Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 40: Endure? Taking a step back, the more I think about it, the angrier I get!
Upon hearing this, the old lady narrowed her drooping eyelids, then smiled calmly: "How dare you! The Lin family is so disrespectful to their superiors, and you still dare to make conditions with me?"

The Grand Secretary had assisted three generations of emperors and was a well-known loyal minister. At least among those attending the flower viewing party today, no one dared to negotiate terms with the Grand Secretary's wife. Even Princess Pingning had to respect her.

Lin Zhiqing was an unexpected event. She said aloud, "My uncle gave me a lot of instructions before I came here, telling me to be self-disciplined and respectful, and not to cause trouble for the scholar's mansion."

"Zhiqing originally had no intention of participating, but if the old lady insists, I am willing to give it a try."

"I will soon open a medical clinic. I hope the old lady will do me the honor of giving me a plaque to add to my happiness."

As soon as Lin Zhiqing said this, the crowd exploded instantly.

"A clinic? She's a lady from a wealthy family, but she's actually planning to open a clinic. How could she say such shameless things?"

"She's truly a bitch from a humble family. She really doesn't know the rules. Girls should stay in the courtyard and learn the Three Obediences and Four Virtues!"

"As the saying goes, 'A red flower is red when it is close to a red flower, a black flower is black when it is close to a black flower.' Lin Zhiqing is just like Lu Nanyue. She gave up her job as a proper young lady and went into business instead."

"With a father like that, what good can she be?"

Everyone was talking about it, and Lin Shian's baby face turned completely black. He couldn't stand it more than anyone else slandering the Lin family: "Zhiqing, this is not the Lin family, don't be so presumptuous!"

Tolerate? The more I take a step back, the angrier I get!
Lin Zhiqing shook his head: "Cousin, it's not me who slandered the Lin family, it's them."

Her eyes were stubborn. "Why can't a woman do business? Playing music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all skills, so wouldn't medical skills be a plus?"

"When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they have enough food and clothing, they know honor and disgrace."

"Please answer me this: if there were no business people, where would your food, clothing, shelter and transportation come from?"

"Qing'er, stop talking nonsense." Jiang Liuyun curled his lips, looking disapproving of Lin Zhiqing's actions. "You're too impulsive. Apologize to the old lady quickly."

Lin Zhiqing's words and actions only revealed one thing: she wanted to open a clinic.

But today they were in the Bachelor's Mansion, and her rude words and actions were undoubtedly a challenge to the old lady's authority.

But Lin Zhiqing knew that if she didn't make things clear now, no matter whether she opened a clinic or did other business, there would always be people who would come out and argue with her.

She had never attended such a banquet, but she knew with a clear mind that those who disliked her would definitely gossip about her in front of the old lady.

As if he saw through Lin Zhiqing's thoughts, or perhaps he didn't care, Lu Huai didn't say anything, but just played with the small jade abacus in his hand.

The old lady sat firmly on the high platform, raised her eyelids, and although her face was smiling, her eyes were not smiling at all. "Lin Zhiqing, what right do you, a stinky girl who is still wet behind the ears, have to act wildly in my scholar's mansion? If my daughter hadn't invited you here, you wouldn't even have the chance to stand in front of me."

Miss Hua pursed her lips and gently shook her sleeves: "Grandma, Miss Lin's medical skills are very good. It's just a plaque, you should agree to her request."

As if she had not expected her granddaughter to speak up for Lin Zhiqing, the old lady patted Miss Hua's hand soothingly:

"The women of the Lin family have always been seductive. You've been bewitched by her. I've been hosting the Spring Banquet for so many years and nothing has ever happened. How could you possibly be provoked by a little girl like this?"

"Medical skills? No matter how good your medical skills are, they are not the right path."

Princess Pingning looked at Jiang Liuyun's worried look when he faced Lin Zhiqing, and her heart was filled with anger:

"What the old lady said is absolutely right. A girl's life should be focused on music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and housekeeping. Why waste her time on such useless things?"

