Chapter 26: Audience

  At 4 o'clock, the sun smiled warmly and rose slowly from the east, illuminating half of the sky with a dazzling display of golden and orange hues.

  Fourth Prince's residence. Someone who had eaten his fill in the new house lay on the bed for a while before saying, "I should get up! If I'm late for paying respects to Imperial Father, it won't be good!"

  "Yes!" Lin Qingyu responded in a low voice. In her heart, she was muttering: Who's the one who wasted time anyway? Now you're coming to rush me, aren't you annoying?

  Looking at someone standing by the bed, naturally stretching out both hands, Lin Qingren still had some complaints in his heart, but he didn't dare to hesitate, and quickly got up to help Yan Zhan put on his clothes.

  After De Lin helped him put on his clothes, Yongzheng called out from outside the door. "Su Peisheng!"

  "I'm here!"

  Su Peisheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and thought to himself: Master, you are indeed powerful! It's already this late in the hour! He pushed open the door and quietly led Zhang Niangniang and a group of eunuchs and maidservants inside.

  Su Peisheng accompanied the eunuchs to help Yongzheng wash and dress. Zhang Yima was serving Lin Qingyu with dressing, washing, combing her hair and putting on makeup, not a bit easier than yesterday.

  Yin Zan is a man and men are simpler than women. Moreover, Lin Qingyu had already helped him get dressed, so he was ready early and sat down at the table in the outer room, instructing Su Peisheng to serve breakfast.

  After all, these maids were used to Lin Qingyu's ways and were very quick with their hands and feet. They quickly finished the complicated tasks.

  Lin Qingyu had everything ready and after having breakfast, they all got on the carriage to head to the palace together.

  On the carriage, Yongzheng spoke and broke the tranquility of the whole car. He looked ahead and did not look at Lin Qingyu. He reminded her of some etiquette to pay attention to when meeting Kangxi, and also told her that there was no need to be nervous or afraid when meeting Empress De, and to respond carefully, if not, push it onto him.

  Lin Qingyu was taken aback for a moment, and her heart felt slightly warm. She thought to herself: Although he didn't say it explicitly, it seems that the rumors about Yongzheng and Empress De being at odds with each other are not unfounded. Even though Yongzheng didn't notice, Lin Qingyu still gave him a faint smile.

  Whether he told her these things because she was his lifesaver or simply didn't want his good fortune to be deceived by the kind-hearted Empress Dowager and thus drag him into trouble.

  In short, Lin Qingyu was very grateful to Yun Chen.

  After all, family ugliness cannot be made public. Even if she is his Fu Jin, with Yongzheng's face-saving personality, he would rather die than say it out loud. As soon as Yongzheng said this, her originally slightly tense mood suddenly relaxed, and she reached out to hold his arm in a conciliatory manner, but actually felt quite nervous inside, so there was a hint of meaning on her face.

  Here, it doesn't look like the 21st century at all. Holding hands and embracing are nowhere to be seen, they're just ordinary. Here, people emphasize respect for each other, when walking, husbands always walk in front, while wives follow half a step behind them, keeping pace with their husbands' footsteps.

  Fortunately, Yin Zan only turned his head and glanced at her with a flicker of his eyes, without pushing away her hand. This made Lin Qingyu inexplicably feel a little pleased.

  The horse carriage moved forward, and neither of them spoke. Although the carriage was quiet, it wasn't uncomfortable at all. There was a subtle warmth surrounding them, which made Lin Qingyu very satisfied. Although she didn't want to fall in love with an ancient man, after all, they would be living together for the rest of their lives. If, as the book said, they treated each other like guests, it would be unbearable.

  They soon arrived at the imperial palace, Yongzheng let go of Lin Qingyu's hand and got out of the carriage first. Lin Qingyu smiled and followed him out of the carriage.

  Yin Zhen took the lead, walking with large strides like a shooting star. Lin Qingyu's legs were shorter and she couldn't use her lightness skill in front of everyone, so she had to jog to catch up. However, after just a few steps, Lin Qingyu noticed that Yin Zhen's pace slowed down. Lin Qingyu felt both amused and touched in her heart.

