Xie Yan, why did you want to tell her these things? What benefits does reminding Lin Jia have for him?

  Lin Qingwan was pacing back and forth in front of the main gate, she couldnt just go find Lin Jiang every time theres a problem, now Lin Jiang is still here, he can still help her analyze things, give her advice, but what if he wasnt around?

  She will have to learn to deal with these aristocratic families on her own.

  If it were Mrs. Xie, she wouldnt think much of it and would only feel that the other person was reminding her out of love and concern, but since its Xie Yan, whether its her or Wan Jie, they both regard this old man as a petty person who wont get up early unless theres something to gain.

  What is his purpose in doing so?

  Sow discord and make Lin and Zhao two families fight each other?

  What good would it do him? Hes just a Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, never been appointed to an external position, and certainly wouldnt be able to wield military power. So even if Zhao Jie and Sun Huai couldnt become the Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan, this position still wouldnt fall into his hands.

  There is no one in Xies family who can take on this responsibility either.

  Lin Qingwan furrowed her brow and paced back and forth, he couldnt just be stirring up trouble for no reason, could he?

  Lin Qingwans footsteps paused, and she couldnt help but clap her hands: "Thats right, how could I have forgotten that the Zhao and Xie families, as two of the five major families in Jiangnan, have a competitive relationship...one rises while the other falls..."

  Lin Qings words were like a refreshing drink, and with one explanation, everything else became clear. The doubts that had been lingering in my mind finally had a reasonable explanation.

  Her eyes lit up as she headed towards the hospital, wanting to ask Lin Jiang if what she thought was right or not. But the moment she saw Lin Jiang, she suddenly came back to her senses.

  Some things cant be said out loud, especially when theres still a dark cloud hanging in the sky.

  Lin Qingwan slowly calmed down and walked to the bottom of the tree shade, where Lin Jiang was checking Shang Mingjies homework. Seeing her arrive, he smiled and asked, "What brings Master Xie here?"

  "Just came to see if brothers illness has improved, nothing important."

  Lin Jiang didnt ask again either.

  Lin Qingwan saw that he looked somewhat tired between his eyebrows, so she drove the two children out, "You go out and play, wait until dinner time Ill send someone to call you."

  Shang Mingjie looked at Lin Qingyu with a hesitant expression, but was pulled by Lin Yuhong and also stood up to leave.

  "What are you always looking at Xiao Jie for?" Lin Yubin furrowed his brow, "I saw that your responses today were somewhat distracted, is there something on your mind?"

  "Theres nothing in particular, its just that Ive never met Aunt Lin before, so Im a bit curious."

  Lin Yuhbin looked at him for a while, then snorted and turned around to leave.

  Shang Mingjie was sweating profusely and chased after him for two steps before looking back and staying put.

  Lin Qingwan repeated Xie Yans words to Lin Jiang after the two children left, and asked: "Is Xie Yan worried that Zhao Jie will support the Zhao family and become powerful after returning to Jiangnan, so he reminded us?"

  This is another difference from the Peeping Mirror, Lin Jiang was stunned. In "The First World", he vented his anger at Xiaojies death on the Xie family, so people had to investigate the cause of Xie Yiyangs death and clear up the truth. The Xie family wanted to protect Xie Yiyang and cooperate with other families to suppress the Lin family.

  The two families attempt at an alliance ended in enmity instead, and he also had a falling out with Xie Yan, who would have liked to kill him. As a result, they formed an alliance with the Zhao family, so naturally they wouldnt remind him of Zhao Jues motives.

  Now that the two families have become in-laws, he has temporarily let go of Xie Yimings cause of death. No matter what the actual relationship between Lin and Xie is, on the surface they must be more intimate than before.

  Lin Jiang lowered his eyes and tapped his knee with his fingers: "The Xie family is unwilling to live under the Zhao family."

  Lin Qingwan saw that her analysis was correct, and she sat up straight, saying: "Then, Shang, Zhou, Zhao, Xie four families do not want to be inferior to the Lin family either? Brother, the resources in Jiangnan are limited. If the Lin family falls, how many resources can they get?"

