Qiao Ying asked Lin Cheng to thoroughly investigate the detailed itineraries of Lafeier and his father over the years, as well as the detailed information about the entire Howard family. Lin Cheng proved to be capable, as he even found detailed records of the hotels they stayed in and their interpersonal connections during their business trips.
There were also numerous surveillance videos from Lin Cheng's negotiations with his partners.
All the significant events that occurred within the Howard family were thoroughly investigated and documented.
Qiao Ying spent some time going through the thick pile of materials but couldn't find any issues. Given Diamond J's cautious nature, it was not surprising that no suspicious points were found.
With his eyes closed, Lin Cheng gently stroked the fur of the cat in his arms.
At this moment, the butler came in and said, "The king has sent someone to deliver a calming and sleep-inducing medicine to you." The butler handed the medicine to Lin Guli.
Just by looking at the medicine, one could imagine the relieved expression on the old king's face. He was probably having a meeting with his children, discussing how to put pressure on Lin Cheng and eagerly waiting to witness their breakup.
Qin Hanyue said, "Shouldn't we discuss the next script?" Among the group, it was clear that Qin Hanyue was the most eager to end the matter quickly, so he could take Qiao Ying and leave.
That's why he was urging Lin Cheng, trying to appear proactive.
Lin Cheng replied, "I'm not in the mood."
Qin Hanyue asked, "If the royal family sends people to inquire about the situation, Duke Lin, are you planning to act freely?"
Lin Cheng was filled with resentment and said, "Anyway, I'm just a tool without any rights. I'm prepared to be sold at any time. As for the script, Mr. Qin doesn't need to ask me."
Qin Hanyue said, "Duke, that's not what I meant."
Qiao Ying interjected, "There's still a question that hasn't been asked. If the old king wants you to ascend to the throne so badly, it's because on one hand, you have the ability to govern the country, and on the other hand, he doesn't want Lai En to succeed him. But by pressuring you like this, isn't he afraid of your revenge after you ascend the throne? Even if you change your nationality, you're still a person from Hua Country."
This is a major matter that concerns the entire country. It can't be justified solely by emotional bonds. If the old king is confused, then it's understandable, but it's impossible for half of the royal family to be unaware.
Lin Cheng's character may be trustworthy, but it doesn't come with a hundred-year guarantee.
Qiao Ying continued, "He's so certain that you won't betray him and that you'll dedicate yourself to the royal family for a lifetime. There must be some reason, right?"
Qin Hanyue was also curious about this but hadn't asked until now.
He couldn't help but look at Lin Cheng, while Qiao Ying looked at Lin Guli.
As expected, Lin Guli was the first to react. The hand he placed on his knee slowly clenched into a fist. He felt so guilty that he almost couldn't look Lin Cheng in the eye.
Qin Hanyue noticed this and turned his gaze to Lin Guli, realizing that he was the key to it all. However, based on Lin Guli's reaction...
Lin Cheng opened his eyes and said to the two of them, "It's getting late. Mr. Qin, Miss Qiao, you should rest early. I will consider your proposal overnight, and I will give you an answer tomorrow morning."
Seeing this, Qin Hanyue also restrained his curiosity and said, "Then we will go back to our room. You should rest early too."
He picked up the leather mask that Qiao Ying had thrown on the table and took the opportunity to hold her hand.
The two of them left the tea room.
"Did you notice Lin Guli's expression just now? Why do I feel like he regrets something about Lin Cheng?" Qin Hanyue asked Qiao Ying, "Could it be that he sold Lin Cheng to the royal family?"
Qiao Ying reluctantly responded, "Maybe."
It was clear that she didn't want to engage with him further.
She tried to pull her hand back from Qin Hanyue, but he wouldn't let go. He pretended not to notice and held her hand tightly. Qiao Ying struggled for a moment but couldn't break free, so she stopped trying.
This was giving him face.
