It was Lin Songyan, the third young master of the Yuhua Duke's Mansion.

He sent Qiao Zhizhi an invitation the day before yesterday, saying that he would visit her today with a painting.

Butler Chai invited the person inside. In the West Warm Pavilion, Qiao Zhizhi had already arranged for tea and snacks to be prepared.

Lin Songyan unfurled the painting, and Qiao Zhizhi patiently offered her critiques. Inside, incense wafted and the fire flickered. Looking through the window, the scene was quite heartwarming.

Qiao Lian'er sat under the pavilion, holding a hand warmer, playing chess with Pei Shijiu. The servants in the courtyard hurried by, busy with the New Year decorations, hanging lanterns, pasting paper-cut window decorations and couplets. The potted plants and trees were also covered with colorful ribbons and small lanterns.

She glanced at the West Warm Pavilion and said, "Sister Zhizhi and the third young master of the Lin family are a good match."

Pei Shijiu placed a piece on the board: "They have feelings for each other. The Lin family must know this, and they should take some action."

Qiao Lian'er paused, recalling that more than half a year had passed since Lin Songyan approached Qiao Zhizhi. Lin Songyan was a reserved and restrained person. He had come to the Qiao family a few times sporadically, each time with a very reasonable reason, but everyone could see that he had feelings for Sister Zhizhi.

Time flies. Sister Zhizhi is already eighteen years old, and Lin Songyan is nineteen. They are at the age when men and women should get married. The eldest and second sons of the Lin family are already married. It is impossible for the Lin family parents not to care about the marriage of the third son. He is also showing goodwill to the Qiao family girl, but the Lin family's attitude is a bit ambiguous.

“Each family has its own considerations, and Lin Songyan didn’t make things difficult for Sister Zhizhi. People who want to learn to paint often come to Sister Zhizhi with their paintings, which is a very normal thing,” Qiao Lian’er said.

There was a grand banquet to be held at the Prince Heng's Mansion before New Year's Eve. All the high-ranking families of the fifth rank and above would be invited. Qiao Lian'er didn't attend banquets very often, but she had to go to this one.

Prince Heng was the emperor's full brother, and they were close and respectful to each other since childhood. Sometimes, Prince Heng did things at the emperor's behest, gathering high-ranking nobles together to express the closeness of the imperial family. This was a means of winning people's hearts.

The person who delivered the invitation said, "It would be too lonely for the princess to go alone. Why not invite her sisters? Miss Zhizhi is now a renowned painter in the capital. It would be best if she could come along."

He then handed over another invitation, this one for Qiao Zhizhi.

“Okay,” Qiao Lian’er agreed.

Sister Zhizhi's reputation has soared, and she continues to sell her excellent paintings, causing her net worth to skyrocket. She has become a frequent guest at many banquets.

Before the grand banquet, news came from Liuzhou that Eunuch Qi had summoned Qiao Lian'er to the palace to meet the Emperor.

The emperor was very pleased, his eyes lit up, and he abandoned his usual dignified demeanor, speaking as soon as he saw Qiao Lian'er.

"Thanks to Lian'er's brilliant idea, the disaster in Liuzhou has been resolved, the people have food to eat, and the pressure on the government has been greatly reduced. This is a great achievement, a meritorious deed beyond measure."

"I have decided to tell you some good news on the Lantern Festival."

Qiao Lian'er didn't ask what the good news was, but simply expressed her gratitude as usual.

"Is Lian'er not curious?" The emperor said, somewhat surprised.

"I also wish to keep this surprise to myself and reveal it later," Qiao Lian'er said.

The emperor laughed loudly: "Now that the year is coming to an end, there are many matters to attend to, and I am too busy to handle them. Your matter needs to be taken care of on a special day."

"But the reward you are entitled to, have it carried back to you now."

When Qiao Lian'er returned home, a group of eunuchs followed behind her, carrying eight heavy boxes. Each box had a "福" (good fortune) character pasted on it, to celebrate the New Year.

Normally, the emperor's rewards consist of two boxes. Last time, Qiao Lian'er made a contribution to the totem correction in Xiufeng Kingdom, but she only received six boxes, and they were smaller in size. So this time, the Qiao family was quite surprised.