Luo Cuiwei and Yun Huan met in February at the Quanshan hunting grounds.
The reason I say "in a way" is because during the half month in Quanshan, Yun Huan mostly served by Emperor Xianlong's side, and others almost never had the "honor" of standing close enough to see his face clearly.
It was only on the day after arriving at Quanshan, during the battle between the princes at the polo field, that Yun Huan finally showed his face openly to everyone.
Unfortunately, at that time, Luo Cuiwei was only focused on Yun Lie's dashing figure on horseback, and only occasionally glanced at Prince An, vaguely feeling that he seemed to be good-looking. After that, she forgot about him all the way to Bamian Mountain.
Today, with the two less than ten steps apart, Luo Cuiwei finally understood what Yun Lie meant by "beauty".
To be honest, according to the preferences of most girls in the capital, this man, who is considered her brother-in-law's son, is indeed handsome.
She was slender and had handsome and beautiful features.
The most striking feature was her naturally beautiful, almond-shaped eyes.
In fact, this eye shape is the most amorous; with just a slight smile, it exudes an indescribable charm and captivating allure.
But if that were the case, it would inevitably make people think it's frivolous.
Fortunately, this handsome young man from the Yun family with his almond-shaped eyes seemed to know how to handle things and didn't seem like someone who liked to laugh.
His dark eyes were deep and indifferent, as if they held countless secrets that others could not fathom.
This gave him an air of noble and aloofness, like a peerless flower on an icy cliff, stunningly beautiful, yet ordinary people could only admire it from afar and dare not easily harbor the desire to pluck it.
This appearance perfectly matches the image of a "prince" that young girls have in mind.
As if hearing the noise, Yun Huan, who was sitting in the guest seat with a teacup in hand and elegant eyes lowered, glanced over.
Before Luo Cuiwei could avert her scrutinizing gaze, the two unexpectedly met eyes.
Her lips curled up slightly, her heart filled with unwavering certainty—
According to her personal standards of "beauty," Yun Huan's type doesn't even qualify.
As expected, she still preferred upright and straightforward young men.
Because Yun Huan was deliberately being mysterious today, Steward Chen was in a bit of a predicament, seemingly unsure how to introduce his identity to Luo Cuiwei.
Seeing that Steward Chen was in a difficult position, Luo Cuiwei gave the old man a reassuring look and calmly greeted him.
Under Steward Chen's hesitant gaze, both the host and guests maintained proper etiquette.
After the greetings were completed, everyone took their seats.
"Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law..."
Upon hearing this title, Luo Cuiwei raised her eyebrows slightly.
“Your Highness, aren’t you putting me in an awkward position? I thought that you came in disguise today and would not want to reveal your identity, so I boldly performed the usual etiquette. But your address of ‘Fifth Princess’ makes me seem presumptuous.”
Since entering Prince Zhao's residence in early March, although Luo Cuiwei was busy with many things and returned to the Luo family for a period of time, the official in charge of royal family affairs still sent a female official to guide her every ten days to explain the relevant royal etiquette and rules of conduct to Luo Cuiwei.
It was now the fourth day of the sixth lunar month, a full three months had passed, and she naturally knew all the rules she needed to know.
Yun Huan turned his head to look directly at her, "If I don't call you 'Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law,' I don't know what else would be a proper way to address you."
A slight smile played on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"I apologize for my intrusion today, and I was afraid that it would cause gossip for my fifth sister-in-law, so I dressed in ordinary clothes. It is hardly an 'incognito' thing... Please forgive me, fifth sister-in-law."
Luo Cuiwei scoffed inwardly, thinking, "What a hypocrite."
If you know your visit is presumptuous, then why did you even bother coming? If you're going to come, couldn't you at least have just handed in your invitation openly?
He was dressed in casual clothes, but it was actually a thin silk brocade with silver thread and cloud patterns that was specially made for the royal family by the Imperial Household Department. He was clearly trying to make others think that something was wrong.
That's really disgusting.
However, despite her inner grumbling, Luo Cuiwei maintained a composed smile on her face, though it seemed somewhat forced.
"It seems I've been overthinking things, so let's not bring it up." Call me whatever you like.
Luo Cuiwei paused for a moment, then cut to the chase: "What brings Your Highness Prince An here today?"
"It's nothing serious, just running an errand for the young master to deliver a message," Yun Huan said slowly, his tone as soft as honey.
"Starting tomorrow, we will begin preparing for the grand wedding ceremony at Prince Zhao's residence. There are many things that will require the Fifth Princess's cooperation. We hope that the Fifth Princess will refrain from making any trips outside the residence in the coming days."
Since the Imperial Household Department has finalized the schedule for the wedding ceremony, it means that the situation in Linchuan has been settled and Yun Lie is about to return.
"Since it's my own wedding ceremony, what's there to feel wronged about?"
From the arrangements made by the Minister of the Imperial Household, Luo Cuiwei deduced that Yun Lie was safe and sound and would soon return. In high spirits, she had the leisure to deal with Yun Huan.
"It's such a trivial matter as just a few words, yet it has alarmed His Highness Prince An to make a personal trip. I'm truly baffled." She neither acted coy nor dodged the question, but smiled openly and frankly.
Yun Huan said, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just haven't had a chance to meet my fifth sister-in-law, and I couldn't help but be curious."
This time, Luo Cuiwei didn't respond to him. Instead, she rested her chin on her index finger and looked at him with great interest, quietly waiting for him to continue.
She almost asked Uncle Chen next to her to have someone bring her a plate of melon seeds.
"After all, the marriage certificate had just been handed over when the Fifth Prince went to the border. Not only did he leave the Fifth Princess to enter the mansion in such a hasty and rude manner, but she also had to handle many situations on her own for the past three months. It was really unfair to her."
Luo Cuiwei smiled dismissively, "What's there to feel aggrieved about? Taking on this responsibility in a crisis only makes my loyalty more evident." So what if I'm sloppy and impolite? So what if I take on this alone? It's my choice, what's it to you?
Yun Huan sighed softly, as if after much struggle, and finally said in a low voice, "Uncle Rui said that one should marry Luo Cuiwei, and what he said is true."