Chapter 188 Okay, I promise you
"oh?"
Yu Lin raised his eyebrows, with a hint of coldness, "I'd like to hear the details."
"The Fourth Prince, Lu Yong, has the full support of Concubine Qin and the Duke Qin's Mansion. He is now presiding over some court affairs while His Majesty is in a coma. He seems to have the upper hand."
"However, a tall tree attracts the wind. The influence of foreign relatives has always been feared by emperors and even criticized by the ruling and opposition circles. This time, the Chen family was destroyed, and the Qin family benefited the most. Although it may seem prosperous, it has actually put itself on the hot seat."
"The Third Prince, Lu Qi, has always been known for his virtue. His mother, the Consort Xian, is low-key and cautious. He also has the support of the upright civil servants and a strong foundation. He is definitely not someone to be trifled with. When two tigers fight, one will inevitably suffer, or even both will suffer."
Jiang Qingning's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, like a cold stone thrown into Yu Lin's heart.
"How about you, my Lord?"
She changed the subject and looked directly at Yu Lin, "The Pingjiang Marquisate has been a noble family for generations, never participating in the struggle for the throne. This is the only way to ensure the long-term stability of the family. This is the foundation of the Yu family."
"However, this is a different time now. Now that the storm has begun, no one can truly stay out of it. The Marquis' Mansion appears neutral, but in reality it's walking on the edge of a precipice. Regardless of which side ultimately prevails, the Pingjiang Marquis' Mansion, which has never clearly stated its position, is seen by them as a fence-sitter and a potential threat, especially when the new emperor ascends the throne and needs to establish his authority and consolidate his power..."
She didn't say anything else, but the chill in her unfinished words seemed to lower the temperature in the hall a few degrees.
The smile on the Marquis's wife's face disappeared and worry appeared in her eyes.
Prince Yu Heng frowned, and Jiang Yuerou's face turned pale, her fingers tightly clenched around the handkerchief.
Yu Lin stared at Jiang Qingning, his eyes changing constantly, his heart filled with fear. "Jiang girl, you are exaggerating. My Yu family has been loyal to the emperor for generations. We don't form cliques or engage in self-interest. We are only loyal to the emperor on the throne."
"When the new emperor ascends the throne, as long as my Yu family stays in peace, there will be no disaster. Instead, it is you who will cause trouble!"
He suddenly raised his voice, questioning, "You are now entangled with the He and Qin families, and involved in this turbulent vortex. What exactly do you want to do with my Yu family by coming here today? Why should I think that you can protect my entire Yu family?"
Facing Yu Lin's anger and questioning, Jiang Qingning's expression remained calm.
She curled the corners of her lips slightly, and there was a kind of control that seemed to see through everything in that smile.
"As far as I know, the copies of the deeds to the key private warehouses and land deeds to the million taels of salt worth of the imperial salt that vanished without a trace in the Grand Canal Governor's corruption case three years ago are not currently archived in the Ministry of Revenue. Instead, they are hidden in the secret compartment of your study, between the pages of the Tao Te Ching."
As soon as the words fell, it was like a thunderclap.
"you!!!"
Yu Lin suddenly stood up from his chair, his face instantly turned as pale as gold paper, his hand pointing at Jiang Qingning trembled violently, his eyes filled with extreme horror and disbelief.
How did Jiang Qingning know about that old case that he had suppressed at great cost by using countless connections and spending huge amounts of money, and that he thought was flawless?
Even so, that land deed...how could she possibly know where it was hidden?
Jiang Yuerou looked at Jiang Qingning in surprise. She had never expected that her elder sister had actually found out all this. She subconsciously gripped the armrests of the armchair tightly, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
No, since the elder sister told her to marry without worry, she would definitely not cheat her.
Recalling Jiang Qingning's indifferent expression and tone at that time, Jiang Yuerou gritted her teeth and hardened her heart, avoiding the Marquis's helpless and pleading gaze, but her eyes were red as if she had something to hide.
