The Sixth Prince raised an eyebrow, his voice low and deep. “Mother, have you forgotten? I am allowed to decide my own marriage.”
When he was young, after learning that his marriage had already been arranged, he had once intended to simply live out his life without love or affection.
However, an opportunity came.
Three years ago, when the Grand Tutor of the Lin family knelt before the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress, begging to cancel the arranged marriage, he had agreed very readily.
At the same time, he used that opportunity to take control of his own marriage.
Since then, his life had been much quieter. No one bothered him about marriage anymore.
That was the life he wanted—free and unrestrained.
It was fine to remain alone if he had not met someone he loved.
“It’s just meeting them, not forcing you to marry them. In half a month, there will be a palace banquet. Yan’er, just give me face and attend on time.”
The Empress said softly, a trace of expectation in her eyes.
He did not refuse, and the Empress felt slightly relieved.
“Then stay and have dinner with me later, alright?” the Empress asked with a smile.
“Mm.” He nodded lightly.
The sky gradually darkened as night fell.
Inside the Grand Tutor’s residence, lanterns were brightly lit.
Lin Qianyu sat in a bath, eyes closed, enjoying the comfort of the hot water.
Her maidservant gently wiped her body while reporting everything she had learned that day.
“Miss, the Empress intends to invite the daughters of the Minister’s household and the Grand Commandant’s household to the palace banquet. The Sixth Prince has also agreed to attend.”
Lin Qianyu suddenly opened her eyes, a calculating glint flashing through them.
“Good, I understand. Send someone to the Fourth Prince’s residence tomorrow and invite him to go boating on the lake.”
“Yes, Miss.”
It seemed that if she wanted to attend the banquet, she would first need to work through the Fourth Prince.
Even after all this time, she still could not forget him.
When she first learned she was betrothed to the talented and outstanding Sixth Prince, she had been overjoyed. From that day on, she studied diligently in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all to match him.
However, fate played a cruel joke.
Just as she became renowned as a “great talent,” news came that the Sixth Prince, who was fighting at the border, had been severely injured and disfigured.
It was a thunderbolt to her.
When she learned the scar could not be fully healed, her family suggested breaking off the engagement.
But Lin Qianyu firmly refused.
In truth, she had her own calculations.
She was still young then—there was time to wait. Perhaps one day, his face could be restored.
Moreover, breaking off the engagement at that moment would make her seem shallow and vain in the eyes of the public, and might also offend the imperial family.
So she chose to keep the engagement.
And indeed, it paid off.
From then on, she gained a reputation as a kind and righteous noble lady who did not judge people by appearance. Many young men admired her, and suitors came endlessly.
She had become the center of attention, just as she wished.
Her goal had been achieved.
On her coming-of-age day, she eventually broke off the engagement—this time at her grandfather’s arrangement. After all, she was already talented and beautiful, and her future husband should be someone exceptional in every way.
In status, talent, and background, the Sixth Prince was still excellent—but his appearance could no longer compare to before.
The cancellation was blamed on the Grand Tutor’s family, and she was completely uninvolved.
Her goal had been achieved again.
She gave herself three years. If the Sixth Prince’s appearance was not restored within that time, she would settle for the Fourth Prince instead.
Now she was already eighteen, only a few months away from the deadline. She could not keep delaying the Fourth Prince either.
“Any progress in finding the divine doctor?”
“Not yet.”
Lin Qianyu frowned and clenched a handful of flower petals in the bathwater.
“Send more people. We must find him before anyone else does.”
She knew clearly—if she found the divine doctor first and healed the Sixth Prince’s scar, she could still reclaim him.
Otherwise, she would have to marry the Fourth Prince.
So she could not delay any longer.
Before that, the daughters of the Minister’s and Grand Commandant’s households must not steal him from her.
She admitted she was calculating.
But she did not think she was wrong.
Since the annulment, the Sixth Prince had remained distant from women. She was certain he still had feelings for her.
Thinking of this, Lin Qianyu smiled.
On the eve of the stall opening, Yue Zhizhi bought ten slabs of tofu and prepared to soak them in stinky brine before sleeping.
She also planned to simmer pork bones and chicken carcasses overnight on low heat, so the broth would become rich and flavorful.
With that rich broth poured over stinky tofu and topped with garlic chili sauce, it would be absolutely addictive.
“Ping’an, are the wooden cart, bamboo skewers, bamboo tubes, and oil paper all ready?”
“Yes, Miss. Everything is prepared.”
Yue Yang came to the Yun residence and brought news.
“The Sixth Prince usually returns from court around the middle of the si hour.”
“Boss, why are you asking about this?” he asked in confusion.
She smiled mysteriously. “You’ll find out tomorrow.”
Yue Yang continued to ask, “What are we selling tomorrow?”
“Food,” she replied lightly.
“What kind of food?”
“Tomorrow you’ll know.”
Yue Yang pouted. “Again with that line…”
On his way home, Yue Yang’s right eyelid began twitching uncontrollably.
He had a bad feeling.
Right eye twitch means disaster.
He just hoped Boss wouldn’t cause any more trouble.