Chapter 67 "Hmm, they match well."

In the winter in Beijing, the sky always seems hesitant to brighten. Even when the sun is high in the sky, the hazy light filtering through the windowpanes still carries a hint of languor, barely dispelling the gloom inside.

When Lin Yan woke up, he felt as if his bones were softened by the warmth of the kang (a heated brick bed), and he was so immersed in the soft bedding that he didn't want to move at all.

The faint sound of firecrackers outside the window reminded him that the night before had ended and the new year had truly begun.

I sat up, still wrapped in the blanket, and stared blankly for a while.

The Lin family was not a wealthy and powerful family, and they did not have many complicated rules. During the holidays, things were even more relaxed. The children in the family could sleep whenever they wanted, and even the usually diligent Wen Ke did not get up until almost noon.

This feeling of sleeping until you naturally wake up brought back a sense of happiness for Lin Yan, reminiscent of the modern weekend experience of sleeping in until you naturally wake up.

It would be even more perfect when he can count money until his hands cramp.

After slowly washing up and changing into a comfortable cotton robe, I strolled to the front hall, where lunch was already prepared.

The family sat together, the dishes on the table were much more plentiful than usual, mostly leftovers from last night's banquet, which, after being reheated, still smelled delicious.

Lin Chengji looked relaxed, Wen Yun's face showed satisfaction and a little fatigue after managing the New Year's celebrations, Lin Mo chattered about the fun things that happened when the fireworks were set off last night, while Wen Ke listened quietly with a faint smile on his lips.

The atmosphere at the dinner was warm and harmonious, filled with the everyday charm of a typical family.

Lin Yan held a bowl of hot soup, listening to her family's idle chatter, and became increasingly lazy.

After the meal, the family members, as if by prior arrangement, each made their own plans.

Lin Mo was the most enthusiastic, having already made arrangements with several close friends to go to the popular marriage temple outside the capital to pray for blessings.

This is a custom for unmarried women in Chongqing on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and young girls always hold the most romantic aspirations for it.

Mother Wenyun was also going out to meet with several ladies she was on good terms with, to have tea, listen to music, and chat about everyday matters.

The father, Lin Chengji, also had social engagements and arranged to meet with several colleagues at a restaurant.

Even Wen Ke was dragged away by his fellow townsmen who were also scholars, supposedly to attend some kind of literary gathering and exchange knowledge.

In just a short while, the once lively hall became deserted, with only Lin Yan remaining at home.

He ended up being the last one to leave the house.

The reason was simply because the appointment was for the evening, and the person he was meeting was the current emperor, Xiao Che.

Thinking about the "date" that evening, Lin Yan's heart was pounding like a rabbit, making him restless and unable to sit still.

Back in his room, he opened his wardrobe and, faced with a row of clothes, suffered from an unusual inability to make a choice.

What should I wear?

In fact, Xiao Che had been rewarding him with a lot of clothing materials and ordering the Imperial Clothing Bureau to make clothes for him. The materials, workmanship, and styles were all excellent, and any one of them was presentable enough.

But he always felt it wasn't enough, and always wanted to pick out the best and most suitable outfit.

This is the first date I've ever had in both my lives combined.

This royal blue one is too somber and looks old-fashioned; that bamboo green one is too plain and not festive enough; the black one with silver patterns is luxurious, but wouldn't it be too eye-catching to wear out at night?

Lin Yan picked up one item after another, comparing them to the bronze mirror, his brows furrowed in worry.

He wandered around the room for a long time, turning the wardrobe upside down, before finally his gaze fell on a brand-new brocade robe—it was bright red, with cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread, festive yet not too ostentatious. Most importantly, the color made his skin look extremely fair and his complexion look good.

During the Chinese New Year, people always dress in bright red.

This is it!

Lin Yan finally made up her mind, took out the red dress, and carefully hung it aside to change into later.

Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, another thought popped into my head: What if Xiao Che's clothes don't match mine? They're a couple, after all!

Lin Yan imagined that if he were dressed like a red envelope and Xiao Che were dressed in dark colors, the two of them standing together would not look like a couple at all.

