopped outside the pavilion. Witnessing the scene, he lowered his gaze, and his eyes darkened.
Lin Qinghe had not noticed You Rong's arrival. Wang Jiang quickly reminded her, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister You has arrived."