Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 173 The imperial edict has arrived!
Lin Zhiqing and the others were unaware of the thoughts of the Dali Temple Minister and others, and soon returned to the Lin family.

Half an hour later, everyone gathered in the main hall.

On the round table in the center of the main hall, a very detailed topographical map was placed.

The topographical map not only showed the routes, but also vividly depicted the scenery of the West Market.

"This...Young Master Lu, you are truly a talent." Lin Yangyang stared at the painting before her, dumbfounded: "How did you manage to paint the entire West Market?"

“I’ve been to the West Market a few times before, and it left a deep impression on me, which is why I was able to draw it,” Lu Huai said slowly.

Lin Yangyang pointed at the picture: "Even if you made me go ten more times, I still couldn't draw it."

"Yangyang!" Lin Congli called out to her with a dark face, "I ask you to practice calligraphy and painting every day, but you never take it seriously. Look at other people."

“Even if I had been painting since I was a child, I could never have reached this level. I can’t do this kind of thing.” Lin Yangyang didn’t care at all.

"You dare talk back!" Lin Congli's eyes widened.

Lin Yangyang stuck out her tongue and stopped talking.

"Ahem, I can't draw it either," Jiang Liuyun said honestly.

Lu Nanyue nodded in agreement: "We are like-minded people, like-minded people."

They all knew very well that Lin Yangyang's words were not exaggerated at all.

The topographical map in front of us is extremely detailed, showing everything from large buildings and shops to small details like a well and a tree.

Apart from Lu Huai, no one else present truly possessed such skill.

"This is what other people's children are like..." Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but sigh.

When she returned to her residence, she only told Lu Huai to draw the route from Dali Temple to Caishikou in as much detail as possible.

Lu Huai completed such a perfect topographic map in just two hours, which is incredibly efficient.

Not only was it efficient, but the quality of the topographic map was also very high.

Judging from his skillful technique, he must have been to the West Market many times.

What would Lu Huai be doing in the West Market?

Lin Zhiqing planned to ask Lu Huai about it when she had time.

Then, she looked at the topographic map again to check if there were any mistakes or omissions.

Jiang Liuyun, standing to the side, scratched his head and asked, "Qing'er, why are you drawing this?"

Lin Congli and Lu Nanyue were very curious about this question.

Before Lin Zhiqing could answer, Lin Shi'an blurted out the answer: "What else could we do? Break them out of the execution ground!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Congli and the others frowned simultaneously, seemingly disagreeing.

The risks of storming the execution ground are too great.

Lin Zhiqing quickly raised his head: "This is not an ordinary execution ground rescue. Take a look and see what the characteristics of these roads are."

Lin Zhiqing pointed out three routes.

Seeing the direction she was pointing, Lin Shi'an and Lu Huai exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.

Because these three routes are not the same route they took today from Dali Temple to the market entrance.

It was the route from Liu Mang's residence to the entrance of the market.

Liu Mang's residence faces south, which is close to the outskirts of the city, and is quite far from the entrance to the market.

Wanting to preserve the integrity of the topographic map, and with the memory of last night being particularly vivid, Lu Huai also sketched it down.

Lin Shi'an was very puzzled: "Zhiqing, aren't we supposed to be looking at the route from Dali Temple to the market entrance today?"

Seeing that the others still hadn't grasped the point, Lin Zhiqing had no choice but to explain:

“We had so many tails following us at the time, and we didn’t try to hide when we went out, so of course I wouldn’t reveal our real destination.”

As she spoke, she pointed to Liu Mang's residence:

"I originally planned to make another quiet trip tonight to confirm the route from the Liu residence to the market entrance, and then add the route to the list."

"But I didn't expect Lu Huai to draw so carefully, which saves us from having to make another trip."

Lin Congli's brows were still tightly furrowed: "You don't want to break into the execution ground, you want to start with Liu Mang?"

