Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 298 Annull the Engagement! Give her back to me!
"Hey, how come I didn't think of this angle?" Lin Yangyang clapped her hands, finding Lin Zhiqing's words quite amusing.
"Jiang Liuyun and the Minister of Justice share the same primary goal, which is to prevent the news of the woman's escape from getting out, but their underlying goals are different."

"Jiang Liuyun's survival goal is to ensure that the woman with the mole survives, and at the same time, to keep the news of the prison break a secret."

"But from the perspective of the Minister of Justice, it doesn't matter whether this woman lives or dies, as long as the news of her escape doesn't get out."

“That’s right.” Lin Zhiqing nodded: “Cousin, you’re right, that’s exactly what I mean.”

"You want to design them based on this? In order to sow discord among them?" Lu Nanyue suddenly realized.

Lin Zhiqing did not deny that they had now switched roles with the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

In fact, she had two goals in mind through the woman with the mole.

First, kill the woman with the mole to avenge Aunt Mu.

Second, he needed to bring the Minister of Justice into his camp so that the Minister would support the retrial of Lin Congrong's case.

However, she still had things to do before that.

The thought had barely crossed her mind when Asagao knocked on the door. After receiving permission, her voice rang out from outside:
"Miss, someone from the Jiang family has arrived. The master doesn't know what to do, so he sent someone to invite you over."

"What is he doing here at this time? He's already caused such a shameless mess." Lu Nanyue was deeply disgusted by it.

“He’s just acting.” Lu Huai’s words were barbed.

Lu Nanyue understood.

Lin Zhiqing also noticed this, and she smiled slightly: "The timing of your arrival is quite good; it's just in time to resolve some issues."

"Lu Huai, Nan Yue, do you want to stay and watch the excitement, or go back first?"

"This matter concerns the Lin family, so Xiao Huai and I will go back and wait for news..." Lu Nanyue was interrupted by Lu Huai before she could finish speaking.

Lu Huaiyi said sternly, "Jiang Liuyun is cunning and treacherous. Just in case, I still have to stay and check the situation."

"Okay, you can go and take a look in the side hall later." Lin Zhiqing was in a hurry to deal with things and didn't think much of it.

Lu Nanyue looked at her younger brother thoughtfully.

Lu Huai is usually very polite, and even with the best of relationships, he would never overstep his bounds and get involved in other people's affairs.

As his older sister, Lu Nanyue understood this very well.

But this unusual behavior probably means that he is also looking forward to how Lin Zhiqing's marriage to Jiang Liuyun will be resolved.

When he met Lu Nanyue's all-knowing gaze, Lu Huai felt slightly awkward, but he still strode forward with his head held high.

Soon, Lin Zhiqing arrived at the front hall.

Lin Congli and Lin Congyan had already taken their seats, while Jiang Liuyun stood in the hall, looking quite dejected.

Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow: "With a beauty in his arms, how could Prince Jiang still have the mind to come to our Lin family?"

"Qing'er, you know the truth of the matter." Jiang Liuyun's eyes narrowed when he heard Lin Zhiqing's voice, but he quickly concealed his reaction.

He lowered his head and turned his eyes. When he looked at Lin Zhiqing again, his gaze was filled with vulnerability and guilt.

A fake look!

Lin Zhiqing sat down decisively, greeted Lin Congli and Lin Congyan, but ignored Jiang Liuyun.

Lin Congli and Lin Congyan exchanged a glance. They didn't know much about the matter, so they knew they shouldn't speak now.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Jiang Liuyun's breathing became heavier, his brows furrowing slightly as he suppressed his dissatisfaction and a hint of anxiety. Lin Zhiqing, of course, didn't think this anxiety stemmed from worry about their marriage; she judged that what was causing Jiang Liuyun's anxiety was the woman with the mole.

Just as she was thinking, Jiang Liuyun couldn't help but speak again: "Qing'er, I want to talk to you."

"That's not necessary. Everyone has seen what happened. There's no need for apologies. Let's call off our engagement," Lin Zhiqing said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Huai in the side room slightly raised the corners of his mouth, but quickly suppressed it again.

He picked up a cup of tea, trying to cover up his misunderstanding, and brought it to his lips.

Jiang Liuyun, standing outside, felt as if he were being pricked by needles.

This is the first time the matter of announcing the engagement has been mentioned since Lin Zhiqing discovered his true colors.

Jiang Liuyun didn't know why he felt a tightness in his chest. He clenched his fists, trying to ignore the feeling, and spoke again:
"Qing'er, we can annul the engagement, but not in this form, nor at this time."

"Heh." Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but chuckle. "What kind of person is Prince Jiang? Does he need to pick a time to annul his engagement with you?"

"Or are you saying that if I break off the engagement now, it will confirm that you're having an affair?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuyun's arm trembled slightly, and the muscles around his lips tensed up, a sign that he was suppressing his anger.

Lin Zhiqing didn't care whether he was angry or not, because no matter how you look at it, the Lin family was in the right.

Jiang Liuyun clearly understood this as well. He controlled his trembling arms, seemingly knowing that the marriage was off the table, and then brought up another matter:

"You want to break off the engagement? Fine, but you have to give her back to me."

Lin Zhiqing frowned: "Who...who is she?"

Acting? As if anyone can't act?
Let's put on a show of acting.

Jiang Liuyun swallowed hard, took several deep breaths, and then said, "Don't play dumb. If we each take a step back, it will be better for everyone."

"Young Master Jiang, please make this clear: you have no right to negotiate with me right now." Lin Zhiqing straightened up.

"When I was framed for murdering my cousin, why didn't you step back?"

"Why didn't you back down when my fourth uncle was being pushed further and further away?"

"When my life was in danger in Bianliang, why didn't you back down?"

"When you were plotting against me and Lu Huai at Cangxiang Tower, why didn't you back down?"

She stared at Jiang Liuyun. Their gazes were clearly level, but Jiang Liuyun felt as if she was looking down at him from a superior position.

Four sentences in a row, laced with blatant sarcasm.

Jiang Liuyun frowned slightly, subconsciously glancing around. Seeing that no one was around, he spoke in a low voice:
"I never intended to kill you. In the matter of the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, I used a sleeping potion, not that kind of drug, all to preserve your innocence..."

Lin Zhiqing didn't even have the patience to listen to the end: "Then I should thank Prince Jiang for your great mercy?"

Jiang Liuyun stopped talking.

Lin Zhiqing waved his hand, and Chaoyan stepped forward carrying a tray. Inside the tray was the marriage certificate:
"The victor is king, the loser is villain. Prince Jiang must know this principle. Now you have no other way but to break off the engagement."

"If you do not comply, I will personally go to the Ministry of Rites to accuse you of philandering."

"The Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion has always valued its reputation, so they probably wouldn't want this matter to escalate."

Throughout, she wore a faint smile.