  Lin Jiang nodded in approval, smiling: "The main resources of the Lin family are all in our direct branch. Havent you already donated everything? As long as this batch of silver is transported out, the Lin family will no longer be the leader of the five major families in Jiangnan, and you and Yu Bin will naturally be safe."

  Unlike him, Lin Qingyuans industries were sold with great fanfare, and his property was donated with great momentum, almost no one would suspect that they still had private industries and gold, silver and jewels.

  "So whats our next goal?"

  "Its the Zhao family," Lin Jiang said in a low voice, "I dont know why Zhao Jie and the Zhao family are so malicious towards me, but I do know that reconciliation between the two families is impossible now, so we absolutely cannot let Zhao Jie return to Jiangnan."

  He gazed deeply at Lin Qingyan and said, "If Zhao Jie doesnt come back, the Zhao family will still be under pressure from the Shang and Zhou families. As for the Zhou family, lets not mention it, but as for the Shang family," he smiled with an ambiguous meaning: "As long as Old Lady Shang is alive, the Shang family wont be able to stand on the side of the Zhao family."

  Lin Qingwan hesitated for a moment, "Can Lu Zhen stop Zhao Jie just by himself? Do you want to find some colleagues to help?"

  "No rush, I can still live for two more months, lets see how effective Lu Zhens move is first."

  Lin Qingwan was unfamiliar with this kind of political struggle, so she didnt make any more suggestions and bid farewell to Lin Jiang after he rested.

  She was lost in thought, so when Shang Ming Jie suddenly jumped out from the side of the road, she was startled and almost fell over, but fortunately Bai Mei and Bai Xing were quick to react and grabbed her arm to steady her.

  Lin Qingwan glared at him. As the head of the household now, she couldnt afford to lose face if he fell. "What are you doing hiding here?"

  Shang Mingjie looked somewhat wronged, "I was waiting for Lin Auntie, its just that the sun is too big, so I hid under the tree shade first, not intentionally trying to scare Auntie."

  "Whats so urgent?"

  Shang Mingjie took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Lin Qingyuan, "Aunt Lin, this is the letter Grandma wrote to Uncle. Since youre in charge now, Ill give it to you."

  She also said, "Before I came, my mother asked me to talk to my uncle and aunt about this matter. She wanted my uncle to put in a good word for me with the Emperor, as he wants to be appointed as the Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan. Ill entrust this matter to Aunt Lin as well. Please take a look at Uncles health; if its good, then mention it to him, and if not, then forget about it. My mother wont blame me even if she finds out."

  Lin Qingwan stared blankly, holding the letter and looking at Shang Mingjie for a while, finally silently reaching out to pat his shoulder and saying: "Good kid, Ill take care of these two things, you go."

  Shang Mingjie finished two big things at once and immediately became happy. After making a bow and courtesy, he went away with great joy.

  Lin Qingwan squinted her eyes and looked in the direction he left, unable to help but ask Bai Mei and Bai Feng, "Do you think hes clever or foolish?"

  Bai Mei thought for a moment and said: "Its always for the old masters own good, unwilling to let the old master be troubled by these things, so it can be considered clever."

  Bai Feng said: "Second Master Gongzis heart is towards us."

  Lin Qingwan shook her hand with a smile and said: "As long as you dont turn your back on us, its fine whoever you have a crush on."

  Lin Qingwan didnt go back to look for Lin Jiang, but instead directly tore up the letter.

  The old lady was still visibly angry about the family property, so her words were somewhat harsh. However, she didnt say that she wanted to take back the jade pendant, only that it would be temporarily kept by the Lin family for safekeeping until the two children grew up a bit more before deciding what to do with it.

  At the same time, she expressed her concern for Lin Qingwan and Lin Yuhuan, feeling that it would be difficult for the aunt and niece to make a living in the future. Therefore, she proposed that the two of them should move to the Shang familys house, where she could help take care of them.

  The two estates and the bookstore left by Lins family she didnt care about, but the dowry left by Lin Yuhongs mother she hoped to keep for herself until Lin Yuhong grew up.

  Finally, Old Lady Shang mentioned Zhao Jies matter and said that the three families were not only old friends but also relatives by marriage, so it would be better if they could support each other.

  If Zhao Jie can be the surveillance officer of Jiangnan, it would be beneficial for both Zhao Shang and Lins families. I hope Lin Jiang can speak more on his behalf in front of the emperor.

