Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 168: The Execution Ground Rescue!?

Without much thought, Lin Zhiqing went to Lin Shi'an's courtyard, said a few words to Jiang Liuyun and the others, and then left the Lin family.

But once he got into the carriage, Lin Shi'an's face immediately fell:

"The area in front of the Lin family's house has never been this lively before. We're still here, and those people are already getting restless!"

"Zhiqing, hold on tight, I'll shake them off."

As he spoke, Lin Shi'an went to get the car.

"Wait a minute." Lin Zhiqing lifted the sedan curtain to take a look, then shook his head:
"It's alright, let it have a tail if it's there. We're not going to any shady place."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shi'an hesitated for a moment, but Lu Huai pulled him back, saying, "Just listen to her."

Lin Zhiqing patiently explained, "Those people look unfamiliar to me; they must be Liu Mang's men."

“You may not have noticed this before, but I have been paying attention all along.”

"There have always been people around the Lin family, but they are relatively well-hidden."

This is easy to understand.

Lin Zhiqing is the type of person who cannot tolerate any imperfections. If she discovers eyeliner, she will definitely find a way to remove it.

But the fact that she knew but didn't act suggests that those informants were extremely difficult to eliminate.

Under heaven, apart from those in the inner palace, there should be no spies that cannot be dismissed.

Lu Huai and Lin Shi'an are both intelligent people. Their idea of ​​kidnapping people at Liu's mansion was a desperate decision made out of desperation.

Now that I've calmed down, it's easy to think of this.

If they are royal spies, let's not even talk about whether they can be driven away. Even if they can be driven away, what about the next wave?

Since the Lin family has not done anything wrong, it doesn't matter if they watch.

Lin Zhiqing was meticulous, which is why she remembered those spies.

Of course, she didn't remember the face.

It would be unethical for royal informants to be constantly around her; that's simply impossible.

She remembered the gazes and gaits of those people, and also knew that they changed every three days.

But it was always the same people, just with different clothes and makeup, so Lin Zhiqing remembered them after seeing them a few times.

But the people guarding outside the Lin family today are completely different from the ones before, both in their pace and their expressions.

That leaves only two possibilities.

First, the royal family's informants have changed.

Secondly, Liu Mang sent people to monitor the Lin family because Lin Zhiqing held crucial evidence.

Even if the Dali Temple doesn't admit it, it's still a handle they have against them.

All things considered, the second possibility is more likely.

Lin Zhiqing chose to ignore it because what she had to do today was very simple.

Lu Huai and Lin Shi'an were filled with questions. Lin Zhiqing didn't explain, but instead reminded them to pay attention to the route outside the carriage.

Lu Huai had a sudden thought. He had demonstrated his spatial memory ability when he went to Liu’s residence last night, and Lin Zhiqing’s actions were probably a reminder for him to remember the current route.

Without asking any further questions, he opened the carriage curtain a crack and stared intently outside.

Lin Shi'an also kept an eye on it for a long time.

As the sounds of the crowd faded into the distance, the carriage slowly circled the vegetable market entrance in the West Market, and only then did the two realize that something was amiss.

Lin Shi'an frowned.

According to the laws of Dasheng, after a prisoner is tried by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, if the crime is found to be true, he will be taken to Caishikou in the West Market for execution.

There was a special execution platform in this place. The floor of the platform had been washed for many years and had long since turned dark brown.

Those are traces of blood.

Lin Shi'an and Lu Huai both lowered the sedan curtain and looked at Lin Zhiqing. Lin Shi'an frowned: "Zhiqing, what are you doing in such an unlucky place? Did you come to the wrong place?"

"Of course not." Lin Zhiqing shook his head, got up and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, slowly looking out.

Hmm...that matches her image of an execution ground.

There is only one difference.

She used to hear about "execution at the Meridian Gate" on TV all the time, and at first she thought the execution ground was inside the Meridian Gate.

But it's not.

The Meridian Gate refers to the Xuanwu Gate outside the Imperial City. When the Dali Temple escorted criminals to the execution ground, they would pass under the Xuanwu Gate, which is why there is a saying that executions were carried out outside the Meridian Gate.

Because there are few people being tortured now, this area is very quiet.

Just one street away, the West Market was bustling with people.

As Lin Shi'an said, this place is full of killing and bloodshed, and is considered an unlucky place by people, so no one goes near it.

She looked around, taking note of her surroundings, and tapped on the car wall with one hand.

Lin Shi'an had a vague guess in his mind:
"Zhiqing, you're not here to scout out the place beforehand, planning to... to break into the execution ground on the day Fourth Uncle is to be executed?"

Lin Zhiqing was about to answer, but after glancing around, she simply nodded slightly: "That's right, that's exactly it."

Hearing her admit to Lin Shi'an's statement, Lu Huai frowned, sensing something was amiss, but ultimately said nothing more.

This is not the place to talk.

"Rescuing someone from the execution ground...this is no simpler than kidnapping Liu Mang, is it?" Lin Shi'an was slightly surprised.

“Cousin, let’s go down and take a look.” Lin Zhiqing interrupted her.

Lin Shi'an didn't think much of it and followed Lin Zhiqing off the carriage, with Lu Huai following closely behind.

A gust of cold wind swept over her. Lin Zhiqing looked towards Xingtai. Perhaps because so many people had lost their lives in this place, goosebumps involuntarily rose on her arms.

She adjusted her clothes, looked away, and gazed around the market area.

This place is very large, enough for many people to come and watch the excitement.

Of course, there's more to this spectacle than meets the eye.

Those who are brought here to be executed are all people who have committed serious crimes.

For the royal family to demonstrate its authority, executing rebellious officials in front of the people is certainly a very effective way to deter such behavior.

However, when she thought of her fourth uncle, Lin Zhiqing sighed from the bottom of her heart.

If they were just traitors and rebels, that would be one thing, but how many innocent people have been killed on this execution platform?
Perhaps influenced by these feelings, Lin Zhiqing suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.

No, it didn't just suddenly come up.

This feeling of unease had been with Lin Zhiqing ever since he first arrived in Dasheng, and it had always been a constant companion deep in his heart.

A strong sixth sense made Lin Zhiqing look up and look around, but before she could figure anything out, Lin Shi'an suddenly stepped back.

His expression was very serious: "Be careful, there's a human presence here, and very faint footsteps. It's dangerous!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Huai also came closer.

The "human presence" that Lin Shi'an spoke of certainly did not refer to ordinary people.

He was a martial artist, and martial artists generally have a more acute sense of hearing and smell.

He clearly sensed the presence of someone skilled in martial arts, which is why he was so vigilant.

Lin Zhiqing's chest heaved slightly, and the unease in her heart was gradually deepening.

The three stood back to back, constantly observing their surroundings.

"call out!"

Suddenly, there was a sound of breaking through the air.

Lin Zhiqing's heart tightened as she saw an arrow hurtling straight toward her face.