Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 266 Private Affairs and Gossip
When Lin Zhiqing saw Zhou Chongzheng again, her state of mind was completely different from before.

As always, he was solemn and got straight to the point: "Miss Lin, harboring a wanted criminal is a serious crime. I've come here today to ask you to hand over that flute player."

“Lord Zhou, thanks to Liu Mang and the Flute Man, our Lin family has also had a trip to the underworld. Why would I harbor the Flute Man?” Lin Zhiqing’s eyes were clear.

Zhou Chongzheng frowned slightly: "Precisely because the Lin family is the victim, I have never suspected that you took the flute player away."

"But someone once said that they saw a flute player in Bianliang. Coincidentally, you also went to Bianliang a few days ago."

"If this is a misunderstanding, it's too much of a coincidence."

"Bianliang?" Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow. "According to what you said, sir, I took the flute player to Bianliang. Why?"

"Furthermore, I wonder who witnessed the flute player's appearance. Please inform me of that person's identity, lest someone with ill intentions like Liu Mang appear again."

Zhou Chongzheng directly refused, saying, "Whether someone has ill intentions or not, the Dali Temple will make its own judgment."

"If I remember correctly, the Marquis of Changning should be in Bianliang. If Miss Lin refuses to admit it, I will send someone to Bianliang."

He meant that if soft tactics didn't work, he would try hard ones; he was going to Bianliang to find the flute player's whereabouts.

This was his purpose; he wanted to search the Lin family, not just Bianliang.

Lin Zhiqing's smile faded: "Lord Zhou's words are quite unreasonable. To try to search the Lin family based on a single, evasive statement is rather domineering."

“My appearance in Bianliang means that I am harboring the flute player. But I am not the only one who has been to Bianliang. My fiancé, Prince Jiang, has also been there.”

On the surface, this statement implied that she was not the only one who had been to Bianliang, but in reality, it was a way of shifting blame onto Jiang Liuyun.

After saying that, Lin Zhiqing added, "By the way, when I was in Bianliang, I heard that several officials from the Ministry of Revenue had also been to Bianliang."

"Why, among so many people, does Lord Zhou specifically suspect that I am harboring a suspect?"

Zhou Chongzheng frowned, as if he had just remembered something: "Miss Lin, everyone knows that you can control flute players with your flute."

“I have also learned about the mind-reading techniques spread by your Mind-Reading Hall. As far as I know, in the entire Great Sheng Dynasty, there is no one else but you who can master this art.”

The implication is that only Lin Zhiqing can control the flute player.

Lin Zhiqing raised his voice:

“Lord Zhou, the study of mind is not a magic trick, and the deceased Liu Mang also possessed this ability. How can you know if there are others who can master it?”

Zhou Chongzheng raised his eyes, clearly losing patience: "I will include the officials who have been to Bianliang, including Lord Lu of the Ministry of Revenue and Prince Jiang, in the scope of my investigation."

“But Miss Lin, you are still the prime suspect. Tell me your whereabouts over the past few days, and I will investigate accordingly.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow. So that's what they were waiting for.

Want to know where you are?

From Zhou Chongzheng's perspective, it seems reasonable, but from Jiang Liuyun's perspective behind the scenes, it's simply a matter of wanting to track his movements and create more trouble.

If he didn't say anything, it would surely arouse Zhou Chongzheng's suspicion and displeasure, and make it seem even more like the matter of the flute player was related to him.

If he were to speak out, the relationship between the prefect of Hengzhang and Lu Huai would be exposed, and at the same time, clues about the affairs of Yongqing County would also be revealed.

The person who reported them was most likely arranged by Jiang Liuyun.

By playing this trick, Jiang Liuyun could benefit regardless of whether Lin Zhiqing spoke up or not.

More importantly, by using this matter to distract Lin Zhiqing, Jiang Liuyun was able to free up his hands to investigate the matter of the imperial gift.

Things are getting a bit tricky.

