With her delicate face and slender waist, the royal uncle lost control.

The next morning.

Qi Luo placed breakfast on the small table in front of Yun Nian.

"Miss, please have breakfast first."

As Qiluo spoke, she handed the silver chopsticks to Yun Nian.

Yun Nian thanked him and casually glanced across the table.

But when her gaze fell on a plate of sweet cakes, her pupils suddenly contracted.

The pastry is shaped like a lotus flower and topped with a bright red goji berry.

She'll never forget that look, that presentation... she'll never forget it, even if she dies!

This is not your average sugar cake.

This is a court dessert called "Amber Lotus Seed Paste". Because of its complicated preparation method, it was rarely seen by ordinary officials and their families.

Its most distinctive feature is that the filling uses a rare spice from southern Xinjiang, which has a strong and unique aroma that can perfectly mask the smell of many medicines themselves.

In her past life, she was killed by this seemingly exquisite but actually deadly "Amber Lotus Paste Ointment".

Qin Jiaxue... is she so impatient that she's going to kill me?

She casually asked, "This pastry looks quite unique; I don't think I've seen it before. Is it a new style you learned in the kitchen?"

Qi Luo shook her head: "This servant doesn't know either. The maid who delivered it only said that the pastries from the kitchen were particularly good today, so she specially sent some to each household to try."

Each room has it?

Yun Nian sneered inwardly.

She instructed Qiluo, "Put these pastries away safely. Tell everyone that I liked them and have already eaten them, understand?"

Seeing Yun Nian's solemn expression, Qi Luo quickly nodded and began to work swiftly.

After a while, Qiluo came in again, holding a visiting card in her hand, and came to Yun Nian.

Yun Nian accepted the visiting card.

The visiting card was actually issued by Lady Ruyang.

Marquis Ruyang was the cousin of the old lady of the Qin family.

Although the Marquis of Ruyang was over forty years old, he was granted the title of Marquis because he had saved the Emperor from danger in his early years, which gave him a superior status.

The invitation stated that Lady Ruyang had heard of a newly opened teahouse called "Shuyuxuan" on the East Street of the capital, which was elegant and tranquil, with particularly exquisite tea and snacks. She specially invited Miss Yun to come there this afternoon for tea and a chat, which was preemptive congratulations to Miss Yun and the Crown Prince on their marriage.

Upon hearing this, Qi Luo asked with some concern, "Miss, isn't it inappropriate for Lady Ruyang to suddenly extend an invitation?"

Yun Nian held the visiting card in her hand, her fingertips gently stroking the edge.

She hesitated for a moment, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.

"Please convey my message: Thank you for your kind invitation, Madam Ruyang. Yun Nian will certainly keep the appointment on time."

Yun Nian handed the visiting card to Qi Luo, her voice calm.

In the afternoon, Yun Nian headed towards Shuyuxuan on East Street.

Shuyuxuan is located in the most elegant area of ​​East Street in Beijing.

Led by the maid, Yun Nian arrived at the "Listening to the Rain Pavilion" on the second floor.

Upon entering, one finds the room filled with the delicate fragrance of sandalwood incense, and Lady Ruyang already seated at a round table by the window.

She wore a sky-blue long dress embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, her skin was as white as snow, and her features were exquisite.

is her.

Yun Nian recognized her at a glance.

In the Buddhist hall, in the side hall after the Empress's birthday banquet.

One of the two figures lost in passionate lovemaking was the seemingly dignified and virtuous Lady Ruyang standing before them.

Upon seeing Yun Nian enter, Madam Ruyang immediately rose and personally took two steps to greet her: "Miss Yun has arrived. Please have a seat. I hope my invitation has not disturbed your rest."

"You flatter me, Madam."

Yun Nian curtsied in return, his posture respectful yet dignified, saying, "It is an honor for Yun Nian to be invited by Madam."

She sat down on the embroidered stool opposite Lady Ruyang, her posture upright and her gaze calm.

Lady Ruyang dismissed the maids who were standing by, leaving only her trusted nanny to guard outside the door.

"Try this tea. It was brought back from Jiangnan by the Marquis. Although it is not the most precious, it is fragrant and mellow."

Lady Ruyang picked up her teacup with graceful movements.

