Changning Palace.
When Lin Qinghe arrived at Changning Palace, Imperial Physician Zhang was changing the dressing for You Rong. She deliberately waited outside without entering. When Imperial Physician Zhang came out, she asked, "Imperial Physician Zhang, how is Prime Minister You's injury? Has it improved?"
Imperial Physician Zhang cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, after applying medicine, the minor external wounds of Prime Minister You have begun to heal. The more serious injuries show no signs of infection or worsening. As for internal injuries... he still needs a period of rest and recuperation. Overall, Prime Minister You's injuries are indeed improving."
Lin Qinghe nodded, "Mm, I understand. Imperial Physician Zhang, you may withdraw."
"Yes, this subject takes his leave."
Lin Qinghe strode into the inner hall. You Rong had already tidied his clothes and sat at the table with a calm expression.
Lin Qinghe walked over, and he said faintly, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities."
Lin Qinghe reached out to help You Rong up, but You Rong had already straightened himself, clearly unwilling to let her touch him. Lin Qinghe's hand, frozen in mid-air, felt a little awkward. She gave a dry laugh and casually retracted it.
Lin Qinghe said, "You Rong, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? I'll have Wang Jiang send for a meal. You can dine with me."
She expected You Rong to refuse, but to her surprise, he nodded. Lin Qinghe's eyes brightened, and she hurried to urge Wang Jiang, "Go quickly! Order the meal to be served, and prepare several light dishes, Prime Minister You's favorites."
Wang Jiang said, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go and order the meal right away."
After Wang Jiang left, Lin Qinghe propped her chin and looked at You Rong with a smile, "I was too tired from reviewing memorials last night and fell asleep on the couch. I'm truly sorry... I didn't disturb your rest last night, did I?" Su Dan Novel Network
You Rong's expression was indifferent, "Your Majesty did not disturb this subject's rest."
Lin Qinghe feigned a look of relief and said with a straight face, "That's good, that's good..." Her demeanor made it impossible to tell that her 'accidental' nap last night was deliberate.
"By the way, during the morning court today, I announced at court that Gu Wen Yuan would be sent to Jingzhou for disaster relief. Marquis Pingyang and a group of ministers strongly opposed..." You Rong's heart tightened, and he heard Lin Qinghe continue, "I flew into a great rage and made them shut up." You Rong's heart relaxed again.
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his gaze slightly沉 (chen - deep/heavy), and said, "Your Majesty has always not managed state affairs, and thus has lost prestige in front of the ministers. That is why Marquis Pingyang dared to collude with other ministers to 'strongly' recommend Shen Chengwen to go to Jingzhou for disaster relief."
You Rong prepared himself for Lin Qinghe to fly into a rage, but unexpectedly, she nodded in agreement, uncharacteristically, and said, "You are right. In the past, I was too lazy and inactive, which led to my lack of prestige among the people and the civil and military officials. I will pay more attention to this in the future."
You Rong was stunned, quite surprised.
In the past, she spent her days indulging in outings from the palace, listening to music, and flirting with handsome young gentlemen. Even when the Grand Tutor Xu scolded her bitterly, she hadn't realized her mistakes. Why was she suddenly reflecting on her errors today?
Seeing You Rong staring at her without speaking, Lin Qinghe guessed his thoughts. She smiled slightly and said, "I will no longer be like before. From now on, I will be a good ruler who cares for the country and the people, just like my mother, who devoted herself to making the Eastern Li Kingdom prosperous and its people live in peace and contentment!"
Upon hearing this, You Rong gazed at Lin Qinghe for a long time, his expression unreadable, as if pondering something.
Lin Qinghe eagerly awaited the system prompt of the progress bar increasing, but was disappointed again.
The progress bar remained motionless.
Lin Qinghe did not let You Rong see her disappointment. After Wang Jiang ordered the lunch to be prepared, she smiled and said, "You Rong, let's have lunch."
The atmosphere during lunch was still quite pleasant. Lin Qinghe continuously offered You Rong food, and he did not refuse. He still maintained the etiquette of a minister to his ruler; she would place a dish, and he would express his gratitude. However, he ate all the dishes she served him.
Perhaps You Rong ate them while suppressing his disgust, but Lin Qinghe couldn't help but feel joyful. At least he was no longer so resistant to her proximity.
Just as Lin Qinghe was feeling happy, You Rong, having finished lunch, spoke, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Zhang must have told you that my condition has greatly improved and I can now get out of bed and walk. I hope Your Majesty will keep your word and allow me to return home to recuperate."
