If Lin Wanyu still believed Wang Yurou's words, she would truly be a fool.
However, there was one thing. The Wang family now desperately wanted to preserve the marriage with the Prince Xiang's Mansion. Moreover, they seemed to have misjudged the relationship between her and Lu Huaijin. Now they were bent on getting her to facilitate this marriage.
If that was really the case, she might just be able to fight for a glimmer of hope.
Lin Wanyu gave a faint smile, lowering her eyes and softly saying, "Second Miss, you're overestimating this servant. This servant is just a servant. How could I influence the mind of the Crown Prince?"
Some things still needed to be said.
After her words fell, Wang Yurou's face turned green and then white. She silently cursed Lin Wanyu as a seductress and gritted her teeth, saying, "Miss Wanyu, you're joking. You're not an ordinary servant. Well, let's hurry over there. Don't keep the Crown Prince waiting."
After saying that, she took Furong's hand first and walked outside.
The smile that had been on her face instantly turned gloomy.
Although she was extremely reluctant to admit it, at present, Lu Huaijin only had eyes for this little vixen.
This bitch had provoked her so much today, but she could only endure it.
Anyway, there would be plenty of time in the future to deal with her.
As soon as they entered the front yard, they saw a man sitting in the main hall, wearing a long robe of cyan brocade embroidered with golden patterns. He was sipping tea from a blue - jade cup.
The man had a handsome face with deep, unfathomable eyes. The nobility and aloofness around him made people involuntarily want to submit.
Wang Yurou smoothed her temples, led Furong to the hall first, and gracefully curtsied, saying, "Yurou pays respects to the Crown Prince."
Lu Huaijin looked up at her. His calm and indifferent eyes showed no emotion, making it hard to tell whether he was happy or angry.
After a moment, his gaze slowly fell on the person who followed in.
He noticed that the little girl looked better.
He originally didn't want to come, but on his way to the palace, when passing by here, he still came.
After all, they had consummated their marriage. He had to take the responsibility he should. The little girl might be heartless, but he couldn't be unrighteous.
After Lin Wanyu paid her respects, the hall fell into silence.
No one dared to speak until Lu Huaijin did.
Wang Jinsong had been standing there for quite a while. But since this nobleman had come, he had only said he was looking for someone and then said nothing more.
The tea on the table had been replaced three times.
"Your Highness, I wonder what your commands are. Please just say it. Whatever I can do, I will do it even if it means going through fire and water," Wang Jinsong finally couldn't hold back. He flattered with a smile and asked.
Lu Huaijin paused for a moment, then looked up at Wang Jinsong and said in a deep voice, "Previously, this Crown Prince once said that Miss Lin is intelligent and obedient, and is much liked by the Princess. This morning when this Crown Prince went to pay respects to the Princess, I happened to hear the Princess mention Miss Lin's pastries. So I took the liberty to come here. Please forgive me, my lord."
Although he was saying he hoped to be forgiven, his face still looked cold and handsome, making people not dare to ignore him easily.
Hearing this, Wang Jinsong's mind raced. A smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Your Highness's filial piety moves both heaven and earth. Since the Princess likes Miss Lin's pastries, then please ask Miss Lin to make some. Later, I'll ask Yurou to send them to the mansion in person."
These words were meant to draw out the "snake".
Lu Huaijin curled his lips. There was a hint of understanding in his dark eyes.
"This is a bit troublesome. This Crown Prince has heard that Miss Lin was bought by Lord Wang at a high price. How about asking my lord to part with her and sell Miss Lin to this Crown Prince again?"
This was exactly what Wang Jinsong had been waiting for. Now he would say something to test his intention.
Normally, if Wang Jinsong heard such words, he would definitely send Lin Wanyu to the Prince's Mansion without hesitation. But now...
Last night when he had trouble sleeping, he had thought that since Lin Wanyu had lost both her parents, he could recognize her as his adopted daughter and marry her into the Prince Xiang's Mansion. That would also be a way out.
However, Lin Wanyu came from a brothel. She was well - known throughout Yangzhou. People from many other places even came there just to hear her play the pipa.
If the news that he had recognized a brothel woman as his adopted daughter got out, not to mention whether the imperial censor would impeach him, just the spittle of the common people in the capital city alone would drown him.
His reputation, which he had cherished for many years, couldn't be ruined because of this.
So, by now, he could only tie Lin Wanyu to his own daughter.
If Lu Huaijin wanted her, he would have to take them both.
Wang Jinsong slowly knelt down and carefully said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. My daughter and Miss Lin hit it off right away and are as close as sisters. They really don't want to be separated. I bought Miss Lin's indenture at a high price at that time because I wanted to give her as a dowry maid to my daughter. Having someone who knows her well by her side, we parents can rest assured."
Lu Huaijin sneered. If he hadn't seen the wounds on Lin Wanyu's body with his own eyes last night, he might really have pondered over Wang Jinsong's words today.
"Just now, my lord also said that you would go through fire and water without hesitation?"
Wang Jinsong frowned. Just as he was about to make things clear, Wang Yurou stepped forward, curtsied, and said, "Your Highness, to be honest, at first, my father and mother invited Miss Lin to the mansion because they loved me and wanted Miss Lin to be my dowry maid. Now Miss Lin and my elder brother have fallen in love with each other. My father and mother have already planned to marry Miss Lin off to my elder brother as a concubine."
As soon as these words were out, Wang Jinsong looked at Wang Yurou in disbelief. Just as he was about to scold her, he heard the person in front speak.
A chilling coldness lingered in the entire hall.
"Just now, my lord also said that Miss Wang and Miss Lin were as close as sisters and couldn't bear to part. Now Miss Wang is willing to send Miss Lin to her elder brother as a concubine?"
When he said this, his gaze fell on Lin Wanyu.
Lin Wanyu only felt a cold wind creeping up her spine, making her shiver involuntarily. She buried her head even lower.
Now it was a game between Lu Huaijin and the Wang family. She had to be extremely cautious and couldn't say much. Otherwise, she wouldn't even know how she died.
Wang Yurou replied calmly, "The affection between my elder brother and Miss Lin is well - known in the whole mansion. I was originally reluctant, but now my marriage has been delayed. If Miss Lin stays in the mansion every day without a proper status, it will inevitably invite criticism."
These words were a real test of Lu Huaijin.
If he wanted Lin Wanyu to enter the Prince's Mansion, he would have to marry her, Wang Yurou. If he didn't agree, then Lin Wanyu would become someone else's concubine and would have nothing to do with Lu Huaijin or the Prince's Mansion anymore.
Anyway, she wouldn't let Lin Wanyu go so easily today.
Not many people knew about Lin Wanyu's trial marriage. As long as they kept it well hidden and Wang Jingze didn't mind, no one could say anything.
Even if Wang Jingze disliked that Lin Wanyu had lost her virginity, she was just a concubine without any family background. There were plenty of ways to make her disappear.
After her words fell, there was a long silence in the hall.
Wang Yurou curled her red lips, looked up at the extremely handsome man in front of her, and said softly, "This matter is originally a family affair. My father was embarrassed to tell Your Highness. But I couldn't bear to see my father being misunderstood by Your Highness, so I had to say it. I wonder if Your Highness has any perfect solution?"