This statement hit the nail on the head, and most of the people present thought so.

Seeing the mocking eyes of the people around him, Jiang Liuyun became anxious. He clasped his fists and stepped forward: "Old Madam, Qing'er has a kind heart. What she said was not what she meant. Please bear with me." The old lady took a deep breath: "Jiang family boy, you are a good person, but your father was confused to match you with such a morally flawed person."

"If you are still angry, I will report to the virtuous concubine today and cancel your engagement. There are still many beautiful ladies in Shengjing waiting for you to choose."

The phrase "lack of moral character" put Lin Zhiqing on the rack of shame, and the people around him echoed it, saying that Lin Zhiqing was not worthy of Jiang Liuyun.

Although he was in the center of the storm, Lin Zhiqing's mood was not too bad. There were not many opportunities to cancel the engagement, and there was a ready-made one in front of him. But would it really be so smooth?

Princess Pingning, who was beside the old lady, was particularly excited. Her face flushed and she looked at Jiang Liuyun lovingly.

Under the gaze of everyone, Jiang Liuyun lifted up his skirt and knelt on the ground: "Thank you, Madam, for your concern, but no one can compare to Qing'er. I will not break off my engagement with her!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar.

Lin Shian breathed a sigh of relief, but Lu Huai frowned slightly.

Jiang Liuyun is usually straightforward, but if he said those words in this kind of situation, once it got out, all the ladies in Shengjing City would probably regard Lin Zhiqing as a thorn in their side.

As expected, the first to express dissatisfaction was Princess Pingning. Her hand trembled slightly as she pointed at Lin Zhiqing:
"What Prince Jiang said is ridiculous. Lin Zhiqing only has a pretty face. There are many people in Shengjing who are better than her."

"I've heard that Lin Zhiqing is unfaithful and fickle, but now I see she's really a resourceful person!"

"Princess, please be careful with your words!" Lin Zhiqing stepped forward, stepping over Jiang Liuyun. "I know you don't like me, but please don't throw dirty water on me."

"Prince Jiang and I are both bound by a marriage contract, yet you insult my innocence with every word you say. Are you trying to use this opportunity to get rid of me and take over my place?"

The princess was stunned by the sudden realization and was speechless for a long time.

The old lady rubbed the back of her withered hand, her chest heaving. "How insolent! It's truly disrespectful! Someone like you still dreams of winning the championship? You're dreaming!"

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the old lady hated Lin Zhiqing to the extreme.

Even Lu Huai looked at Lin Zhiqing twice more.

But Lin Zhiqing ignored Jiang Liuyun's dissuasion and bowed to the old lady in a proper manner: "Old lady, Zhiqing has no other intentions. I just want to seek fairness."

"What will you do if I win the championship?"

The old lady thought Lin Zhiqing would beg for mercy, but she never expected that she would be so stubborn:

"People need respect, trees need bark. Lin Zhiqing, do you know what you're talking about? The most outstanding women in Shengjing City are all here. What makes you think you can compete for first place?"

"Of course I know what I'm talking about." Lin Zhiqing kept smiling and didn't want to say more: "When does it start?"

The old lady took a deep breath, and the frown on her face seemed to have multiplied. "If you win the first place, I, an old woman, will crawl all the way to your Lin family to present you with a plaque!"

"In addition to this, I'll give you another five hundred taels of silver as a gift!" Miss Hua said at the right moment. Her parents were businessmen, and in her opinion, there was nothing wrong with doing business.

Moreover, she is a person who knows how to repay kindness.

The dolls made by Lin Zhiqing were indeed helpful in treating her skin hunger, and this was the reward Lin Zhiqing deserved.

Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected surprise. Lin Zhiqing quickly calculated in her mind that if she could get 500 taels of silver, she could put the matter of finding a shop on the agenda!
Thinking of this, she curled her lips and said, "It's a deal."

(End of this chapter)