You Rong lowered his gaze, concealing the coldness in his eyes.
She had already made her move, making it clear that he wouldn't be leaving the palace. What difference did it make whether she asked or not!
You Rong pursed his thin lips and said in a low voice, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Hearing You Rong agree, Lin Qinghe smiled. "You Rong, take your time to recover in Changning Palace. Don't feel constrained. If you need anything, just instruct the palace maids and eunuchs. When your injuries have healed in a few days and you can move around, if you wish to return to your residence, I will send you back."
"Yes, your subject has noted it. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe said with a smile, "No need, no need. Seeing you recover is all I desire."
You Rong lowered his eyes and remained silent. Lin Qinghe's gaze fell on his left hand, and she sighed inwardly. Although he usually used his right hand, You Rong's left hand was severely injured, making it difficult for him to lift heavy objects.
This was the sin of the original body, and she had to find a way to make amends as much as possible.
She would later issue a royal decree to find renowned physicians from all over the land to treat You Rong!
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and cautiously asked, "You Rong, you must have just woken up. I slept in today and went to court before even eating breakfast. Now I'm hungry. Will you join me for breakfast?"
You Rong did not refuse, and with a calm expression, cupped his hands. "Yes, Your Majesty, your subject obeys."
Knowing that You Rong was reluctant and only agreed due to her status, Lin Qinghe felt it was better than him refusing outright. She cast aside her dejected emotions, smiled, and called for servants to bring the meal.
During breakfast, You Rong's injuries had not yet healed. Lin Qinghe specifically told him not to get out of bed and had the meal brought to the bedside, attentively serving him porridge.
"You Rong, you are still very weak. I specially ordered the imperial kitchen to make porridge with bone broth. Eat quickly, and you will recover."
You Rong frowned slightly at the porridge Lin Qinghe offered, suppressing his disgust before accepting it. "Yes, thank you for Your Majesty's concern."
You Rong reached out to take the bowl, but Lin Qinghe scooped up a spoonful of porridge, gently blew on it, and brought it to You Rong's lips. "Here, you're still injured. I'll feed you..."
Wang Jiang returned and stood by, unable to help but interject, "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be better to let this servant serve Prime Minister You his meal. You are of the highest status, how can you..."
"It's just feeding Prime Minister You a bowl of porridge, not strenuous labor. Why can't I? What's all the fuss..."
Wang Jiang wanted to say more but ultimately dared not, and quietly retreated to the side.
After dismissing Wang Jiang with disdain, Lin Qinghe continued to smile at You Rong. "Come, eat quickly. The porridge shouldn't be too hot."
You Rong's brows were tightly furrowed, and he subtly turned his face away. "Your Majesty, please allow me to do it myself. Your Majesty is of the highest status and should not be doing such menial tasks."
"What's wrong with that? It's just feeding you some porridge, don't dwell on it... Eat quickly." Su Dan Novel Network
You Rong remained still, refusing to eat.
Lin Qinghe had no choice but to hand him the bowl and chopsticks. "Fine, if you want to eat yourself, then eat. I'll go along with you."
You Rong held the bowl, and his tightly knitted brows finally relaxed slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
You Rong held the bowl and slowly ate the porridge, mouthful by mouthful.
Lin Qinghe's dark eyes darted around, not giving up on her efforts to be attentive. She continued to offer You Rong food. "While you eat porridge, try this too. This glutinous rice cake tastes good, and I like this sugar pancake too. You should try them..."
Although You Rong did not refuse verbally, his complexion was far from pleasant after the meal.
After breakfast, Lin Qinghe shamelessly added, "You Rong, you must be tired. Don't mind me, you rest. Today, ministers submitted many memorials during court. I'll go sit on the couch and review them."
After speaking, Lin Qinghe pretended not to see You Rong's even darker expression and casually ordered someone to bring the memorials. She then sat on the couch and began to review them with feigned earnestness.
You Rong's thin lips pressed together, leaving only a shallow line visible. His deep eyes held a hint of mockery.
Hmph!
Reviewing memorials, how dare she even say that!
She had always treated state affairs as child's play, never taking them seriously! In the past, the memorials submitted by officials piled up like mountains, yet she had never seriously read a single one!
But this was Changning Palace, Lin Qinghe's imperial residence. If she insisted on staying, he could do nothing about it.
You Rong pretended to read scriptures, acting as if Lin Qinghe didn't exist.
However, with one person sitting on the bed reading and the other on the couch reviewing memorials, the two hours passed quietly.
Lin Qinghe rubbed her sore shoulder, inwardly complaining that being an emperor was not easy. With all the affairs of the nation and the memorials from the court officials, her head was spinning.
Lin Qinghe put down her brush, glanced at You Rong on the bed, her eyes glinting. She deliberately pretended to mutter to herself, "This matter of disaster relief in Jingzhou... whom should I assign to handle it?"
As soon as she said this, You Rong, who had been ignoring Lin Qinghe, finally reacted. He glanced at her, his handsome brows slightly furrowed, as if wanting to speak but hesitating.
Lin Qinghe chuckled inwardly and continued to provoke him. "Oh dear... Should I send Shen Chengwen, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? Lord Shen submitted a memorial, voluntarily requesting to go for disaster relief..."
As soon as she finished speaking, You Rong could no longer hold back. "Your Majesty, the matter of disaster relief in Jingzhou absolutely cannot be entrusted to Assistant Minister Shen. This is a matter of great importance and requires a capable person. Otherwise, the disaster relief efforts will not be implemented effectively!"
Lin Qinghe looked up at You Rong and feigned ignorance. "Why can't Lord Shen be sent?"
You Rong's eyes flashed with anger, and he clenched his fists. "Your Majesty, you likely do not know the relationship between Lord Shen and the prefect of Jingzhou."
Lin Qinghe smiled. "I know. The prefect of Jingzhou is Lord Shen's maternal grand-uncle, and they are also close to the Marquis of Pingyang."
You Rong was stunned for a moment, not expecting Lin Qinghe to know these things. But his expression then turned grim again.
Since she knew, why did she still tolerate their collusion, oppressing the people, and extorting their wealth!
And now she intended to send Shen Chengwen for disaster relief, which was clearly setting them up to collude and embezzle the disaster relief funds!
The people of Jingzhou were in dire straits. Had she seen it? Did she care?!
Seeing You Rong suppressing his anger, Lin Qinghe achieved her goal. She had deliberately used national affairs to engage You Rong in conversation. She was not the original body, and with a little thought, she would naturally not send an official like Shen Chengwen for disaster relief.
Lin Qinghe did not reveal her intentions at all and pretended to be clueless. She asked You Rong, "Since Assistant Minister Shen cannot be sent, You Rong, do you have anyone suitable in mind?"
You Rong was reluctant to engage with Lin Qinghe, but thinking of the millions of people in Jingzhou, he was anxious and naturally couldn't care about his aversion to Lin Qinghe.
After serious consideration, You Rong spoke a name: "Gu Wenyuan, a Household Department official promoted three months ago. Your subject believes he is upright, devoted to the people, diligent in his work, and unafraid of power and influence. He can competently handle the disaster relief in Jingzhou!"