People are like this; if someone close to them is bullied, they can't accept it. But if they had a choice, they would certainly want their daughter to be the one doing the bullying.
It must be said that the Marchioness of Huaiyin lived a very happy life. Although she was somewhat dissatisfied with her son's marriage, this was only temporary.
If only her Jiayi could live like this…
Thinking of Jiayi making things difficult for her daughter-in-law, the Emperor couldn't help but smile. It was just a pity that he was old and wouldn't live to see that day.
But this was all Jiayi's side of the story; he still had to send people to investigate in detail.
Given the importance of the royal family's reputation and Jiayi's name, he could not afford to be careless.
Before the people sent by the Emperor to gather information returned, news spread throughout the capital that the heir of the Marquis of Huaiyin had saved Princess Jiayi.
It was said that the princess's carriage had bolted, and it was the heir of the Marquis of Huaiyin who had come to her rescue.
He had saved her from the runaway carriage. After the princess returned to the palace, the Imperial Concubine sent many gifts to thank Feng Feiyu.
"Jiayi, Mother knows you want to marry Feng Feiyu, but you can't play with your own safety. Mother only has you, her daughter. If something were to happen to you, what would Mother do?"
From the moment the news of Princess Jiayi's near-disaster reached her, the Imperial Concubine had been in a state of extreme panic.
But seeing her daughter unharmed, and then thinking about who had saved her, she became furious.
Her daughter was too reckless, to have done something so dangerous for a man!
"Mother, I didn't. It was really an accident this time. How could I play with my own life?" Princess Jiayi felt very wronged. She hadn't expected her carriage horses to bolt.
"It was really an accident?" The Imperial Concubine still didn't quite believe her.
"It was just an accident," Princess Jiayi said with certainty. "I really didn't think anything would happen. Who could have imagined that the horse would go mad!"
However, it was fortunate that she was unharmed. Thinking about the dangerous scene just now, she couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.
"Then tell your father clearly and investigate what happened?" The Imperial Concubine's expression immediately turned serious upon hearing this.
If it wasn't something Jiayi had done herself, then it wasn't an accident. There were no real accidents in the imperial family, so someone must have targeted her daughter.
They had to find out who this person was. She had only this one daughter, and anyone who dared to harm her would have their hands chopped off!
However, that heir from the Marquis's household deserved a reward. Her daughter was precious and noble. Since it wasn't an accident, it also proved that they were destined to be together.
Although she hadn't seen that heir, judging by her daughter's description, he should be quite good. This way, she could help her daughter.
Before long, the patriarch of the Lin family and the newly successful scholars arrived in the capital. Lin Yan sent the old steward to pick them up.
As soon as Lin Yi and the others passed the imperial examinations, Lin Yan had already rented houses for them, as they would need to socialize and it would be inconvenient to continue living in Lin Yan's residence.
The old steward was there to escort them to Lin Yi's house.
When they arrived, Lin Yan was already waiting there.
During this time, Lin Yan had been managing the affairs of this residence for them.
"Cousin Yan, it's been a long time. You seem to have recovered your health considerably," the patriarch greeted Lin Yan.
"Cousin Huan, I hope you have been well!" Lin Yan smiled at the patriarch before her.
"You must have had a tiring journey. I have already arranged for hot water and meals. Please go and wash up first, then come out to eat. Everyone is tired today, and I will host a welcoming banquet for you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Cousin Yan!" The patriarch was very grateful.
After all, these young ones had returned and spoken of the care they received from Lin Yan in the capital. If it weren't for Lin Yan, they might not have passed the imperial examinations.
They had also brought back the gazettes and essays that Lin Yan had prepared for them to their clan.
The clan members were very grateful to Lin Yan, their young elder. Therefore, when they heard from Lin Yi and the others that Lin Yan had suffered grievances in the Marquis's household and wanted to break off the engagement, they immediately packed their belongings and came to the capital.
Initially, when Lin Yan wrote back saying she wanted to break off the engagement, the patriarch had hesitated. After all, this was an engagement arranged by Lin Yan's mother before her death, and it was to her maternal uncle's family.
So he wanted Lin Yan to reconsider. However, before his letter could be sent, he heard from the younger generation about the grievances Lin Yan had suffered.
Lin Yan's letter certainly didn't mention the suffering she had endured. Now the patriarch understood why Lin Yan wanted to break off the engagement. Therefore, after arranging for the construction of a memorial archway for the scholars in the clan, he came to the capital.
The young ladies of their Lin family were not people who sought to climb the social ladder by marrying into power, nor could they be casually wronged.
After dinner, they called Lin Yan aside.
"Cousin Yan, have you really thought this through? Breaking off an engagement is not a small matter. Once we go, there will be no room for turning back," the patriarch said very seriously.
"Cousin Huan, I have thought it through very clearly. We are not well-matched. If I were to marry him, I would not be happy," Lin Yan said with great determination.
"Yan Yan, I will take the liberty of calling you that," said an elder of the clan. He was of the same generation as Lin Yan's father. "You are young and may not understand the implications, but as an elder, I must say this:
If you break off this engagement, you may not find a better one. We are not advising you to compromise. We want you to think clearly.
If your life is not happy in the future, do not regret today's decision."
"Uncle, I will not regret it. I would regret it if I truly married into the Marquis's household," Lin Yan said with a wry smile.
"The Marchioness dislikes me, and my health has always been poor. She is my mother-in-law, and she has many ways to torment me. I don't want to die young."
The two clan elders frowned upon hearing Lin Yan's words. Although they knew what Lin Yan was saying was true, Lin Yan was still a junior, and it was not appropriate to speak of elders like this.
However, they were only distant cousins of Lin Yan and had no standing to lecture her.
"As long as you've thought it through, we will go to the Marquis's household tomorrow to break off the engagement for you," the patriarch declared decisively.
"It should be done quickly, after all, someone is waiting!" Lin Yan finally smiled upon receiving the patriarch's agreement.
"What? Has this heir already found another partner?" another elder asked with a frown, displeased.
"It's not about the heir, but rather that he is quite attractive. Many young ladies are hoping I will make way for them quickly!
The highest among them is the Emperor's youngest daughter, Princess Jiayi, born to the Imperial Concubine."
"Is this true?" The patriarch's expression turned stern.
"Don't worry, Cousin Huan. She didn't do anything to me. She just came to ask for my opinion on this marriage. Although Princess Jiayi is often called willful, she is actually a good person," Lin Yan said with a smile.
Although they heard Lin Yan say this, they were not completely at ease. However, they had already made up their minds that this marriage had to be broken off!