Chapter 431 How About, Together?
Chapter 432 How about together?
The news of Emperor Ning's death spread throughout the capital overnight.
The whole city mourns!
There was a solemn atmosphere in the capital, and rows of fully armed soldiers and horses were driving on the streets of the capital.
The wind is roaring!
The entire capital area fell into the most dreary atmosphere in history. The streets of Beijing, which used to be bustling, were desolate and no longer prosperous!
The New Year has just passed, but there is no trace of spring at all. This New Year is destined to be an unforgettable New Year for the people in Beijing!
Even those who were usually good at school are now low-key and honest.
Everyone knows that we are now at a critical moment of dynasty change. The late emperor passed away and the new emperor is about to ascend the throne!
Under such circumstances, not many people dare to take the lead. Especially the previous case of the mutiny and rebellion of the third prince, which involved so many officials and ministers that the entire capital area was almost wiped out and there were many corpses!
In the past, those dandy young men from aristocratic families who were used to walking around in the streets and teasing women from good families have disappeared now.
It has to be said that during this period, the public security in the capital has reached an unprecedented state of stability.
…
Early morning hours.
A carriage drove out from the imperial guards guarding the palace, passed through the deserted streets, and returned to the Jiang Mansion in the west district of the city!
The carriage slowly stopped outside the Jiang Mansion. Outside the door, there were several figures waiting for a long time.
"Your Highness, Sister Zhiyuan, you're home!"
Lin Qingqing appeared outside the carriage and spoke.
The curtain opened and Lin Jiangnian stepped out of the carriage first, followed closely by the paper kite behind him. As soon as he got off the carriage, several figures came quickly to greet him outside the gate of Jiang Mansion.
It was Jiang's mother and aunt Jiang Yuxiang who came forward.
"Jiang Nian, Zhiyuan, you are finally back!"
"Nothing happened, right?"
"Quick, let me take a good look!"
Jiang's mother and aunt came forward with nervous and excited expressions. After confirming that Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan were fine, their hearts that had been hanging for the past few days were finally relieved.
"What exactly is going on?"
"It's so good, how come you are left in the palace?!"
"Speak carefully now!"
Jiang Yuxiang stepped forward quickly and came to Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan.
The people in Jiang Mansion still don’t know what happened!
A few days ago, the eldest princess Li Miaomiao suddenly paid a visit in person and took Lin Jiangnian away.
Later, Zhiyuan also left Jiang Mansion.
As a result, after leaving, he disappeared for several days!
It wasn't until news came from the palace a few days later that they learned that Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan had stayed in the palace. But Jiang Mu and Jiang Yuxiang are not ordinary people after all, and things are not as simple as they think.
...Why did Jiang Nian and Zhi Yuan suddenly stay in the palace?
Why did someone from the palace come to report it again? !
Could it be...that there was an accident?
Thinking of the grievances between Prince Lin's Mansion and the imperial court, many ominous thoughts suddenly appeared in Jiang Yuxiang's mind.
After Jiang Ningkang learned the news, he also hurriedly searched for his connections and friends in Beijing to find out the news in the palace, but to no avail.
It is said that great changes have taken place in the palace these days, the news is blocked, and many courtiers in the court are paying close attention. These days, everyone in Jiang Mansion is in an atmosphere of panic.
Until early last night, news of the emperor's death suddenly came from the palace!
As soon as this news came out, Jiang Yuxiang instantly felt uneasy and panicked.
She suddenly realized that Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan's stay in the palace was probably related to the emperor's death!
There may even be a close connection!
No one knows better than Jiang Yuxiang that once the vassal prince is involved in the death of the emperor, if it is not handled properly, the consequences will be extremely serious.
Just when she was worried and thinking about whether to take the risk to contact the Queen in the palace to inquire about the situation, she finally received news from the palace... Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan will be back this morning!
Until now, after seeing Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan back safely with his own eyes, Jiang Yuxiang finally let go of his hanging heart.
Jiang's mother was also relieved and said with a face full of joy: "It's good to be back, it's good to be fine!"
"Quick, you must be tired these days. Go back home first."
"come on in!"
Jiang's mother hurriedly welcomed Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan into the house. Along the way, Lin Jiangnian briefly mentioned to Jiang's mother and Jiang Yuxiang what had happened in the palace in the past few days.
