The legitimate daughter is reborn and cannot escape after being provoked by the tyrant

The next morning after the court session, before Minister Lin could even go to see Liu Jingwen, Liu Jingwen came to his door first.

Minister Lin glanced at him sideways: "What is it?"

Liu Jingwen smiled and said, "It's nothing major. I just wanted to let you know that my residence has been renovated and I can move in today. His Majesty's rewards have also been distributed, and I just received the account book."

Minister Lin's lips twitched: "Then congratulations."

Liu Jingwen did not leave, but kept staring at Minister Lin with his eyes fixed on him.

Minister Lin: "...What else do you want to do?"

Liu Jingwen raised an eyebrow: "Yesterday, Young Master Lin didn't say anything to the Minister?"

Minister Lin was a shrewd man; he knew perfectly well what Liu Jingwen meant by being indirect.

He was telling himself that he was all ready, and that as long as he nodded, he would come to propose marriage.

However, since his daughter had just returned home, he wanted to keep Qingqing for a while longer.

Minister Lin turned his head away: "I didn't say anything."

Liu Jingwen: “…”

After watching Minister Lin leave, Liu Jingwen stood there for a moment, then suddenly turned his head and changed direction.

-

Lan Yin Hall.

Yingyue entered and said softly, "Your Majesty, Lord Liu is outside requesting an audience."

Lin Jiuqing raised an eyebrow: "Which Lord Liu?"

"Naturally, it is the newly appointed top scholar, Lord Liu Jingwen."

Lin Jiuqing was somewhat surprised.

Her identity was an open secret between Liu Jingwen and himself. For so long, Liu Jingwen had remained obediently in the imperial court, never overstepping his bounds because of their past relationship.

"Let him in."

Yingyue turned around and soon led Liu Jingwen in.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

Liu Jingwen knelt on the ground, his eyes lowered.

Lin Jiuqing smiled and said, "No need for formalities, please get up."

Liu Jingwen stood up and looked up, only to meet Lin Jiuqing's ambiguous smile. After a moment of stunned silence, he suddenly burst out laughing.

The two laughed, and the atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed, as if they had returned to that little courtyard.

Lin Jiuqing pointed to the person opposite him: "Sit down."

Liu Jingwen didn't hesitate and sat down.

Lin Jiuqing poured him some tea before asking, "You wouldn't come here without a reason, Lord Liu. What troubles you?"

Liu Jingwen scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, then mustered his courage and looked at Lin Jiuqing: "There is indeed something I would like to ask Your Majesty for help with."

Lin Jiuqing blinked, signaling him to continue.

Liu Jingwen knelt down again: "I beg Your Majesty the Empress to grant me a marriage."

Lin Jiuqing: "..."

It was a bit sudden; she didn't react in time.

After a moment of silence, he tentatively asked, "Which noble family's daughter is she?"

Could it be that this person, after passing the imperial examination with top honors, immediately climbed the social ladder and forgot how Lin Qingqing pulled him out of the mire? If so, then this person's character is mediocre, and no matter how talented he is, he is not of great use.

Liu Jingwen didn't see that Lin Jiuqing's gaze had turned cold.

Liu Jingwen lowered his head and said softly, "I beg Your Majesty the Empress to grant me a marriage with Lin Qingqing, the adopted daughter of Minister Lin."

The coldness on Lin Jiuqing's face vanished instantly.

She laughed: "Have you consulted Minister Lin about this matter?"

Liu Jingwen looked somewhat embarrassed: "Minister Lin seems unwilling to discuss this matter."

“Of course they wouldn’t want to,” Lin Jiuqing smiled. “My daughter, whom I just adopted, hasn’t even had a chance to cherish for a few days, and someone’s already eyeing her. If I were Minister Lin, I wouldn’t want to bother with you either.”