Cold sweat trickled down my back, instantly soaking through my undershirt.
He looked at the young woman who was still sitting in front of him with a calm expression, and for the first time he truly felt the chill that penetrated deep into his bones.
At the same time, he also understood that Jiang Qingning was not here to discuss, she was here to confront!
Prince Yu Heng was shocked and confused. He looked at his father's unprecedented loss of composure, and then looked at Jiang Qingning, his eyes filled with deep fear.
He had heard vaguely of that old case, but he never thought it would have such a fatal connection with his family.
"I wonder what the Marquis of Pingjiang has considered?"
Jiang Qingning seemed not to notice Yu Lin's shock and loss of composure. He picked up the slightly cold teacup beside him and took a sip. His posture was calm, but it made people feel uneasy.
"My Lord, there is no need to be so alarmed."
Her voice was steady and soothing, "Qingning's visit today isn't to expose the Marquis's scars, nor is it to add insult to injury. On the contrary, Qingning is here to deliver medicine."
"Sending medicine?"
Yu Lin's voice was dry. He forced himself to suppress his turbulent emotions and sat back in the chair with difficulty, holding on to the backrest.
In just a few breaths, he seemed to have aged ten years. The sharpness in his eyes had disappeared, leaving only deep fatigue and fear.
"good."
Jiang Qingning nodded slightly. "That old case was a sword hanging over the head of the Marquisate. The reason why the Chen family fell so quickly was because their evidence of guilt was delivered to the right place at the right time. Qingning knows where the sword of the Marquisate is, so naturally he can make it disappear forever."
Yu Lin's breathing suddenly stopped, and his fingers gripped the armrests of the chair tightly, his knuckles turning white.
"What are the conditions?"
He stared at Jiang Qingning intently, "What does Miss Jiang need from my Yu family?"
There is no free lunch in the world, and the price of this medicine must be heavy.
“It’s very simple.”
"Pingjiang Marquis Mansion, there is only one thing to do..."
Yu Lin was stunned.
Does this condition sound too light?
"No matter what happens in the court, no matter how the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince fight openly or secretly, no matter which family falls and which rises, or even who ultimately sits on the throne."
She paused, her eyes sweeping over Yu Heng. "Everyone in the Pingjiang Marquisate needs to remember these nine words: loyalty to the emperor, devotion to the country, no factions, no selfishness. Don't take sides, don't express opinions, don't participate, don't discuss. Be the loyal ministers that your Yu family has been for generations, unshakable as a rock."
"this……"
Yu Lin frowned. This requirement seemed simple, but it was actually very difficult.
It will be difficult to remain indifferent in the future. If you are not careful, you will be seen as a thorn in the eyes of all parties.
"Don't worry, sir."
Jiang Qingning seemed to see through his thoughts. "Qingning wants the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion as a neutral place. The more stable this reputation is, the more valuable and safer it is to some people. As for how to achieve true silence..."
She turned her gaze to the Crown Prince Yu Heng. "Your Highness is a prudent man, and he must know his limits. He has refused visitors, claiming illness, and has disciplined his children to be cautious in their words and actions. The Marquisate should be familiar with these matters."
When Yu Heng met her gaze, his heart trembled and he nodded subconsciously.
He understood that this was the only way to survive.
Jiang Qingning retracted his gaze and looked back at Yu Lin, his voice calm but unquestionable:
"As long as the Marquisate does this, Qingning guarantees that all traces of the old case, including those copies of the land deeds, will be completely wiped out. From now on, nothing in this world can threaten the safety of the Pingjiang Marquisate. What do you think of this deal, Lord Marquis?"
Yu Lin closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.
On one side is the reputation of generations and the lives of the entire family, and on the other side is the unpredictable danger of the future.
He had no choice at all.
The woman in front of him had already put the knife to Yu's neck.
He exhaled heavily, as if he had exhausted all his strength, and his voice was tired:
"Okay, I promise you."
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