An hour later.
Suifeng knocked on the door. "My lord, are you resting? Lord Huo is here and says he wants to see you."
You Rong, who was resting with his eyes closed on a soft couch in the room, quickly opened his eyes, got up, and opened the door. He asked doubtfully, "You said Lord Huo is here?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Your servant went to the Imperial College to deliver your message to Lord Huo. When Lord Huo heard that you had returned to your manor, he immediately decided to come and see you."
You Rong pondered for a moment and said, "Please take Lord Huo to the study and have him wait for me. I will be there shortly."
"Yes, my lord."
You Rong changed his clothes before heading to the study. Pushing the door open, he saw an elder nearly sixty years old sitting inside. You Rong walked over and cupped his hands in greeting. "Student greets teacher."
This elder was Huo Guanzhong.
Huo Guanzhong stood up and steadied You Rong, examining him from head to toe. His expression was filled with undisguised emotion. "You Rong, it's good that you are alright. It's good that you are alright... Get up quickly. The person you sent to the Imperial College with your message said you are injured. Come! Sit down quickly."
You Rong sat down with Huo Guanzhong. "Teacher, you need not worry. This student is fine, just minor injuries that will heal in no time."
Huo Guanzhong frowned upon hearing this. "You... I know you well enough. You don't want me to worry, so you either hide things or downplay them. I already knew about your situation in the prison. His Majesty is utterly absurd! To accuse you of forming factions and colluding for selfish ends, to strip you of your official post, and even to order the execution of your parents... it's truly... infuriating!"
Huo Guanzhong grew more indignant the more he thought about it. You Rong was his most promising student. He had recommended him for an official position, hoping he would assist a wise ruler and benefit the people of the Dongli Kingdom. He never expected him to encounter a foolish ruler like Lin Qinghe and suffer such humiliation, nearly losing his life and reputation.
You Rong subtly changed the subject. "So, it's because of you that some officials in the court submitted memorials to His Majesty pleading for me, correct?"
"Yes, I ordered people to ask them to do so. I had planned that if His Majesty insisted on this course of action, I would resign my post as Chancellor of the Imperial College and publicly denounce her incompetence and her ridiculous actions in front of the entire imperial city with my students!"
You Rong's brows furrowed tighter and tighter. He knew Huo Guanzhong was serious. He was also glad he had left the palace earlier. Otherwise, if Huo Guanzhong had truly done that, given Lin Qinghe's temperament, something terrible would have happened.
Huo Guanzhong suppressed his anger and looked at You Rong with concern and heartache. "You Rong, you have suffered injustice... His Majesty has now reinstated you. What are your plans for the future?"
You Rong pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "This student will continue to serve in the court and do his utmost to make the lives of the people of Dongli Kingdom better, so that they will no longer be displaced and can live and work in peace."
Huo Guanzhong was full of relief. "I knew it. You have always cared for the people; this has never changed. But..." He changed his tone. "I have taught you that when serving in court, you must think for yourself and not be blindly loyal. After this incident, you should know that His Majesty is not fit to be a ruler of a kingdom... You Rong, do you understand what I mean?"
You Rong lowered his eyes, his expression complicated, and remained silent.
He naturally understood Huo Guanzhong's meaning. Even before Lin Qinghe framed him, her usual conduct had already greatly displeased Huo Guanzhong. He had subtly mentioned it a few times, saying Lin Qinghe was not fit to be a ruler.
Of course, Huo Guanzhong did not intend to rebel. In his heart, he believed that the throne should be occupied by royal blood. However, he favored Princess Changan, Lin Zhilan, who was also of royal blood, Lin Qinghe's half-sister, and born to Consort Chun.
Seeing You Rong’s silence, Huo Guanzhong sighed helplessly. "If the current emperor were not so absurd, I would not have thought of supporting a new emperor. If the Dongli Kingdom continues to be governed by the current emperor's recklessness, with corrupt officials unpunished, the court in chaos, feudal lords with their own agendas, and the people suffering... what will become of this Dongli Kingdom?"
You Rong's expression was complex. "Teacher... please allow this student to think about it again."
Huo Guanzhong added, "You Rong, even setting aside these matters, you must consider your parents. Do you want to see them implicated because of you and nearly lose their lives again someday?"
You Rong's gaze deepened. He remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Teacher, this student understands."
Huo Guanzhong smiled, stroking his white beard with satisfaction. "That's right. Tomorrow, I will discuss with several other senior officials in court and figure out a way to bring Princess Changan back from Jiangnan. As for future matters... we will plan them later."
You Rong nodded. "Mm."
"Then you rest well and recover from your injuries in the manor. I will come to discuss matters with you then. I will return today."
"This student will see you off..."
"No need. You are injured; it is best for you to rest well."
"In that case... safe travels, Teacher." You Rong cupped his hands.
Huo Guanzhong departed, and the study door closed. You Rong sat on the couch, lowering his gaze slightly, lost in thought.
He recalled his intense anger upon hearing in prison that Lin Qinghe intended to publicly execute his parents, wishing he could strangle Lin Qinghe to death. At that moment, he had decided that after ensuring his parents' safety, he would never let Lin Qinghe off!
But why did he hesitate now when Huo Guanzhong's proposal was the same as his original intention?
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of determination flashing within them.
But his teacher was right; he could no longer let his parents be implicated because of him! Nor did he want the people of Dongli Kingdom to suffer due to a foolish ruler!
-------------------------------------
In the imperial palace.
Wang Jiang returned to the palace to report. Lin Qinghe waved her hand, indicating she had heard, and then asked, "Have Grand Tutor Xu and Minister Li returned to the capital?"
Wang Jiang replied, "Your Majesty, Minister Li will take one more day to reach the capital. Grand Tutor Xu should have already returned to the capital and is at home."
Lin Qinghe raised her eyebrows slightly. Grand Tutor Xu had returned to the capital but had not come to see her. She guessed he was waiting for her to visit him in person.
Recalling how she had angered him terribly in her past life, Lin Qinghe reluctantly decided she had to make the trip.
"Let's go. I will personally go to Grand Tutor Xu's manor to see him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Upon arriving at Grand Tutor Xu's manor, Grand Tutor Xu was outwardly respectful and courteous to Lin Qinghe, but inwardly, he was still angry. His words were circuitous, tinged with deep resentment.
Lin Qinghe chuckled inwardly, but outwardly, she said sincerely, "My mother, the Empress, ordered Grand Tutor Xu to assist me. She trusted Grand Tutor Xu, which shows Grand Tutor Xu's devotion to me! It was I who was wrong before. I apologize to Grand Tutor Xu. I hope Grand Tutor Xu will not hold a grudge and will continue to assist me in court. You don't know, but during the time you were away, ministers led by Marquis Pingyang have been blackmailing me in court, demanding that I obey their commands."
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Xu immediately exploded. He angrily declared, "Marquis Pingyang has immense audacity! Does he still have any respect for His Majesty! Who doesn't know his ambitions? Now he is no longer hiding them! Tomorrow, this minister will lead others to impeach him. His affairs are certainly not clean, and we will find plenty of things to accuse him of. Your Majesty, remember to scold him publicly tomorrow to humiliate him! Let him know his place!"
Lin Qinghe had achieved her goal and said with a smile, "Very well, I will do as Grand Tutor Xu says tomorrow!"
Having dealt with Grand Tutor Xu, Lin Qinghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Returning to the palace, Lin Qinghe tapped her desk distractedly. After a moment, she asked, "Xiao Xizi, has there been any news from the You manor? Who has visited You Rong since his return, and whom has he met?"