No, we need to think of a solution.

Lin Yan's eyes darted around, and he remembered the "Secret Guard Reporting" channel that he had neglected for a long time and had almost forgotten its original purpose.

Let's get right to it.

He quickly laid out paper and prepared ink. After thinking for a moment, he picked up his pen and wrote: "Tonight, I intend to wear a red robe with gold patterns. If Your Majesty has no other arrangements, you may choose one of similar colors to match."

Lin Yan, familiar with the place, slipped into the crack in the wall and slipped the secret report inside.

After doing all this, he clapped his hands, feeling a little unsure of himself.

Will Kim Gu come to collect this secret report again?

After all, his current focus as a "bodyguard" has long since shifted to a completely different place, and this channel has been unused for a long time, perhaps even abandoned.

Little did Lin Yan know that Xiao Che had long ago assigned Jin Jiu to him for his exclusive use. Ostensibly, Jin Jiu was there to protect and deliver messages, but in reality, he was more like a personal messenger responsible for "feeding" Lin Yan to the emperor.

Not long after the secret report was slipped into the crack in the wall, a figure that was almost blending into the shadows appeared silently. Two fingers precisely picked out the scroll, and in a flash, the figure sped off towards the imperial city.

Inside the Imperial Study in the Imperial Palace.

Xiao Che had just finished processing several memorials regarding auspicious omens and congratulatory messages from various places during the New Year, and a hint of weariness lingered in his eyes.

Although there are fewer official duties during the holidays than on weekdays, the various ceremonies, rewards, and social interactions still take up a lot of time and energy.

Li Defu quietly stepped forward, offered a cup of freshly brewed hot tea, and whispered, "Your Majesty, Jin Jiu requests an audience, saying that there is news from Lord Lin's side."

The weariness in Xiao Che's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a glimmer of light: "Send it."

Jin Jiu entered, bowed silently, and presented the small secret report.

Xiao Che took it, unfolded it, and quickly scanned the few words.

When he saw the "red robe with gold patterns" and "one who chose a similar color", he was stunned for a moment. Then, the corners of his lips couldn't help but turn up, and a very faint but genuine smile spread from the bottom of his eyes. Even the cold aura that he usually had around him softened a lot.

Is this person... pondering this?

Why was it sent via secret report?

Xiao Che could almost picture Lin Yan scratching his head in front of the wardrobe, looking conflicted, and the serious yet expectant expression on his face as he wrote the note.

He put down the note, tapped his fingertip lightly on the imperial desk, and felt inexplicably pleased.

"Li Defu".

“This old servant is here.” Li Defu immediately stepped forward.

"Go, pick out a new everyday robe for me made of crimson brocade," Xiao Che ordered casually. "It should be embroidered with gold patterns."

Li Defu was a shrewd man. Although he hadn't seen the contents of the secret report, judging from His Majesty's expression and considering that Jin Jiu came from Lord Lin's place, he had already guessed most of the truth.

He put on a smile and quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will take care of it right away. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely find you the most smart and suitable attire!"

Li Defu thought to himself, "Lord Lin is truly a remarkable person. He even cares about what His Majesty wears, and yet His Majesty falls for it."

She's probably thinking about going out tonight and wants to dress appropriately for His Majesty!

Li Defu mentally gave Lin Yan a thumbs up.

Oh my, what a clever little scheme...

Li Defu strode off to choose clothes for Xiao Che, and soon returned with a brand-new vermilion and gold embroidered casual robe, followed by two eunuchs carrying matching jade belts and hair ornaments.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of this outfit? It's a new piece of Yun brocade from Suzhou and Hangzhou, embroidered by the best embroiderers in the inner court. The colors are perfect, the gold threads are bright, it's both festive and dignified." Li Defu unfolded his robe, the fabric shimmering with a lustrous sheen in the light, the gold threads on it understated yet exquisite.

Xiao Che glanced at it and nodded in satisfaction: "Hmm, this outfit will do."

He imagined himself wearing this outfit, standing next to Lin Yan who was wearing a "crimson robe with gold patterns"...

