Seeing the girl’s face, so beautiful it was almost dizzying, Shen Jinxiao felt she looked somewhat familiar.
“You are…?”
Leng Yaoda glanced at him with extreme surprise, then respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, this humble subject is Leng Yaoda, the only daughter of Grand Marshal of the Nation’s Military, Leng Yu.”
After speaking, Leng Yaoda thought for a moment and added, “A few days ago, Your Majesty personally bestowed a marriage between this humble subject and the eldest son of Prime Minister Lu, Lu Zhiyou.”
Shen Jinxiao finally remembered completely. The man looked at her again, and the impression became clearer.
A few days ago, when the Leng and Lu families brought their children and relatives into the palace to express gratitude, he had indeed glanced at her from his elevated position.
Seeing her up close today, it turned out that the highly renowned Noble Lady Leng Yaoda of the capital was such a bold person.
But the girl had not behaved inappropriately from start to finish. If she truly had urgent matters that led her to take such a desperate measure, he could overlook it.
Leng Yaoda sighed inwardly. The original body had a severe heart condition. Unfortunately, medical technology at this time was truly underdeveloped, causing her to suddenly fall ill and die in bed. When she woke again, it had become her own soul transmigrated here.
Slightly raising her eyes to glance at the pensive man, Leng Yaoda knew that currently, Lu Zhiyou and Shen Jinxiao were not yet acquainted, which was why she had used the time difference to come find him early.
She thought it would be better if Shen Jinxiao and Lu Zhiyou could meet sooner. At the very least, it might spare her, the cannon fodder supporting female character, from suffering. Perhaps if she were not married off, she could live a peaceful and stable life.
After finishing her thoughts, the girl led Shen Jinxiao to take a seat. The man sat in the main seat, while Leng Yaoda personally prepared tea before him.
Perhaps the process of a beauty skillfully making tea was also pleasing to the eye. Shen Jinxiao could easily see that the person before him had refined tea-making skills.
Not long after, he drank the tea handed to him by the girl. The rich flavor of Junshan Silver Needle tea, paired with the agarwood floating in the air, made Shen Jinxiao feel both body and mind involuntarily relaxed.
Seeing this, Leng Yaoda smiled slightly and mustered the courage to speak.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject…”
As she spoke, Leng Yaoda hesitated. Shen Jinxiao set down the celadon teacup and looked over. “If you truly have something to say, speak directly.”
The girl began to frown, showing a delicate, pitiful demeanor as if weeping pear blossoms, her fair and petite nose tip slightly reddened.
Seeing this scene, Shen Jinxiao’s expression stiffened as he wanted to say something, but Leng Yaoda had already spoken: “Your Majesty… this humble subject does not like Brother Zhiyou. In my heart, there is actually someone else, and that person is the legitimate second son of the Prime Minister, Lu Shixiu! Moreover, Brother Zhiyou only has brotherly affection for me. Over time, I fear we would become a resentful couple. This humble subject does not wish to marry him.”
As she spoke, Leng Yaoda suddenly knelt down with a frail posture, truly exuding a timid and sorrowful feeling.
Shen Jinxiao was the emperor. His words were as good as gold, and the Imperial Edicts he issued were naturally the same.
He could understand Leng Yaoda’s feelings, but to balance civil and military affairs, he had no choice but to take such a measure. Moreover, the Imperial Edict had been issued a few days ago. Could it be that at this critical moment, Leng Yaoda deluded herself into thinking he would retract it?
Shen Jinxiao remained silent, watching the girl who had prostrated herself on the ground, his brows tightly knit and his pale lips pressed into a straight line.
Seeing that Leng Yaoda seemed truly heartbroken from crying, the man finally said, “Rise first, then speak.”
Following the instruction, the girl slowly stood up. Her long lashes, slightly dampened by tears, were as black as crow feathers, trembling delicately and evoking great pity.
Even Shen Jinxiao, upon suddenly witnessing this scene, felt as if his heart skipped a beat. He averted his gaze and made no further move.Leng Yaoda seized the opportunity to speak up: “Your Majesty, this humble subject knows that once an Imperial Edict is issued, there is no room for reversal. But… but what if you could help change it? If the person to marry this humble subject could be switched from Brother Zhiyou to Brother Shixiu, wouldn’t that bring joy to all?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Jinxiao’s brows relaxed as he considered the feasibility of the matter.
