Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 500 Entering the Palace! Acting as a Matchmaker!
Having figured this out, Lin Zhiqing was full of energy:
"Lu Huai, thanks to you, I've been saved from a lot of trouble."

Lu Huai was very clever. Even though he had previously remained outside the court, he had always been operating in the shadows.

It is precisely because of the connections and experience he has accumulated over the years that Lin Zhiqing can now understand these things so easily.

"Ah Qing, I have a feeling things aren't that simple. You need to be careful when you enter the palace," Lu Huai said anxiously.

“The power struggles inside the palace are far more complex than those outside.”

"In addition, the hooks I set down earlier have already been bitten. Some people in the Ministry of War and a few others have been quite unruly lately."

"What do you mean?" Lin Zhiqing frowned.

Lu Nanyue was equally puzzled.

Lu Huai's eyebrows narrowed: "An army marches on its stomach; there's been some commotion on the border lately."

"I suspect war is about to break out."

"War? How is that possible!" Lu Nanyue was very puzzled: "The relationship between Dasheng and Daliang has always been bad. Now they want to solve the problem through marriage. Why would they suddenly start fighting?"

Lin Zhiqing also found it a bit strange.

Lu Huai shook his head: "I don't know the specifics either; this is just my guess."

"It's also possible that they're simply increasing their defenses."

"Don't worry, Brother Shi'an and I have been investigating with all our might these past few days. If anything is amiss, we will definitely let you know."

After saying that, he looked at Lin Zhiqing and said, "Aqing, no matter what, we absolutely cannot go through with the marriage alliance. You can do it without hesitation."

"Yes, you and your cousin should also be careful," Lin Zhiqing said with concern.

“Okay,” Lu Huai agreed.

After seeing the Lu siblings off, Lin Zhiqing's heart was not at ease at all.

Unusual activity at the border is no small matter.

The current Dasheng and Daliang are evenly matched, but Daliang is arrogant and domineering, while Dasheng is strange in that it doesn't know how to fight back.

But given Lin Zhiqing's current position, he is not qualified to comment on these matters.

The most urgent task is to get in touch with Consort Shu as soon as possible and persuade the Duke of Pei to oppose the marriage alliance through her.

The opposition from the entire court was far more effective than the words of Lin Zhiqing alone.

With a goal in mind, Lin Zhiqing's thinking became very clear.

The next day, when she went to the inner music academy again, she was much more attentive than before.

Princess Pingning hasn't come back since the incident with her armpit odor, and the old woman hasn't mentioned Princess Pingning's matter either.

After Princess Pingning stopped coming, the inner music hall became much quieter.

Apart from a few people who would often speak ill of Lin Zhiqing, everything was normal.

After finishing her lessons at the Inner Academy, Lu Nanyue was about to ask Lin Zhiqing how to approach Consort Shu when she saw the nanny heading towards Lin Zhiqing.

She quickly moved closer and soon heard what the old woman was saying.

"Miss Lin, the Consort Xian heard that you rescued the prisoners of Dasheng at the palace banquet and greatly admired you. She would like to have a word with you."

The old woman said calmly, "I'll take you there. Do you remember the rules you learned before?"

"I remember, thank you, Granny." Lin Zhiqing nodded.

Receiving a questioning look from Lu Nanyue, Lin Zhiqing pointed to the flowers embroidered on her clothes.

Lu Nanyue instantly understood: Miss Hua!
Consort Xian is the niece of the old lady of the scholar's mansion, so Miss Tonghua is naturally related to her.

Lin Zhiqing only got the opportunity to contact Consort Xian through Miss Hua's connections.

After all, they didn't have the ability to directly find Consort Shu.

Moreover, they couldn't just wander around the palace aimlessly.

The title of "Virtuous Consort" might just be a facade; Lin Zhiqing's approach is a roundabout way to achieve her goal!
Thinking of this, Lu Nanyue felt relieved and nodded slightly.

The nanny only selected Lin Zhiqing, not her.

She decided not to go along and cause any more trouble.

Furthermore, Lin Zhiqing had a maid who knew martial arts accompanying her. Thinking of this, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Seeing Lin Zhiqing leave with the old woman, Lu Nanyue had someone pack her things and head outside.

Just as she was about to leave, she noticed that Bai Ling was still there and asked:
"Miss Bai, shall we go together?"

"No, you go first." Bai Ling didn't even look up and directly refused Lu Nanyue.

Lu Nanyue didn't think much of it.

Bai Ling and Consort Xian were related by marriage, and Bai Ling frequently entered and left the palace, so it was normal for her to leave a little later.

She nodded: "Then I'll be going now."

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

She didn't see Bai Ling slowly raising her head behind her, her face expressionless.

……

"Miss Lin, the palace of Consort Xian is just ahead. I'll stop here," the nanny said.

Looking at the palace maid who came to greet her from Consort Xian's palace, Lin Zhiqing nodded: "Thank you, Granny."

Then, she followed the palace maid forward.

There are many rules in the palace, and Lin Zhiqing didn't want to cause trouble, so she didn't look around.

As she entered the inner hall, a delicate fragrance wafted towards her.

She was then invited to a side hall to await a summons.

Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long before she received the summons from Consort Xian.

Moreover, Consort Xian was more approachable than she had imagined, and quickly offered Lin Zhiqing a seat.

After settling in, Lin Zhiqing looked up to observe Consort Xian.

Consort Xian had an ordinary face, but an outstanding temperament.

She was probably around thirty years old, and had some fine lines around her eyes.

Compared to Consort Rong whom Lin Zhiqing had met before, she was indeed much gentler.

“Miss Lin, Jian Yun has already spoken to me. Please don’t be shy. Try some of the palace pastries.”

Lin Zhiqing bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I once heard Miss Hua mention that Your Majesty suffers from excessive sleepiness. I was entrusted by Miss Hua to bring some remedies with me. Please come and take a look."

This was something Hua Jianyun had mentioned in advance, so the Consort Xian didn't ask any further questions and simply waved for someone to lead Lin Zhiqing into the inner room.

Lin Zhiqing took a deep breath.

Excessive sleepiness was just an excuse; the real problem for Consort Xian was that she was somewhat depressed.

People in the palace have many taboos and will not openly discuss their true illnesses.

Lin Zhiqing, having asked Hua Jianyun to act as a go-between, naturally wouldn't waste such a golden opportunity.

She intended to use Consort Xian as a stepping stone to achieve her own goals.

After a system check, Lin Zhiqing quickly determined the cause of Consort Xian's depression.

The emperor, bedridden for a long time, had no energy to favor his concubines.

Being confined within high walls for a long time can lead to unmet emotional needs, and in severe cases, it can even cause mental illness.

Lin Zhiqing tried everything he could, including using the jade flute to soothe the Empress's mood, and it was quite effective.

After leaving the palace of Consort Xian, Lin Zhiqing showed some joy on her face.

The Consort Xian has agreed that she can come for treatment every day from now on.

In this way, Lin Zhiqing could find an opportunity to get close to Consort Shu.

Lin Zhiqing breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that her trip hadn't been in vain.

Previously, the old lady of the scholar's mansion treated the Lin family very coldly at the palace banquet, but fortunately Lin Zhiqing had the skill of discerning the mind.

There are no permanent friends, only unchanging interests.