Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 441 Marquis of Changning Returns to the Capital!

"Ah Qing, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now." Lu Huai stood up to take his leave.

If he stays at the Lin family's house for too long, people will inevitably gossip about him.

Lin Zhiqing also stood up: "I heard that the Lu family has been quite lively lately?"

Lu Huai was taken aback, then smiled and said, "You're always well-informed. My father will be back soon."

"I told my father about the Lin family's affairs and the fact that the old Marquis was about to return to Shengjing City, and my father was very happy."

"Uncle Lu is coming back?" Lin Zhiqing smiled.
“My uncle Lu and my grandfather used to be very close friends, and now the two can finally meet.”

Lu Huai was taken aback: "So you didn't know about this? What did you mean by 'lively' earlier?"

Hmm... Lin Zhiqing pursed her lips.

She heard that after Lu Huai officially took office, many matchmakers in the capital came to the Lu family's door.

Never mind, it's not a big deal...

Lin Zhiqing shook his head: "It's nothing, I was just saying it offhand."

"Aqing, take this, I'll be going now." Lu Huai put a small box into Lin Zhiqing's hand and then walked out of the courtyard.

Ok?
Lin Zhiqing looked at Lu Huai's back and was slightly puzzled. Why was he walking so fast?
She took the box back to Shuqing Pavilion, and only opened it after she was alone in the room.

Inside the box, a familiar jade abacus lay quietly.

Lin Zhiqing was taken aback, then took out the jade abacus and gently stroked it.

In her previous state of confusion, she had returned the item to Lu Huai.

Now, Lu Huai has returned it to him.

How could Lin Zhiqing not know Lu Huai's feelings?

Whether in the past or present, Lu Huai has always protected her and secretly helped her.

She took a deep breath, put the abacus back in the box, and found a place to put it.

Today is a good day.

Not only Lin Zhiqing, but all members of the Lin family slept well.

The next day, the sky brightened.

The entire Lin family stood at the door early, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Soon, the sound of horses' hooves rang out and landed in front of the Lin family's house.

"Here he comes! Grandfather is here!" Lin Yangyang's voice was filled with excitement.

"Hahaha, I could hear Yangyang's voice from far away." Lin Qingshan lifted the car curtain and got out of the car first.

He took a deep breath and the first thing he looked at was the plaque of the Marquis of Changning's residence.

It's funny, there's no Marquis of Changning in the Marquis of Changning's residence.

All the glory he earned in his military career has been transformed into this small plaque.

After that, the plaque trapped most of the Lin family.

"Grandfather." Seeing the complicated look in Lin Qingshan's eyes, Lin Zhiqing interrupted his reminiscence:

"You're back."

A simple sentence brought tears to the eyes of most of the Lin family.

Lin Qingshan nodded: "I'm back, and I've brought Cong Rong back with me."

Lin Congrong had previously been convicted of treason and collusion with the enemy, and according to the law, he could not be buried in Shengjing City.

Furthermore, the Lin family dared not defy the law and proceed with the funeral arrangements for Lin Congrong.

When Lin Qingshan retreated to Bianliang, he brought Lin Congrong's remains back to Bianliang.

He never imagined that he would return one day.

Now, standing on the land of Shengjing City, he finally felt a sense of reality.

Lin Zhiqing stepped forward, took the heavy box, and said softly, "Father, we're home."

She took a deep breath: "Grandfather, welcome home."

"Father, you're finally back." Lin Congli and Lin Congyan stepped forward to greet Lin Qingshan.

Lin Qingshan patted the two brothers on the shoulder without saying anything more.

Lin Congyan looked up at the carriages behind him.

The moment he saw his wife and daughter alight from the carriage, a smile appeared on his face as he went to greet them: “Suihe, Jingya, you must be tired from your journey. Please get down. I’ve had your rooms cleaned again.”

Lin Congyan rarely spoke so much.

Zheng Suihe's eyes were filled with tears, which she then gently wiped away, and pulled Lin Jingya up beside her:
“Look at Jingya, she’s lost a lot of weight these days because she’s been eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist prayers.”

Lin Jingya's eyes darted away slightly, and she bit her lip tightly, afraid that someone would blame her.

After all, everyone knows what she did in the past.

However, apart from Lin Congyan asking about her situation, no one else paid attention to her.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Seeing Lin Congyan's family reunited, Lin Jiusi, who was standing to the side, felt a little expectant. He looked at the carriage, but he did not see his grandfather for a long time.

Lin Zhiqing noticed this and looked at Lin Qingshan:
"Grandfather, where is Second Grandfather?"

When it came to the form of address, Lin Zhiqing was initially a little confused.

Why do Lin Yangyang and others call Lin Qingshan "Grandfather" and Lin Qingshou "Second Grandfather" instead of using a uniform title?

She only realized what was going on later.

The Lin family has very strict rules.

The term "grandfather" is a more appropriate way to address someone in formal settings.

The Marquis of Changning held a high official position, so calling him "Lord Marquis" would be too formal, but calling him "Grandpa" would be considered disrespectful and lacking in manners.

Therefore, they compromised by calling Lin Qingshan "grandfather" and Lin Qingshou "second grandfather."

The Lin family used to value both rules and reputation, which is why they ended up in such an incongruous state.

But all of that is in the past.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiusi pursed her lips and looked at Lin Qingshan.

Lin Qingshan looked at his carriage and shook his head:

"What, at your age you still insist on being the grand finale?"

These words gave Lin Qingshou a way out.

Lin Jiusi ran down to greet Lin Qingshou.

Lin Zhiqing did not move.

He knew that Lin Qingshou had avoided him time and time again not because he disliked him, but because he felt guilty.

Her mention of it earlier was a way of offering a way out.

After all, Lin Qingshou and Lin Jiusi did not betray or harm the Lin family.

Lin Qingshou is just a shy old man.

If Lin Jingya were to act coy like this, Lin Zhiqing wouldn't bother with her.

After getting off the carriage, Lin Qingshou didn't raise his head for a long time until Lin Congli and Lin Shi'an asked about his recent situation, at which point he became more at ease.

Now that everyone has arrived, it's time to begin the meal.

Lin Zhiqing said, "Grandfather, I have prepared some top-quality liquor and sent an invitation to Uncle Lu as well."

"Qing'er is thorough in every aspect, and she did exactly what I wanted. Not bad, not bad." Lin Qingshan stepped into the Lin family mansion with a gust of wind, and the others followed.

Lin Zhiqing was left behind.

Because she saw some familiar servants outside.

When they saw Lin Zhiqing looking over, they swarmed over and handed out visiting cards.

Marquis Changning has returned to the capital.

Most people must have received the news, which is why they chose today to visit.

Of course, they were all petty officials who lacked discernment.

Lin Zhiqing couldn't simply turn people away, so he said loudly:

"Gentlemen, today is a family banquet. My grandfather has rushed back from a long journey and will surely meet with his former colleagues another day."

This statement left room for maneuver.

Not seeing him indefinitely isn't a solution either. With Lin Qingshan around, dealing with certain high-ranking officials in the court is much more reliable.

Although Lin Zhiqing had done her homework, she ultimately had no memories of the original owner. If she were to expose herself to some cunning old foxes, things would get complicated.

In the way of officialdom, personal relationships are indispensable.