Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 203 Powers United! Taking Control of the Lin Family!
Lin Zhiqing never received an explanation from Lu Huai after returning to the Lin family.

Because there was a whole host of other things waiting for her to handle.

Lin Zhiqing did not rush to take inventory of the Lin family's property returned by the imperial court, but went to Lin Shi'an's side courtyard first.

Previously, Jiang Liuyun was injured, so Lin Zhiqing asked Lu Nanyue to send him back first.

His injuries were caused by the Lin family's affairs, so Lin Zhiqing should come and see him first, both out of courtesy and reason.

When she and Lu Huai stepped into the courtyard, Lu Nanyue was sitting under the eaves brewing medicine.

Upon seeing Lin Zhiqing and Lu Huai, the worried expression on her face instantly turned into joy:

“You’re finally back. Aunt Mu just told me the plan was a success. I was worried because I hadn’t seen you.”

Lu Huai nodded: "It's a success. The Lin family has been pardoned."

"Thank God, thank God!" Lu Nanyue's eyes even glistened with tears.

She knew all too well how hard Lin Zhiqing had been these past few days.

"Sister," Lu Huai asked, getting down to business, "How is Brother Jiang?"

"Look at me, I got so excited I forgot the important matter." Lu Nanyue dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

"He's resting in the inner room. He should be fine. Why don't you go in and check on him?"

Lu Huai nodded and stepped forward.

Lin Zhiqing fell behind. She patted Lu Nanyue's hand before walking forward.

As Lu Huai opened the door, the two walked around the screen and immediately saw Jiang Liuyun sitting on the edge of the bed.

He had already put on one shoe, as if he wanted to stand up.

Upon seeing Lin Zhiqing and Lu Huai, his eyes lit up, his expression turning somewhat apprehensive: "Qing'er, you've arrived? How is it?"

"Don't worry, everything will go smoothly." Lu Huai stepped forward, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Jiang Liuyun.

Hearing this, Jiang Liuyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing this, Lin Zhiqing sat down at the table: "How are you? You'll be going to the battlefield in the future. If something happens to this hand, I'll be in big trouble."

“That’s right, then the Marquis of Zhenyuan will definitely come after us to settle accounts.” Lu Huai handed the teacup to Jiang Liuyun.

Jiang Liuyun's Adam's apple bobbed. He took the teacup, sipped it, and deftly put on his other shoe.

He breathed a huge sigh of relief: "Putting aside whether my father will cause trouble for you, if this doesn't work out, it would be worth it even if this hand is broken."

"Stop talking nonsense." Lu Huai opened the window, intending to let in some fresh air.

The flowers on the windowsill were a bit wilted, their petals all facing inwards. He casually picked up a teacup and poured some water into it.

"Your hands are very precious. If they were broken, the ladies of this city would be heartbroken."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuyun's face instantly turned red: "What does their heartbreak have to do with me?"

He would glance at Lin Zhiqing every now and then, as if afraid that Lin Zhiqing would misunderstand.

Lin Zhiqing's gaze lingered on Lu Huai's direction for a moment before she smiled softly:
“Since you are alright, we will go to the front hall. My eldest uncle and fourth uncle asked me to invite you to stay for dinner. They want to thank you in person.”

Jiang Liuyun waved his hand: "This is what I should do. Besides, I've made a mess of things, so I don't deserve a thank you."

"What's there to say about whether you should go or not? The matter is settled now. If you don't go, they might feel bad about it." Lu Huai casually fiddled with the vase a couple of times.

Seeing that the flowers all gathered in the center, he clapped his hands in satisfaction.

“Lu Huai is right. You know my uncle. If you don’t go, he might think you’re afraid of being implicated by us,” Lin Zhiqing said.

“Absolutely not.” Jiang Liuyun waved his hand again and immediately stood up: “We’re going there now!”

The group quickly left the courtyard and headed towards the main hall.

Lin Congli and the others were already waiting in the main hall.

After chatting for a while, Lin Congyan and his fourth aunt finally arrived late.

