Princess Daoping

Yu Shu's smile froze, and a cold sweat appeared on her forehead. She said, "What you're saying, young lady, isn't everything in this world just a series of coincidences?"

Li Yin reached out and gently grasped Yu Shu's hand, then patted it lightly, saying, "Be careful what you say, lest you give them a handle to use against you."

Yu Shu's heart tightened at first, and when Li Yin touched her hand, she trembled slightly, thinking to herself that it was all over. If he really asked her what was going on, she would most likely be burned to death.

Li Yin noticed this but didn't reveal it. Instead, he told her to be careful with her words and gave her a gentle reminder. Her heart softened and warmed, like ice in summer or fire in winter.

For the first time, she had the thought of speaking the words buried in her heart. The words were about to come out, but she swallowed them back down. She looked down at the hand that Li Yin was holding.

Seeing this, Li Yin patted Yu Shu's hand again, chuckled, and said softly, "I was just trying to scare you. Be more careful in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shu looked up at the mirror and met Li Yin's smiling eyes. She sincerely said, "Thank you, young lady."

Li Yin withdrew his hand, and Yu Shu picked up the hair ornament and put it on Li Yin. Then she carefully braided his hair, and after every two strokes, she lightly dipped the peach wood comb in some osmanthus oil, filling the air with fragrance and exuding elegance.

After combing and tying his hair up, Li Yin followed Yu Shu's steps, winding his way to the gate of the Wen residence.

A carriage was parked at the entrance. The carriage was made of nanmu wood with gold thread, and jade ornaments hung from the corners. The jade ornaments had tassels hanging from them. The carriage was covered with green brocade cloth and embroidered bamboo and clouds.

Upon seeing Li Yin, the servant smiled and said, "Miss Li, this way please." As he spoke, he bowed slightly and made a gesture of invitation, his attitude so respectful that no one could find fault with him.

Yu Shu didn't even glance at the man. Instead, she helped Li Yin walk towards the carriage. When they reached the small steps, she said, "Miss, watch your step." She spoke quickly. As Li Yin lifted her foot to step on the steps, Yu Shu quickly moved closer and said in a voice that was so loud that only the two of them could hear, "Miss, first check if it's solid. The capital is not like Chengdu; there are many people and they are all very different."

Li Yin gently stepped onto the first step of the stairs, then stomped twice more before lifting his other foot and slowly climbing up.

The tassels fluttered in the wind, turning and twirling, while the jade pendants at his waist jingled crisply. Li Yin took three steps forward, stood on the carriage, and then extended his hand to Yu Shu.

When Yu Shu saw the hand reaching out to her, she was first taken aback, then felt a warmth in her heart, like snow melting in the sun and flowing gently.

She slowly extended her hand, and Li Yin pulled her up into the carriage. After they entered the carriage, Yu Shu said, "Miss, you mustn't do that again. It's too improper."

Upon hearing this, Li Yin smiled gently and said, "There was no one else there just now."

Yu Shu pouted and said, "That won't do either. Most of the people living here are from prominent families and noble clans. We can't be careless with our manners."

Li Yin nodded and said, "That makes sense, but I am Miss Li now, not Madam Wen yet, and not even half a member of the Wen family. Besides, I think etiquette is only for binding those who are obedient and compliant, and I am not one of them."

The carriage moved forward, the wind rustling the tassels, causing them to intertwine and clink together. The curtains were lifted, revealing a street corner. Sunlight, borrowing from the ground, streamed through the window and fell upon Li Yin, making the golden threads gleam and the ornaments in his hair sparkle.

Li Yin remained silent, without a smile, sitting quietly with upright posture. His hair was smooth and translucent, pure and untouched by any dust, like a celestial being. Yu Shu stared blankly at him, thinking that only someone with the same appearance as her master could be worthy of him.

Seeing this, Li Yin slightly curled the corners of his mouth. Yu Shu was simple-minded and couldn't keep secrets. She was simple yet attractive. Being around her always felt easy and comfortable.

The carriage swayed gently, a beam of sunlight fell on Li Yin, occasionally lightly brushing the corner of her mouth, and then shining on the hem of her skirt.

After traveling for an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped in a bustling part of the street. The servant knocked three times lightly, a rhythmic and orderly gesture as a reminder, and said, "Miss, we have arrived."

Yu Shu quickly stood up, lifted the curtain for Li Yin, and then gestured to Li Yin, saying, "Miss, please."

Li Yin reached out and gently shook hands with Yu Shu, then followed her as she got off the carriage in a dignified and composed manner.

As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she attracted attention. Her clothes were too beautiful, and she was too pretty. But the most important thing was the jade pendant with the word "Wen" engraved on it hanging from the eaves of the carriage behind her.

The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves, gathering in small groups, glancing at Li Yin as they turned to talk.

"What is the relationship between this person and Young Master Wen? The carriage he's riding in actually belongs to Young Master Wen. Isn't Young Master Wen the one who hates it when others touch his things?" the man said to his companion.

Qi Xue gently nudged Gu Si and said, "You like Young Master Wen too? You know so much about him."

Gu Si blushed and said, "Sister, what are you saying? I don't understand."

Seeing this, Qi Xue gently raised her hand and tapped Gu Si's head, saying, "The Wen family is worlds apart from us. Our fathers are only officials of a few ranks. Moreover, the Wen family is a prestigious family with many ancestral precepts. Even if we are truly fortunate enough to accept this marriage, we are afraid we will not be able to bear these precepts. Besides, this young master Wen is already engaged."

