After You Rong left, Lin Qinghe lowered her eyes and stared at the teacup, her expression lost in thought.
The remaining one percent of the progress bar should increase after the ceremony to enfeoff the Imperial Husband.
For some reason, even though Lin Qinghe was on the verge of completing the mission, she felt a trace of melancholy in her heart...
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When You Rong returned to the mansion and met his parents, their reaction was as expected; they both believed You Rong had been coerced.
You Rong explained again and again, even going so far as to reveal that Lin Qinghe had spared him despite his rebellion. He exhausted his eloquence, praising Lin Qinghe profusely, only then convincing his parents that Lin Qinghe had not forced him and that he was willing. Suzhou Novel Network
You Rong's parents finally agreed to him becoming the Imperial Husband, believing Lin Qinghe treated him very well. They even advised him to diligently fulfill his duties as Imperial Husband in the future.
Having persuaded his parents, You Rong eagerly entered the palace that morning, rushing towards Changning Palace.
They had only been apart for one night, yet he missed her to the point of madness and wanted to see her immediately!
As soon as You Rong arrived at Changning Palace, the words of the few palace maids and eunuchs gathered ahead made him stop in his tracks.
"Our Emperor truly dotes on Prime Minister You. I've seen it myself; whatever Prime Minister You desires, the Emperor immediately has it sent!"
"That's not all... In about ten days, the ceremony to enfeoff the Imperial Husband will take place. Once Prime Minister You becomes the Imperial Husband, he will surely be showered with endless affection!"
"That's a given! You don't know how much the Emperor cares about Prime Minister You! He sent all the other young lords out of the palace for Prime Minister You, and also..." the young eunuch lowered his voice. "Previously, the Emperor put so much effort into pleasing the Right Prime Minister. Last time, when he was seriously injured in the assassination attempt... it was actually a staged piece of news by the Emperor. I served in Changning Palace; the Emperor wasn't hurt at all! He just wanted Prime Minister You to think that it was his fault that the Emperor was so seriously injured in the assassination attempt..."
"Is that so? There was such a thing?"
"Absolutely true! The blood water they carried out was actually chicken blood mixed with water. The imperial physicians came and went from Changning Palace, but they only stayed for a moment before leaving."
You Rong clenched his fist slightly and stepped forward, coldly demanding, "Is what you just said true?"
The young eunuch turned around and saw You Rong behind him. His face turned pale with fright, and he immediately knelt down, his voice trembling. "Reporting to Prime Minister You, this servant... this servant was spouting nonsense. His Majesty is, His Majesty is... Prime Minister You, spare this servant's life! This servant knows his mistake!"
You Rong pursed his thin lips and said nothing, walking directly into the main hall of Changning Palace.
Lin Qinghe being seriously injured in an assassination attempt... looking back now, it was indeed full of suspicious points.
Had she deliberately lied to him?
You Rong entered Changning Palace, dismissed all the servants, and walked into the inner hall.
Lin Qinghe had just gotten up and had not yet washed or changed. Seeing You Rong, she was stunned and asked in surprise, "You Rong, didn't you return to the Prime Minister's mansion? You entered the palace so early? Could it be that your parents do not consent to you becoming my Imperial Husband?"
"No, Your Majesty..." You Rong frowned and walked up to Lin Qinghe, his words catching in his throat.
Lin Qinghe found it strange. She blinked her clear black and white eyes and asked incomprehensibly, "What's wrong? You're so strange today. Why aren't you speaking? And why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
You Rong remained silent, looking up at Lin Qinghe with a complex expression.
Lin Qinghe sensed something was wrong and, unable to figure it out, was about to ask again when You Rong suddenly pushed her onto the bed and began to unfasten her inner robe.
Lin Qinghe was momentarily stunned, her attention diverted. She even secretly wondered if it was unnecessary for You Rong to be so eager for intimacy after just one night apart.
Her clothes were undone. You Rong propped himself up and examined Lin Qinghe from head to toe before unexpectedly asking, "His Majesty was seriously injured in the assassination attempt... where exactly were you wounded? I can't find any trace on Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe instantly sobered up, her heart skipping a beat.
Did You Rong know something?!
Lin Qinghe subconsciously grabbed You Rong's arm, swallowed nervously, "You Rong, did someone tell you something?"
You Rong's gaze was dark and unfathomable. He remained silent, which was akin to an admission.
Lin Qinghe became anxious. "Do you know that I wasn't seriously injured in the assassination attempt? That was all a lie to you, wasn't it?"
You Rong's eyes were complex and hard to read. He finally spoke, "Does Your Majesty have anything you wish to say to me?"
Lin Qinghe was beside herself with worry. She forced herself to calm down, organized her thoughts, and began to explain, "I admit, I lied to you about being seriously injured in the assassination attempt. I wasn't hurt at all. Because from the very beginning, I knew Princess Changan and Huo Guanzhong were colluding and intended to assassinate me. I had people lying in wait at the Lake of Marriages long ago, waiting for them to fall into the trap. The so-called serious injury from the assassination attempt... was something I staged for you."
"Why did Your Majesty do this?"
