Ji Xin Tong

Chapter 298 Miss Biao is Frail and Helpless (33)

After the imperial examination, Lin Yi, due to his handsome appearance and young age, was appointed as the third-ranked scholar, the *tanhua*.

As he paraded through the streets on horseback, the dashing young man on his magnificent steed astonished countless maidens in their boudoirs.

Lin Yan sat in her pre-arranged spot, and Xu Ling also managed to squeeze in.

Not only that, but she also dragged Cao Ying along to watch.

However, there was indeed someone from the Cao family participating in this imperial examination; it was one of Cao Ying's cousins. Nevertheless, her cousin's ranking was only in the middle.

The Xu family had no descendants participating in this imperial examination this time, so Xu Ling was merely here to witness the spectacle.

"They're here, they're here!" Xu Ling exclaimed with delight.

Lin Yan and Cao Ying also moved to the window, looking down at the newly successful scholars parading on horseback.

"Compared to them, Lin Yi truly is young and promising, and extraordinarily handsome!" Xu Ling said, resting her chin on her hand.

The top scholar and the second-ranked scholar of this session were both men in their thirties. While they might have been decent-looking, people in this era favored beards, and they all sported them.

This was not in line with a young girl's aesthetic preferences, and in comparison, the youthful Lin Yi became immensely pleasing to the eye. Moreover, Lin Yi was naturally blessed with good looks.

"I wonder if he's already engaged?" Xu Ling murmured.

"He is my grandnephew," Lin Yan added silently.

"You!" Xu Ling was momentarily speechless.

"However, this grandnephew of mine is not engaged. He is currently in the capital, and my cousin says I can decide his marriage. So, do you want to call me great-aunt?"

Lin Yan asked quite earnestly. Lin Yi was a good person, and if Xu Ling was truly interested, she could certainly make the decision.

Although she was not old as a great-aunt, her seniority was undeniable.

"I... I'm not talking to you anymore!" Xu Ling's cheeks flushed, unsure if it was from shyness or something else.

She retreated to the table, no longer near the window.

Cao Ying looked at the expressions of Xu Ling and Lin Yan and realized that Lin Yan was likely not joking. She wondered if Lin Yan had any ulterior motives in wanting to marry Xu Ling to Lin Yi.

If she could be sure that Lin Yi would treat Xu Ling well, then even if there were other considerations, Cao Ying felt it would be acceptable.

After all, marriage was far too important for a woman.

"What Yan Yan said isn't wrong. Don't you value that young *tanhua* Lin so much because you want to call Yan Yan your great-aunt?" Cao Ying also teased playfully.

"You're all making fun of me!" Xu Ling's blush deepened.

"Ah Ling, many people outside are throwing handkerchiefs and sachets. Do you want to throw one too?" Lin Yan changed the subject.

"I'd never!"

After the lively street parade concluded, the new scholars awaited their assignments from the imperial court.

Inside the imperial palace, the Emperor looked at his youngest daughter. "Jiayi, what do you think of this year's *tanhua*?"

The Emperor felt that this year's *tanhua*, Lin Yi, was of suitable age for Jiayi, possessing outstanding looks and profound literary talent. Furthermore, the Lin family was a scholarly household, and there would not be the backstabbing and intrigue common in noble families.

As Princess Jiayi was to marry down, the Lin family would have no choice but to revere and dote upon her, ensuring she would never suffer any hardship.

"He's not very good. To put it nicely, the *tanhua*, Lin, comes from a scholarly family. To put it bluntly, he's from humble origins. This child doesn't want to marry and suffer."

"How would you suffer? With the princess's manor your imperial father has prepared for you, it can certainly cover your expenses. Moreover, you have your own fiefdom."

"But Father, scholarly families surely adhere to strict rules, and this child doesn't want to be bound by them!" Jiayi pouted at the Emperor. "Father, I want to marry the heir of the Marquis of Huaiyin."

"The heir of the Marquis of Huaiyin?" The Emperor's brow furrowed. He vaguely recalled that the heir had no official rank and he had no impression of this person, suggesting he was not a prominent figure.

"You've taken a liking to him?"

"Yes, Father. This child really likes this person." Princess Jiayi was very close to the Emperor and felt she could tell him anything.

"Then let your Father have a look and see if that young man from the Feng family is worthy of my child."

For Jiayi to be so preoccupied with him, he must have employed some means. While he was reluctant to directly refuse his daughter, if he discovered any issues with this person, he would not hesitate to let his daughter be heartbroken.

After all, temporary sorrow was better than a lifetime of a bad marriage.

"He will definitely be worthy. Feng Feiyu is quite excellent. Father, you'll know when you have someone investigate," Princess Jiayi said happily.

She wasn't looking down on Lin Yi. Ever since she met Lin Yan, she had a good impression of the Lin family. However, if she had to choose, she decided Feng Feiyu would be more presentable when taken out.

She was her Father's most beloved daughter, and her husband must be the best among all the princesses.

When the Emperor summoned Princess Jiayi again, he looked at her expectant face and felt a headache coming on.

"You know that young Feng boy is already betrothed, so why do you still want to marry him? Jiayi, although we are royalty, we cannot do something like snatching away an engagement!"

"Father, it's not snatching an engagement. I asked the young lady from the Marquis of Huaiyin's household, and she doesn't want to marry into the Marquis's household at all," Jiayi quickly defended herself.

"You even went to find that girl!" The Emperor's headache worsened.

This daughter of his was usually a bit willful, but he hadn't expected her to be so unreliable!

You, a dignified princess, ran off to find a helpless orphaned girl, and what else could she say but what she said?

"Father, Miss Lin is a very interesting person. If you could meet her, you would understand.

She truly does not want this marriage to the Marquis's household, but the Marquis of Huaiyin has been cherishing the memory of his deceased sister, hence his refusal." Princess Jiayi ran over and hugged her father's arm.

"Miss Lin said that she has already sent for her clan leader to come and break off the engagement, so you can rest assured."

"Is this true?" The Emperor still had some doubts. After all, according to the information he had, that young lady's parents had passed away, and Lin's father was the only one in the Lin family who had achieved official status.

The other clan members had only passed the imperial examination. While they were described as a scholarly family, they were indeed without power or influence.

One could say that the Marquis of Huaiyin was perhaps the most powerful figure this young lady from the Lin family could possibly associate with.

Therefore, he did not quite believe that this young lady would so easily give up this engagement.

"It is true. The *tanhua* Lin and his party will be returning to their hometown for ancestral worship this time, and they will bring back the Lin clan leader with them. So, Father, please rest assured and bestow the marriage!"

"You seem to know quite a lot about the Lin family's affairs?" The Emperor was puzzled. His daughter was so invested in this matter, it seemed she genuinely wanted to marry Feng Feiyu.

He had also investigated this heir Feng. He was talented, good-looking, and had a gentle disposition. Furthermore, his father, the Marquis of Huaiyin, came from a good background. If she were to marry him, it would be quite good.

As for the Marchioness who had made things difficult for Lin Yan, he, like Jiayi, did not pay her any mind.

He had also considered it these past few days. Jiayi was right; if she were to marry into the Lin family, while she would be respected, she would also not have a very comfortable life there.

The Marquis of Huaiyin's household was different. Judging from his distant cousin, even with her troublesome behavior, the Marquis of Huaiyin could tolerate her. Therefore, Jiayi should be able to live similarly if she married there.