Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 350: Taking over as a substitute
These words, ostensibly addressed to Lin Shi'an, were actually addressed to Lu Huai and the people.

Lin Shi'an, being involved, was well aware that he was merely a supporting character in this matter.

But since he had already discussed it with Lu Huai, he was determined to finish this grand performance.

So he said the words he had previously agreed upon with Lu Huai:

"My lord, I do not know the specific details of this matter, but if it was caused by servants, the coincidence is too much."

"Lord Zhou of the Dali Temple dared not take on this case. In order to seek justice, I had no choice but to come to your residence. I hope you will not blame me."

"Also, since you've offered to investigate, could you please retrieve the goods I brought back from Yunnan and return them to me?"

“Those things are all the result of Zhiqing’s hard work!”

His words were perfectly balanced, neither advancing nor retreating.

Not only did they present a reasonable and well-founded account of the incident at the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, but they also put the Zhenyuan Marquis in a difficult position, forcing him to return the Lin family's goods.

If the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion cannot find any results and the Lin family's goods cannot be returned, then the people present will be unable to keep quiet, and the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion will be unable to clear its name of imprisoning Lin Shi'an.

Jiang Liuyun knew Lin Shi'an very well and was well aware that he couldn't possibly say those words.

Therefore, someone must be teaching him behind the scenes.

With Lin Zhiqing still imprisoned in the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, the only person left who could utter such watertight words was Lu Huai.

Jiang Liuyun looked at Lu Huai with a sharp gaze.

Lu Huai, however, remained calm and naturally picked up where Lin Shi'an left off:
"This matter is related to items in the palace. Now that I have encountered it, I will certainly not stand idly by."

"My lord, the Ministry of Revenue will assist you in catching the traitor within your household. Lin Shi'an will also serve as a witness, and those items will be used as evidence. The Ministry of Revenue will take on cases that the Court of Judicial Review dares not handle!"

Jiang Liuyun frowned: "This matter has little to do with the Ministry of Revenue. If anyone should be investigated, it should be the Ministry of Justice."

"Nowadays, Lord Lu seems to be overstepping his bounds. I never knew the Ministry of Revenue could investigate cases."

These words made some sense, and when Jiang Yunhe saw that someone had raised an objection, he simply stopped talking.

Lu Huai simply smiled, his eyes crinkling: "Young Master Jiang, there's no need to pin such a heavy burden on me. Everyone knows that the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the national treasury."

"And those things just now, before they became the private property of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, were also part of the national treasury."

"Imagine, if the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion has people who are so audacious as to resell these things, it's possible that there are similar people in the palace."

"I took on this case to share His Highness the Crown Prince's burdens."

"Moreover, if the Ministry of Revenue cannot investigate the case, wouldn't the matter of the imperial gifts also have to be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review?"

The implication is that what you people say is useless.

Jiang Liuyun was speechless, feeling that he had lost face in front of outsiders, and couldn't help but take a step forward.

But before he could speak, Jiang Yunhe interrupted him:
“Since Lord Lu already has a plan in mind, there is no need to inquire about the intentions of our Zhenyuan Marquis’s Mansion. I am willing to cooperate with Lord Lu to investigate this matter thoroughly.”

“Father!” Jiang Liuyun looked at Jiang Yunhe, but was quickly stung by Jiang Yunhe’s gaze and said nothing more.

Lu Huai glanced towards the backyard of the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, but he couldn't see anything clearly. However, he estimated that there should be enough time.

So he simply nodded:

"I will report today's events to His Highness the Crown Prince truthfully. As for all matters, I will consult with His Highness the Crown Prince at tomorrow's morning court session before making a decision."

"Lord Marquis, Young Master Jiang, what do you think of this arrangement?"

"Since Lord Lu has already taken on this matter, we naturally have no complaints." Jiang Yunhe lowered his stance.

To put it bluntly, he's playing the victim again.

Lu Huai didn't care about that. No matter how much he pretended, he could only win the pity of those who didn't know the inside story. In any case, the truth could not be erased.

He ordered the Ministry of Revenue officials to take away the evidence. Lin Shi'an knew in his heart that he had succeeded, so he turned and took his leave.

After such a commotion, the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion has suffered a severe blow.

Jiang Liuyun stared intently at Lu Huai's back, the killing intent in his eyes intensifying.

After Jiang Yunhe entered the room, his expression remained unchanged.

But his slightly quickened pace still betrayed his inner turmoil.

No one knows a son better than his father. He knew very well what Jiang Liuyun was thinking at that moment, and couldn't help but remind him:

"No matter how much you keep an eye on Lu Huai, it's useless. He's untouchable now. You should have someone guard the laundry room."

Jiang Liuyun paused in his tracks after Jiang Yunhe's reminder.
"Father, is their coming here a diversionary tactic to rescue Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang?"

Jiang Yunhe exhaled a breath of stale air: "It's a bit too late for you to realize this now."

Jiang Liuyun clenched his fists and ran towards the laundry room.

Jiang Yunhe merely glanced at his retreating figure before turning and heading to the warehouse.

He knew very well that it was too late to go to the laundry room now.

Just as Jiang Yunhe had predicted, when Jiang Liuyun arrived at the laundry room, it was already deserted, and Lin Zhiqing was nowhere to be seen.

He was truly unwilling to accept it. He was so close, so very close, to Lin Zhiqing returning to his side.

He couldn't imprison Lin Zhiqing for life; he had already discussed with Jiang Yunhe how to release Lin Zhiqing.

He clearly wanted everyone to know that Lin Zhiqing came from the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

At that time, he would ask for an imperial edict to reinstate his marriage to Lin Zhiqing.

At that time, even if Lin Zhiqing was unwilling, there was nothing she could do.

He had calculated everything perfectly, and it was so close!
Lu Huai!

It's all Lu Huai!

……

At the same time, Lin Zhiqing followed Yun Feng and landed on the street not far from the back gate of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

Lin Yangyang was a step too slow, and by the time she reached Lin Zhiqing's side, her face was completely pale.

She swayed a few times and leaned against Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing sensed something was wrong and couldn't help but feel anxious:
"Yunfeng, you must take your cousin back to the Lin family immediately, her condition is very bad!"

Yun Feng was somewhat puzzled. He knew Lin Yangyang's martial arts skills. Logically speaking, a chain shouldn't have caused such serious injuries!

He helped Lin Yangyang up and, after checking her condition, his brows gradually furrowed.

Lin Zhiqing sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "What happened? What's wrong with my cousin?"

“Miss Zhiqing, those chains shouldn’t have caused such serious injuries. Miss Lin might also have internal injuries!” Yun Feng dared not hide anything.

Lin Zhiqing paused: "Internal injury?"

She recalled the scene of Lin Yangyang, Jiang Yunhe, and the broken wall, and knew in her heart that Lin Yangyang must have been injured, but she kept it a secret.

"Quickly, take her back to the Lin family. There are people here to meet me, so you don't need to worry about me!" Lin Zhiqing quickly gave the order to Yun Feng.

Yun Feng pursed his lips, glanced at Lin Yangyang's pale face, and gritted his teeth before saying, "Miss Zhiqing, you must be careful!"

Then, he carried Lin Yangyang and headed towards the Lin family home.