Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 260 The Token! Wang Shujian!

Many years have passed since then.

The reason the Jiang family targeted the Lin family was likely because they had confirmed through various channels that the Lin family was unaware of the evidence.

So, they gradually began to reveal their true colors.

From the perspective of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, without any worries about the future, the Lin family would naturally be doomed.

The truth was laid bare before Lin Zhiqing at that moment.

She took a deep breath and then solemnly said, "Uncle Zheng, don't worry, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and clear your name, as well as those soldiers who died without cause and my father's name!"

How ridiculous!

The soldiers who risked their lives for the Great Sheng Dynasty did not die in battle against the enemy, but in the intrigues of their own people fighting for power.

Upon hearing these words, Zheng Kuo felt as if many faces flashed before his eyes, his shoulders trembled, and tears streamed down his face.

Lin Zhiqing felt very uncomfortable. Zheng Kuoming was only in his forties, but now he looked like an elderly man who was about to die.

The crowd averted their gazes from him, unable to bear looking at him any longer.

Zheng Kuo seemed to remember something and spoke to Lin Zhiqing again:
"Miss, is Wang Shujian still alive?"

"Here!" Lin Zhiqing knew that Zheng Kuo probably had something to say, so he quickly took out the Wangshu Mirror that he always carried with him.

Zheng Kuo took the Wang Shujian with trembling hands.

Yan Yu saw the small bronze mirror and his gaze fell on Lin Zhiqing's face.

Lin Zhiqing noticed his gaze, but did not speak.

Zheng Kuo looked at Yan Yu and said, "Now that this thing has been produced, you may leave."

"Him? What is Wang Shujian's relationship with him?" Lin Yangyang asked.

This time, before Zheng Kuo could explain, Yan Yu spoke calmly: "Lord Earl is my savior."

He said only that, and then said no more.

Zheng Kuo gently stroked the Wangshu Mirror before handing it back to Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing took the Wangshu Mirror and put it away again.

Even though Yan Yu didn't elaborate, she guessed that Wangshu Jian must be some kind of token.

The lights in the dark room flickered, and Zheng Kuo's breathing was very clear.

After he said those words, he seemed to have released all his strength and slowly lay back down on the bed.

Lin Zhiqing noticed that his eyes were fixed on the dark, shadowy ceiling of the room, as if he were looking at someone through the roof.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she stepped forward: "Uncle Zheng..."

Zheng Kuo acted as if he hadn't heard anything and didn't react at all.

Lin Yangyang became a little anxious and turned to leave: "I'm going to find a doctor to take a look."

Yan Yu grabbed her arm and shook his head.

Lin Yangyang frowned, about to question him, when she saw Lin Zhiqing also stand up and shake his head at her.

As the two men moved, Zheng Kuo's hand flailing wildly in the air:
"My lord, my lord, I have fulfilled my mission! We've arrived! We've finally arrived..."

"Haha, hahaha~"

His laughter grew softer and softer, and his breathing became increasingly faint.

In an instant, the dark room fell silent once more.

Lin Yangyang hurriedly stepped forward, carefully examined the area, and her expression revealed unconcealed grief.

Lin Zhiqing turned her head slightly away, unable to bear to look any longer.

Zheng Kuofang's recent appearance was likely just a temporary resurgence of energy before his death.

His health was not very good; he looked like an elderly man in his eighties.

In the first half of his life, he was a dashing and unrestrained man who roamed the battlefield; in the second half, he was trapped in a dark room, never seeing the light of day.

He carried the weight of swords and shadows, as well as a colossal secret, and he could never let go of the pent-up anger in his heart.

They've held on until now simply because they're waiting for the truth about Lin Congrong's treason to come to light and for his name to be cleared.

His later life was truly miserable. "You don't need to be sad. For him, this ending may not be a bad thing," Yan Yu said casually.

But Lin Zhiqing caught a glimpse of sadness in his drooping eyes.

But what he said was absolutely right.

For Zheng Kuo, death was a relief.

He finally left that dark, sunless room and ran towards freedom.

Yan Yu glanced at Zheng Kuo, then quickly looked away and led Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang outside.

The three remained unusually silent throughout the journey.

Back in that brightly decorated room, Yan Yu opened the wardrobe and began to pack up the colorful clothes.

It seemed as if he wanted to leave with Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Yangyang noticed it too: "Hey, aren't you the top courtesan at Wanliu Pavilion? It must be very expensive to redeem you, right?"

Yan Yu crossed his arms in front of his chest, and that smug, punchable tone returned to his voice:

"What do you want to redeem me for? Let me tell you, I sell my art, not my body."

"Tch!" Lin Yangyang rolled her eyes as well: "I have never seen such a shameless person."

Lin Zhiqing asked, "Is Wanliu Pavilion your property?"

Yan Yu paused, neither confirming nor denying: "When are you going back to Shengjing?"

Although he did not give a direct answer, Lin Zhiqing was already certain in his heart that Wanliu Pavilion should belong to him.

To be able to set up such a secret room under Wanliu Pavilion and leave at will, even the madam probably doesn't have such power.

If he's not the owner of Wanliu Pavilion, then who is?

Touching the Wangshu Mirror on his body, Lin Zhiqing spoke: "Half an hour later."

Yan Yu waved his hand: "The old man's body needs to be disposed of. It's not appropriate for you to step in, so I'll do it. Half an hour is too short; there's absolutely no time..."

“There’s still time.” Lin Zhiqing looked at him seriously: “If you want to stay in Yongqing, then there’s still time.”

Yan Yu frowned: "Yongqing is no longer of any use here, so there's no point in you making me stay."

"It's not that I'm making you stay here, it's about whether you want to stay or not." Lin Zhiqing knocked on Wang Shujian's door.

"If you assume you have to come with me just because this thing exists, then you're mistaken."

“I don’t know what happened between my father and you, but I believe that his initial interaction with you was not to seek revenge.”

"You helped Uncle Zheng, which is a huge help to our Lin family."

"Although you started packing your luggage as soon as you came out, you couldn't hide the sadness in your eyes."

Lin Zhiqing made his point clear in one go.

Yan Yu paused for a moment, then opened his mouth:

"Although I really want to say something like, 'Lord, you saved me, and I will definitely serve you wholeheartedly,' I'm sorry, I just can't bring myself to say it."

“You are very smart, and I don’t want to leave Yongqing.”

"Since you've given me a choice, I hope you won't regret it."

"Of course not, I never lie." Lin Zhiqing smiled.
"However, in the future, I or the Lin family may need your help..."

"I'll consider it!" Yan Yu said casually as he put the bright red and green clothes he had packed back into the closet.

Such a frank person will directly refuse to help if they don't want to.

Lin Zhiqing understood his sharp tongue but kind heart and smiled gently.

"Wait a minute," Lin Yangyang said, "Then I suppose you don't need to pay this four thousand taels of silver?"

Yan Yu's lips twitched: "Is the Lin family really that poor?"

"Ah."

Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang nodded in unison.

poverty!
Very poor!