Chapter 7: Encounter with the Lin Sisters

“Take her away to rest; she can return to her duties once she’s recovered,” Lin Yuejiao said calmly, waving her hand dismissively.

The two servants immediately dragged Ji Yu away.

The other maids in the Youran Garden, seeing Ji Yu in such a pitiful state, no longer dared to plead and were led out with pale faces, effectively sold off from the Lin household.

Mu Gu, known for her ruthlessness and frequent severity towards servants, showed no particular expression at the scene. Smiling gently, she said, “Fourth Miss, according to protocol, each legitimate daughter should have one first-rank maid, two second-rank maids, and four third-rank maids attending her. Currently, you only have two left, which might be insufficient. The Grand Matriarch has personally decreed that capable hands must be selected for you. If you have any preferences, I can find a few candidates for your selection.”

“Since Mu Gu carefully handpicks them, I trust her judgment. Bring a batch of maids from the entertainment quarter in a few days; I’ll take a look then,” Lin Yuejiao smiled.

Mu Gu’s heart sank. If she failed to arrange this well, the responsibility would fall on her. She could only nod obediently and leave, determined to put in extra effort.

With the household matters temporarily settled, Lin Yuejiao’s greater concern was how to meet Rong Yu.

The Grand Matriarch was still somewhat kind to her and occasionally allowed her to leave the estate for errands, but openly visiting Rong Yu’s residence was out of the question.

Moreover, it was socially inappropriate for a young lady to visit an unfamiliar young man without their families having a close relationship.

“Miss, I have some information you asked me to find out,” said Iris. “The Heir of Loyalty currently resides at the Yunsheng Waterside Pavilion and refuses all visitors. It’s nearly impossible to see him. However, the Heir and Young Master Li have been spending the past two days admiring the blossoms in Xinzhou, which has drawn many young ladies from prominent families out in hopes of chance encounters.”

Lin Yuejiao was momentarily stunned. “Admiring blossoms?”

“Yes. Xinzhou is famous for its floral scenery, boasting eleven top gardens for flower viewing. Even the young ladies of the Lin family have been visiting daily,” Iris explained.

A surge of joy welled up in Lin Yuejiao’s heart.

Perfect. She had been at a loss how to meet Rong Yu, and a chance encounter on the road was ideal.

“Let’s go out, too,” Lin Yuejiao decided immediately.

After paying respects and seeking permission from the Grand Matriarch, Lin Yuejiao requested to take Lin Yi on a spring outing.

The Grand Matriarch, assuming Lin Yuejiao’s intentions mirrored those of the other young ladies hoping to see the Heir, did not object and consented.

Late spring in Xinzhou.

A secluded valley with a clear stream, where a few wild pear trees blossomed silently. A gentle breeze stirred the falling petals.

Fragrant herbs and orchids flourished along the banks, lush and verdant.

The stream murmured softly, its water shimmering coolly.

Two figures sat beside the stream, a chessboard between them, black and white pieces locked in intricate battle.

One was Rong Yu, the Heir of Loyalty, his hair as dark as ink, clad in a pear-blossom white silk robe embroidered with silver clouds in an elegant, carefree style.

Opposite him, Li Moqian, also dressed in white, stared at the board in deep thought.

No matter the color, clothes seemed to suit Rong Yu exquisitely.

“I concede. I give up,” Li Moqian said after a long pause, setting down his piece. “We’ve played for three days now. Why have you come all the way to this desolate place?”

Rong Yu casually gathered the chess pieces and pointed toward the wildflowers in the valley. “To admire the blossoms.”

“To admire blossoms? You ignore all eleven famous gardens in Xinzhou and come here for what? Wildflowers? But I suppose the eleven gardens are overrun by young ladies these days, so coming here is quieter,” Li Moqian stretched and stood, loosening his stiff legs, then looked at Rong Yu with a smile. “You’re waiting for someone, aren’t you?”

Rong Yu glanced at him. “You noticed?”

“Of course. Three days in the same place, admiring flowers and playing chess—this isn’t your usual style. The Rong Yu I know doesn’t have time for such leisure. Who are you meeting here? Why haven’t they arrived yet?”

Rong Yu glanced sideways at Li Moqian. “She doesn’t know I’m here, nor did I arrange to meet her. If she comes, it’s her luck. If not, it doesn’t matter.”

Li Moqian was speechless.

Rong Yu understood that Lin Yuejiao couldn’t come openly, so he used the flower viewing as a pretext to give her a chance to meet him by chance.

If she failed, he would find another way in the future.

Though the odds of a chance encounter were slim, Rong Yu felt a quiet anticipation. This unique Fourth Miss Lin seemed capable of bringing surprises.

Just then, a cold female voice came from the bamboo-lined path in the distance. “Let’s rest up ahead. Yi’er must be tired.”

“No, not tired at all. Out with my sister, I’m never tired,” came a young boy’s tender voice.

Lin Yuejiao, Lin Yi, and the maid Iris appeared before Rong Yu and Li Moqian.

“Oh my, Miss, that’s the Heir of Loyalty!” Iris exclaimed in shock.

Seeing Rong Yu, Lin Yuejiao finally relaxed, bowing gracefully. “My respects to the Heir and to Young Master Li.”

Li Moqian looked at Lin Yuejiao in surprise. “Fourth Miss Lin, what a coincidence to meet here.”

