Chapter 48 A Deep Fate, A Favorite of Male Virtue and Admonition

The young master said, "After we parted by the lake last time, I wanted to find you again, my lady. It was a pity that at the time I only knew your surname, but not where your residence was. The servants searched everywhere but could not find you, which was a real regret. I never expected to meet you in the bookstore today."

"Young Master Yang." Yuan Yan was somewhat surprised when he saw the other person's face clearly.

The young master wearing the veil was none other than Young Master Yang, who had taken a boat trip on the lake with her that day.

Hearing Yang Lingyi's simple and straightforward words, Yuan Yan smiled, "So it seems that I and you have quite a connection."

“Yes, people often say that it’s fate that strangers meet by chance, and this is the second time we’ve met.” Yang Lingyi smiled.

Since it was inconvenient to talk in the bookstore, Yuan Yan dismissed the bookstore staff and the surrounding guards, and the two went to a private room in the teahouse next door.

"Young Master Yang, what brings you here today?"

Yang Lingyi was a little embarrassed when she heard the question. "Don't laugh, Madam Lin. I enjoy reading. I like to read books when I have free time."

"I didn't bring many books with me to the capital this time, and I've already finished reading them all, so I'm going to the bookstore to find some books to read."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yan asked with slight surprise, "Isn't Young Master Yang from the capital?"

"Yes, I grew up in Yanzhou, but my father is from the capital." Yang Lingyi answered whatever was asked without any intention of hiding anything, showing remarkable naivety.

Yanzhou? That place is quite far from the capital.

However, Yang's parents' home is here, so this trip back is likely for a family visit. Given the long distance, and the rare opportunity to visit relatives, she probably won't be returning so soon, meaning Yang Lingyi won't be leaving immediately.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yan felt slightly relieved. However, she maintained her composure and continued talking to Yang Lingyi.

"Young master's hobby is quite different from that of ordinary young ladies. I wonder what kind of books you usually like to read?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Lingyi smiled gently, her face radiant like a spring breeze, her beauty captivating, and her smile carrying a touch of playfulness.

"If someone else asks, my son will definitely say it's about male virtues and precepts."

Yuan Yan asked curiously, "What if I were to ask?"

“If Madam Lin asks, that’s a different story. My son can actually read a bit of everything, including poetry collections, medical books, and storybooks, but his favorite is history books,” Yang Lingyi said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Jinshu, the male servant standing nearby, couldn't hold back any longer and couldn't help but interject.

"Yes, madam, my young master loves reading the most. While other boys are strolling in the garden, admiring flowers, playing the zither, painting, or practicing needlework, he is reading."

“My master’s family is the Imperial Family… No matter how the master tries to control him, the young master won’t listen. If you try to stop him from watching, he will even sneak away and fight against the barbarians.”

"Our young master has had his servants collect a lot of historical books from all dynasties, and he's read almost all of them. This time, we heard that this bookstore in the capital has the largest collection of books, including rare copies that are not for sale, so we brought Xiao Lu here specifically." Jinshu pouted and muttered.

Yuan Yan: "So Young Master Yang is such a lover of reading. He is well-versed in history and has a wealth of literary knowledge; he must be a man of extraordinary talent."

"This young man is just reading casually because he has nothing else to do; he can hardly be called a talented man."

When Yang Lingyi saw that Jinshu had told her all about what she had done in private, her fair cheeks flushed red, like the halo of a new moon. She said shyly, "I'm sorry to have made Lady Lin laugh."

Seeing that he was indeed embarrassed, Yuan Yan smiled and tactfully changed the subject.

"If it weren't for what Young Master Yang just mentioned, I wouldn't have known that this bookstore had a rare book in its collection. I happen to be buying books as well, so why don't we go and take a look together?"

The two returned to the bookstore, and Yuan Yan had someone fetch the shopkeeper, who then brought out all the rare books in the store for them to see.

"These books in my little grandmother's collection are her most cherished possessions, collected from various places. They are treasures from the hands of our ancestors, and every piece is precious. They are well-preserved and extremely rare. Not just anyone can read them."

The shopkeeper instructed his assistants to handle the items with care while simultaneously trying to curry favor with Yuan Yan.

"If I hadn't realized today that you, my lady, love books, I would never have been willing to take out all these treasures."

The system commented: [You can't tell if someone loves books just by looking at them. This shopkeeper clearly thinks you're a wealthy person, more like it!]

Yuan Yan naturally understood what the system could see. Not wanting to hear the shopkeeper's ramblings, she gave Zhui Feng a look.

Zhui Feng immediately stepped forward and said, "Shopkeeper, please don't say any more. My master is not short of money. If you take a fancy to any of these books, the reward will certainly satisfy you."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper knew he had met a big customer today, and he was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He obediently shut his mouth and retreated.

Yuan Yan then looked at Yang Lingyi and said, "Young Master Yang, all these rare books are here. Please take a look and feel free to take any you like back with you."

Yang Lingyi was delighted to see these rare books and carefully examined them one by one before finally choosing two.

“Lady Lin, I’ve made my choice. These two notebooks are quite interesting, so I’ll choose these two.”

He picked out a book he liked, and his heart leaped with joy; even his eyes were shining. He was clearly a true book lover.