Fourth Aunt's eyes were red, and Lin Congyan looked somewhat tired, but he still forced a smile when he saw them.

Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow; it seemed the couple had already had an open and honest discussion.

Fourth Aunt must not have hidden her deal with Consort Chun; otherwise, she wouldn't have shown any regret on her face.

After Uncle Si sat down, he didn't look at Aunt Si again.

Lin Zhiqing sighed silently to herself. Their marital affairs were none of anyone else's business.

When Lin Jiusi saw Lin Congyan, his gaze became somewhat evasive, and he wished he could hide his head under the table.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Lin Congyan sighed softly and spoke first, looking at Lin Jiusi:
"Jiusi, it's been a long time. You've lost a lot of weight. Eat more vegetables."

Hearing this, Lin Jiusi looked incredulous.

Then, tears of regret and self-reproach burned his eyes, making his voice tremble with sobs:
"Fourth Uncle, thank you."

Those present knew more or less about the inside story, and when they heard Lin Congyan say this, they realized that he did not intend to pursue the matter, which surprised them somewhat.

The fourth master of the Lin family was exceptionally talented in literature, but he was intolerant of any wrongdoing.

In retrospect, this incident did temper his temperament.

Seeing this, Lin Congli took the lead in raising his wine glass, and the rest of the Lin family members understood and stood up as well.

Lin Congyan spoke:

"Liu Yun, Lu Huai, Nan Yue, this first cup of wine is to you. The Lin family would not have been able to escape punishment without your help."

"On behalf of the Lin family, thank you." With that, he finished the wine in his glass in one gulp.

The same applies to the rest of the Lin family.

Lin Zhiqing never drinks alcohol, so he only took a small sip.

Lu Huai and the others immediately stood up and made a few excuses.

Then, the focus of the conversation shifted to Lin Zhiqing.

"Zhiqing, your fourth uncle has misunderstood you a lot in the past, and I hope you won't hold it against me." Lin Congyan didn't know whether he was happy or sad, and he drank the wine in one gulp.

"Oh dear, Fourth Uncle, Qing-mei is so magnanimous, how could she hold a grudge against you?" Lin Yangyang popped a peanut into her mouth.

"If she held a grudge against you, she wouldn't have gone to save you."

"My cousin is right." Lin Zhiqing took a small sip of her drink.

It's not that she doesn't resent Lin Congyan; ultimately, there was no deep-seated hatred between them.

Moreover, she helped Lin Congyan in order to achieve her own goals.

One purpose was to protect the Lin family, which was also tantamount to indirectly protecting himself.

This objective has been temporarily achieved.

As for the second one, taking control of the Lin family... Lin Zhiqing tapped the table.

Seeing that the time had come, Lin Congyan put down his wine cup, took out a token, and handed it to Lin Zhiqing:

"Zhiqing, I have relied on this clan seal to manage the personnel movement of the Lin family all these years. Now I will hand it over to you."

Upon hearing this, both the Lu siblings and Jiang Liuyun looked somewhat surprised.

Lin Zhiqing calmly accepted the clan seal, which had a small "person" character engraved on it.

This was Lin Congyan's promise to her: if she cleared Lin Congyan's name and protected the Lin family, Lin Congyan would have to relinquish his power to Lin Zhiqing.

Before Lin Zhiqing could even sit down, Lin Congli also took out a clan seal:
“Zhiqing, although you have taken over all the affairs of the Lin family, we still have some reservations and have not taken out the clan seal.”

"Now, I entrust everything to you."

Before Lin Zhiqing could even accept the clan seal engraved with the character "法" (law), Lin Jiusi also stood up:

“Before I came to Shengjing, my grandfather told me that if I survived, I would give this to you.”

In his hand was also a clan seal, with the character "wealth" engraved on it.

"Person" represents the personnel rights of the Lin family.

"Law" represents the Lin family's legislative rights.

"Wealth" represents the Lin family's financial power.

Lin Zhiqing accepted the three clan seals.

"From this day forward, I am the head of the Lin family. Gentlemen, please follow me to the summit!"