One day, the sky was clear and the air was crisp. Lanqin sat on the couch with a book in her arms, reading. On the table was a cup of Snow Top Green Tea. She could see the scenery outside the window and hear birds chirping occasionally. She was in a very good mood.
Such leisurely time passed quietly, and Lanqin read for a long time without feeling tired.
Yu Xiao tiptoed in from outside and bowed to Lan Qin, saying, "Your Majesty, the concubine of Grand Minister Aling'a and his youngest daughter, Niu Hulu Yuyin, request an audience."
Lanqin was quite surprised to hear this. She put down the book in her hand. She was not unfamiliar with the name Yu Yin, but she was not very familiar with it either. She simply said, "Quickly, please come in."
Yu Xiao hurriedly went to the outer hall and invited Yu Yin in.
Lanqin hurriedly got off the bed. She was completely unprepared for Yu Yin's arrival. She had never met Yu Yin before, and this was the first time she had seen her. When she reached the door, she saw Yu Yin walking in from outside, accompanied by a middle-aged woman.
Upon seeing Lanqin, the two knelt and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Lanqin helped the two women up and said with a smile, "Since you two were coming, why didn't you tell me earlier? I would have had someone prepare."
The middle-aged woman was very well-mannered, with a gentle smile on her face. "I am Lord Aling'a's concubine, and this is Lord Aling'a's youngest daughter, Yu Yin."
Lanqin smiled and shifted her gaze from the aunt's face to Yuyin's. Yuyin was very sensible and knew the rules. She bowed to Lanqin again, her voice as melodious as a nightingale's, "Yuyin greets her cousin."
Lanqin quickly helped her up, saying, "I'm your cousin, we're all family, no need to be so polite."
The aunt smiled and said, "Yu Yin greatly admires her cousin and has wanted to pay her respects for a long time. However, I was unable to accompany Yu Yin to pay her respects to Your Majesty the other day, so it has been delayed until today. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
She looked at Yu Yin. When she was in the selection process, her father had asked Lord Aling'a for help. Since none of Aling'a's own daughters were of age to participate in the selection, her uncle Aling'a had nominated her.
Yu Yin wore a blue Shu brocade qipao with jasmine patterns, the cuffs edged with gold thread. Although it wasn't too flashy, it still highlighted her status as the legitimate daughter of Aling.
Yu Yin was only thirty years old, the most beautiful time of her life. Her eyes were bright as autumn water, her eyebrows were delicate, and her features were exquisite.
"Please come in and have a seat, both of you!" Lanqin said. Then she gestured for Yuxiao to pour tea and serve them some snacks.
Aunt and Yu Yin entered the house together. Although Yu Yin was also a noble lady, she had never seen a house and furnishings like those in the Yuanmingyuan. Lan Qin's room was exquisitely decorated, and the ornaments were all very rare and precious items.
As expected of a royal garden, Yu Yin felt a deep respect and admiration for it.
Baoqin and Yuxiao brought tea, and Lanqin kept observing. She noticed that although Yuyin was observing the room, her gaze was not as petty as some people's. Instead, she seemed to have a very generous demeanor, graceful manners, and good manners.
“The Yuanmingyuan Garden is quiet and peaceful. I hope Your Majesty is comfortable staying here,” the concubine said as she entered the room.
Lanqin smiled and said, "That's why I stayed here. But my room is simple, and I don't have anything nice to offer you two."
Yu Yin hurriedly said, "Cousin, how can you say that what you have here is simple? You are too kind."
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