These individuals are all here to participate in tomorrow's poetry competition at Juhua Tower.
Murong Bo nodded. "Yes, Miss Lin has agreed to attend tomorrow."
The many scholars and literati were overjoyed. Miss Lin was like a goddess in their hearts. Not to mention, her father was the Prefect of Jiangnan, and her mother was a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan.
Most importantly, Miss Lin was still unmarried, and Prefect Lin was a poetry enthusiast who loved to compose and recite poems. The poetry competition was an event he held annually. If one could catch the Prefect Lin's eye, it would not only lead to instant fame but also great prospects.
When Lin Shishu returned to her mansion, Cuihu, the head maid of Madam Lin, approached her. "Miss, Madam wants to see you."
Lin Shishu nodded and glanced at Cuihu. "Do you know what it's about?"
Cuihu stepped forward and whispered, "Your maternal aunt came today."
"Alright, I understand. Please tell Mother I'll be there after I change."
Cuihu nodded and left.
Lin Shishu walked towards her poetry pavilion. Cuihua, who followed behind, couldn't help but say indignantly, "It must be about your marriage, Miss!"
Lin Shishu chuckled softly at this. "You're more upset than I am, the main party?"
Cuihua, hearing this, said indignantly, "Miss, how can you still be in the mood to laugh? Aren't you worried? What if Madam is persuaded..."
"That won't happen," Lin Shishu said.
Cuihua was startled and looked at Lin Shishu, bewildered.
Lin Shishu took a handkerchief and wiped her hands. "My marriage is not decided by Mother alone; there's still Father to contend with."
Cuihua breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good." Da Feng Novel Network.
"Let's go, we should go and meet my aunt," Lin Shishu said, heading outside.
Madam Lin's residence, Fuyuan, was not far from Lin Shishu's poetry pavilion. After walking for less than half an incense stick's time, she arrived. Upon entering, she saw a woman sitting below. The woman's face lit up when she saw her. "Shishu, you're here. Come here quickly and let your aunt have a good look at you."
Lin Shishu stepped forward and curtsied slightly. "Aunt."
Madam Min stepped forward and took her hand, smiling. "Shishu has grown up so beautifully! Eldest Sister, don't you think Shishu is like my..."
Suddenly, Madam Lin interrupted Madam Min. "Why are you only returning now? Have you seen your father yet?"
Lin Shishu was slightly taken aback, then lowered her gaze. "Not yet. As soon as I returned, I heard Mother wanted to see me, so I changed clothes and came right away."
"Go see your father. He's so preoccupied with tomorrow's poetry competition that he's not eating or sleeping," Madam Lin said.
"Yes, Mother. Your daughter will go now." Lin Shishu turned to leave.
Madam Min grew anxious. "Eldest Sister, I haven't even spoken a few words with Shishu yet!"
Madam Lin said coldly, "Her father wants to see her. Would you like to go with him, sister-in-law?"
Madam Min fell silent and gave an awkward smile. "So it's brother-in-law looking for Shishu. Then, about the marriage between Shishu and my Feng Xi..."
"Sister-in-law, I cannot decide on Shishu's marriage; it is the master of the house who decides. I'm afraid I have no say in this matter..."
Lin Shishu did not listen to the rest of the conversation. After all, her mother had been in the inner quarters for so many years; how could she let her maternal aunt scheme against her?
She couldn't help but find her own previous worry amusing.
"Miss, are we going to Master's place?" Cuihua asked.
Lin Shishu nodded. "Yes. Let's see how Father's preparations are going."
When Lin Shishu arrived, Prefect Lin was instructing the servants to prepare for tomorrow's poetry competition.
Seeing her arrive, he beckoned her. "Shishu, you're here. Come and see how Father's preparations are going."
Lin Shishu stepped forward and saw that her father had prepared a piece of fine inkstone and many other valuable items.
"Father, are these the prizes for tomorrow?" Lin Shishu asked.
Prefect Lin nodded. "Yes. Tomorrow's poetry competition is the grandest event. Besides wanting to discover talent, I also want to take this opportunity to find a suitable husband for Shishu."
Lin Shishu was surprised. "Father, I'm not in a hurry."
Prefect Lin said, "Your maternal aunt came today. Do you know?"
Lin Shishu nodded. "I know. I just met her."
"Then do you know she came for your marriage?" Prefect Lin asked.
Lin Shishu nodded. "I know. However, Mother refused."
"Shishu, do you know who your maternal aunt's family is?"
Lin Shishu frowned. "What does Father mean by that?"
"Your maternal aunt's sister is the wife of Lord Shi Lang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice in the capital."
Lin Shishu was stunned and looked at Prefect Lin. "Father, you mean..."
"If your maternal aunt finds her sister to pressure your mother, what do you think Father should do?"
"Father, shouldn't marriage be based on mutual consent?" Lin Shishu asked.
"That is true. However, your maternal aunt doesn't think so. She merely wants the Lin family's support, which would also be a backing for Shi Lang in the capital."
Lin Shishu took a few steps back. "Father, I..."
"Daughter, Father is telling you this to prepare you for the worst possible outcome. However, Father will absolutely not let you marry someone you don't like."
"Father..." Lin Shishu's eyes welled up with tears.
"Shishu, do you have someone you like?" Although he would meticulously select from the poetry competition, it was still a gamble. If his daughter already had someone she liked, it would be best.
"I..." Lin Shishu did not finish. She thought of Young Master Yan, but he clearly had no interest in her.
"Shishu, if you do, tell Father, and Father will help you," Prefect Lin said.
Lin Shishu nodded. "Alright, if I do, I will tell Father."
"Go back now!" Prefect Lin said.
After Lin Shishu left, Prefect Lin called Cuihua over. For the first time, Cuihua was meeting Prefect Lin alone and secretly bemoaned her fate. "Master, do you need something from this servant?"
"Has Miss been acting unusually these past few days?" Prefect Lin asked.
Cuihua was startled. "Master, Miss has been perfectly normal."
Prefect Lin thought for a moment and changed his tone. "Has Miss met any other strangers recently?"
Cuihua hesitated, then stopped. Seeing this, Prefect Lin asked, "What is it? You can't tell me?"
Cuihua quickly shook her head. "Master, it's not that this servant won't tell you, but that young gentleman seems to have no affection for Miss."
Prefect Lin was somewhat displeased. His Shuer had beauty and talent; who was so blind as to dare to dislike his daughter?
"Who is it?" Prefect Lin asked.
"It's... it's the young gentleman from the Yan family," Cuihua said.
Prefect Lin was startled. He did indeed have an impression of this young gentleman from the Yan family. He was exceptionally talented and exceptionally handsome, which explained why Shuer would like him. It was obvious.
"I understand. You may leave now!" Prefect Lin said.
After Cuihua left, Prefect Lin called a servant. "Go and send an invitation to the Yan family, inviting him to participate in the poetry competition at Juhua Tower tomorrow."
After the servant left, Prefect Lin stood up and said, "Has Madam Min left?"