Seeing Lin Zhiqing nod, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

They initially believed the execution ground rescue was real and had some doubts about Lin Zhiqing's judgment. After all, the execution ground was heavily guarded, and the surrounding area was very spacious, making it difficult to rescue someone under the watchful eyes of the imperial court's experts.

Rather than trying to storm the execution ground, it's better to just run away.

It turns out that Lin Zhiqing already had a plan in mind, and did not intend to storm the execution ground or run away.

She has a third option.

Seeing that everyone understood, Lin Zhiqing wasted no more time and pointed out the three routes again:

"If nothing unexpected happens, Fourth Uncle's decree of conviction will be delivered to our residence soon."

"Tomorrow should be the day when Fourth Uncle is executed."

Upon hearing this, everyone put aside their various thoughts and stared intently at the route map.

Lin Zhiqing's expression was serious: "Fourth Uncle will be escorted to the execution ground at the entrance of the vegetable market by the people of Dali Temple, and I will find a way to lure Liu Mang to the execution ground."

"He's most likely to take one of these routes, and then you..."

The conversation at the Lin family lasted for more than two hours.

As dusk fell, Zhou Chongzheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, stopped his carriage in front of the Lin family's house.

Seeing that the Lin family's gate was tightly closed, Zhou Chongzheng remained indifferent and ordered someone to go up and knock on the door.

Soon, the Lin family's gate opened.

Zhou Chongzheng led a large group of people into the Lin family home and headed straight for the main hall.

Inside the main hall, the entire Lin family had arrived, including Lin Jiusi and his fourth aunt.

Lin Zhiqing stood at the back, looking at Zhou Chongzheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review who had repeatedly turned her away.

Zhou Chongzheng's face was expressionless, devoid of any emotion, only cold indifference.

Then, Lin Zhiqing turned her gaze to the eunuch beside Zhou Chongzheng.

The eunuch carried a tray, on which the bright yellow imperial edict was glaringly obvious.

Lin Congli cupped his hands, about to step forward to speak, when the eunuch beside Zhou Chongzheng shrieked:
"The imperial edict has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately knelt down, and the main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Chongzheng then picked up the imperial edict from the tray, opened it, and began to read it aloud expressionlessly:

"It is God's destiny, the emperor decreed:

I have heard that the way to govern a country lies in clarifying laws and regulations and rectifying the fundamental principles, so as to maintain peace and tranquility in the world.

Today, Lin Congyan, the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, has not thought of serving the country, but instead has done something rebellious, shocking the court and the public.

An investigation revealed that Lin Congyan mistreated his servants and slandered the imperial family. The evidence was conclusive, making him a major scourge of the country and an enemy of the people.

Considering the strictness of the laws and regulations, and that it is unacceptable to bend the law for personal gain, I have decided to punish him in accordance with the law.

The order is hereby issued: The Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice shall immediately escort Lin Congyan to the execution ground, execute him on the spot, and confiscate his family property as a form of punishment.

The rest of the Lin family who knew about the incident but failed to report it are considered accomplices.

However, considering that the Marquis of Changning had expanded the territory, performed his duties diligently, and achieved remarkable political achievements.

His clansmen were specially granted the privilege of being exiled to the army after Lin Congyan's execution.

I hope that all my subjects will take this as a lesson, abide by their duties, and not repeat the same mistakes.

This decree, once issued, is as if I were personally present. So be it!

As Zhou Chongzheng's voice faded, Lin Zhiqing closed her eyes; the moment had finally arrived.

Her fourth aunt beside her suddenly felt her knees buckle, and two streams of tears instantly flowed down her cheeks.

"It's over, it's over." Lin Jiusi collapsed to the ground.

The others were trembling to some extent.

Only Lin Zhiqing and Lin Congli, who were at the very front, remained upright and did not behave impolitely.

Lin Congli took a deep breath:

"I thank the Lord for your kindness!"

(End of this chapter)