Two days later.
Lin Qinghe woke up early, excitedly changed into casual clothes, and couldn't wait to set off for the imperial villa.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister You has arrived and is waiting by the carriage outside the palace," said Xiao Xizi as he entered.
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. She stood up and hurried out, "I'm coming!"
Wang Jiang followed behind with a cloak, unable to catch up with Lin Qinghe even when he jogged. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty... wait, it's cold outside. You must put on your cloak. Your Majesty, wait for this servant..."
Lin Qinghe naturally didn't stop, and quickly reached the outside of the palace.
You Rong, dressed in white, stood before the carriage. His face was as beautiful as jade, his figure was tall and slender, and he exuded a cold and noble aura, as if he were a figure from a painting.
Lin Qinghe stopped. Seeing this, You Rong cupped his hands in salute, "This subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Prime Minister You need not be so formal." Lin Qinghe said with a smile, "Have you been waiting long? It's all Wang Jiang's fault. We are only going to the imperial villa for a few days, but he insisted on meticulously preparing various things, causing me to be so delayed in leaving Changning Palace."
"It is natural for Your Majesty to travel with caution and thorough preparation," said You Rong.
Just then, Wang Jiang caught up, panting, and draped the red cloak in his hands over Lin Qinghe. He said breathlessly, "Your Majesty, it's cold outside... If you leave without your cloak, what will happen if you catch a cold!" Su Dan Novel Network
Lin Qinghe waved her hand dismissively, "Alright, I'm not that frail, I won't fall ill with just a gust of wind."
"But..."
Lin Qinghe ignored Wang Jiang and smiled at You Rong, "Let's get into the carriage and prepare to leave."
You Rong frowned subtly. "It is not proper for this subject and Your Majesty to share the same carriage."
"What's improper about it? The carriage is so big, it won't make a difference. Come up, it's just right for us to play a game of chess on the way to the imperial villa."
Lin Qinghe spoke first and got into the carriage. Her frank demeanor made it difficult for You Rong to refuse.
The carriage was spacious, lined with fox fur, and filled with various pastries and snacks. A hot water bottle was also provided. Lin Qinghe sat down, holding the hot water bottle. Seeing You Rong get into the carriage, she smiled, "Sit down quickly. It will take two hours to get to the imperial villa, which is just enough time for us to play a game of chess."
You Rong nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
You Rong and Lin Qinghe began to play chess. Lin Qinghe was clearly still a bit distracted and soon fell behind.
After the game ended, Lin Qinghe had no intention of continuing, and You Rong was also unenthusiastic.
You Rong's gaze flickered, and he looked at Lin Qinghe, asking, "Why has Your Majesty suddenly decided to stay at the imperial villa for a while?"
Lin Qinghe lowered her eyes, her long, thick eyelashes casting beautiful shadows on her eye sockets, obscuring her thoughts. She said faintly, "It's nothing. I've just been quite tired from handling court affairs lately. I heard that soaking in hot springs can relieve fatigue, and the imperial villa happens to have hot springs, so I thought I'd stay for a few days."
Lin Qinghe paused. "I have my own intentions in asking Prime Minister You to accompany me... but as I said, I will not force Prime Minister You to do anything. I will certainly keep my word."
You Rong's hand, hidden within his wide sleeves, clenched slightly. He turned his face away, and for some reason, he found it difficult to meet Lin Qinghe's gaze.
More than two hours later, at the Lishan Imperial Villa.
Lin Qinghe and You Rong alighted from the carriage together. Wang Jiang hurried to greet them. "Your Majesty, please proceed inside... your living quarters have been prepared."
Lin Qinghe glanced at You Rong from the corner of her eye and said, "It's time for lunch. Let's have lunch first."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After You Rong accompanied Lin Qinghe for lunch, Lin Qinghe suggested they take a walk. The two walked through the imperial villa, one after the other.
The hot springs in the imperial villa were channeled from the mountains. A stream shrouded in white mist flowed, with plum trees planted on both sides. It was now the plum blossom season, and the place looked like a fairyland.
Lin Qinghe stopped, picked a branch of plum blossom, and handed it to You Rong with a smile.
You Rong was stunned for a moment, and then, as if possessed, he reached out and took the plum blossom. "Your Majesty, this is..."
Lin Qinghe smiled, her eyes bright. "It means nothing. The plum blossom is the gentleman among flowers, and I feel that this plum blossom suits Prime Minister You very well, so I wanted to give it to you."
You Rong lowered his gaze to the plum blossom in his hand. His heart stirred. For some reason, under the plum trees, he, who had always detested Lin Qinghe, found her appearance charming and radiant. The blooming plum blossoms seemed to pale in comparison to her.
You Rong recoiled as if burned, quickly averting his gaze.
Lin Qinghe, unaware, walked for a while and then said, "We've had a long journey today, and both Prime Minister You and I are tired. Let's retire for today and soak in the hot springs tomorrow... Don't worry, although there is only one pool for the hot springs, I will have it separated by wooden planks."
The last sentence was spoken by Lin Qinghe for fear that You Rong would overthink and believe she had ulterior motives and still harbored lustful thoughts, which would deter him from wanting to soak in the hot springs.
You Rong's eyes flickered, and he cupped his hands. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then I will return first. It's windy and cold outside, Prime Minister You should also return to your room quickly."
Lin Qinghe left with Wang Jiang. You Rong looked down at the branch of plum blossom in his hand, his expression thoughtful.
As soon as Lin Qinghe returned to her residence and dismissed You Rong, she was about to summon her hidden guards when she heard the system prompt.
"Progress bar increased by one percent, total progress is one percent."
Lin Qinghe was bewildered.
Why had the progress bar increased? Although it was only one percent, she hadn't done anything to You Rong?
Or was it... the fact that she said the hot springs would be separated had changed You Rong's opinion of her? Did he now believe that she was no longer lecherous?
After much thought, Lin Qinghe felt this was the only explanation.
Regardless, the increase in the progress bar was a good start and would be beneficial for the plan she had meticulously devised for later.
Lin Qinghe temporarily put aside her thoughts and had her hidden guards enter.
After the hidden guards entered, Lin Qinghe asked, "How is it? Have Pingyang Marquis's men followed us to Lishan Imperial Villa?"
The hidden guard replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, yes. There are about thirty of Marquis Pingyang's men lurking outside Lishan Imperial Villa. They will surely make a move when they find a suitable opportunity!"
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent, as I expected. As for a suitable opportunity, I will naturally create one for them."
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and then instructed, "Tomorrow, when I am at the hot spring pool, withdraw half of the hidden guards. Say... I don't like to be disturbed, and you are all dismissed. They will surely make a move when they see this."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The hidden guard hesitated, then, after considerable thought, ventured to persuade, "Your Majesty, you must think twice. If the hidden guards are withdrawn, although the assassins' target is Prime Minister You, blades are not discerning. What if you are injured? Also, your order to have people mingle among them is also problematic..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted him, "I have my limits. You don't need to worry. Just do as I say."
The hidden guard had no choice but to cup his hands and reply, "Yes, Your Majesty."
After the hidden guard withdrew, Lin Qinghe propped her chin, her fair and slender fingers tapping the table rhythmically, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
She was very protective of her life and would not put herself in danger. If she dared to do this, it was because she had made thorough preparations.
The imperial physician who accompanied them, and the invulnerable Golden Cicada armor... were currently on her person.