Chapter 151 She's lucky; she's blessed to serve Prince Xin.
Zhou Zhining couldn't understand why Lian Chengtian wanted to recruit Lin Shiyuan.
She added, "The Emperor spared Lin Shiyuan's life because there are fewer and fewer capable military leaders in the court. Although he killed surrendered soldiers, he was ultimately willing to risk his life."
Earlier, Yao Qingling raised her arms in the bustling city, seemingly to stand up for Lin Shiyuan. But if you think about it carefully, if the emperor really wanted someone to die, how could a commoner like her have the power to decide?
The emperor paraded Lin Shiyuan through the streets, letting public opinion decide his life or death, which was actually a way of keeping him alive.
"...As long as war breaks out on the border again, the Emperor will definitely still appoint him."
"Lin Shiyuan is the emperor's man."
Therefore, Zhou Zhining disliked Yao Qingling even more.
She got a great deal out of this.
Lin Shiyuan did her a favor; if he were to become a general again in the future, Yao Qingling would have a powerful backer.
That's not all.
Even if Lin Shiyuan returns to the Southern Territory, the people of the capital will remember Yao Qingling's kindness to Lin Shiyuan and will look up to her.
Fortunately, the war in the south had ended, and the emperor no longer needed Lin Shiyuan; he remained just a commoner.
Its activation is nowhere in sight.
Without anyone to back her up, Yao Qingling had no choice but to keep a low profile.
Even the nobles in the capital, no longer respecting her because she was no longer the young mistress of the Duke's mansion.
Just when Zhou Zhining had finally calmed down a bit, Lian Chengtai wanted to recommend Lin Shiyuan to become an official.
Lian Chengtai glanced at Zhou Zhining's long face and twitched the corner of his lips.
With a snap, he opened his folding fan and waved it lightly, saying, "What are you worried about? Even if Lin Shiyuan becomes an official, can he still be more powerful than me?"
"Besides, I'm only giving him a minor official position. Think about it, without Lin Shiyuan's help, can Yao's business still run so smoothly?"
Zhou Zhining's eyes flickered slightly: "So you recommended Lin Shiyuan to break them up?"
Lian Chengtai glanced at Zhou Zhining.
She was known as a talented woman, but her heart was entirely with Zhan Xingzhuo.
He shook his head.
Having beauty and poise doesn't seem to make proper manners so important.
Lian Chengtai only stayed for a short while before returning to his residence.
In his study hung a portrait of Yao Qingling, a gift from Zhan Xingzhuo.
Lian Chengtai sat in the armchair, leisurely waving a folding fan, staring at the woman lying on the stone platform.
Her eyes and brows were spirited yet shy and affectionate, possessing the charm of a newlywed bride; her allure was unique.
The vast expanse of wisteria behind her made her shine like a ball of fire, so vibrant and full of life.
At first, Lian Chengtai thought it was Zhan Xingzhuo's painting skills that mattered, but now that he has seen more of it, he feels it is Yao Qingling's own charm that matters.
Suddenly, his vision blurred, and the person in the portrait came to life, calling out to him in a soft, sweet voice, "Your Highness."
Lian Chengtai's throat bobbed, and then his vision changed again; the woman swelled up like dough.
"..." The man shook his head and pinched his brow.
"Is he crazy?" he muttered to himself, then looked at the painting again; the woman in it remained unchanged.
But the image of Yao Qingling at the dock still flashed through his mind from time to time.
From the moment she slowly stepped down from the carriage to the way she approached the deep pit and craned her neck to cautiously peer inside.
From her earnest discussion to her enjoying a mouthful of food she had stuffed into her mouth.
How can a person change so much?
One moment she's composed and dignified, the next she's adorable and charming?
Lian Chengtai shook his head again to come to his senses, snapped his folding fan shut, and gripped the armrest of the chair tightly with both hands.
He got up and told the servants to prepare the carriage.
He went to Yanyunlou.
Yanyun Tower is a brothel, but it's much more upscale and interesting than the brothels in the city.
Many of the girls here are the families of convicted criminals who have committed serious crimes. They are beautiful, have good figures, and are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They have an inherent sense of pride, yet they can only bow their heads and serve others.
If it weren't for Zhan Xingzhuo and Prince Xin protecting her, Zhou Zhining would already be one of the girls here.
Lian Chengtai visited Yanyunlou several times, and each time he ordered the most beautiful courtesan.
But this time, he asked the madam if she had any voluptuous girls.
He even described the woman's appearance.
The nobles of the capital often favored slender women, with waists as thin as willow branches and figures as graceful as wisps of smoke. The courtesan's waist was so slender that it could be encircled in one hand, and Prince Xin even praised it twice in public.
When did your tastes change and you start liking this type of thing?
The madam smiled and readily agreed; what kind of girl couldn't she have in this place?
He immediately called over a chubby-cheeked girl to keep him company.
This chubby girl has been trained for quite some time, but no one knows how she grew so big, she just can't lose weight. She was even planning to sell her off.
She was lucky to have the privilege of serving Prince Xin.
The madam said some kind words, prepared a table of delicious food, and then went out, leaving them alone.
Inside the room, Lian Chengtian pinched the girl's round face and put his large hand around her waist.
My first impression was that it was solid and substantial.
He frowned slightly, then touched it again. It was soft, like a delicate white pastry, exquisite and tender.
It feels comfortable to the touch, unlike holding a woman who is all bones.
Perhaps, it will be a different kind of dreamland?
Lian Chengtai asked the girl to sit on the bed, while he sat at the flower table, holding a wine glass, and squinted at her face.
Apart from their similar body shapes, their faces are completely different.
But whatever, it was just a sudden urge to try something different.
Lian Chengtai put down his wine cup and walked towards the woman: "Come here and help me undress..."
...
Yao Qingling and Lin Shiyuan sat together and talked for almost the entire afternoon.
The project is progressing slowly, so Qingling plans to add more manpower and work day and night.
"I'll transfer some people from the shop and have those without household registration work at night. This will avoid government inspections and speed things up. As for wages, Sheng Dahe will pay them..."
"Whoosh—whoosh—" Suddenly, the sound of snoring came from the air.
Turning my head, I saw Lin Qiao and Lou Yue sitting up, their heads touching, fast asleep.
Qingling glanced back at Lin Shiyuan and smiled gently.
Is discussing business really that boring?
She was supposed to take a nap in the afternoon, but the more she talked with Lin Shiyuan, the more energetic she became.
Lin Shiyuan glanced at her, then got up, picked up the clothes hanging to the side, and draped them over Lin Qiao and Lou Yue.
Qingling looked at his gentle and considerate manner.
The brother and sister have a very good relationship.
She suddenly felt a pang of curiosity: their parents, their home...
Lin Shiyuan walked back and looked at her face carefully; she seemed somewhat weary.
The man said, "Would you like to go back to the carriage and rest for a while?"
Yao Qingling shook her head, about to say something, when Lin Qiao suddenly jumped up, startling Lou Yue: "What happened!"
Lin Qiao and Lin Shiyuan both looked to the left.
They all felt the ground shaking; the carriage was speeding along.
The two men looked solemn, and Yao Qingling followed their gaze.
"Sister Taoye?"
A horse-drawn carriage draped in blue floral fabric was seen speeding towards them.
Before the stool was even put down, Tao Ye jumped off.
"Miss!" Tao Ye ran to Qing Ling, her face pale. "Miss, something has happened!"
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