Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 264 Killing someone with a borrowed knife

His expression wasn't good as he hurried towards the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence.

Upon entering the mansion, a guard stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel recently took a concubine without her consent. The concubine's family objected, and a murder occurred as a result."

"The new Tongyi of the Office of Transmission has been nominated and will take office soon. His background has been cleanly removed."

"The Lu family has been quiet. Apart from Lu Nanyue occasionally visiting the Lin family, the two have had no interaction."

"Everything at Zangxianglou is normal."

Hearing this, Jiang Liuyun's expression remained unchanged:

"Where is the Lin family?"

"The Lin family has not made any unusual moves, and Lin Zhiqing is also behaving himself; I haven't seen him go out," the guard replied quickly, seemingly knowing the Lin family inside and out.

Jiang Liuyun thought of his injuries, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips:
“As a woman, she would certainly not run around if she were injured. Besides, her caution suggests that she probably feels safest staying in the Lin family.”

Where is Father?

"Your Highness, the Marquis is currently inside the small Buddhist hall," the guard replied.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuyun casually waved his hand.

After the guards withdrew, Jiang Liuyun turned around and went to the small Buddhist hall.

As soon as he approached, the chanting in the Buddhist hall stopped.

He stood respectfully outside the door, and when the door opened, a guard carried a cloth bag out.

When Jiang Liuyun entered, Zhenyuan Marquis Jiang Yunhe was slowly wiping his hands, which were faintly stained with blood.

"You're back?" Jiang Yunhe faced the Buddha statue in the center and slowly clasped his hands together.

Jiang Liuyun nodded: "Lin Zhiqing ran away."

Jiang Yunhe closed his eyes and said nothing, clearly indicating that he already knew about this.

Jiang Liuyun was already used to his reaction, and spoke again:
"The Lin family's matter needs to be handled more quickly, otherwise Lin Zhiqing will make a scene."

The word "make a fuss?" circled in Jiang Yunhe's mouth, carrying a hint of amusement:
"You still have an imperial gift in your hand, how can she cause trouble? In the end, she's just a girl with some skills."

Jiang Liuyun, however, did not agree; he frowned.
"Father, hurry up and do it. Lin Zhiqing will definitely not do nothing."

"The later we are, the more passive we become."

"Leave this matter to me; I want Lin Zhiqing's life!"

After he finished speaking, the small Buddhist hall fell silent, with only Jiang Yunhe's occasional chanting of scriptures breaking the silence.

After a long while, Jiang Yunhe's voice finally drifted out:

"I'm going to Haijin. Please don't disappoint me again."

"Lin Zhiqing must die!"

"Otherwise, if Lin Congrong's matter comes to light later, it won't do us any good."

He emphasized the last syllable of his voice.

Jiang Liuyun frowned and did not respond.

After a long while, Jiang Yunhe left the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence.

Jiang Liuyun went to the storeroom and saw a beautifully crafted longsword lying quietly inside. He curled the corners of his lips into a smile.

This is one of the three items bestowed by the emperor.

The whereabouts of the other two items are unknown, but this sword is enough.

Lin Zhiqing… Jiang Liuyun’s eyes darkened, and a sense of frustration rose in his heart:
"Someone, take this letter to the residence of the Censor-in-Chief. Remember, don't let anyone see it."

The guards took the order and left.

Jiang Liuyun's chest rose and fell slightly.

He wanted to use the imperial gift to his advantage, so of course he couldn't do it himself.

The Lin family has many enemies; he only needs to manipulate things among them, and naturally, others will fight for him.

The current Censor-in-Chief is stubborn and intolerant of injustice, and because of Lin Congrong, he dislikes the Lin family.

If he were to gain leverage over the Lin family, he would surely lash out, biting at the Lin family like a mad dog.

Using others to do one's dirty work is Jiang Liuyun's consistent style.

He had already written his letter of complaint on his way back.