  The two walked on the road without speaking, silently, one in front of the other, until they arrived at the Gate of Supreme Harmony. Lin Qingyu was now thinking about what would happen after arriving in the Qing Dynasty, when Yongzheng suddenly stopped in his tracks, and she bumped straight into his back.

  Lin Qingyu looked up and saw that Yongzheng's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, her heart tightened, and she hastily said: "Your Majesty, I..."

  He gazed at Lin Qingyu with a faintly cold expression, causing her to immediately lose her voice. "Remember, once you go in, be careful and follow the rules, speak less. Don't be so reckless and distracted again."

  "Yes!" Lin Qingyu heard this and put her hands by her sides, squatting down to respond. "I will definitely remember, please don't worry, sir!"

  "Hmm!"

  Lin Qingyu had never been to famous historical sites like the Forbidden City in her past life.

  For an otaku girl, staying at home playing computer watching anime is so enjoyable! Why bother going out to take a bus, get blown by the wind and sunburned just to see those old buildings? If you want to see them, there are plenty of pictures online.

  But at this moment, Lin Qingyu looked up at the magnificent and new building in front of her, and the shock in her heart was not small.

  Only see: Yellow glazed tile heavy eaves gable and hip roof, sitting on a single-layer Han white jade stone foundation, connected corridor width 9 bays, depth 5 bays, from the platform to the ridge height of about 20 meters, eave corners with 9 ridge beasts, upper layer single-raised double-eave seven-tread bracket sets, lower layer single-raised single-eave five-tread bracket sets, decorated with golden dragons and auspicious colorful paintings, three intersections six-flower lattice doors and windows.

  Yin Zan finished speaking and continued to move forward. Lin Qingyu thought she was being stealthy as she glanced around at the surrounding buildings, quickly following behind Yin Zan. In reality, her darting eyes had already given everything away.

  The two of them passed through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and walked up the raised path that led directly to the Palace of Supreme Harmony. They ascended the Danbi Bridge, the White Marble Platform, and crossed the corridor, arriving at the East Warm Pavilion.

  Li Dequan was already waiting outside the door. Seeing the two of them, he quickly stepped forward to greet them and respectfully led them inside.

  Dongnuan Pavilion does not have the kind of golden lacquer throne screen and imperial symbols such as the Fennel Terminal, Crane Candle Holder, and Hanging Incense Tube, but rather some tables for displaying literary playthings, jade carvings, and lacquer boxes, as well as furniture with a strong sense of daily life, such as nanmu-encased precious seats.

  Kangxi sat on the throne in the middle, Yongzheng was at a slightly forward position to the left, performing three kneels and nine knocks of courtesy to Kangxi; Lin Qingyu stood half a step behind Yongzheng's right side, performing three kneels and three bows of courtesy.

  After the ceremony, a female official stood up beside him and brought over tea. Lin Qingyu took it and held it above his head to offer tea to Kangxi.

  Although Kangxi still had a serious face, the satisfied and relieved expression that flashed in his eyes was seen by Yongzheng and Li Dequan, except for Lin Qingyu. Yongzheng's heart was delighted, Kangxi lightly coughed, took over the teacup held high in Lin Qingyu's hand, brought it to his mouth and took a sip, then let Li Dequan reward him with a happy seal, and called out.

  At the time of the selection, Lin Qingyu followed the rules and didn't even see what Kangxi looked like. This time she finally got a good look.

  Kangxi was well-maintained. Originally fifty-one years old, he looked at most in his early forties. His face had the characteristic long face and phoenix eyes of the Aixinjueluo family. The majesty of being the Son of Heaven made people feel doubly oppressed.

  He gave Lin Qingyu a feeling like a pot of Longjing tea.

  Simplicity reveals perfection, perfection reveals maturity, maturity reveals nobility. The fragrance is high and clear, the color is emerald green, reaching a very high realm. From this, it can be known that he was handsome in his youth.

  But who can tell her where the pockmarks on his face went? Was she deceived? Lin Qingyu's little heart was going crazy...

  "Yesterday you were busy with the wedding for a whole day, I'm sure you're exhausted. I won't say more, go pay your respects to Her Majesty and all of your mothers..."

  Yin Zan and Lin Qingyu both respectfully assented, then thanked him for the reward and withdrew.