You Rong changed into casual clothes and arrived at the palace gate. Lin Qinghe was already waiting on horseback. He frowned, cupped his hands outside the carriage, and saluted, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Lin Qinghe, dressed in a crescent-colored robe and disguised as a man, poked his head out. He smiled and said, "Prime Minister You is here. There's no need for formalities. Please, get into the carriage quickly."
You Rong was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses and responded with a "Yes." He then got into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe, who was dressed as a man, and asked, "Your Majesty, you said you wanted to attend a poetry gathering held by scholars in the city. What is this attire for..."
Lin Qinghe held a precious folding fan and tapped it on his palm, smiling playfully, "Can't you tell? I don't want anyone to know my identity, so I specially changed into this. When we get to the poetry gathering, Prime Minister You, remember not to slip up. Call me Qinghe, understand?"
You Rong subtly furrowed his brow.
She had specially changed into men's clothing and disguised her identity to attend a private gathering. Did she have other intentions?
Seeing You Rong's silence, Lin Qinghe pouted slightly, displeased. "Prime Minister You, I'm talking to you. Did you hear me?"
You Rong snapped back to attention and cupped his hands. "Yes, Your Majesty. I understand. I will not reveal Your Majesty's identity at the poetry gathering."
"Then..." Lin Qinghe suddenly leaned forward, his bright, smiling eyes fixed on You Rong. "Call me now, so you won't accidentally call me 'Your Majesty' at the gathering, and give away the secret."
You Rong looked a little troubled. "Your M..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted him. "Ah! See! I told you you'd slip up. Quickly... change it to Qinghe."
You Rong's thin lips moved, and after a long pause, he uttered, "...Qinghe."
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction. "Good! From now on, call me Qinghe. I won't refer to myself as 'I' anymore either. I'll start calling you You Rong. Perhaps someone might recognize you, but they shouldn't recognize me. If anyone asks about my identity, you can say I'm your... close friend from afar, who is visiting the capital recently."
You Rong did not refuse and replied, "Yes... I understand."
"Still calling me 'subject'?" Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow, his gaze indicating his expectation towards You Rong.
You Rong had no choice but to change his address. "Yes, I understand."
"That's more like it..."
Looking at the radiant smile of Lin Qinghe, You Rong lowered his eyes slightly, pursed his thin lips, and felt a strange sensation in his chest. His heart seemed to be beating faster.
The carriage traveled for about forty-five minutes and stopped at the Baihua Tower in the capital.
Getting out of the carriage, Wang Jiang said, "Young master, this is where the poetry gathering is being held."
Lin Qinghe nodded and said to You Rong, "Let's go in."
You Rong nodded. "Okay."
As soon as they entered, You Rong's face was recognized. A young man exclaimed with joy, "Prime Minister You! You're attending this year's poetry gathering too?!"
You Rong looked up. Although he didn't quite remember the man, he looked somewhat familiar, likely a student from the Imperial Academy. He replied in a low voice, "Yes, I came to have a look."
"It's wonderful that Prime Minister You could come. You are a favored student of Lord Huo, and your talent has always been renowned in the capital. Many of us students admire you and wish to receive your critique. Could you please comment on my poem later?"
You Rong said, "Certainly. Bring your poem to my private room later."
"Great! That's wonderful! Thank you, Prime Minister You. I will certainly work hard and achieve a good ranking at this poetry gathering!"
Lin Qinghe raised his eyebrows behind him, thinking that You Rong was indeed impressive, already encountering a little fanboy.
You Rong encouraged the young man a few words and then turned to look at Lin Qinghe behind him. "Let's go. We'll go to the private rooms upstairs. The private rooms offer a clear view of below and are more tranquil."
Lin Qinghe smiled faintly. "Alright! Let's go up."
Upon reaching the private rooms on the upper floor, which were actually located on the second floor, they could see the entire ground floor through a wooden railing.
Lin Qinghe picked up a cup of clear tea and took a few sips, then asked You Rong with a smile, "Are these poetry gatherings held annually in the capital, with rankings?"
"Yes, many scholars participating in the gathering vote together to select the top three. The winner receives a set of exquisite stationery, and the other two receive famous calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists."
"Oh? I see... Have you ever participated in such a poetry gathering?"
You Rong said in a low voice, "No."
"No?" Lin Qinghe was slightly surprised. "Given your talent, if you participated, you would surely win the championship. Why have you never attended?"
You Rong's expression was indifferent. "No reason, I'm just not interested."
The scholars who came here to compose poems, to put it nicely, were full of poetic sentiment. In reality, they were all pedantic, and their poems were merely lamentations without cause. They truly did not understand the suffering of the common people, thus he did not wish to associate with them.
Although Lin Qinghe found it strange, seeing that You Rong did not wish to elaborate, he asked no further questions. Coincidentally, the poetry gathering below had already begun, and the participating scholars were reciting their poems one after another.
Lin Qinghe then shifted his focus and watched with interest.
Halfway through, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but ask, "You Rong, who do you think will win the championship?"
You Rong pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Barring any surprises, it should be the person who performed third."
Although he disdained Chu Yue's character, Chu Yue was indeed the most talented among the scholars participating in the poetry gathering.
"The person who performed third? Chu Yue, the eldest son of the Minister of Revenue?"
You Rong nodded.
Lin Qinghe had no particular impression of this person, only remembering that when he recited his poem earlier, many scholars applauded and cheered for him.
Lin Qinghe smiled and said, "Then... You Rong, why don't we make a bet? Let's bet whether Chu Yue can win the championship. You say he can, so you're betting on him winning. I'll bet he can't. If either of us loses, we'll grant the other a wish, how about it?"
You Rong's eyes flickered slightly. "What kind of wish?"
"Well... as long as it's not excessive, how about it? Will you bet with me?"
You Rong had no interest in this. Seeing Lin Qinghe's enthusiasm, he could only nod in agreement. "Alright, as you wish."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up at this. "It's a deal! We've agreed. If I win, you can't go back on your word regarding the wish."
You Rong: "Mm."
You Rong believed he would not lose.
Lin Qinghe naturally knew he would lose. It was merely to give You Rong an opportunity to see what kind of wish he would make, and whether fulfilling it would advance the progress bar.
The poetry gathering continued, and after an hour, it was finally time for the decisive moment. When Chu Yue was announced as the winner, Lin Qinghe showed no signs of disappointment. He smiled and asked You Rong, "You won. What wish do you want me to grant you? Just say it!"