The Marquise of Huaiyin had not enjoyed a few days of insincere adulation from others.
Before long, the Marquis of Huaiyin was summoned to the palace by the Emperor. Within days, an imperial decree was issued, arranging a marriage between Princess Jiayi and the heir of the Marquis of Huaiyin.
Upon receiving the decree, the Marquise of Huaiyin felt bewildered. Although she believed her son was worthy of a princess, she truly had not intended for her son to marry a princess.
Moreover, this princess was the Emperor's youngest daughter, the daughter of a favored concubine.
If such a woman were to marry into their family, her son would be unable to control her and would have to dote on her.
Princess Jiayi was also known for her spoiled and willful nature. Marrying such a woman would mean their entire family would have to placate her.
"What, Madam, are you not pleased?" the eunuch who delivered the decree raised an eyebrow.
"No, my wife is simply overjoyed," the Marquis of Huaiyin quickly covered for her.
The Marquise also hastily forced a smile, feigning happiness.
Feng Yue also looked incredulous, but she felt that if Princess Jiayi could become her sister-in-law, her status among the noble ladies would rise again.
A princess's status was far higher than that of Lin Yan. With a princess backing her, others would have no choice but to fawn over her.
The other concubine-born daughters lowered their heads. With their eldest brother marrying a princess, their stepmother would surely become even more arrogant, leaving them no choice but to tread carefully.
Only Feng Qiong cautiously glanced at the Marquise, sensing that she was not as happy as they had imagined.
"That is good. Then we shall return to the palace to report, and we shall not delay the Marquis's mansion's celebration." The eunuch cast a knowing glance at the Marquise before bidding farewell to the Marquis.
"My Lord?" the Marquise urgently wanted to say something.
"We'll discuss it in our chambers!" the Marquis of Huaiyin stopped her from speaking.
Once inside the room, the Marquis of Huaiyin ordered everyone to withdraw.
"My Lord, was your summons to the palace last time about this matter?" The Marquise finally realized that her husband had shown no surprise earlier.
"Yes. The Emperor has decreed the marriage. Do you think you have any room to refuse?" The Marquis of Huaiyin was extremely helpless.
He had been summoned to the palace to discuss this matter. While it was termed a discussion, it was merely a notification.
He had no way to refuse, especially since everyone knew that Fei Yu's engagement to Yan Yan had been broken off. He had no excuse.
She was the Emperor's daughter; who dared to refuse!
"But to just let Fei Yu marry Princess Jiayi? That Jiayi, she..."
"Hush!" The Marquis of Huaiyin's expression was stern. "What do you want to say? She is the Emperor's princess; do you think you can criticize her as you please!"
The Marquis of Huaiyin now felt he had made a mistake. It was his constant indulgence of this woman that had made her so arrogant! Now, she did not even respect the princess.
"But we can't just let our son marry her!"
"If you're not satisfied with the princess, who else do you want Fei Yu to marry?"
The Marquis of Huaiyin's tone was heavy. "You looked down on Yan Yan's orphaned status, and now you have such a noble daughter-in-law. Shouldn't you be happy!"
He was not resentful, but she was his first wife, who had borne him children and managed the household.
Therefore, he was willing to tolerate some of her minor temperaments. But she seemed to be going too far now, especially her mistreatment of Yan Yan.
The arrival of the Lin family was like a slap in the face, causing him extreme embarrassment. But he had to admit that the Lin family was right; he had truly failed to protect Yan Yan.
She looked down on the only child of his sister, and now she looked down on even a princess. He truly didn't know where she got her confidence.
"I..." The Marquise wanted to say more, but the Marquis of Huaiyin had already turned and left.
As he stepped out, he saw Feng Feiyu waiting.
"Father."
"Say no more. The imperial decree has been issued. You can only prepare the betrothal gifts and marry the princess." After saying this, the Marquis of Huaiyin left without regard for Feng Feiyu's reaction.
Once the imperial decree for marriage was issued, the gossip in the capital shifted again, and people began to pity the young lady from the Marquis of Huaiyin's mansion whose engagement had been broken.
It turned out she had found a more prominent connection, which led to the cancellation of her engagement with her cousin.
Although the truth was different, the outcome was the same, and the Marquis of Huaiyin's mansion could not defend itself.
Of course, besides sympathizing with the young lady, people were also discussing the princess who had snatched someone else's fiancé.
However, no one expected that these two central figures of the gossip would be sitting together, drinking tea and chatting.
"Your Highness, you need not have done this. Your actions will only damage your reputation." Lin Yan knew that the swift imperial decree for marriage was Princess Jiayi's doing.
By doing this, the princess drew the gossip onto herself, thus clearing the Marquis's mansion of the slander against Lin Yan.
However, this not only gave the Marquis's mansion a reputation for being materialistic and clinging to power, but the princess herself also bore the title of abusing her authority.
"A few idle words are nothing to this princess. This princess does not care about them. This Marquis's heir is being eyed by many, so this princess naturally had to strike first." Princess Jiayi said this very casually.
But what girl would want her reputation to be tarnished?
"A few idle words, why would Your Highness stand up for this commoner?" Lin Yan countered.
"This princess is not standing up for you; you do not have that much influence!" Princess Jiayi casually placed her teacup on the table.
Even though Princess Jiayi said this, Lin Yan understood. As an orphan, if she truly allowed the rumors from the Marquis's mansion to spread, her reputation would make it difficult for her to remarry in the future.
But a princess was different. She had a background that others dared not discuss lightly and did not fear any gossip.
"Still, this commoner thanks Your Highness for your help." Lin Yan said sincerely.
"Enough, let's not be so formal. Take me to see your residence. This princess also needs to prepare her own Princess's Mansion, and it would be good to get some ideas."
"Then, Your Highness, please!" Lin Yan said respectfully.
It had to be said that Lin Yan's residence was designed quite ingeniously. After all, she had seen styles from many worlds. Although she did not plan to do anything in this world, she had to ensure her own comfort.
Jiayi had initially used this as an excuse, but unexpectedly, she became genuinely interested in many things upon seeing them.
"Your residence is truly nice. Later, tell me the name of the craftsman, and I will have my Princess's Mansion built like this." Jiayi was unceremonious.
"These are all blueprints I drew myself. Once your Princess's Mansion has a location, I will draw you a design." Lin Yan was not overly polite either.
She had discovered that this Princess Jiayi was a very generous and magnanimous person. If you showed her a little kindness, she would repay you tenfold.
Moreover, if she truly considered you one of her own, she would protect you fiercely, preventing anyone from bullying you.
Of course, if others bullied you, she would help you bully them back, which was why Princess Jiayi was considered willful by some.