Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 410 Grasshopper after Autumn

"There are too many people," Lin Shi'an said, somewhat uneasy.

Three days have now passed since the first court hearing ended.

The second court hearing began in just one hour.

The Lin family is on their way to Dali Temple.

But the carriage was very quiet, and even Lin Yangyang, who was usually very lively, did not make a sound.

Lin Congli and Lin Congyan did not show it on their faces, but their tense bodies betrayed their unease.

Lin Congyan couldn't help but ask, "Shi'an, haven't you found Zhiqing yet?"

"We're still searching. The landing point is slightly off; it's outside the planned scope," Lin Shi'an replied.

This wasn't the first time he'd said this, but every time Lin Congli heard it, his brows would furrow.

"Now that things have come to this, we can only hope that Zhiqing can be found as soon as possible. Also, we must remain calm when we go up to the court later."

"I believe Zhiqing will come."

He had never shown such obvious trust in Lin Zhiqing before.

Lin Yangyang couldn't help but chime in, "I believe it too."

"That's right, Zhiqing will come." Lin Congyan took a deep breath.

Lin Shi'an nodded: "We still have time, just a little bit of time."

"Where did you get the time?" Lin Yangyang couldn't help but ask.

But Lin Shi'an did not answer immediately.

His gaze was far-reaching, looking ahead.

As they reached the last street corner of Dali Temple, the Lin family's carriage collided with the Zhenyuan Marquis's carriage.

One road, two horse-drawn carriages.

Both families held the rank of Marquis and were of equal status, so they did not distinguish between the two.

But today is very special.

Everyone knows this is more than just a road.

Lin Congli took a deep breath and did not send his servant to communicate with the other party as usual.

This is in accordance with etiquette and law.

But the Lin family still had to prove themselves to the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

"Shi'an, we'll go first," Lin Congli said.

Lin Shi'an nodded and gave an instruction to the coachman outside.

Before the carriage had traveled far, the carriage from the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence squeezed forward as well.

This is clearly a refusal to give way.

The Lin family members frowned, and Lin Yangyang couldn't help but climb out of the carriage:

"Everyone thinks the Marquis of Zhenyuan is a good person, but now he doesn't even know proper etiquette and is forcing his way across the street. Bah!"

"Sister..." Upon hearing this, Lin Shi'an felt something was amiss and wanted to stop Lin Yangyang.

But before he could finish speaking, Lin Congli interrupted him: "Shi'an, don't worry about her."

This statement surprised everyone.

But this surprise disappeared when Jiang Yunhe spoke.

"What? The Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion has no rules, but do you, Lin Yangyang, have any? Making a scene in the street, what kind of behavior is this!" Jiang Yunhe's voice was as steady as Mount Tai.

Lin Yangyang paused for a moment, then sneered:
"What, you're not pretending anymore? I thought the dignified Marquis was going to play the victim again."

"But there's really no one around here. You're too lazy to pretend anymore?"

"How dare you!" Whether Lin Yangyang's words struck a nerve with Jiang Yunhe or not, he raised his voice:

"You're nothing but grasshoppers in autumn, you won't be able to hop around for much longer, yet you still dare to spout such arrogant words!"

"Who is spouting such nonsense?" Lin Yangyang refused to back down.

"The trial hasn't even started yet, everything is still unknown. How long do you think the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion can remain so arrogant?"

"Heh." Jiang Yunhe chuckled.
"Instead of worrying so much about the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, why not worry about the Lin family first? Lin Zhiqing's whereabouts are unknown; it's questionable whether this family can even rise to prominence." "Let's go. The Lin family used to have to give way to the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, and it will continue to do so in the future!"

After he finished speaking, the carriage of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence swayed and moved forward.

Lin Yangyang was so angry that she shouted loudly:

"Jiang Yunhe, you call yourself a gentleman, yet you have repeatedly kidnapped me and Qingmei, and even caused her to fall off a cliff!"

"I wonder if you have nightmares in the middle of the night, and if the ghosts of those who died at your hands will come looking for you!"

The carriage from the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence stopped abruptly, but only for a moment before continuing on its way.

Clearly, they didn't want to waste time with the Lin family.

Seeing this, Lin Yangyang angrily sat back down in the carriage.

"Shi'an, why is Jiang Yunhe so assertive now, unlike before when he was so subservient?"

Lin Shi'an took a deep breath: "There are two possibilities."

"First, they believe that since Zhiqing can't come, Uncle San's case can't be overturned, so they're not going to be polite to the Lin family."

"Secondly, they are also overwhelmed with various issues."

After saying that, he added a reminder:
"Although the court kept quiet about the matter concerning the Ministry of Revenue a few days ago, it was making significant moves behind the scenes."

"I heard that something has happened at the Minister of War's residence."

"Why is the Ministry of War keeping quiet about the serious crime of embezzling grain and fodder?" Lin Yangyang was puzzled.

Lin Shi'an took a deep breath: "Zhiqing has told me about this before."

"The higher-ups are waiting for another opportunity to wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

"If the Lin family loses in this court hearing, the issue of grain supplies can also serve as an excuse to attack the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion."

In just a few words, the essence of the problem was revealed.

Lin Congyan sighed: "Zhiqing has always been extremely intelligent."

Mentioning Lin Zhiqing lowered the atmosphere inside the carriage.

It wasn't until they reached the entrance of the Dali Temple that the Lin family members were able to break free from that atmosphere.

They were uncertain, but they all knew that the Lin family could not afford to lose this war.

As long as Lin Zhiqing is alive, the Lin family will continue to exist.

After the court session began, Zhou Chongzheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, did not say many polite words.

His sharp eyes swept across the crowd below, and seeing that Lin Zhiqing was indeed not among the Lin family members, he leaned back slightly.

Where is Lin Zhiqing?

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Justice frowned slightly, while the Censor-in-Chief Wang Yuan looked expressionlessly in the direction of the Lin family.

The disappearance of Lin Zhiqing and Lu Huai caused a great stir in Shengjing City, and they were well aware of the Lin family's predicament.

Lin Congli stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Your Excellency, the authorities have not yet found Zhiqing's whereabouts."

The Lin family had previously reported the matter to the authorities.

The Lin family did not deliberately conceal the fact that Lin Zhiqing had disappeared.

Zhou Chongzheng slammed his gavel:

"According to the laws of Dasheng, if the victim does not return to the joint trial by the three judicial authorities, it is considered that he has given up the opportunity for a joint trial, and the original judgment will be upheld directly..."

"Lin Zhiqing knowingly committed the crime. Now that things have come to this, I hereby declare that the original verdict in the case of Lin Congyan's treason and collusion with the enemy shall be upheld!"

"My lord!" Before Zhou Chongzheng could finish speaking, Lin Congli stepped forward:
"The Great Sheng Code does indeed have this limitation, but may I ask, why is Zhiqing the aggrieved party?"

Zhou Chongzheng was taken aback; Lin Zhiqing was indeed not the victim in this case.

If we're talking about the aggrieved party, it has to be Lin Congrong.

But Lin Congrong was already dead and could not possibly have come to the main hall.

Thus, his only daughter, Lin Zhiqing, took on the role of the victim.

Zhou Chongzheng had no intention of letting the Lin family off the hook, so he continued:
"You are making excuses, Lord Lin. We are all officials in the same court, and your reputation for respecting etiquette and law is widely known. Don't you know that this is against the rules?"

Lin Congli's expression remained unchanged: "Lord Zhou, what are the rules?"