Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 440 New official takes office
The head fell to the ground, and the bloodstains on the execution platform were shockingly red.

"Father!"

A heart-wrenching scream suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

Jiang Liuyun, pale-faced, ran toward the execution platform, his steps faltering.

“Father, I’m here, Father!” His eyes were red.

The Ministry of Justice officers blocked his way, and no matter how much he screamed, they wouldn't let him pass.

Lin Zhiqing shook her head, her gaze towards Jiang Liuyun perfectly calm, and she spoke softly:
"The person is already dead, let's go."

After saying that, she turned and walked out first.

"Phew! Finally dead." Lin Yangyang exhaled a breath of stale air.
"From this day forward, my Lin family has finally seen the light of day again."

It rained heavily on the day Lin Congrong died.

The rain finally stopped now.

Lin Shi'an stepped forward: "Zhiqing, so Jiang Liuyun is just going to let it go?"

“He can’t escape, but he’s still useful for now,” Lin Zhiqing said slowly.

Jiang Yunhe's death was inevitable.

If they insist on pursuing the matter of those Liang people in such a short time, it may delay Jiang Yunhe's execution.

Lin Zhiqing was worried that this might lead to unforeseen circumstances.

But if Jiang Liuyun is alive, he will not pose any threat to the Lin family.

At the same time, we can start by investigating the affairs of those people from Daliang.

Lin Zhiqing has always preferred methods that yield greater profits.

With Jiang Yunhe's head falling to the ground, the situation in the imperial court was vastly different from before.

The most obvious example is that Xu Yuansui, the Minister of Revenue, wrote a letter of thanks to the government and retired to his hometown.

The Crown Prince announced in court that Lu Huai would succeed him as Minister of Revenue.

Apart from the Ministry of Revenue, the other five ministries also underwent various changes, both large and small.

Lin Congli and Lin Congyan were also promoted one rank, from ninth-rank officials to eighth-rank officials.

Even a small fly is still meat; at least it got promoted, right?

Besides this, the most surprising thing was the court's arrangement for Lin Shi'an.

Because of his exceptional martial arts skills, he was granted special permission to enter the Ministry of War and serve as a senior official in the Ministry of War.

Lin Shi'an rose from an unknown nobody to a fifth-rank official—what an honor!

Anyone with a discerning eye could sense something amiss; it was clear that the imperial court was promoting the Lin family.

Even Lin Shi'an himself was somewhat stunned when he received his appointment document.

Regardless, this is a good thing for the Lin family.

Lin Congli and Lin Congyan were making arrangements to hold a banquet to celebrate the arrival of the old Marquis from Bianliang in Shengjing.

The two men felt that the Lin family's suffering had finally come to an end, and they even stayed up half the night giving Lin Shi'an some advice, fearing that he might get involved in the court's turmoil.

Lin Yangyang looked at the appointment document again and again, feeling happy for Lin Shi'an while also feeling a little lonely.

She ate one less bowl of rice at dinner.

Lin Zhiqing noticed this detail and went to Lin Yangyang's courtyard later that day.

However, Lin Yangyang's room was empty.

Lin Zhiqing turned and went to the training ground. Just as he stepped outside the training ground, he heard Yan Yu's voice.

"Tsk, your moves are too flashy, and you can't even hit anyone."

Then came Lin Yangyang's exasperated voice:

"No matter how fancy my moves are, can they be as fancy as yours?"

"I'm going to be a general someday, you're not allowed to talk to me like that!"

Yan Yu smiled and said, "I've never seen a general who holds a knife in his left hand, nor have I ever seen a female general."

“That’s right, I haven’t seen it before, I’ll be the first!” Lin Yangyang’s voice was quite firm. Then came the sounds of Yan Yu and Lin Yangyang competing.

Lin Zhiqing smiled and chose not to go in and disturb them.

My cousin can now find her own goals without needing my comfort.

This is a good thing.

After returning to Shuqing Pavilion, Lin Zhiqing had just sat down when Chaoyan told her that Lu Huai had arrived.

This surprised Lin Zhiqing somewhat:

"Logically speaking, shouldn't a new official be very busy lately? How come he still has time to come over?"

Asagao beamed, "Miss, Young Master Lu came with Miss Nanyue to congratulate Young Master Shi'an."

"When I went to the front hall, Young Master Lu asked me to come and inform you that he needs to see you."

Lin Zhiqing nodded and got up to go to the main hall.

Lu Huai had always taken unconventional routes, usually going directly to Shuqing Pavilion. The fact that he was waiting in the main hall now meant that something unusual was going on.

Just as Lin Zhiqing arrived at the main hall, Lu Huai had just put down his teacup.

"After all these days, is your injury any better?" Lin Zhiqing asked as soon as he opened his mouth.

Lu Huai's gaze softened: "With my sister here, there shouldn't be any major problems."

"How's your hand?"

He looked at Lin Zhiqing's right hand.

Lin Zhiqing raised her hand, which was wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and shook it: "Same as always, it hurts."

This tone sounds like...she's being coquettish?
Lu Huai was taken aback.

He originally thought Lin Zhiqing would put on a brave face as before, but she said it hurt.

Realizing that Lin Zhiqing was no longer a barrier between them, Lu Huai curled the corners of his lips into a smile.

"Hey!" Lin Zhiqing pouted, "What are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing, I just think the bandaging technique of the Lin family's physician is quite unique." Lu Huai rarely joked.

"Oh, you dare to make fun of me? I'll teach you a lesson once I'm better!" Lin Zhiqing pouted.

Lu Huai nodded: "Okay, I'll wait for that day."

Unable to argue with him, Lin Zhiqing sat down to the side and began to discuss serious matters:

"Now that you've been promoted and made a fortune, aren't you busy today? You still have time to come over."

“Brother Shi’an has landed a great job, and since I’ve known him for a while, I naturally had to come and join in the fun,” Lu Huai replied softly.
"But Ah Qing, you..."

Upon hearing Lu Huai's tone, Lin Zhiqing knew what he was going to say, so she smiled:
“My cousin has gained favor with the higher-ups, which is certainly a good thing.”

"I did so much, but I didn't get any reward, which is a real shame."

"But Lu Huai, you have to take things one step at a time. If you walk too fast, you're more likely to fall down. There are plenty of people who will watch the show and try to trip you up."

Lu Huai could see the ambition in Lin Zhiqing's eyes and was afraid that she would be disappointed, so he rushed over to talk to her.

Lin Zhiqing sensed this.

Lu Huai stared at Lin Zhiqing's profile for a moment, then lowered his eyes and smiled faintly.

His Aqing was always clear-headed.

Even though everyone knows that Lin Zhiqing is the one who occupies the core position and has made great contributions in the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion incident.

But she is a woman.

The imperial court bypassed her and bestowed the glory that belonged to her upon other men in the Lin family.

Everyone understood this, but no one doubted the court's actions.

Lu Huai tapped the table lightly and spoke again: "Aqing, the ways of heaven are unjust, and the hearts of men are unpredictable."

"On this journey, I will help you break free from the shackles of fate and pave a path to success."

Lin Zhiqing smiled, just like the night they first agreed to cooperate:
"Pleasant to work with."

"Happy cooperation!"