Zhao Yunjin raised an eyebrow and said in a low voice, "Mother, have you forgotten? I can decide my own marriage."
When he was a child, after learning that his marriage had been arranged long ago, he thought he would spend the rest of his life with his fiancée without any love or affection.
However, an opportunity arose.
Three years ago, when Grand Tutor Lin pleaded with his grandmother and father to break off the betrothal in front of him, he readily agreed.
At the same time, he took this rare opportunity to put his marriage in his own hands.
Since then, he has had much more peace and quiet, and no one bothers him anymore because of his marriage.
This is the life he wants: free and unrestrained.
It's fine to be alone without meeting the woman you love.
"I'm just letting you meet, I'm not forcing you to be together. There's a palace banquet in half a month, Jin'er, just do me the honor and attend on time."
The Empress spoke softly, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
In the past, this young man had often used official business as an excuse to shirk his responsibilities; but this time, she hoped he would agree.
Seeing that he did not refuse, the Empress felt much more at ease.
"Would you mind staying to dine with me later?" the Empress asked with a smile.
"Mm." Zhao Yunjin nodded slightly in agreement.
The sky gradually darkened, and night began to fall.
At this moment, the Grand Tutor's mansion was brightly lit.
Lin Qianyu sat in the bathtub, enjoying the comfort of the hot water with her eyes closed.
Her personal maid gently wiped her body while whispering to her what she had learned that day.
"Miss, Her Majesty the Empress plans to invite the eldest daughters of the Minister's Mansion and the Grand Commandant's Mansion to the palace on the day of the palace banquet, and the Sixth Prince has also agreed to attend the banquet."
Lin Qianyu, who had been enjoying the moment with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them upon hearing the news, a calculating glint in her eyes.
"Okay, I understand. Send someone to the Fourth Prince's residence later to invite him to go boating on the lake together tomorrow."
"This servant understands."
It seems that if she wants to attend the palace banquet, she'll have to start by getting close to the Fourth Prince. Thinking this, Lin Qianyu's lips curled into a slight smile.
Even after so much time has passed, she still hasn't been able to forget him.
When Lin Qianyu learned that she would marry the sixth prince, a man of both literary and martial talents and with a distinguished bearing, she was overjoyed. From then on, she practiced music, chess, calligraphy, and painting day and night, all to be worthy of him.
However, fate always likes to play tricks on people.
Just as her fame was rising and she was awarded the title of "Great Talented Woman", a shocking piece of news came: Zhao Yunjin, who was fighting on the frontier, had suffered severe facial injuries and disfigurement.
This news was like a bolt from the blue for Lin Qianyu. When she learned that the scar on his face was almost impossible to fully heal, her family suggested that she take this opportunity to break off the engagement.
But Lin Qianyu firmly opposed it and successfully stopped them.
In reality, she had deeper considerations and scheming in her heart.
She was not yet 15 years old at the time, and she still had time to wait. Perhaps one day, the scars on his face would heal.
Furthermore, she knew that if she chose to break off the engagement now, not only would the common people think she was a superficial person who only cared about appearances, but she might also offend the royal family.
Therefore, she decided to maintain the engagement.
Sure enough, her persistence paid off.
From then on, her reputation spread among the people—beautiful inside and out, and not judging by appearance. This good reputation made many young men admire her, and she had a constant stream of suitors.
And she did indeed become the focus of everyone's attention.
She achieved her goal.
In the year she came of age, she broke off the engagement, which was at her grandfather's request. After all, she was already talented and beautiful, and the man who would be her perfect match must be excellent in every way.
The sixth prince has everything: status, position, and talent, but his appearance is not as good as it used to be.
She successfully broke off the engagement, and rumors were circulating that it was the old tutor's doing, and had nothing to do with her.
She achieved her goal again.
She gave herself three years. If the sixth prince had not recovered by then, she would settle for the second best and marry the fourth prince, who was her backup choice.
She's 18 now, and there are still a few months left in the three-year period. She can't keep the fourth prince hanging on forever.
"Have you made any progress in sending people to search for the miracle doctor?"
"not yet."
Lin Qianyu frowned slightly, her left hand gripping a handful of flower petals from the bathtub tightly. "Increase manpower and find it before anyone else."
Lin Qianyu knew very well that if she found the divine doctor, and the scar on the Sixth Prince's face was healed, she could take this opportunity to rekindle their relationship.
But if she can't find one, she'll have to consider marrying the fourth prince.
Therefore, she must find the miracle doctor as soon as possible and cannot delay any longer.
Before this, neither the legitimate daughters of the Minister's Mansion nor the Grand Commandant's Mansion could compete with her for the same man.
She admitted that she was clever and cunning.
But she felt she hadn't done anything wrong!
Since the Sixth Prince broke off the engagement, he had been completely estranged from women, and she was certain that he still harbored feelings for her.
Thinking of this, Lin Qianyu smiled.
The day before setting up her stall, Yu Zhizhi went outside and bought ten sheets of tofu. She planned to cut them up before going to bed and soak them in stinky brine to color them.
She planned to simmer the pork bones and chicken carcasses she bought over low heat overnight before going to bed. This would allow the nutrients in the bones to be fully released, making the broth richer and more delicious.
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