Now that the news of Emperor Ning's death has spread, there is no need to hide some things.
But when they heard that Lin Jiangnian and the eldest princess were trapped in the secret room for several days, Jiang's mother and Jiang Yuxiang still sweated.
"How could that eunuch Chen Zhao be so bold?!"
Jiang Yuxiang's delicate face was full of anger, and then he realized something: "No wonder Chen Zhao's body was hung at the city gate. If he did such a thing, he should be punished by the Nine Tribes!"
"The current situation in the palace has come to an end for the time being. After the prince ascends the throne, the situation in the court will also change again..."
When Lin Jiangnian said this, he thought of something again: "By the way, where is uncle?"
Mother Jiang said: "Your uncle is in the study. He didn't sleep all night last night and just squinted for a while!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Ningkang, dressed in gray robe, walked quickly in the front yard.
"Jiang Nian, you are back?!"
Jiang Ningkang looked very poor after staying up all night, but when he saw Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan, a smile of surprise appeared on his face.
"uncle!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded, as if thinking of something: "Uncle, I have something to tell you."
Jiang Ningkang was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Come to the study."
…
In the study room.
Lin Jiangnian told Jiang Ningkang what happened in the palace these days. At the same time, he also mentioned the conversation between the two when they met with the Crown Prince yesterday.
After listening to this, Jiang Ningkang's expression gradually became serious and he frowned.
Obviously, he realized the seriousness of the matter.
"Jiang Nian, what do you mean..."
Lin Jiangnian glanced at his uncle in front of him and sighed softly: "Emperor Ning has passed away, and the prince is about to ascend the throne. During this period, the prince has eliminated the political enemies in the court, and now the whole court has almost become a piece of iron..."
"Although the situation is not yet stable now, once the prince has completely stabilized the court, his next plan will definitely be against the Lin family..."
The Lin family, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses at their disposal, was a thorn in the side of the court and the prince!
Although I had an affair with the prince yesterday, there is currently no answer on how to resolve the conflict between the Lin family and the court.
For Lin Jiangnian, he naturally didn't need to worry too much.
Now that the matter in Beijing has come to an end, he is already preparing to leave for Linzhou. It will take at least half a year for the prince to ascend the throne. By the time he had his hands free, Lin Jiangnian had already returned to Linzhou.
However, Lin Jiangnian was not afraid, but the Jiang family was different.
Jiang Ningkang was a marginalized figure in the Sixth Department. He stayed in the capital and had to worry Lin Jiangnian.
The prince had previously left the Xu family in the capital as a means to check and balance the Lin family, which inevitably made Lin Jiangnian suspicious if the court really fell out with the Lin family.
Will my uncle's family in Beijing also be implicated?
During his stay in Beijing, Lin Jiangnian had been living in Jiang Mansion. Both his uncle and aunt took great care of him, so Lin Jiangnian had to guard against whether the court would one day threaten him with this!
Jiang Ningkang naturally understood Lin Jiangnian's worries. He shook his head slightly and said, "Jiang Nian, you don't need to worry too much. Although I, Jiang Ningkang, don't have much reputation in the capital, the court has to think carefully if it wants to touch me!"
Lin Jiangnian said in a deep voice: "The imperial court must be on guard!"
He didn't hope that his uncle's family would become victims between the imperial court and the Lin family!
Jiang Ningkang seemed to have seen through it already, he smiled lightly and said calmly: "The court, they are not so bold to touch our Jiang family!"
At this point, he paused again: "Even if your Lin family is really at odds with the imperial court, my uncle will still have a way to protect himself..."
Lin Jiangnian's eyes were slightly dazed, he thought carefully, and soon realized something.
Yes, although my uncle did not get along with his father, he left in anger when he was young and stayed in Beijing to develop. But no matter what, he is from the Jiangnan Jiang family after all!
It’s Jiangnan’s second young master!
The Jiang family in Jiangnan represents not only the Jiang family, but the top aristocratic families in the entire Jiangnan region and several prefectures and counties. As the most economically developed and richest region in the Daning Dynasty, the Jiangnan region controlled nearly a quarter of the entire dynasty's tax revenue.
Even the imperial court does not dare to underestimate him.
If the imperial court wants to move people from the Jiang family, it must also consider those aristocratic families.
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian felt slightly relieved.