Interspersed among them were evidence of a transaction between the Lin family and one of the merchants. Since he had decided to target the Lin family, he would show no mercy.

Jiang Liuyun already understood the situation in Bianliang; Lin Zhiqing had clearly discovered what he had been doing in private.

If Lin Zhiqing had been killed or placed under house arrest, the impact of this incident could have been mitigated.

But she didn't expect Lin Zhiqing to be so defensive towards him.

Not only were there various poisons and weapons, but they also brought out the flute player.

His previous attempt to silence Liu Mang was already time-sensitive, leaving him no opportunity to get rid of the flute player.

Lin Zhiqing ended up getting a good deal.

Now, besides Lin Zhiqing, Lu Huai has also been implicated.

But it doesn't matter who comes.

The Lin family's reselling of imperial gifts is a certainty.

He went to great lengths to find the sword bestowed by the emperor, intending to deliver a fatal blow to the Lin family.

However, this time he miscalculated.

Jiang Liuyun waited all day, but no news came out regarding the imperial gift.

The letter disappeared without a trace, as if it had been thrown into the ocean.

Something clearly went wrong.

After confirming that the guard had delivered the letter of complaint to the Censor-in-Chief's residence, he thought for a moment and then sent someone to invite the Minister of Rites.

If the Censor-in-Chief received the letter, he would certainly seek verification from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites.

Jiang Liuyun thought of Lu Huai and instinctively felt that there was a problem with the Ministry of Revenue, because the Minister of Rites had a close personal relationship with the Marquis of Zhenyuan's family and would not usually cause trouble.

Surprisingly, the Minister of Rites declined his invitation.

It was only at this moment that Jiang Liuyun vaguely felt that things seemed to be going in the wrong direction.

The first image that popped into his mind was Lin Zhiqing's face.

Could it be... that Lin Zhiqing has already realized that I'm going to make a fuss about the imperial gift?

Jiang Liuyun thought about it more and more and felt that this was possible.

The Lin family has always been cautious, and they kept this very well hidden after doing such a thing.

Lin Congyan certainly wouldn't dare to expose this matter; only Lin Qingshan in Bianliang might have mentioned it to Lin Zhiqing.

If this matter fails, it is very likely that Lin Zhiqing is behind it!
Jiang Liuyun clenched his fist: "Someone, prepare the carriage, we're going to the Ministry of Rites' residence."

Half an hour later, at the residence of the Minister of Rites.

"Young Master Jiang, my father was busy preparing for the sacrificial ceremony last night and is too exhausted to receive guests." The person receiving Jiang Liuyun was the son of the Minister of Rites.

He immediately gave Jiang Liuyun the cold shoulder.

As a highly sought-after nobleman in the imperial court, Jiang Liuyun was turned away for the first time.

After returning to the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, he was certain that Lin Zhiqing had used underhanded tactics against the Minister of Rites.

He underestimated Lin Zhiqing's abilities.

"Qing'er, do you think you can rest easy just because you've won over a Minister of Rites?" Jiang Liuyun scoffed, his eyes gradually darkening.
"dream!"

……

The Lin family, Shuqing Pavilion.

Asagao hurriedly entered the study and slammed the door shut:
"Miss, news has arrived from the Ministry of Personnel."

"They really came?" Lin Yangyang's eyes widened. "Tell me quickly, what news do you have?"

Lin Zhiqing sat at his desk and calmly made the last stroke on the Xuan paper.

"Young Master Jiang of the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence went to the Ministry of Rites' residence, but was unable to meet the Minister." Chaoyan respectfully presented a letter.

Lin Zhiqing took the letter, opened it, and found only a few words on it:

Let us not forget the promises we made yesterday.

Lin Yangyang glanced at the words above and was somewhat puzzled:

“Sister Qing, the Minister of Rites’ family has always been at odds with our Lin family. Why would he offend the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s family and willingly pass on a message to you?”

What did you promise him?