After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 449 Whose people are they?

With nothing else to do for the time being, Minister Lin's curiosity was piqued.

"Do you have a grudge against him?"

"No."

"Then why would he poison you, especially with such a deadly poison? It would kill you outright!"

"That happened many years ago. I guess they forgot about it after they did it. They just didn't expect I'd be so lucky~"

Minister Lin's gaze was too intense, so Jiang Xiaoqi had no choice but to recount the original "Little Three Scholars" dispute.

"Hahahaha, how dare he! His son didn't even make the top ten, yet he wants to get a 'minor triumph' title? He's dreaming!"

"Actually, it's not impossible. If you kill everyone who might be at the top of the list, his son would be the prime suspect."

"Kill them all?! Hmph! Easier said than done! Does he really think he, surnamed Yang, is in charge of the Great Zhou? He's just a distant relative of the Empress, thinking he's something special!"

Minister Lin tossed a plum blossom pastry into his mouth, as if he were chewing on someone's bone.

"Yes, it's all in the past. His son is still a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination), while I am already a sixth-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy. There's no point in killing me now."

I'm no match for his son in the provincial examination!

Minister Lin curled his lip, "Hmph! You have quite the composure! You can even overlook the grudge of being poisoned and have endured it until now!"

Jiang Xiaoqi realized that what seemed like a gesture of righteous indignation was actually an attempt to stir up trouble.

"Haha, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. I don't have any powerful connections to rely on. My elders have worked so hard to get to where they are today, so it's best not to burden them."

Jiang Xiaoqi looked at Minister Lin with a leisurely air, and Minister Lin thought to himself, "Little fox."

"You and Qi'er were childhood playmates and classmates. With that relationship, how come you don't know how to use it? Are you smart or stupid?!"

Jiang Xiaoqi readily agreed, "Haha, isn't this just because I'm afraid of causing trouble for the adults? My good relationship with Lin Qi is a matter between us, why bring up elders and family background?"

When I first met Lin Qi, he wasn't the son of a high-ranking official; now, in my interactions with him, he is simply himself!

Jiang Xiaoqi's words were resounding and powerful. Minister Lin was taken aback at first, but then burst into laughter.

Pointing at Jiang Xiaoqi, he exclaimed, "You, you, no wonder you became the top scholar at such a young age! This title belongs to you alone!"

After laughing for a while, they felt even closer and chatted until it was time for dinner.

"So what's your next step in getting Chengenbo to come forward? And who do you think Yang Guozhong is working for?"

The first question is easier to answer than the second.

"Sometimes you really have to stir things up a bit. If you stir up the grass, the snake might run away, but it's more likely to show its face..."

Minister Lin raised an eyebrow, curious about how Jiang Xiaoqi planned to alert the enemy.

However, he was still asked to answer the second question, because Minister Lin had some guesses about it and wanted to know if Jiang Xiaoqi thought the same thing as him.

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Xiaoqi said, "The Marquis of Chengen... must have a greater backing."

"He already has a title, so he must have the same idea. But he has a proper maternal uncle. Would he completely trust this nominal maternal uncle of the second prince?"

"It seems that Lord Lin already knows which family Yang Guozhong works for?"

Minister Lin smiled but remained silent.

"Please stop keeping me in suspense, Uncle Lin...?"

"Hey! You little rascal! You only call on Uncle Lin when you need something, and Minister Lin when you don't! You're something else!"

Minister Lin stopped keeping him in suspense and simply held up three fingers.

"three?"

Jiang Xiaoqi understood. Oh, it was the Third Prince again...

Jiang Xiaoqi frowned and muttered, "It's the Third Prince again~"

"What? You've found out about him too? Sigh, actually it's not a secret. Minister Wu and I have been investigating him in secret. There aren't many royal princes who can stay quiet."

The Third Prince had been secretly accumulating power, and the Earl of Chengen was merely a pawn in his game.

However, the fact that these two people came together is simply a matter of mutual benefit and exploitation; it remains to be seen who will ultimately prevail.

If you intend to lure out the Marquis of Chengen, be wary of the Third Prince's hidden hand. One wrong move can lead to another; who knows if the Third Prince directly ordered these things, and Yang Guozhong was merely the executor…”

"Uncle Lin, how did you know that what I just said about luring the snake out of its hole was to lure the Earl of Chengen, not the Third Prince?"

To be honest, I also have some evidence pointing to the Third Prince, and I was even planning to visit his residence tonight.

"Do you think this is a proper way to be a guest?"

Jiang Xiaoqi raised the corners of her mouth slightly, "Hehe, what does it matter if it's serious or not? As long as the goal is achieved, isn't that enough?"

Uncle, please don't embarrass your nephew! Sigh, I had no choice but to resort to this tactic.

The evidence we have now consists of confessions, which can't be considered conclusive proof...

Minister Lin raised an eyebrow, suddenly looking forward to seeing what this unconventional visit would be like.

He knew that Jiang Xiaoqi had some skills, after all, Lin Qi often said that he was quite good at shooting when they were practicing. He was thinking of getting back to his physical condition as soon as possible so that he could have a fight with his good brother.

He knew his son's skills; anyone whose skills his son admired could only be better than his own, not weaker.

Lin Qi, that kid, admires strength the most. This time, he was indirectly saved by his friend, so he admires him even more.

In his own son's words, this Jiang Zhuangyuan was a brilliant talent who was both scholarly and martial, and was extremely righteous!

Minister Lin pondered for a moment and said, "You must be careful when you go to the Third Prince's residence. I heard that the Third Prince has also gathered many experts in the martial arts world."

Those were not the rabble and petty thieves like the Crown Prince's group.

The Third Prince has many capable people around him, including some with deep minds.

If you're confident you can obtain irrefutable evidence, then it's worth the risk; otherwise, it's best not to go.

Jiang Xiaoqi cupped his hands and said, "Uncle Lin, rest assured, I will be careful on my journey."

If it can expose the Third Prince's true colors and uncover his conspiracy, this risk is nothing.

Sigh... In short, we need to give His Majesty the Emperor an explanation, and those who were implicated must have the truth revealed before they can be released.

Minister Lin nodded, but for some reason, he felt that the second half of the sentence was Jiang Xiaoqi's real purpose.

The first half of the sentence is just for show, a prelude to the second half...

This nephew Jiang is truly different from ordinary young officials.

As the sun set and night fell, Jiang Xiaoqi conveniently landed, disguised herself, and quietly went to the Third Prince's residence.

The Third Prince's residence was not as large as the First Prince's residence, as the order of seniority had to be respected.

Although it is small in size, the level of luxury inside can be freely controlled.

However, after easily vaulting over the wall, the scene before her made Jiang Xiaoqi realize she had gone to the wrong place.

This place doesn't look like a prince's residence at all.