Chapter 280 Picking her up from prison

Lin Shiyuan glanced at Zhan Xingzhuo out of the corner of his eye, his expression slightly arrogant, but his eyes filled with sarcasm.

Today, they are on equal footing, but in the future, it will be interesting to see who is in charge and who bows respectfully to whom.

“Hey, Vice Minister Zhan, why don’t you congratulate Vice Minister Lin? To be honest, you two are both trusted and capable ministers of the Emperor.” Imperial Censor Cao suddenly called out to Zhan Xingzhuo, his mischievous little eyes darting around.

Zhan Xingzhuo's face darkened. He suppressed his anger, turned around, and walked over with a blank expression. He said in a low voice, "Everyone is congratulating Minister Lin. I have never liked to join in the fun."

Turning to Imperial Censor Cao, he said, "Imperial Censor Cao, this Vice Minister Lin is not one to hold grudges. If you congratulate him like this in the future, Vice Minister Lin will not show favoritism if something happens."

His cold eyes swept over the crowd.

Other officials: "..."

They were still shaken by the bloodshed that had just occurred.

This Vice Minister Lin is fearless of power; whoever he points his sword at dies. He was once a butcher, and now he has earned the reputation of an iron-faced general.

As for what others say about him behind his back, that's another matter.

No one wanted to be seen as sycophantic, so they awkwardly offered their congratulations again before making an excuse to leave.

Zhan Xingzhu coldly glanced at Lin Shiyuan: "So you did enter the palace after all... But Minister Lin, you climbed to your position by stepping on Yao Qingling, didn't you ever think that she was actually someone who had rendered meritorious service?"

"Yao Qingling has become a first-rank imperial consort. How are you going to face her in the future?"

He curled his lips into a mocking smile, then turned and left.

When Emperor Jingyan praised Yao Qingling for upholding justice even at the cost of family ties, and for being willing to endure imprisonment to complete the case, saying she was worthy of being compared to any man, he did not mention Lin Shiyuan. Therefore, no one knows the relationship between Lin Shiyuan and Yao Qingling.

Zhan Xingzhuo mocked Lin Shiyuan for trampling his own reputation underfoot for his so-called "loyalty," for being ungrateful and betraying the reputation of his benefactor, a burden he would carry for the rest of his life.

Lin Shiyuan watched Zhan Xingzhuo's retreating figure, feeling annoyed.

Yao Qingling sided with the Empress, helping her to overthrow Consort Shu and solidify her position in the harem.

Lin Shiyuan was the emperor's "loyal minister," but also his dagger.

He thought that with their cooperation, he could ask Yao Qingling for her hand in marriage once the deed was done, but the Empress explained the situation to the Emperor first.

The person Emperor Jingyan mentioned who was protecting Yao Qingling was the Empress.

The Empress explained to the Emperor that Yao Qingling was actually the one who deserved the most credit for the counterfeit medicine incident at the Imperial Pharmacy. The Empress also said that Yao Qingling had done a lot of work behind the scenes to help solve the case.

While conducting business, she also investigated wealthy merchants who had been involved in bribing officials. Because of this, the imperial envoy suspected Yao Qingling of acting as a go-between for the Marquis of Zhongyong and arrested her.

Lin Shiyuan realized that the relationship between the emperor and empress was also delicate.

Perhaps neither the emperor nor the empress wanted a couple who could work together seamlessly and understand each other perfectly; rather, they wanted people who were loyal to them.

Therefore, Lin Shiyuan could only suppress everything and wait for the right opportunity.

Imperial Censor Cao, with his hands tucked in his pockets, spoke while his breath steamed out: "This Vice Minister Zhan is really stingy, isn't he?"

Lin Shiyuan snapped out of his reverie and gave a mocking smirk: "Yes. Yao Qingling has transformed into a first-rank imperial consort. Doesn't Minister Zhan even think about how he'll face this former consort in the future?"

Imperial Censor Cao stared blankly at Lin Shiyuan, seemingly discovering for the first time that this stern-faced general could also be so sharp-tongued.

However, Zhan Xingzhuo came from a noble family, so he had the right to look down on anyone. Even Yao Qingling, who had now become a first-rank imperial consort, was still not worth his attention.

Imperial Censor Cao didn't mind Lin Shiyuan's accusations of ingratitude; when investigating a case, he would investigate whoever was a suspect. If Yao Qingling was truly guilty, should she be spared simply because of past favors?

How is that any different from Zhan Xingzhuo's indiscriminate disregard for public and private matters and his protection of Zhou Zhining?

"Minister Lin, shall we have a drink tonight?"

Lin Shiyuan paused for a moment, then politely declined, saying he had something to do.

