Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 320 Internal strife
"Zheng Kuo, that traitor?" Upon hearing this name, Lin Congyan pondered for a moment, his beautiful peach blossom eyes narrowing.

Lin Congli was equally puzzled and looked at Jiang Yunhe.

From their perspective, Zheng Kuo was merely someone who betrayed the Lin family at a crucial moment.

If Jiang Yunhe hadn't mentioned it, the name would have been somewhat vague in their memories.

Jiang Yunhe ignored them and focused only on Lin Zhiqing.

That look in his eyes was like a venomous snake staring at its prey, extremely sinister.

Lin Zhiqing looked up again and, without wasting words, asked, "How would I know if my cousin is safe or not?"

"It seems you have no leverage to negotiate with me." Having gained control of the Lin family, Jiang Yunhe slightly raised his chin.

Indeed, compared to the calm and collected Jiang Yunhe and his son, the Lin family was clearly the more anxious party.

In just a few words, Lin Zhiqing quickly figured out Jiang Yunhe's intentions.

Contrary to his petition to retry Lin Congrong's case, he did not want the matter of framing Lin Congrong to be exposed to the public.

In other words, he actually doesn't want a retrial!
This contradicts Lin Zhiqing's desire for a retrial.

Once the case is reopened, the Lin family will undoubtedly use every means to strip Lin Congrong of his identity as a traitor.

In this war, only one of the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Lin Family can emerge victorious.

In other words, a retrial is a matter of life and death.

Jiang Yunhe was certainly greedy.
Even if there was a 50% chance of survival, he still wanted to eliminate the other 50% chance of death.

Finding Zheng Kuo, the only witness to the incident, would be a crucial step in preventing a retrial.

Zheng Kuo was the last person in the world to know the specific details of how Jiang Yunhe framed Lin Congrong. Only when he died could the events of that year truly be considered over.

A retrial is impossible. Jiang Yunhe is certain that the Lin family has no evidence other than Zheng Kuo. As long as Zheng Kuo is dealt with, the Lin family will be unable to proceed with the retrial.

Even if we were to re-examine the case, it wouldn't cause any significant trouble.

Lin Zhiqing was well aware of his thoughts, but it was precisely at this moment that she couldn't show any weakness:
“If you can’t guarantee your cousin’s safety, then you’ll never see Zheng Kuo again in your entire life.”

Lin Zhiqing was exploiting the information gap.

Therefore, the first priority is to prevent Jiang Yunhe from knowing that Zheng Kuo is no longer alive.

Even if Jiang Yunhe had considered this possibility, Lin Zhiqing couldn't let him see it. Instead, she had to create the illusion that Zheng Kuo was still alive.

Because only with this bargaining chip still in effect will Jiang Yunhe refrain from making more excessive demands or directly taking action against Lin Shi'an.

Jiang Yunhe stared at Lin Zhiqing and found that there was no extra expression on her face. Looking at Lin Yangyang beside him, he could not see anything but anger.

So, Zheng Kuo is indeed still alive?

Do not!
This may just be an illusion.

Jiang Yunhe was not entirely certain, so of course he refused to reveal Lin Shi'an's whereabouts.

Although he didn't take Lin Zhiqing seriously at first, Jiang Liuyun has been defeated by this woman time and time again, and after meeting her today, he felt that Lin Zhiqing was different from before.

The feeling that things were spiraling out of control made him reluctant to expose Lin Shi'an immediately, lest Lin Zhiqing resort to tricks.

“If you want to confirm your cousin’s safety, you must show sincerity,” Jiang Yunhe said slowly.

"What sincerity?" Lin Yangyang asked impatiently before Lin Zhiqing could speak.

"I said, exchange it for Zheng Kuo's information." Jiang Yunhe turned slightly to the side, no longer looking at the Lin family, already adopting a deferential attitude.

Lin Yangyang was a little anxious and immediately looked at Lin Zhiqing, seemingly asking for his opinion. After meeting her gaze, Lin Zhiqing didn't speak, but instead frowned slightly.

"No."

Upon hearing this, both Lin Congli and Lin Congyan looked at Lin Zhiqing.

Even Lin Yangyang's eyes were filled with confusion and doubt.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Liuyun felt that the gloom of the past few days had been dispelled, and for the first time he felt that it was the right thing to follow his father to the Lin family.

"Qing'er, you seem to be extremely close to Lin Shi'an on the surface, but now you don't even care about his life?" His words were clearly provocative.

However, the Lin family members were too emotional to notice this.

Lin Yangyang took out the whip again and pointed it at Jiang Liuyun: "Don't spew nonsense. Sister Qing values ​​me and Shi'an the most, and she will definitely not abandon Shi'an."

After she finished speaking, Jiang Liuyun sneered: "Let's see if Qing'er has any intention of speaking."

Lin Yangyang turned her head and saw that Lin Zhiqing hadn't made any move, and she became anxious:

"Qing-meimei, Shi'an has helped you a lot, you wouldn't really not save him, would you?"

Lin Zhiqing's gaze fell elsewhere:
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t save him, but the important thing now is to ensure his safety and see him alive so that the deal can continue.”

"An excuse!" Jiang Liuyun said without hesitation.
"We both know perfectly well what Zheng Kuo represents; you just don't want to let go of him."

He didn't speak very clearly, but everyone had their own guesses.

Zheng Kuo represents key evidence for exonerating Lin Congrong.

Lin Congrong is Lin Zhiqing's biological father!
The most direct beneficiary of exonerating Lin Congrong was Lin Zhiqing.

Jiang Liuyun, still feeling it wasn't enough, continued:
"Qing'er, your words sound so noble, always saying it's for the Lin family, but weren't all the things you did ultimately for your own benefit?"

"If you don't want to save him, then you don't want to save him. Don't you find it ridiculous to use the excuse of confirming Lin Shi'an's safety?"

"What's the difference between you and me? I am just another you."

Even at this point, Lin Zhiqing still did not budge. She stood quietly in place, like a green bamboo.

In contrast, Jiang Liuyun was rather noisy.

But what matters now is not Jiang Liuyun's words, but Lin Zhiqing's attitude.

By this time, Lin Yangyang and the others understood that, at least for now, Lin Zhiqing did not want to exchange information.

Did she really use the excuse of confirming her safety to avoid saving Lin Shi'an?
No one dared to believe such a possibility, but the cruel reality was right in front of them.

Lin Yangyang's disappointment deepened. She took a step forward, wanting to pull Lin Zhiqing, but was blocked by Lin Congli.

Lin Congli's throat moved, and he looked at Lin Zhiqing with some difficulty in his eyes.

He felt sorry for Lin Congrong, because it was he who put aside his own family for the greater good, thus ensuring the Lin family's peace.

Lin Zhiqing is innocent in this matter.

Lin Congrong was her father. What was wrong with her wanting to overturn the verdict against him?

For Lin Zhiqing herself, and for the Lin family, Lin Congli seemed to have no right to speak at this time.

Jiang Liuyun noticed this, and his smile widened even further:
"Look, I've almost forgotten who killed Lin Congrong back then."

"Lin Yangyang, give up."

"Lin Shi'an was an adopted son; once he's gone, he's gone."