Two days later.
Lin Qinghe was in the imperial study, processing memorials submitted by ministers. She flipped open one that mentioned frequent disasters in various parts of Dongli Kingdom in recent years, proposing a grand sacrificial ceremony to heaven, where the entire royal family would pray for the common people.
Lin Qinghe initially paid no mind and casually set the memorial aside. However, as she continued to read, she discovered four similar memorials, which immediately caught her attention.
Disasters had been occurring frequently in recent years. When her birth mother, the former Empress, was alive, she had never mentioned holding a sacrificial ceremony to heaven for blessings. Yet, it was brought up so coincidentally now, and specifically required the participation of the entire royal family to appear sincere and move the gods.
This "entire royal family" would include her Imperial Sister, Lin Zhilan.
They wanted Lin Zhilan to return to the capital, didn't they?
To verify her suspicions, Lin Qinghe took out the memorials and called out, "Wang Jiang, come in."
Wang Jiang pushed open the palace doors and entered, respectfully asking, "Your Majesty, do you have any commands for this servant?"
Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze to the memorials on the desk. "Go investigate the recent whereabouts of the ministers who submitted these memorials, and see if they have met with Prime Minister You or Lord Huo."
Wang Jiang responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go at once."
An hour later, Wang Jiang returned, rushing in and kneeling to pay his respects. "This servant greets Your Majesty."
Lin Qinghe, resting her chin in her hand and deep in thought, raised her eyelids to look at Wang Jiang and asked directly, "Have you found out what I asked you to investigate this morning?"
Wang Jiang replied, "Your Majesty, this servant has indeed investigated. Minister Jiang and the other officials did not meet with Prime Minister You or Lord Huo. However, Lord Huo's attendants have visited the residences of several ministers in the past two days."
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she said with an unreadable expression, "Oh? Is that so?"
It seemed the so-called sacrificial ceremony to heaven for the people's blessings was merely a pretense to lure Lin Zhilan back to the capital.
Wang Jiang tentatively asked, "If Your Majesty wishes to know why Lord Huo's attendants visited, shall this servant have someone investigate more thoroughly?" Sudancn.com
"No need. You may withdraw for now. I have my own plans."
Wang Jiang said, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant takes his leave."
Lin Qinghe gathered her thoughts. There was no need for further investigation; she had already guessed their intentions.
She lowered her gaze to the memorials, and after a long pause, casually set them aside, deciding to ignore them for the time being.
It was certain that the sacrificial ceremony was related to Huo Guanzhong, but she wondered how much You Rong knew about this matter, and how involved he was.
Lin Qinghe sighed softly. "Does You Rong hate me so much that he wishes to pull me down from the throne? How is this progress bar going to move? Alas..."
After much thought, Lin Qinghe was out of ideas and could only let nature take its course. She would make detailed plans once You Rong had fully recovered and returned to court.
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Time flew by, and five more days passed.
You Manor.
You Rong looked at the letter delivered by Huo Guanzhong's messenger. In the letter, Huo Guanzhong furiously berated Lin Qinghe for being uncaring towards the people and unwilling to hold the sacrificial ceremony to heaven. He wrote a long passage to express his dissatisfaction with Lin Qinghe, finally asking him to brainstorm ideas to quickly get Lin Qinghe to agree to the ceremony.
You Rong put down the letter, understanding that the sacrificial ceremony was an excuse, the real purpose being to bring Princess Chang'an, Lin Zhilan, back to the capital.
You Rong lowered his gaze, his expression contemplative. After a moment, he said to Suifeng outside, "Prepare my court attire. I will attend court tomorrow."
Suifeng's eyes widened in surprise. "My Lord, your injuries have not yet healed, and His Majesty has not ordered you to return to court immediately. Why not rest for a few more days until your injuries are fully healed before returning?"
You Rong replied, "My body is fine now, there is no need to worry. I am returning to court... naturally because there is something I need to do. Do not tell my parents for now; I will explain when I return home."
Although Suifeng did not understand, he dared not ask further. He replied, "Yes, my Lord. This servant understands. This servant will not tell the Master and the First Madam."
"Mm."
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Lin Qinghe attended court as usual today, without much enthusiasm. She had already anticipated what nonsense the ministers would drone on about today.
Alas... she hadn't seen You Rong for several days, and the stagnant progress bar was making her anxious.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived at the Golden Imperial Hall, she saw You Rong standing at the head of the officials. Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up instantly. Forgetting herself in the presence of the civil and military officials in the court, she smiled and asked, "You Rong, why are you attending court today? Have your injuries healed? If they haven't fully healed, you must not force yourself. You should rest well in your manor."
As soon as she spoke, the civil and military officials exchanged various glances, looking at each other cautiously, not daring to say anything.
You Rong's expression was indifferent. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. This subject is no longer seriously injured and can attend court."
"Oh, really? Did Imperial Physician Jiang say so?"
"Yes, Imperial Physician Jiang told this subject himself."
Lin Qinghe frowned. "I am still not at ease. After the court session ends, I will have Imperial Physician Jiang examine you again... However, I am very happy that Prime Minister You has returned to attend court!"
You Rong lowered his eyes, ignoring the hushed whispers of the surrounding officials, and said indifferently, "Yes, it is this subject's duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."
Lin Qinghe was about to say something else when Xu Taifu, unable to bear it any longer, glared at her and coughed forcefully as a reminder. "Cough... cough cough... Your Majesty, it is time for court."
With Xu Taifu coughing as if he were about to cough up his lungs, Lin Qinghe had no choice but to temporarily give up questioning You Rong further and said sheepishly, "Let us begin court."
Court began. You Rong listened as other officials discussed trivial matters, while Lin Qinghe responded absentmindedly. Although she let them speak their fill of nonsense, she rebuffed their inappropriate requests at crucial moments, which was quite different from her usual demeanor.
You Rong brought up the matter of building canals and reservoirs that Lin Qinghe had mentioned earlier. As expected, many ministers opposed it. Lin Qinghe did not rush to speak. Instead, she waited until You Rong had argued back and forth with the ministers, then stepped in to deliver a final verdict, approving You Rong's proposal. The matter was then fully entrusted to You Rong's supervision.
After the decision was made, the expressions of some ministers in the court turned unsightly, including Marquis Pingyang and others.
Lin Qinghe had no time to pay them any mind. She cleared her throat. "Cough cough... Prime Minister You, regarding the matter you just mentioned, I still have many details to discuss with you in detail. Come to the imperial study after court."
You Rong cupped his hands. "Yes, this subject obeys."
Wang Jiang announced the end of the court session, and You Rong left with Lin Qinghe.
Marquis Pingyang watched You Rong's receding back and sneered dismissively, "His Majesty truly trusts Prime Minister You immensely. But it's no wonder, who can resist Prime Minister You's face that is so pleasing to His Majesty's eyes."
Many others thought the same as Marquis Pingyang, but dared not say it aloud.