The atmosphere suddenly became stagnant.
After a long time, the official suddenly laughed out loud: "Are you the daughter of Zheng Weimin?"
Zheng Lingbo was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Indeed, it is my lady."
The official slowly said: "Your woman, has a few of your father's demeanor."
The remark didn't sound like praise or blame, but it felt like the official wasn't angry, and there was even an inexplicable sense of kindness.
Just as Zheng Lingbo subconsciously turned to look at Zheng Jintong on the side, Zheng Jintong felt a bit embarrassed.
Zheng Lingbo is now calmer, following the official's words to compliment: "My father has been teaching us loyalty and national defense since we were young. The daughter also learned from her mother."
The official made a vague sound of "hm" and turned his head to look at Chen Lingtong, who stood stiff as a spear guard beside him, and with interest asked, "What do you think, Chen Minister?"
Chen Lingtong: "..."
He paused for a moment, recalling the message from the eldest daughter of Zheng family that was delivered by Zhu Kezhi earlier. He remained true to his silent and loyal image, and answered frankly, "The method is clumsy and laughable."
It was unclear who he was referring to.
The official then laughed again, causing the people to feel uneasy and scared. Only then did he continue: "Zheng Qing was a reader for me in the past. He fought side by side with me for the country, and I naturally believe in his loyalty. However, evidence is needed for everything."
"If so, leave the investigation to Chen Qing."
The bias in his words was very obvious, and Chen Lingtong nodded in agreement.
The previous official looked at Chen Lingtong with a malevolent gaze and then at Zheng Lingbo, full of indiscernible ruthlessness.
The suicidal dancer was quickly dragged away, and the blood-stained ground was soon cleaned up. The official's interest was undiminished, and with a wave of his hand, another group of musicians and dancers appeared, restoring the scene to its earlier light singing and dancing.
In a daze, it felt like everything that had just happened was a hallucination.
Zheng Lingbo and Zheng Jintong, the two people, tremblingly and shyly, mutually supporting each other back to their original seats. Only the cold sweat on their backs signifies the tension of them.
Zheng Lingbo reached out and grasped the cup of tea on the table, drinking it greedily into her mouth. The tea was cold, but her fingers still unconsciously trembled and shook.
Unbeknownst to her, Zheng Jintong had grabbed her arm.
The youth looked at her with concern: "Are you alright?"
Zheng Lingbo came to her senses and softly replied, "I'm fine."
Zheng Jintong chuckled painfully and spoke in a hushed tone: "If it weren't for you tonight, our Zheng family might be in great trouble."
Zheng Lingbo was taken aback.
This shouldn't be the case.
After all, she didn't participate in this palace banquet last time. However, there was no news later - or perhaps there were some movements at that time, but she ignored them because she was so focused on pursuing Liu Chengwang?
Zheng Lingbo's face turned a bit pale.
Suddenly, she remembered the fierce fire from the past life, which burned the large general's mansion to the ground. Even with hundreds of people, including masters and servants, not a single one escaped to send a message. This seemed very strange.
Was it really...
Zheng Lingbo was heart-throbbing and trembling, trying to see the upper first, but she couldn't make out anything. She couldn't help but hate herself for being foolish in her previous life and not caring about her family.
Even more regret is of no use now.
She deeply inhaled a breath. The sound of pipa, strings, and drums didn't stop, and the clothes were soaked in cold sweat. She didn't think about it more.
Since it has come to this, let's think about what to do next.
Zheng Lingbo thought for a moment and then asked in a low voice to Zheng Jintong, "Brother, do you know Chen Lingtong well?"
Zheng Jintong sighed and shook his head, "We've been in the same office for three years, but we've never said a word to each other."
Zheng Lingbo: "..."
She paused for a moment, then persisted with her question, "As for the person in the red official robe who tried to frame our father, do you know who he is?"
Zheng Jintong definitely knows him. Although he hasn't talked to him much.
To be more specific, this person was formerly impeached for some reasons. Zheng Jintong added fuel to the fire and engaged in heated exchanges with several others.
"That's the Left Minister of the Ministry of Works, Yao Gaolang."
Zheng Jintong learned bits and pieces of the person's disputes with others. He also said that this person didn't do good things, let his son and daughter rule the household arrogantly, and was therefore impeached several times in the court. Zheng Lingpo listened to this and nodded secretly.
She recalled her previous contact with that Chen Lingtong, and after much thinking, she decided that she could only rely on the bookish scholar Rong Yi for this.
Since Rong Yi has been polite so far, and because he introduced her to several important officials today before the palace banquet, it would be appropriate to send him a gift tomorrow to express gratitude.
The problem is that as a single young woman, asking an acquaintance scholar like Rong Yi for help may not be appropriate.
Zheng Lingbo spent almost all the remaining time pondering how to get close to Rong Yi and how to let him introduce the Chen Lingtong to get close with him as well. The palace banquet was both thrilling and vague.
Exiting the palace gate, Zheng Lingbo's legs were still weak, but at least she hadn't shown any timidity in front of others. She only slowed down her pace and calmed her emotions once she reached the shadows.
Zheng Jintong's performance was no better than hers.
The two of them stood still in the darkness, seeing only each other's silhouettes.
Just then, they collided with Rong Yi, who was deliberately waiting in an area with no one else.
"Zheng girl, are you okay?"
A voice suddenly came from the dark, causing Zheng Lingbo to jump out of fright. But she quickly remembered that the voice was somewhat familiar. Her eyes lit up at once, and her attitude became infinitely more friendly than before: "Have you returned yet, Rong Master?"
Rong Yi immediately sensed the change in her attitude and thought that this young girl's careful thoughts were adorable. He smiled inwardly but remained calm on the surface, speaking slowly, "There were many waves tonight, and I am worried and afraid. It is late at night now, so I thought of staying a while longer to see if there is anyone to accompany me."
Zheng Lingpo was overjoyed. She didn't know how such a man could say such a weak-minded thing so calmly.
What is it called when you have a drowsy feeling and someone offers a pillow? Rong Yi is truly a big good man.
She didn't realize the deliberate intention in Rong Yi's actions at all. Her eyebrows moved slightly as she said, "It was all thanks to Master Rong for introducing me to the esteemed officials today. I was at a loss as to how to express my gratitude. If Master Rong is not averse, I..."
Zheng Jintong interrupted her words.
He pulled her back and alertly said: "What introduction? Have you ever met him, Lingbo?"
He had felt something off about Rong Yi's words just then, and when he heard Zheng Lingbo foolishly agree with Rong Yi, he was immediately worried. He felt that his sister might have been frightened senseless at the palace banquet, unable to see the obvious ill intent in this person.
Zheng Lingpo noticed her brother's vigilance and was immediately stunned: "..."
Well, she forgot that her brother had said this person could get through to the door of Chen Statements.
On the left was Rong Yi's slightly expectant smile, and on the right was her brother's extremely vigilant protection. Zheng Lingbo suddenly had a strange sensation of having her scalp go numb.
