Chapter 31

"This...how is it possible, Xiao Xing, stop teasing me." Xiao Mei still didn't want to believe it.

Lin Xing took a step forward and held Xiao Mei's arm, "I'm not Xiao Xing either, Lin Xing is my name."

"I need to calm down for a while. I'll go back first."

Xiaomei shook off Lin Xing's hand and staggered out of the door. Lin Xing's hand behind her was reluctant to let go. Lin Xing suddenly regretted why she didn't say it at the beginning. After hearing the definite answer, she overturned it with her own hands.

Lin Xing was actually at a loss. All of Xiao Mei's answers just now were based on the fact that they were friends, but she was not Xiao Xing, and was not her friend.

No matter how much I thought about it, Xiaomei had already left. Lin Xing lay numbly on the bed and stayed awake all night. Even though it was already meal time, Lin Xing was still staring at the beams. Sister Lian came and knocked on the door, but she remained silent.

Until someone stopped outside the door again.

"Xiao Xing, are you awake? Can I still call you Xiao Xing?"

No one responded.

Xiao Mei continued to talk regardless: "I went back last night and thought about it. Actually, you are no longer Xiao Xing when you were in the bank. Xiao Xing can't read the account book."

Still no sound.

"Anyway, I'm grateful that you're speaking up for Xiao Tao. Xiao Xing's disappearance has nothing to do with you. You're innocent, after all. So I want to be friends with you. I want to be Lin Xing's friend."

This time the person inside the room did not respond with silence, but a voice came from the door, "Are you still willing to go to the capital with me?"

"certainly."

The door was opened, and the sunlight poured into the dim room, illuminating Lin Xing's eyes. The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

"You are really in a bad mood. If I remember correctly, you will leave in four days. Don't you cherish your time in Nanru?"

"I'm not having a temper."

Xiao Mei did not expose Lin Xing. Before she came, she was worried that there would be a rift between the two of them. Now, she realized that she was worrying too much. Lin Xing and Xiao Xing have very similar personalities, and only people who are not familiar with her would think that she is as timid as she appears.

Lin Xing's stomach rumbled at this moment. She didn't eat well last night and she didn't eat this morning. If she wasn't hungry, who would be? Xiaomei seemed to have expected this and pulled her directly to the kitchen.

Everyone noticed that Lin Xing didn't come, and they tacitly left food for her. Considering that she didn't want to be disturbed, no one dared to urge her until Xiaomei stopped outside the house.

Looking at the food in front of her that was all her favorite, Lin Xing smiled and started eating under Xiao Mei's doting gaze. However, today's food was not as delicious as before. It was a bit salty, really.

"It seems that you are really hungry. You have already picked up the bowl and started eating. Don't be in a hurry. Eat slowly."

Lin Xing didn't say anything. The only sound in the room was the collision of chopsticks and bowls. Xiao Mei just thought that she thought the food was delicious, so she leaned on her arms and looked at Lin Xing.

"I'm done eating. I'll go clean up the dishes." Lin Xing dared to put down the bowl only after she had adjusted herself. In order not to arouse Xiaomei's suspicion, she found a reason to temporarily leave Xiaomei's sight.

"No, I'll do it."

Xiao Mei snatched the bowl from Lin Xing's hand, but fortunately she didn't notice Lin Xing's red eyes at all, which made Lin Xing feel relieved.

"Don't come to help me. Go back and pack your things. The journey is long, so it's better to prepare early."

Although Xiaomei had her back to her, she predicted that Lin Xing was going to stand up to help and immediately gave a warning. Lin Xing had no choice but to obey and go back to the house to pack her bags.

The two forgot to close the door when they left, but the people in the restaurant were sensible and did not go near the owner's room. When Lin Xing returned to the house, nothing was stolen, but there was a letter on the table.

As soon as she saw the letter, Lin Xing felt that it was sent by Yu Hang. When Lin Xing saw the envelope, her guess was confirmed.

After closing the door, Lin Xing began to open the letter, with a smile on her lips that she was not even aware of. To be honest, the letter sent by Yu Hang was a bit boring, but she was a little bit looking forward to it and also liked it a little bit.

Dear Lin Xing:

Are you really coming to Beijing? Really? Really? Really? I heard that you will leave in five days. Time is tight so you must be well prepared. Nanru is not close to the capital, and it will take a lot of time to travel back and forth.

I will send someone to meet you at the city gate then. I have important matters to attend to and I really cannot spare the time. Please don't blame me. I will make amends when you arrive in the capital, and Chen Ling said he would host a welcoming party for you.

We have been in the capital for quite some time, and Shen Ling has already taken up his post. Although the official position came in an ignominious way, one has to admit that Shen Ling does have some abilities. Although he had been in office for less than three days, he had already helped the Dali Temple solve some cases.

I have also had a good talk with him. What I said that day was too harsh. Chen Ling is indeed not that kind of person. We will discuss the details when you arrive in Beijing.

I also heard that the emperor wants to appoint you as a fortune teller. Let me tell you in secret that the emperor has prepared gifts for you when you take office. Not only for the emperor, but for me too. But I won’t tell you yet, I’ll give you a surprise later.

The topic has gone off track. What I want to say is that since you have accepted this official position, you must have considered many things behind it. I won’t say much, but you must be careful. The court is more treacherous than you think, and I will need you to protect me when the time comes, hehe.

I have said so much without realizing it. I hope you don't find me annoying. Please don't hate me. Then I won’t say it now. I will tell you slowly when you come. It will be too late for you to regret by then, hehe.

