Lin Yu took a deep breath, as if trying to draw in all the air around her into her lungs, then slowly exhaled.
She gently closed her eyes and repeatedly encouraged herself in her mind, "Come on, Lin Yu! You can do this!
It's just an emperor; what’s there to be afraid of? He won't eat you..." These words echoed like a spell in her mind, helping her gradually calm the heart that felt like it might leap out of her throat.
To ensure a successful and seemingly accidental "encounter" with the emperor, Lin Yu had put in a great deal of effort and thought.
She had started preparing early, rummaging through her wardrobe to find the long-preserved light pink palace dress.
The fabric was of the highest quality, soft and smooth to the touch;
the exquisite embroidery was a work of art—peach blossoms blooming at the hem appeared so lifelike that they seemed ready to drop their petals at any moment.
When Lin Yu carefully donned the dress, she instantly transformed into a radiant beauty, reminiscent of the Peach Blossom Fairy blooming on a spring branch.
Not only that, but Lin Yu also specially selected a few delicate pink silk flowers to adorn her hair.
These flowers were small and exquisite yet elegant, swaying gently with her light steps like colorful butterflies dancing in the wind, adding an extra touch of charm to her allure.
As for her face, it had been meticulously made up.
The subtle makeup was just right—not overly bold or flashy, yet far from plain.
A fine layer of foundation evenly covered her skin, making her already fair complexion appear even more translucent;
a light sweep of pale pink eyeshadow at the outer corners enhanced the brightness and sparkle of her eyes.
With a touch of natural rosy lip color, it perfectly highlighted her innate beauty.
Once everything was ready, Lin Yu gracefully walked to the mirror and carefully examined herself.
The person before her was tall and elegant, with a graceful figure. Every detail of her attire and demeanor was pleasing to the eye.
She couldn't help but nod in satisfaction, a confident smile spreading across her lips. "Hmm, not bad at all! With my appearance today, I could easily captivate countless young men. Even an emperor from ancient times, well-versed in the world, would surely be enchanted by me."
Hehe, after all, he has never encountered a woman as stunning as I am! With this thought, Lin Yu's mood lightened further, filled with anticipation and longing for the upcoming "encounter."
Her figure swayed gracefully as she walked with light steps, radiating an undeniable confidence. She strode out of the cold and eerie Cold Palace with her head held high.
Each step she took seemed infused with determination and hope for the future, heading straight towards the Imperial Garden.
According to confidential information provided by the System, the emperor would be visiting the vibrant Imperial Garden today to enjoy the scenery.
As clever and perceptive as Lin Yu was, she certainly wouldn't miss such a rare opportunity.
She had meticulously planned what appeared to be a chance encounter but was actually a deliberate arrangement, eagerly hoping to showcase her charm before the emperor and leave an unforgettable impression on him.
"Hehe, let me personally take charge and give you a lesson on what it truly means to have 'a smile that can captivate all hearts'!" Lin Yu mused to herself, her lips curling into a sly yet enchanting smile.
Upon entering the Imperial Garden, she was greeted by a breathtaking display of flowers in full bloom.
Various vibrant blossoms competed for attention—red as fire, pink like dawn, white as snow—transforming the entire garden into a dazzling paradise that was simply mesmerizing.
Lin Yu strolled leisurely through the sea of flowers, occasionally stopping to bend down and inhale the fragrant blooms, savoring the beauty and tranquility that nature had to offer.
However, despite her outwardly relaxed demeanor, she remained vigilant, her beautiful eyes discreetly scanning her surroundings for any signs that might lead her to the Emperor.
Time passed slowly as Lin Yu wandered through the vast Imperial Garden, yet she still could not catch a glimpse of the Emperor.
"What's going on? Why hasn't the Emperor appeared yet? Could it be that the information provided by the System is flawed?" Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt, her brows furrowing as she began to reassess the situation.
Just as she was about to give up and head back home, her peripheral vision caught sight of a group of Palace Maids and Eunuchs surrounding a figure, approaching her like stars encircling the moon.
The person was clad in a dazzling Bright Yellow Dragon Robe, adorned with an exquisite Five-Clawed Golden Dragon pattern that seemed almost alive.
A golden crown rested firmly on their head, accentuating their extraordinary presence and imposing authority. Just one glance made it clear that this person held an immensely noble status.
"Could it be... that this is His Majesty?" Lin Yu speculated inwardly.
Her heart suddenly raced, pounding like a small drum in her chest. Even her breathing quickened, as if the air itself had grown heavy with anticipation.
Lin Yu dared not be careless; she quickly adjusted her slightly disheveled attire and made an effort to straighten her posture, striving to present herself with the utmost elegance and grace.
