Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 499 The Great Hermit in the Court

Lin Zhiqing was unaware of what Lin Qingshan was thinking.

She immediately found Yan Yu and told him the good news that he wouldn't have to pay with his life for murder.

"No wonder you told me not to use poison; it turns out you had this trick up your sleeve." Yan Yu reclined on the chaise longue, exuding captivating charm.
"Lin Zhiqing, you owe me another favor."

"Favors? I didn't even consider it a favor from you for Xiao Hang's matter." Lin Zhiqing wasn't buying Yan Yu's act at all.
"Yan Yu, there's one more thing I'd like to ask you. Could I borrow one of your poisonous insects?"

"You wish! You can't control that stuff." Yan Yu sat up straight, his face serious. "You're not allowed to mess with those insects."

Lin Zhiqing didn't insist, but she was a little curious:
"Yan Yu, are there any poisonous insects that can control others or make them lose their minds?"

Yan Yu rolled his eyes without any mercy:

"Poisonous insects, to put it bluntly, are just little venomous insects that control others? Do you think my insects have also studied mind-reading techniques?"

Lin Zhiqing chuckled twice. There were indeed many incredibly poisonous insects in the TV dramas she had watched before.

She also thought that it would be much easier to get things done if she could use insects.

But now that idea has fallen through.

After thinking about it, she decided that she still needed to meet with Lu Huai.

After returning to Shuqing Pavilion, Lin Zhiqing asked Chaoyan to send a message to Lu Nanyue, inviting her to come to the residence for a chat.

While waiting, she began to organize the news about the marriage alliance.

The matter concerning the common people and the Censor-in-Chief has been resolved.

Now, there is still the Duke of Pei and the royal family to be conquered.

Needless to say, the royal family will definitely deal with this last, because the matter is too difficult.

Of course, this doesn't mean that the Duke of Pei was easy to deal with.

Lin Zhiqing took a deep breath.

The Duke of Pei had not had much contact with the Lin family before.

However, Lin Zhiqing's father, Lin Congrong, and Jiang Yunhe had both served under him briefly in the past.

Although these two men did not have close contact with the Duke of Pei later, they were still considered to have received his favor at the time.

According to Lin Zhiqing's understanding, the Duke of Pei has always been very neutral since he relinquished power.

However, his recent attitude has not been consistent with his neutral stance.

He strongly opposed the last retrial of Lin Congrong's treason case.

He once again did his utmost to facilitate this marriage alliance.

On the surface, this person should also be wholeheartedly devoted to the Great Prosperity.

However, he was not as pure as the Imperial Censor.

However, this is just speculation, and Lin Zhiqing cannot be certain.

She and the Duke of Pei only met once at a palace banquet and were not particularly familiar with each other.

The people at Jianxintang have only found out so much; we'll have to wait for Lu Huai to come and discuss the details together.

While she was thinking, Asagao returned.

Lin Zhiqing was slightly surprised: "The message was sent out so quickly?"

“Miss, I ran into Miss Nanyue and the others before I even left the Lin family’s gate. They’ve come to see you.” As she spoke, Chaoyan led the people in.

"Xiao Qing'er, I heard that you had a conflict with that Liang envoy and even caused a scene at the Dali Temple!?" Lu Nanyue strode in, her expression worried.

"Take your time, it's just a small matter." Lin Zhiqing stood up to greet him.

"A small matter? I heard from your cousin that this matter is extremely dangerous!" Lu Nanyue was still a little anxious.

Lu Huai followed behind her, and Lu Huai's expression was quite normal.

"My cousin is just worried, that's what I was just about to tell you. I've already dealt with Wang Yuan of the Censorate." Lin Zhiqing was in a good mood.

She recounted the cause and course of events once more, and Lu Huai listened attentively.

Lu Nanyue breathed a long sigh of relief: "So, Wang Shuyi is indeed a trustworthy person." "I wonder how many women in this world are still sleeping with regrets. Xiao Qing'er, you did the right thing."

The two women were filled with emotion.

Lin Zhiqing also felt that what she was doing was meaningful and worthwhile.

"Ah Qing, shouldn't it be the Duke of Pei's turn next?" Lu Huai brought up the important matter.

“Not bad.” Lin Zhiqing pointed to the name of the Duke of Pei that had just been written down and asked, “Lu Huai, how much do you know about the Duke of Pei?”

"This man is very low-key, and is praised as a great man who lives in seclusion in the court. I haven't had much contact with him, but I have some dealings with his son," Lu Huai said.

"The Consort Shu in the palace might be a breakthrough point."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiqing knew that Lu Huai must have discovered something, so he asked:

"Breakthrough point? What breakthrough point?"

Lu Huai replied, "The Duke of Pei dotes on his daughter, Consort Shu, and his son also protects her. The Duke of Pei relinquished power a few years ago because of Consort Shu in the palace."

"Consort Shu?" Lu Nanyue frowned: "Although Consort Shu is not considered favored in the palace, as one of the four consorts, she is still honored and favored."

"Besides, the Duke of Pei's mansion is very powerful, so no one should make things difficult for her, right?"

Why would the Duke of Pei relinquish power because of her?

"This honor and favor are not what Consort Shu desires," Lu Huai said.

"The son of the Duke of Pei and Consort Shu grew up together and had a very close relationship. Consort Shu's entry into the palace was the will of the royal family."

"In that case, Consort Shu doesn't seem to be very old. If she was forced into the palace, she must have resentment in her heart." Lu Nanyue sighed.

Lin Zhiqing thought for a moment, then asked again, "Where did you get this information?"

"Before Consort Shu married, she had a past relationship with the nephew of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy," Lu Huai mentioned briefly.

Lin Zhiqing reacted instantly.

She remembered that Lu Huai had a close personal relationship with the son of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and Lu Huai's information likely came from this source.

In Dasheng, women were not allowed to have private relations with any men before they were married.

But even so, who can stop matters of the heart?
Therefore, many seemingly unrelated people may have interactions in private.

However, to save face for each government, this matter must not be made public.

If they are truly in love, the two families will make the decision before announcing it to the wider community.

However, if the relationship doesn't work out, many things cannot be said to protect the reputations of both parties.

The same applies to Consort Shu and the nephew of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.

Judging from this alone, there seems to be a significant difference in their social status.

Unfortunately, many officials insist on matching social status when arranging marriages, so it's not uncommon for them to break up couples who are meant to be together.

And the person who broke them up was the emperor.

Lin Zhiqing immediately grasped the key point. Judging from Lu Huai's words, the royal family clearly regarded Consort Shu as a hostage to control the Duke of Pei and his son.

This is not surprising.

During the Great Sheng Dynasty, it seemed to be a common practice to discard military generals after they had served their purpose.

Lin Qingshan, Lin Congrong, Jiang Yunhe, and now the Duke of Pei, are all victims.

After hearing what Lu Huai said, Lin Zhiqing actually had some ideas.

Like Wang Shuyi, only by addressing the root cause can remarkable results be achieved.

Consort Shu once had a lover in mind, so she should know what it's like to marry someone you don't love.

A marriage alliance also means marrying someone you don't love.

If Lin Zhiqing approaches the matter from this angle, she might be able to persuade Consort Shu.

Given the extent of the Duke of Pei's affection for Consort Shu, he would likely have made concessions like Wang Yuan.