Chapter 11: Divorce.

Lin Yannan slightly breathed a sigh of relief. The first step of the plan had finally been achieved, and the most deserving credit belonged to Lin Zhenzhen. She was truly a godsend, willingly handing over the evidence to her. Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

"Sis, you're really amazing, your predictions are so accurate."

"It's nothing, just speculating on people's intentions. Grandma and Second Aunt are at a disadvantage in the current situation. Only I can turn the tide. As long as our demands are not too excessive, they will definitely agree. We just need to first propose a condition that they cannot accept, and then compromise. They will be more likely to accept it. However, your performance is also important, Jingyuan. You have grown up." Lin Yanyan felt relieved, having Jingyuan as a good helper makes things much easier.

Lin Jingyuan scratched his head awkwardly: "I didn't do anything."

"Alright, go home and pack your things. Let's move back to Moyuan Pavilion today!"

"Okay, I'll go!"

Lin Yannan waved her hand and waited for Jingyuan to leave. She called Jinxin and Tanyun over and took out a box from the cabinet.

"I couldn't save the Zhu family's marriage, and now I'm in a fight with Second Madam. The days ahead will be even more difficult. Tomorrow, I will dismiss all the servants in Moyuan Pavilion. Inside this box are your indenture contracts, two fifty taels of silver tickets, some jewelry. You have followed me for so many years, consider it a token of my gratitude."

Tanyun's eyes instantly turned red. "Miss, please don't make me leave. If I go, who will serve you? Although I am not very smart, I never slack off in my work... Please don't dismiss me..."

Miss, this servant will not leave either. Before the lady passed away, she entrusted me to take good care of you, and at that moment, I made up my mind to serve you for a lifetime... Jin Xin's tears welled up in her eyes.

Do you know what you will face if you stay? The power struggle within the prestigious gate often conceals deadly schemes, with no visible confrontation but hidden dangers. It may seem peaceful, but beneath the surface, turbulent currents flow, ready to engulf anyone who is careless, leaving nothing behind.

"Miss, whether it's facing danger or challenges, I am determined not to leave. No matter if you want to confront the most dangerous situations or venture into the unknown, I will accompany you," Jin Xin vowed.

Tan Yun nodded in agreement, saying, "I am the same."

两个小丫头眼中的坚定和诚恳让林晏晏动容。

她不是信不过她们，她们自小跟着她，一直以来的表现她都看在眼里，她只是想给她们一个选择的机会。

Because she is not only Lin Yannan, but also Tao Siyu, so what she has to do is not only to get rid of the current predicament, but also to investigate the unjust case and seek justice for the Tao family. This path is destined to be arduous and filled with invisible and uncontrollable risks. She cannot be so selfish and let them take risks with her.

Lin Yannan pressed his hand against the drawer and sighed, "Since you want to stay, then stay for now! Just let me know when you want to leave."

"We won't leave," Jinxin and Tanyun said in unison.

In the Duke's residence, the Duke and Duchess, as well as Qin Shi, listened to Yao Shi's explanation and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Yan Yan agreeing to propose the annulment of the engagement and clarifying the truth to both the Duke's residence and Zi Yu is the best solution," said the Duchess. Thanks to Madam Wei's means, the crisis facing both the Duke's residence and the Marquis's residence has been resolved.

Originally, it was just a case of groundless speculation from outside, as Zi Yu often discussed literature with Jing Wen. Unexpectedly, someone misunderstood the situation, causing Lin Zhen Zhen to feel unjustly treated." Yao sighed.

Qin remained calm and thought to herself: "Yao is indeed clever. By denying any romantic involvement between Zi Yu and Lin Zhen Zhen at this critical moment, she not only protects their reputations but also gains sympathy from the Duke's Manor for Lin Zhen Zhen, laying the groundwork for the next move."

Both children are innocent," said the Duchess.

Mrs. Qin pretended to be sympathetic: "Our Duke's household has always kept their promises, so technically we shouldn't have agreed to Yan Yan's divorce. But Yan Yan has this strange illness... Please go back and comfort Mrs. Lin, assure her that although Yan Yan cannot be our Duke's wife, I will treat her like my own daughter."

