Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 369 The Minister of Justice Arrives in Person!

After Lu Huai left, he didn't leave immediately, but instead reached out his hand again to look at Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing was slightly taken aback because she felt Lu Huai's burning gaze.

This time, she was the one who looked away first.

The enchanting atmosphere was shattered by the sound of footsteps.

Before Lin Zhiqing could react, Lu Huai grabbed her hand and then pulled her down into his arms.

Lin Zhiqing was still somewhat dazed when her legs touched the ground again.

Seeing this, Lu Huai grabbed Lin Zhiqing's hand again and ran outside.

Lin Zhiqing couldn't even remember how she left Li Jinzhi's courtyard, nor could she remember how Lu Huai left.

All she remembered was that Lu Huai's hands were very cold.

In the private room in the front courtyard of the villa, Lin Zhiqing freshened up and washed herself again.

"Miss, Miss!" Chaoyan shook Lin Zhiqing's shoulder, and Lin Zhiqing finally came back to her senses.

Asagao asked anxiously, "Miss, why was it Young Master Lu who brought you back? Has our plan failed?"

"It wasn't a failure, though." When it came to serious matters, Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache:
"However, a minor mishap has occurred, and things may become a bit troublesome."

She set up this scheme to frame Jiang Liuyun for killing Li Jinzhi, thus causing a complete falling out between the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Ministry of Justice's Mansion.

The false accusation has succeeded, but many details still need to be resolved.

"A minor mishap?" Upon hearing this, Asagao couldn't help but feel a little anxious:
"Miss, was I delayed when I went to invite Jiang Liuyun?"

Lin Zhiqing shook his head: "No, this matter is quite complicated."

"By the way, why do you say that? Did you encounter trouble when you invited Jiang Liuyun?"

Asagao pursed her lips: "I ran into Young Master Lu, which is why I was delayed for a while."

This was something Lin Zhiqing hadn't expected. Could it be that Lu Huai had heard about this from Chaoyan, which was why he came to her rescue?

She thought for a moment, then asked:

"Have you discussed our plan with Lu Huai?"

“No!” Asagao shook her head: “I have kept your instructions in mind, Miss, and have not said a word.”

Lin Zhiqing nodded. Since Chaoyan hadn't mentioned it, then Lu Huai must have guessed what had happened.

She sighed softly. If Lu Huai hadn't hidden things from her, he would have been a perfect partner.

Lin Zhiqing discovered that Lu Huai could always guess the schemes she had set up based on some clues.

Lu Huai is indeed intelligent, a fact that even Lin Zhiqing must admit.

However, now is not the time to think about these things. Lin Zhiqing looked at Asagao:
"Zhaoyan, once Jiang Liuyun realizes that we have tricked him, he will definitely turn his anger towards us."

"He might come looking for us soon."

"Tell me again how you did it. We must go over these details carefully so that no one can find any fault with us."

Asagao nodded:

"When I called Jiang Liuyun over, we slowed down halfway and he said he was too tired, so he went to the back mountain by himself."

“I followed him for a while, until he got further and further away from me, before I returned here.”

"I don't know what happened after that."

Lin Zhiqing asked again:

"Did you encounter anyone along the way?"

“I encountered some, but I didn’t recognize any of them,” Asagao nodded.

Lin Zhiqing thought for a moment, then said, "If anyone asks you, just say that you got separated from me earlier and happened to run into Jiang Liuyun on the way."

“But you were too tired to reach the back of the mountain. You met me on the way, but I fell and was a little frightened. That’s why you thought of sending me back first before informing Jiang Liuyun.”

"But before you could even set off, news spread that someone had died in the manor, and from then on you stayed with me."

Lin Zhiqing carefully checked every detail with Chaoyan. The reason she hadn't taken Chaoyan away from the manor was because leaving now would raise too much suspicion.

The deceased was the son of the Minister of Justice.

This villa will definitely be sealed off.

All Lin Zhiqing can do now is to go over the details with Chaoyan.

Furthermore, once Yan Yu escapes, the chances of this incident involving them become much smaller.

Just as Lin Zhiqing was pondering, Chaoyan raised her doubts:

"Miss, why did you tell me to tell Jiang Liuyun that you came for Li Jinzhi? If that were the case, wouldn't you also be a suspect?"

Lin Zhiqing patiently explained:

"First, only by telling the truth can you make Jiang Liuyun believe you, instead of treating this as a trap and becoming wary."

"Secondly, this is more in line with my style of doing things, and it's more authentic. It's impossible for us to just come here to enjoy the scenery."

"If the Ministry of Justice asks you, you can tell them half the truth and half the lie, just like you told Jiang Liuyun."

“I understand, Miss.” Asagao nodded.

Lin Zhiqing thought for a moment and then gave the instructions again:
"You can pretend you know nothing about what happened on the back mountain. Very little of it is in line with our plan, so you really don't know anything about it."

Asagao nodded again.

After the two rehearsed their statements several times to ensure their testimonies were satisfactory, Lin Zhiqing lay down on the bed.

She needs to rest.

With the matter escalating to such an extent, she knew that appearing here would inevitably bring her into the Minister of Justice's suspicion.

However, it seems that Jiang Liuyun is currently the prime suspect.

Success or failure hinges on this very day.

The officials from the Ministry of Justice arrived faster than expected.

The entire resort was completely sealed off.

Those inside can't get out, and those outside can't get in.

As evening approached, Lin Zhiqing heard the news.

The Minister of Justice and his wife have both arrived.

Lin Zhiqing had anticipated that the Minister of Justice would come in person.

After all, he valued this son very much.

Even the Minister of Justice had to find a way to cover up the serious crime Li Jinzhi committed on the frontier, so now that he's dead, he's bound to be furious.

After much commotion, just as it was getting dark, a maid came to invite Lin Zhiqing to go to the back mountain.

Lin Zhiqing could tell that it must be a maid brought by the Minister's wife.

Even so, she did not believe that the person who called her past was the Minister's wife.

Apart from the parties involved, only Lin Zhiqing knew about the matter between the Minister of Justice and the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence.

But those old stories cannot be spoken aloud.

Most of the people at today's poetry gathering are sons of high-ranking officials. If the previous incident involving Li Jinzhi were to spread, it would not be good for the Ministry of Justice and the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence.

Therefore, Lin Zhiqing guessed that the person who summoned him must be the Minister of Justice.

She must be suspected of what happened today.

Having prepared herself, Lin Zhiqing pinched herself under the cover of night, and her eyes instantly reddened.

It's time to show off your acting skills!

In an inconspicuous courtyard on the back hill.

When the Minister of Justice met Lin Zhiqing, the first thing he noticed was her red-rimmed eyes.

Jiang Liuyun noticed it too, but he knew in his heart that Lin Zhiqing was acting.