Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 323 Death from Poisoning
Lin Zhiqing watched her retreating figure, his thoughts in turmoil.

Even after nightfall, the candles in the Lin family's courtyards remained lit for a long time.

"Miss, you should rest first," Chaoyan said with a worried expression.

Lin Zhiqing sat at the table and shook her head slightly: "Wait a little longer."

“Miss Yangyang is angry, so she probably won’t come.” Asagao thought for a moment:

"If all else fails, I'll wait in Miss Yangyang's courtyard and report back when she returns."

Lin Zhiqing shook her head: "No need, she will come."

“Even if she’s angry, it’s not directed at me. After she’s vented her anger, she’ll eventually come to me for help.”

As soon as Lin Zhiqing finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.

When Asagao reached the door, she saw that the person who came in was none other than Lin Yangyang.
She was somewhat surprised: "Miss, you are truly a prophet!"

"A prophetic genius?" If he truly was a prophet, that would be for the best. Lin Zhiqing sighed.

"There is no one in the world who can predict the future. I just know my cousin well."

With that, Lin Yangyang walked into the room, her expression dejected.
“Sister Qing, I went to the vicinity of the Zhenyuan Marquis’s residence, hoping to sneak in, but the guards there were too tight and I failed.”

As she spoke, she gritted her teeth and said, "Shi'an must be inside, otherwise they would never have surrounded the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence like they were doing something wrong."

"Cousin, this is all just a facade." Lin Zhiqing asked Chaoyan to close the door before continuing:
"There are many reasons why they have strengthened their precautions."

"First, it is indeed to prevent anyone from sneaking in, just like last time when we framed them for harboring the flute player, and they became wary."

"Secondly, they are playing psychological warfare with us."

Lin Yangyang could understand the first reason, but she was somewhat confused by the second "psychological warfare":
"Is it related to Tongjian's philosophy of mind?"

"There is indeed some connection. He surrounded the Marquis of Zhenyuan simply to make us think that our cousin was in his residence."

"This is an attempt to mislead us."

This time Lin Yangyang understood, but questions followed one after another:

"Where could Shi'an be if he's not at the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence? Is he safe?"

Lin Zhiqing patiently replied, "Of course I can't be sure where he is; we still need to search for him."

"Furthermore, he should be safe at present."

“Since he wants to do business with us, Jiang Yunhe won’t easily lay a hand on his cousin.”

Lin Yangyang felt a little more at ease: "So what should we do next?"

Lin Zhiqing hesitated for a moment, then stared into Lin Yangyang's eyes: "Cousin, what will you do if I don't save my brother?"

"Not going to save her?" Lin Yangyang suddenly raised her voice and stood up abruptly.
"Qing-mei, are we not going to save him?"

"Cousin, don't rush, come here and let me explain slowly." Lin Zhiqing beckoned to Lin Yangyang.

……

After an incense stick had burned, Lin Congli stood outside the gate of Shuqing Pavilion, looking hesitant.

The facts back then were too complicated, and he originally wanted to keep some things to himself.

But given the current situation, it seems he can no longer hide it.

However, if this matter were to be revealed, Lin Zhiqing might feel that he was trying to distance himself from the situation.

Two conflicting thoughts kept battling in his mind, causing him to hesitate at the doorway, yet he never took a step forward.

If we talk about it tomorrow, it should still be in time.
Lin Congli pursed his lips and turned around.

Suddenly, the silence of the night was broken by the sound of arguing.

"Since you are so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Yangyang?" Lin Congli frowned; he immediately recognized his daughter's voice. "Click!"

Immediately afterwards, the sound of a teacup shattering rang out.

Lin Congli was startled. Could it be that the powerful Tongzhi Qing had a falling out?

He disregarded everything else and stepped into Shuqing Pavilion.

Before he had taken more than a few steps, an angry Lin Yangyang walked towards him, not even glancing at Lin Congli, and headed straight out.

"Yangyang," Lin Congli called out to Lin Yangyang, "What happened?"

Lin Yangyang's face turned red with anger: "What is it? Father, go ask Lin Zhiqing yourself. I misjudged her before."

"She actually didn't want to save Shi'an, who is her own cousin! She couldn't even stand up to an outsider?"

Lin Yangyang's tone was filled with utter disappointment:
"Since you're unwilling to go, I'll go myself!"

After saying that, Lin Yangyang rushed straight out of the courtyard gate.

Zhiqing has decided not to save Shi'an? Lin Congli's heart skipped a beat, and he was stunned on the spot, unable to stop Lin Yangyang in time.

"Uncle." Lin Zhiqing called out softly when she saw Lin Congli as she came out of the room.

Lin Congli snapped out of his daze: "Zhiqing, Shi'an, him..."

He wanted to ask Lin Zhiqing why he didn't save Lin Shi'an, but he had no right to ask, and the question suddenly got stuck in his throat.

"Uncle, since you have something to say, please come in." Lin Zhiqing turned and went into the room.

Lin Congli hesitated for a moment, but still followed.

After he entered the room, Asagao closed the door.

The empty room was now empty except for Lin Zhiqing and Lin Congli.

Seeing that Lin Congli remained silent, Lin Zhiqing poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, then spoke first:
"Uncle, you should know why I didn't save Shi'an."

Lin Congli nodded slowly, hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Your father has been burdened with the crime of treason for so many years, you must want to exonerate him."

"This is also of great importance to the Lin family."

“But Shi’an grew up in my presence, and I still can’t bear to watch him die.”

With just one sentence, Lin Zhiqing understood Lin Congli's meaning.

From a broader perspective, he definitely wouldn't have chosen to save Lin Shi'an.

However, from a personal perspective, Lin Congli cannot let go of Lin Shi'an.

Lin Zhiqing nodded: "You can do whatever you want with this matter, but I have already made up my mind."

Upon hearing this, Lin Congli sighed inwardly and remained silent.

Lin Zhiqing asked directly, "Uncle, is there anything else you want to say?"

Lin Congli, remembering his purpose, took a deep breath: "Zhiqing, there are indeed some things you don't know about from many years ago."

"But I don't know whether I should say it or not."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiqing's heart stirred slightly, and she looked at Lin Congli earnestly:
"Uncle, it's come to this point, what can't be said?"

"Sometimes, a single piece of information can lead to vastly different outcomes, and you should understand this principle."

"I understand." A hint of helplessness appeared on Lin Congli's aged face.
Do you know how your father died?

Lin Zhiqing did not expect Lin Congli to ask this question.

She recalled what had happened that day from the few words Aunt Mu had spoken to her earlier:

“I heard from Aunt Mu that you and your grandfather went to find your father and left him a cup of poisoned wine.”

"My father died from poisoning."