"I’ll have someone ask our grand-aunt if she’s free now and if she’d like to see us."
Lin Yi finished speaking and had the servant beside him go ask Lin Yan.
As they walked inside, admiring the flowers and trees on the estate, the servant ran back and said that Lin Yan had agreed to meet them.
The young officials who had come with Lin Yi straightened their attire, preparing to meet the elder with Lin Yan. When they arrived at the courtyard where Lin Yan was drinking tea,
Lin Yi bowed first, "Greetings, Grand-aunt."
His colleagues were also about to bow, but a young voice interrupted them.
"Yi’er, when did you become so formal? I don't usually see you bowing to me," Lin Yan said with a laugh.
"Isn't it in front of outsiders? Grand-aunt, please save me some face," Lin Yi replied with a smile.
It was then that Lin Yi's colleagues saw that the person sitting there was a young maiden, her alluring eyes shimmering with moisture as she looked at them.
They suddenly felt awkward. They had almost bowed along with Lin Yi. Thinking of the address they had agreed upon, these honest youngsters blushed.
"Alright, you all go play. I'll have someone prepare food and drinks for you," Lin Yan said, standing up to make space for them.
"Thank you, Grand-aunt," Lin Yi said happily.
"Many thanks, Miss Lin... Miss!" It was only then that these young officials reacted and hurriedly thanked her.
After Lin Yan left, everyone began to berate Lin Yi.
"Brother Lin, you're too dishonest!" a colleague said, filled with shame and anger.
"What did I do?" Lin Yi feigned ignorance.
"Why didn't you tell us your grand-aunt was so young?" another colleague was also very angry.
"My generation is young, you all know that. Those who live with me are all my paternal uncles. So what if my grand-aunt is this young? Alright, alright, let's go take a look at my grand-aunt's flower room," Lin Yi quickly changed the subject.
He led his colleagues towards the flower room. When they arrived, someone had already prepared everything.
Refreshing tea and pastries were placed nearby, and on the other side, a considerable amount of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were laid out.
"Miss Xu and Miss Cao visited just two days ago, and these items haven't been put away yet. Young Master Yi can use them directly,"
After the servant led them over, he left.
Lin Yi was very relaxed, as Lin Yan's place felt no different from his own home.
However, his colleagues were not as at ease.
But soon, they forgot their awkwardness and became engrossed in the beautiful scenery.
The flower room was filled with a riot of colors, and one could see a distant mountain. The scenery was beautiful and captivating.
It was unclear how it was designed, but the room was not as hot and was very cool.
They recited poems, composed essays, and painted, living a leisurely life.
Moreover, with someone to prepare everything for them, they had a very pleasant day.
When they returned, they continued to discuss this outing. Inevitably, they talked about Lin Yi's grand-aunt.
It was then that someone remembered that this grand-aunt should be the grandniece of Marquis Huaiyin.
So that grandniece was such a beautiful and gentle person!
"Grand-aunt." After Lin Yi saw off his colleagues, he came to find Lin Yan.
Lin Yan was waiting for him inside the house.
"Yi’er, what are you trying to do?" Lin Yan sighed lightly.
"Grand-aunt, these are all my unmarried colleagues. My paternal uncles and I have checked their character. Do you think any of them are suitable? I'll go probe them for you," Lin Yi said with a cheeky grin.
"Nonsense!" Lin Yan chided lightly.
"Grand-aunt, if you don't like them, I'll find others for you." Lin Yi did not mind Lin Yan's cold expression.
"You still remember I'm your grand-aunt? Lin Yi, I remember you're a Hanlin Compiler, not a matchmaker! What? Are you planning to change careers?" Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, displeased.
"Grand-aunt, I'm just worried about your life event!"
"Is this something you should be concerned about? You should go back to editing your books! Oh, right, the reference book for the imperial examinations that I asked you to write, did you do it?"
"Yes, I did. Not only did I write it, but I also asked my colleagues and gathered quite a few articles!" Lin Yi said obsequiously.
He indicated that he had not forgotten the matter he promised Lin Yan.
"Then, when the book is printed, don't forget to give your colleagues their writing fees!"
"Grand-aunt, you really don't like any of them?"
"They are not suitable for me." Lin Yan did not state the reason for their unsuitability.
"Then what kind of person are you looking for? I'll help you find one," Lin Yi was still not giving up.
"You should worry about yourself. I've found a marriage for you and have already spoken to your grandfather. If the other party replies, it will be settled for you," Lin Yan casually dropped a bombshell.
"Grand, Grand-aunt, you mean you found a marriage for me?" Lin Yi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Mmm!" Lin Yan smiled kindly. "Aren't you happy?"
"Grand-aunt, how could you do this!" Lin Yi said anxiously.
"Since you, as a junior, can find a husband for me, why can't I find a virtuous lady for you to consider?"
"I... Grand-aunt, you have to tell me whose daughter you found for me!"
"It's not finalized yet. Once the young lady replies, I'll tell you. We can't affect the young lady's reputation."
"Grand-aunt, I am one of the parties involved. You haven't forgotten that I am the groom in this marriage, have you?"
"So you understand how I felt when you brought people here for me to see."
"So it's not true?" Lin Yi immediately understood that Lin Yan was just joking with him.
"It is true, but I won't let you meet anyone without knowing anything. A'Yi, I believe I don't need to tell you the principle of 'do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.'"
"Grand-aunt, Lin Yi knows he was wrong." It was only then that he truly realized where he had erred.
"Let there be no next time! A'Yi, I know you mean well for me, but you must understand that not everyone thinks as you do, and not everyone is trustworthy.
Today was just a gathering for you and your colleagues, unrelated to other matters."
"Yes, Grand-aunt. There won't be a next time!" Lin Yi lowered his head deeply.
He understood that he had truly made a mistake this time, but since it had already happened, he could only try his best to make amends.
"However, you should also pay attention to the marriage I just mentioned. In a few days, I will let you meet. If you both feel it's suitable, I will write to your grandfather and have your mother come over to discuss the marriage arrangements."
"Grand-aunt, whose daughter is it? To trouble you so much?"
"The granddaughter of Elder Xu, my confidante."