After all, she was about to meet the ruler of the nation!
At that moment, a loud and resonant shout suddenly rang out, "The Emperor has arrived!" The sound struck like thunder, causing a buzzing sensation in everyone's ears.
Soon after, the tall and majestic figure of the Emperor finally appeared in Lin Yu's line of sight.
Lin Yu felt her heart racing wildly, as if it were about to leap out of her throat.
At the same time, a wave of warmth surged to her cheeks, instantly turning her originally fair face a shade of crimson.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but her frantic heart remained restless.
Gathering her courage, Lin Yu slowly raised her head and cautiously directed her gaze toward the Emperor. In that instant, their eyes met, and Lin Yu felt a jolt in her chest.
The Emperor's eyes were deep as the ocean, revealing a hint of coldness that seemed capable of seeing through all things in the world and piercing into the depths of one's soul.
In that moment, Lin Yu felt like a small and helpless prey, firmly locked onto by an experienced hunter. The overwhelming sense of being unable to escape made her feel extremely uncomfortable; she didn't even know how to position her hands and feet.
She forced a smile, wanting to greet the Emperor, but found that her throat felt as if it were blocked by something, leaving her unable to utter a single word.
The Emperor merely cast a brief glance at her before shifting his gaze away and continuing forward.
Lin Yu stood frozen in place, feeling as though she had been doused with cold water from head to toe.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Snapping back to reality, she hurriedly chased after him.
"Your Majesty, I—"
She was about to speak when the Chief Eunuch beside the Emperor interrupted her.
"Consort Lin, His Majesty is enjoying the flowers. Please do not disturb him."
The Chief Eunuch's voice was sharp and grating, making Lin Yu feel uncomfortable all over.
"But—"
Lin Yu wanted to say something more, but she was met with a fierce glare from the Chief Eunuch.
Reluctantly, she closed her mouth and stood there helplessly, watching the Emperor's figure grow more distant.
"Sigh, it seems this 'chance encounter' plan has completely failed."
She sighed, her heart filled with disappointment.
"Ding! Host's low emotional state detected. Comfort task initiated: Eat a piece of Osmanthus Cake. Task reward: 1 Point."
The system's prompt suddenly rang out, bringing a glimmer of comfort to Lin Yu.
"Osmanthus Cake? Where can I find Osmanthus Cake?"
Lin Yu's eyes brightened as she suddenly remembered that there was a pavilion in the Imperial Garden that specialized in serving snacks.
"Never mind, I'll just go eat a piece of Osmanthus Cake first!"
She turned and walked towards the Snack Stall, hoping to soothe her wounded heart with delicious food.
At that moment, she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Consort Lin? What are you doing here?"
Lin Yu turned around to see the Emperor standing behind her, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
"Ah! Your Majesty!"
Lin Yu was startled; she hadn't expected the Emperor to appear here so suddenly.
"Chen Qie... Chen Qie was just out for a stroll," she explained in a flustered manner.
"Oh? Is that so?"
The Emperor looked at her with a half-smile, his gaze filled with curiosity.
"Yes... yes," Lin Yu replied, feeling even more nervous. She felt like a child who had done something wrong, unable to meet the teacher's eyes.
"I see you seem quite disappointed," the Emperor suddenly said.
"Ah? No, how could Chen Qie be disappointed?" Lin Yu quickly denied.
"Is that so? But I can't help but feel that you are waiting for someone," the Emperor continued to probe.
"Chen Qie... Chen Qie is not waiting for anyone," Lin Yu's forehead began to sweat.
"Oh? Is that so? Then why do I feel like you are waiting for me?" The Emperor suddenly leaned closer, whispering in her ear.
Lin Yu felt her heart race faster; she could even sense the warmth of the breath he exhaled.
She lifted her head and looked at the Emperor's handsome face, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Your Majesty..."
She was just about to speak when the Emperor suddenly interrupted her.
"Alright, I have matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."
With that, the Emperor turned and walked away, leaving Lin Yu standing there, staring blankly at his retreating figure.
"Sigh, it seems this 'chance encounter' plan not only failed but was also seen through by the Emperor," she lamented, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over her.
Wait a minute, did the Emperor just say he thought she was waiting for him?
Could it be… he had actually noticed her all along?
A spark of hope ignited in Lin Yu's heart.
Perhaps this 'chance encounter' plan hadn't completely failed after all?
She gazed in the direction the Emperor had gone, her eyes filled with determination and confidence.
"Lin Yu, you must keep pushing forward! You can definitely win the Emperor's favor!"
She clenched her fists, cheering herself on.
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