Madam Lin's spirit deflated upon hearing this. She said listlessly, "What else can we do? We can only do as she says."
The two of them thought about it and decided to bring Lin Ziyou along, believing that with her presence, things would be much easier.
As soon as they got into the carriage, Madam Lin and Master Lin couldn't help but brainwash Lin Ziyou. "No matter what, you are also a member of the Lin family. You grew up with the County Princess, so you know her best. She also dotes on you. You cannot be foolish at this time. You must be on the same front as us and persuade her to turn back. After all, if something happens to the Lin family, you won't be able to escape unscathed."
Lin Ziyou nodded obediently. Only she knew what she was truly thinking.
When they arrived, Wu Caiwei was tapping her foot on the table and eating strawberries. Upon hearing the knock, she told them to come in.
Seeing her like this, Madam Lin couldn't help but frown, thinking she was truly ill-bred. If reason hadn't told her not to act impulsively, she would have wanted to step forward and teach this lawless woman a good lesson.
Wu Caiwei didn't care about their current mood. As long as she was comfortable and pleased, that was enough.
Seeing her, the two of them found it difficult to approach her directly, so they quickly exchanged glances with Lin Ziyou.
Lin Ziyou hesitated for a moment before saying somewhat sheepishly, "Dong'er, it's like this. I have no choice but to speak first. You do as you wish, don't worry about me." Sudan Novel Network.
Wu Caiwei sneered directly, "So this is the sincerity of Madam Lin and Master Lin? Sending a young girl to lead the way. Do you think this will make me soft-hearted? You misunderstand me too well."
"County Princess, please tell us, what should we do?" Master Lin felt that he had never suffered such a great setback in his life, nor had he ever been so humiliated. He suppressed the anger in his heart and tried to maintain a calm demeanor as he asked.
"You two are too insincere. Regardless, I am a County Princess. Shouldn't you pay your respects to me after entering? I waited for a long time but didn't receive it." Wu Caiwei glanced at them with a look of disdain.
The two exchanged glances. After a while, they bowed in humiliation and said unwillingly, "Greetings to the County Princess."
As soon as they finished, they quickly got up. Wu Caiwei was displeased. "Madam Lin and Master Lin, who have been through many battles, should know how perfunctory your actions just now were. Do you act this way when you meet the Emperor or other ministers' wives? You get up before being told to do so."
"Don't think too highly of yourself. After being a servant in our household for so many years, you don't actually think you have royal blood and are part of the royal family, do you? I advise you, to avoid any unfavorable rumors that might affect your marriage, it's best to just go with the flow." Madam Lin endured it, but ultimately couldn't hold back and spoke with a threat.
"That is none of Madam Lin's concern. Believe it or not, no matter how bad my reputation is, A Muyun will still marry me," Wu Caiwei said confidently.
"Does he have something on you?" Master Lin guessed.
"Couldn't it be that he has a love for me until death? Also, people like you wouldn't understand. To climb higher, you'd resort to any means. Not all men in the world are like you." Wu Caiwei looked down on him from beginning to end, speaking sarcastically.
"County Princess, please be careful with your words. I admit I wronged Ziyou's mother, but my wife and I are true love. Besides, you are a junior, and it is rather inappropriate for you to judge your elders here, isn't it?" Master Lin felt guilty upon hearing her words and tried his best to defend himself.
"Whether it is or not, you know it in your heart, and I know it in my heart. I won't beat around the bush with you. You can let me go back today, but you must agree to one condition, and write it down in black and white." Wu Caiwei felt that talking to people like them was a waste of her time, so she got straight to the point, stating her ultimate objective.
"Oh? Tell us, as long as the request is not too excessive and we can fulfill it, we can discuss it. But if it exceeds our capacity, then there's no room for negotiation. At worst, we'll report it truthfully to the Emperor." Master Lin threatened her, but he still preferred to resolve it himself. He didn't want the Emperor to think he was incompetent and incapable of handling important matters.
"My request is very simple, which is that the Lin family cannot interfere with her marriage. It must be my decision." Wu Caiwei stood up, took out the paper and pen she had prepared long ago, placed them on the table, and looked at the Lin couple without blinking.
The moment Wu Caiwei pointed at Lin Ziyou, everyone was stunned.
No one had expected her to make such a request. Upon further thought, the couple understood. After the previous broken engagement, Lin Ziyou's reputation had been damaged, making it difficult for her to climb higher. It was just about not interfering with her marriage, which wouldn't cause them much harm.
They quickly reached an agreement. Master Lin stepped forward without hesitation and wrote down his promise on the paper.
"Since Master Lin and Madam Lin are straightforward, I'll be straightforward too. Let's go, we're returning to the mansion." Wu Caiwei said, stretching her arms.
Upon returning to the Lin mansion, the treatment was different. The Lin family gave her a courtyard second only to the main residence. It couldn't be said that all the good things in the Lin family were placed in her courtyard, but the furnishings were definitely not inferior.
Afterwards, she directly let it be known that the young lady of the Lin family was looking for a husband. She did not seek wealth or status, only a simple household, a harmonious family, a good character, and ambition.
Upon hearing these conditions, many people were still eager to try. Although she had been previously betrothed and then had the engagement broken, being favored by the Prime Minister's wife meant she was definitely of excellent character and appearance. Besides, wasn't it because their eight characters didn't match that the engagement was broken?
Imperial merchants and minor officials of the sixth or seventh rank were very willing. Thus, the threshold of the Lin family was once again nearly trampled underfoot. Every time, Wu Caiwei was present to oversee and personally meet the potential suitors.
Finally, three candidates were selected. One of them was the imperial physician they had met in the palace before. The information of the three was presented to Lin Ziyou for her to choose.
Lin Ziyou said somewhat shyly, "Why don't you just make the decision for me?"
"All three individuals selected for you are good candidates. I can't make up my mind for a moment, so I can only entrust it to you. Choose whichever one catches your eye. After all, you will spend your life with them, and you must feel comfortable with your choice." Wu Caiwei had been extremely worried for her, having investigated their ancestors for eighteen generations and confirmed that these men were truly rare individuals, before discussing this with Lin Ziyou.
Finally, Lin Ziyou proposed to meet all three. Wu Caiwei nodded in understanding and made arrangements for them to meet. After a brief conversation, to her surprise, Lin Ziyou chose the imperial physician.