However, he still reminded: "Uncle, you should be more careful in Beijing, don't let the people in the court catch something and make a big fuss!"
I am not afraid of the imperial court coming to force me, but I am afraid that they will play dirty tricks.
However, Jiang Ningkang is just a marginal figure in the Sixth Department, and his power is not great, so there is no need to worry too much.
"Jiang Nian, are you planning to go back?"
Jiang Ningkang seemed to realize something and asked.
"The matter in Beijing has come to an end. It's been almost a year since I left home. It's time to go back and have a look."
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "I plan to wait until the situation stabilizes and go back to take a look before making any plans."
After Jiang Ningkang heard this, although he was a little reluctant, he didn't say much more.
"If you have time in the future, remember to come back and see your uncle more often."
"If there is a chance, definitely."
"..."
After exchanging pleasantries with his uncle, Lin Jiangnian was about to return to the backyard when he bumped into his aunt.
Under the eaves.
Jiang Yuxiang, wearing a green and light red dress, was standing quietly under the eaves, waiting for him for a long time.
The weather is still good today. It's morning and the sun is rising slowly. Jiang Yuxiang is wearing a double-breasted gown. Her black hair is coiled up, and her hair is decorated with delicate hairpins. She shows a noble and elegant temperament.
It seems that he hasn't slept well these days, and his eyebrows are a little haggard. However, those eyes were staring at Lin Jiangnian very brightly.
"Auntie?!"
Lin Jiangnian stepped forward slowly: "Are you waiting for me?"
"Um."
Jiang Yuxiang nodded.
"Where's the paper kite?"
Lin Jiangnian glanced behind his aunt, but Zhiyuan was nowhere to be seen.
"She went back to her room first!"
Jiang Yuxiang spoke and looked at Lin Jiangnian: "I have something to tell you."
Lin Jiangnian was confused: "What's the matter?"
"follow me!"
Jiang Yuxiang turned around and walked aside.
Lin Jiangnian hesitated and followed.
After passing through the courtyard pavilions and corridors, not long after, we came to the courtyard where my aunt lived.
My aunt lives in Jiang Mansion, which is considered the best area, with a large backyard. On weekdays, the sisters Jasmine and Feng Ling practice martial arts in the backyard.
Jiang Yuxiang led Lin Jiangnian through the courtyard to the door of the room under the eaves, opened the door and walked in.
Looking back, he saw Lin Jiangnian still standing at the door and glanced at him.
"Come in."
Lin Jiangnian hesitated and walked into the room.
"boom!"
The door was closed.
Jiang Yuxiang slowly turned around and stared into Lin Jiangnian's eyes, with a half-smiling look on his face.
Lin Jiangnian suddenly felt something bad!
My aunt's reaction made her feel like she had planned this for a long time.
"What, what's wrong?"
"Tell me about it."
Jiang Yuxiang stared at him.
Lin Jiangnian was even more surprised: "What did you say?"
"What happened between you and the eldest princess."
Jiang Yuxiang spoke.
"Didn't I already say that?"
Lin Jiangnian spoke.
He and Li Piaomiao had already talked about being trapped in the secret room when they came back.
"not detailed enough!"
Jiang Yuxiang stared at him with her beautiful eyes, and there was a strange luster in her eyes: "You and the eldest princess were trapped in the secret room together for two days?"
Lin Jiangnian hesitated for a moment; "So...that's what happened!"
"Then you guys stayed together these two days?"
"So..."
"That you……"
Jiang Yuxiang stared at him with burning eyes: "What happened?!"
Lin Jiangnian finally understood!
Does the aunt suspect that he has some improper relationship with Li Piaomiao?
Of course, it was not just her who was suspicious, but also Jinxiu and Lin Qingqing.
Even Zhiyuan had some doubts before...
It seems that if Lin Jiangnian and Li Miaomiao are trapped alone in a secret room, something inappropriate should happen?
Lin Jiangnian sighed: "Nothing happened."
Jiang Yuxiang naturally didn't believe it: "Really?"
"More real than real!"
"You two were trapped in a secret room for two whole days and nothing happened?"
Jiang Yuxiang naturally didn't believe it at all.
"Auntie, do you think I should have something happen with her?"
Lin Jiangnian asked back, passing the question to Jiang Yuxiang.
Jiang Yuxiang was slightly startled.
What could happen to this brat and the eldest princess?
