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

Chapter 224 The deal is concluded

Lin Wanwan tilted her head slightly, a smile playing on her lips, and said, "I dare to come here alone to meet Lord Zheng, naturally because I have already made thorough preparations."

"If I am unable to return to the palace safely today, the crucial evidence I left behind will be immediately exposed! I'm sure Lord Zheng wouldn't want that to happen, would he?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Luoqi did not show much surprise on his face. He simply picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip of the fragrant tea, and slowly put the cup down before saying, "Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here to summon me?"

Seeing Zheng Luoqi's composure, Lin Wanwan stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Since Lord Zheng has already gotten straight to the point, then I will also speak frankly. I wish to make a deal with you!"

Zheng Luoqi raised an eyebrow and replied with a half-smile, "Oh? I wonder what kind of deal would require Your Highness to personally intervene? However, I never do unprofitable deals! Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Lin Wanwan seemed to have made up her mind and said, "I know you are secretly investigating my father. I am willing to lend a hand, but after it is done, I hope you will keep your promise, protect my sister's life, and ensure that she lives a peaceful and prosperous life!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Luoqi frowned slightly, pondering to himself. He truly couldn't understand why Lin Wanwan would choose to betray her own father to ensure her sister's safety, since doing so would bring her no benefit whatsoever.

Seeing Zheng Luoqi's brows furrowed as he fell into deep thought, Lin Wanwan understood that he did not believe her words so easily.

Lin Wanwan coughed lightly and spoke again: "Lord Zheng, you may still have doubts in your heart, questioning how I could betray my own father. But I can tell you clearly that there are unspeakable reasons and difficulties behind my decision."

"Lord Zheng should be well aware that the Prime Minister has secretly planted numerous spies within this palace. Every word and action of mine is under the constant surveillance of you and your son. If I were to make even the slightest unusual move, it would certainly not escape your watchful eyes, would it?"

At this point, Lin Wanwan paused slightly, then took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her sleeve, handed it forward, and said slowly, "I have come here with the utmost sincerity. This is the detailed list of those whom my father bribed to wipe out the entire Liu family!"

Zheng Luoqi expressionlessly reached out and took the list, slowly unfolded it, and glanced through it briefly.

Then, a barely perceptible sneer appeared on his lips as he said in a deep voice, "Whether this list is genuine or not, I will certainly have someone carefully verify it. If this list is accurate, then our deal can be successfully completed; but if it is found to be fake... I'm sure Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is aware of the consequences!"

Then Zheng Luoqi handed the list to Zheng Yuxiang, asking him to send someone to verify its authenticity. After that, Zheng Yuxiang helped Xue Huaiyu find out about Lin Changsheng's treason.

Pei Wenyu received the news of the Lin family's property being raided immediately. He wanted to see how Lin Zifeng was doing. These days he had been investigating Pei Wenxuan's affairs and had no extra energy to think about anything else. But he did not expect that the Lin family's property would be raided without any warning.

Pei Wenyu rushed over to find out what was going on, but was stopped by the soldiers. Just then, carriages carrying corpses slowly drove out of the Lin residence.

Pei Wenyu's eyes widened, his gaze fixed on one of the carriages. The moment the curtain was lifted by the wind, he saw that familiar yet pale face—Lin Zifeng!

Pei Wenyu never imagined that his last meeting with Lin Zifeng would be in this way; his once spirited friend was now a cold corpse.

The Lin family betrayed the country, and Xue Huaiyu, out of consideration for their years of loyalty to the emperor, spared them a proper burial. They were then thrown into a mass grave.

Pei Wenyu went to great lengths to retrieve the bodies of Lin Zifeng and the two young ladies of the Lin family, finding a secluded spot to give them a proper burial. However, Pei Wenyu also noticed something amiss: he couldn't find Lin Qianning's body anywhere.

The body of the so-called "Lin Qianning" carried in by those responsible for the execution was already swollen and unrecognizable from its original form, having been soaked in water. While the clothing did indeed resemble Lin Qianning, Pei Wenyu felt that things were far more complex than that.

His suspicions intensified, especially when he discovered that the bodies of the other members of the Lin family were relatively well-preserved.

Pei Wenyu couldn't help but ask the person who executed the Lin family, and the answer he received was: when the second young lady of the Lin family learned that the Lin family was going to be raided, she had already committed suicide by jumping into a well before the raid.

This explanation seemed reasonable, but Pei Wenyu felt there must be something more to it.

Perhaps Miss Lin is still alive... Pei Wenyu hoped his guess was true. Pei Wenyu was only guessing and did not choose to investigate the matter further. He was just curious: if Lin Qianning was still alive, then who would have saved her?

After the Lin family's property was raided, Pei Wenyu wasn't the only one looking for them; Guo Yashi also came. However, she didn't dare to inquire about what had happened. Her only thought was to find a way to retrieve Lin Qianning's body and give her a proper burial so that her former friend could rest in peace. Guo Yashi had made a lot of money through her own business over the years, and she wanted to bribe the soldiers in charge of guarding the house.

She never expected that someone had already taken Lin Qianning's body away before her. At first, Guo Yashi thought that Lin's enemies had kidnapped Lin Qianning's body, wanting to prevent her from resting in peace even in death.

So, Guo Yashi went to great lengths, pulling strings and spending money to bribe officials, finally getting the definite news. She never expected that Pei Wenyu had taken Lin Qianning's body away. Upon learning this, Guo Yashi breathed a slight sigh of relief. Knowing that Pei Wenyu and Lin Zifeng were close friends, she assumed Pei Wenyu had already given Lin Qianning a proper burial.

Guo Yashi went to great lengths to find out the exact location where Pei Wenyu buried Lin Qianning. She then secretly went to the cemetery alone, just to personally pay her respects to Lin Qianning.

As she stood before the grave, memories of her time with Lin Qianning flooded her mind, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Guo Yashi silently placed flowers and offerings, and softly expressed her longing to the tombstone. The thought that she couldn't help Lin Qianning made Guo Yashi's tears flow like a burst dam, and she cried even harder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I can't help you..."