"Well, to be frank, I have. However, he specifically asked me to keep his affairs secret from you for the time being.
When the time is right, you will naturally find out."
Lord Yan said, his words trailing off, causing Lin Qingge's brow to furrow tightly:
"He anticipated that I would come looking for you?
But before I left Dalin Village, I was merely a village girl, while you are the renowned Zhennan King, famous throughout the court.
There was no intersection between us, and our generations were even different. How could he have predicted that I would seek you out to inquire about this matter?
And the only commonality between us is our transmigration.
So, does that mean my esteemed brother Lin Jingxing is also a transmigrator?"
As she reached this conclusion, Lin Qingge felt an unusual sense of calm.
Furthermore, the things that had been confusing her became clear, giving her a feeling of sudden enlightenment.
Upon hearing this, Lord Yan's eyes flickered with deep surprise, followed by a look of relief.
"Tsk tsk, just as he said, nothing escapes you."
Although Lord Yan did not explicitly state it, it was obvious who 'he' referred to.
"No way, he's really a transmigrator?"
Good heavens!
Wasn't the chance of transmigration comparable to winning five million in the lottery?
Did five million become commonplace now?
While Lin Qingge was mentally ranting, Lord Yan sighed and said:
"A few years ago, when I brought Hao'er and his mother back to the capital, I happened to meet him at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy.
At the time, I just thought this scholar was a bit strange.
He was plainly dressed, and his appearance was only moderately handsome and refined, yet his demeanor exuded a certain dissolute charm. Thus, I paused to look a bit longer.
Later, I learned from a friend at the Hanlin Academy that this person's name was Lin Jingxing, that he was exceptionally talented, possessed unique insights, and his calligraphy, particularly his 'Hua Xiao Kai' style, was incredibly exquisite.
The only drawback was his delicate health; even if he passed the imperial examinations, it was unlikely he could shoulder great responsibilities.
I merely asked a casual question at the time, not taking the matter to heart.
Who would have thought that night, I would see him in my lodging's courtyard?
You know the strength of the Silver Dragon Guards. Despite that, he appeared before me as if by magic."
Although 'as if by magic' was usually used to describe women, Lord Yan inexplicably felt it was more fitting.
"Lin Jingxing knows martial arts? That's highly unlikely."
Even though Lin Qingge didn't believe it with all her heart, when it came to her esteemed brother, anything was possible, so she wasn't entirely certain.
"The one who is powerful is the one with him. I heard him affectionately call that person 'wife'.
Later, I heard from Yan Liang that his wife's martial arts had reached an astonishing level, and even all the Silver Dragon Guards present combined might not be her match."
Hearing this, Lin Qingge instinctively glanced at the person beside her:
"Madam, are you certain that besides Shangguan Yanran, there are no other sisters scattered about?
No, wait. Grandmother said my sister-in-law was a man disguised as a woman.
So Madam, do you have no other brothers?"
Leng Ningyue cooperatively shook her head.
"Man?"
Yan Xiuping rolled the word around his tongue and then seemed to realize:
"No wonder that person looked at me so coldly. Could it be that because your brother smiled at me, he thought I was interested in him?
While I may be as handsome as Pan An, my age is a factor, and I already have a wife and children.
Tsk tsk tsk, such jealousy."
...
Feeling that Lord Yan had completely let himself go, Lin Qingge did not respond in agreement but thought of another matter:
"Logically speaking, with my sister-in-law and brother being so formidable, even the Silver Dragon Guards were no match for them. Even with my brother, that burden, it shouldn't have led to their deaths..."
"Well, your brother was indeed prescient. He guessed you would look for me.
So he entrusted me with delivering the following message to you when you inquired.
He said:
'The fun of a puzzle lies in the process of solving it.
I will wait for you at the finish line.'"
"The finish line?
Does that mean I have to die once as well?"
Lin Qingge said this aloud, but in her mind, she envisioned those sheepskin fragments.
Perhaps sensing a rare opportunity, or perhaps fearing further persistent questioning from Lin Qingge, Lord Yan spoke again before she could press him:
"When your brother first found me, in addition to this message, he also gave me one instruction.
He said that if Hao'er wished to venture out for experience in the future, he could consider having Hao'er become a constable in the Changzhou County yamen.
Later, I heard that he declined the position of Hanlin Academy compiler, which was seventh rank, and requested to serve as a ninth-rank county magistrate in Changzhou County.
I initially thought he wanted Hao'er to become a constable in Changzhou County to leverage the influence of my Zhennan King's manor.
Considering we were from the same place, I let Hao'er go.
After all, you know Hao'er's temperament. Rather than being bullied by those incompetent officials, it's better to have a shrewd person watching over him, perhaps he could learn a thing or two.
But only later did I discover that it wasn't him who took up the post of Changzhou County Magistrate, but his twin sister.
Years later, I suddenly remembered that this young lady had once written a web novel using my background settings.
And both Lin Jingxing and Lin Qingge were characters appearing in that book.
So when I discovered the magistrate had been replaced, I was startled to realize I had misunderstood from the very beginning.
The reason he wanted Hao'er to serve in Changzhou County might have been to seek protection from my Zhennan King's manor, but it wasn't for himself, but for you, his sister.
So I began to wonder if his motives were the same as mine..."
Lin Qingge, instantly understanding, widened her eyes slightly and murmured:
"You mean, like you, he has a 'God's eye view' and knows the entire plot of the book!
But the difference is, you know the book you wrote, while he knows that web novel?!"
"It seems that is the most plausible explanation now."
Actually, Lord Yan did not intend to say the latter part, nor should he have, but since Lin Qingge had already guessed it, he decided to go with the flow and return the favor.
After all, although Lin Jingxing had made requests, he had never agreed to a single word...
Seeing Lord Yan revert to his shrewd demeanor, Lin Qingge teased:
"What, has your chuunibyou experience card expired so quickly?"
"I've been out for too long. If Madam wakes up and doesn't see me, she'll worry."
With that, Lord Yan turned and ran.
Lin Qingge and Leng Ningyue, left behind, exchanged a glance and smiled in unison.
As they walked back side-by-side, Leng Ningyue noticed that the person beside her was unusually quiet and her brows were slightly furrowed. She softly inquired:
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm wondering, is everyone appearing in Changzhou County, or more precisely, appearing beside me, truly just a coincidence?"