The auspicious day of the sixth day of next month will arrive in the blink of an eye. In the Lin family's new mansion, the fragrance of locust blossoms is made even stronger by the sunlight.
The family got up early and busied themselves with joy.
Lin Yun directed Xiao Tao and several maids to move the last batch of items into the new house, while Lin's mother led the servants to decorate the hall, and Lin's father and Lin Feng arranged the tables and chairs for the banquet in the courtyard.
The new house has three courtyards, which are much more spacious than the original one, and the blue bricks and gray tiles exude a brand-new atmosphere.
Even the newly planted wisteria in the corner seemed to sense its owner's joy, its vines stretching out and hanging down strings of pale purple flower spikes.
"This house is so nice!" Xiao Tao exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she hugged a stack of embroidered cushions.
"Miss, look at this pavilion in the backyard. It's perfect for cooling off in the summer!"
Lin Yun smiled and nodded, her fingertips brushing against the carved railings under the eaves: "Yes, my parents have worked hard for half their lives, and finally they have a decent home."
She looked up at the newly hung plaque above the main hall entrance.
The two characters "Lin Residence" are written with vigorous strokes. They were specially commissioned by Lin's father to be written by a famous calligrapher in the city, and the ink shines brightly in the morning light.
Just after noon, guests began to arrive.
Lin Yun changed into a lotus-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and only wore a silver hairpin with intertwined branches in her hair, exuding elegance in its simplicity.
She stood at the gate to greet guests, most of whom were neighbors and familiar merchants from around the shop, with congratulations and laughter rising and falling.
"Manager Lin, this house is magnificent! Your business will surely flourish even more in the future!" said Mr. Zhou, the owner of the grain shop, with a cupped-hands bow and a smile.
"Thank you for your kind words!" Mr. Lin said with a radiant face, personally pouring him a cup of osmanthus wine.
The banquet was not a grand affair, with only six tables set up, but the dishes were prepared with utmost care.
Lin's mother specially invited the most famous chef in the West Market to cook. The braised lion's head meatballs were rich but not greasy, and the steamed sea bass was fresh, tender and smooth. Even the bamboo shoots served as side dishes were sliced as thin as cicada wings.
Xiao Tao moved among them, serving tea and water, occasionally stealing a glance at the corner of the hall.
Lin Yan was leading a young man in a blue robe to greet his parents.
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"Father, Mother, this is my classmate from school, Brother Zhao Ziling," Lin Yan introduced, his tone filled with undisguised affection.
Zhao Ziling stepped forward and presented a brocade box with both hands: "This junior congratulates Uncle and Aunt on their housewarming."
He was tall and straight, with clear features, and his every move exuded a scholarly air. Faint ink stains could be seen on his cuffs, indicating that he was a diligent student.
Lin's father took the brocade box and examined the packaging. It turned out to be a fine Duan inkstone, with delicate stone texture and carved with a pattern of pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity.
"This gift is too generous!" Lin's father waved his hands repeatedly.
“My father runs a stationery shop in Huizhou. This item is just from our own stock, a small token of our appreciation.”
Zhao Ziling smiled modestly, but when his gaze inadvertently fell upon Lin Yun beside him, he was struck dumb.
The girl was bending down to straighten the collar of the neighbor's child. Her profile was as smooth as jade in the sunlight, and her long eyelashes looked like two small crescent moons when they drooped down.
The woman's eyebrows resembled distant mountains, and her eyes held the beauty of autumn water. Every smile and frown seemed to carry the gentle breeze of spring, captivating all who looked at her.
Zhao Ziling's breath hitched, and he hurriedly looked away, his ears turning red.
Amidst the commotion, another series of footsteps could be heard outside the door.
The Xie family steward led two servants in carrying a gift box. As soon as the box was opened, the whole courtyard erupted in commotion.
A pair of official kiln celadon vases, their glaze as blue as the sky after rain, lay beneath a gift list wrapped in bright red silk, densely listing more than twenty items.
"My young master originally intended to come in person, but unfortunately, a batch of goods urgently needs to be shipped out by canal today, so he specially ordered this old servant to offer his congratulations on his behalf."
The butler bowed and handed over the gift list, then lowered his voice and said to Lin Yun, "Young Master also said that the orders for that batch of butterfly hairpins are booked until the end of the year. Please draw a few more new designs when you have time."
Lin Yun nodded in agreement, but out of the corner of her eye she caught Zhao Ziling staring at her blankly, his eyes seemingly sparkling with stars.
Unaware of what was going on, she simply returned a polite smile, unaware that this smile stirred the young man's heart even more.
Lin Yun stepped aside and led the two into the courtyard: "Please come in quickly, the food is ready."
The guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely at the banquet.
Zhao Ziling sat next to Lin Yan, but his gaze kept drifting towards Lin Yun.
She was poised and intelligent, and her words were gentle and kind. Occasionally, when she chatted and laughed with guests, the smile in her eyes would ripple out like waves, touching people's hearts.
He pondered to himself, how many women in the world could be so lively and charming?
After the meal, Lin Yun personally poured tea for the guests.
As she walked to Zhao Ziling's side, a strand of hair slipped from her temple, which she casually tucked behind her ear, her fingertips gleaming white as jade in the sunlight.
Zhao Ziling's breath hitched again. He quickly took the teacup and thanked him in a low voice.
Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, he seemed to catch a faint scent of orchids, though he couldn't tell if it was the tea or her hair.
“Young Master Zhao,” Lin Yun said softly, “I heard from my third brother that you are extremely learned and often give him guidance. Our whole family is very grateful.”
Zhao Ziling snapped out of his daze and said modestly, "Lin Yan is exceptionally talented; I was merely exchanging pointers with him."
Lin Yun smiled slightly: "The imperial examination is just around the corner in August. I hope Young Master Zhao will take good care of my third brother."
Zhao Ziling nodded solemnly: "Definitely."
After speaking, Lin Yun went to the next table. Zhao Ziling clutched his pounding heart and secretly cursed himself for being so spineless.
As the sun began to set, the guests gradually dispersed.
Zhao Ziling stood outside the courtyard gate, glanced back at the Lin family's new house, and felt an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.
He was a young master from Huizhou, but after meeting him today, he felt that all the women he had met before were just roughnecks...
He clenched his fist and made a silent resolution: once the imperial examination is over, if he achieves fame and success...
Lin Yan escorted him to the intersection and patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Zhao, thank you very much for today."
Zhao Ziling smiled, his gaze firm: "Lin Yan, there's no need for thanks between us. But...your second sister..."
Lin Yan blinked, then suddenly understood something, and teased, "Brother Zhao, could it be that you have feelings for my second sister?"
Zhao Ziling's ears turned bright red, but he did not deny it.
Lin Yan laughed heartily: "Good! But my second sister has very high standards."
The two smiled at each other, and in the twilight, the boy's thoughts shimmered like stars.
Lin Yun leaned against the corridor, rubbing her aching back, when she suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from outside the wall.
She straightened up alertly, only to see a group of officials hurrying by, the leader's sword gleaming coldly at his waist.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Xiao Tao came over carrying an empty tray.
"It's nothing." Lin Yun shook her head, thinking about how to deal with Chen Yu and remove this cancerous tumor, otherwise she always felt like she was being watched by a venomous snake.
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