The stab in You Rong’s heart this moment was more intense than ever before. He pressed his thin lips together, staring at Lin Qinghe.
"I don't like you anymore," why did these words sound so jarring? So jarring that he never wanted to hear them again!
Lin Qinghe heard the long-awaited system notification: "Progress bar increased by 5%, total progress bar at 74%."
The corners of Lin Qinghe’s mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly. Before You Rong could speak, she preempted him, "Since Prime Minister You has no state affairs to discuss with Us, We are tired. We wish to retire to Changning Palace."
Lin Qinghe rose and left without looking back.
Watching the slender figure disappear beyond the palace gates, You Rong’s face turned slightly pale. He wanted to chase after her but found his feet rooted to the spot.
She had just said that regardless of misunderstandings, she had decided she no longer liked him.
You Rong furrowed his brow, feeling at a loss for the first time.
No matter how he explained, she no longer cared, having decided she wouldn't like him anymore…
Changning Palace.
Lin Qinghe’s eyes were full of smiles, her mood exceptionally good. Wang Jiang poured her a cup of hot tea and, seeing her expression, asked with a chuckle, "Your Majesty, seeing you so happy, is it because you and Prime Minister You… Heh heh, your hearts have finally connected?"
Lin Qinghe glanced at Wang Jiang. Perhaps it was her good mood, as she didn't dwell on his gossipy remark. She smiled and did not reply, taking a few sips of tea, her gaze flickering. After setting down the teacup, Lin Qinghe said, "The flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming beautifully. We wish to go admire them tomorrow. Have Fu Qingyu make preparations to accompany Us."
"Ah? You want Young Master Fu to accompany you to admire flowers?" Wang Jiang looked surprised, "Didn't you and Prime Minister You…"
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, "Hmm? Do I need your permission to act?"
Wang Jiang shivered in fear and quickly replied, "This servant dares not. This servant remembers. I will inform Young Master Fu immediately and order him to prepare well to accompany Your Majesty to the Imperial Garden tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe: "Mhm. That will be all. You may withdraw."
Wang Jiang bowed, "This servant takes his leave."
After Wang Jiang withdrew, Lin Qinghe rested her chin on her hand, a playful smirk on her face. The amusement in her eyes deepened.
The progress bar was increasing nicely, but judging by You Rong’s demeanor, he still hadn't realized his feelings for her. She would have to use the original body’s male consorts to provoke him a little.
She refused to believe that You Rong would remain composed tomorrow when he saw her smiling warmly at a male consort and treating him with utter indifference!
***
The next day, Imperial Garden.
Fu Qingyu, led by Wang Jiang, approached Lin Qinghe, kneeling nervously to pay his respects, "This servant greets Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly, "No need for formalities. Rise."
Fu Qingyu stood, head bowed, not daring to look up at Lin Qinghe. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe gestured to the seat opposite her and said with a faint smile, "We summoned you here to chat and admire the flowers. There’s no need to be so reserved. It's cold today; sit down and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself."
Fu Qingyu sat down, trembling with apprehension. He took a sip of the hot tea and scalded his tongue, fumbling to say, "Th-thank you, Your Majesty, for the offering."
Lin Qinghe chuckled helplessly, finding Fu Qingyu too timid. She softened her tone considerably, "We are not a ferocious beast. Why are you so afraid of Us?"
Fu Qingyu shook his head frantically, stuttering nervously, "No, Your Majesty. It is Your Majesty who is a wonderful person. It is this lowly servant, this useless servant…"
Lin Qinghe comforted him with a gentle smile, "It is fine. Be at ease in Our presence… Oh, We heard you are skilled at the guqin. We specifically asked Wang Jiang to prepare one. Play Us a tune."
Fu Qingyu clasped his hands in a salute, "This servant dares not accept such praise. My guqin skills are mediocre. If Your Majesty does not mind, this servant will disgrace himself."
Lin Qinghe said, "Mhm, We are all ears."
Fu Qingyu's cheeks flushed slightly. He took a deep breath and sat before the guqin. The moment his fingers touched the strings, his fear and nervousness lessened somewhat. His slender, fair fingers began to pluck the strings gently, and beautiful music flowed out.
Although Lin Qinghe did not understand music, she could tell that Fu Qingyu's guqin skills were indeed good. However, she didn't have much energy to appreciate it. She was pondering whether You Rong would come to seek an audience. The palace attendants would surely inform him that she was in the Imperial Garden, and he should be arriving soon.
Just as Lin Qinghe had predicted, You Rong arrived as Fu Qingyu finished his piece.
You Rong saw Lin Qinghe smiling and gazing at Fu Qingyu, his eyes darkened. A cold gaze fell upon Fu Qingyu.
If he remembered correctly, he had seen this male consort by Lin Qinghe's side several times!
You Rong’s expression turned grim. He clasped his hands, "This subject greets Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe swept a faint glance at You Rong, not replying. She first addressed Fu Qingyu, "It is freezing cold. You have played a piece; your hands must be numb. Sit here and have a cup of hot tea to warm them."
Fu Qingyu felt You Rong's gaze on him like sharp blades, sending a chill down his spine. But he dared not disobey Lin Qinghe's words, so he could only brace himself and reply, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Fu Qingyu sat down and picked up the hot tea, his heart pounding with fear. He couldn't understand why You Rong harbored such malice towards him. Were the rumors not true, that Prime Minister You was as gentle as jade and a very kind person?
When Lin Qinghe looked up at You Rong, she quickly put away her smile and said indifferently, "Prime Minister You, rise. You seek an audience with Us; do you have something to report?"
You Rong felt as if something was stuck in his throat. When had he ever been met with such a cold and distant demeanor? In the past, when he came to see her, her eyes would be filled with smiles upon seeing him.
Seeing You Rong remain silent, Lin Qinghe feigned confusion, asking, "Prime Minister You, why do you not speak? Did you not seek Us out to discuss state affairs? If so, Prime Minister You may withdraw."
You Rong's expression grew increasingly displeased.
If it wasn't for state affairs, she wouldn't even deign to speak another word to him, yet she had been all smiles towards that male consort just moments ago!
You Rong pressed his lips together and said in a low voice, "This subject seeks an audience with Your Majesty for state affairs."
Lin Qinghe heard this and said faintly, "Oh, so that's the case. Then, Prime Minister You, please speak. We are listening."
You Rong's gaze fell on Fu Qingyu, who was quietly drinking his tea. Fu Qingyu immediately jolted and quickly put down his teacup, "Your Majesty and Prime Minister You have important matters to discuss. This servant shall withdraw first."
Fu Qingyu stood up and was about to leave when Lin Qinghe spoke, "You need not withdraw. Continue to sit."
Fu Qingyu secretly glanced at You Rong, whose face was almost frozen, and found himself in a dilemma. "Your Majesty, but you and Prime Minister You…"
"It is fine. Sit down," Lin Qinghe said.
Fu Qingyu had no choice but to sit down with a forced smile, feeling extremely awkward under You Rong's gaze.
Lin Qinghe looked up at You Rong, completely ignoring his cold expression, and said plainly, "It is fine. Qingyu is a member of the palace; there is nothing he cannot hear. Prime Minister You, please speak freely."