Yes, they should be a good match.

This thought made Xiao Che feel even better, and he even found the gray sky outside the window more pleasing to the eye.

He raised his hand to signal Li Defu to come forward and help him change, as if he couldn't wait to try on the new clothes.

Meanwhile, in the Lin residence, Lin Yan was completely unaware of the commotion in the palace caused by his secret report.

He was facing that bright red brocade robe, pondering whether it would be better to wear the small jade-inlaid crown that evening or simply tie his hair up with a jade hairpin.

Dating is always something to look forward to, yet you can't help but agonize over the details.

Especially her first date with Xiao Che.

Lin Yan took a deep breath and told herself to calm down.

It's not a big problem; it's just going shopping with my partner.

...Yeah, right! This was his first date! His first time!

Looking at the setting sun outside the window, Lin Yan felt that time had never passed so slowly, yet so quickly.

My heart has already flown towards the approaching night.

As the sun set, the newly installed carp lanterns under the eaves of the Lin residence were lit early, casting a warm halo in the deepening twilight.

Lin Yan, dressed in a brand-new crimson brocade robe with gold patterns, looked handsome and refined. He paced around the hall for a couple of steps, then sat down, his fingertips tapping the table unconsciously, glancing at the door every now and then.

My heart is beating a little fast.

Tight-fitting.

Finally, the sound of wheels rolling over the bluestone road came from outside the door. It was not the noise of palace processions, but the sound of an ordinary carriage.

Lin Yan's spirits lifted, and he immediately stood up, straightened his robes (which didn't need straightening), took a deep breath, and composed himself before slowly walking out to greet them.

Parked outside was a seemingly ordinary blue-draped carriage, much simpler than the one Xiao Che had used to take him back to his residence last time. If it weren't for the familiar figure of Li Defu sitting on the carriage shaft, it would have been almost indistinguishable from the carriages used by wealthy families in the city.

Upon seeing him, Li Defu immediately put on a perfectly timed smile, nimbly jumped off the carriage shaft, bowed, and whispered, "Lord Lin, please."

As she spoke, she lifted the carriage curtain for him.

As Lin Yan had expected, the interior space was much smaller than that of an emperor's carriage, and the furnishings were simple, with only thick soft cushions and a small lamp fixed in the corner, emitting a soft light.

Xiao Che was sitting among them when he heard the sound and looked up.

He was dressed in a vermilion casual suit; the similar hue and equally exquisite fabric created an unspoken harmony and understanding under the dim light.

Their eyes met, and a faint smile flashed across Xiao Che's eyes. His gaze swept over Lin Yan, as if he were appraising him or admiring him. He didn't say anything, but everything was understood without words.

Lin Yan felt her ears burning slightly under his gaze. Her little thoughts about "matching" were accurately caught and responded to by the other party, and a secret joy exploded within her.

He bent down and climbed into the carriage. Li Defu, being very perceptive, lowered the curtain to separate the inside from the outside.

The carriage swayed gently and began to move slowly.

The space suddenly became cramped, and the two were so close that they could almost feel each other's body temperature and the familiar scent of agarwood.

Lin Yan's feigned composure immediately crumbled.

He sat down next to Xiao Che, with a slight gap between them. His arms were neatly placed on his knees, and his eyes darted around, not daring to look directly at the person next to him.

[Ahhh, it's so close! This carriage is so small!]

His Majesty looks so good in red.

[What should I say? The moonlight is beautiful tonight?] Xiao Che doesn't get the point either.

As Xiao Che listened to the familiar barrage of thoughts in his ears and saw Lin Yan's helpless expression, the curve of his lips deepened.

He didn't speak first, but leaned against the car wall leisurely, as if patiently waiting for something.

The wheels rolled over the stone pavement, making a rhythmic, soft sound. For a moment, the carriage was so quiet that only the sound of each other's breathing could be heard.

Lin Yan felt that the silence was suffocating.

He glanced at Xiao Che furtively; the other man appeared calm and unperturbed.

As expected of an emperor, he is indeed very composed.

