She found Zhong Qing, who was most trusted by Yi Zhici, to do her makeup, and then sent Zhong Yi, also highly trusted by Yi Zhici, to buy papayas. Her father had told her that confident people were the most beautiful. Although she was already quite good - looking, with the help of papayas, she believed she would be even more beautiful.
When she entered the main hall, Yi Junshi and Lin Qiong were sitting in the main seats. Beside them were Hei Wining and another lady, presumably the mistress of the Lin Mansion. Lin Yuan's seat was a bit lower in rank.
A few days ago, when Lin Yuan came to see her, the words he said, the things he did, the hurt look on his face, and his act of pretending to be a bad guy all made her heart ache terribly. This heart - ache, of course, was based on the fact that she had forgotten she was only wearing a bellyband at that time.
She remembered that after hearing Lin Yuan's theory about his own greed, she had impulsively kissed him. Earlier, she had been tightly trapped in the corner, with the wall behind her and surrounded by Lin Yuan's aura. Kissing him actively was truly asking for trouble.
When Lin Yuan left that day, he first carried Yi Zhici back to the bed before leaving, because Yi Zhici was so dazed from the kiss that her legs were too weak to walk. The most crucial thing was that when Yi Zhici regained her senses, she found that even her only inner garment had been taken off by Lin Yuan, and she was left with only a bellyband.
To prevent Lin Yuan from taking further advantage of her, Yi Zhici strongly demanded that Lin Yuan carry her back to the bed and cover her with a quilt.
Just thinking about the intimate moment with Lin Yuan made Yi Zhici's face flush and her heart race. Why hadn't she felt shy at that time...
Yi Zhici went over to greet everyone one by one and then sat down beside Yi Junshi.
Concubine Du of the Lin Mansion said, "The princess has a naturally good figure and an excellent temperament."
In noble families, when complimenting someone, they never praised the figure. Instead, they either complimented one's looks, personality, or at least one's needlework. The phrase "good figure" was usually used to describe dancers.
Yi Junshi frowned slightly.
Lin Yuan also frowned and said, "Concubine Du."
Concubine Du realized she had said something wrong and quickly changed her words, "I'm sorry, Marquis, Marchioness, and the princess. I'm a vulgar person. It was an unintentional mistake. I hope the princess will forgive me."
Yi Zhici laughed, "It's okay, it's okay. Anyway, you're complimenting me."
Lin Qiong said, "Shall we exchange tokens then?"
Yi Junshi nodded.
"The first dagger Lin Yuan used in his martial arts training is of great significance. This is for the princess. The token is this jade pendant." The dagger seemed to be mainly for practical use, not very gorgeous, but it exuded a sharp aura. The jade pendant, on the other hand, looked really expensive and had excellent luster.
Yi Junshi was also serious, "I, of course, have also prepared something of great significance for Lin Yuan. This is the first handkerchief that A Ci successfully embroidered in her needlework. The token is also a jade pendant."
Yi Zhici immediately had a bad feeling. She leaned over to take a look, and sure enough, the stitches on the handkerchief were in a complete mess. There were several unshaped and unnamed birds embroidered in a haphazard way. The scene was extremely chaotic and unbearable to look at.
Lin Qiong was silent for a while and then said, "Is this... a picture of flying wild geese?"
Yi Zhici wailed. What she had embroidered was clearly mandarin ducks playing in the water...
But at this point, she had no choice but to go along with it. "Yes, yes. General, you have really good eyesight."
After exchanging their birth dates, Yi Junshi told the kitchen to prepare the meal.
After giving the order, Yi Junshi said to Yi Zhici and Lin Yuan with a smile, "You two go for a walk in the back garden. Just come back when it's time for dinner."
Lin Yuan hung that "picture of flying wild geese" on his waistband. It really didn't match his serious black brocade robe at all. It looked terrible.
Yi Zhici wanted to pull it off, but Lin Yuan grabbed her hand. "What are you doing, princess? Since this token was given to me, it's mine." His voice was teasing.
"What do you mean it's yours? It was originally mine."
"But this is a token. Being in my hands means the princess has been betrothed to me."
Yi Zhici's face turned bright red. "Take it off first. I'll embroider a nice one for you another day."
Lin Yuan looked serious. "No, I think this one is nice. There's no need to take it off. If the princess wants to give me another one, I have no objections."
Yi Zhici felt so embarrassed that she got anxious. "Anyway, you have to listen to me. Yours is also mine. I'm the one who decides!"
Only after shouting did she realize that they were still in the main hall. Her parents and Lin Qiong were still there, watching them bicker for a while. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear...
Yi Junshi looked at them with a helpless smile. Lin Qiong didn't smile but looked quite surprised. He Wining shook her head helplessly.
Yi Zhici quickly slipped away.