"If Young Master Yang likes it, that's good." Yuan Yan also looked around and picked out a few legal codes. He wanted to give the rare copy to Yang Lingyi, so he called the shopkeeper over to settle the bill together.

"Shopkeeper, name your price. How much are these two rare scrolls and the books I have together? Let's calculate it and sell them to me together," she said.

The shopkeeper was initially delighted that he was about to make a big sale today, but when he looked up, he was surprised to find that Yang Lingyi was holding the rare book, and his expression immediately changed.

"May I ask, madam, is this rare book for your own perusal, or is it a gift for this young master?"

Zhuiyue said, "What's the difference? Shopkeeper, you're in business, just focus on collecting money, why ask so many questions?"

"Alas, how can these be the same? This rare book of mine is sold to discerning young women, never to men. Men would never understand these things; they would only use the book to appear cultured. Selling it to them would be a waste of my fine book." The shopkeeper shook his head and sighed.

“If you are buying this young lady for this gentleman, please forgive me for not making the sale.” The shopkeeper was particularly stubborn on this point.

Zhui Feng was furious, "How could you be like this, you old hag!"

“I already promised my master I would sell the books, how can I go back on my word?” she said, defending her master.

"But the little girl didn't know at the time that the girl was bought for someone else!" The shopkeeper felt wronged and insisted on not giving it up.

I thought the shopkeeper was a money-loving person, but I didn't expect her to have such a stubborn and persistent side.

Yuan Yan felt slightly surprised.

Seeing this, Yang Lingyi didn't want to put Yuan Yan in a difficult position, so she immediately gave up the idea of ​​buying the book, shook her head, and gently tugged at Yuan Yan's sleeve, saying, "Never mind, Madam Lin... let's go to another bookstore and take a look."

Yuan Yan did not agree, but instead spoke to comfort Yang Lingyi.

“Young Master, you genuinely like this book and are not the person the shopkeeper described. Why not take it? Young Master Yang, don't worry, let me ask the shopkeeper.”

Yuan Yan was tall and handsome, with an extraordinary presence; he was clearly no ordinary person.

"What... what does our distinguished guest intend to do?"

Listening to their conversation, the shopkeeper felt a little intimidated by Yuan Yan's gaze, but he still braced himself and said, "Even if you offer more money today, I will not sell."

To everyone's surprise, Yuan Yan did not get angry, but calmly asked her.

"Does the shopkeeper mean that he thinks Young Master Yang won't understand it, and that he's afraid the rare book will end up with an unappreciative owner, gathering dust on the shelf, so he's unwilling to sell it to him?"

"Yes, that's right," the shopkeeper replied reluctantly.

Yuan Yan pressed further: "So, if Young Master Yang proves that he truly loves and understands books, will he be able to buy these rare books from you?"

“My little sister has no grudge against silver. If this young master is really as the young lady says, then I will sell this rare book to him at a discount,” the shopkeeper said.

"But how can I prove that I read the book?" she asked.

Yuan Yan: "I don't want you to give me a discount. The agreed amount of silver is what it should be."

"Since that's the case, and this young master enjoys reading history, the shopkeeper will casually pose a few questions to see if Young Master Yang can answer them."

After Yuan Yan finished speaking, he turned to look at Yang Lingyi, his expression softening.

"Young Master Yang, would you be willing to give my proposed method a try?"

“Your Highness is speaking up for me. I am confident and will give it a try.” Yang Lingyi was not intimidated and nodded readily in agreement.

The shopkeeper agreed to do so, and then casually asked two simple questions.

I thought Yang Lingyi wouldn't be able to answer, but to my surprise, he gave the correct answer without hesitation.

The shopkeeper then became serious. When it came to the third question, she deliberately chose a little-known historical event as the topic, hoping to stump Yang Lingyi. However, the young master only pondered for a moment before speaking again.

"..." Only then did the shopkeeper believe that the man in front of him was a true book lover, and he couldn't help but blush. He had judged a book by its cover.

"Alright, it's just that I was blind and didn't realize that you, young master, are quite learned. I lost this bet." She cupped her hands in apology to the two of them.

Despite this setback, Yuan Yan eventually bought the rare copy from the shopkeeper and gave it to Yang Lingyi.

Yang Lingyi hugged the two scrolls and couldn't help but laugh. He had won them by beating the shopkeeper, so he felt a great sense of accomplishment and was very happy.

“Madam Lin, these two rare volumes are quite valuable. You’ve gone to so much trouble to pay for them,” Yang Lingyi said.

He had only met Yuan Yan twice before, and he had already accepted her gift. Feeling a little embarrassed, he wanted Jinshu to return the money to Yuan Yan.

“Young Master Yang and I are friends, and it is common for friends to exchange gifts. It’s just two volumes of books, why are you being so formal?”

Yuan Yan showed no intention of accepting the gift. Instead, he gave Yang Lingyi a bright and cheerful smile that made his heart race.

Yang Lingyi gazed into Yuan Yan's eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed, and she had no intention of refusing. "Madam Lin... thank you."

“If you really feel bad about it, then please treat me to a meal next time we meet,” Yuan Yan said with a smile, noticing his shyness.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lingyi was tempted, but it also reminded her of her own situation.

After his previous sneaking out incident, the eldest prince now keeps a close watch on him, not allowing him to leave the residence unless attending a banquet. Wherever he goes, he is accompanied by at least three or five male servants, and even more guards.