When Yao Qingling was released from prison, he wanted to pick her up as soon as possible.

Even if we can only watch her walk out of that prison gate from afar, it's still a congratulation to her.

...

The prison doors opened, and Yao Qingling couldn't help but squint.

The cell was dimly lit, and she was used to the bright light. Suddenly facing the bright sun, her eyes felt uncomfortable.

But she still tilted her head back, looked at the sun, and took a deep breath.

The air outside tastes sweet.

Lou Yue, basking in the sun, became lively and energetic. She urged, "Miss, please go back quickly. I'll prepare a big feast to make up for everyone's hunger."

Everyone laughed.

Xia Chan said, "When you get back, don't rush to cook. You need to take a good bath first."

Lou Yue: "Right, right! We also need to step over the fire basin to get rid of bad luck!"

Compared to Lou Yue and Xia Chan, Tao Ye and Nie Yun were much more composed.

Neither of them spoke; they simply stayed quietly by Qingling's side.

Tao Ye was brought in later. When Yao Qingling asked her maid to serve her, Tao Ye made an excuse that there were too many people and there was no room for her, so she didn't go.

She shared a cell with Princess Jinyang and stayed there, hoping to gather some information.

Tao Ye glanced to the side and whispered, "Young Master Lin is watching over Miss."

Yao Qingling turned her head and saw Lin Shiyuan staring at her with a cold expression.

Seeing Yao Qingling looking at him, he reluctantly walked over, bowed to her, and said, "I have misunderstood Madam Yao and caused her to be frightened. I have come here to apologize."

Tian Zhu followed Lin Shiyuan in handling cases, and as a result, he was promoted. He is now a physician.

He followed behind Lin Shiyuan and bowed to Yao Qingling.

Yao Qingling glanced at them indifferently, her gaze cold: "I heard that Physician Lin... no, I mean Vice Minister Lin has been promoted, and I should congratulate you. However, whether it's gratitude or enmity, my relationship with the Vice Minister ends here. Don't think about me in the future. I still have a son to raise, and I can't bear this shock."

She took the child in her arms and said, "Zhao'er, it's time for us to go back to the Marquis's residence."

Not far away, Yao Laosan arrived with his horse-drawn carriage.

Yao Qingling led her group straight to the carriage, never glancing at Lin Shiyuan again.

That aloof attitude was the same as how she treated Zhan Xingzhuo—disdainful and unapproachable.

Tian Zhu glanced at Lin Shiyuan: "My lord, isn't Madam Yao a bit too arrogant now that she's suddenly risen in status?"

Lin Shiyuan ignored him and turned to leave.

Tian Zhu touched his nose, deeply feeling the impermanence of life. Fortunately, he didn't make things too difficult for Yao Qingling.

This woman surnamed Yao escaped the humiliation of the Marquis of Zhongyong, gained a good reputation for loyalty and righteousness, allowed her son to inherit the Marquis's mansion, and even obtained the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree herself. Her methods are truly admirable.

Sitting in the carriage, Yao Qingling didn't have time to express her feelings to the maids. Yao Laosan's wife, Madam You, held her hand, her eyes brimming with tears: "Finally, you can come out. It's good that you're out, it's good that you're out... Look how thin you've become..."

Although Yao Laosan's family didn't have a good life in Yingzhou, they lived a peaceful life and didn't experience the storms of the capital.

They were still shaken by their experience, so they were not excited about Yao Qingling's change of identity, but rather relieved that they had returned safely.

It was precisely this simplicity and sincerity that made Qingling feel that her third uncle's family was someone she could get to know well.

Qingling said, "It doesn't matter if you're a little thin, I have the best chef."

She glanced at Lou Yue, who was busy planning what delicious food to make and hadn't heard Qing Ling's words.

Qingling looked at Yao Laosan: "Third Uncle, didn't you say you were going back to Yingzhou? Why..."

An unease crossed Yao Laosan's face.

He was trying to leave, but as soon as he stepped out of the Marquis's mansion with his bundle on his back, he was stopped by the guards at the gate.

They said that the case of the Marquis's mansion was not yet closed and they would have to wait for trial at any time, so they could only tremble and pull their legs back.

Qingling said, "I'm sorry to have frightened Uncle and Aunt."

She thought this must have been Lin Shiyuan's idea.

They left her third uncle's family to guard the manor, so that when she was released from prison, she would have relatives to pick her up and take her home, and prepare everything for her, so that she wouldn't be so miserable.

"Qingling, everything in the manor is ready. Go back and take a hot bath first..." Madam You rambled on about her arrangements.

Qingling nodded repeatedly: "Okay..."