Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 317 Maneuvering, Nonsense Literature

Seeing this, Lin Zhiqing pressed on and continued speaking:
"I have already broken off my engagement with Prince Jiang. There's no point in saying more about it. Only he and I know the true feelings behind it."

"There are many women in the capital who are related to Prince Yuejiang, and only I know the bitterness in their lives."

This statement was ambiguous, but everyone knew that Lin Zhiqing still didn't believe Jiang Liuyun's explanation.

Jiang Liuyun and Jiang Yunhe's words had already won over most of the people, but Lin Zhiqing did not oppose them outright. Instead, she retreated to advance, which was quite intriguing.

The more I look at it, the more it seems like they were forced to compromise and had no choice but to do so.

Moreover, Lin Zhiqing shed two tears, looking extremely heartbroken, not at all like someone who felt there was a misunderstanding.

Seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently built, Lin Yangyang spoke again:
"Lord Jiang, my sister has already lost both her parents and has had a very difficult life. Please don't say anything more."

"With so many elders and fellow villagers in front of us, our Lin family naturally can't say anything, and my sister Qing can't talk back to her elders either. We'll just have to bear the injustice ourselves."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt that Lin Zhiqing was crying out of grievance, and they began to scrutinize Jiang Liuyun and Jiang Yunhe more closely.

Whether what happened back then was true or false is no longer important; the matter of Jiang Liuyun entering the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion is no longer in the past.

Realizing this, Jiang Liuyun wanted to speak again, but Jiang Yunhe noticed that Lin Zhiqing was subtly conveying a message to the people, so he spoke again:
"Zhiqing, this matter is complicated. Why don't we go inside and talk it over carefully to clear up any misunderstandings?"

Lin Zhiqing wiped her eyes with a handkerchief: "The Lin family is in ruins. Lord Jiang has never come before. Now that he has suddenly come, we have not had time to prepare properly."

With just a few words, Jiang Yunhe's smile vanished.

This seemingly ordinary statement actually attacks two key points.

First, Jiang Yunhe appears to be very close to Lin Zhiqing, so why has he never visited the Lin family before?

Secondly, Jiang Yunhe and Jiang Liuyun's sudden visit without prior notification is a breach of etiquette, catching everyone off guard.

Those around understood the implication and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"Speaking of which, I don't think I've ever seen the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence visit the Lin family. It seems that the Zhenyuan Marquis is only concerned about Lin Zhiqing in words."

"Isn't a dignified marquis busy? Does he have to come to the Lin family to coax a little girl?"

"Putting aside whether they were trying to coax us or not, I noticed they didn't bring anything nice with them today. It doesn't seem like they're here to apologize."

"They haven't even sent out an invitation, what could they possibly bring? Isn't this just a surprise attack to get the Lin family to forgive Jiang Liuyun?"

Hearing these words, Jiang Liuyun found them particularly grating, so he spoke up to explain:
"Qing'er, my father is very busy with official duties and has no free time. Even I rarely see him."

Jiang Yunhe waved his hand:

“These are not excuses. I did not do well in this regard, but Zhiqing, I know you are weak and I often remind Yun’er to bring you tonics.”

"Even though you poisoned my cousin back then, I still remember it. I sent Yun'er to help you because I always have you in my heart."

Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Yunhe, that old fox, didn't deny on the surface that he didn't care about Lin Zhiqing's affairs, but his words made it seem as if Lin Zhiqing had received a lot from the Jiang family.

Moreover, he spoke ambiguously about "poisoning his cousin," clearly intending to mislead people about Lin Zhiqing.

Fortunately, the person in question was right beside her. Lin Yangyang cleared her throat:
"Lord Jiang, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Who said my sister Qing poisoned me?"

"It's quite a coincidence, isn't it? The maid who framed my sister Qing had some dealings with Young Master Jiang. Young Master Jiang witnessed that maid's death, you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Lin Yangyang's speech wasn't as refined as others', making it easier for people to understand, and it was very persuasive. The fact that all the maids in the Lin family had connections with Jiang Liuyun inevitably led people to believe that Jiang Liuyun was a womanizer.

Seeing that things were not going well, Jiang Yunhe knew that if they continued this topic, they would not gain the upper hand, so he decisively spoke up:
"Zhiqing, are you harboring resentment towards me and Yun'er because of the rumors circulating in the capital recently?"

Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow. So, are we finally getting to the point?
What's the latest rumor circulating in the city? It's, of course, the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion falsely accusing Lin Congrong of treason and colluding with the enemy.

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the relationship between the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion and the Lin family had broken down since this incident.

Whether this matter is true or false is a matter of opinion, but ultimately no reinvestigation has been initiated, and there is no substantial evidence.

Lin Zhiqing was well aware of this as well. Until he could produce evidence, Jiang Yunhe would remain the Marquis of Zhenyuan of Dasheng.

Thinking of this, her eyes stung, and tears streamed down her face like broken pearls.
“Lord Jiang, my father treated you very well when he was alive, so naturally I don’t want to believe that you are the kind of person the rumors say you are.”

"This matter needs to be re-examined before the truth can be revealed. I believe that His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince will not wrong any good person, nor will they let any bad person go unpunished."

Practicing Tai Chi, perfectly practicing Tai Chi.

Lin Zhiqing was well-versed in the art of nonsensical literature, saying things that were as if he hadn't said anything at all.

But almost everyone could tell that she didn't trust the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

Jiang Yunhe's facial muscles furrowed, his brows forming a deep frown, and he looked at Lin Congli and Lin Congyan:

"Do Brother Congli and Brother Congyan share the same opinion?"

Lin Congli remained expressionless, offering neither comment nor affirmation.

Lin Congyan slowly took out a fan and started fanning himself: "We are not qualified to comment on such an important matter."

Jiang Yunhe kicked three iron plates in a row, his eyes widening outwards and his eyebrows rising high.

Despite his dissatisfaction, his facial expression conveyed more confusion.

What's the confusion?
Lin Zhiqing pondered to himself, wondering if his uncle and fourth uncle were no longer as weak as before.
Before she could come to a conclusion, Jiang Yunhe spoke again:

“Zhiqing, Congli, Congyan, I have already written to His Majesty, asking him to thoroughly investigate this matter. The Jiang and Lin families must not sever ties because of a rumor.”

“If it weren’t for Brother Congrong’s promotion back then, I would never be where I am today.”

"I am deeply grateful that Lord Jiang remembers my father." Lin Zhiqing's handkerchief was almost soaked with sweat.
"Now that the Marquis has submitted a memorial, what have His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince said?"

Of course, there will be no explanation.

Lin Zhiqing knew this, and asked it only to embarrass Jiang Yunhe.

Jiang Yunhe's face showed no embarrassment, but rather a troubled expression:
"This is a long story, Zhiqing, why don't we go inside and talk about it?"

Go in? Impossible.

Lin Zhiqing was about to refuse when Jiang Yunhe suddenly looked behind her:

"Hey, where is my nephew Shi'an?"

Cousin!

Lin Zhiqing's eyes narrowed.