The imperial study.
Lin Qinghe dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs, then turned to You Rong with a smile. "It wasn't convenient to ask in court. Have your injuries truly healed? Are you alright? If you're not fully recovered, you can recuperate in your manor for a while longer."
"Your Majesty, this minister's body is truly alright. Your Majesty need not worry about this minister. As for the construction of the canal and the reservoir, this minister will surely live up to your expectations and do his utmost to complete them." You Rong cupped his hands.
Lin Qinghe smiled. "Good, I trust you!"
You Rong's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched slightly, his expression shifting momentarily. However, he quickly regained his usual indifferent demeanor, so swiftly that no one noticed.
You Rong said, "Your Majesty summoned this minister here. Is there anything else besides this matter? If there is nothing else, this minister shall take his leave."
"Wait!" Lin Qinghe called out urgently. "There is indeed something! I have one more matter to discuss with you."
You Rong: "Yes, Your Majesty, please speak."
Lin Qinghe sighed inwardly.
Was it that bad? Was she a mother yaksha that he wanted to flee at the mere sight of her?
Having already spoken, Lin Qinghe merely pretended to discuss some inconsequential court affairs with You Rong.
"Sit down, I'll tell you after you sit."
You Rong frowned, but ultimately sat down on the soft couch as Lin Qinghe instructed.
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction and continued, "It's about the imperial examinations. A few days ago, several ministers submitted memorials, saying that it is difficult for commoners to produce noble sons. Should the rules for next spring's imperial examinations be changed, so that the sons of farmers who have no officials in their families are not allowed to travel to the capital to take the exams..."
Before she finished speaking, You Rong's face darkened. "Your Majesty! This matter must absolutely not be agreed to! If the rules for the imperial examinations are truly changed, think about it, if all officials in the court are related by blood or marriage, can they truly act with justice and impartiality when handling affairs? Will they not engage in favoritism and corruption!"
You Rong's anger flared. Those who submitted such memorials could only be imperial relatives and powerful officials, trying to consolidate their family's influence by speaking in such a way!
Lin Qinghe frowned, feigning indecisiveness. "But I think what they say is not entirely unreasonable. Perhaps..."
"Your Majesty!" You Rong suppressed his anger. "This matter absolutely cannot be agreed to! Otherwise, how will the children from poor families ever have a chance to succeed? If Your Majesty lets them live without hope their entire lives, farming for generations, are you not afraid that they will harbor resentment! As the saying goes, water can carry a boat but also capsize it. The common people are like this water. Have you considered this?!"
Lin Qinghe was not foolish and naturally knew these things, so You Rong didn't need to remind her. She was merely teasing him, hoping to make him talk to her more.
Lin Qinghe's eyes curved slightly, and she smiled. "Yes, I understand. I will listen to Prime Minister You. The rules for next spring's imperial examinations will remain the same! Anyone who dares to cheat and is discovered by me will not be spared!"
You Rong's tensed nerves relaxed. His brows furrowed, and he looked at Lin Qinghe with complex emotions in his eyes.
He had just worried that she would act recklessly again, tacitly allowing certain ministers to seek personal gain under the guise of righteousness.
"It is best that Your Majesty understands. The matter of the imperial examinations is of great importance and cannot be treated lightly. I hope Your Majesty will remember this."
"Yes, what you say, I will naturally keep firmly in mind! Rest assured!"
Lin Qinghe's direct gaze made You Rong somewhat uncomfortable. He averted his face, avoiding her eyes.
A trace of suspicion flickered in You Rong's heart.
Did she truly trust him this much now? Or was it a facade for some other purpose?
Lin Qinghe's peripheral vision caught sight of the memorials casually tossed aside a few days ago, and she suddenly remembered the matter of offering sacrifices to heaven for blessings.
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she pretended to casually flip through those memorials, asking casually, "Oh, right! A few days ago, I also received memorials from several other ministers, saying that Dongli Kingdom has been plagued by disasters in recent years, and that the royal family should sincerely hold a ceremony to sacrifice to heaven and pray for the people of Dongli. What do you think, You Rong?"
Lin Qinghe subtly observed You Rong, trying to discern any change in expression from his handsome face.
Unfortunately, she saw none.
You Rong countered her question with one of his own. "What are Your Majesty's thoughts?"
Lin Qinghe said, "I don't think much of it. I don't believe in these things. The sacrifice to heaven for blessings is just a bit troublesome, but it seems to reassure the people and the officials, so it's not entirely without merit. Therefore... I wanted to ask Prime Minister You for his opinion."
You Rong lowered his eyes and was silent for a long moment before saying, "In my opinion, the sacrifice to heaven for blessings should be held. As Your Majesty said, this action is to stabilize the hearts of the people."
Lin Qinghe's charming, beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of her mouth curved up. "Oh... is that so?"
You Rong subtly tightened his hand under his sleeve and said calmly, "Of course, it all depends on Your Majesty's own decision. If Your Majesty finds it troublesome, not holding the ceremony of sacrificing to heaven for blessings is also acceptable..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted him. "It shall be as Prime Minister You has said. I will issue an imperial decree for the Imperial Observatory to prepare for the ceremony of sacrificing to heaven for blessings."
Lin Qinghe agreed readily, and You Rong was taken aback. He lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Alright, there is nothing else for today. Prime Minister You has discussed with me for so long, you must be tired. Go back to your manor and rest early."
You Rong rose and cupped his hands. "Yes, Your Majesty, this minister takes his leave."
You Rong exited the imperial study, pausing at the doorway for a moment before leaving without looking back.
He had thought that Lin Qinghe would find more excuses to keep him in the palace for a meal today...
Inside the imperial study.
After You Rong left, Wang Jiang brought in lunch. As Lin Qinghe ate, she looked at the sumptuous table of dishes, all of them looking and smelling delicious, but she had no appetite and sighed, fiddling with her chopsticks.
Wang Jiang asked confusedly, "Your Majesty, are these dishes not to Your Majesty's liking? Shall I have someone fetch different ones?"
Lin Qinghe shook her head. "It's not the food, it's that I'm not in the mood to eat."
"Ah? Your Majesty is not in the mood?" Wang Jiang was even more perplexed. "Prime Minister You returned to court today and has been discussing matters with you in the imperial study for a long time. Your Majesty has achieved what you desired, and Prime Minister You is clearly treating you differently than before. Why are you still not in the mood?"
Lin Qinghe glanced at Wang Jiang and said softly, "Alas... you wouldn't understand."
You Rong seemed to have compromised, but in reality, he was deeply cunning and was still plotting how to bring her down and take her life.
The matter of sacrificing to heaven for blessings was a prime example. She didn't believe that You Rong was unaware of Huo Guanzhong's machinations. His offer of assistance indicated that he was certainly involved.
As for agreeing to the sacrifice, she naturally had other plans.
Wang Jiang rubbed his nose and chuckled dryly. "This servant does not understand... But if Your Majesty likes Prime Minister You, this servant believes that one day, Prime Minister You will understand Your Majesty's heart and be moved by Your Majesty's true feelings."
Lin Qinghe shook her head, not agreeing. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she thought of a plan.
If she wanted You Rong to change his perception of her, she had to make some effort. If there was no opportunity, she would have to create one!
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. She no longer wanted to eat. Putting down her chopsticks, she eagerly said, "Wang Jiang! Go summon Grand Tutor Xu to the imperial study, I want to see him!"
Wang Jiang did not understand why the person who had been sighing and dejected moments ago suddenly became energetic.
He didn't dare to ask and quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go at once!"