Having resolved Xiao Xi's matter, the next day, it was time for Tong Erjie's blind date to arrive. Yinzhen waited in the courtyard while she went to the neighboring courtyard to call for him, also thinking that she should take a look first. If she couldn't even pass this test herself, there was no need for the Fourth Prince to meet her.

Because she was a princess and a man from outside the palace, Granny Qiu veiled her mistress's face. Tong Erjie had privately reminded her of Fang Nanyi's identity.

That person was also cautious and knew the rules well; from beginning to end, he never dared to look directly at Nan Yi.

The man Tong Erjie was dating was about thirty years old. He looked honest and kind, with a moderate appearance and build. However, his eyes seemed a bit shrewd.

I heard that his family has been in business for generations and has accumulated some wealth, owning several shops that make a living selling porcelain.

Unable to discern whether he was good or bad, Nan Yi instructed Yiren, "Take him to the next courtyard; Master is still waiting."

This is a test for the Fourth Master himself.

As soon as she finished speaking, not only the two Tong sisters, but also the man sitting below felt a surge of tension, for that was a prince.

He never imagined that the woman he was interested in had a prince backing her up, and Li Zhonglin was both happy and worried.

As a businessman, he genuinely wanted to marry Tong Tinglan, and he certainly understood that if she had the backing of a prince, it would be very advantageous for him to have her under his protection.

At first, Li Zhonglin thought the other party was just a woman from a fallen noble family who had been married twice. Now, he wondered if she would even be interested in a small merchant like him.

Yi Ren led Li Zhonglin away.

Seeing her older sister's nervous expression, the third sister of the Tong family knew that she and her second sister were satisfied with Li Zhonglin, but they were afraid that the fourth master would have high standards and look down on Li Zhonglin, thus opposing the marriage.

The second sister was satisfied and had no objections. As for the younger sister... she chuckled and said, "Younger sister, the second sister and I both think Li Zhonglin is a good person. He seems like a good person to settle down with. He doesn't seem like someone with any ulterior motives, and he's honest."

Nan Yi remained noncommittal. "An honest man's honesty isn't always written on his face. He's a businessman. How honest can a businessman be? I'll tell you the news after I've met him."

She stood up and waited for the results of the interview next door.

Yiren suddenly ran into the room, her face filled with shock and panic. She cried out, "Master, something terrible has happened!"

Nan Yi was startled by her question, "Is Master not satisfied with Li Zhonglin?" She thought to herself, "Is it because Fourth Master is too discerning to know that Li Zhonglin is no good just by looking at him?"

The second and third sisters of the Tong family were also made nervous by her questions.

“No, Master, it has nothing to do with Li Zhonglin. Oh, wait, it does. Li Zhonglin might have hit the jackpot today.” Yiren pulled her master toward the next room.

Suddenly remembering something, she said to the Tong sisters behind her, "Second Miss and Third Miss, please don't follow us. We have distinguished guests in the courtyard, and it's not convenient for outsiders to see them."

Tong Erjie and Tong Sanjie were slightly taken aback. Granny Qiu seemed to have thought of something and followed behind her mistress.

"Distinguished guest, who is it? Eighth Master, Ninth Master, Tenth Master, or Fourteenth Master?" Nan asked, bewildered.

"Hey, you'll see for yourself." Yiren pulled her along quickly.

"Ha, still keeping me in suspense," Nan Yi laughed and scolded. "Fine, I'll see for myself who this is... uh... Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Yinzhen gave Nan Yi a wink, who was still in a daze, and pointed very lightly at Li Zhonglin with his hand hanging at his side.

Nan blinked and saw Old Master Kang and several princes, such distinguished guests.

The Qing emperor's surprise attack made her nervous.

She swallowed hard and curtsied, but the words of greeting caught her off guard.

Emperor Kangxi was traveling incognito outside the palace, and his identity could not be revealed, especially with outsiders present. His mind was racing.

Nan Yi pursed her lips, pondering what to call him.

Kangxi didn't speak first, but looked at her with a smile, as if he really wanted to see her make a fool of herself.

Ninth Master and Fourteenth Master also remained silent.

Seeing her troubled, the Ninth Prince slowly opened the folding fan in his hand, his index finger seemingly unintentionally touching a vigorous old pine tree on the fan surface.

"Sir, this is inappropriate," Nan Yi shook his head and chuckled. "You've arrived. Yi Lan is deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Kangxi hummed in agreement, put down his teacup, and said gently, "I was passing through this area and heard that the girl lives here, so I stopped by to take a look. The estate is nice, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters; it's a perfect place for a leisurely and healthy life."

Nan Yi smiled modestly and said, "You're too modest. It's just a bit rustic."

She secretly glanced at the Ninth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince beside her. The Fourteenth Prince patted his belly, and Nan Yi continued, "It's rare for you to come here. It's almost lunchtime. Why don't you stay here for lunch? The estate may not have much else, but we use local ingredients, and they're fresh. You should try them."

Kangxi nodded, "Go and prepare. I heard from the fourth prince that you raised fish and grew grapes on the estate."

"Not only that, Yilan also made wine from those grapes. The taste is so-so, but it's novel. Shall I prepare some for you as well?"

"You can arrange it as you see fit."

Nan Yifu stepped back, letting out a long sigh as she turned around. Old Master Kang must have been bored, actually coming to her estate.

Yiren followed her mistress and whispered repeatedly, "My lady, what was His Majesty thinking? Coming to our little place for a stroll, making us feel honored and dignified? I didn't feel it at all. I was really scared to death."

"I am no different. I have been staying at the manor and refusing to go back to the palace. Although the master indulges me, I am also afraid that His Majesty will be angry that I do not know the rules." Nan Yi was even more afraid and couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"This..." Yiren didn't know how to comfort her mistress, as she was also worried about this.

In Zhuangzi's kitchen, Xiao Xi saw her and kept exclaiming, "My God, Nan Yi, is that the Emperor? I never thought I would have the honor of meeting the Emperor. Nan Yi, you know, the Emperor is indeed as majestic as the rumors say."

Nan Yi gave a listless "hmm," and said, "Is that how the Emperor is?"

"What? Have you seen many emperors? Bah, Nan Yi, our emperor is truly majestic and domineering." While flattering him, Xiao Xi glanced around nervously, then glared at Nan Yi. "Always talking nonsense. You can't let outsiders hear this."

In the front yard, after Li Zhonglin left, Kangxi and his sons walked around the estate. Back in the house, Kangxi suddenly said, "An estate is an estate, but staying there for a long time is not a good idea. Fourth Prince, in a few days, bring the girl back to the manor. The Consort misses her and wants her to come to the palace to keep her company."

Yinzhen felt a chill run down his spine, knowing this would be the outcome. "Your subject obeys the decree."

When the Ninth Prince heard that his father had personally issued the edict, he was secretly delighted, feeling that he had done a good deed for Nan Yi.

Little did they know, Nan Yi's wish was to stay peacefully in Tongzhou and not get involved in the mess in the government office.

That evening, Yinzhen relayed his father's decree, and Nan Yi stomped her feet in anger, saying, "I knew it wouldn't do any good for the Emperor to come. Why didn't you refuse him for me?"

"Keep quiet. Your father cares about you and personally asked you to return. This is a great favor, and you still don't appreciate it."

Yinzhen scolded her impatiently, but seeing her pouting and unwilling, he sighed softly, "If I were to refuse according to your wishes, then I would be the one who doesn't know what's good for me."