When Lin Ziyou saw the people from the Lin family who came to escort her to the capital again, she was completely stunned. Deep down, she was a thousand times unwilling to be involved with the Lin family, always feeling that everyone in the Lin family had ill intentions.
However, no matter what, in the eyes of outsiders, she was still the young lady of the Lin family. Old Master Lin was an official and could easily deal with her. She could only reluctantly go back home to pack her belongings and, along with Dong'er, embark on the road to the capital once more.
Along the way, Lin Ziyou was somewhat distracted. Not being involved in business made her feel restless. Before leaving, she entrusted the business to the shopkeeper and steward to manage together, with the Zhou family overseeing them. Although she trusted them completely, she felt uncomfortable not being personally involved.
They traveled slowly, as there was no urgent matter. Wu Caiwei treated it as an excursion with her young lady, enjoying the scenery. However, Lin Ziyou's spirits were not high. Wu Caiwei had also pondered the reason why the Lin family was bringing her back, and the only thing she could think of was her marriage.
Based on her guess of the Lin family, they did not value the young lady at all, perhaps even detesting her. The arranged marriage was likely not a good one, and she might even become a concubine.
However, Wu Caiwei was not too worried about these matters. She was confident that she could handle any situation and make the Lin family regret provoking them.
After twenty-five days, they once again entered the gates of the capital. This time, just like last time, they entered through a side gate and were directly led to the small courtyard where she had stayed for a few days. They still had not met any of the main Lin family members.
Back at the Lin residence, the mistress and maidservant became more reserved, discussing their next business ventures daily and reading books. Fortunately, the original owner had studied and learned to read and write with her, otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain how she knew so much.
Lin Ziyou had not thought about it before, but now she realized that the best luck she had in this life was probably picking Dong'er up and bringing her home. Having her by her side, she was truly a treasure, so talented that Lin Ziyou felt inferior.
The two of them lived for a few days, waking up only after the morning bell. One morning, after breakfast, a maidservant came to inform her that Master Lin wished to see her.
Lin Ziyou was not particularly particular about her attire and appearance. Upon hearing that Master Lin was looking for her, she did not even bother to tidy up and headed towards the main courtyard with Dong'er.
Following closely behind the maidservant, this was their first time seeing the Lin family's courtyard. Wu Caiwei had seen all sorts of courtyards and, after a brief glance, found it unremarkable, so she put away her curiosity.
Lin Ziyou had lived in the south, and her residence there could not compare to this. Although she had been to the palace and stayed there for a while, the palace had fewer plants and trees, and the architecture was monotonous, unlike this style. She couldn't help but look around.
Unconsciously, they arrived at the main courtyard. As soon as she saw Master Lin, she quickly curtsied. This was the first time she had seen what her father looked like in her life. She had imagined his appearance countless times in her dreams. Seeing him in person, she felt he was even more dashing and elegant than she had imagined, which explained why her mother had held a grudge her entire life. Su Dan Novel Network.
Master Lin was also momentarily stunned, shocked by his daughter's beauty. He had imagined his daughter would not be unattractive, but he never expected her to combine the best features of both parents and be so stunning.
He and his wife had planned to send her to the back courtyard of his superior as a concubine. He had called her over to inform her of this. However, as the words were about to be spoken, he retracted them. He felt that such a beautiful daughter, merely marrying into the household of a third-rank official, was too much of a loss. She should at least aim for a first or second-rank official to help him in his career.
Therefore, Master Lin casually exchanged a few pleasantries with her and then let her return, leaving her completely bewildered.
Wu Caiwei watched her confused expression and chuckled. She had lived as a shrewd old fox and knew perfectly well Master Lin's intentions. She had clearly seen the shift in his gaze. When he first saw Lin Ziyou, he was amazed, then regretful, and finally, he appraised her value as if she were merchandise. He then likely felt that the marriage he had found for his daughter was a loss and did not befit her beauty, so he dropped the matter.
Knowing Lin Ziyou, Wu Caiwei understood that if she were to reveal the truth, it would cause her undue worry. It was better to let her live each day happily.
Master Lin paced restlessly, reviewing all the eligible young men and officials in the court, but he couldn't find a suitable match. He quickly went to discuss it with his wife. Upon hearing this, Madam Lin also became fully engaged and suggested that in two days there would be a flower-viewing banquet where all the ladies would be present. They could bring Lin Ziyou along to showcase her beauty and see if anyone would propose marriage.
Master Lin looked at his wife with emotion and said, "I've put you to such trouble."
Madam Lin lowered her head, saying sadly, "It's all fate's doing. If we had met earlier, there wouldn't be so many complications. Even if they don't say it to my face, I can feel their contempt and the gossip behind my back. This time, let's openly bring her out, so no one can say that I, her mother, have delayed her prime."
Master Lin stepped forward and embraced her, sighing, "I know all the hardships you've endured. Although I don't often say it, I keep it all in my heart."
The next day, Madam Lin personally visited her small courtyard to meet Lin Ziyou. As soon as they met, Lin Ziyou guessed her identity. Seeing Madam Lin appraising her from head to toe made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
At that moment, Madam Lin was filled with intense jealousy. Although she had never met the Master's first wife, judging by Lin Ziyou's appearance, it was not hard to guess that the woman must have been a rare beauty. The jealousy almost overwhelmed her.
She left without a word, leaving Lin Ziyou full of questions. She felt that everyone in the Lin mansion was very strange and looked to Wu Caiwei for help: "What does she mean by this?"
"It means nothing. We just need to live our own lives well. A clear conscience fears no slander," Wu Caiwei comforted her.
Lin Ziyou trusted her quite a bit, believing that if someone as intelligent as Wu Caiwei said it was nothing, then it truly was nothing.
Another day passed, and a servant brought beautiful clothes and hair ornaments, informing her that she needed to dress up exquisitely tomorrow and go out with Madam to attend a banquet.
What woman doesn't love beauty? After the servants left, Lin Ziyou eagerly began trying on the clothes and accessories on herself. This was the first time in her life she had seen such exquisite jewelry.
However, she was not so overwhelmed by joy that she lost her senses. As she tried them on, she asked Wu Caiwei, "Do you think she would be so kind as to take me out? I don't feel very confident."
Wu Caiwei was amused, "If you're not confident, why are you trying them on so happily?"