Of course it can't be anything serious!
But when he thought of the eldest princess' temperament, Jiang Yuxiang felt normal for some reason.
She couldn't communicate with the eldest princess at all. This brat shouldn't be much better, right?
However, as soon as the thought emerged, Jiang Yuxiang quickly remembered something. She suddenly took two steps towards Lin Jiangnian, stared into Lin Jiangnian's eyes for a while, and a sneer appeared on her face.
"You're still going to lie to me, right?"
"That's absolutely not the case!"
"Then please explain why you are so familiar with the eldest princess?"
Jiang Yuxiang narrowed his eyes and stared at him.
Lin Jiangnian defended: "I'm not very familiar with her."
"I'm not familiar with you. Why did she come to see you in person a few days ago?"
"That's the emperor's summons."
However, Jiang Yuxiang exposed the truth with one sentence: "Since the Emperor summoned you, why do you want her majestic princess to come to your door in person to invite you?"
"Don't you have such a big face?"
Lin Jiangnian opened his mouth and was speechless.
He really doesn’t have such a big face!
But explain why...
If you want to explain this, it’s really hard to explain.
The eldest princess came to invite her in person, which was naturally Lin Jiangnian's deliberate request last time. But if I really want to say it, my aunt will probably ask about the situation between the two of them last time... This is even harder to explain!
As a result, Lin Jiang young sighed, "Auntie, why do you ask this so carefully?"
"What do you think?"
A look of anger appeared on Jiang Yuxiang's face, and she glared at him: "Of course you, the heartless little one, lied to me again!"
"When did I lie to my aunt..."
Lin Jiangnian was about to deny it when he heard his aunt's faint voice: "You obviously have frequent contact with the eldest princess, but you also said that you want to break off the engagement with her..."
"Honestly, do you really plan to break off the engagement with her?"
Lin Jiangnian hesitated silently for a moment, then said: "The emperor has passed away!"
"so what?"
"I mentioned this to the prince last night!"
Lin Jiangnian spoke.
Last night, he talked to the prince about his marriage to the eldest princess, and also mentioned his intention to break off the engagement.
"What did His Highness say?"
Jiang Yuxiang stared into Lin Jiangnian's eyes and asked.
"The prince said it all depends on the princess' wishes!"
Jiang Yuxiang was startled.
"It's all based on the wishes of the eldest princess?"
She frowned: "In other words, the eldest princess can break off the engagement if she wants to. But if the eldest princess doesn't want to break off, she can't?"
"That's it." Lin Jiangnian nodded.
"What did the eldest princess say?"
Jiang Yuxiang asked.
"I haven't asked yet!"
He had not seen the eldest princess since last night, so he had no chance to ask her what she thought.
Jiang Yuxiang's pretty brows furrowed further: "Then what do you think the eldest princess is thinking and planning?"
"I don't know." Lin Jiangnian shook his head.
Jiang Yuxiang thought thoughtfully: "If I remember correctly, the eldest princess is arrogant and arrogant, and ordinary people can't stand her. Now that she can choose for herself, she will definitely not be willing to marry you, right?"
Jiang Yuxiang also suddenly remembered that before Lin Jiangnian entered the capital, there were various rumors about the eldest princess in the capital. Among them, the most widespread rumor was that the eldest princess had publicly said that if Lin Jiangnian dared to enter the capital, he would be interrupted.
Although this matter has not been confirmed, given the temperament of the eldest princess, it does not seem strange at all to say such a thing!
The engagement between the two was made by the emperor. If it could be canceled now, how could the eldest princess be willing to marry from Beijing to Linzhou?
In this case, the engagement between the two should probably be terminated, right?
"hope so……"
Lin Jiang young sighed.
If it had been before, he might indeed have breathed a sigh of relief. But now, I feel a little uncertain for some reason!
Will the eldest princess really be willing to break off the engagement?
Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but recall Li Miaomiao's behavior of putting away the 'edict' in the secret room.
That's a time bomb!
And Li Piaomiao's behavior undoubtedly made Lin Jiangnian feel a lot more uncertain... Does she really want to break off the engagement?
The fact that the prince agreed was not beyond Lin Jiangnian's expectations.
He and Li Miaomiao are brothers and sisters, and they have a close relationship. The prince naturally does not want Li Miaomiao to take risks. If he becomes a victim between the court and the Lin family in the future, the gain will outweigh the losses.
