met free Chapter 4 Enemies Meet, Their Eyes Are Filled with Hatred
Chapter 4 Enemies Meet, Their Eyes Are Filled with Hatred
It is said that enemies are especially hostile when they meet.
In her past life, she was a concubine who devoted herself entirely to Pei Yuanling and paid little attention to Lu Zhiheng.
Now, facing him so closely, Chu Qingyin had to admit that he truly lived up to his reputation as a top scholar.
But what's the use of being good-looking?
The once illustrious and glorious Chu State Duke's Mansion was now reduced to nothing overnight thanks to a single memorial from this man.
And he, from a humble scholar, transformed into the Grand Secretary of the court.
How could she not hate, how could she not resent?
Chu Qingyin didn't show it on her face, but her fingers under her sleeves clenched secretly as she gave a low bow: "Lord Lu."
Lu Zhiheng was slightly surprised when he saw Chu Qingyin's face.
Who would have thought that the good-for-nothing heiress who was willing to die for a poor scholar would have such a beautiful appearance.
With her fair skin, beautiful face, bright eyes, and white teeth, what is most impressive is the bright red cinnabar mole on her forehead, which makes her eyes even more charming and lively.
But why does this appearance seem somewhat familiar?
As a man, Lu Zhiheng couldn't stare at her for too long. He casually looked away and returned her greeting: "Miss Qiao."
Chu Qingyin stared at him and said, "I didn't know that Lord Lu and my father were discussing matters. If I have disturbed you, please don't mind."
Lu Zhiheng said, "You're too kind, young lady. I've already finished talking with Minister Qiao."
"That's good." Chu Qingyin smiled innocently.
Lu Zhiheng frowned slightly as he looked at her smiling face.
He didn't say much, but simply cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "I'll take my leave now."
He strode away.
Chu Qingyin did not immediately enter the study, but stared intently at the tall and slender figure.
If looks could kill, she would have turned Lu Zhiheng into a sieve.
Lu Zhiheng seemed to sense something and turned to look.
Chu Qingyin immediately lowered her eyelids, pretending to look at the evergreen pines and cypresses in the courtyard that never withered in winter.
Lu Zhiheng frowned slightly, feeling that there was a hint of resentment in the look in Miss Qiao's eyes just now.
On second thought, he realized that he had never met her before, so why did she resent him?
"Lord Lu, this way." The servant led Lu Zhiheng outside.
"Ah."
Lu Zhiheng lowered his eyes, thinking it was probably just his imagination.
At the door of the study, Chu Qingyin also withdrew her gaze.
She took a deep breath, composed herself, and turned to walk towards the study.
"Father." She pushed open the door, a sweet smile on her face.
Qiao Gongquan had just finished discussing important matters of state with Lu Zhiheng when he saw his daughter enter. He was somewhat surprised and asked, "Yinyin, what brings you here?"
“My daughter is feeling cooped up at home these days and wants to go out for a walk.”
Chu Qingyin pleaded, "Father, could you grant my request?"
Qiao Gongquan refused without hesitation: "You've just recovered from your cold, so stay home and don't go out anymore."
Chu Qingyin had already guessed this reaction, and quickly bit her lip to admit her mistake, "Father, I know I was wrong. I was misled by treacherous people before, and my mind was clouded, which is why I did such a foolish thing..."
She lowered her head and said sincerely, "My daughter promises you that she will never have any contact with Lin Yue again."
Qiao Gongquan's eyes flickered when he heard her mention "instigation by treacherous people."
Looking at her haggard appearance after recovering from a serious illness, he finally couldn't bear to scold her: "Do you really know you were wrong?"
Chu Qingyin's eyes lit up: "It's true, Father. If you don't believe me, I can swear!"
As she spoke, she raised her finger towards the heavens and declared, "If I ever associate with Lin Yue again, may my intestines be ripped out and I die a horrible death..."
"Pah, pah, pah, what are you talking about dying during the first month of the lunar year? I believe you."
After all, he was the only child left by his first wife. Qiao Gongquan sighed and said, "Fine, it's good for you to go out for a walk and clear your head. Take more servants with you."
"Thank you, Father."
Chu Qingyin smiled, bowed, and turned to leave.
Once she was in the carriage, she headed straight for the Ministry of Justice without hesitation.
As she traveled, reflecting on her past life, her mind grew increasingly heavy.
About half an hour later, the carriage came to a steady stop outside the Ministry of Justice.
Xianglan paid a small amount of silver to a bailiff to announce her arrival. Soon after, a handsome young man in a blue official robe strode out.
When Cui Minghao saw Chu Qingyin, he was stunned. "Cousin, what brings you here?"
“Cousin,” Chu Qingyin said, her eyes slightly red, and gracefully gave a bow, “I apologize for coming here, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
This surprised Cui Minghao even more.
After all, since her aunt passed away five years ago, this cousin, at the instigation of Aunt Jiang, has rarely had any contact with the Cui family.
But since she was his own cousin, seeing that she was thin and looked haggard, Cui Minghao still invited her into the yamen.
Chu Qingyin came today mainly to play the victim.
After dismissing the servants, she first made a tearful confession, lamenting that she had been deceived by her aunt and half-sister, which led her to do all sorts of foolish things, and that she only realized her mistakes after falling into the water.
Finally, wiping away her tears, she choked out, "Cousin, perhaps it's because I was frightened when I fell into the water a while ago, but I've been having nightmares lately. I heard that prisoners in jail are full of resentment, and that if you can bring them some food, it can help them overcome their troubles. So today I've come here to ask for your help in taking me to the Ministry of Justice prison to make some offerings."
Cui Minghao frowned: "The Ministry of Justice prison is not a place for you. Go back now."
"Cousin." Chu Qingyin grabbed his sleeve, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, I really can't sleep well. I'm in constant fear. Please let me send some things to them."
Looking at his cousin's pitiful appearance and recalling the ordeal she had just recounted, Cui Minghao finally softened.
"Never mind."
He sighed: "You wait here, I'll make the arrangements."
"Thank you, cousin."
Watching Cui Minghao's departing figure, Chu Qingyin raised her sleeve to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the original owner's maternal uncle's family were all kind people, otherwise it would have been difficult to fool them.
-
The sky was dark and gloomy on the street outside the Ministry of Justice.
"Master, that carriage seems to belong to Minister Qiao's residence."
Ling Xiao, the guard driving the carriage, suddenly spoke up.
A moment later, a hand with distinct knuckles lifted the royal blue carriage curtain, and Lu Zhiheng, who was sitting upright inside, glanced out indifferently.
Sure enough, a horse-drawn carriage with the character "Qiao" hanging on it was parked at the entrance of the Criminal Investigation Department.
Lu Zhiheng frowned slightly, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.
"Go and find out what happened," he whispered.
Ling Xiao accepted the order and left, while Lu Zhiheng stood quietly under the shade of a tree not far away.
Before long, Ling Xiao hurriedly ran back and whispered, "My lord, that carriage belongs to Miss Qiao."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiheng recalled the charming, snow-white face he had seen in the Qiao family's study not long ago.
What is a sheltered young woman, just recovered from a serious illness, doing at the Ministry of Justice?
He tapped lightly on the wooden window frame with his long fingers and said expressionlessly, "Pull over and see what she wants."