Lin Qinghe leaned against You Rong, pressing close to his body. Her brows furrowed, she feigned weakness and said, "I don't know. I must have stayed in the hot spring for too long and felt a bit dizzy. Don't move, Your Majesty needs a moment to recover. It will be fine in a while..."
You Rong pursed his thin lips. "This humble servant will send for the imperial physician!"
"It's nothing, I just feel a bit dizzy. I'll be fine after a moment..."
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth. She considered herself not unattractive, and now she was dripping wet. They were so close, yet You Rong seemed completely unfazed.
Could he be… impotent?!
Lin Qinghe was desperate to advance the progress bar. Gritting her teeth again, she pretended to push You Rong away to stand up, but stumbled due to dizziness and fell back into his embrace. This time, their bodies pressed even closer, her face against his chest. She said weakly, "Prime Minister You, I apologize. Your Majesty… Your Majesty is a bit unsteady..."
You Rong's eyes darkened. Just as Lin Qinghe was about to push further, he suddenly swept her up into his arms. His steps were steady as he carried her out of the pool and placed her on a wooden chair beside the hot spring. He took a large cloak from the side and draped it over her, wrapping her up tightly.
You Rong said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, this humble servant will send someone to escort you back to your sleeping quarters and then have the imperial physician examine you."
With that, You Rong strode away.
Lin Qinghe stood stunned for a long moment before her senses returned. Her mouth twitched.
Was You Rong some kind of celibate monk!
Lin Qinghe sighed heavily, completely abandoning the path of seduction. You Rong was simply a block of wood, impossible to stir no matter how she tried!
As soon as You Rong left, the palace maids waiting in the distance surrounded her, helping her change out of her wet clothes and escorting her back to her sleeping quarters.
She had just sat down and taken a sip of hot tea when Wang Jiang entered. "Your Majesty, Prime Minister You has arrived with Imperial Physician Zhang. Shall this servant let them in?"
Lin Qinghe, feeling gloomy, waved her hand. "No need. Please inform Prime Minister You that Your Majesty is fine, just feeling a bit tired and has already retired. You can have them leave."
Wang Jiang was puzzled as to why Lin Qinghe was not seeing You Rong. Usually, as soon as You Rong arrived, she was eager to let him in.
Since Lin Qinghe had given the order, Wang Jiang dared not ask further and quickly replied, "Yes, this servant will go and tell Prime Minister You immediately."
Wang Jiang withdrew, and Lin Qinghe lay on the bed, her head throbbing.
How would she find new ways to increase the progress bar in the future?
Outside the sleeping quarters.
"Prime Minister You, Your Majesty has said that she is unharmed and is now feeling weary and has retired. You and Imperial Physician Zhang may leave."
You Rong pursed his thin lips. "Alright, Imperial Physician Zhang and I will leave. Please keep a close eye on Your Majesty tonight. Your Majesty did mention feeling dizzy earlier."
Wang Jiang smiled. "Prime Minister You can rest assured. This servant will."
You Rong turned and left, returning to his residence. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window. His handsome face was etched with a thoughtful expression.
When she had leaned close just now… it felt different from before. He didn't seem to feel any aversion.
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Lin Qinghe stayed at the Lishan temporary palace for two days before setting off for the capital. As soon as she returned to the palace, Xu Taifu came to report. Marquis Pingyang had been apprehended. The evidence was conclusive, making it impossible for Marquis Pingyang to deny his guilt. Coupled with the secret letter that Gu Wenyuan had sent from Jingzhou, these accumulated crimes were enough to have Marquis Pingyang's family confiscated and him punished.
Lin Qinghe nodded with great satisfaction. She closed the memorial and smiled, saying, "Imperial Tutor Xu has done very well. You have worked hard these past two days."
"Your Majesty is too kind. It is this old minister's duty to share Your Majesty's worries!"
After inquiring further about Marquis Pingyang's situation, Xu Taifu seemed to recall something, his wrinkled face showing a hesitant expression.
Lin Qinghe noticed and directly asked, "Does Imperial Tutor Xu have something to tell Your Majesty?"
"Please excuse us. This old minister has something to discuss with Your Majesty."
"Imperial Tutor Xu, please speak."
Xu Taifu cupped his hands. "Regarding Your Majesty's heavens-worshipping ceremony, it involves Princess Chang'an returning to the capital. When the late emperor was alive, he spared no effort to send Princess Chang'an to settle in Jiangnan. Does Your Majesty know the good intentions behind this? Many old officials in the court have disloyal thoughts towards you. This old minister fears that with Princess Chang'an's return, someone will use her to stir up trouble."
Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow. She had been meaning to discuss this with Xu Taifu herself.
Lin Qinghe curved her lips into a meaningful smile. "Imperial Tutor Xu, you also know that many old officials in the court are disloyal to me. If that's the case, why don't we play along and use this opportunity to eliminate these people once and for all? Then I will have no more worries, wouldn't that be good?"
Xu Taifu froze, looking at Lin Qinghe with astonishment. "Your Majesty means..."
Lin Qinghe said, "Regarding Princess Chang'an returning to the capital for the heavens-worshipping ceremony, Imperial Tutor Xu need not worry. I have my own plans. I will inform you at that time how to proceed."
At this moment, Xu Taifu finally understood that Lin Qinghe was no longer the capricious and incompetent empress of the past. She was now meticulous, calculating, and possessed the demeanor of a ruler.
Xu Taifu said with great relief, "Yes, Your Majesty. This old minister understands."
"Hmm, if there is nothing else, you may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xu Taifu withdrew. Lin Qinghe propped her chin on her hand, absentmindedly playing with the brush in her hand. Her thoughts were entirely on the heavens-worshipping ceremony.
She couldn't be bothered to guess what You Rong and Huo Guanzhong were thinking. She had made thorough preparations, planting spies in the You Mansion and among Huo Guanzhong's men. When Lin Zhilan entered the capital, she would immediately have someone monitor her. If they made the slightest move, she would know.
Lin Qinghe narrowed her charming eyes, a hint of amusement flashing in their depths.
She was actually quite curious how You Rong planned to unseat her from the throne.
Also, the content of the letter You Rong had someone send to Huo Guanzhong when they went to the Lishan temporary palace, she needed to have someone investigate it. Sudan Novel Network.
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You Mansion.
As soon as You Rong returned to his residence, Suifeng reported, "My lord, Lord Huo is here and wishes to see you."
You Rong said calmly, "I know. Please have Lord Huo wait in the study. I will be there shortly."
"Yes, my lord."
You Rong stood in his room for a long time before changing his clothes and heading to the study to see Huo Guanzhong.
"This student greets Master."
Huo Guanzhong stood up and asked anxiously, "How was it? His Majesty took you to the Lishan temporary palace a few days ago. Did she trouble you? Were you injured?"
You Rong replied, "Please rest assured, Master. This student is unharmed."
Huo Guanzhong carefully examined You Rong from head to toe. After confirming he was not injured, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Huo Guanzhong frowned and asked with confusion, "When I received the letter you sent that day, I immediately had someone rush to contact General Yang, who was guarding Qinghe City. Everything was ready, and we planned to lead troops to the Lishan temporary palace. Little did we know, you sent someone with your personal jade pendant. General Yang then decided to hold back. Tell me… why did you change your mind at the last minute? Did someone notice something?"