Yun Nianyi took a small sip as instructed and praised, "Indeed, it's excellent tea. It's sweet and mellow on the palate, with a lingering aftertaste."

She put down her teacup and waited for the other person to get to the point.

Lady Ruyang also put down her teacup, her gaze sweeping over Yun Nian's face. "I've always heard that Miss Yun of the Prime Minister's mansion is both beautiful and talented. After seeing her today, I can confirm that Miss Yun truly lives up to her reputation. No wonder the young master is so devoted to her."

She paused, as if suddenly remembering something, covered her lips with her sleeve, and chuckled softly.

"Speaking of this, it reminds me of an interesting story. On the day of the Empress's birthday banquet, I was also at the banquet. I saw Miss Yun from afar wearing a dress with lifelike and exquisitely embroidered butterflies on the hem. I liked it very much at the time and wondered which embroiderer had such good skills."

Yun Nian revealed a faint smile.

Butterfly embroidery?

On the day of the Empress's birthday banquet?

That day she was indeed wearing a lake-blue soft silk dress, with silver thread embroidered on the hem and cuffs depicting colorful butterflies poised to take flight.

Was she discovered while hiding in the closet?

In an instant, several thoughts flashed through Yun Nian's mind.

A new idea popped into her head in a flash, and Yun Nian's face immediately showed a hint of surprise.

She lowered her eyelashes slightly and said softly, "So, Madam likes butterfly embroidery? You've really asked the wrong person."

A hint of inquiry flashed in Lady Ruyang's eyes: "Oh? What do you mean?"

Yun Nian raised her eyes, her gaze clear, with a hint of helpless smile: "To be honest, Madam, that butterfly embroidery is actually the favorite of Xue'er from the Ningxiang Prince's Mansion."

"She has always loved these exquisite and unique embroidery patterns. She drew the designs herself and had the best embroiderer in the manor copy them. The dress I'm wearing was also a gift from my sister Xue'er a few days ago because she liked it."

These words not only explained the origin of butterfly embroidery but also shifted the focus to Qin Jiaxue.

Lady Ruyang's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes flickered slightly.

She picked up her teacup, took another sip, and then slowly said, "So it was Princess Qin's doing. Princess Qin is indeed a very clever person."

She suddenly changed the subject, "However, I vaguely remember that at the birthday banquet that day, Miss Yun's dress was the most unique."

Yun Nian said shyly, "That day, because I was going to perform, I changed into a dress that was easier to move in. The colorful butterfly pattern on the dress I wore later was different from the 'Butterflies Gathering Honey' dress I wore before. It was all prepared by Sister Xue'er."

She frowned slightly, a hint of distress in her eyes. "If Madam likes it, I'll ask Sister Xue'er later to see which embroiderer made it."

Lady Ruyang stared at Yun Nian for a moment. Seeing that Yun Nian's expression was natural and her eyes were open and honest, without the slightest panic or evasion, Lady Ruyang's doubts seemed to waver a little.

What she saw that day was an infant chasing butterflies, which did not match the pattern Yun Nian had just described.

Perhaps I'm just overthinking things?

There was no one in the closet that day, or perhaps that person wasn't her?

She suddenly smiled and said, "It was just a casual remark, why would Miss Yun go to such lengths? There's no need to bother Miss Xue'er. I was being presumptuous."

She personally poured some tea for Yun Nian, her tone becoming more relaxed, "I invited Miss Yun here today mainly to get to know her better. Miss Yun is about to marry into the Prince's mansion, and we'll see each other many times in the future, so there's no need to be so formal."

Yun Nian readily agreed and followed her lead, chatting about things like the sights and sounds of the capital, clothing and jewelry, and the atmosphere became relaxed and harmonious.

After sitting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yun Nian got up to take his leave, saying he didn't want to disturb the lady's rest.

Lady Ruyang did not linger, personally escorting her to the door of the private room. "I had a very pleasant conversation with Miss Yun today. I will certainly invite you to my residence for tea another day."

"You're too kind, Madam. Yun Nian will take her leave now."

Yun Nian curtsied and left Shuyu Pavilion.

However, the next day, the Marquis of Ruyang's residence sent an invitation, saying that the Marquis of Ruyang would be bringing his wife to the residence for a banquet that night to visit the old lady.

Upon hearing the news, Yun Nian smiled.