Chapter 563 Suspicion
Lin Changqing never expected to run into Lin Changping here, but he did know that Lin Changping held a position in the military and later followed the King of Chu, so he must have become successful.
Judging from his appearance just now, he didn't seem like a military general at all, but more like a scholar. I just heard the servant in the villa call him, "Lord Chang?"
When did Lin Changping change his surname to Chang?
Lin Changqing was full of doubts, but remembering the past conflicts between the two families, he simply avoided them.
After leaving, Lin Changqing hid in another shop and quietly watched Chang Zhiyuan get into the carriage. After thinking for a while, he bought a straw hat from an old man next to him, put it on, and slowly followed.
Chang Zhiyuan only stopped when he got out of the carriage and walked into the Marquis of Wu'an's residence.
A sense of unease crept into her mind. As she turned to walk back, she casually stopped in front of a jewelry shop, bought a hairpin, and pointed to the street, asking, "Auntie, when did a Marquis of Wu'an's mansion appear over there? It looks unfamiliar to me. When did such a marquis appear in our capital?"
When the old lady saw that Lin Changqing had bought a hairpin, she smiled and said to him, "Over there? The Marquis of Wu'an's residence. I don't know much about it, but I heard that he is the emperor's son-in-law, a newly appointed marquis."
Lin Changqing nodded: "Does the old lady know what the family's surname is?"
The old woman pondered for a moment and shook her head slightly: "How would I, a jewelry seller, know about the affairs of noble people? This family has only been in the capital for a few months. I have seen them come out in a carriage a few times, but I don't know their surname."
After thanking him and paying the bill, Lin Changqing's eyes darkened slightly. He glanced at the nearby area and then turned to walk towards the Miao residence.
Lord Miao was recently transferred to the capital. With the change of leadership, his position also changed. Lord Miao's grandfather recognized his talent for studying, so he asked Lord Miao to take him to the capital to find a friend and formally become his apprentice.
With the new emperor ascending the throne, he will likely grant a general amnesty and resume the imperial examinations by early next year at the latest. The Miao people are currently paving the way for him. In these turbulent times, it would be best for him not to cause any unnecessary trouble.
As for the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, you can ask Sangsang when you get back.
Thinking this, Lin Changqing quickly turned around and strode towards the Miao residence.
After entering the mansion, Lin Changqing waited quietly at the outer courtyard entrance that evening, holding the hairpin he had bought that day wrapped in a handkerchief.
When the maidservants in the inner quarters saw him waiting at the door, they quickly went to inform Miao Sangsang.
When Miao Sangsang arrived at the outer courtyard entrance, panting and accompanied by her personal maid, Lin Changqing was standing under a tree in the outer courtyard, coughing softly, his face flushed, looking up at the outer courtyard entrance.
Zhengzheng and Miao Sangsang, who was jogging over, made eye contact.
Upon seeing the person, Miao Sangsang quickly took a few steps forward. Noticing Lin Changqing coughing, she couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Brother Lin? It's so cold today, why are you standing here? You're not fully recovered yet, what if you catch a cold?"
Lin Changqing gently shook his head, his eyes seemingly filled with tenderness as he watched Miao Sangsang take out a hairpin wrapped in silk from her bosom.
He stretched out his slender hand and held the hairpin in his palm, saying gently to Miao Sangsang, "I saw a hairpin on the street today and felt it suited you very well, so I bought it. I was thinking of giving it to you, but it wouldn't be appropriate to call you from the inner courtyard, so I came to the outer courtyard to try my luck."
Miao Sangsang blushed slightly, her eyes lowered as she looked at the hairpin in Lin Changqing's hand. Although the style was ordinary, it was inlaid with an extremely beautiful ruby, and the tassels hanging below were also inlaid with red envelopes of the same color.
It looks quite playful.
Miao Sangsang took the hairpin from Lin Changqing's hand and bowed to him, saying, "Thank you, Brother Lin. I like it very much."
Clutching the hairpin tightly to her chest, Miao Sangsang glanced at the maid standing behind her and whispered, "But it's cold today, brother, you should take care of yourself. Besides, my mother doesn't like us meeting in private. Next time, next time, don't wait any longer. If something really happens, just have your brother come to me."
A hint of disappointment appeared on Lin Changqing's face: "Sangsang, I just wanted to see you..."
Miao Sangsang's face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she felt hot all over from embarrassment. When she heard Lin Changqing say such a thing, she suddenly widened her eyes and reached out to cover Lin Changqing's mouth.
"I, you, Brother Lin!"
Realizing that her behavior was slightly out of line, Miao Sangsang blushed and hurriedly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and said in a low voice, "Father and Mother said that if Brother Lin can achieve a good ranking in the next exam, they will consider our marriage."
Lin Changqing responded softly, "Alright, I will not let you down, sir and madam."
After saying that, Lin Changqing asked casually, "When I passed by Yuxiang today, I saw a new mansion at the place where I bought hairpins. It seemed to be called something like Marquis Wu'an. I had never heard of this person in the capital before. Does Sangsang know anything about this family?"
Miao Sangsang looked up at Lin Changqing with some confusion, nodded and said to him, "I do know about the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. He is the princess's husband, a military general who fought alongside His Majesty from Taiyuan. I've heard he's very capable and has made many outstanding contributions in the army, which His Majesty values highly. Why did you ask about this?"
Lin Changqing smiled at Miao Sangsang with his eyes crinkling: "I was just a little curious after seeing it. Is this family surnamed Chang?"
Miao Sangsang tilted her head, somewhat puzzled, and shook her head, saying, "I've heard my mother say that this family's surname isn't Chang, but Lin. I don't know their full name. I heard that the Marquis of this family hasn't arrived in the capital yet. It's said that he's been taking care of the Princess when she fell ill. Everyone says that the Marquis and the Princess have a very close relationship."
Lin Changqing's expression suddenly changed, but then returned to normal. He looked at Miao Sangsang and said, "Sangsang knows quite a lot."
Miao Sangsang chuckled sheepishly, "I overheard some gossip while attending a banquet recently. This Marquis is quite a favorite of the Emperor, but neither he nor the Duke of Qi has ever shown their faces. I've only heard that they're both quite young, but they hold high positions of power. Putting aside the Marquis of Wu'an, many families in the capital want to form a marriage alliance with the Duke of Qi's family. Marrying into the family would make one a guaranteed Duchess, and since they were raised by His Majesty and have a childhood bond with the current Crown Prince, many ladies are already inquiring about it."
At this point, Miao Sangsang shrugged: "My mother also inquired, but she said that with my temperament and appearance, I probably wouldn't even be able to get into the Duke's mansion, so she gave up on the idea, hehe."
Lin Changqing smiled gently at Miao Sangsang: "Sangsang is very good. She is beautiful and has a good personality. There is no need to belittle yourself."
After saying that, she looked at the slightly late sky and said, "The things have been delivered. I'm glad you like them. It's getting late, so I'll head back now, Sangsang."
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