Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 236 Guests from All Directions
Lin Zhiqing frowned.

Seeing that more and more guests were coming and going, she pulled Uncle Wen aside: "What's going on? Isn't her courtyard heavily guarded?"

Uncle Wen took a breath after saying just one sentence: "Today, the Marquis and the two young ladies came to the Hua residence, and Miss Jingya suddenly felt unwell."

"We dared not delay. After informing the Second Master, we immediately summoned a doctor..."

The Second Master was Lin Zhiqing's second grandfather and Lin Jiusi's biological grandfather.

Despite Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang having been there for so many days, he didn't interact with them much.

In Shengjing, noble families had their own physicians, but in Bianliang, no one had that privilege, so they had to hire physicians from outside.

Lin Zhiqing raised his hand and patted Uncle Wen on the back: "Don't rush, tell me slowly."

"After the doctor came, he said that Miss Jingya had eaten something bad and her life was in danger." Uncle Wen wiped the sweat from his brow.

"I arranged a carriage to take Miss Jingya to the clinic, but coincidentally, the things Miss Zhiqing brought from Shengjing arrived."

"I gave a few instructions, and according to your wishes, Miss, we will have the contents of one of the boxes taken to the Hua residence as a congratulatory gift."

"In the short time it took to say just a few words, I turned around and found that Miss Jingya's carriage was empty. I had my men search the surrounding area carefully, but we couldn't find her anywhere."

Uncle Wen recounted the whole story in one breath.

Lin Zhiqing frowned slightly: "Did anyone pass by there at the time?"

"No." Uncle Wen shook his head firmly.

“I personally watched them help Miss Jingya into the carriage. Apart from the carriage from Shengjing, there were no strangers around.”

Lin Zhiqing frowned, pondered for a moment, and then spoke:
"Did the people from Shengjing City have any contact with Jingya?"

"No." Uncle Wen thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"After I arranged for someone to lead the way, they started moving the boxes, and some people were counting the boxes that were to be delivered to the Hua residence."

"Was the box that was delivered to the Hua residence opened?" Lin Zhiqing pressed.

“That’s right.” Uncle Wen recalled for a moment and nodded.

Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing already had a guess about Lin Jingya's whereabouts. She then asked another question: "Does Grandfather know about this?"

"I don't know!" Uncle Wen shook his head: "I sent someone in to inform them, but the Marquis has not come out yet."

"How long has it been since the boxes arrived?" Lin Zhiqing asked again.

“Less than a quarter of an hour,” Uncle Wen replied.

Lin Zhiqing nodded, his expression serious: "Uncle Wen, please inform Grandfather later and tell him not to worry, to pretend he doesn't know anything about this. I will find a way to find someone."

"Yes, Miss Zhiqing, I understand." Uncle Wen nodded emphatically.

Lin Zhiqing turned and walked into the courtyard of the Hua residence. It was the time for guests to arrive, and some servants were carrying congratulatory gifts into the mansion.

She followed the servant without making a sound.

After walking for less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Lin Zhiqing could no longer go any further.

She located the Hua family's storeroom.

After silently memorizing the surrounding route, Lin Zhiqing returned to Miss Hua's courtyard.

Seeing her return, Lin Yangyang immediately came over: "Qing-meimei, where did you go just now?"

Lin Zhiqing leaned close to her ear and told her about Lin Jingya's disappearance.

Lin Yangyang, who could never hide her feelings, was about to speak immediately.

Lin Zhiqing called out to her, "I suspect she hid in the trunk we brought from Shengjing."

They had prepared gifts before they came to Bianliang.

The Hua family was known as the richest family in Bianliang, so they were not short of gold and silver. Lin Zhiqing came up with a unique idea and prepared tie-dyed cloth brought from Yunnan by his cousin as a congratulatory gift.

Tie-dyed fabric is typically made by dyeing cotton white cloth with a plant dye called "indigo". In Yunnan, indigo is also known as Banlangen.

This thing doesn't take up much space in the box, and a petite woman could potentially lie on it without being noticed.

"I'll go find that box right now," Lin Yangyang said eagerly.

"Cousin, wait a minute." Lin Zhiqing grabbed her arm. "This matter must not be made public."

"If things get out of hand, it's hard to guarantee that we won't offend the Grand Secretary and the Prefect of Bianliang, and the Hua family will definitely harbor resentment towards the Lin family."

“We can only do this secretly. Go and keep an eye on the area around the warehouse. If Lin Jingya appears there, she will definitely not escape your notice.”

"If she doesn't show up, then it means she didn't find an opportunity either. Just watch and see."

Lin Zhiqing spoke quickly, and Lin Yangyang listened carefully, nodding at each point.

“Zhiqing…” Miss Hua’s voice came from outside.

"You're here," Lin Zhiqing replied, patting Lin Yangyang's hand.

Lin Yangyang understood and left the courtyard quickly without delay.

After gathering her thoughts, Lin Zhiqing strode into the inner room.

"Zhiqing, your makeup has always been outstanding. Come and take a look at my makeup today, how do you think it is?" Hua Jianyun seemed to have a lot of faith in Lin Zhiqing's judgment.

"As beautiful as a peach blossom in spring, as pure as a chrysanthemum in autumn, just right, not too much, not too little." Lin Zhiqing praised sincerely.

Hua Jianyun let out a soft breath: "Then I'm relieved."

She stroked a raccoon doll, looking a little nervous, but at the same time, the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned and her eyes were raised, full of anticipation.

Lin Zhiqing spoke a few words to her, and seeing that she relaxed a bit, he moved and walked outside.

The women outside were studying the perfumes and discussing Hua Jianyun's dowry, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lin Zhiqing sat down, but her heart remained unsettled.

She was thinking.

Why did Lin Jingya suddenly run away?
It's obvious that her illness was just an excuse.

Whether the doctor knew Lin Jingya or was bribed by her, he lied.

After hypnotizing Lin Jingya that night and making her reveal the truth, Lin Qingshan then blocked the news of setting up the hypnosis array.

The contents of that dream were known only to Lin Qingshan and Lin Zhiqing.

Therefore, from Lin Jingya's perspective, these past few days should be no different from before.

But why did she remain silent before, and now suddenly run away?
Could it be that Jiang Liuyun has been in contact with her in the past few days?
No, that's not right.

Lin Zhiqing denied this idea.

Regardless of where Jiang Liuyun is at this moment, Lin Qingshan's men are all soldiers who have been on the battlefield. These men have secured Lin Jingya's courtyard like a fortress, and almost no one can break in.

Even if someone manages to break in, it's impossible to leave no trace.

Having ruled out the possibility of someone breaking in, Lin Zhiqing frowned.

Most of the time, people's actions are influenced by their emotions.

Could it be that the dream influenced Lin Jingya, causing her to be swayed by emotions such as longing and unease, and thus choose to escape Bianliang?

Lin Zhiqing went over this idea in her mind over and over again, and felt that there was a high probability that this was the case.

As it grew darker, she sighed softly, hoping her cousin could catch the person quickly.

Otherwise, things could get complicated.