Chapter 298 Madam Yao is so eager to marry, why not marry me?

“Lin Shiyuan?” Sheng Dahe stood up and looked the man in front of him up and down.

Although he was only wearing casual clothes, his demeanor was different from before.

It possessed a powerful aura, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountain, its eyes exuding a menacing, predatory presence.

He remembered the bad rumors in the capital. Wasn't Yao Qingling imprisoned because he was the one who locked her up?

Sheng Dahe was very worried that this man would expose his past in order to get promoted and make money, and send him to be beheaded.

He subconsciously reached for his waist, glaring at Lin Shiyuan with predatory intent.

Lin Shiyuan stood with one hand behind his back, looking like a nobleman, languid and leisurely, glancing indifferently at Sheng Dahe, his gaze fixed on his waist.

He didn't say anything more, nor did he make any further movements; he simply watched indifferently.

Sheng Dahe, however, did not let his guard down. Instead, he became increasingly tense and kept looking out to make sure that no soldiers were following him.

The other crew members also noticed the unusual activity and gathered around.

Seeing that there were more people around, Sheng Dahe felt more confident and said coldly, "Lin Shiyuan, we keep to ourselves. If you want to use me as a stepping stone, I think you've chosen the wrong person. I'm not Yao Qingling, whom you can manipulate at will."

He shouldn't have trusted Yao Qingling. This man would have kept his promise and pretended not to know anything.

What wouldn't a despicable person like this betray in order to climb the ranks?

Yao Qingling suffered the consequences of her actions; she was just lucky to have been able to turn her life around after serving time in prison.

Lin Shiyuan sneered, his expression unchanged, and calmly sat down.

He spoke in an official tone, casually pouring a cup of tea with one hand on the table, his cold eyes sweeping over them: "You think you can kill me with such a small group of people?"

"Hmph, I know you used to command 100,000 troops, but now you're all alone. Killing you will be as easy as slicing a melon for me."

"If I kill you and throw you into the river to feed the fish, even if people find out, they'll just think you've committed too many sins. Heh, Lin Shiyuan, you should know that there are many people who want your head, right?"

In everyone's eyes, Lin Shiyuan is a new generation of treacherous minister who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals!

Lin Shiyuan held the teacup, brought it to his nose, and took a gentle sniff. His voice was clear and resonant: "Jiangnan Biluochun is a fine tea. But it's only good for a rough man like you. If I were that tea tree, I would be so angry that I would cry."

He took a sip, and the wisps of smoke blurred his face.

The more nonchalant he seemed, the more apprehensive Sheng Dahe became.

He gripped the hilt of his knife: "Lin Shiyuan, what exactly do you want from here!"

He drew his long sword.

Yao Qingling pressed down on Sheng Dahe's hand and looked at Lin Shiyuan: "Doctor Lin, Sheng Dahe and I are doing business honestly. For the past six months, Sheng Dahe has only been running boats. He has made money to support these brothers, and he has already turned over a new leaf. Why are you being so aggressive?"

She added, "It's because you're so eager to make a name for yourself. It's only the beginning of the year, and you've already been promoted. If you make another contribution, where will you get promoted to? You have to eat one bite at a time. If you eat too fast, you might choke."

Lin Shiyuan's cold eyes swept over, and he sneered, "Yao Qingling, you have no conscience."

He stood up, holding his teacup, and walked up to Yao Qingling, looking down at her with a haughty gaze.

Then, he lowered his body slightly to meet her eyes: "Even though your shops and estates were seized, did I ever say that you were involved in harboring bandits?"

"I'm just saying that you, in cahoots with your uncle, are suspected of receiving stolen goods."

"But who would have thought that you, Yao Qingling, would be so ruthless as to betray your own family, just like me?"

“You’ve taken down not only your uncle, but also his sons, grandsons, wives, and concubines. You’ve cleared the way for your son. I’m even more impressed by your methods.”

Yao Qingling blushed and gritted her teeth, saying, "Lin Shiyuan, my family affairs are none of your business. If you want to report us, I can report you too. At worst, neither of us will be happy."

"You have to believe me. Since I was able to turn the tables on you, I can win again next time. Can you afford to bet on that?"

Lin Shiyuan slowly took a sip of tea, raising an eyebrow slightly: "What a threat. You reminded me."

He paused, placed the teacup on the table, and said calmly, "Put the knife down."

Sheng Dahe glanced at Yao Qingling; he was no longer as nervous as before.

Lin Shiyuan stared at the knife. Sheng Dahe remained silent for a while before putting the knife away. He waved his hand, signaling his men to step back.

The three sat down at the same table, and Lin Shiyuan said, "When we passed by the dock and saw Madam Yao's carriage, we just came over to say hello."

He looked at Yao Qingling with a half-smile, his gaze cold and frivolous, with the sleazy air of a thug.

"Madam Yao is quite the businesswoman. I, Lin, now have power, but I'm short of money. I heard when I came in that Madam Yao is eager to get married. Why don't you marry me? What do you say?"

"Lin Shiyuan!" Yao Qingling jumped up mockingly, "How dare you be so disrespectful to me! I am a Lady of Imperial Decree! I will take this to the Empress!"

Yao Qingling was so angry she jumped up and down, while Sheng Dahe calmed down.

In his view, after Lin Shiyuan became a high-ranking official, he was no different from other powerful and wealthy people, loving money and women. Once he had power, he stopped doing anything decent.

He used to work under Yao Qingling, earning a living off her.

If he marries Yao Qingling now, he can wash away his past shame, his bullying and beatings of her. Moreover, Yao Qingling is rich and good at business. If he marries Yao Qingling, he will get that valuable shop and all that gold and silver treasure into his own hands.

Yao Qingling, a widow and orphan, was still at his mercy.

Sheng Dahe despised Lin Shiyuan; the man was shameless, utterly shameless, and his methods were extremely despicable.

But on the other hand, if Yao Qingling were to marry Lin Shiyuan...

Yao Qingling was considered the leader of the bandits. If she married him, wouldn't Lin Shiyuan be completely bound to them?

Sheng Dahe stroked his smooth chin, his eyes darting around as he listened to Yao Qingling and Lin Shiyuan arguing heatedly until their faces were red.

While cursing, Yao Qingling kept an eye on Sheng Dahe's expression out of the corner of her eye.

It seems he's taken the bait.

She slammed her hand on the table, bent down to face Lin Shiyuan, and said with a piercing gaze, "Lin Shiyuan, don't think I'm afraid of you just because you've become a high-ranking official! The Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion is not a place you can bully!"

“Hey, Madam Yao, peace is the most important thing, peace is the most important thing.” Sheng Dahe pulled Yao Qingling aside and tried to persuade her, “Offending him will not do us any good. He is a powerful minister and has worked in the Five Cities Military Command. Everyone there is currying favor with him. If he just gives us a few instructions, we will all be in deep trouble.”

He lowered his voice: "As long as he doesn't betray us, everything else is negotiable."

Yao Qingling snorted coldly and rolled her eyes: "Boss Sheng, are you trying to sell me out?"

"Hey, girl, what are you talking about? You're my sister, would I sell you?" Sheng Dahe praised himself effusively, then added a "but."

"...But it wouldn't be a bad thing if you married him. With your skills in handling men, I trust you, brother. Think about it, if you had his power, wouldn't it be easier to do what you want?"