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The next day, the rain that had been falling for several days finally stopped, and the Lin Estate also returned to tranquility, opening its main gates early.
Jiang Liuyun and the Lu siblings had prepared their carriage early in the morning and came to bid farewell to Lin Zhiqing.
For one, the matter of Lin Yangyang's poisoning had come to a temporary close, and they had no reason to remain at the Lin Estate.
Furthermore, the Inspecting Censor was visiting the Lin Estate today, and it was also inappropriate for them to stay.
"Zhiqing, you've become much smarter after this ordeal. You must remember, you absolutely cannot be as muddle-headed as before," Lu Nanyue said, patting Lin Zhiqing's hand.
In just three short days, although Lu Nanyue didn't know the full inside story, she could see that the Lin family was not simple, and Lin Zhiqing's situation was difficult.
Lin Zhiqing smiled and nodded.
Lu Huai had already boarded the carriage early on and did not show his face.
It was Jiang Liuyun, however, who specially had someone send over many nutritional supplements and added a few more words of advice, telling Lin Zhiqing to find him if she encountered any trouble.
Lin Zhiqing tried to refuse several times, but she couldn't overcome Jiang Liuyun's enthusiasm and had to accept them.
After finishing everything, Lin Zhiqing let out a long sigh of relief.
For the first time in days, she had the mind to wander around the Lin Estate.
When the servants encountered her, they were all respectful, a stark contrast to a few days ago.
Regarding this, Aunt Mu was the happiest: "Miss, our efforts these past few days were not in vain. Now, no one dares to bully us anymore."
Lin Zhiqing merely smiled without speaking. Even a wicked person fears a more wicked one.
During her investigation, she had intentionally or unintentionally displayed a stern side of herself, precisely to establish her authority.
The original owner's marginalized position in the Lin family was the result of an accumulation of reasons.
Now, everyone was merely afraid because of the precedent set by Nanny Zhao.
But over time, if she couldn't establish herself, these people would most likely change their tune again.
Just as Lin Zhiqing was familiarizing herself with the various locations in the Lin Estate, a young servant ran over: "Miss Zhiqing, Lord Censor has arrived. The Eldest Master asked me to invite you over."
Lin Zhiqing nodded and followed the young servant's pace.
The position of Inspecting Censor was rather special; they were responsible for supervising the conduct of court officials, ensuring they adhered to laws and moral codes.
According to Lin Zhiqing's understanding, he was a channel through which the Emperor kept an eye on all civil and military officials.
Moreover, the Lin family had produced a "traitor," so they had always been a key focus of their attention.
It was also because of this that Lin Congli had placed such great importance on the previous incident.
Thinking of these things, Lin Zhiqing lowered her head as much as possible when entering the main hall.
"Your Lordship, please try this Xinyang Maojian tea and see if it suits your taste," Lin Congli said with a wave of his hand.
The Inspecting Censor sat upright and dignified, his head held high. Hearing Lin Congli's words, he merely glanced lightly at the teacup:
"Lord... Lord Lin, you and I b-both... both serve His Majesty. Th-there's no... no need for these empty formalities."
"And I... I recently heard that the wh-whole mess of absurdities in the Lin family w-was... was caused by a cup of tea."
Lin Congli's expression also remained calm: "Replying to Your Lordship, that is indeed the case. It was due to my poor management, causing you to divert your attention to the Lin family's affairs. I am truly ashamed."
Hearing the Inspecting Censor's slightly stuttering words, Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but raise her head.
Surprisingly, what met her eyes was a very righteous-looking face. The Inspecting Censor appeared to be in his forties, and he had a habit of stroking his small mustache when he spoke.
Apart from his stutter, his image was quite consistent with Lin Zhiqing's imagination of someone from the Censorate.
However... people in the Censorate relied on their sharp tongues. How did a stutterer manage to attain the position of Inspecting Censor?
Lin Zhiqing was somewhat curious, but others seemed accustomed to it and showed no surprise.
She suppressed her curiosity and began to ponder another matter.
Although the matter of her cousin's poisoning had been brewing for three days, it had only been a night since she discovered that the source of the poison was tea leaves, and it hadn't spread widely yet.
For the Inspecting Censor to receive news so quickly, he certainly wouldn't have heard it from outside.
The court had planted someone in the Lin family!
Realizing this, Lin Zhiqing felt as if she were surrounded by lurking dangers.
If even she could guess this, and the Inspecting Censor hadn't deliberately concealed it when he spoke, then Lin Congli and the others should be aware of this matter.
But their expressions were normal, as if they had long since grown accustomed to it.
This kind of submissive attitude was a statement to those above, indicating that the Lin family harbored no disloyalty.
However... Lin Zhiqing sighed inwardly. Could "not fighting back when hit, not retorting when cursed" truly dispel the suspicions in others' hearts?
Almost at the exact moment this question appeared in Lin Zhiqing's mind, the Inspecting Censor let out a short laugh:
"Lord... Lord Lin L-Lin is... is joking. How is... how is your esteemed daughter's con... condition?"
He casually picked up the teacup and toyed with it. Superficially, he was asking about Lin Yangyang's condition, but in reality, he was asking the Lin family for an explanation.
A smile appeared on Lin Congli's face, and he cupped his hands: "Many thanks for Your Lordship's concern. My humble daughter is not in any serious danger."
"Speaking of which, this matter was also due to my improper management. A servant, due to a misunderstanding, harbored malicious intent and made a move against my humble daughter. Fortunately, the investigation was timely, and we were able to apprehend the person."
Saying this, Lin Congli took a case file from an attendant and handed it to the Inspecting Censor.
After the Inspecting Censor took it, he merely glanced at it a few times before putting it down.
Seeing this, Lin Zhiqing became even more certain of her speculation; the Inspecting Censor likely had a relatively clear understanding of her cousin's poisoning.
Only a few people knew the true inside story of this matter, so it shouldn't have leaked out yet. But a clever person could definitely detect clues from the actions of the Lin family members these past few days.
What Lin Zhiqing worried about was that the Inspecting Censor's visit today probably meant he came with ill intentions.
Various thoughts flashed through her mind. The next moment, the Inspecting Censor's gaze, as if equipped with radar, automatically locked onto Lin Zhiqing in the crowd.
He twitched the corner of his mouth: "I... I heard that this matter also in... involved your esteemed household's Sec... Sec-Sec-Second Miss. Why is... is the Sec-Sec-Second Miss nowhere to be seen?"
Lin Congli's hand under his sleeve clenched, and he looked towards Lin Zhiqing.
Meeting the Inspecting Censor's slightly cold gaze, Lin Zhiqing knew that evasion was useless.
Her identity was sensitive, and she would inevitably attract attention.
She moved with light, graceful steps, and walked forward elegantly: "Thank you for Your Lordship's concern. Zhiqing merely had a cup of tea with my cousin. I didn't expect that wicked servant to be so ruthless as to implicate me in this unprovoked disaster."
The implication was that this matter had little to do with her.
Hearing this, Lin Congli's clenched hand relaxed.
Lin Zhiqing didn't miss his smoothing brow. Lin Congli was afraid she would say something she shouldn't.
But now was not the time to be assertive. Lin Zhiqing always felt that the Inspecting Censor harbored some aversion towards her.
As if to verify her thoughts, the Inspecting Censor let out a strange laugh:
"The... the capital calls you... you the 'Three-Lacks' Young Mistress. N-not... not without reason."