Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 483 Slap in the face!

"After we return from the Inner Music Academy, we'll start producing the newspaper. By then, Lu Huai should have finished as well," Lin Zhiqing said.

Mentioning the Imperial Music Academy, Lu Nanyue sighed heavily: "I have absolutely no desire to go to the palace; it's just too uncomfortable."

Lin Yangyang pursed her lips: "I'll go and beg for a favor, to see if I can go with you."

“Cousin, there’s no need,” Lin Zhiqing said. “Inside the palace, even if the Liang envoy wanted to do something, he couldn’t do anything from here. There won’t be any major problems.”

"I won't bring Asagao. Just bring someone who knows martial arts."

"Also, cousin, you should visit Yan Hang more often when you have time."

Lin Yangyang nodded in agreement: "Yan Yu insisted on collecting their old belongings, because he really wanted Xiao Hang to wake up."

"I haven't seen him since we returned from the palace banquet."

"Tell him about the marriage alliance, and tell him not to act impulsively," Lin Zhiqing added anxiously.

The person who impersonated Yan Hang last time was from Daliang. Although we don't know the Daliang people's purpose, Yan Hang's matter is definitely related to Daliang.

Yan Yu is a vengeful person, and Lin Zhiqing is afraid that he will be too impulsive and cause trouble.

"Okay, I've got it." Lin Zhiqing nodded.

After exchanging a few brief words, Lin Zhiqing and Lu Nanyue planned to go to the Inner Music Academy.

There's no way to avoid it, so I might as well go and see what's going on.

However, just before they were about to leave, the two were invited to Lin Qingshan's study by his men.

Inside the study, besides Lin Qingshan, Lu Zhen was also present.

"Father, what are you doing here?" Lu Nanyue asked, somewhat surprised.

Lu Zhen patted Lu Nanyue's head: "You silly girl, only you can come to see your friends. I'm here to see my friends too."

"Nan Yue, your father has come to discuss the marriage alliance with me," Lin Qingshan explained.

Then, he looked at Lin Zhiqing, his eyes filled with a do-or-die determination:
"Zhiqing, Brother Lu and I have thought it over. Even if it costs us our lives, we will never let you marry into Daliang!"

“Father!” Lu Nanyue’s eyes reddened as she looked at Lu Zhen.

"Why are you crying? With me and Xiao Huai here, we won't let you jump into the wolf's den, silly girl." Lu Zhen smiled.

Lu Nanyue shook her head with red eyes: "Father, you don't need to do anything. This matter involves a wide range of people, and Zhiqing has some plans in mind."

Upon hearing this, both Lu Zhen and Lin Qingshan were somewhat surprised.

"Grandfather, we'll discuss the specifics after I return from the Inner Music Academy." Lin Zhiqing looked at Lin Qingshan:
"Don't worry, I know what's going on."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingshan knew that Lin Zhiqing had her own ideas.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Qing'er, go ahead and do it. No matter what, your grandfather will back you up!"

Lin Zhiqing smiled from the bottom of her heart: "Okay!"

After leaving the Lin family, Lin Zhiqing and Lu Nanyue were both in a good mood.

However, this good mood came to an abrupt end when they arrived at the Inner Music Academy.

As soon as the two of them entered the room, they heard a piercing sound.

"Bai Ling, I really feel sorry for you. If Lin Zhiqing hadn't insisted on showing off, would you have been dragged into this?"

Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow and looked at Princess Pingning, who had spoken.

Seeing Lin Zhiqing arrive, Princess Pingning was not intimidated at all, and instead patted Bai Ling's hand.

Bai Ling frowned, but didn't say anything. She just kept her head down and did her own thing, ignoring everyone.

Lin Zhiqing observed her actions. Princess Pingning, having been rebuffed, was still persistent and set her sights on Lu Nanyue:

"Lu Nanyue, you're as stupid as ever, still following behind Lin Zhiqing as a foil."

"The Liang envoy was clearly targeting Lin Zhiqing. If you hadn't been close to her, would you have been chosen?"

"Watch your mouth." Lu Nanyue wasn't one to tolerate this.
"According to you, if we hadn't chosen you to be a bride for a political marriage, we wouldn't be suffering this calamity today."

"It wasn't a good thing to begin with, yet you still have the mind to sow discord. You must have a lot of free time!"

After she finished speaking, she pulled Lin Zhiqing and found two seats in the back.

Princess Pingning, however, was displeased and followed in Lu Nanyue's footsteps:
"Lu Nanyue, I am a princess personally appointed by His Highness the Crown Prince. It's one thing for you not to pay your respects, but you actually dare to insult me?"

“I remember the imperial edict for this investiture hasn’t even been issued yet, Princess. Aren’t you being a little too impatient?” Lu Nanyue didn’t even look at Princess Pingning when she spoke.

Princess Pingning felt like she was punching cotton, so she stomped her foot hard.

"So what if you're not a princess? You only have a younger brother who's a minister, yet you dare to give this princess attitude?"

“Your Highness, you started this trouble the moment you arrived, and now you’re blaming me?” Lu Nanyue retorted without backing down.

Lin Zhiqing also stared at Princess Pingning, narrowing his eyes.

The noble ladies around them sensed the tension and had their own thoughts.

There were people who didn't care about anything that didn't concern them, and there were also people who echoed Princess Pingning's words and criticized Lin Zhiqing.

"Lu Nanyue, how dare you speak to the princess like that!"

"It must have been Lin Zhiqing who taught her. What can two people who don't know the rules accomplish together?"

“A rich girl with no connections and no job, a good-for-nothing, must not know the rules. Princess, please don’t be angry.”

Hearing these words, Lu Nanyue couldn't help but laugh: "You've all become Princess Pingning's maids now, rushing to please her?"

"What, do you still think that when you go to Daliang you should cling tightly to Princess Pingning's thigh... no, Princess Pingning's thigh?"

This was said without mercy.

Those people, their secrets exposed, were all incredibly embarrassed and immediately began to criticize Lu Nanyue one after another.

Lin Zhiqing's gaze lingered on the faces of those people for a moment, and she noticed that apart from Princess Pingning, Lu Nanyue, Bai Ling, and herself, the backgrounds of the others were not revealed.

Are they all daughters of minor officials...? Come to think of it, Lin Zhiqing frowned.

If we were to send away the daughters of high-ranking officials, there would be widespread resentment in the court, which would certainly be unpleasant for us.

From this perspective, it seems the royal family was not unaware of the drawbacks of sending noblewomen to marry foreign rulers.

Even so, did they still choose those five cities?
Lin Zhiqing narrowed her eyes.

But her silence angered Princess Pingning, who was furious and could only vent her anger on Lu Nanyue, who had just contradicted her:

"Guards! Teach Lu Nanyue a lesson and show her some manners!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Nanyue immediately stood up:

"You're taking your own troubles out on me, aren't you? Let me tell you, don't mess with me!"

Princess Pingning couldn't stand this at all. She looked at the palace maids outside the door and said imperiously:
"Seize Lu Nanyue and slap her!"

Upon hearing this, the palace maids outside the door exchanged bewildered glances.

Seeing that she couldn't get anyone to listen, Princess Pingning could only give a meaningful look to the maid she had brought with her.

The maid was quick-witted and knew that Princess Pingning was in a bad mood, so she immediately rolled up her sleeves and slapped Lu Nanyue across the face.

"Snapped!"