The Marquis of Huaiyin reluctantly handed the box to the Lin clan elder.
Feng Feiyu now realized that his marriage to his cousin was definitively over.
He desperately wanted to snatch the box back, but even if he succeeded, what then? His cousin had already made up her mind to break off the engagement. Even if he held the betrothal token, she wouldn't agree to marry him.
After confirming that the box indeed contained his cousin's betrothal token, the Lin clan elder closed it.
"Thank you for your trouble, Marquis. Now that matters are concluded, we shall take our leave," the Lin clan elder said with satisfaction.
In contrast to the grim expressions of the Feng father and son, the other members of the Lin family who had come were beaming with joy. This left the Feng family feeling particularly indignant.
"Please tell Yan Yan that although her engagement with Feiyu is no longer proceeding, I am still her uncle. If she ever needs anything, she can come to me directly, and I will help her," the Marquis of Huaiyin said, appearing to have aged several years.
"I will convey your message to my cousin," the Lin clan elder replied politely.
Whether he would actually relay the message back was another matter. The Lin family now had connections in the capital, and although they were only younger members, they genuinely cared for Lin Yan.
The Lin family departed. By the time the Marchioness learned of the affair, the betrothal between the two families was already annulled.
Since Lin Yan had moved out of the Marquis's mansion after that plum blossom appreciation banquet, her influence over the mansion had waned, especially that of the front courtyard.
She knew her actions might have angered her husband, but so what? Her son absolutely could not marry that orphan.
Now that the Lin family had finally broken off the engagement, she could finally relax.
She placed the jewelry she was holding into a box. The items were the most fashionable in the city, but they could only fool young girls who knew no better. They were insufficient for someone her age, even in her youth.
"Send this entire box over to the eldest young lady for her to play with. The rest will be distributed to the other young ladies."
The servants, seeing the Marchioness in a good mood, finally let go of their apprehension.
The Marchioness, however, was contemplating how she should take her daughter to more social gatherings at other noble households.
Now that her son's engagement was off, it was time to find a suitable wife for him.
"Mother, why are you sending so much jewelry to me today?" Feng Yue was quite puzzled upon seeing the box sent by the servants, and she immediately ran to see the Marchioness.
"You're all grown up now, and you should dress up properly. Once your elder brother's marriage is settled, it will be time to arrange a match for you as well," the Marchioness said with a beaming smile.
"Mother, I'm still young!" As she spoke, Feng Yue suddenly realized something was amiss. Why was her mother so cheerfully discussing her brother's marriage?
Mother and I both dislike Lin Yan, so why has she suddenly changed her tune?
"Mother, my brother's marriage?"
"Your brother and Lin Yan have broken off their engagement." The Marchioness tried hard to keep her lips from curling upwards.
"What? My brother broke off the engagement? How could Father have agreed?" Feng Yue was astonished. In her opinion, her father would never have consented to such a thing.
"The Lin clan elder came today and brought back your brother's token of engagement, officially severing ties between your brother and Lin Yan. Later, you and I will find a good match for your brother!"
The Marchioness excitedly began planning who to choose for her son, and Feng Yue was also delighted. Her brother marrying a sister-in-law she got along with would be far better than marrying one she disliked.
"Mm, I'll help Mother probe for opinions. I'm sure we can find someone ten million times better than Lin Yan!"
Within the Lin residence, Lin Yan received the wooden box from the Lin clan elder.
"Cousin Yan, I have fulfilled my mission and brought back the betrothal token for you."
"Thank you, Cousin Huan!" Lin Yan caressed the wooden box. She recalled the original owner's memories of her parents.
"Cousin Yan, have you considered your next steps?" The Lin clan elder felt that since Lin Yan no longer had a betrothal in the capital, there was no need for her to remain there.
"I will continue to stay in the capital for a while longer. After all, I have my own shops and estates here, and I need to handle things before making further plans," Lin Yan did not mention that she would likely remain in the capital permanently.
Living in the capital was too expensive for the Lin family, and she did not wish to return to the old Lin family residence.
Upon returning, even though Lin Yan held a high辈分 (generation status), she would inevitably face pressure to marry. It was better to stay in the capital, where they were out of reach and couldn't interfere with her.
"If you ever wish to return, send a letter, and I will have someone from the clan come to fetch you," the Lin clan elder understood that Lin Yan likely did not want to return to the old residence.
Now that Lin Yan's family was gone, returning would only bring more sadness.
"Yes, I will. I will still send books and some money back to the clan. With Yi'er and the others as role models, the children in the clan should become more eager to learn.
These will be given to the clan school, in hopes of nurturing more educated children."
Although Lin Yan herself was still quite young, the Lin clan elder did not find her words amusing.
"You should keep more money for yourself. Living alone outside requires a lot of funds," the Lin clan elder did not intend to accept Lin Yan's money.
"Rest assured, Cousin, I have enough money. Although my father passed away early, I believe he would have wished to repay the clan. If I can be of help to the clan, he would be gratified to know."
With her having said so much, the Lin clan elder no longer refused.
However, he privately inquired about Lin Yan's situation from Lin Miao and others, fearing she might not be taking care of herself.
This was all Lin Yan's dowry. After Lin Yan's father passed away, all his books were sent back to the clan, and all his wealth became Lin Yan's dowry.
The Lin clan had already received the most valuable items and had no intention of coveting Lin Yan's dowry.
Only after learning that Lin Yan was not short of money did he accept the sum.
News of the Marquis of Huaiyin's heir breaking off the engagement spread rapidly, and it seemed the entire capital knew about it overnight.
While the Marchioness contributed to this, the palace played a greater role.
Xing Shaojun was not surprised when he heard the news, as he had previously observed Miss Lin actively avoiding the Marquis of Huaiyin's heir.
The annulment was only a matter of time, but he hadn't expected the young lady herself to initiate the breakup.
Of course, he understood that the young lady was capable of such actions. However, the current direction of rumors in the capital was somewhat skewed.
Everyone was saying that the young cousin, deeming herself unworthy of the heir, had initiated the breakup.
Lin Yan paid no attention, and the Marquis's mansion was the beneficiary of these rumors, which thus became increasingly outlandish.
Xing Shaojun felt that Lin Yan was not the kind of person described in the rumors. He wanted to ask her how she planned to handle the gossip. She had saved him, and he wished to repay that debt of gratitude.