Lin Qinghe only came to her senses, looked up at You Rong, and a confused expression appeared on her delicate face.
How did he get here?
You Rong stepped forward a few paces, cupped his hands, and bowed, "This subject greets Your Majesty."
"No need for such formalities." Lin Qinghe asked directly, "Why is Prime Minister You in the imperial garden, and to see me?"
You Rong said, "This subject had an urgent matter to seek an audience with Your Majesty at Changning Palace. The palace maid at Changning Palace said you were in the imperial garden, so this subject came over."
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment, not thinking of any urgent matter You Rong needed to see her about. "Oh? What does Prime Minister You wish to discuss with me?"
You Rong's gaze flickered slightly, and he remained silent.
Lin Qinghe blinked in confusion, "Why is Prime Minister You not speaking?"
You Rong still did not speak, his gaze falling on Fu Qingyu, meeting Fu Qingyu's eyes directly.
Fu Qingyu inexplicably felt a chill down his spine and quickly said, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for the medicine today. This servant will not disturb you and Prime Minister You. This servant will take his leave first."
Lin Qinghe also realized belatedly that You Rong was silent because Fu Qingyu was present.
Upon careful consideration, it was indeed inappropriate for Fu Qingyu, a male concubine, to be present when You Rong was discussing court matters with her.
Lin Qinghe: "Mm, you may withdraw first."
"Yes, this servant takes his leave."
After the other person had walked away, Lin Qinghe continued to ask, "Prime Minister You, what is it you wished to discuss with me?"
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his expression as indifferent as usual. "Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject came to seek an audience with Your Majesty to discuss the matter of building the canal and reservoirs. This subject has found suitable candidates to supervise and has specifically come to inform Your Majesty for a decision."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qinghe said without thinking, "I have already said, I trust you. This matter is entirely in your hands. Use whoever you deem suitable, and there is no need to seek my approval again."
You Rong lowered his eyes slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Since it was rare for You Rong to seek her out, even though it was for court matters, Lin Qinghe spoke first before he could excuse himself. "If Prime Minister You is not busy, why not sit down and have a cup of tea with me?"
You Rong did not refuse and replied, "This subject obeys," and sat opposite Lin Qinghe.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe personally poured him tea, smiling and saying, "This tea was just picked. It tastes quite good. I like it very much."
You Rong took a shallow sip of the tea in his cup and agreed, "The tea is fragrant and rich, it is indeed good tea."
"Prime Minister You likes it too? I will have Wang Jiang prepare some for you to take back to your mansion to drink later."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity."
"Then... I haven't attended court for the past few days. Have there been any important matters among the ministers?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, no."
"Then... what have you been doing these past few days, Prime Minister You?"
"After Marquis Pingyang was punished, it implicated many. This subject has been busy with the aftermath."
Lin Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Oh... is that so?"
With this exchange, Lin Qinghe racked her brain to find topics, but You Rong was not very responsive. She could only use drinking tea to cover her awkwardness.
You Rong's gaze darkened. He thought of the person who had been sitting in his current position. If he remembered correctly, that person was also one of the young masters summoned to the palace by Lin Qinghe. She had said she would send all the young masters away, but instead, she had housed them in the palace and was now meeting one in the imperial garden...
For some reason, You Rong felt a pang of discomfort.
Was it worry that she would repeat her past mistakes, becoming the licentious person who spent her days carousing with those young masters?
You Rong felt it must be so.
Just as Lin Qinghe was contemplating how to find another topic, the system's prompt sound suddenly rang out: "Progress bar increased by 2%, total progress is 23%."
Lin Qinghe froze immediately.
How did the progress bar increase?
Could it be... because Fu Qingyu was present just now? You Rong was jealous?
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she eagerly probed, "Prime Minister You, the young master who was here just now was..."
You Rong's gaze flickered, and he interrupted Lin Qinghe, "Your Majesty, this subject inquired at the Imperial Observatory today about the matter of celestial sacrifice and prayer. Preparations are underway... The decision has been made for Master Jingkong, a distinguished monk from Nanshan Temple, to officiate the celestial sacrifice and prayer. What does Your Majesty think?"
Lin Qinghe felt as if she had been doused with a basin of cold water from head to toe. The joy that had just surged disappeared without a trace.
Lin Qinghe frowned subtly.
You Rong had personally inquired about the celestial sacrifice and prayer, which showed how much he valued it and that he had not given up his plan to overthrow her from the throne.
Lin Qinghe looked at the expressionless You Rong and felt inexplicably annoyed.
Was this person poisoned?! The progress bar was increasing, indicating that he had changed his perception of her, yet he still had no intention of letting her off?
Lin Qinghe suppressed her irritation and said calmly, "I think it's very good. Let's proceed as Prime Minister You suggests. Perhaps if you wish to hold the celestial sacrifice and prayer in advance, I can also agree."
You Rong's expression changed slightly. "Why does Your Majesty think this subject wants to hold the celestial sacrifice and prayer in advance?"
Lin Qinghe did not expect to almost let slip. She couldn't possibly say that she had placed an informant in the You Residence and knew long ago that he and Huo Guanzhong and others were colluding to rebel.
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and pretended to be nonchalant. "I was just speaking casually. What's wrong? Does Prime Minister You truly wish to hold the celestial sacrifice and prayer earlier?"
You Rong's face remained unchanged. "This subject does not."
"Then let's proceed as the Imperial Observatory suggests."
Lin Qinghe felt inexplicably displeased with You Rong. Fearing she would lose control and reveal her emotions in front of him, causing him to notice something and affect her later plans, she simply said, "I am feeling a bit tired. I will return to Changning Palace to rest. If Prime Minister You still wishes to have tea, please feel free to stay."
Lin Qinghe then left.
Because You Rong had interrupted her, the matter of Fu Qingyu, which she had wanted to explain, was completely forgotten.
You Rong watched Lin Qinghe's retreating back until she was out of sight before withdrawing his gaze. He lowered his eyes to look at the teacup in front of him, pondering something.
Upon returning to Changning Palace, Lin Qinghe paced back and forth in the hall, feeling deeply dejected. She couldn't help but curse softly, "What's wrong with You Rong in this world? Why is he so difficult to deal with?!"
Lin Qinghe clenched her fists in frustration and swung them a few times in the air, imagining punching You Rong in the face. Only then did she feel somewhat appeased.
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth, thinking of her initial plan. She decided to frantically increase the progress bar before Lin Zhilan returned to the capital, making You Rong realize her goodness. Then, she would present all the evidence of his rebellion and make him understand that she had always known and had not acted against him because she liked him.
When You Rong was moved, she had thought the progress bar would surely be full. But who knew that You Rong was now almost impenetrable, stubbornly refusing to give up his idea of colluding with others to rebel.
"No! There isn't much time left. I need to hurry. What should I do? I can't possibly repeat the same trick and save his life again. But the result of saving his life last time only increased the progress bar by over 20%..."
Lin Qinghe was in low spirits for two days because of this. Wang Jiang saw this and couldn't help but suggest, "Your Majesty, there is a poetry gathering outside the palace today. It is said that many talented scholars from the capital will be attending, as well as many students from the Imperial Academy. Why don't... you ask Prime Minister You to accompany you?"
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes. This was a good opportunity to spend time with You Rong. If she went out with him more, the progress bar might increase. No matter what, it was better than sitting idly in the palace.
Lin Qinghe said, "Alright! Go and deliver a message to Prime Minister You, asking him to accompany me to the poetry gathering."
Wang Jiang immediately beamed. "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go now!"