But the eldest princess...
Lin Jiangnian couldn't see through her.
Especially the brief contact between the two yesterday when they were helping her 'treat'.
Lin Jiangnian's bold actions, and the eldest princess's behavior of accepting the acquiescence as if nothing had happened...the picture flashed in Lin Jiangnian's mind!
It disturbs his mind!
Lin Jiangnian sighed deeply.
"Why do you always sigh?"
Jiang Yuxiang glared at him: "This matter has not been resolved yet. When do you plan to return to Linzhou?"
"It should be soon."
Emperor Ning passed away and the prince ascended the throne. As for the marriage with Li Miaomiao, it was no longer within the scope of Lin Jiangnian's consideration.
No matter what Li Miaomiao's decision is, it will not affect Lin Jiangnian's next plan.
If Li Piaomiao agrees to break off the engagement, everything will be easy to talk about. After the prince ascended the throne, he quietly issued an edict to terminate the engagement. It doesn't matter if she doesn't agree. Lin Jiangnian will have returned to Linjiang City by then... If she wants to get married, she can come to Jiangcheng by herself.
He thought that with the arrogant and arrogant temperament of the eldest princess, it was absolutely impossible for her to do such a thing.
As if thinking of something, Lin Jiangnian suddenly looked at his aunt again: "By the way, aunt, where are you?"
"I?"
Jiang Yuxiang was startled: "What's wrong with me?"
"How did you think about the last proposal?"
Lin Jiangnian asked, "Would you like to come back to Prince Lin's Mansion with me and Zhiyuan to stay for a while?"
Jiang Yuxiang then remembered Lin Jiangnian's proposal last time, inviting her to go to Prince Lin's Mansion together. She just thought she was going out to relax, and at the same time, she was hiding from the Jiangnan Jiang family who would catch her.
"this……"
Jiang Yuxiang hesitated, but she was actually moved.
but……
I always feel vaguely not good.
"Not ready yet."
Jiang Yuxiang waved his hand: "Let's talk about it later."
"Auntie, you have to make plans quickly. We will have to leave in a few days, so we need to prepare in advance."
Lin Jiangnian thought that after the prince ascended the throne and the ban in Beijing was lifted, they would almost leave for the yamen and head south to go home.
The time left is indeed not long.
"I'll think about it again."
Jiang Yuxiang thought for a while and sighed.
She hadn't decided whether to go or not, and was a little hesitant.
"Okay, then Auntie, please think about it carefully."
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "If nothing happens, I'll leave first?"
When Lin Jiangnian walked to the door, opened the door and walked out. Jiang Yuxiang, who was still thinking and hesitating, suddenly came back to his senses and realized what...wait, did this brat change the subject?
She clearly planned to interrogate this brat today, so why did she let him be fooled just by talking?
Jiang Yuxiang's face showed a hint of anger. After a while, he seemed to think of something and sighed quietly.
He raised his eyes and looked outside the courtyard, with a hint of expectation gradually filling his eyes.
"Linwangfu?"
Jiang Yuxiang seemed to have thought of something and murmured: "That's right, it seems like it's time to go back and see my sister..."
"..."
"Your Highness?!"
As soon as Lin Jiangnian returned to the backyard, he heard a crisp and excited voice.
The voice jumped with excitement.
When he raised his eyes, a dark shadow hurried forward. With a 'plop', he threw himself into his arms and hit someone with the ball!
pity……
The ball is not very big!
Then, she hugged his waist tightly.
"Your Highness, you are finally back!"
The excitement in his voice was mixed with a bit of crying.
Lin Jiangnian lowered his head and saw that the little maid's pink face was full of frightened and excited joy. He gently touched her head and comforted her: "Okay, okay, I'm back!"
"Why are you still crying? Miss your Highness so much?"
"...Stop crying, you're crying so ugly... You're crying like you're mourning. Others will think I'm dead when they see you!"
"..."
Xiaozhu hugged His Highness tightly and buried his head in His Highness's chest. Excitement, joy, grievance, and many other emotions surged into his heart at once.
She was worried to death these days when His Highness was away!
Worry is bad!
Xiaozhu rarely separated from His Highness for so long. The last time was when he was in Yanzhou.
