Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Chapter 223 The Deal with Lin Wanwan

The news of the Lin family's demise spread like wildfire throughout the capital. In an instant, the people were abuzz with discussion. The once glorious Lin family was no more, and its former glory had vanished like smoke.

In a small courtyard in the suburbs

Lin Qianning slowly awoke from her unconsciousness. When she laboriously opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an unfamiliar and simple bed. She was filled with confusion, completely unaware of why she was in this place.

"Miss Lin, you're awake?" Just then, a soft yet somewhat cold voice suddenly entered Lin Qianning's ears.

Lin Qianning turned her head upon hearing the sound and saw that the person in front of her was Zheng Luoqi.

Lin Qianning was stunned for a moment before recovering, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. But soon, fragmented memories flooded her mind, reminding her of the scene when the Lin family's home was ransacked.

Seeing that she was still alive, Lin Qianning clung to a sliver of hope and eagerly asked, "Lord Zheng, it really is you! How did you end up here? Did you save me? What happened to my father, mother, brother, and sister?"

Faced with Lin Qianning's series of anxious questions, Zheng Luoqi simply sighed and replied calmly, "Miss Lin, please accept my condolences."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qianning's mind was instantly filled with the tragic image of her family being wiped out. Those bloody and terrifying scenes intertwined, like sharp knives piercing her heart.

In an instant, all the grief and despair surged up at once. She could no longer suppress the sorrow in her heart; tears streamed down her face, eventually turning into heart-wrenching sobs…

Zheng Luoqi stood quietly to the side, calmly watching Lin Qianning, patiently waiting for her to release the emotions that had been building up inside her for so long.

Time seemed to stand still, with only Lin Qianning's soft sobs echoing in the air.

After Zheng Luoqi had finished drinking two pots of tea, Lin Qianning gradually recovered from the brink of collapse. When Lin Qianning realized that she had just lost her composure in front of others, she couldn't help but feel a wave of shame wash over her.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm and trying to hide her inner vulnerability. She put on a strong front, managed a forced smile, and said softly, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Lord Zheng!"

Zheng Luoqi shook her head slightly and replied calmly, "It's alright. If you really can't smile, you don't have to force yourself." Zheng Luoqi's words were like a warm spring breeze, gently dispelling the gloom in Lin Qianning's heart.

Lin Qianning slowly raised her head, looking at Zheng Luoqi with gratitude and confusion in her heart. After calming down a bit, she asked, "Thank you for saving me, Lord Zheng, but... why did you save me?" She frowned, her eyes revealing her bewilderment.

Because Lin Qianning knew that her father and Lord Zheng were political enemies in the court, Lord Zheng had no reason to help her.

Faced with Lin Qianning's question, Zheng Luoqi smiled slightly and calmly replied, "It wasn't me who saved you, but your sister."

"My sister?" Upon hearing this answer, Lin Qianning's previously dull eyes instantly lit up with surprise and hope. She hurriedly asked, "Then where is my sister now?" At this moment, she still harbored a sliver of hope—could her sister still be alive?

However, the only response she received was two words uttered by Zheng Luoqi's slowly parted lips—"My condolences!" Though the voice was soft, it struck Lin Qianning's heart like a heavy hammer.

In an instant, Lin Qianning's heart felt as if it had fallen into an abyss, sinking rapidly. A glimmer of hope had been shining in her eyes, but upon hearing those two words, it instantly dimmed.

Seeing that Lin Qianning had recovered, Zheng Luoqi silently took out a thick stack of silver notes and a brand-new household registration paper from his pocket. He also held a crystal-clear jade bracelet in his hand.

When Lin Qianning's gaze fell upon the jade bracelet, she trembled as if struck by lightning, and then tears streamed down her face like a burst dam, and she burst into uncontrollable sobs. She recognized the bracelet at a glance—it was Lin Wanwan's favorite bracelet!

Looking at the heartbroken Lin Qianning, Zheng Luoqi said softly, "Your sister made a deal with me. Her greatest wish is for you to live a carefree and free life."

"I have merely done my best to fulfill her request. So you need not feel any burden, nor do you need to think about how to repay me."

"As long as you can listen to your sister's wishes and live a strong and brave life, that will be the best comfort for her." After saying these words, Zheng Luoqi quietly placed the things in front of Lin Qianning, then turned and left, leaving Lin Qianning alone to immerse herself in endless sorrow.

In fact, as early as after Lin Wanwan cooperated with Consort Jiang, Lin Wanwan had doubts about Consort Jiang's motives. How could Consort Jiang, who had no background or power, survive in the harem for so long?

Lin Wanwan guessed that Consort Jiang had someone behind her, and she wanted to know who that person was.

With Lin Wanwan's intelligence, she could probably guess who was behind Consort Jiang, but she wasn't sure.

One day, just as Consort Jiang's subordinates were about to send the message out of the palace, Lin Wanwan, who had been lying in wait for a long time, suddenly appeared and caught them red-handed.

At this moment, Consort Jiang thought that Lin Wanwan would definitely expose this matter.

However, Lin Wanwan did not choose to do so. Instead, she unexpectedly made a condition to Consort Jiang: if she wanted Consort Jiang to keep the secret and not tell anyone, then Consort Jiang must arrange for her to meet with the person behind the scenes.

Faced with Lin Wanwan's request, Consort Jiang was caught in a dilemma. After much deliberation, she finally decided to tell Zheng Luoqi about it. Upon hearing this, Zheng Luoqi immediately agreed.

In fact, Zheng Luoqi was also very curious about why Lin Wanwan insisted on meeting with her.

And so, with Consort Jiang's assistance, Zheng Luoqi and Lin Wanwan arranged to meet secretly one night...

When Lin Wanwan saw that it was Zheng Luoqi, she was not surprised at all. Instead, she had an expression that said, "I knew it."

"Lord Zheng, it really is you!" Lin Wanwan said.

"Speak, why are you so eager to see me?" Zheng Luoqi asked.

"I would like to make a deal with Lord Zheng!" Lin Wanwan said.

"A deal? You dared to come out alone, and you even know my secret. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you to silence you?" Zheng Luoqi said with a smile.