Lin Yun readily agreed, watching the two walk away side by side, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
---
That evening, Lin Yun discussed the matter with Emperor Yongzheng in his bedchamber.
Yongzheng put his arm around her shoulder and laughed, "Yun'er, are you going to be a matchmaker?"
Lin Yun leaned against him and whispered, "Yu'er is stubborn, and ordinary men are hard to catch her eye."
Hongtun is exceptionally talented and gentle; he's a good match for her.
Yongzheng nodded: "Hongtun is indeed good. My thirteenth brother has done a good job in educating his son. If this matter can be accomplished, it will be a wonderful thing."
A few days later, Yunxiang entered the palace to pay his respects, and Lin Yun took the opportunity to bring up the matter.
Upon hearing this, Yunxiang's eyes flashed with delight: "Is Your Majesty truly serious? It would be my great honor to become in-laws with Your Majesty!"
Emperor Yongzheng also agreed: "Hongtun is indeed a good boy. I will issue an imperial decree to bestow this marriage upon him, what do you say?"
Lin Yun shook her head: "Your Majesty, I would like to ask the two children for their opinions first. Marriage is a serious matter and cannot be forced."
Yongzheng raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Yun'er is quite open-minded. In that case, arrange for them to meet more often."
Thus, under the Empress's deliberate arrangement, Daiyu and Hongtun gradually had more and more contact.
The two discussed mathematics in the classroom of Mingde Academy and admired flowers and recited poems in the Imperial Garden, gradually closing the distance between them.
Hongtun is gentle and refined, with exceptional speech; Daiyu is talented and has a delicate mind.
Hongtun knew that the Empress was trying to bring them together, and even his father said it was a good match and urged him to show his abilities. He was very happy about this.
During a chance encounter alone, Hongtun mustered his courage and presented Daiyu with a wooden hairpin he had carved himself, whispering, "Your Highness is exceptionally talented, and I greatly admire you. May I ask if you would mind..."
Daiyu took the wooden hairpin, her fingertips lightly touching the delicate patterns on it. A warmth filled her heart, and she nodded slightly.
Hongtun's heart was filled with joy, and he was overjoyed.
Meanwhile, preparations for going overseas have entered their final stage.
Inside Tianjin Port, fifty frigates stood in neat formation, the dark mass of ships gleaming with a cold metallic luster under the sunlight.
Merchants were busy loading goods onto ships, while naval officers and soldiers intensified their drills to ensure a smooth voyage.
The Emperor personally inspected the fleet and said to Lan Dingyuan, "This voyage is of great importance; you must ensure everyone's safety."
Lan Dingyuan solemnly accepted the order: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly not fail in my mission!"
If such a powerful and well-equipped ship were to malfunction, he would have no choice but to atone with his death.
Finally, in late March, as the east wind began to rise, the fleet set sail.
On the shore, among the crowd seeing them off, Daiyu and Hongtun stood side by side, watching the fleet sail away.
Hongtun said softly, "Once they return, our marriage should be settled."
Daiyu blushed slightly, but did not refute, only nodding gently.
My father is unaware of this yet, and I wonder what he will think once he finds out.
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