The morning light shines through the carved window lattices, casting a fine glow.
Li Sisi got up early, which was rare for her. She sat in front of the dressing table and had her maid help her to dress up.
Thinking about yesterday evening when the Fourth Prince asked her to go to Zuixianlou to discuss cotton, she couldn't stop smiling.
"Miss, do you think this outfit is okay for you today?" The maid Caique said as she inserted a hairpin into Li Sisi's black hair.
Li Sisi was thinking about cotton and casually glanced at herself in the bronze mirror. She looked serious.
"Okay, that's it," he said, then stood up and walked outside.
Get on the Shen Mansion carriage and head to the agreed location.
It was noon now. The Fourth Prince had asked her to have an appointment at lunch time, which was later than now.
Li Sisi originally thought that since she needed help from someone, she should arrive earlier than the agreed time to show respect.
Unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince arrived earlier than her.
He was wearing a navy blue robe today, with a dark jade-colored hair crown on his head. He sat there with a dignified demeanor and a straight back.
Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, he immediately looked up towards the door.
Then he saw Li Sisi, dressed in a long Begonia brocade dress, walk in. She seemed surprised by his early arrival and said with a bright and generous smile, "Greetings, Fourth Prince. I had originally wanted to come earlier, but I didn't expect the Fourth Prince to arrive earlier than me."
Her bright and charming face was filled with an unabashedly frank smile, and the flower ornaments between her eyebrows changed with her expression, as if they were alive.
The Fourth Prince was stunned for a moment, and only came to his senses when Li Sisi approached the table and looked at him with smiling eyes.
"Have you been waiting for a long time, Fourth Prince?"
"I haven't waited long. Your Highness just arrived not long ago." The Fourth Prince's heartbeat inexplicably quickened a little, and his eyes unconsciously followed her movements.
At this time, delicious food and fine wine were served one after another.
Li Sisi stood up diligently, picked up the wine jug, walked to the Fourth Prince, and poured wine for him. Her tone was full of undisguised excitement and anticipation: "I wonder what's happening with the cotton that the Fourth Prince brought yesterday?"
The aroma of wine filled the air, and his heart fluttered for only a moment before the Fourth Prince regained his usual self-confidence. He took the wine glass, took a sip, and replied with a proud attitude, "It seems that Madam Xiao is really interested in my Highness's cotton."
"Yes, after all, cotton is such a rare thing that only you, the Fourth Prince, have it!" Li Sisi answered bluntly.
The Fourth Prince's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and he spoke with dignity, "When I went down to see it yesterday, the cotton had already borne fruit, with soft, white flowers as white as clouds. They were extremely lovely to look at."
Li Sisi's eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, "Really? Then when can I go to your farm to pick cotton?"
The Fourth Prince was stunned when he heard this. His eyes widened in surprise. He asked in doubt, "Are you planning to go pick them yourself?"
Li Sisi nodded enthusiastically, her bright smile making the dimples on her cheeks and the flower ornaments between her eyebrows particularly attractive. "Yes, is it okay? I haven't picked cotton yet! It just so happens that I'm quite free lately."
The Fourth Prince had not expected her to have such an idea. He was surprised and delighted and said, "I never thought that Madam Xiao, a lady from a distinguished family, would have the same novel idea as this prince."
He immediately responded generously, "When the cotton is ripe in two days, I will personally send an invitation to Madam Xiao Er to come to the farm, and we will experience the joy of picking cotton together."
Li Sisi's eyebrows curved, and her smile was as dazzling and intoxicating as the morning sunshine: "Okay, then I will wait for good news!"
In another private room of Zuixianlou.
The incense burner with the scent of gardenia emits wisps of blue smoke.
Wen Luoxin looked at Xiao Yunchen with an apologetic look on her face: "It's all my fault that I shouldn't have come to your house to ask for your help that day. If it weren't for me, Master Xiao wouldn't have argued with your wife, causing discord between you two. It's all my fault."
She stood up slowly, picked up the wine glass, and said sincerely, "I will drink three cups as punishment to apologize to Master Xiao."
Xiao Yunchen hurriedly stopped her and said, "No need, no need. This matter has nothing to do with Second Miss Wen." He watched Wen Luoxin drink three glasses of wine with a look of self-blame on her face, and sighed helplessly.
He said gently, "Second Miss Wen, please don't take everything on yourself. I heard that you have been saving many people with serious illnesses in the capital recently without expecting anything in return. You truly have a kind heart."
Xiao Yunchen looked at her with admiration and said, "Second Miss Wen, you are a good person."
When Wen Luoxin heard his words, a trace of loneliness appeared on her face, as pure as a gardenia. She lowered her eyes and said softly, "Master Xiao, thank you for your praise. I have done so much and asked for nothing else. Just a word of praise from Master Xiao is worth it."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunchen frowned slightly. He vaguely felt that Wen Luoxin's words were a bit ambiguous, but he also thought that he might be overthinking it, so he didn't specifically point it out to correct her.
Seeing him silent, Wen Luoxin bit her lip, still looking guilty, and asked tentatively, "Master Xiao, do you really not need my help in explaining to Madam Xiao? After all, it's always easier for us women to talk when we're together."
Xiao Yunchen thought about her words carefully and felt that it made sense. Women should understand women's minds better.
He thanked her hurriedly, "Alright, I'll trouble Miss Wen Er then. But my wife is now in the Shen Mansion, and she... won't see me. Please go to the Shen Mansion to see my wife."
Wen Luoxin raised the corner of her mouth slightly: "Don't bother, it's my honor to be able to help."
Soon, the dishes were served. Wen Luoxin ate some of the dishes with dignified manners, and then accompanied Xiao Yunchen for a few drinks. Gradually, her face became flushed.
With her head tilted, her bright and clear eyes were a little hazy, and she seemed tipsy, supporting her chin with her hand as she spoke in a delicate voice, "I've heard that Sir Xiao is a promising young man, having won first place in the Autumn Examination at the age of 17. He's a rare handsome man. After meeting him recently, Luo Xin feels that Sir Xiao is even more outstanding than the rumors say!"
Xiao Yunchen was embarrassed by her sudden ambiguous words. He frowned and said, "Second Miss Wen, you are drunk. I will have the servants take you back to the mansion."
"I'm not drunk." Wen Luoxin stood up with her hands and smiled coquettishly: "Look, I can still walk home by myself!"
As she spoke, she staggered.
Xiao Yunchen quickly stood up and wanted to help, but felt that it was not right, so he stood there without moving.
Wen Luoxin lowered her eyes, a trace of resentment flashing through her heart, and she cursed inwardly: "Wooden! Idiot! No wonder I looked down on him in my previous life!"
But... thinking of Xiao Yunchen's bright future career and his simple and gullible nature, he endured it.
I glanced at the nearly burned-out gardenia incense.
He stood up straight, bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Xiao, for honoring me today. I think lunch is almost over, so I'll take my leave now."
Xiao Yunchen also bowed politely and said, "I'll see you off, young lady." Then he took two steps forward and opened the door of the box.
Xiao Yunchen breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that although Wen Luoxin's steps were weak, she could still walk normally.
Halfway down the corridor, the door of the adjacent wing opened and their eyes met.
The moment Xiao Yunchen saw Li Sisi, his eyes lit up, but when he saw the smiling Fourth Prince beside her, his eyes instantly dimmed.
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