The next day at noon, Lin Yun had been standing in front of the bronze mirror for a quarter of an hour.
She chose a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), over which she wore a moon-white gauze robe. In her hair, she only wore a silver hairpin with a dangling ornament and a gold enamel hairpin. It was neither impolite nor overly deliberate.
Xiao Tao came over carrying a neatly folded brocade jacket and said softly, "Miss, the clothes have been ironed."
Lin Yun took the coat and ran her fingertips over the delicate cloud pattern.
This was custom-made by Master Zhao that day. The fabric was the finest moon-white satin with subtle patterns, and the cuffs and hem were embroidered with faint orchid patterns, which was both understated and elegant.
"Take this with you." She handed the coat to Xiao Tao and instructed, "Have Guard Zhang and Guard Li wait outside the teahouse, but don't follow too closely."
Xiao Tao nodded in agreement, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes: "Miss, that Master Zhao's identity is unknown. Do you really want to meet him alone?"
Lin Yun smiled slightly, her eyes revealing determination: "It's alright, I know what I'm doing."
If the other party really is that person, then it's truly a godsend.
In ancient times, the most powerful figure was the emperor. If not now, when? And this emperor was so young; his future was limitless.
Hesitating for even a second would be disrespectful to the word "emperor".
Inside a private room of the teahouse, Yongzheng stood with his hands behind his back by the second-floor window, his gaze fixed on the carriage slowly approaching from the street corner.
The curtain was slightly lifted, revealing a slender wrist adorned with a white jade bracelet, which made her skin appear as white as snow.
A slight smile unconsciously curved the corners of his lips.
Yinxiang, who was pouring tea, smiled and said, "Fourth Brother is in a very good mood today."
Yongzheng withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "It's just meeting an interesting businessman."
Yinxiang smiled without saying a word, knowing full well what was going on.
When has his elder brother ever cared so much about "businessmen"?
A moment later, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room. Xiao Tao's voice came from outside: "Master Zhao, my young lady has arrived."
"Please come in." Yongzheng turned around, his gaze falling on the slowly opening door.
Lin Yun stepped inside, followed closely by Xiao Tao carrying a brocade jacket.
Her attire today was elegant and refined, with the hair ornaments swaying gently with her steps, reflecting the sunlight outside the window, like a clear spring flowing.
The moment she looked up, she met Yongzheng's deep gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Fourth Master Zhao."
Yongzheng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the coat behind her, and said calmly, "Miss Lin is indeed a woman of her word."
He then pointed to the Thirteenth Master and introduced him, saying, "This is my Thirteenth Brother."
Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat again. It matched up. It matched up.
She curtsied and said, "Greetings, Thirteenth Prince." The Thirteenth Prince smiled and nodded.
Lin Yun stood up and smiled: "I will do what I promised."
She gestured for Xiao Tao to present the jacket, saying, "This was made to your measurements. Are you satisfied with it?"
Yongzheng took the clothes, and his fingertips touched the soft brocade, and he was momentarily dazed.
He unfolded his coat and examined it closely. The orchid embroidery on the cuffs was exquisite, and the subtle patterns on the hem were faintly visible in the light, exuding understated luxury.
He looked up at Lin Yun, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Your cooking skills are indeed well-deserved."
Lin Yun smiled and said, "You flatter me."
Yinxiang, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but interject: "Miss Lin's dress is also extremely beautiful, making her look like a fairy in a painting."
Lin Yun turned her head to look at him and smiled, "You're joking, Thirteenth Master. They're just ordinary clothes."
Yongzheng suddenly spoke up: "Sit down and talk."
He gestured for Lin Yun to sit down, and then sat down opposite her. The aroma of tea filled the air, and the private room was quiet for a moment.
Lin Yun picked up the teacup and took the opportunity to observe Yongzheng.
Today he wore a long black robe, the cloud patterns embroidered on the fabric shimmering in the light, and the jade pendant with the dragon pattern still hung at his waist. He was as calm as a deep pool.
She noticed that his fingers were long and slender with distinct knuckles, and the way he held the cup had a touch of nobility, quite different from that of ordinary merchants.
"What is Miss Lin looking at?" Yongzheng suddenly asked, a faint smile in his eyes.
Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat, but she calmly put down her teacup: "I just feel that Master Zhao has an extraordinary demeanor, unlike ordinary people."
Yongzheng chuckled: "Oh? What kind of person does that girl think I am?"
Lin Yun raised her eyes, looked directly into his eyes, and slowly said, "Like... someone who has long held a high position."
The private room fell silent instantly.
Yinxiang paused slightly in his teacup, his gaze shifting between the two men.
Yongzheng's eyes darkened, but a playful smile curved his lips: "Young lady, you have keen insight."
Lin Yun's heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm: "It's just wild guessing."
Yongzheng suddenly leaned forward, his voice deep and resonant like the sound of pine trees: "Then why don't you guess again, young lady, why I invited you here today?"
Lin Yun's fingers tightened slightly, but her expression remained calm: "It can't be because of this coat, can it?"
Yongzheng laughed heartily, but his laughter carried a deeper meaning: "Of course not."
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, but his gaze never left her face. "I'm just curious, do you like the peony hairpin, young lady?"
Lin Yun's breath hitched.
He knew the mechanism of that hairpin after all!
She forced a smile: "Thank you for your guidance, Master Zhao. That pearl... is quite unique."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Yongzheng's eyes: "If the young lady likes it, that's good."
He put down his teacup, then suddenly changed the subject, "I've heard that you have a keen interest in history books?"
Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat, and her hand holding the cup almost slipped.
How did he know she went to the bookstore? Could it be... that he was watching her every move?
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