Qin Hanyue felt pleased and held her wrist while walking. He tried to find a topic and said, "Do you think Lin Cheng will agree?"
Qiao Ying replied indifferently, "I don't know," sounding dismissive.
Qin Hanyue took advantage of the small opportunity he had fought so hard for and continued, "Did Xiao Yi go back to Yun City for the New Year?"
Qiao Ying responded with a simple "Yes."
Qin Hanyue asked, "How were Xiao Yi's final exam results?"
Qiao Ying replied, "Ranked first in the major."
Qin Hanyue said with admiration, "That's great. I'll have to give him a big red envelope as a New Year's reward."
As they spoke, he let go of her wrist and instead held her hand, eventually interlocking their fingers.
In the tea room, Lin Cheng looked at Lin Guli, who was full of self-blame, and affectionately called him, "Uncle, what's bothering you? You're always thinking about those troublesome matters."
He coaxed him like one would coax a child.
Lin Cheng said, "I went to the king myself to sign that agreement. I was aware of it, and I made that choice myself."
Lin Guli replied, "...You signed that agreement so I could leave C Country. Besides, you were only six years old at the time."
Qin Hanyue's guess was correct. Lin Cheng had indeed signed a contract.
But it wasn't Lin Guli who sold him out, it was Lin Cheng himself.
When Lin Guli's daughter was kidnapped, he searched the entire C Country but couldn't find her. He wanted to leave his identity as a prince behind and go to a farther place to find his daughter.
But how could the royal family let him, someone capable and loyal, leave?
Lin Guli was determined to leave, and the royal family obstructed him in every possible way. It ended up turning into an ugly situation and made Lin Guli feel cold-hearted.
The royal family saw Lin Guli's determination. Whether he stayed or left, Lin Guli's heart was no longer in C Country. So the old king shifted his attention to the young Lin Cheng and proposed to take him as an adopted son.
Naturally, Lin Guli wouldn't allow Lin Cheng to be handed over to the treacherous royal family.
He wanted to take Lin Cheng with him and send him back to his parents' house.
After days of stalemate,
The old king made a concession and allowed Lin Guli to sign the agreement, leaving Lin Cheng in C Country, ensuring that Lin Guli would return in three or five years. The intention was to groom Lin Cheng as the next Lin Guli.
Lin Guli knew very well that if he couldn't find Lin Cheng in two or three years, he would continue searching indefinitely. Once he left, it was highly unlikely that he would return to C Country, so he couldn't possibly leave Lin Cheng behind.
There was no way he would use Lin Cheng as a bargaining chip for his own freedom.
At that time, Lin Guli had already lost his wife and daughter and was on the verge of collapse. He couldn't care about anything else. Desperate, he planned to secretly take Lin Cheng away.
But the king directly stationed soldiers outside his house.
At that time, little Lin Cheng was still shorter than Lin Guli's leg. He was a shy child who was afraid of strangers, but for Lin Guli's sake, he secretly found a driver to take him to the palace and personally pleaded with the old king.
Lin Cheng begged the old king on behalf of his uncle, Lin Guli.
However, the old king presented a contract.
By the time Lin Guli arrived, little Lin Cheng had already signed it.
As Lin Guli recalled, the young Lin Cheng sat at the enormous conference table surrounded by guards and members of the royal family, looking innocent and unaware of the dangers around him.
He seemed unaware of what he would lose by signing that agreement. Little Lin Cheng smiled happily and said to Lin Guli, who had arrived in a hurry, "Uncle, the king promised to let you find Nuan Nuan."
And so, at the age of six, little Lin Cheng sold his entire life to the royal family in order to get his uncle to leave.
This is also why the old king was so relentless in pressuring Lin Cheng. He knew that as long as Lin Cheng remained a duke, he would never be disloyal. In fact, if the royal family desired, Lin Cheng could even become their puppet king.
Lin Cheng: "I was six, not three. I knew what I was signing."
Lin Cheng's attempt to console Lin Guli only made him feel worse.