Lin Qinghe was naturally unwilling to let You Rong leave the palace so soon. She said awkwardly, "But I see that your injuries are still quite serious. Why not stay in Changning Palace for another two days of rest? There are imperial physicians here, and it would be more convenient to change your dressing regularly."
You Rong's face darkened, and he remained silent. A hint of mockery appeared in his eyes, as if to say, your previous words were just talk, and indeed cannot be taken seriously!
Lin Qinghe had a headache and had to agree to let You Rong leave the palace. After all, the words had come from her own mouth, and to go back on her word would surely make You Rong detest her even more.
Lin Qinghe called out to the outside, "Wang Jiang, immediately order a carriage to be prepared to escort Prime Minister You back to his residence. Remember to line the carriage with blankets and prepare several hot water bottles. Prime Minister You is injured and weak, and cannot withstand the cold."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go and prepare immediately."
"Also, order Imperial Physician Zhang to accompany Prime Minister You back to his residence and temporarily stay in his mansion. He will return to the palace only after Prime Minister You has completely recovered."
"Yes, this servant has noted it. I will send someone to inform Imperial Physician Zhang right away."
After giving all the instructions, Lin Qinghe turned back and looked at You Rong reluctantly, "Wait for me. After Wang Jiang has prepared everything, I will personally escort you back to your residence. I keep my word and will never go back on it!"
You Rong's expression softened slightly, "Your Majesty ordering a carriage and an imperial physician to accompany me back to my residence is already a great kindness. I cannot trouble Your Majesty to personally escort me."
Lin Qinghe had intended to insist on escorting him, but coincidentally, someone came to report that the Minister of Rites had an important matter to discuss. Lin Qinghe had no choice but to give up, ordering Wang Jiang to personally escort You Rong back and going to the Imperial Study to meet the Minister of Rites.
After Lin Qinghe had walked away for a while, Wang Jiang pushed open the palace door and entered, smiling, "Prime Minister You, the carriage Your Majesty ordered is ready outside Changning Palace. Please follow this servant out, and I will escort you back to your residence."
You Rong was taken aback, "The carriage is outside Changning Palace?"
Wang Jiang smiled and said, "Yes, carriages are not allowed to drive within the palace. However, Your Majesty, mindful of Prime Minister You's injuries and his difficulty walking, specifically ordered the carriage to stop outside Changning Palace, so that Prime Minister You would have to walk less. This favor... is unique."
You Rong pursed his lips, his expression not looking good. He said in a deep voice, "Thank you, Eunuch Wang."
Wang Jiang did not say anything further, stepping aside and saying, "Prime Minister You, please follow this servant."
You Rong left Changning Palace, got into the carriage. The carriage was clearly meticulously prepared. The inside was lined with thick fox fur, and there were several hot water bottles. The carriage was very spacious and had even prepared hot tea and books inside.
You Rong frowned. After sitting down, he heard Wang Jiang instructing the coachman, "Drive slowly later. Your Majesty said that Prime Minister You is injured and cannot be jostled along the way."
"Yes, Eunuch Wang, I have remembered. I will be careful and cautious and will not jostle Prime Minister You."
"Mm, let's go."
Just as the coachman was about to set off, a young eunuch hurried over and asked breathlessly, "Eunuch Wang, wait!"
Wang Jiang frowned displeasantly, "What are you doing? Rushing around, what kind of decorum is this!"
"Eunuch Wang, this servant knows he was wrong, but... but... there is something this servant does not know how to handle, so I have come to ask you..."
Wang Jiang asked, "What is it?"
The young eunuch said, "Marquis Pingyang has selected a group of young gentlemen to be sent into the palace. These young gentlemen are waiting outside the palace gate. Your Majesty is discussing matters with the officials in the Imperial Study, and this servant truly does not know how to accommodate these gentlemen, so I have come to ask you..."
Wang Jiang said, "Place them in those palaces to the east, together with the gentlemen Your Majesty left earlier."
Normally, the gentlemen sent into the palace by the Marquis and other officials were readily accepted by His Majesty and accommodated. However, His Majesty seemed to be tired of them recently, so they would be temporarily housed in the eastern palaces. If His Majesty wished to see them later, he could summon them.
The young eunuch replied, "Yes, Eunuch Wang. This servant will go and settle these gentlemen now."