Seeing You Rong standing in silence, Wang Jiang reminded him again, "Prime Minister You, you should go back quickly. His Majesty is a man of his word. Since he promised not to harm Lord Huo, he will surely keep his promise."
You Rong snapped back from his thoughts. After a moment of silence, he said solemnly, "Please trouble Eunuch Wang to convey to His Majesty that my daily requests to see him are not solely to plead for Mr. Huo. I also have something I wish to explain to His Majesty. I hope His Majesty will grant me an audience."
"Alas..." Wang Jiang sighed. "Prime Minister You, why must you do this? Even if I convey your words to His Majesty, His Majesty will not see you. You should return soon."
"Whether His Majesty sees me or not, I still trouble Eunuch Wang to relay my words to His Majesty."
Wang Jiang said, "Very well, I will convey your words to His Majesty. As for how His Majesty will react, I cannot guarantee it."
"Mm, I appreciate your trouble, Eunuch Wang."
Wang Jiang re-entered Changning Palace. This time, he was inside for a long time before emerging. You Rong waited outside the hall, feeling a sense of loss.
She no longer believed anything he said.
You Rong waited for an hour, and then turned to leave with a heavy heart.
Inside Changning Palace.
Wang Jiang entered and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister You has left."
Lin Qinghe nodded slightly to indicate she had heard. She lowered her eyes, thinking that having kept You Rong waiting for several days, the time was almost right. Her "injury" should be gradually healing, and she should appear before the public.
After deliberation, Lin Qinghe ordered, "Wang Jiang, when the imperial physicians come tomorrow, tell them to announce to the public that my injuries are no longer serious. The day after tomorrow, I will resume attending morning court and handle state affairs."
Wang Jiang responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have noted your command and will inform the imperial physicians of your instructions tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Mm, there is nothing else. You may withdraw."
"Yes, I take my leave."
The next day, You Rong learned that Lin Qinghe's injuries had improved and she would be able to attend court the following day. He was secretly relieved and paid great attention to the upcoming morning court.
You Rong sat before his desk, his gaze shifting from bewilderment to determination.
Tomorrow, he must explain to Lin Qinghe that the invitation was not from him, and that he was unaware of the assassination attempt at Yuan Yuan Lake. On the contrary, he was now loyal and wished to assist her in governing the country!
-------------------------------------
The second day, Lin Qinghe put on her court robes. Thinking that her injuries had only just begun to heal, she still used makeup to conceal the color in her face, making her complexion appear weak and pale.
As Lin Qinghe entered the Hall of Deliberation, she suppressed all her emotions and walked in expressionlessly, taking her seat at the head. She casually glanced downwards and met You Rong's gaze. Seeing You Rong's hands clench slightly, she quickly averted her eyes and never looked at him again.
Wang Jiang announced in a sharp voice, "Morning court!"
The morning court officially began. Lin Qinghe sat at the head of the hall with a blank expression, appearing to listen intently to the ministers' advice, but in reality, she subtly observed You Rong.
The moment You Rong saw Lin Qinghe, the emptiness in his chest vanished. Before he could understand why, he saw Lin Qinghe coldly turn her gaze away, and his heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, causing him indescribable discomfort.
You Rong pursed his thin lips, telling himself that Lin Qinghe was now at court, and as long as he saw her, he could explain everything. He could not be impatient in court.
Finally, when the court was dismissed, Lin Qinghe rose and left without even looking at You Rong.
You Rong frowned deeply and strode to catch up with her outside the Hall of Deliberation, cupping his hands. "Your Majesty, please stop. I have something I wish to say to Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe stopped and looked at You Rong with a cold expression, saying faintly, "Prime Minister You has matters of state to report to me. You may write a memorial and submit it, and I will review it."
After speaking, Lin Qinghe walked away without looking back.
You Rong attempted to pursue, but was stopped by Wang Jiang. "Prime Minister You, His Majesty said that if you have matters of state to report, you may write a memorial and submit it. His Majesty's injuries have just begun to heal, and he needs to return to his palace to rest."
You Rong was helpless and could only watch as Lin Qinghe, accompanied by a group of palace attendants, disappeared from his sight.
You Rong stood in place, his face pale. Recalling the coldness in Lin Qinghe's eyes just now, his heart ached. In the past, she would always smile at him with eyes full of warmth, never like this today.
Changning Palace.
Lin Qinghe returned to the hall and sat down. She opened the progress bar and saw that it had not increased, but her good mood was not affected in the slightest.
Judging from You Rong's performance just now, he cared about her. He just didn't yet realize that his concern stemmed from love.
Once the progress bar was full, it would only be a matter of time. Lin Qinghe had complete confidence and was not worried at all.
She didn't mind stimulating You Rong a little more.
You Rong returned to his manor and shut himself in his study, not sleeping for the entire night. When day broke, he went to court. After the court session, he again intercepted Lin Qinghe. "Your Majesty, I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lin Qinghe interrupted him with a cold expression. "Prime Minister You, I remember telling you that if you have matters of state to report, you may write a memorial and submit it. You have repeatedly intercepted the imperial carriage. I can charge you with the crime of disrespect!"
You Rong pursed his lips, his eyes darkening slightly. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have important matters to report. Writing a memorial may not be clear enough. I need to report to Your Majesty in person."
Lin Qinghe secretly smiled in her heart.
She was speaking so righteously, but it was merely an excuse to explain herself to her, thinking she wouldn't see through it?
Lin Qinghe pondered how to give You Rong a suitable opportunity. She deliberately furrowed her brows, feigning thought for a moment before saying, "Very well, you may accompany me to the Imperial Study."
You Rong lowered his gaze slightly to conceal his thoughts and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
You Rong followed Lin Qinghe to the Imperial Study. Upon arriving, Lin Qinghe dismissed the palace attendants and, with a stern face, said indifferently, "Prime Minister You, what important matters do you have to report to me? Speak, I am listening."
You Rong's brows were tightly knit. The distant and indifferent Lin Qinghe made his heart panic, though he did not know why this panic arose.
You Rong managed to steady his mind, met Lin Qinghe's eyes, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I wish to explain. I did indeed have rebellious intentions before. After Your Majesty risked her life to save me and protected me at the poetry gathering, I truly decided to be loyal to you and have no intention of rebellion whatsoever! The invitation sent that day was not from me! Someone impersonated me!"
Lin Qinghe knew these things better than anyone, but she could not let You Rong know.
Lin Qinghe's face was filled with bitterness, and she said in a low voice, "The handwriting on the invitation was yours. I recognize it..."
"Your Majesty, handwriting can be forged. I..."
Lin Qinghe, with a look of exhaustion, interrupted You Rong, "What does it matter if it's true or false? I have not punished you or Huo Guanzhong. Even if someone impersonated your handwriting, I no longer wish to pursue it. You..." Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong for a moment, then said with a bitter smile, "I will never love again."