You Rong returned to the Prime Minister's mansion and again, without a word, locked himself in the imperial study. Sui Feng, hearing the sounds of things being smashed inside, trembled inwardly.
What had gotten into their master? Why did he become so frightening every time he returned from the palace?
Yet, the Emperor no longer craved his beauty, nor did he force him to serve him in bed!
Sui Feng, unable to fathom it outside, dared not enter to ask.
You Rong looked at the scattered ink brushes, ink stones, and paper on the floor, his face as dark as an overcast sky. Recalling the scene of Lin Qinghe laughing and talking with his male companions, his heart constricted, filled with bitter anguish.
She had once said she would send all her male companions away from the palace for him. Was it all just talk now?!
You Rong pursed his thin lips, a glint of sinister light flashing in his eyes.
As the Prime Minister of a nation, he could not interfere in her harem affairs. But as the Prime Minister, he had a duty to prevent her from indulging in wine and women, thus neglecting state affairs!
You Rong forced himself to calm down, walked to the desk, and picked up a brush to write a letter. Once finished, You Rong said, "Sui Feng, come in!"
Upon hearing this, Sui Feng quickly pushed the door open and entered, bowing with cupped hands. "My Lord, what is your command in calling this servant?"
"These are letters I've written to the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Rites, and a few other officials. Their names are written on the envelopes. Take them to their respective mansions."
Sui Feng stepped forward, took the envelopes, and cupped his hands. "Yes, My Lord. This servant understands. This servant will attend to it immediately."
"Mm, you may go."
After Sui Feng left, You Rong sat quietly at his desk, his handsome face etched with complex emotions.
He had joined forces with several ministers to memorialize the throne, requesting her to send all her male companions out of the palace and focus wholeheartedly on managing state affairs. Would she erupt in fury tomorrow in the Hall of Political Affairs?
But... the image of the male companion feeding Lin Qinghe ginseng soup today flashed in You Rong's mind, a cold light appearing in his eyes. He felt no hesitation on this matter any longer.
***
The Hall of Political Affairs.
Several officials exchanged glances, then looked at You Rong, and finally stepped forward together. The Minister of Rites spoke first, "Your Majesty, your humble servants have a matter they wish to request your permission for."
Lin Qinghe was already feeling vexed and unenthusiastic. Frowning, she said, "My dear ministers, what is it you wish to request my permission for? Speak freely."
The officials exchanged glances again. The Minister of Rites continued, "Your Majesty keeping many young gentlemen in the palace is, in our opinion, highly inappropriate. Not to mention many of them are of humble origins, remaining in the palace under questionable circumstances invites suspicion and damages your reputation. Furthermore, the affairs of the Eastern Li Kingdom are currently pressing. We also worry about Your Majesty's health and feel... feel..."
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes and stared at You Rong, a gut feeling telling her this was You Rong's doing.
You don't declare your feelings, the progress bar doesn't increase, and yet you want to meddle and drive all the male companions from my harem? What exactly do you want?
Lin Qinghe couldn't say she was angry, but seeing You Rong's expressionless face, acting as if he had no involvement, only fueled her irritation.
Hmph!
Very well!
She wanted to see who would lose their composure first!
Lin Qinghe smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She said, "Oh? And what do you esteemed ministers think should be done? Speak plainly!"
The Minister of Rites said, "We believe these young gentlemen should be sent out of the palace... to dispel the rumors and suspicions against Your Majesty."
The ministers felt a little uncertain, worried that Lin Qinghe would fly into a rage and have their heads. This reason was somewhat flimsy.
As the sovereign of a nation, having three thousand concubines in the harem was, in fact, normal. But Prime Minister You had insisted they speak up, so they had no choice but to step forward.
Unexpectedly, Lin Qinghe did not fly into a rage but nodded in agreement. "My esteemed ministers speak wisely. This is indeed something I have overlooked. I shall send these young gentlemen out of the palace in a few days."
The ministers secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and quickly cupped their hands, proclaiming the Emperor's wisdom.
The anger that had been building up in You Rong's heart subsided somewhat. He raised his eyes and met Lin Qinghe's gaze. She clearly hooked her lips in a provocative manner. He felt something was amiss but before he could figure it out, he heard her speak, "Ah, speaking of my harem, I also have a plan to discuss with you ministers."
Lin Qinghe paused and continued, "I am already twenty years old, well past the age of marriage. For ordinary families, a girl of this age would already be married. I believe... that the royal bloodline is now thin. For the sake of the royal bloodline, I should also appoint an Imperial Husband. I have decided to select a suitable individual from all eligible men in the capital to be appointed Imperial Husband. What are your thoughts on this, esteemed ministers?"
As soon as she finished speaking, You Rong's face paled slightly, and he immediately objected, "Your Majesty's marriage should not be rushed! It requires long-term consideration, it should..."
Lin Qinghe directly interrupted You Rong, "I do not intend to rush my marriage. Am I not proposing it now, to discuss it with the ministers and treat it with due solemnity? Is that not so?"
You Rong's heart tightened, and he looked at Lin Qinghe with an extremely grim expression, temporarily unable to object.
Grand Tutor Xu stood on Lin Qinghe's side and immediately seconded, "This servant believes Your Majesty speaks with reason. Your Majesty truly ought to appoint an Imperial Husband to propagate the royal bloodline!"
Immediately, more than half of the officials stepped forward to agree. "We believe Grand Tutor Xu speaks with reason. Your Majesty ought to appoint an Imperial Husband to propagate the royal bloodline! We concur!"
You Rong's face turned as dark as ink, his fists clenched tightly, suppressing the churning rage and unprecedented panic in his heart.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe's lips curved even higher. "Since that is the case, the matter of selecting an Imperial Husband will be... fully entrusted to Prime Minister You. I trust that the Imperial Husband selected for me by Prime Minister You will undoubtedly be elegant, distinguished, and outstanding in both character and learning."
You Rong pursed his thin lips, leaving only a faint line visible. His face was so cold it seemed as though ice shards could fall from it.
Lin Qinghe paid it no mind. Having been vexed by You Rong yesterday, she now felt a sense of triumph.
Lin Qinghe did not wait for You Rong's reply and directly finalized, "Thus, the selection of the Imperial Husband is decided. It will be fully handled by Prime Minister You. If there is nothing else, let us adjourn for today."
Lin Qinghe rose and left, instructing Wang Jiang, "If You Rong follows and requests an audience, tell him I am not seeing him! You must block him, understand!"
Wang Jiang was still confused, not understanding why Lin Qinghe was acting this way, but since she had ordered it, he dared not disobey. "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant understands."
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction and quickened her pace towards the imperial study.
After walking a distance, she heard the voices of You Rong and Wang Jiang behind her. You Rong said he had an urgent matter to seek an audience with her. Wang Jiang stood resolutely in front of him, saying she had given orders not to see anyone today and that he should return for now.
Lin Qinghe's lips curved upwards high. She didn't even slow her steps, entering the imperial study without looking back.
You Rong!
Aren't you very capable!
I want to see if you can still be stubborn this time!