Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and called out, "Wang Jiang, come in. I have something to instruct you to do!"
Wang Jiang scurried in, bowed, and respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, what do you command this servant to do?"
"I recall there's a temporary palace not far from the capital, and it has hot springs, correct?"
Wang Jiang replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, yes, the temporary palace does have hot springs. They were built by order of the late Emperor. In previous years, when the winter was too cold, you would also go to the temporary palace to stay for a few days and soak in the hot springs to ward off the chill."
Lin Qinghe said, "I will be going to the temporary palace to stay for a few days in two days. You can arrange for people to clean it first."
Wang Jiang responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will immediately arrange for people to inform the palace staff at the temporary palace to clean it."
Just as Wang Jiang was about to withdraw, Lin Qinghe added, "Oh, right! Go to Prime Minister You's residence now. I want him to accompany me to the temporary palace for a few days. Tell him to make preparations."
Upon hearing this, a knowing smile appeared on Wang Jiang's wrinkled old face. "Yes, yes, yes... Your Majesty, rest assured. This servant will leave the palace immediately to inform Prime Minister You."
Lin Qinghe knew Wang Jiang was likely assuming she intended to do something to You Rong, but she didn't have time to quibble. She waved her hand, "That's enough, you may withdraw and attend to your tasks."
"Yes, this servant shall take his leave."
After Wang Jiang departed, the hidden guard standing nearby pondered for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty specifically requested Prime Minister You accompany you to the temporary palace. Is this to create an opportunity for Marquis Pingyang to make a move?"
Lin Qinghe smiled charmingly, "Exactly!"
The hidden guard was puzzled. Why would His Majesty want Marquis Pingyang to act against Prime Minister You? Was it to catch Marquis Pingyang red-handed and punish him?
As the hidden guard pondered, Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she spoke again, "Come here. I have something to instruct you to do."
The hidden guard stepped forward, bowed, and said loyally, "Please command, Your Majesty!"
Lin Qinghe leaned closer and whispered to the hidden guard, "Arrange for someone to be among Marquis Pingyang's men. When they move against You Rong, you will have that person..."
The hidden guard's eyes widened in shock and fear upon hearing this. "Your Majesty! How can this be! This... this subordinate cannot do it! If there is a mistake and Your Majesty is gravely injured, this humble servant could not atone for his sins even if he died ten thousand times!"
Lin Qinghe patted the hidden guard's shoulder to comfort him. "It won't happen! When the time comes, have that person act according to my gaze. There will be no problems! I trust you! You will handle this matter well, won't you?"
"This, this..." Faced with Lin Qinghe's trusting gaze, the hidden guard was in a difficult position but could only grit his teeth and say, "Yes! Your Majesty, please rest assured, this subordinate will handle this matter!"
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction. "Good! Very good! I trust you. Then... you may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this subordinate takes his leave!"
After the hidden guard withdrew, he wore a distressed expression.
What if he made a mistake and injured His Majesty? His crime would be immense, but His Majesty wouldn't listen to advice...
The hidden guard sighed inwardly.
Indeed, infatuation leads to destruction. His Majesty was far too fond of Prime Minister You.
***
Prime Minister's Residence.
You Rong was taken aback, his brows furrowed. "You're saying His Majesty wants me to accompany him to the temporary palace for a few days?" Su Dan Novel Network
Wang Jiang's face was all smiles. "Yes, Your Majesty said so personally. His Majesty sent this servant to inform Prime Minister You, asking you to make good preparations. You are to enter the palace in two days and depart with His Majesty for the temporary palace."
You Rong's brows knitted tighter, and he felt quite perplexed.
What was Lin Qinghe's intention? To suddenly go to the temporary palace? Could it be that he...
You Rong's gaze darkened.
"Prime Minister You, Prime Minister You... why are you silent? This servant has informed Prime Minister You about accompanying His Majesty to the temporary palace, so this servant must return to the palace to report." Wang Jiang said.
You Rong collected his thoughts, pursed his thin lips, and replied, "Very well. I will have someone escort Eunuch Wang out."
He called for Su Feng to escort Wang Jiang out. You Rong stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his handsome face displaying an unreadable expression.
Suddenly, the study door was pushed open, and Mother You hurried in.
"You Rong, I heard His Majesty sent someone to deliver a decree, asking you to accompany him to the temporary palace for a few days. This... His Majesty still hasn't given up on you! Listen to your mother, resign your post now, and let's leave the capital!"
Mother You was extremely anxious. She understood her son's temperament too well; he would never allow himself to be controlled by others, even if it was the current Emperor. If he angered His Majesty again, their entire family would be ruined!
But Lin Qinghe's capricious nature would surely not give up easily. If she didn't want You Rong to leave, what could be done?!
You Rong gently patted Mother You's hand and comforted her, "Mother, you don't need to worry. His Majesty is just asking me to accompany him to the temporary palace for a few days. He has no other intentions."
"Mother doesn't believe it! Listen to your mother, let's leave the capital now!"
You Rong smiled faintly, "Mother, it's really alright, just be at ease."
Mother You was about to persuade him further when Father You arrived. He exchanged a glance with You Rong and, understanding You Rong's meaning to dissuade his mother, stepped in to comfort Mother You and take her away temporarily.
After Mother You and Father You left, You Rong walked to the wooden desk and sat down. He picked up his brush and began to write a letter. Once it was finished, he called out in a deep voice, "Su Feng, come in!"
Su Feng pushed the door open and entered. "My lord, do you have an instruction for Su Feng?"
You Rong narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "I will be accompanying His Majesty to the temporary palace in two days. As soon as I leave, you will immediately escort the master and madam out of the capital and have them return to their old home to stay for a few days. Say it's my arrangement. Also... after I leave, deliver this letter to Master Huo at the Imperial Academy."
Su Feng took the letter and, seeming to understand why You Rong had made such arrangements, looked at him with concern. "My lord, you are..."
You Rong interrupted him, "Do as I have instructed."
Su Feng wanted to speak but stopped himself. Finally, with a look of helplessness, he said, "Yes, my lord, this servant understands."
After Su Feng withdrew, You Rong sat in silence at his desk with a somber expression for a long time, lost in thought.
***
Marquis Pingyang's Residence.
In Marquis Pingyang's study, the Marquis was furious that most of his men had been apprehended. He couldn't eat, and he paced back and forth in his study, unable to sit still.
"Well done, You Rong! A pretty boy dares to oppose this Marquis! Sooner or later, this Marquis will make him pay..."
Just then, a guard pushed the door open and entered, bowing. "Marquis! This subordinate has investigated and found that His Majesty will be staying at the temporary palace in two days and has asked You Rong to accompany him! This is an excellent opportunity to make a move!"
"Really?" Marquis Pingyang's face lit up with joy.
"This subordinate personally saw Eunuch Wang going to the You residence to deliver the message. It cannot be false!"
"Excellent! We must eliminate this You Rong and stop him from bothering this Marquis every day!" However, after a moment, Marquis Pingyang frowned. "But if His Majesty is also present... wouldn't it be inappropriate to make a move?"
Marquis Pingyang's subordinate said, "Marquis, think about it. If His Majesty is there, everyone will assume the assassin's intention was to assassinate His Majesty, and You Rong's death will be considered an accidental failure. Wouldn't that make it even less likely for anyone to suspect us?"
Marquis Pingyang considered it carefully and found it reasonable. He nodded and said, "Good! Prepare immediately! After You Rong accompanies His Majesty to the temporary palace, we will take his life!"
"Yes, Marquis!"