Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 471 This humble woman is willing to give it a try!
He took a sip of strong liquor and said, "What? This great nation can't find a single person with guts?"

"Our Emperor repeatedly instructed me to give it my all, so as not to lose too badly."

"Looking at it now, ah!"

A sarcastic laugh, laced with undisguised mockery.

Lin Qingshan, Lu Huai, and the others stared intently at the Liang envoy with serious expressions.

Lin Qingshan, in particular, clenched his fists, unable to bear the humiliation, and couldn't help but stand up.

Then, disregarding the objections of Lin Shi'an and others, he said, "Your Highness, this old minister is willing to give it a try."

He stood upright, and his voice was booming.

The Crown Prince glanced at the white hair on his head and sighed softly, "In that case, let the Marquis of Changning and the envoy have a friendly exchange..."

"Your Highness!"

Before the prince could finish speaking, a clear female voice rang out.

Lin Zhiqing moved gracefully and knelt down beside Lin Qingshan.

“Your Highness, my grandfather is very old and needs acupuncture treatment on rainy days, which makes it difficult for him to walk.”

"He left Shengjing City many years ago and only recently returned to his homeland. He can no longer withstand any more hardship."

"Without my grandfather, I would not be where I am today; without me, my grandfather would not be able to live out his remaining years."

As she spoke, she kowtowed three times and then spoke again:
"My abilities are meager, but I cannot repay my grandfather's kindness. I beg Your Highness to grant me permission to give it a try!"

Her head hit the ground and remained there for a long time.

"Qing'er, get up!" Lin Qingshan couldn't help but feel a little anxious:
"I can handle this matter myself, why are you doing this?"

Lin Zhiqing didn't reply.

Seeing this, Lin Shi'an, who was not far away, couldn't help but take a step forward, but was stopped by Lu Huai.

"Lu Huai, if Zhiqing fails to save Qin Hu, she'll be the subject of much criticism and ridicule!"

"Let go of me, let me go!"

"Going there now would only cause her trouble!" Lu Huai frowned.
"No one is more confident than Ah Qing when she makes a decision!"

One sentence was enough to make Lin Shi'an stop.

He pursed his lips, knowing that Lu Huai's words made sense.

Lin Zhiqing never fights a battle unprepared.

He glanced at Lin Zhiqing's retreating figure and slowly returned to his previous position.

The hall fell silent.

Lin Qingshan and Lin Zhiqing, one old and one young, knelt before the Crown Prince. Their figures looked very thin, making those who had been making excuses earlier feel somewhat embarrassed.

The Liang envoy found this scene amusing.

"I never expected that not a single official in the court would accept the challenge, and in the end only the elderly, the weak, women and children would step forward."

"Marquis of Changning, it's you again."

His words were quite profound, and upon closer listening, they also carried a hint of gritted teeth.

However, everyone's attention was now focused on Lin Zhiqing, and no one paid any attention to the Liang envoy.

"Well, it's fine that Lin Qingshan volunteered, he's a man after all, but what's Lin Zhiqing, a girl, doing running around like this?"

"Ridiculous! How can a woman represent our Great Sheng in this battle?"

"The Marquis of Wangshu died young, and the Marquis of Changning has been away from the capital for a long time. No wonder Lin Zhiqing is so ignorant of etiquette."

"What do you know? She just wants to show off! You don't really think she can win the game, do you?"

Lin Zhiqing ignored these words.

Lu Huai couldn't stand hearing Lin Zhiqing being slandered. He looked at the people who had spoken earlier and memorized their faces.

At this moment, he couldn't interrupt. The Crown Prince looked at the assembled crowd, pondered for a moment, and then raised his hand:
"allow!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingshan straightened up, his eyes widening: "Qing girl!"

Realizing he had lost his composure, he lowered his voice: "I'm old now. Whether I win or lose, whether I bear the infamy, it's all fine with me."

"But you're still young, Qing!"

His words carried a sense of sorrow. Lin Zhiqing looked up and helped Lin Qingshan up.

“Grandfather, the Lin family prospers together and suffers together; it makes no difference between you and me.”

"Don't worry, I will protect Vice General Qin!"

Lin Zhiqing's voice was loud enough that many people heard it, which immediately sparked a discussion.

"Listen to what they're saying!"

"Lin Zhiqing is truly shameless. The foundation of the Marquis of Changning's mansion is about to be ruined by a woman!"

"We must not let her disgrace our Great Sheng!"

Lu Huai frowned and looked at the official who had spoken up behind him: "In that case, you go and accept the challenge!"

The man was met with a rebuff and immediately fell silent.

Lu Huai turned his head and stared intently at Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing walked over to the six wooden boxes, observed them, and after confirming that there was nothing unusual, stood aside.

The Liang envoy raised an eyebrow: "Miss Lin, if there is anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask me."

Lin Zhiqing didn't step forward immediately, but only volunteered after seeing Lin Qingshan step forward.

This behavior made the Liang envoy believe from the bottom of his heart that Lin Zhiqing was forced into the competition because he didn't want Lin Qingshan to be humiliated.

That's why he looked down on Lin Zhiqing from the bottom of his heart.

Lin Zhiqing noticed his condescending gaze, shook her head, and remained silent.

Her silence made the Liang envoy feel that she lacked confidence.

The Liang envoy waved his sleeve, and someone immediately stepped forward to change the position of the wooden box.

"Wait a minute." Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow: "To ensure fairness, the matter of switching the wooden boxes should be carried out jointly by the people of Dasheng and Daliang."

The Liang envoy narrowed his eyes: "How dare you! You actually suspect me of cheating?"

Lin Zhiqing shrank back to the side, looking somewhat frightened as she spoke:
"How could I possibly doubt the envoy? I'm just worried that if something goes wrong later, others might have objections."

"At that time, it will be you, envoy, who will lose face."

After saying that, she glanced at Lu Huai with lightning speed, then looked back.

Lu Huai frowned and stepped forward:
“Miss Lin is right. Your Highness, Your Majesty, please allow me to assist you, so as to avoid others suspecting that the Liang envoy is interfering and ruining the reputation of our two countries.”

The Liang envoy frowned; the two of them, working in concert, had put him in a difficult position.

If he doesn't agree, it would make him seem guilty.

He took a deep breath: "In that case, please."

Lu Huai naturally stepped forward and watched as the Daliang people switched the wooden boxes.

The process didn't last long. After the wooden box was moved, Lu Huai turned and left.

As he passed Lin Zhiqing, he glanced discreetly at the wooden box on the far right, closest to the Liang envoy.

Lin Zhiqing received his gaze and slightly lowered her brows.

Upon seeing this, the Liang envoy lowered his eyebrows, but did not say anything more.

He glanced at the wooden box on the far right, right in front of him, and a barely perceptible smile curved his lips.

A woman is a woman; trying to play tricks on him? Humph, don't even think about it!
"Boom!"

After a drumbeat, the competition officially began.