Chapter 410 Grasshoppers after Autumn
"There are too many people." Lin Shian was a little uneasy.
Now, three days have passed since the end of the first trial.
The second trial began in just one hour.
The Lin family is on their way to the Dali Temple.
But the carriage was very quiet, even Lin Yangyang, who had been very active, did not say a word.
Lin Congli and Lin Congyan didn't show it on their faces, but their tense bodies revealed their anxiety.
Lin Congyan couldn't help but speak: "Shi'an, haven't you found Zhiqing yet?"
"We're still looking for it. The landing point is a little off and not within the planned range." Lin Shian replied.
This was not the first time he said this, but every time he heard it, Lin Congli would frown.
"Now that things have come to this, we can only hope that Zhiqing can be found as soon as possible. Also, we must remain calm after we go to class."
"I believe Zhiqing will come."
He had never expressed his trust in Lin Zhiqing so obviously.
Lin Yangyang couldn't help but reply, "I believe it too."
"Yes, Zhiqing will come." Lin Congyan took a deep breath.
Lin Shian nodded: "We still have time, a little time."
"Where do you find the time?" Lin Yangyang couldn't help but ask.
But Lin Shian did not answer immediately.
His gaze was far-reaching, looking forward.
When they arrived at the last street corner of Dali Temple, the Lin family's carriage collided with the carriage of Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion.
One road, two carriages.
The two families were both marquisates, and of equal status, so there was no need to distinguish between them in order of priority.
But today is very special.
Everyone knows this is more than just one road.
Lin Congli took a deep breath and did not send a servant to communicate with the other party as usual.
This is etiquette.
But the Lin family must fight for their reputation against the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion no matter what.
"Shi'an, we'll go first." Lin Congli spoke.
Lin Shian nodded and gave an order to the driver outside.
But before the carriage could move forward for long, the carriage from the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion also squeezed forward.
This clearly means they are unwilling to give way.
Everyone in the Lin family frowned, and Lin Yangyang couldn't help but get out of the carriage:
"Everyone thinks the Marquis of Zhenyuan is a good man, but now he doesn't know the rules of etiquette and is forcing his way across the street. Bah!"
"Sister..." Hearing this, Lin Shian felt something was wrong and wanted to stop Lin Yangyang.
But before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Lin Congli: "Shi'an, don't worry about her."
When these words were spoken, everyone else was a little surprised.
But this surprise disappeared when Jiang Yunhe spoke.
"What? The Marquis of Zhenyuan's Mansion has no rules, do you, Lin Yangyang, have rules? Making noise in the street is so disrespectful!" Jiang Yunhe's voice was as steady as a rock.
Lin Yangyang paused for a moment, then sneered:
"Why, you're not pretending anymore? I thought the great marquis was going to play the pitiful trick again."
"But there really aren't many people around here. Are you too lazy to pretend?"
"Bold!" He didn't know if Lin Yangyang's words had touched Jiang Yunhe's lungs, but he raised his voice:
"You are nothing but grasshoppers after autumn, you won't be able to jump around for much longer, yet you still have the audacity to speak so arrogantly!"
"Who is speaking so arrogantly?" Lin Yangyang refused to show weakness.
"The trial hasn't even begun yet. Everything is still unknown. How long do you think the Zhenyuan Marquisate can maintain its composure?"
"Heh." Jiang Yunhe sneered:
"Instead of being so concerned about the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion, why not first care about the Lin family? Lin Zhiqing's whereabouts are unknown, and it's even a question whether this hall can rise."
"Let's go. In the past, the Lin family had to give way to the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion, and it will be the same in the future!"
After saying this, the carriage of the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion wobbled forward.
Lin Yangyang was so angry that she shouted loudly:
"Jiang Yunhe, you call yourself a gentleman, yet you repeatedly kidnapped me and Sister Qing, and even caused her to fall off a cliff!"
"I wonder if you'll have nightmares in the middle of the night, or if the spirits of those who died at your hands will come after you!"
The carriage of the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion stopped suddenly, but only for a moment before continuing to move forward.
Obviously, they didn't want to waste time with the Lin family.
Seeing this scene, Lin Yangyang sat back in the carriage angrily.
"Shi'an, why is Jiang Yunhe so tough now? He's not as humble as before."
Lin Shian took a deep breath: "There are two possibilities."
"First, they thought that since Zhiqing couldn't come, Third Uncle's case couldn't be overturned, so they didn't treat the Lin family politely."
"Secondly, they are also overwhelmed and have to deal with various things."
After that, he reminded:
"Although the imperial court kept quiet about the Ministry of Revenue's recent affairs, they have been making significant moves behind the scenes."
"I heard that something has happened at the residence of the Minister of War."
"The Ministry of War committed the serious crime of embezzling grain and grass, why did they keep it secret?" Lin Yangyang was a little confused.
Lin Shian took a deep breath and said, "Zhiqing once told me about this."
"The higher-ups are waiting for an opportunity to catch them all in one fell swoop."
"If the Lin family loses this trial, the issue of food and fodder can also be used as an excuse to attack the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion."
In just a few words, the essence of the problem was pointed out.
Lin Congyan sighed: "Zhiqing has always been extremely intelligent."
When Lin Zhiqing was mentioned, the air pressure inside the carriage dropped again.
It was not until they arrived at the gate of Dali Temple that the Lin family members broke free from that atmosphere.
They were unsure, but they all knew that the Lin family could not lose this war.
As long as Lin Zhiqing is still alive, the Lin family will still be alive.
After the court opened, Dali Temple Minister Zhou Chongzheng did not say many polite words.
He glanced around sharply and saw that there was indeed no trace of Lin Zhiqing among the Lin family's team. He leaned back slightly:
"Where is Lin Zhiqing?"
Hearing this, the Minister of Justice frowned slightly, while the Chief Censor Wang Yuan looked towards the Lin family with an expressionless face.
The disappearance of Lin Zhiqing and Lu Huai caused a sensation in Shengjing City. They were well aware of the Lin family's situation.
Lin Congli took a step forward and bowed, "Your Excellency, the authorities have not yet found Zhiqing's whereabouts."
The Lin family had previously reported the matter to the police.
The Lin family did not deliberately conceal the fact that Lin Zhiqing was missing.
Zhou Chongzheng slammed the gavel:
"According to Dasheng law, if the victim does not return to the court during the joint trial of the three judges, it will be deemed that they have waived the opportunity for a joint trial, and the original verdict will be upheld..."
"Lin Zhiqing knowingly committed the crime. Now that things have come to this, I declare that the original verdict on Lin Congyan's treason and collaboration with the enemy is upheld!"
"Sir!" Before Zhou Chongzheng finished speaking, Lin Congli stepped forward:
"The Dasheng laws do have this restriction, but I dare to ask, why is Zhiqing the victim?"
Zhou Chongzheng was stunned. Lin Zhiqing was indeed not the victim in this case.
If we talk about the victim, it must be Lin Congrong.
But Lin Congrong had already died, so it was impossible for him to come to the lobby.
So, his only daughter Lin Zhiqing took on the role of the victim.
Zhou Chongzheng didn't want to let the Lin family go at all, so he continued:
"You are just making excuses, Lord Lin. We are officials in the same court, and your respect for etiquette and law has spread far and wide. Don't you know that this is against the rules?"
Lin Congli's expression remained unchanged: "Master Zhou, what are the rules?"
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