Oh yes, yes, the last sentence, are the flowers I gave you still fresh? I guess it must have withered.

The letter ends here, with no signature and is shorter than usual. Lin Xing's gaze also shifted from the letter to the roses in the vase. They were still presentable and not completely withered. She was also looking forward to their meeting.

Lin Xing didn't have much to say when she picked up the pen to write a reply. She told Yu Hang about what happened between her and Xiao Mei, hoping that he would be mentally prepared. After all, Xiao Mei was the third person who knew the identities of both of them.

The messenger left and came back, and Lin Xing asked hurriedly, "Is there something wrong with the letter?"

"No, shopkeeper, the letter has been delivered to the post station, there is no problem at all. But..." The servant lowered his head, as if the following words were difficult to say.

"What happened? You can tell me."

"That's... that..."

"That's enough. If I continue to listen to you, the shopkeeper will get anxious. Let me do the talking. You go down first."

Liu Lian came to the two of them at some point, waved her hand and asked the servant to leave, and the servant felt as if he had been pardoned.

"Little shopkeeper, you have to be mentally prepared."

"Sister Lian, just tell me. I can accept anything."

"Someone from the capital just came and took Mr. Shen away. The Shen Mansion was also raided."

Even though Lin Xing was prepared, it was still difficult for her to accept the news. Her body trembled. "So sudden? Do you know why?"

"I'm not sure about the details, but the people watching the fun at the restaurant came back and said it seemed like it was because of bribery."

There is no one in the Shen Mansion who serves as an official, so how could it get so serious? Lin Xing was completely puzzled. Liu Lian saw this reaction as she couldn't accept the news and collapsed.

"Don't be too sad, little shopkeeper. I heard that Mr. Shen was not affected and is serving as an official in the capital. It won't prevent you from marrying him."

Lin Xing was confused and hurriedly explained: "Sister Lian, you really misunderstood. I only treat Chen Ling as a friend. I am worried about him, but marrying him is too much."

“Don’t be shy, little shopkeeper. If it wasn’t Master Shen, who would have sent you letters these days? One letter a day without interruption. I don’t believe that there is no affection.”

Lin Xing was completely silent this time, as if she really couldn't explain it clearly, but she was not an ordinary person. "These letters were sent to me by my cousin. He was worried that something might happen to me during my first trip to the capital, so he wrote these letters to give me instructions."

"real?"

“More real than real gold.”

"That was my misunderstanding." Sister Lian looked into Lin Xing's sincere eyes and chose to believe her words.

"I forgot to mention that not only Master Shen, but Master Zhao was also arrested. It seemed to be because of some fire. There were too many people, so I couldn't hear clearly."

"Got it, Sister Lian, go get busy."

Lin Xing sat back at the table and started writing again. After thinking for a long time, she only wrote one sentence:

Is Shen Ling okay?

She called the servant to deliver the letter to the post station and asked her to inquire about the affairs of the Shen Mansion, but the result was that Master Shen had been taken away and she knew nothing.

The evidence of Mr. Shen's bribery was most likely found by Yu Hang, but didn't he say that he didn't find the key evidence? What's happening now? Lin Xing didn't dare to think about what kind of bloody storm would be set off if Shen Ling knew about this.

And that Mr. Zhao, is he really the culprit who set the fire? The answer is no longer important. The arrest of Mr. Zhao was probably the work of the Prime Minister. This could be considered as the Prime Minister's gift to Lin Xing as a gift for taking office. When Lin Xing arrives in the capital, he must visit the Prime Minister.

Does Yu Hang know about these things?

Compared to the changes in Nanru County, the capital city was also very lively, especially during the court session today.

"Do you have any objections to my proposal?"

"have!"

"Does Su Shaoqing have anything to say?"

"Women have never served as officials since ancient times. This is simply absurd. I disagree."

Except for Su Jingfeng, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, the heads of other ministers were smashed to the ground. The young emperor was not angry, and his expression did not change at all, as if he did not take Su Jingfeng seriously.

"I think it's not a bad idea. I've had the honor of interacting with Miss Lin Xing. She is quick-witted and intelligent, and more importantly, she has a compassionate heart. Now is the time to hire someone, and Miss Lin is qualified for this position."

Prime Minister Song broke the situation, but the emperor seemed to have guessed that he would speak, and his expression remained unchanged.

The prime minister and the emperor both agreed with this move, so naturally the other ministers did not dare to disobey and began to flatter them, saying things like "the prime minister is wise" and "the emperor is wise." Only Su Shaoqing still looked dissatisfied.

"This matter has been settled. Miss Lin Xing will take office in four days. You, my dear ministers, should know what to do."

"As you wish."

The matter ended here. The emperor left the court, and someone was already waiting in the imperial study.

"Your humble servant pays respect to His Majesty."

"My dear Yu, please stand up quickly. I should have let you rest. I had no choice but to summon you here."

"It is my honor to share your majesty's worries. Moreover, I have not completed your majesty's instructions. Your majesty is already showing mercy by not punishing me."

"This is not your fault. Chen Lanye is too cunning, so it is normal that we cannot find evidence. I did not summon you here for this matter. Can you guess what it is?"

"Miss Lin Xing's matter."

"My dear minister, you are smart, it is true. I heard that you are quite familiar with Miss Lin, and you two worked together to solve the money house case. So I came to ask you what kind of person Miss Lin is."