Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 316 The Art of Language

"Better? How so?" Lin Yangyang asked, puzzled.

Lin Zhiqing's eyes were deep and dark: "Cousin, come closer to my ear."

Just as the two were discussing countermeasures, the Jiang family father and son, standing at the entrance of the Lin family's gate, were surrounded by onlookers.

"Could it be that Marquis Zhenyuan has brought his son here to apologize with thorns on his back? The engagement has already been called off, there's no need for this anymore."

"What's there to apologize for? Isn't having multiple wives and concubines common?"

"What do you know? These noble families value etiquette the most. If a marriage alliance doesn't work out, we can't afford to make enemies."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Liuyun and Jiang Yunhe remained silent, their eyes fixed on the entrance to the Lin family's residence.

They were certain that Lin Zhiqing would come out.

If it were just Jiang Liuyun, then so be it, since they are all juniors and Jiang Liuyun was in the wrong first, so we should just not see him.

However, the Marquis of Zhenyuan's personal presence already showed a sufficiently humble attitude; directly refusing entry to elders would easily invite gossip.

Moreover, most people would be sitting in a carriage or sedan chair while waiting for an announcement.

The Jiang family members were extremely sincere, standing directly outside the Lin family's door under the blazing sun.

Regardless of Jiang Yunhe's status as a marquis, Jiang Liuyun's actions as the heir apparent are enough to make people feel his sincerity.

Under these circumstances, no one from the Lin family came out, and some discordant voices began to emerge from the crowd.

Hearing people start talking about the Lin family, Jiang Yunhe stood up straight, but his eyebrows twitched slightly.

Jiang Liuyun, however, frowned and made no other move.

Just as the sun was at its scorching hottest and the crowd's discontent reached its peak, the Lin family's door opened with a "click."

The first person to come into everyone's view was Lin Zhiqing.

Dressed in plain clothes, with red eyes, she stepped out the door with Lin Yangyang's help.

The rest of the Lin family also looked worried and distressed.

Since Lin Zhiqing came out, Jiang Liuyun has been keeping a close eye on her.

Jiang Yunhe narrowed his eyes slightly, greeted Lin Congli and the others first, and then went to meet them.
"Zhiqing, are you alright?"

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Jiang. I'm fine." Lin Zhiqing coughed lightly twice after answering.

Jiang Yunhe said with concern, "You are weak. Let's go inside and talk quickly. If you catch a cold, you might develop a chronic illness."

He looked exactly like a junior who cared about his elders.

But Lin Zhiqing noticed that his eyebrows were furrowed and his body was leaning slightly forward, clearly wanting to get into the Lin family quickly and avoid the gazes of the common people.

It seems that Jiang Yunhe subconsciously still cares about what others think.

In this way, the more he wanted to go in, the more Lin Zhiqing would prevent him from doing so.

"Lord Jiang, the Lin family's humble abode is not suitable for entertaining distinguished guests. Besides, my engagement with Prince Jiang has already been dissolved." After saying this, Lin Zhiqing even shed a single tear at just the right moment.

This situation quickly brought to mind why the two had broken off their engagement in the first place.

Jiang Liuyun knew the inside story and that he had been tricked. His expression changed, and he was about to speak when his wrist was grabbed.

Jiang Yunhe grabbed him and pulled him forward slightly:

"Zhiqing, you and Yun'er were meant to be a perfect match. Yun'er is the one who wronged you in this matter, but there must be some misunderstanding."

The other members of the Lin family exchanged glances and immediately understood that Jiang Yunhe still wanted to defend Jiang Liuyun.

The expressions on Lin Congli and Lin Congyan's faces immediately darkened. Lin Zhiqing, however, continued to wipe the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief: "Lord Jiang, I will never forget what happened that day. Since I saw it with my own eyes, how can it be a misunderstanding?"

Jiang Yunhe secretly squeezed Jiang Liuyun's wrist. Jiang Liuyun frowned, clearly disliking the feeling of being restrained.

But he had no choice.

Therefore, Jiang Liuyun stepped forward solemnly:
"Qing'er, the reason I went to Cangxiang Tower that day was because your maid Yunjian gave me a message in advance, saying that you were in danger."

"When I heard that you were in trouble, I rushed over without stopping, but I fell into that maid's trap."

“That maid wanted to use this to get a title, but of course I was unwilling. You will always be the most special person in my heart.”

Jiang Liuyun emphasized the word "most special".

Lin Zhiqing's gaze met his, and both of them knew that the other was acting.

It must be said that Jiang Liuyun's words were excellent, completely absolving himself of any responsibility.

Upon hearing these words, the onlookers began to waver.

Some people even felt that if Jiang Liuyun had really made a mistake, he certainly wouldn't have dared to come to their door so directly.

Furthermore, everyone in Shengjing City knows that Jiang Liuyun's conditions are top-notch.

Lin Zhiqing was once called the "Three-Nothing Heiress," while Jiang Liuyun was called the "Three-Good Gentleman."

When these two people are together, everyone thinks that Lin Zhiqing is the one who benefits.

Even now, this subconscious belief still occasionally resurfaces and haunts me.

Jiang Liuyun is handsome and holds a high position at a young age, so it's not surprising that his maid has ambitions to rise in rank.

From this perspective, it seems that Jiang Liuyun is not to blame.

Lin Zhiqing sneered inwardly, but showed no sign of it on his face, and secretly nudged Lin Yangyang.

Upon receiving the order, Lin Yangyang immediately stepped forward: "Young Master Jiang, if this is the truth, why didn't you say so earlier, and instead waited until now?"

"Could it be that the lie hadn't been made up yet back then?"

Jiang Liuyun dared not look directly at Lin Yangyang, and instead looked away, carefully considering his words before speaking:
"There were many people around at the time, and things happened so suddenly. I had never encountered anything like this before, and I couldn't react in time."

"Moreover, after that, I came to the Lin family several times to look for Qing'er and try to explain to her, but I was always turned away."

Having said all that, Jiang Yunhe spoke again: "Zhiqing, I know you've been wronged, which is why you don't want to see Yun'er."

"But this is indeed a misunderstanding. Don't worry, in my heart, no one can surpass you. I promised your father that I would take care of you, and I will not break my promise."

These words were so well said that it was impossible to find a single fault with them.

In just a few words, Lin Zhiqing had already determined that Jiang Yunhe's skill level was definitely above Jiang Liuyun's.

His words were highly inflammatory, and the people around him began to speak up for them, albeit sporadically.

This was clearly an attempt to reverse Jiang Liuyun's public image and thus salvage the reputation of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

Judging from his performance today, most people would find it hard to associate him with the kind of person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Lin Zhiqing remained calm and composed, responding to each move with a counter-attack:
“Lord Jiang, this matter is really strange. I know Yun Jian. She is usually gentle and weak and doesn’t have much courage.”

"Besides, she's a young woman, and her monthly allowance isn't much. How could she possibly afford to go to the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion?"

In just a few words, the loopholes were immediately pointed out.

Jiang Yunhe lowered his eyelids and raised the tip of his nose, clearly very dissatisfied with what Lin Zhiqing said, but unable to refute it for the moment.