The Imperial Edict did not mention the names of the two individuals. If the candidates were swapped with the knowledge and consent of both families, although it might sound improper, it was not entirely impossible.
However…
Shen Jinxiao suddenly asked, “But how do you know that Lu Zhiyou has no feelings for you at all? And does Lu Shixiu, the second legitimate son of the Lu family, also hold affection for you?”
Leng Yaoda blinked after hearing this, thinking to herself that he truly was the meticulous young emperor from the book, who would ensure every detail was perfectly handled.
“This humble subject…”
The young girl hesitated for a long moment, following his line of thought, carefully displaying all the appropriate emotions. Finally, under the man’s slightly questioning gaze, she shook her head.
“This humble subject truly does not know. It was presumptuous of Daji.”
In the Ling Dynasty, unmarried women referred to themselves as “Ji,” and when Leng Yaoda first heard someone call her “Daji,” she nearly burst with the urge to complain.
Seeing her growing anxious, Shen Jinxiao thought to himself that since this mistaken fate was partly his own doing, he should not let the young lady leave empty-handed. He would find a way to help.
Sensing the man deep in thought before her, Leng Yaoda knew the matter was mostly settled, with only the final step remaining.
Shen Jinxiao glanced at her once more and finally said, “Very well. The day after tomorrow, during the Si hour, I will have some free time. I will summon the three of you to the palace for a detailed discussion. As long as they have no objections, I will grant this request.”
Leng Yaoda’s eyes lit up, and she looked at Shen Jinxiao with a smile breaking through her tears. “This humble subject thanks Your Majesty!”
Her smile was like “white porcelain in midsummer, plum soup with crushed ice clinking against the walls.” It felt like a spring breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers, striking Shen Jinxiao so intensely that his vision momentarily darkened.
Realizing his momentary lapse, the man quickly regained his composure, inwardly dissatisfied with his own emotions.
Leng Yaoda couldn’t help but rejoice at her progress. With a smile, she thanked Shen Jinxiao properly, and soon Baoyu and other attendants brought out the ordered dishes.
Leng Yaoda had no idea what Shen Jinxiao liked to eat, so she made a rough guess. After seven or eight dishes were served, she secretly observed the man’s expression across the table.
After a few glances, the young girl lowered her eyes, thinking… it should be acceptable?
Shen Jinxiao had not intended to linger, but seeing the earnest look in the young girl’s eyes, he decided to stay and take a few bites.
Even in modern times, Leng Yaoda had always been perceptive. After taking a few bites, she glanced at Shen Jinxiao and noticed that the man was also hardly touching his food, likely because he had other matters to attend to.
The young girl proactively stood up to take her leave first, deciding that everything could wait until their meeting the day after tomorrow. Keeping Shen Jinxiao here any longer would serve no purpose.
Leng Yaoda’s voice was soft and clear: “Your Majesty is magnanimous and kind. This humble subject was truly presumptuous today and hopes Your Majesty will forgive the intrusion.”
After saying this, she bowed once more. Shen Jinxiao suddenly recalled the young girl’s smile from earlier, his fingertips twitching slightly as he spoke: “I understand. You may rise.”
After Leng Yaoda left, she gave Shen Jinxiao a shy smile at the doorway. Her graceful and charming appearance was quite endearing, causing the man’s gaze to linger before he turned away.
Shen Jinxiao and Lu Zhiyou…
She couldn’t help but wonder how two people with such different personalities had been forced together. Even when reading the book, she had found it utterly bizarre.After she left, Shen Jinxiao stared at the dishes before him for a moment, then picked up the teacup and poured himself another cup of tea.
The tea made by the young woman’s own hands had already gone cold.
After drinking it down, its earlier fragrance and richness were long gone. Shen Jinxiao gently set down the celadon cup.
Suddenly, a jarring voice followed the sound of the door opening: “A distinguished guest has arrived today, yet I, the proprietor, have been remiss in my hospitality.”