At this point, she suddenly stopped and looked at Li Yin. This man was not from the capital. If someone with such good looks were in the capital, his doorstep would probably be worn down by suitors, and he would definitely cause quite a stir here. She had her answer in her heart.

She had heard a little about what happened in Jincheng. The incident was strange, and the speed of the execution and the swiftness of the response were truly astonishing. The last time she had heard of something like this was eighteen years ago.

The Li family of Jincheng was suddenly wiped out, leaving behind an orphaned girl who took refuge in the Wen family. This person is most likely the one in question. Her attire is meant to show that the Wen family values ​​this family, but the real intention is to use her to gauge the reactions of other young ladies from different clans, and to use this as a window to test the attitudes of the various families in the court towards the Wen family.

Gu Si wanted to argue, but Qi Xue said seriously, "She is a distinguished guest of the Wen family. It's best if we stay away from her."

Gu Si didn't understand, but still nodded in agreement and said, "Okay."

Li Yin got off the carriage and was immediately stared at. She was a little uncomfortable being watched by everyone, and this feeling lasted until one person arrived.

A palace servant announced, "Princess Daoping has arrived."

Upon hearing this, everyone lifted their skirts slightly and bowed gently. Li Yin also bowed, her movements were a little clumsy but still proper, only a little slow in rhythm.

Li Yin was dressed exceptionally well today, and she had a beautiful figure. Even with her head down, her figure was still striking from behind.

Zhao Lianying gently raised her hand, signaling the sedan chair to stop. Upon seeing this, the palace servants gripped wooden sticks, raised their strength, and steadily placed the sedan chair on the ground from their shoulders.

Zhao Lianying took a step forward and walked up to Li Yin. She said in a languid tone, "Rise."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked up, but upon seeing the scene, they couldn't help but lower their heads again.

This person was actually wearing the same clothes as Princess Daoping! It was simply... simply courting death! The princess was furious, and everyone, fearing involvement, tried to keep a low profile.

When Zhao Lianying saw that it was Li Yin, she looked at him for a while and felt that he was somewhat familiar. She wondered if she had seen him somewhere before.

She was about to ask the person who had been following her when she turned around and saw no one. She then remembered that her grandmother had summoned the maid and she had not returned yet.

Zhao Lianying raised her hand, her fingertips touching Li Yin's chin. She lifted Li Yin's chin and said, "Where did this good sister come from? How come her taste is the same as mine?"

She spoke with a hint of a smile, but you couldn't discern her true feelings of joy or sorrow just by listening.

Li Yin said, "Princess, your majesty is beyond compare. How could I possibly compare to even a corner of your dress? You are the bright moon and stars, while I am but dust on the ground."

Yu Shu clenched her fists tightly. She had been nervous ever since she met Zhao Lianying. Zhao Lianying was the daughter of the Empress and the Emperor's only daughter. She was the center of attention in the palace, and the Emperor always granted her wishes, except for her marriage.

Daoping was known throughout the capital for her fondness for Young Master Wen. She had tried all sorts of methods, but none of them had worked. However, this only fueled her enthusiasm, and she became more and more determined.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lianying smiled and released her grip, saying, "You do have good taste."

After saying that, she clapped her hands lightly and said, "It's time for everyone to go. We still need to enjoy the flowers before the palace banquet ends, so that they don't wither."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked up, and Gu Si and some others surrounded Zhao Lianying, praising her incessantly, "Your Highness, you look much better in this. That dress only made her look somewhat attractive because of its exceptional craftsmanship, but it's still worlds apart from Your Highness."

"Yes, Your Highness, she is only beautiful in her clothes. You are beautiful in every way, like a fairy in a painting. Only a truly exceptional person can be worthy of you."

Someone in the group chat mentioned, "Young Master Wen is number one on the list of beauties."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lianying smiled gently and said, "Young Master Wen, he treats me differently too."

Gu Si suddenly murmured, "That girl just now got off Young Master Wen's carriage."

But somehow Zhao Lianying overheard this whispered remark. Zhao Lianying looked at Gu Si, sized him up, and then said nothing. Instead, she went to the flower garden and waited for everyone to take their seats.

She grabbed Gu Si and asked in a low, urgent voice, "Who did you say got off Young Master Wen's carriage?"

Gu Si looked panicked and said truthfully, "Yes, it was the girl who was wearing the same clothes as you just now."

Zhao Lianying realized she had lost her composure, so she quickly released Gu Si's hand and smiled gently, saying, "You can rest assured, I was just asking."

Although she said this on the surface, her hands were curled up inside her sleeves, and her long, nail-painted nails were almost embedded in her flesh.

Zhao Lianying acted as if she hadn't heard anything, still smiling, but her eyes held a hint of disdain as she looked at Li Yin.

This garment was a gift from my father, the Emperor. There was a replica, but a replica is still a replica. After being exposed to direct sunlight for an hour, it easily became stained.

The counterfeit was bestowed upon Consort Wen, and naturally ended up in the Wen family. What despicable means did this person use to obtain it? It's truly shameful.

Zhao Lianying suddenly smiled and said, "Everyone, we have a newcomer today. How about we have her perform a dance to broaden everyone's horizons?"

Everyone knew who this newcomer was, and the crowd responded with "Okay!"

Right now, the sun is high in the sky, and it's the hottest time of day. Even if you don't stay in the sun for an hour, dancing will make you sweat and cause your clothes to fade. She can't wait to see this person's embarrassed appearance in public.

Thinking of this, Zhao Lianying's smile deepened.