Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 456 Constant dripping wears away a stone; it takes more than a day's effort.

"Qingya did a good job, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and she didn't hesitate when it mattered. She has the demeanor of a military general!" Lin Qingshan didn't hold back his praise.

Lin Zhiqing smiled and said, "I must thank my grandfather for his cooperation earlier."

Since those below her had suggested that Lin Zhiqing return power, Lin Zhiqing naturally wanted the Marquis of Changning to endorse her.

No matter what she says, others can find fault with her, saying that she is clinging to power.

But once Lin Qingshan spoke, many things became much simpler.

A better solution would be for one person to play the "good cop" and the other to play the "bad cop."

The words were spoken by Lin Yangyang and Lin Qingshan; Lin Zhiqing was merely expressing an attitude.

In any case, today's turmoil has passed, and those in the government who are quick-witted will certainly not cause any more trouble in the short term.

Lin Zhiqing was quite adept at handling these matters.

After seeing Lin Yangyang and Lin Qingshan off, Lin Zhiqing specifically called out to Chaoyan.

Asagao felt extremely guilty knowing that she had failed to control the troublemakers today.
"Miss, it's all my fault. I couldn't stop them."

Lin Zhiqing smiled:

“Asagao, you’ve never done these things before. Aunt Mu taught you some basics, but you are not the same person you were before.”

"I'm not trying to blame or scold you; I just want to tell you what you should do in the future."

Upon hearing this, Asagao's eyes lit up:
"Miss."

"Don't be moved yet." Lin Zhiqing smiled slightly: "I'm much stricter than Aunt Mu."

As she spoke, she pulled the person up:

“You are my head maid. If someone slaps your face, it is as if they slap my face.”

"Given the situation today, if someone breaks the rules, you can have them punished."

"Only in this way can you keep others in check, do you understand?"

Asagao nodded vigorously: "Miss, I've got it."

Lin Zhiqing nodded:
"Go to Jianxin Hall tomorrow and bring Xiao Yan over. I heard from the people there that he has been behaving very well lately."

“I have nothing important to do lately, so this is a good opportunity to see if he has any skills and how much I can learn.”

"Alright, Miss." Asagao nodded. "Are you going to take on a disciple as your last apprentice?"

Lin Zhiqing wanted to shake her head, because in her heart there was no such thing as a disciple or not.

But then she thought about it again and realized that this was no different from being a closed-door disciple.

Thinking of this, she nodded: "Let's take a look first."

Early the next morning, Asagao brought Xiaoyan to Shuqing Pavilion.

Xiao Yan was a little reserved when she first arrived in the new environment.

"Asagao, bring some fruit over." Lin Zhiqing tested Xiao Yan on some simple knowledge, which he answered fluently.

When the topic of mind-reading was brought up, he completely lost his shyness, and his eyes sparkled.

This shows that he genuinely enjoys the study of mind and heart, rather than treating it as a subject to be studied.

Such people are the ones who can achieve great things.

"Xiao Yan, come with me to a place later, and I'll show you the power of the Mind-Analyzing School." Lin Zhiqing patted Xiao Yan's head.

Minor serious key points.

"Where is Yan Yu? Did he go to Jianxin Hall?" Lin Zhiqing asked casually.

Xiao Yan shook her head: "No."

Lin Zhiqing nodded.

After having breakfast with Xiao Yan, Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang went to the courtyard where the flute player was being housed.

They will then try to treat the flute player.

When they passed by Lin Shi'an's courtyard, Lin Shi'an, dressed in official robes, was walking out in a hurry and did not notice Lin Zhiqing and the others.

Lin Yangyang pinched her chin:

"I don't know what Shi'an has been busy with lately. He comes back late every night. Today is his day off, so why is he out again?" Lin Zhiqing didn't speak for a moment.

Xiao Yan understood and said, "Ladies, I'll wait for you in the front garden."

"I've heard Brother Yan Yu say that the Lin family garden is full of exotic flowers and rare plants, and I've been curious about it for a long time."

Lin Zhiqing nodded: "Go ahead."

This Xiao Yan is indeed very sensible.

She spoke softly, "I heard that the envoy from the Great Liang is coming to pay homage soon, so the Six Ministries will definitely be quite busy."

"People from Daliang are coming?" Lin Yangyang frowned. "How come I've never heard of this before?"

"The news from the Ministry of Rites should not have been announced to the world yet," Lin Zhiqing replied softly.

"Cousin, please don't tell anyone, this is very strange."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Lin Yangyang nodded.

"We previously discovered that those people from Daliang were colluding with the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, but why hasn't the higher-ups made any move?"

"Who knows? Perhaps it is because of this matter that Daliang sent an envoy here." Lin Zhiqing was also unaware of Daliang's intentions.

"Then we'd better stay home as much as possible these next few days; the people of Daliang are quite troublesome." Lin Yangyang frowned.

"Why didn't you stay in Daliang? What are you doing here?"

“A few years ago, they fought us back and forth, but they have quieted down a bit in recent years. However, they still harass the border residents from time to time, which is very hateful.”

Lin Zhiqing frowned: "No matter what, our Lin family has been too prominent lately, so we need to warn everyone to be careful."

"I've already asked Lu Huai, and our Changning Marquis's residence will be attending the banquet."

Lin Yangyang immediately deflated: "The palace banquet was so boring, I could barely eat anything."

"Since we're here, we might as well make the best of it. I'm quite curious about this palace banquet." Lin Zhiqing had never experienced such a grand occasion before, so of course she was curious.

She got down to business: "Cousin, I'll have the embroiderer come over another day to make some clothes for everyone."

“The Lin family’s wealth was not great before. Those clothes were fine for everyday wear, but they were not enough for important occasions.”

Lin Yangyang nodded, but her interest was not high: "We should make a few more sets of clothes."

"I wonder what the Liang envoy looks like, and whether he will bring any Liang goods with him."

The two talked all the way, but stopped talking when they arrived at the garden.

They took Xiao Yan to the courtyard of the flute player and brought him out.

"He needs to get more sun; it's not good for him to stay in the room all the time," Lin Yangyang said.

Lin Zhiqing nodded, and then talked to Xiao Yan about the various tools on the table and their functions.

Upon seeing the jade ring, clear water, and silver needles, Xiao Yan was very curious and listened attentively to Lin Zhiqing's introduction without moving.

Lin Zhiqing picked up the ring and repeated yesterday's actions in front of the flute player.

Then she asked Xiao Yan to try it too.

However, the test subject was not Di Ren, but Lin Yangyang.

The flute player is difficult to control; it's too dangerous.

Xiao Yan held the ring and waved it in front of Lin Yangyang for a long time.

Finally, Lin Yangyang yawned and was about to close her eyes.

Xiao Yan was overjoyed and looked at Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing shook his head and patted Lin Yangyang on the shoulder.

Lin Yangyang woke up immediately.

This person is clearly sleepy, not hypnotized.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan's face flushed red, clearly showing some disappointment and embarrassment.

Lin Zhiqing offered him a few words of comfort.

The study of mind and character is not something that can be mastered overnight; it is quite difficult to learn.

For the rest of the afternoon, Xiao Yan watched alone from the side, while Lin Zhiqing tried to wake the flute player, but ultimately to no avail.