  Lin Qingwan put away the letter and thought for a moment, but still didnt take action to intervene. Now that even the Emperor himself was hesitant, their actions might be too drastic and not necessarily a good thing.

  But its not necessarily a good thing for the Zhao family to be jumping up and down like this, maybe theyll attract the attention of the emperor and the high-ranking officials in the court.

  The money in the Wutong Garden was soon settled, and the Imperial Guard packed everything into boxes, sealed them with a seal, and tied them to the carriage. Everyone looked at Lu Zhen with eager eyes, their hearts already flying back to the capital.

  Lu Zhen wanted to stay in Yangzhou for a few more days, but neither the other officials nor Lin Jiang were willing.

  "The night is long and dreams are many, so much money left in Lins mansion is a disaster rather than a blessing, you should set off early."

  Lu Zhens face didnt look good, "By the emperors decree, I have already sent someone to Su Zhou Lins family and the Su Zhou government office to announce the decree. Let them return first before I set off."

  Lin Jiang shook his head, "The Suzhou government still needs to measure the land, and it will take five or six days back and forth. Without ten days time, its not enough. Are you really going to step on the deadline given by His Majesty to return to the capital?"

  Lu Zhen hummed and didnt speak.

  Lin Jiang sighed, "Weve known each other for over 20 years, but we havent gotten along for over 20 years. I never thought that in the end, it would be you who comes to see me off."

  Lu Zhen coldly snorted: "Dont be self-righteous, I stayed behind not for you, but for His Majestys sacred will."

  "Can Lin ask Lu brother for a favor?" Lin Jiang looked at him with a hint of a smile.

  Lu Zhen coughed lightly and turned her face away, saying: "You speak."

  "Lets set off for Beijing as soon as possible."

  Lu Zhen was somewhat annoyed and glared at him: "Cant you understand what people are saying? I said we have to wait for the person who went to Suzhou to come back."

  If he hadnt seen that the other was about to die, he wouldnt have bothered staying here for another ten days. Isnt it because this one farewell means they will never meet again?

  Now they see each other less and less often, friends for over twenty years...

  Lin Jiangs eyes were also slightly red, but he straightened his back and said seriously: "Brother Lu, after you return to the capital, Ill have to ask you to help with Zhao Jies matter again."

  Lu Zhen frowned at him, "Why did you explicitly say that and not pretend to let your sister stir up trouble?"

  Lin Jiang smiled bitterly, "Its not that I didnt expect Zhao Jie to come with such momentum, but he has already connected with various families in Jiangnan. Although the young masters of their family hold few high positions in the court, there are many of them, and each has their own relatives and friends. It can be said that except for my few confidants, everyone in Jiangnan is now on Zhao Jies side."

  Lu Zhen couldnt help but be curious, "You and Zhao Jie are considered relatives by marriage, so it shouldnt be a bad thing for him to serve as the Jiangnan Surveillance Commissioner in your Lin family?"

  "The Jiangnan Observation Envoy oversees the civil administration, finance and military power of Jiangnan. Is it only beneficial for my Lin family? He is an official in Jiangnan, so he should consider whether it is beneficial to Jiangnan, to Daliang, and to Your Majesty," Lin Jiang rolled his eyes and said: "My grandfather was the emperor of Daliang, but did that harm the Lin family? Did my grandfather become the emperor?"

  Lu Zhenyi scolded him.

  Lin Jiang said directly: "Zhao Jie cannot serve as the observer of Jiangnan, not only because of the Lin family, but also because he has no benefit to the people of Jiangnan. Just look at his brother Zhao Shengs attitude towards things and you can know the future attitude of the Zhao family in Jiangnan."

  Lu Zhen suddenly understood.

  "So Im asking you to return to the capital as soon as possible and block his momentum. Zhao Jie has a narrow heart, and since I obstructed his career advancement this time, he must be hating me. Therefore, he absolutely cannot return to Jiangnan, or else my sister and daughter will be in trouble."

  Lu Zhen thought for a moment, then stood up and said: "Ill go down and let them prepare. We will set off at dawn tomorrow."

  Lin Jiang hastily stood up and bowed, "Thank you, Brother Lu."