Chapter 172: Unwilling to Marry

Chapter 172: Unwilling to Marry

"...Jiaor, why are you here?"

Not just Wen Hai, even Zheng was frightened.

She feared her daughter might have another public outburst.

Wen Hai and his mother surely wouldn't spread rumors, but walls have ears. If word got out about her daughter's behavior, who would marry her?

"Mother, why can't I come?"

Lin Yunjiao didn't regard her poor relatives highly.

She was well aware of her family's situation. She had to respect her father's side uncles, but her mother's side was just seeking favors from her family. She didn't need to mind their feelings.

Zheng, feeling a headache, lost interest in matchmaking Lin Yunwan and Wen Hai, and quickly wanted to dismiss the youngster, "It's hot, and your aunt and I are talking. You younger ones should go back early."

Lin Yunwan was the first to rise, "Yes."

Wen Hai followed suit, getting up to leave with a bow.

Zheng suddenly remembered something and instructed Lin Yunwan, "The day after tomorrow, there's a banquet at Zhao's mansion. Remember to prepare early."

The mansion of her uncle, the prince?

Lin Yunwan felt a shock. Her letter had been sent... and now there was a banquet at Zhao's mansion. Was this too coincidental?

Lin Yunjiao was very curious, "Mother, which Zhao family?"

Zheng said, "Which other Zhao family? The uncle of Prince Huan."

Hearing this, Lin Yunwan left absentmindedly.

Wen Hai waited a moment to avoid suspicion before following her out.

His mother glared at him, thinking, "What a fool! He doesn’t even know to follow and ingratiate himself!"

Lin Yunjiao also became restless.

But she hadn't received a meeting gift yet, leaving her quite discontented.

Fortunately, Wen's mother, knowing the proper etiquette, presented a belated meeting gift with many insincere compliments.

She had been nearly scared out of her wits at the first sight of the second miss and hadn’t yet recovered.

She was still frightened and angry about it.

"If she were my daughter-in-law, a few slaps would have taught her manners long ago!"

"Thank you, Auntie."

Lin Yunjiao also received a gold bracelet and withdrew.

As her maid held an umbrella for her, Lin Yunjiao, clutching the bracelet which was, of course, hollow, left to play with it.

"...It's not like I'm lacking just one bracelet."

But the thought of her impoverished relatives daring to admire Lin Yunwan while looking down on her made her uncomfortable.

Since childhood, everything at home was always about her; no one could encroach even an inch on what was hers!

"Why is it so flimsy? How can this be worn? I’ve never seen such a shabby gold bracelet."

Disdainful, Lin Yunjiao pinched the bracelet out of shape and tossed it to her maid, not even wanting to wear it.

Wen Hai, walking ahead, started running as soon as he heard the sound.

"Amitabha Buddha..."

He prayed not to be caught by that demoness.

Lin Yunjiao, seeing his retreating figure, knew he was trying to escape.

"Damn it..."

"This is in my house!"

He dared to act like that!

"Stop! Stop right there!"

"Oh heavens, is she calling me?"

Wen Hai ran even faster.

"If you don't stop now, I'll..."

Wen Hai stopped, turning around with sweat covering his forehead.

He wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and bowed with his head lowered, "Second cousin."

Lin Yunjiao was bold, but after all, still a young girl and felt shy speaking with a man.

Half domineering, half coyly, she asked, "Why are you running?"

She also bowed in greeting, "Greetings to Cousin Wen."

"No, I wasn't running. I... I was just trying to avoid offending you, trying to give way."

Wen Hai didn't dare to look up.

Lin Yunjiao, realizing his timidity, sneakily observed him. He was quite handsome, not resembling his mother, perhaps taking after his father.

"I'm not a ghost, Cousin Wen. You better not run away when you see me next time!"

She couldn't stand his behavior.

Wen Hai stuttered, "...Oh, yes. Okay."

Lin Yunjiao then left.

After all, Wen Hai and his mother were seeking her father's help, weren't they? No matter how arrogant she acted, they dared not speak out, especially since she had been polite just now. Cousin Wen must have a better impression of her now, right?

