The next morning, the clan elder and the others changed into their finest clothes.
They brought the most promising young disciples who had excelled in the imperial examinations and had them don their official robes to pay a visit to Marquis Huaiyin.
It was a holiday, so the Marquis was expected to be home. After they presented their calling cards, even though the gatekeeper didn't know who they were, he recognized the young officials in official attire behind them and knew not to treat them with disrespect.
"We are from the clan of your master's cousin, and we are here today to see His Lordship. Please trouble yourself to announce our arrival," Lin Miao said politely to the gatekeeper.
Upon hearing that the visitors were from the Lin family, the gatekeeper paid even more attention. That cousin was someone who could make his mistress lose face!
"Please wait a moment, I will go and announce you right away." The gatekeeper took the calling cards and hurried inside.
Before long, the butler came out and invited the Lin family members in.
"We pay our respects to His Lordship," said the Lin clan elder, leading the others in bowing to Marquis Huaiyin.
"Clan Elder Lin, there is no need for such formality." Marquis Huaiyin quickly helped them up. "Qing Zhu, go and see what the heir apparent is busy with and ask him to come and meet our guests from the Lin family. Clan Elder Lin, please sit! Have some tea!"
The Lin family members did not stand on ceremony and took their seats. After the servants served the tea, the Lin clan elder spoke.
"These must be the prodigious talents of the Lin family. They are truly young heroes!" The Marquis looked at the young men standing behind the Lin clan elder.
"Your Lordship praises them too highly. They are merely a few unremarkable children," the Lin clan elder said humbly.
However, his face was filled with pride. The disciples from his clan who had come to participate in the imperial examinations this time were not very old, yet they had all achieved excellent results.
This was the confidence that allowed him to visit Marquis Huaiyin's residence.
"Your Lordship, you must understand our purpose. I will speak plainly. This is the token of betrothal His Lordship gave to my cousin Yan. Our Lin family is not worthy of this marriage, so it would be better to annul it."
The Lin clan elder placed a jade pendant on the table and pushed it towards Marquis Huaiyin.
It was a very clear jade pendant, carved with the name Feng Feiyu.
"Clan Elder Lin, this marriage was arranged by me and my younger sister. You do not seem to have the authority to annul it!" Marquis Huaiyin was displeased.
He had not expected Lin Yan to actually call the Lin family elder. "Moreover, as the clan elder is of the same generation as Yan'er, you cannot make decisions for Yan'er either."
"Why must Your Lordship insist on such a forced arrangement? Since your wife does not get along with my cousin, if my cousin marries into your family, your wife will undoubtedly be even more displeased. This will lead to discord in your household..."
He did not finish. "Your Lordship says I am of the same generation as my cousin, but our clan elders are also here. This time, we genuinely wish to break off the engagement for cousin Yan."
"Your Lordship, this marriage is truly not suitable. Our Lin family is not worthy of the Marquis's household, and we do not wish to marry a daughter of the Lin family into your family," one of the clan elders said.
Their Lin family had a tradition of farming and scholarship, and they were not very suited to these noble families. It was acceptable to marry a lady from such a family, but they were not particularly willing to marry their daughters into such families.
"Although cousin and cousin is a good story, it's said that the blood of the maternal aunt should not flow back. Although you are Yan'er's maternal uncle, you cannot control the inner chambers, and Yan'er will have to live under your wife's authority," another clan elder said.
"Even if your mother sets rules for her daughter-in-law, you cannot interfere either!"
"I will have the couple sent out on an assignment." Marquis Huaiyin voiced his idea.
"But they will always return. Your Lordship may not understand the methods of inner-chamber politics, but my cousin's health cannot withstand any underhanded dealings within the inner chambers," the Lin clan elder finally expressed his concerns.
"I..."
"Your Lordship, do not say that you can protect my cousin. Although I have only just arrived in the capital, I have learned from the servants who cared for my cousin.
When my cousin first arrived at your residence, she couldn't even get a bowl of hot porridge at night! Is this the protection you speak of?
Later, when my cousin fell ill, after reporting to your wife, she couldn't even get a doctor to come. Fortunately, the嬷嬷 by my cousin's side knew some medical skills, otherwise, my cousin would have been in danger.
My cousin will not only fall ill this once. The inner chambers are your wife's domain. Even a little bit of difficulty could be a matter of life and death for my cousin!"
Although the Lin clan elder spoke respectfully, his words were firm.
It was as if he was pointing at Marquis Huaiyin's nose and saying, your family wants to kill my cousin.
Marquis Huaiyin's expression was grim. He knew that Lin Yan had fallen ill, but he was unaware of the hardships she faced from the servants after returning home that night.
"My late uncle only left this one descendant. Therefore, please, Your Lordship, show mercy. Do not wait until things are irreversible to regret it," the Lin clan elder sighed.
After learning about Lin Yan's life in the Marquis's residence, he truly could not tolerate it any longer. Although the Lin family was not a wealthy household, they had always placed great importance on their daughters.
After all, women could only live carefree lives before they were married. Therefore, Lin family daughters held high status in their maiden homes.
"I, I will treat my cousin well!" Feng Feiyu entered from outside. He had heard the Lin clan elder's words, but he did not believe his mother would be so cruel.
He was unaware of these matters. Now that he knew, he felt even more sorry for Lin Yan.
"Clan Elder Lin, please believe me, I will treat my cousin well!"
"Then if my cousin and the Marchioness clash, which side will the heir apparent stand on?" the Lin clan elder asked, looking at the agitated young man.
"I... why must my cousin clash with my mother?" Feng Feiyu asked, puzzled.
"Is it my cousin's wish to clash with the Marchioness? Hasn't it always been the Marchioness making things difficult for my cousin?
Our Lin family is determined to break this engagement. The token is here, please Your Lordship find cousin Yan's betrothal letter and return it to us!" the Lin clan elder said assertively.
Feng Feiyu wanted to say more, but he was stopped by Lin Miao and the others standing behind.
"Heir apparent, my little aunt is delicate and her fortune is incompatible with your household. It is best not to force this."
"Yes, Heir apparent. I wish for my little grand-aunt to live a long and prosperous life. I do not wish for her to perish tragically in your home!" Lin Yi looked at Feng Feiyu with a dangerous gaze.
If it weren't for his great-grandfather's early death, he would never have looked upon this person!
His grand-aunt was his great-grandfather's cherished pearl, and he would never bear to see her suffer here.
"Is there no room for compromise in this matter?" Marquis Huaiyin asked wearily.
"We do not wish to visit the Marquis's residence again. The threshold of the Marquis's residence is too high. Our Lin family is humble and truly cannot afford to associate with you." Although he said they could not afford to associate, the clan elder's face held a hint of disdain.
"Very well, I will have someone retrieve the betrothal letter!" Marquis Huaiyin said with difficulty.
"Father!" Feng Feiyu anxiously tried to stop him.
"Heir apparent, what man lacks a wife? Your mother will choose a suitable wife for you. Please, let go of my little aunt!" Lin Huai and Lin Miao held him back together.
Lin Yi, however, ignored the heir apparent. He stared in the direction of the servant who had gone to fetch the item until he handed a box to Marquis Huaiyin before he finally felt a little relieved.
He recognized the box. It was the box his great-grandfather used to store important items. He had seen it in his great-grandfather's study!