Lin Qinghe said, "I wanted you to feel guilty towards me and thus change your attitude towards me. I... I know it was wrong of me to deliberately deceive you, but everything I did was because I like you! I hope you like me too! That's all there is to it, nothing else!"
You Rong gazed deeply at Lin Qinghe. After a long pause, he gently stroked her cheek, his words carrying an unknown meaning, "Your Majesty truly has a good mind and skillful means..."
Lin Qinghe's heart sank. She looked at You Rong in a panic, at a loss.
No way!
The progress bar had already reached ninety-nine percent, and it was just one step away from completion. Was the mission going to fail just like this?!
Lin Qinghe's mind was in a turmoil, a chaotic mess. She tried to think of a way to salvage the situation, but her mind went blank.
Just as Lin Qinghe thought she was about to face mission failure, You Rong continued, "Step by step... you've captured my heart, leaving me utterly infatuated, making me completely fall for Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe was taken aback. "You... you're not angry that I lied to you?"
You Rong leaned down and kissed Lin Qinghe's forehead. "I am angry, so Your Majesty must appease me and help me calm down."
Seeing that You Rong didn't seem angry, Lin Qinghe's suspended heart finally settled. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright! Tell me, how can I make you calm down, and I'll agree to anything! As long as you don't stay angry with me!"
"It's very simple..." You Rong leaned into Lin Qinghe's ear and said in a low voice, "Cancel today's morning court. I want Your Majesty to favor me for a day and a night..."
A day and a night?!
Would her waist survive this?!
Lin Qinghe's expression changed. Just as she was about to bargain, You Rong gave her no chance and kissed her directly, preventing her from speaking.
...
You Rong kept his word. He didn't let Lin Qinghe leave Changning Palace for an entire day and night.
You Rong gazed tenderly at Lin Qinghe, who had fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion, and chuckled, "Your Majesty, how could I be angry with you? I'm delighted. If not for your methods, I would still be foolishly unable to recognize my own heart, not knowing that I also like you..."
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Half a month later, the ceremony to enfeoff the Imperial Husband.
After Lin Qinghe and You Rong paid their respects at the imperial ancestral temple and received the homage of the civil and military officials, You Rong was sent back to Changning Palace first.
Lin Qinghe should have returned to her sleeping quarters after the banquet had concluded, but she couldn't wait any longer. She waved her hand, leaving the officials and royal family behind, and hurried back to Changning Palace.
Upon pushing the door open, she saw You Rong dressed in a bright red wedding robe, sitting on the bed with a red veil covering his head. Lin Qinghe couldn't help but laugh.
She had truly married You Rong into the palace.
Hearing Lin Qinghe's laughter, You Rong's lips curved slightly. "Your Majesty... shouldn't you be here to lift my red veil?"
Lin Qinghe walked over with a smile, "I'll lift it for you right away, don't worry."
Lin Qinghe pinched the edge of the red veil and slowly lifted it... revealing You Rong's handsome face beneath.
Their eyes met. You Rong's lips curved upwards, and he softly asked, "How is it, Your Majesty? Do you think I look handsome today?"
Lin Qinghe praised him without reservation, "Naturally, you look handsome! I've never seen such a handsome man before."
You Rong's eyes flickered slightly. He stood up and embraced her, carefully examining the resplendent Lin Qinghe in her phoenix crown and robes. The Adam's apple in his throat bobbed, and he said in a deep voice, "I feel... Your Majesty is the most beautiful and handsome person in this world."
"You..." Lin Qinghe's cheeks turned slightly red. "Stop it! Hurry and get the wine cups. We need to drink the nuptial wine."
You Rong: "Yes, your servant obeys."
You Rong turned and fetched two cups of wine. After they drank from each other's cups, You Rong impatiently pushed her onto the bed. Just as he was about to proceed further, Lin Qinghe pressed her chest against him.
You Rong panted, his expression confused. "Your Majesty is..."
A sly glint flashed in Lin Qinghe's eyes. "You are my Imperial Husband now, shouldn't you change your address... and refer to yourself as this consort?"
You Rong smiled indulgently, grasped Lin Qinghe's wrist, and with one hand pinned her hand above her head. He leaned down and kissed her fiercely. After the kiss, she glared at him from beneath with affectionate eyes. He said hoarsely, "Your Majesty, that's incorrect... it should be this husband. This husband will serve Your Majesty into bed..."
You Rong lowered his head and kissed her long-coveted lips, letting out a sigh of contentment, then continued downwards...
During the night of passion, as Lin Qinghe's consciousness blurred, she heard You Rong murmur affectionately, "Your Majesty, I love you... you will be the love of my life!"
Lin Qinghe's heart was deeply moved, and though she had a thousand words she wanted to say, in the end, only one formed in her heart.
You Rong, let's meet again in the next world.
Lin Qinghe closed her eyes. The system prompt sounded in her mind: "Progress bar increased by one percent, total progress bar is one hundred percent. Congratulations to tasker Lin Qinghe for completing the auxiliary mission in this world. You will now enter the next world."
[The next world is a modern romance~ May I ask all my dear readers, do you currently prefer modern romance worlds or ancient romance worlds?]