“是这话，秦氏，待会儿你准备一份厚礼让林夫人带回去给晏晏。”国公夫人道。

收了厚礼，晏晏就不好反悔了。

姚氏欠了欠身：“我替晏晏谢过国公夫人，朱夫人。”

After sending Yao away, Qin suddenly remembered that she had already ordered someone to spread the message that Lin Yannan had contracted a strange illness and had become grotesquely fat. She was ashamed of her appearance and feared that Ziyu would despise her. This was why she had the pressure put on Ziyu by spreading those words.

If she had known that the Hou Mansion could handle this matter, she wouldn't have bothered with it.

Early the next day, Lin Yanyan drove away all the servants arranged by Yao Shi in Muyuan Ge and took Jin Xin to Cien Hall.

"Grandmother, this is a token from the Duke's Residence, Zhu Gongzi's marriage letter along with the betrothal gifts. Please return them to the Duke's Residence."

The old lady glanced at the pair of creamy jade bracelets and the crimson marriage letter inside the case, and instructed someone to bring a case and hand it over to Lin Yannan.

"Yesterday, the Duke's office asked your second aunt to bring back something for you. Inside, there are your betrothal letter and the other half of the marriage contract, as well as gifts from the Duke's office."

Lin Yanyan opened it and took out the betrothal letter and marriage contract, ignoring the box full of jewelry. In front of the old lady, she threw the betrothal letter into the incense burner, and the flames engulfed it, turning the betrothal letter and marriage contract into ashes in an instant.

“你何时跟外边澄清事实？”老夫人问。

林晏晏目色平静：“信阳公主府的桃花宴，如何？”

这就是一向疼爱她的祖母啊！以前的疼爱，只不过因为她有个侯府顶梁柱的爹，有一门人人羡慕的亲事，如今的她除了一身病，一无所有，就不值得祖母疼爱了，祖母只关心侯府的颜面，二房的前途。

Yes, indeed! Nowadays, the second branch is the backbone of the Marquis's mansion.

The elderly lady nodded slightly and sighed, "Yan Yan, your grandmother couldn't protect your marriage, and it was beyond her control. If you hadn't fallen ill, even if the Duke's mansion wanted to cancel the engagement, your grandmother would have fought against them and never agreed. But now, we are at fault ourselves."

Lin Yannan sneered in her heart at her grandmother's words... The current situation is entirely her fault; she shouldn't have gotten sick.

Indeed, there is nothing wrong with this statement, but it's a bit heartless.

"Now that the marriage has been called off, Lady Zhu from the Duke's mansion said that you cannot become her daughter-in-law. However, she will treat you like a daughter. Yanyan, if we can't form a marital bond, we shouldn't become enemies either. Since the Duke's mansion has made their stance clear, don't let it bother you anymore. Let's focus on getting better. Once you recover, Grandma will definitely arrange a suitable marriage for you."

Lin Yannan knew in her heart that her grandmother was afraid she would say something inappropriate at the Peach Blossom Banquet.

"Grandmother, I am not the least bit aggrieved by the cancellation of this marriage. I am simply angry about what Lin Zhenzhen has done. Even if Zhu Gongzi dislikes me, why does Lin Zhenzhen have the audacity to interfere? She even dares to come before me and act so arrogantly." Lin Yannan continued to bring up Lin Zhenzhen, firmly holding onto this leverage.

The old lady's brow twitched slightly. "There is something wrong with Zhen Zhen in this matter, and Grandma will punish her severely. However, it concerns the reputation of both the Marquis Mansion and the Duke Mansion. Yan Yan, listen to Grandma's advice and prioritize the overall situation in everything."

"Grandmother, rest assured, I can still distinguish between priorities and urgency."

"That's good." The old lady said so, but deep down she still had a hidden worry. She couldn't explain why, but she felt that the girl, Yan Yan, in front of her seemed somewhat unfamiliar.