Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 230 The winner is the king, the loser is the enemy

"Grandfather, please invite Jingya out. I have some questions for her," Lin Zhiqing said, getting straight to the point.

Without hesitation, Lin Qingshan got up and led Lin Zhiqing to the backyard.

The two exchanged only a few words, but they had already gained a preliminary understanding of each other's thoughts.

At least in Lin Zhiqing's mind, Lin Qingshan was a very wise person.

He didn't want to give up the Lin family either.

That's enough.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Lin Zhiqing was standing in front of a courtyard that looked very small.

There were many people guarding the area around the courtyard.

Lin Qingshan sighed softly: "Qing'er, I also want to release her, but she really doesn't understand the situation."

“Your fourth uncle and fourth aunt spoiled her too much.”

"I understand," Lin Zhiqing said calmly.

Then, she stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate.

In the courtyard, Lin Jingya held a book in her hand, her brows and eyes filled with sorrow.

Hearing the door open, she instinctively turned her head.

Seeing Lin Jingya again, Lin Zhiqing felt quite conflicted.

Lin Jingya, on the other hand, was clearly more excited.

She stood up abruptly, the book in her hand falling to the ground and getting dusty.

"You... how could it be you?" she murmured.

After Lin Zhiqing and Lin Qingshan entered the courtyard, the gate was closed again.

Lin Zhiqing slowly stepped forward and picked up the copy of "The Romance of the Western Chamber" from the ground.

Noticing Lin Zhiqing's actions, Lin Jingya's face paled, and she quickly snatched the book back.
"Lin Zhiqing, what exactly do you want? Isn't it enough that you've brought me to Bianliang?"

"Jingya, I'm afraid you've forgotten that it was you who framed me and my cousin that day." Lin Zhiqing's expression remained unchanged.

"With my grandfather here today, I think he wouldn't mind reliving what happened back then."

Lin Qingshan nodded.

Lin Jingya gritted her teeth, but ultimately dared not say anything more, for she was indeed in the wrong.

She turned and walked away with the book in her arms, intending to go back to her room.

"Wait." Of course, Lin Zhiqing wouldn't let her off so easily.

Lin Jingya frowned and turned to look at Lin Zhiqing:
"The winner takes all, the loser is condemned. You know my current situation, and you've probably had enough of watching me make a fool of myself."

"I do feel quite relieved." Lin Zhiqing sat down at the stone table under the tree, and didn't forget to make Lin Qingshan a cup of tea.

Hearing these words, Lin Jingya was furious: "You daughter of a disgraced official..."

With a "smack," Lin Qingshan slammed the teacup down heavily.

Lin Jingya was startled and immediately dared not speak again.

Lin Zhiqing stared intently at the teacup where the tea was swaying slightly.

Why did Lin Qingshan become so agitated when his father was mentioned?

Is it out of disdain? Or is there something else going on?
However, now is not the time to talk about this.

Lin Zhiqing shifted his gaze from the teacup to the copy of "The Romance of the Western Chamber" in Lin Jingya's arms.

Seemingly noticing Lin Zhiqing's gaze, Lin Jingya stepped back and held the book in front of her chest in a hugging posture.

This is a defensive posture; Lin Jingya doesn't trust Lin Zhiqing and Lin Qingshan.

She leaned slightly towards the room, clearly displeased with Lin Zhiqing's scrutiny.

She's protecting that book!
Having made up his mind, Lin Zhiqing pointed to the stone bench beside him: "Jingya, it's been a long time since we last met. Why don't we sit down and catch up?"

Just as Lin Jingya was about to refuse, she felt the oppressive aura emanating from Lin Qingshan.

Although she was dissatisfied, she had no choice but to submit to the rule.

So she took one step and moved two steps to sit on the stone bench to Lin Zhiqing's right.

Lin Zhiqing noticed that Lin Jingya hid the copy of "The Romance of the Western Chamber" behind her back, showing considerable caution.

She did not raise any objections.

"Jingya, you kept saying that the reason you plotted to kill your cousin was that she could go to the Spring Banquet while you couldn't. Is that true?" Lin Zhiqing got straight to the point.

Lin Jingya seemed a little slow to react, then her eyes drooped and her lips pressed tightly together: "So what if it is?"

Lin Zhiqing nodded and asked again, "Where did you get this information?"

Lin Jingya frowned slightly: "Why are you asking me this?"

"Jingya, I don't have much patience. If you know what's good for you, you'll cooperate with me and avoid physical pain." Lin Zhiqing said bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingya slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "How dare you threaten me?"

As she spoke, she looked at Lin Qingshan again, her eyes glistening with tears:

"Grandfather, Lin Zhiqing, she..."

“According to family rules, you should call her cousin.” Lin Qingshan frowned.

Hearing this, Lin Jingya looked completely incredulous.

Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow. Lin Qingshan was indeed on the same side as him, and his words clearly indicated that he had tacitly agreed with his actions.

In that case, we probably won't be able to avoid Lin Qingshan later.

Otherwise, the subsequent matters might be difficult for Lin Zhiqing to handle alone.

"You're all in cahoots! You're bullying my father because he's too picky and not good enough for a lower-class job, and because my mother comes from a merchant family!" Lin Jingya's emotions were very unstable.
“I am also a member of the Lin family, grandfather, how could you help a disgraced official... help Lin Zhiqing to humiliate me?”

"How did this involve your parents?" Lin Qingshan asked, clearly displeased.

"Your father is both handsome and talented, and your mother is gentle and open-minded, and she dotes on you very much."

"Who taught you those words just now? Or did you figure them out yourself?"

"Jingya, who gave you permission to disrespect your parents?"

Three sentences in a row silenced Lin Jingya, leaving only the sound of sobbing in her ears.

This was the first time Lin Zhiqing had witnessed the old Marquis being angry since arriving in Bianliang.

It must be said that Lin Congli's usual demeanor was somewhat similar to that of the old Marquis just now.

No wonder they're father and son!
After Lin Zhiqing finished speaking, he immediately became serious:

“I’m not here today to waste time with you. You are surrounded by dangers. If you don’t speak up now, you may never be able to say it.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingya's sobs stopped:
"What do you mean?"

"The literal meaning." Lin Zhiqing pointed to the person outside the door:
Do you know why there are so many people around your yard?

Lin Jingya's voice was still choked with sobs: "What else could it be? You're just afraid I'll take advantage of the chaos to escape and bring shame to the Lin family!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingshan frowned, and Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but shake his head as well:

“Jingya, you are still so confused. If your grandfather hadn’t kept you locked up, you would have lost your life long ago.”

"When we brought you to Bianliang before, I heard that there were some problems along the way, but Grandfather's men picked you up in time. Is that true?"

Lin Zhiqing looked at Lin Qingshan.

On the surface, she was asking a question, but in reality, she was looking for the answer to the question.

If you didn't know about it beforehand, who would notice these minor details?
Lin Qingshan nodded: "That's right, it's true."