Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 166 Man is the butcher, I am the fish on the chopping block.
Lin Zhiqing's primary goal after arriving in Dasheng was to survive, and to live a good life.

If you live your life hiding under the guise of a fugitive, you'll always be worried about when you'll be found and executed.

That was torture.

Moreover, even if the eldest uncle has connections, is it possible for them to leave Shengjing City as easily as they want?
The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review have already regarded Lin Congyan as a dead man, and in their eyes, the other members of the Lin family are the same.

The simplest logic is this: the fish is already on the chopping board, are you going to let it escape?

impossible.

People are knives and servants, and I am fish and meat.

The person wielding the knife is still the man standing at the pinnacle of power in the Great Sheng Dynasty, so it's even less likely that the Lin family will be allowed to escape easily.

Although she knew their chances of leaving were slim, Lin Zhiqing still felt her uncle's kindness.

She explained to her uncle why this method was not feasible, and then suggested that it could be used as a backup option.

If they really have no other choice in two days, they can give it a try.

Lin Congli knew that Lin Zhiqing was telling the truth, but seeing that Lin Zhiqing did not refute it, he immediately said that he would start making preparations.

This alone shows that Lin Congli truly devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Lin family.

Even though his previous methods were somewhat flawed, Lin Zhiqing could still feel his sincerity.

This is something you can't see in other people.

Lin Zhiqing felt a greater sense of respect for Lin Congli.

After returning to the Lin family home, neither of them was in high spirits.

Lin Congli knew that sitting idly was useless, so as agreed, he immediately began making final preparations.

Lin Zhiqing then found the waiting crowd and told them what had happened.

"How could the Dali Temple be so negligent in its duties..." Lu Nanyue sat at the table, clenching her fists.

"Qing-meimei, do they mean that no matter what evidence we send over, it won't work?" Lin Yangyang asked, hands on her hips.

“That’s right.” Lin Zhiqing nodded.

Upon receiving the response, Lin Yangyang immediately exploded: "They are so unreasonable. Dali Temple, you say? Even a three-year-old knows that you need evidence to do things."

"Isn't the reason they're doing this to solidify Uncle Si's guilt?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent.

Aside from Lin Yangyang being a little slow to react, everyone else knew that the Dali Temple was backed by the royal family.

It is precisely because they are royalty that they have fallen into silence.

Even having evidence won't work; it's tantamount to telling the Lin family directly that they have no way out and can only wait to die.

"They really want to solidify Fourth Uncle's charges and cut off the Lin family's path to survival." Lin Zhiqing's eyes gradually sharpened.
"But no, we can't just wait to die."

“That’s right, we can’t just sit here and wait to die.” Upon hearing this, Lu Huai stood up: “Regardless of what the Dali Temple says, let’s first spread the news that Liu Mang conspired with Aunt Chun to murder Master Lin.”

"If we release this, will those people believe it?" Jiang Liuyun asked with some concern.

Lu Nanyue had the same question.

"Whether you believe it or not, as long as the news spreads, there will always be people who love a good show and discuss it," Lin Zhiqing chimed in.
"This is putting pressure on the Dali Temple and the imperial court in a subtle way."

Lu Huai nodded, relieved that Lin Zhiqing understood what he meant.

"Before going to the Dali Temple, I had already informed my uncle of the situation and arranged for someone to do so," Lin Zhiqing continued.

“I had a suspicion beforehand that things wouldn’t go so smoothly, so I made some arrangements in advance.”

Lin Zhiqing is the type to think ten steps ahead before acting. Being in the complex Lin family, it's impossible not to be cautious. Upon hearing this, Lu Huai nodded.

What he could think of, Lin Zhiqing had thought of even earlier.

What he couldn't imagine, Lin Zhiqing wouldn't forget.

It must be said that Lin Zhiqing is indeed a person with extremely clear thinking and goals.

Her inner self was not as fragile as her outward appearance suggested; she was like a red rose.

She is beautiful but has thorns, and her sharpness is hidden beneath her smile.

Such a Lin Zhiqing is undoubtedly eye-catching.

Jiang Liuyun was also staring at Lin Zhiqing, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Lin Yangyang didn't see the tension in the expressions of the others, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became:

"These officials are always spouting classical Chinese phrases, yet they let their innocent fourth uncle walk down a dead end."

"I'm so angry! They don't act like officials at all."

"Walls have ears." Lin Shi'an patted the sulking Lin Yangyang on the shoulder to comfort her before continuing:
"The death of Aunt Chun was most likely part of Liu Mang's plan, and now only the two of them know the inside story."

"If Aunt Chun hadn't died, we could at least have learned something from her." Lin Shi'an sighed, a look of guilt on his face.
"Zhiqing, it's my fault. I didn't keep an eye on those people when the Lin family was in turmoil, which gave Aunt Chun the opportunity to frame Fourth Uncle."

"Wait." Lin Zhiqing held out his hand: "What did you just say?"

This unexpected question caught everyone off guard.

Lin Shi'an was particularly puzzled. His eyes darted around as he recalled what he had just said:

"Is it my fault for not keeping a close eye on the Lin family, allowing Aunt Chun to find a chance to escape, which gave me an opportunity to take advantage?"

“No.” Lin Zhiqing stepped forward: “The previous sentence.”

Lin Jiusi blinked twice more, tentatively replying, "If... Aunt Chun hadn't died, that would have been good?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiqing's brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently, clearly indicating that he was brainstorming and had something on his mind.

The others exchanged glances. Although they didn't understand what had happened, they all fell silent and chose not to disturb Lin Zhiqing.

Finally, after an unknown amount of time, a faint smile appeared on Lin Zhiqing's lips again.

The moment Lu Huai saw that smile, he knew that Lin Zhiqing had come up with another idea.

She has many ideas, and they often surprise people.

Lu Huai was genuinely curious about what solution Lin Zhiqing could come up with, since the Lin family was currently in a desperate situation.

The evidence has already been presented, but it's been blocked by a flimsy "forged" one.

Unless Liu Mang confesses himself, this matter is almost unsolvable.

But everyone knew very well that after Liu Mang had shamelessly dealt with Lin Zhiqing and tested the attitudes of the imperial court and the Dali Temple, he would not get himself into trouble.

Lu Huai had just put the idea of ​​Liu Mang admitting his crime out of his mind when he met Lin Zhiqing's eyes.

Seeing the thoughtful smile on Lin Zhiqing's lips, his heart skipped a beat.

No way?
Does she really want Liu Mang to speak?

Lin Zhiqing noticed Lu Huai's gaze and saw the doubt in it.

She didn't say much, only told the group to rest well, and then returned to her own courtyard.

She did indeed get inspiration from Lin Shi'an's words: if Aunt Chun couldn't confess, then let Liu Mang confess!
(End of this chapter)