Meeting

Lin Yunwan was truly flattered!

Was the Prince waiting for her all along?

"Please lead the way, Eunuch Fu."

She spoke very politely.

A Fu led Lin Yunwan and Xiruo to the study in the backyard.

The Prince's mansion was even larger than they had seen before. After leaving the Plum Grove, they had to take a long detour before finally arriving at a small hill. The study in the inner courtyard was located on the hillside, with lake water brought in from outside behind it. In the middle of the lake was a pavilion surrounded by water on all four sides.

I don't know if this Garden is newly built or left by a high-ranking official or aristocratic family. If it is newly built, the Emperor really dotes on Prince Huan.

"Please come in, young lady. The Prince is waiting for you inside."

Lin Yunwan paused for a moment before going inside.

Xiruo followed for half a step, then hesitated and didn't move forward.

It's one thing if she's seeing other people, but if the young lady is seeing Prince, will she even go with him?

A Fu gently reminded her, "Xiruo, we can wait outside."

Xiruo nodded. "Yes."

They stood together with A Fu. It was actually quite cold outside, but they were used to serving their master, so a little cold didn't bother them.

The study door was ajar.

Lin Yunwan pushed open the door and went in, seeing Qi Lingheng sitting by the window, with a long table in front of him piled high with official documents.

"Your Prince."

She called out, and only after Qi Lingheng looked up did she curtsy.

Qi Lingheng put down the folded document in his hand and stood up to greet her, "You've come." He smiled slightly, his starry eyes suddenly darkening, becoming gentle and profound!

Looking into his eyes, Lin Yunwan always had the feeling that... he wasn't younger than her, that he was the same age as her.

"I apologize for keeping Your Prince waiting."

She felt somewhat apologetic.

Qi Lingheng walked over and sat down in the chair opposite the door, taking the main seat. He said softly, "I didn't wait long, and I also took a look at Jiangqian's taxes for the past few years."

Upon arriving at their fiefdom, the first and most important issue was taxation.

Focus on the major issues and let go of the minor ones; prioritize understanding local taxes first, and don't rush into anything else.

Tea was already brewed on the table. Qi Lingheng poured the tea and said, "Miss Lin, please have a seat."

Lin Yunwan felt it inappropriate to sit with the Prince, so she took a seat in the guest area.

Qi Lingheng glanced at her, smiled faintly, and said nothing.

"How are things at the Lin family's? Are you settling in well?"

Lin Yunwan was very grateful. "I'm used to it."

It was nothing more than a matter within the Inner Residence; it was extremely easy for her.

Qi Lingheng, however, held his teacup and said, "I've heard that Lin Huabin's wife and daughters are somewhat spoiled. Have you suffered any mistreatment from them?"

"If anything goes wrong, tell me, and I'll talk to my maternal uncle."

Lin Yunwan smiled gently, "Your Prince, please don't worry about me. I'm fine."

Qi Lingheng paused for a moment, then asked no further questions.

He's used to it this way; if the other person wants to talk, they will naturally talk, and if they don't want to talk, asking too much will only make them uncomfortable.

Lin Yunwan suddenly asked, "Is it alright for Your Prince to leave like this?"

She glanced towards the Front Courtyard; countless Jiangqian officials had come to offer their congratulations in the main hall. How could things proceed without a host to accompany them?

Qi Lingheng laughed and said, "It seems you're still used to being the mistress of the house and don't know how to be a leisurely young lady anymore."

Lin Yunwan was taken aback for a moment, her face flushing slightly.

The Prince was right; she was indeed used to worrying about all sorts of things in the household.

She doesn't seem like a little girl; after all, she's not a truly unmarried woman.

But it seems she shouldn't be meddling in matters of the Prince.

Qi Lingheng then said to her, "My maternal uncle will be in the Front Courtyard to handle things for me."

He thought for a moment and added, "I actually don't like drinking with them."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "This is the best way to take care of your health."

Qi Lingheng stood up and said, "It's not convenient to talk here. My maternal uncle might send someone to the study to find me if he sees me hiding for too long. It wouldn't be good if we were caught."

Lin Yunwan stood up and asked, "Does Your Prince have anything else to say to me?"

She couldn't leave her seat for too long.

Qi Lingheng nodded. "Yes. Your brother also asked me to bring you some things."

"Yun Yi!"

Lin Yunwan was overjoyed; the Prince had actually brought her her brother's things?

Qi Lingheng walked towards the door and said, "Come on, let's talk in the middle of the lake."

"Good."

Lin Yunwan followed her out.

A Fu and Xiruo came to greet them together. Qi Lingheng instructed A Fu, "We're going to the center of the lake. You stay here and keep watch. If anything happens, handle it for me."

"This servant understands."

A Fu escorted them to the shore, where there was a covered boat that they could row to the small island in the middle of the lake.

Qi Lingheng boarded the boat first, Lin Yunwan turned back to look at Xiruo and called out to her.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am here."

Xiruo supported Lin Yunwan.

Qi Lingheng stood on the boat, extending his right arm towards her. His hand bones were very beautiful, long and slender, with a delicate charm that didn't belong to him.

Lin Yunwan hesitated for a moment, then reached out her hand.

It's just a boat ride, nothing out of the ordinary!

Qi Lingheng took her hand, initially afraid of overstepping his bounds, but then worried she might fall, so he gradually tightened his grip.

Lin Yunwan stepped onto the boat, causing it to rock violently. Although she was afraid of falling and getting her clothes and shoes dirty, she pursed her lips and held back, her expression remaining calm.

Unfortunately, I couldn't stop breathing and my chest heaving.

Qi Lingheng put his arm around her waist, and once she was steady, he quickly let go, saying, "It's alright."

Lin Yunwan stepped aside to wait for Xiruo.

Xiruo's steps were steady, as if she were walking on flat ground. She even offered, "Your Prince, let me row."

"No."

Qi Lingheng walked to the bow of the boat, bent over, and began to row. He didn't look like someone who could do this kind of thing, but he did it very well!

Their boat carved a straight path on the water, leaving a long trail of water behind it, like the tail of a small boat.

We soon arrived at the Island in the Heart of the Lake.

After the boat stopped, Qi Lingheng said, "It's all white, there's nothing to see."

Lin Yunwan looked around; there wasn't much to see.

"Come up."

Qi Lingheng went up first and then reached out to pull Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan lifted her skirt and placed her hand in his.

She was used to his way of holding her hand, sometimes gently, sometimes firmly.

Xiruo also lifted Lin Yunwan's skirt from behind and reminded her, "Miss, please go to the left first." There are stones there, so your shoes won't get wet.

Lin Yunwan stepped on a rock, Qi Lingheng pulled her up, and they quickly got ashore.

Upon arriving at the small pavilion in the middle of the lake, I found it warm and cozy, filled with the fragrance of fruits and flowers—it had been decorated long ago!

There are also tables, chairs, couches, flower arrangements, and potted plants.

I don't know if the Prince really likes this place, or if it was specially arranged to entertain guests.

"Sit wherever you like."

Qi Lingheng finished speaking with Lin Yunwan, he instructed Xiruo, "There's water in the stove, go and make tea."

He walked to the table, picked up an exquisite box, and said to Lin Yunwan, "Yun Yi asked me to bring this to you. Take your time reading it."

Lin Yunwan took it; first was a thick letter.

She squeezed it, her heart aching.

How long will it take my little brother to write all those words? How is my mother now? Has her eye condition improved or worsened?