Because Daiyu's marriage was arranged, she had to return to Jinling to prepare for her wedding.

Lin Yun was reluctant to part with Daiyu, but she had to tell her, "Go back and prepare for your marriage. I will give you the dowry list later. It will save you from the trouble of carrying all the things to Jinling and then back to the capital."

Daiyu agreed with tears in her eyes.

Three days later, Daiyu boarded a ship back to Jinling, surrounded by palace maids. The ship carried the Emperor and Empress's gifts, as well as the food, clothing, and other necessities she had accumulated in the palace over the years, filling several ships.

Hongtun personally escorted Daiyu back to Jinling and took the opportunity to visit his future father-in-law, Lin Ruhai.

Ten days later...

Daiyu stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the approaching dock, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She had been away from Jinling for several years, and now she had returned, but was already of marriageable age.

Hongtun stood beside her, gazing at her tenderly: "Yu'er, the Jinling Wharf is just ahead. Lord Lin must have already sent someone to pick you up."

Daiyu nodded gently, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the wooden hairpin in her sleeve.

It was carved by Hongtun himself, and the begonia flower pattern on the hairpin was lifelike.

She whispered, "Father...he will like you."

Hongtun smiled slightly, his tone resolute: "I will assure Lord Lin that you can entrust yourself to me with peace of mind."

The ship slowly docked, where a group of servants were already waiting, led by Lin Ruhai's trusted steward, Lin Zhong.

Upon seeing Daiyu, Lin Zhong excitedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Miss, you've finally returned! Master has been looking forward to it every day, and he had me waiting here early this morning."

Daiyu's eyes were slightly red as she helped Lin Zhong up: "Uncle Zhong, how is Father's health?"

Lin Zhong nodded repeatedly, "Master is well, he just misses the young lady." He then bowed respectfully to Hongtun.

"This must be the young master? The master has instructed that you be invited to return to the manor with him."

Hongtun returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Thank you for leading the way."

The group boarded the carriage and headed towards the Governor-General's Mansion in Jiangnan.

Looking out the carriage window at the familiar street scene, Daiyu felt both joy and trepidation.

She recalled how Lin Yun held her hand before she left the capital, her eyes filled with reluctance: "Yu'er, when you go back, just take good care of yourself. Your godmother will take care of the rest."

Lin Yun's words of advice still echoed in her ears, and Daiyu gently clenched her handkerchief with her fingertips.

She never imagined that her marriage would be arranged by the Empress herself, let alone that she would be related to the royal family through marriage.

All of this felt like a dream.

The carriage stopped in front of the Governor's Mansion, where Lin Ruhai was already waiting in the main hall.

Seeing Daiyu enter, he quickly stepped forward, tears welling in his eyes: "Yu'er!"

Daiyu could no longer hold back and threw herself into her father's arms, her voice choked with sobs: "Father, your daughter is back..."

Lin Ruhai gently stroked her hair and said repeatedly, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

Once he had calmed down a bit, he looked at Hongtun beside him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Hongtun stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Junior Hongtun greets Lord Lin."

Lin Ruhai nodded slightly, seeing his dignified appearance and composed demeanor, and was already somewhat satisfied.

He said gently, "Your Highness has come from afar; you must be tired. A simple banquet has been prepared at the manor; please do me the honor of attending."

At the banquet, Lin Ruhai and Hongtun discussed history and current affairs, from politics to poetry and literature. Hongtun answered fluently and was humble and polite in his words.

Lin Ruhai was a third-place scholar in the imperial examination and also the Governor-General of Jiangnan. What he said was true. I did not expect that the Prince of Hongtun would speak so eloquently, no less than the Jinshi who passed the imperial examination.

Lin Ruhai grew increasingly pleased as he looked at the scene, his scrutiny gradually turning into admiration.

In the stillness of the night, Lin Ruhai sat alone in his study, holding the dowry list sent by the Empress. Every item listed on it was a rare treasure, demonstrating the imperial family's high regard for Daiyu.

He sighed softly and murmured, "Min'er, our Yu'er, is truly blessed by heaven..."

The next morning, Daiyu accompanied her father for a walk in the garden. Lin Ruhai suddenly asked, "Yu'er, are you satisfied with this marriage?"

Daiyu blushed slightly and whispered, "Father, Prince Hongtun... treats me very well."

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly: "I spoke with him yesterday and found him to be very knowledgeable and gentle. He is indeed a good match for you. Your Majesty the Empress has gone to great lengths for you."

Daiyu nodded, tears welling in her eyes: "My godmother treats me like her own daughter, and I have no way to repay her."

Lin Ruhai patted the back of her hand: "After you marry into the royal family, you will be a member of the royal family. Remember to be careful with your words and actions, and do not disappoint the Empress's expectations."

Daiyu solemnly replied, "I understand."

Meanwhile, Hongtun received a letter from the capital in his guest room, written by his father himself.

The letter urged him to perform well and strive to finalize the marriage as soon as possible.

After reading the letter, Hongtun smiled. He picked up his pen and wrote back, "Father, rest assured, Lord Lin is quite satisfied with his son, and there are no obstacles to the marriage."

Three days later, Hongtun set off to return to the capital. Before his departure, Daiyu personally saw him off at the dock.

Hongtun held her hand and whispered, "Yu'er, wait for me to come back for you."

With tears in her eyes, Daiyu smiled and nodded, "I'll wait for you."

Watching Hongtun's ship sail away, Daiyu stood there for a long time.

Lin Zhong stepped forward and said softly, "Miss, it's windy, let's go back to the manor."

Daiyu then came to her senses and turned to embark on her journey home. She knew that the next time she came to the dock would be the day she was married.

Kunning Palace in the capital

Lin Yun received Daiyu's reply and learned that Lin Ruhai was very satisfied with Hongtun, and a great weight was finally lifted from her heart.

She smiled and said to the nanny beside her, "Go tell the Emperor that there are no obstacles to Yu'er's marriage, and we can prepare the imperial decree to grant the marriage."

The old woman quickly agreed and hurried away.

Upon learning of this, Emperor Yongzheng was overjoyed and immediately issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage. He also bestowed upon Daiyu the title of "Princess Jiayi" and rewarded her with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of silk to demonstrate the imperial favor.

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