Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 282: Attacking the Heart

Lin Zhiqing dismissed the Lin family masters and focused his attention directly on the servants.

Because several key figures in the Lin family knew about the family's situation, none of them wanted to die, and they wouldn't stop him from learning about the neutral ministers' information.

Aside from a few important figures, Lin Jiusi and Fourth Aunt were always kept under Lin Zhiqing's watchful eye. When Aunt Mu had her accident, both of them stayed in their own courtyard.

They did not have the opportunity to commit the crime.

Excluding these people, the maids and servants below are the most suspicious.

"Which three time periods?" Lin Yangyang and Chaoyan asked in unison.

Lin Zhiqing replied in a deep voice:
"First, I summoned the Lin family members to inform them of the Lin family's situation and to discuss matters concerning the ministers. This should have been five days ago, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM)."

During this time, Aunt Mu's absent-mindedness towards the ministers was likely noticed by someone.

"Secondly, it was when I took Aunt Mu to the garden at 9:00 AM, and Asagao came to the garden to find us."

The murderer suspected that Aunt Mu knew something, so he followed them to the garden and overheard Aunt Mu talking about the minister, which confirmed once again that Aunt Mu knew about the minister's affairs.

During this period, the murderer must have been afraid that Aunt Mu would reveal everything, so he was already looking for an opportunity to get rid of her.

"Finally, it was at noon that day when I brought the two of you back to the main hall. I was waiting for the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to instruct you to split up and act separately."

During this time, Lin Zhiqing gave Aunt Mu the order to go find Lin Yangyang.

Clearly, this was an excellent opportunity for the murderer to get rid of Aunt Mu. After learning this news, the murderer lurked on the road that Lin Yangyang would definitely take back to the Lin family, waiting for Aunt Mu.

If we can find the people who were in these three time periods, we can narrow down the search and most likely find the real culprit!

“Yes.” Asagao’s eyes were firm: “Miss, I will go to find the Fourth Master right away.”

"Wait a minute." Lin Yangyang called out to her, somewhat embarrassed:
"Asagao, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wrong you just now. I have a quick temper, so please don't hold it against me."

When this matter was mentioned, Asagao's tone was somewhat aggrieved:
“Miss Yangyang, I know you are also trying to find the murderer who killed my aunt, but she is my own aunt, how could I harm her!”

Seeing Chaoyan's reaction, Lin Zhiqing completely removed her from the list of suspects in the murder of Aunt Mu.

Her reaction and expression were not deliberately concealed; her sadness and grievances were almost overflowing.

Moreover, when faced with someone who had wronged her, and it was Miss Lin, she didn't just say she didn't care; instead, she expressed her grievance at being misunderstood.

This alone, from a psychological perspective, doesn't seem like the reaction of a murderer.

Lin Yangyang felt genuinely guilty and kept apologizing to Chaoyan. It was only after Lin Zhiqing intervened that the matter was finally settled.

Asagao didn't dare to waste any time and quickly went to find Lin Congyan to ask for the list of maids and servants on duty that day.

After receiving the list, Lin Zhiqing immediately began to check it.

After defining the area, she did not alert the enemy during the day.

As night fell, Lin Zhiqing instructed Lin Yangyang to summon the four maids and three servants on the list to Shuqing Pavilion under the pretext of rewarding them.

Lin Zhiqing is generous, a fact widely acknowledged among the Lin family servants.

In addition, since they all felt that they had done a good job during this period and deserved a reward, they hardly suspected anything.

However, when they arrived at Shuqing Pavilion, they did not see Lin Zhiqing and were left waiting in the courtyard.

The courtyard was completely dark, with no lights on.

At first, the group was able to talk to each other.

But when they found that there was no one in the courtyard, everyone became uneasy, feeling that something was amiss.

Half an hour later.

"How much time has passed? Hasn't Miss Zhiqing arrived yet?" a bold servant asked towards the door. But no one answered him.

Now, everyone was starting to get anxious.

"It's so late, and I still have to deliver soup to my young master."

"At a time like this, you're still thinking about bringing soup. Can someone tell me what's going on here?"

"A reward? Wasn't it promised as a reward? Miss Zhiqing isn't one to go back on her word!"

On a dark and windy night, someone said something...
"I'd like to ask you the same thing. Did you do something wrong that Miss Zhiqing locked us up here without saying a word?"

Upon hearing this, some people silently lowered their heads, while a servant, as if exposed, began to retort:
"Who said those words just now? Who did something wrong? Step forward!"

No one had initially thought of it this way, but once the servant's emotions were revealed, the others couldn't help but feel a bit more panicked.

That's why they didn't notice that the provocative voice didn't come from anyone at the scene.

"Miss Zhiqing is so clever and quick-witted, could she have discovered something?" A maid was trembling all over, tightly holding another maid's hand, on the verge of tears.

"What are you talking about? Could it be that you really did something wrong?" The others couldn't help but start questioning.

The little maid burst into tears:
"Waaah, I was hungry, so I stole some steamed buns from the east kitchen a few times. I'll never do it again."

Hearing this, the others were speechless.

However, the little maid's crying made the other people who had done wrong feel a little nervous.

They were all seasoned foxes, and a single glance was enough for them to tell that the others were no good either.

At this moment, they couldn't help but wonder if it was really Miss Zhiqing who had discovered the bad things they had done.

As dusk fell, no one noticed that the maid who had been standing next to the young maid was pale and unsteady on her feet.

For the next half hour, the people locked in the courtyard tried everything they could, but they couldn't get out of the courtyard, nor did they see anyone.

They were under immense stress, and even the slightest unusual noise from outside the courtyard would trigger a violent reaction, like a frightened bird.

Until they had completely lost the desire to speak and were immersed in the fear of the unknown.

With a creak, the courtyard gate finally opened.

Asagao deftly moved two chairs and placed them on the connecting corridor outside the main hall.

Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang walked gracefully in from outside the door and sat down on the chairs.

The courtyard gate closed again the moment they entered.

Asagao lit the lamp.

Several people instinctively covered their eyes.

After their eyes adjusted to the light, someone suppressed their anger and spoke up:

"Miss Zhiqing, why have you locked us up here?"

Lin Zhiqing fiddled with the teacup without saying a word.

Lin Yangyang, who was next to her, suddenly stood up and threw a teacup on the ground.

"Crack!"

The teacup shattered into pieces instantly.

Everyone was startled and before they could react, they heard Lin Yangyang's angry voice:
"How dare you! You've committed such a treacherous act, and you still dare to ask us why?"