Chapter 143 She couldn't help but wonder, "Do you look in the mirror every day?"
The man snapped out of his daze, glanced at her, and then lowered his eyes.
Seeing his silent expression, Yao Qingling had just started to feel happy, but her heart sank again.
Perhaps he wanted to leave, but he was too embarrassed to speak up because she had spoken first.
Qingling licked her lips, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, feeling embarrassed.
She's the shop owner, he should listen to her, so why does it seem like she said something wrong?
She sat up, supporting her back, and reached for the teapot on the low table, but missed.
Lin Shiyuan remained silent and composed, easily picking up the teapot, pouring a cup of water, and handing it to her.
Qingling looked at him but didn't take it; the man still held the teacup.
The carriage rocked gently, and he held the cup without spilling a single drop of water.
The man looked at her, his gaze calm, yet slightly distant.
He said, "You once said you wanted to find a powerful figure to back you up. Have you decided who you want to find?"
Qingling's lips moved slightly as she took the teacup.
Their fingertips brushed against each other unintentionally, leaving a slightly rough and warm sensation that vanished in an instant.
Just like their current relationship.
From the perspective of a person's long life spanning decades, aren't these few months of acquaintance just a brief encounter?
Qing Ling took a sip of water and said, "I don't have many important figures I can get close to. If I want to seek protection, I don't have enough leverage."
She considered going to find Princess Deyang.
As long as Zhan Xingzhuo's relationship with Zhou Zhining doesn't completely end, the conflict between Princess Deyang and Zhan Xingzhuo will persist. She can help Princess Deyang deal with Zhou Zhining, but the Grand Princess is unwilling to be ruthless towards Zhan Xingzhuo.
Instead, it made her feel restricted.
Furthermore, doing things for her former mother-in-law would always make people think of something; she didn't like having any entanglements with Zhan Xingzhuo.
She had considered Empress Dowager Jiang. If she could move this powerful backer, she would be basically safe, and no matter how high a position Zhan Xingzhuo held, he wouldn't be able to touch her.
But that's too difficult.
In order to get a divorce, she made such a big show of performing a ritual to appease the wronged souls at Yongning Temple, which attracted the attention of the nanny by the Empress Dowager's side, and only then did she obtain an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager.
With the Empress Dowager's decree, she successfully left the Duke's mansion and returned smoothly to the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, also reclaiming her own Mulan Courtyard.
The Empress Dowager was so shrewd; how could she not see through her scheme? It's just that she was magnanimous and didn't bother with such a nobody.
Yao Qingling dared not offend the Empress Dowager again.
Furthermore, the Empress Dowager lived deep within the palace, and as an outsider, she didn't even have the opportunity to enter the palace; she also had nothing of note that could make the Empress Dowager look at her differently.
If other powerful figures were to protect her, it would be tantamount to going against Zhan Xingzhuo, the Duke's Mansion, and the Grand Princess. It's not that they can't afford to offend them, it's that Yao Qingling can't give them what they want.
All exchanges of interests in this world are similar to doing business; no one wants to do a losing deal.
"...But I will make myself valuable, a good bargaining chip."
She took another slow sip of tea, her eyes filled with shrewd calculation.
Since Hui Ba Fang opened, Yao Qingling has been going there almost every day. Even during the half month she was bedridden and recuperating, she sent her trusted confidants to keep an eye on the shop.
Because everyone in the shop, from the heads of powerful families to ordinary people and suppliers, was full of gossip.
What might be just something to gossip about in other people's spare time, Qingling would keep track of even if someone's cat had a litter of kittens.
From north to south, and from south to north, these shops selling goods from both regions will become hubs for information.
She could not only find out news about the powerful and influential people in the capital, but also about the territories of various princes, gossip about local officials, and even news about neighboring countries.
Furthermore, once the Shengda River is navigable, his boats can cross any waterway. News from the places he passes through will be gathered.
Thinking further ahead, her shops will spread all over the country, creating a huge information network.
This vast information network is Qingling's biggest bargaining chip in her dealings with the powerful and influential.
Right now, she has learned some news, but she hasn't decided yet who to pass it on to.
Seeing her confident demeanor, Lin Shiyuan was no longer so worried about her.
He thought to himself: She is now growing armor and weapons; she is no longer the person who was used and bullied in the past, powerless to fight back, and could only hide in a sorry state.
Lin Shiyuan then remembered something else and said, "I sneaked into the Ministry of Agriculture to take a look. The list has Zhou's name on it, as well as a person named 'Zhou Zhining,' but the one I saw did not seem to be her."
While keeping an eye on Zhan Xingzhuo, Yao Qingling also remained vigilant towards Zhou Zhining.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture was far from the capital, and it was guarded by officials and soldiers. Officials and servants were not allowed to enter or leave without a warrant, and outsiders could not get in either.
It was very difficult for Yao Qingling's people to find out any information about Zhou Zhining.
It seems to be blocked; mentioning this name will drive people away.
According to Lin Shiyuan, he saw "Zhou Zhining" taking inventory in the granary and saw her sign her name in the ledger.
He wasn't familiar with Zhou Shi. He had only seen her once or twice from afar and wasn't very familiar with her face. He just felt that she was different from the one he remembered.
Yao Qingling chuckled when he said he couldn't remember Zhou's face. She said, "Zhou Zhining was once the second most beautiful woman in the capital. Such a beautiful woman is unforgettable once you've seen her. How can you say you can't remember?"
You should know that Zhan Xingzhuo didn't even want to be the second young master of the Duke's mansion for such a beautiful woman.
Even Qingling herself, after seeing Zhou Zhining for more than two years, still thinks she is very beautiful.
Zhou Zhining's face was swollen from Wang Xuan's beating, but whenever she shed tears, she looked so pitiful that people wanted to shower her with affection.
Her beauty was more captivating than her reputation as a talented woman.
But Lin Shiyuan actually said he couldn't remember?
Lin Shiyuan glanced at her and said calmly, "Is Zhou Shi very beautiful?"
There are plenty of beautiful women in the south, even the female spies from Japan, each one of them is stunningly beautiful.
They sent it to his bed, but still threw it out.
Yao Qingling: "..."
She glanced at Lin Shiyuan's face.
Well, with such a handsome face, very few women would feel confident in front of him.
She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Do you look in the mirror every day? Do you like looking in the mirror?"
Lin Shiyuan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening: "Madam Yao, are you sure you want to discuss this?"
Qing Ling coughed lightly and changed the subject: "You mean, someone is serving in the Ministry of Agriculture in Zhou Zhining's place, and she herself is no longer there?"
Although Zhan Xingzhuo was not in the capital, Zhou Zhining still had several old friends, including Prince Xin Lian Chengtai and the fifth son of the Duke of Shen's mansion.
When Zhou Zhining went to serve in the Ministry of Agriculture, with these people taking care of her, she didn't suffer much hardship at all.
Once things have calmed down, they can bring her out and she can return to the life of a noble master.
"...But government slaves can be bought and sold. Why don't they just redeem her and replace her with a fake?"
Lin Shiyuan glanced at her and said calmly, "Perhaps, it's to keep an eye on you."
"Are you guarding against me?" Qing Ling was baffled. Zhou Zhining had so many people protecting her, why would she be afraid of her?
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