“It’s no coincidence. Yuejiao has been searching for the Heir earnestly and wouldn’t deceive with claims of coincidence. I apologize for disturbing your peace,” Lin Yuejiao replied evenly.

Rong Yu’s lips curved into a faint smile. “What do you seek?”

“Someone told me to give this letter to the Heir. It may help you borrow the divine healer’s aid.” Lin Yuejiao handed him the envelope she carried.

Rong Yu took the letter without opening it. “You may borrow the divine healer. But first, tell me how you found this place.”

Li Moqian, noting Rong Yu’s unusual demeanor, immediately understood that Lin Yuejiao was the person he had been waiting for.

Lin Yuejiao took from her bosom a folded sheet of xuan paper, unfolding it onto the chessboard. Her lips pressed tight, eyes shining with excitement. “This is my father’s old item: a map of Xinzhou’s mountains, rivers, and roads.”

The map was about the size of the chessboard but finely detailed. To those who understood cartography, every mountain, river, city, and road was clear; to others, it was incomprehensible.

Cartography was a learned art.

“This is the Yunsheng Waterside Pavilion where the Heir lives,” Lin Yuejiao’s slender fingers pointed to a spot north of the city, then tapped repeatedly on the map. “These spots are the eleven gardens of Xinzhou. Since the Heir and Young Master Li went out to admire the flowers, the gardens have been overcrowded with young ladies wandering every street, hoping for a chance meeting. But three days have passed with no sign of the Heir. I mapped every street leading to the eleven gardens and found only one path remains unaccounted for. Unless the Heir travels this route, he would have encountered the throngs already.”

She ended by pointing to a mountain stream. “This path leads here, the valley where we now stand.”

Admiration flickered in Rong Yu’s eyes; Li Moqian was stunned; Iris was speechless, while Lin Yi, with the innocence of a child, clapped and cheered, “Wow! Sister’s amazing! Sister’s so clever!”

“Yi’er, mind your manners before the Heir,” Lin Yuejiao whispered, tugging his sleeve.

Rong Yu’s lips lifted in a subtle smile. “He’s right; I don’t find it rude. Fourth Miss Lin is indeed remarkable.”

Li Moqian looked at Lin Yuejiao with newfound respect and genuine admiration. “Miss Lin, I was astonished by your exquisite needlework last time, and now your sharp intellect. I have traveled the Jiangnan region for many years but never heard of such a figure in Xinzhou. I must admit my ignorance.”

Lin Yuejiao thought to herself: I’ve only been reincarnated for a few days; no wonder you hadn’t heard of me before.

“Mo Qian, send Sai Hua Tuo to the Lin residence at once,” Rong Yu said to Li Moqian, then turned to Lin Yuejiao. “I will escort you back.”

Lin Yuejiao’s body stiffened. Isn’t it improper for you to escort me back?

“Why? Does Fourth Miss Lin prefer to stay and play chess with me rather than hurry back to treat your younger brother? Then I wouldn’t mind a game,” Rong Yu’s sharp eyebrows rose, his deep eyes flickering with a playful yet inscrutable expression.

Lin Yuejiao quickly replied, “You honor me, Your Highness, but my heart is set on treating Yi’er’s illness. I have no mood for chess.”

“Well then, get in,” Rong Yu’s lips twitched as he climbed into his elegant carriage first.

Others yearned to be near him, yet this woman seemed keen to avoid him. The most admired Heir of the Great Zhao Dynasty was strangely unappealing to her.

Lin Yuejiao hesitated briefly before taking Lin Yi’s hand and boarding the carriage.

Rong Yu sat alone in the main seat, Lin Yuejiao held Lin Yi on the left side, feeling uneasy and restless.

Rong Yu, ever aloof, remained silent, his profound gaze fixed on Lin Yuejiao.

She lowered her head, growing even more uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

In this awkward atmosphere, the carriage finally arrived at the Lin residence.

“Isn’t that the Heir of Loyalty’s carriage? Why is it stopping at the Lin house? Oh my, sister, look! The carriage is right at our door!” Lin Qingsheng shouted in astonishment.

Though secretly pleased, Lin Qingliu felt embarrassed by her sister’s outburst and coughed sharply. “Quiet! Keep your voice down. Offending the Heir would be unwise.”

“But, sister, why would the Heir come here? Could it be…” Lin Qingsheng’s voice brimmed with excitement. “Has the Heir taken an interest in our Miss? Is this a visit? Sister, who do you think the Heir is here for?”

Lin Qingliu smiled confidently. “What do you think?”

“Oh, surely it’s for you…” Lin Qingsheng said with envy.

Inside the carriage, Lin Yuejiao twitched her lips at the sisters’ conversation.

The carriage stopped at the gate, and Iris, who had been sitting outside with the coachman, was the first to disembark.

Rong Yu stepped down, dressed in his silver-white embroidered robe. Even amid the bustling city, he stood apart, pristine and aloof—an otherworldly figure.

Even the composed Lin Qingliu could not help but feel a thrill, hoping Rong Yu would approach her.

But Rong Yu did not enter the house or look their way. Instead, he turned to the carriage, clearly indicating someone else remained inside.

A slender figure lifted the carriage curtain. If it was not Lin Yuejiao, then who else could it be?