Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 274 A Fool's Imitation?

Lin Zhiqing felt a little relieved when Jiang Liuyun finally took this step.

Because she knew that the Lin family's ban was about to be lifted.

Sure enough, just as she and her entourage hurried back to the main hall, a servant happened to come and report.

News from the Dali Temple has arrived: the Lin family has nothing to do with the flute player's matter.

The people from the Dali Temple who had been surrounding the Lin family all left.

In other words, the Lin family members are now free to move around.

Lin Zhiqing made a quick decision: "Zhaoyan, go and tell each household not to go out or move around unnecessarily these next few days."

"Aunt Mu, go and fetch my cousin."

During this extraordinary time, even Lin Zhiqing dared not go out rashly.

If the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion becomes desperate and decides to kill her to end it all, that would be a real problem.

The two men accepted the order and left, while Lin Zhiqing remained seated in the main hall.

She is waiting.

She's waiting for someone to come to her.

Not long after, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review personally visited the Lin family. Lin Zhiqing waited for half a cup of tea before finally arriving.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou. I've been quite exhausted dealing with the Lin family's affairs these past few days, and I apologize for neglecting you." Lin Zhiqing wore a polite smile.

Zhou Chong's expression remained unchanged: "It's alright."

Lin Zhiqing ordered tea to be served: "What brings Lord Zhou here in person?"

As she spoke, Zhou Chongzheng stared intently at her.

Lin Zhiqing noticed, but pretended not to know.

Having cultivated his influence in the imperial court for decades, how could Zhou Chong not realize that he and the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion had been set up by Lin Zhiqing?

Although he felt a slight anger, the thought of the mess that the Dali Temple was in, and his own purpose for coming, prevented him from uttering any words of accusation.

“Miss Lin, I have come to ask you for a favor, and I hope you can grant it.”

"Oh? Lord Zhou, why don't you tell us what could possibly warrant the esteemed Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to condescend to visit us?" Lin Zhiqing asked, looking puzzled.

Zhou Chongzheng had a headache:
"The flute player somehow lost control, and now the Dali Temple prison has been completely destroyed. If the jailer hadn't discovered it in time, something terrible might have happened."

His words were also a subtle reminder to Lin Zhiqing that if this matter escalated, it would not benefit anyone.

Lin Zhiqing certainly understood his implied meaning, but understanding it was one thing, and whether she listened to it was another.

Anyway, no matter how they investigate, Di Ren's affairs won't involve her.

"Lord Zhou, why did that flute player suddenly attack? I am just a weak woman, and I am truly terrified!" She looked frightened.

Weak woman?
Zhou Chongzheng simply couldn't connect those three words with the person in front of him.

What other weak woman could control a man who is like a monster?

Thinking of this, he spoke again: "Miss Lin, don't be afraid. Your flute playing skills may be able to subdue the flute player."

This was his purpose in coming to the Lin family.

Everyone was helpless against the out-of-control flute player, and Zhou Chongzheng had no other choice but to think of Lin Zhiqing.

"My flute?" Lin Zhiqing feigned surprise, his mouth agape.
"Lord Zhou, it was the same flute player I subdued this time. Surely no one will pin the charge of harboring a suspect on me?"

This is a veiled accusation against the previous attitude of the Dali Temple.

Zhou Chongzheng took a light breath: "Of course not."

He knew Lin Zhiqing was quick-witted and skilled at putting people down, so he had prepared himself for being put down before he came.

However, the next moment, Lin Zhiqing stood up nimbly:

"In that case, Lord Zhou, let's go now."

"Leave now?" Lin Zhiqing's decisiveness caught Zhou Chongzheng off guard.

By the time Zhou Chongzheng realized what was happening, Lin Zhiqing had already left the main hall.

He hurriedly followed. And so, Lin Zhiqing boarded the sedan chair prepared by Zhou Chongzheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and soon arrived at the Court of Judicial Review.

After she made her move, the flute player quickly quieted down.

Considering that Lin Zhiqing never does anything that loses money, it's surprising that he's so cooperative this time.

Zhou Chongzheng had one hundred taels of silver prepared as a thank-you gift and handed it to Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing didn't refuse; he pocketed the silver and walked straight out of the Dali Temple.

Zhou Chongzheng breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sir, something terrible has happened!" The jailer's voice rang out again the next moment:
"That flutist has lost control again!"

"What?" Zhou Chongzheng frowned and looked at the musician who had been watching from the side:

"How, is it possible to blow it out?"

"Yes!" the musician said with great confidence.

This musician was arranged here in advance by Zhou Chongzheng so that he could learn Lin Zhiqing's flute repertoire and thus gain control over the flutist.

He didn't want to leave any leverage over Lin Zhiqing and become someone else's puppet.

The musician, chin held high, strode confidently into the cell.

Soon, melodious music began to play.

After a stick of incense.

"What happened? Didn't you learn it?" Zhou Chongzheng looked at the messy cell and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

The musician, covered in sweat, said, "I...I don't know either. I clearly played according to Miss Lin's flute notes."

"Useless!" Zhou Chongzheng turned around decisively: "Someone, go to the Lin family again and invite Miss Lin back!"

……

After regaining control of the enemy, Lin Zhiqing glanced at the musician beside him but didn't say anything more.

She left as soon as she finished her work.

This time, Zhou Chongzheng learned his lesson and asked Lin Zhiqing to stay.

Lin Zhiqing sat leisurely in the chair, as if she hadn't seen the musician go to the prison.

As Zhou Chongzheng watched her calmly drink her tea, he vaguely sensed that something was amiss.

As expected, the musician suffered another crushing defeat.

This time, before Zhou Chongzheng could speak, Lin Zhiqing got up on his own and went to the cell again to subdue the flute player.

Then, instead of leaving, she plopped down in a chair, as if to say:

Just you wait, it'll be my turn to take the stage soon.

Zhou Chongzheng had already determined that Lin Zhiqing was doing it on purpose. Although he was angry, he had no way to deal with Lin Zhiqing's actions.

“Miss Lin, I thought you had changed your ways today, but I didn’t expect you to be trying to take advantage of me!” Zhou Chongzheng also sat down.

Lin Zhiqing picked at her ear: "Lord Zhou, what are you saying? I don't understand. Didn't you invite me here?"

Zhou Chongzheng now understands what it means to invite a god but not to send him away.

He took a deep breath: "I know you want the flute player, but he is a wanted criminal by the imperial court. Have you forgotten that Liu Mang used him against you?"

"Lord Zhou, you also know that Liu Mang controlled him. Oh, no, Liu Mang also has a Chief Administrator above him." Her tone was slightly sarcastic.

Zhou Chongzheng choked for a moment.

He knew very well that the matter of the flute player was inextricably linked to the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

However, the Dali Temple would never convict the heir of the Marquis of Zhenyuan of harboring a criminal wanted by the imperial court.

The appointment of the Left Grand Secretary of the Court of Judicial Review was seen as giving both the Court of Judicial Review and the Marquis of Zhenyuan a way out.

Water that is too clear has no fish; similar things have happened countless times over the years.

Lin Zhiqing directly pointed out those unspoken, sordid matters, leaving Zhou Chongzheng speechless for a moment.