However, he is really not a person who can keep his composure.

Lin Yan suddenly had a sudden burst of courage, like someone who was ready to throw caution to the wind.

There's no one else in the car! Li Defu is driving outside!

Lin Yanxin steeled herself and shifted her buttocks closer to Xiao Che.

The gap vanished instantly, and their robes clung tightly together.

Xiao Che seemed to pause for a moment, turned his head to look at him, raised his eyebrows slightly, and asked.

Lin Yan's face flushed under his gaze, but she didn't stop moving. She reached out and tentatively took Xiao Che's arm.

The touch was of soft, slightly cool fabric and the firm lines of the arms beneath it.

Xiao Che didn't move or push him away, but his gaze deepened.

Lin Yan grew bolder and leaned half her body against Xiao Che, tilting her head so it was almost resting on his shoulder. She muttered softly, as if explaining or trying to embolden herself: "This carriage... is a bit shaky, so lean against it for stability."

After saying that, he blushed first.

That's a really lame excuse.

Xiao Che looked down and saw that fluffy head resting on his shoulder, his arm tightly held, and warmth seeping through the fabric.

He couldn't suppress the smile in his eyes as he listened to the obvious insincere words in the other person's ear.

Xiao Che readily adjusted his posture to make Lin Yan more comfortable, and naturally raised his other arm to gently place it on the back of Lin Yan's hand that was holding his.

The warm, dry palm enveloped Lin Yan's slightly cool fingers.

"Yes, it is a bit shaky." Xiao Che's voice was deep. He didn't expose Lin Yan's lie, but simply replied, "Lean on it."

With approval, Lin Yan's slight unease vanished instantly, and she relaxed completely, like a cat finding a heat source, rubbing against it contentedly and surrendering her weight entirely.

Hehe, that's great.

My boyfriend's hands feel nice to touch.

Your Majesty smells wonderful.

Xiao Che felt the weight on his shoulders and the slightly cool fingertips in his hands. Hearing the undisguised joy in the voice, he felt that the fatigue of the past few days and the cramped space of the carriage had turned into just the right amount of warmth.

He unconsciously stroked Lin Yan's hand with his fingertips, feeling the delicate skin and clear knuckles.

The carriage quieted down again, but the awkward silence of before was replaced by an intimate and peaceful atmosphere.

The street scene and sounds outside the window gradually became noisy, clearly indicating that we had arrived at a bustling market.

The warm light from the small lamp cast the silhouettes of the two people nestled together onto the carriage wall, their figures blurring and intertwining as the carriage swayed gently.

Lin Yan even wished the road could be a little longer.

Xiao Che suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, almost touching his earlobe: "This outfit suits you very well."

Lin Yan's ears tingled, his heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked up, only to meet Xiao Che's downcast gaze.

Those eyes appeared exceptionally deep in the dim light, clearly reflecting his image and undisguised admiration.

Lin Yan's cheeks flushed instantly, and the little voice inside her started dancing wildly again.

He complimented me! He complimented me!

[Ahhh, who can resist this?!]

[Calm down! Lin Yan! Be reserved! You must be reserved!]

He feigned composure, even with a hint of smugness: "Your Majesty's attire is quite heroic and extraordinary. Your subject... can barely be worthy of it."

Xiao Che chuckled softly, his chest vibrating slightly, the sound transmitted through their pressed bodies.

He didn't refute, but tightened his arms, pulling the person closer, and gently rubbed his chin against the top of Lin Yan's head.

"Yes, they match very well."

He spoke those three simple words in a low, tender voice.

Lin Yan buried her burning face in his shoulder, but couldn't help but smile.

Alright, what is modesty? Forget about it.

Outside the carriage, the atmosphere of everyday life was vibrant; inside, the promise of spring was quietly stirring.

Sitting on the carriage shaft, Li Defu listened to the faint laughter coming from the carriage behind him. A smile of hidden merit and fame appeared on his face, and he gently cracked his whip.

The carriage moved smoothly toward the lights.

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Author's Note: Xinmei looks beautiful again! [winking emoji]