Lin Yue successfully brought the epidemic in the prince's mansion under control, which made everyone in the mansion fully convinced of her medical skills and abilities. Consequently, she firmly established her footing in the prince's mansion. However, this brief period of tranquility was merely the calm before the tempest.
In the early morning, the sunlight streamed into the courtyard of the prince's mansion. Lin Yue, as usual, was strolling in the garden, relishing a moment of peace. She was dressed in a light pink silk dress. As the gentle breeze blew softly, the hem of her dress fluttered gracefully, showcasing her demure charm. The maid, Cuier, like a lively little bird, trailed behind her and said with a beaming smile,
"Miss Lin, look at how splendidly the flowers in the garden are in full bloom. It's just like the vitality you've brought to the prince's mansion."
Lin Yue curved her lips into a faint smile, gently caressed a blooming flower, and said in a soft voice,
"Cuier, this peace didn't come easily. We should cherish it even more."
Just at that moment, the butler, Wang Fu, hurried over, a trace of anxiety etched on his face. He approached Lin Yue, bowed slightly, and said,
"Miss Lin, His Highness the Prince requests your presence in the study. He said there's an urgent matter to discuss."
Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of unease welled up within her. She instinctively adjusted the hem of her dress and followed Wang Fu to the study.
Upon entering the study, Li Yi was seated at the desk, his brows furrowed, holding a letter in his hand. When he saw Lin Yue enter, he rose slightly, and a complex expression flashed in his eyes, a blend of worry and a tinge of helplessness. He motioned with his hand for Lin Yue to take a seat and said,
"Miss Lin, this is news from the capital. The situation in the imperial court is becoming increasingly tense, and there are those who are secretly targeting the prince's mansion."
Lin Yue took the letter and perused it carefully. The letter stated that some ministers in the court were deeply dissatisfied with Li Yi's placing great trust in Lin Yue in the prince's mansion and Lin Yue's modern medical concepts. They regarded this as a challenge to tradition and were plotting to present a memorial to the emperor, demanding severe punishment for both Li Yi and Lin Yue. Lin Yue's hand trembled slightly. She lifted her head and looked at Li Yi, her eyes brimming with determination.
"Your Highness, rest assured. No matter what happens, I won't let you be implicated because of me."
Li Yi looked at Lin Yue, and a warm current surged in his heart. He stood up, walked over to Lin Yue, and gently grasped her hand, saying,
"Miss Lin, we've gone through so much together. How can you say such words? We'll face this together, and there will surely be a solution."
Lin Yue nodded slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She felt the warmth of Li Yi's palm, and her heart settled down considerably.
However, what they were unaware of was that an even greater crisis was stealthily approaching. In a dark corner of the prince's mansion, a figure lurked in the shadows, secretly observing them. This person was an unassuming servant in the prince's mansion named Liu Er. A sneer curled up on his lips, and he murmured to himself,
"Hmph, just wait and see how you'll deal with this. I won't let this opportunity slip by."
It turned out that Liu Er had always been envious of Lin Yue. He thought that as an outsider, Lin Yue didn't deserve the prince's trust and favor. Thus, he had secretly colluded with forces outside the prince's mansion, preparing to deal a fatal blow to Lin Yue and Li Yi at a critical moment.