"My lord, I can certainly state my whereabouts, but I will not allow a search of the Lin family's residence." Lin Zhiqing's attitude was very firm.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chongzheng assumed Lin Zhiqing was feeling guilty, and his expression turned serious.
“If you do not comply, you will be obstructing the Dali Temple from handling the case, which is a serious crime.” Lin Zhiqing did not back down at all: “Forcibly searching without evidence is also a serious crime.”

The rise and fall of Zhou Chongzheng's chest was more pronounced than before:
“I still have witnesses in my possession. Furthermore, Miss Lin, your whereabouts closely overlap with those of Lu Huai, the head of the Ministry of Revenue. Rumors have already begun to circulate in Shengjing City.”

"Out of consideration for our relationship, I did not link your relationship with the flute player's affairs. If you insist on involving them, your affair with Lu Huai will definitely become the talk of the town."

"What business do I have with Lu Huai? This concerns my reputation, Lord Zhou, please be careful what you say!" Lin Zhiqing's expression remained calm, but he was on high alert.

The only people who knew about her close relationship with Lu Huai were the Lu family, the Lin family, and Jiang Liuyun.

Aside from the time when his fourth uncle was killed at the execution ground, when Lu Huai came to his rescue with his sword, they didn't have many public interactions.

Lin Zhiqing wouldn't believe it if Jiang Liuyun hadn't deliberately brought it up.

She and Jiang Liuyun have already broken off all ties, but both of them have reservations and haven't brought the matter to the forefront yet.

The fact that Jiang Liuyun is deliberately linking him with Lu Huai is nothing more than a test and preparation for their eventual breakup.

Whether this matter is true or false, Lin Zhiqing's reputation will be damaged.

At that time, Jiang Liuyun can easily portray himself as a deeply affectionate person, and his spittle will be enough to drown Lin Zhiqing.

Jiang Liuyun had clearly thought things through carefully, as it was only a small flute player who could secretly set up so many traps.

Zhou Chongzheng frowned deeply:
“Miss Lin’s private affairs are none of my business, and of course I don’t know what they are about. But there’s no smoke without fire. If other people are involved, this matter will definitely not be easily resolved.”

Lin Zhiqing understood what he meant.

If I insist on bringing Lu Huai and Jiang Liuyun into this, this rumored "love triangle" will surely cause a great uproar.

This is not the best choice for Lin Zhiqing or the other two.

If Lin Zhiqing were to let go and allow the Dali Temple to search, this matter would not implicate others and would also preserve Lin Zhiqing's reputation.

In Dasheng, reputation is of paramount importance, but Lin Zhiqing's situation cannot be suppressed by a mere reputation.

Lin Zhiqing said loudly:

“The innocent will clear themselves, Lord Zhou. If you insist on searching, please treat everyone equally. Search the Lu family, the Jiang family, and all the officials who went to Bianliang during the period when the enemy appeared.”

“Young Master Jiang’s affection for me is so deep, he will surely not mind.”

"I will not accept a search of only the Lin family's residence."

Lin Zhiqing deliberately emphasized the last syllable of the phrase "deep affection is short-lived".

She knew very well that Jiang Liuyun was manipulating this matter behind the scenes, in order to stall Lin Zhiqing so that Jiang Liuyun could find a flaw in the imperial gift and continue to make trouble.

He came prepared, and it was clearly impossible for Lin Zhiqing to escape the search; she could only choose to perish together with him.

If we're going to drag it out, let's all drag it out together.

In Zhou Chongzheng's view, Lin Zhiqing's attitude was likely just a delaying tactic.

Moreover, both Lu Huai and Jiang Liuyun have close relationships with Lin Zhiqing. If these two try to conceal their relationship, it will be a waste of effort for the Dali Temple.

However, Liu Mang's matter had already made the emperor and the crown prince quite critical of the Dali Temple, and now that he had received new information, he naturally could not back down.

After careful consideration, he nodded: "Alright, I will investigate everyone involved in this matter that day!"

"Lord Zhou is wise." Lin Zhiqing showed no joy on his face.

(End of this chapter)