Lin Qinghe's expression also turned cold, and she thought to herself: He's impatient now, he's taken the bait, and he's still playing hard to get, refusing to admit he likes me!
Lin Qinghe met You Rong's angry gaze without backing down. "Prime Minister You! Your duty as Prime Minister of a nation is to share the burdens of state with me. My affairs in the harem are none of your concern."
You Rong clenched his fists in anger, staring intently at Lin Qinghe.
Her harem matters, he had no right to manage?!
But who was it who had sworn their love for him earlier?!
You Rong laughed in extreme anger. "Heh... Yes, yes, this minister has overstepped! Your Majesty's harem matters are indeed none of this minister's business." You Rong forced himself to suppress all his emotions and said in a deep voice, "Regarding the matter of refining the imperial examination system after spring, I will thoroughly consider it upon my return and then present a memorial to Your Majesty detailing it. Your Majesty need not worry. This minister will take his leave now."
As You Rong finished speaking, he turned and left.
You Rong left decisively. When his retreating figure disappeared from in front of the Imperial Study, Lin Qinghe finally turned back, subconsciously wanting to chase after him, but she stopped herself.
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, still confident.
Although the progress bar hadn't increased, seeing You Rong's furious appearance clearly indicated how much he cared about her. She needed to remain patient now.
She had said it, she was determined to make You Rong chase after her and declare his love!
You Rong returned from the imperial palace in uncontrollable rage. As soon as he entered his study, the image of Lin Qinghe's cold face saying her harem matters were none of his concern flashed in his mind. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but he didn't notice.
Sui Feng, who was outside, was about to enter. Just as he was about to push the door open, he heard a crashing sound from inside. His heart trembled in fright, and after a moment's hesitation, he dared not enter rashly.
Sui Feng stood outside the study with a worried frown, completely perplexed.
Why had his lord been acting so strangely lately?
In the past, his lord had always been gentle and refined, like jade. But recently, he often returned with a gloomy expression, exuding a chilling aura.
In the study, You Rong smashed everything on his desk to the ground in a fit of rage. He slumped onto the floor in front of his desk, covering his eyes, an unspeakable bitterness in his heart.
That invitation wasn't from him. No matter how he explained, she refused to listen again... What would it take for her to trust him again?
If time could turn back, if he hadn't listened to his master's words and never harbored any thoughts of rebellion...
You Rong's face was filled with fatigue, and for the first time, he tasted the bitterness of regret.
----------------
The next day, Lin Qinghe was distractedly listening to the lectures of Tutor Xu in the Imperial Study, her mind preoccupied with the fact that You Rong had not attended the morning court, citing illness.
Spies from the Prime Minister's mansion reported that You Rong was not sick, but had merely been confined to his study.
Lin Qinghe felt a little frustrated. If You Rong continued to feign illness and not come to court, it would be difficult for her to leave the palace to find him, and her plans would be hindered.
As Lin Qinghe was lost in thought, Wang Jiang repeatedly called out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
After several calls, Lin Qinghe finally came back to her senses, her brow furrowed with slight displeasure. "What is it? Report directly if there's something. Are you trying to scare me to death!"
Wang Jiang trembled at the reprimand and quickly said, "It is this servant's fault, Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Tutor Xu couldn't stand it and said irritably, "Your Majesty, you have been absent-minded all day. You haven't heard a word I said about the Ministry of Justice. Eunuch Wang called you several times, and you didn't hear him yourself."
Lin Qinghe touched her nose, guiltily saying, "I... I just lost my focus accidentally. It's nothing. I've remembered everything Tutor Xu said. As for Wang Jiang... what is it you need?"
Wang Jiang replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Prime Minister You has arrived and is requesting an audience with Your Majesty outside, stating that he wishes to submit a memorial."
The listless Lin Qinghe's spirits immediately soared at this news. Her eyes lit up. She blinked her dark pupils a few times and then turned to Fu Qingyu, who had been summoned to the Imperial Study earlier. "Qingyu, come and grind ink for me."
Fu Qingyu had been standing there all morning. Lin Qinghe hadn't paid him any attention, so he had been waiting nervously. When Lin Qinghe suddenly called him, he trembled in fright before quickly responding, "Yes... Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will grind ink for you right away."
Fu Qingyu knelt beside her and began grinding ink. Lin Qinghe cleared her throat and said, "Tutor Xu, Your Majesty has other matters to discuss with Prime Minister You, so you may withdraw first. Regarding the matter of the Ministry of Justice you mentioned, I will give you a reply tomorrow."
After speaking, Lin Qinghe eagerly added to Wang Jiang, "Please invite Prime Minister You in."
Wang Jiang responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go and invite Prime Minister You in."
Tutor Xu saw the stark contrast between Lin Qinghe's former listlessness and her current demeanor, filled with a sense of disappointment, and shook his head before leaving.
As soon as Tutor Xu left, Wang Jiang led You Rong in.
You Rong cupped his hands and said, "This minister greets Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe observed You Rong calmly. He looked somewhat haggard, but something about him today seemed strange. After entering the Imperial Study, he had merely glanced at Fu Qingyu, who was grinding ink for her, and then calmly withdrew his gaze.
Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed slightly, and she nodded. "I heard Prime Minister You was unwell today. Why did you force yourself to come to the palace? You should have rested well at home."
You Rong lowered his eyes slightly, concealing his thoughts, and said faintly, "Your Majesty is too kind. This minister is not seriously ill." He then took a memorial from his怀 and presented it. "Regarding the matter of improving the imperial examination system, I have carefully considered it upon my return. The shortcomings and methods of improvement are clearly detailed in this memorial. Please review it, Your Majesty."
You Rong's serious demeanor as he discussed court affairs with her momentarily stunned Lin Qinghe.
However, she quickly recovered. With a similar placid expression, she took the memorial and pretended to scan it. "I understand. I will read it carefully. If there are no issues, it will be handed over to Tutor Xu for implementation."
You Rong replied, "Yes."
"Then..." Lin Qinghe said, "If there is nothing else, Prime Minister You may withdraw."
You Rong's expression remained unchanged, and he bowed. "Yes, this minister takes his leave."
Seeing You Rong truly turn and leave, Lin Qinghe's eyes flashed. She suddenly thrust the hand warmer she was holding at Fu Qingyu and deliberately spoke in a voice that was not too loud but just enough for You Rong to hear. "It's so cold today, your hands must be red from grinding ink for me. Take this hand warmer to warm your hands."
Fu Qingyu was overwhelmed and said in distress, "This servant is not cold while grinding ink for Your Majesty. This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Lin Qinghe's peripheral vision remained fixed on You Rong's retreating figure. He did not pause but left the Imperial Study.
As You Rong's figure disappeared beyond the doors of the Imperial Study, Lin Qinghe was taken aback.
You Rong just left like that???
Seeing Fu Qingyu attending to her in the Imperial Study, and hearing her express such concern for Fu Qingyu, he left without any reaction whatsoever?!