Wen Hai returned to the front courtyard, sighing heavily.

A servant from the Lin mansion asked him, "Is something wrong, Young Master Wen?"

Wen Hai hastily replied, "No, nothing."

He switched to silently sighing, deep in thought with a book in his arms.

"Why is everything going so wrong..."

At the Jishan Society, amidst the brilliant talents, he couldn't get a word in. His few articles, when compared to others' exquisite works, made him feel utterly embarrassed and defeated.

His mother had talked about introducing him to his cousin, but he hadn't expected his second cousin to be as fierce as a tiger. And his elder cousin... probably not much different!

Lin Yunjiao was already getting dressed in her room.

"The sudden banquet at Zhao's mansion must be for the prince's matrimonial matters, right?"

"In all of Jiangqian, the prince is the most esteemed..."

She naturally assumed that, as the legitimate daughter of the Lin family, she was definitely qualified to become the Princess Consort Huan.

\\

"Miss, don't you want to attend the banquet at Zhao's mansion?"

After returning from Zheng's place to Bixi Hall, Lin Yunwan was lost in thought, prompting Xi Ruo to worry.

Lin Yunwan said indifferently, "It's not that."

She paused, then added, "There shouldn't be a banquet at Zhao's mansion."

"Even if there is one, I shouldn't be asked to go."

Xi Ruo curiously asked, "Why does Miss say so?"

Lin Yunwan pursed her lips, "I wrote a letter to Lord Zhao, indirectly expressing my interest in the Yan family. The prince will certainly see it."

He wouldn't fail to understand what that means.

Since I wish to marry someone else, I won't consider him anymore. What then is the purpose of this banquet?

Lin Yunwan sighed, "Let me think it over."

"Miss."

Mother Zhao came in, bringing a box, "The master sent this to you." She also brought some paper and cinnabar, saying, "I calculated that Miss would run out of these items, so I brought them too."

Xi Ruo said, "Give it to me."

Mother Zhao left after placing the items.

Xi Ruo, handing it to Lin Yunwan, whispered, "...It must be from the prince."

The master wouldn't give Miss anything nice without a reason.

Lin Yunwan reached to open the box, finding a golden hairpin. On the surface, it was just a piece of jewelry, but underneath was a letter.

After reading the letter, her expression was calm.

"I really don't know what the prince is thinking."

He actually told her directly in the letter that the Yan family would also attend the banquet at Zhao's mansion. So, the banquet isn't for the prince to meet her, but for her to meet the Yan family?

Is he accepting this?

Lin Yunwan was skeptical; if the prince was so easily persuaded, why would the Emperor and Empress be troubled over his marriage?

On the day of the banquet, Lin Yunwan went to meet Lady Zhao and was soon escorted out.

As expected, she saw Qi Linghen in a hallway of Zhao's mansion.

"Your Highness."

Lin Yunwan approached to pay her respects.

Qi Linghen had been waiting for her for a long time and stood up to say, "Please, sit down first."

Lin Yunwan wasn't in the mood to sit. She paused, sensing the quietness around, indicating they were alone, and said, "Your Highness, I have made up my mind."

Qi Linghen watched her quietly and said, "Hmm, go ahead."

Since she had to say it in person, she decided not to mince words.

Lin Yunwan calmly stated, "I do not wish to marry you."

Qi Linghen remained silent for a long time.

Having received Lin Yunwan's letter, he was aware of her decision, but hearing it in person still made him feel somewhat... uncomfortable.

He rarely experienced such a feeling.

Lin Yunwan wasn't sure if he was angry.

But she didn't think she had said anything wrong, lowering her gaze, "…Such matters should not be ambiguous. Please don't take offense at my bluntness."

Qi Linghen gave a faint smile, "I'm not blaming you."

"So, you're unwilling to even talk to me now?"

"...No, that's not it!"

Of course not, after all, the prince is her benefactor.

Qi Linghen said, "Yunyi sent a letter from home for you, won't you read it?"

Definitely, she must read it!

Lin Yunwan was very surprised, having not received any news from her brother and mother for a long time.