This time, His Highness and Sister Zhiyuan are not here. Xiaozhu, who had completely lost his backbone, was extremely frightened, fearing that something might happen to His Highness. Especially hearing the rumors coming from the house in the past few days made the little maid even more frightened.
Until His Highness returned, she could no longer suppress her excitement and joy.
Lin Jiangnian also knew that during the past few days when he was away, the little maid was probably worried. He gently stroked her head and comforted her: "Okay, isn't your Highness living a good life? Don't worry!"
"Okay, stop crying...and don't be so excited, it's like crying in mourning..."
"Hey, you're still staring at me?"
"Isn't this little girl's movie turned upside down?!"
"..."
After being comforted by Lin Jiangnian's "coercion and inducement", Xiaozhu finally calmed down. But his eyes were still red, and he looked aggrieved and said: "Your Highness, Xiaozhu is so worried about you!"
Lin Jiangnian was a little affectionate: "How are you these days when I'm not around?"
"not good!"
Xiaozhu shook his head and said that he had lost weight because he had not thought about food or tea these past few days!
"Have you lost weight?"
Lin Jiangnian looked the little maid up and down, and began to inspect her: "Here, let His Highness check if she has really lost weight due to hunger!"
"Oh, no, don't... Your Highness..."
Xiaozhu was still feeling aggrieved, but His Highness suddenly started to take advantage of him. Her face suddenly turned red, and she avoided the struggle in a bit of shame.
"No, no, don't... there is, someone..."
Anyone?
After hearing this, Lin Jiangnian subconsciously raised his head and saw a timid figure standing under the eaves not far away.
"Xu Lan?!"
Only then did Lin Jiangnian realize that Xu Lan was standing under the eaves at some point. His face was slightly red, and he looked at the master and servant in the courtyard with complicated eyes!
"Why are you here?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised.
"I……"
Xu Lan blushed. During the past few days when Lin Jiangnian entered the palace, she basically stayed in Jiang Mansion.
Since her grandfather was rescued by Lin Jiangnian, Xu Lan no longer restricted her from coming to Jiang Mansion, so Xu Lan didn't go back very often and almost regarded Jiang Mansion as her second home.
Mr. Jiang probably knew that his granddaughter would not be able to stay, so he didn't say much. And Xiaozhu naturally welcomed Sister Xu. Even these days when Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan were away, Xu Lan took the initiative to enlighten Xiaozhu and told her not to worry.
Last time it was Xiaozhu who comforted her, this time it was Xu Lan's turn to comfort Xiaozhu.
On the contrary, it belongs to Tiangang!
Today, Xu Lan was also very happy when he learned that Lin Jiangnian had returned safely from the palace.
Just now, seeing Lin Jiangnian return to the courtyard, Xu Lan happily wanted to come out and say hello. As a result, she had just walked out, and Xiaozhu over there had already trotted forward, threw herself into Lin Jiangnian's arms and acted coquettishly.
This made Xu Lan's eyes look complicated and at the same time there was an unspeakable feeling of envy.
Although she had known for a long time that the relationship between Lin Jiangnian and Xiaozhu was unusual, she had even quietly found out from Xiaozhu that Xiaozhu had slept with Lin Jiangnian...
The two of them have already... what?
But Xu Lan still blushed when she saw Lin Jiangnian and Xiaozhu flirting and making ambiguous moves in public.
Especially what happened just now...
If Xiaozhu hadn't suddenly interrupted, Xu Lan would have seen Lin Jiangnian's hand sliding in along the opening of Xiaozhu's shirt...
Xu Lan couldn't help but blush.
"me……"
She looked at the two masters and servants in the courtyard, and looked away when Lin Jiangnian's eyes met: "You, are you back?"
"yes!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded and said with a smile, "Back!"
Xiaozhu on the side also took the opportunity to break free from His Highness's arms, straighten his clothes, and then trotted back behind Xu Lan, showing a cute face to His Highness.
So red and so cute!
"Are you, no, okay?"
Xu Lan asked again, with a worried tone: "I heard from Aunt Xiang and the others that you have been under house arrest in the palace these days?"
"So be it."
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly, and seeing the two of them worried, he briefly explained to them.
The details are abbreviated, but the process is briefly described. But even so, Xu Lan's eyes still gradually brightened as she listened.
"Such an interesting thing happened?!"
Xu Lan's eyes sparkled and she couldn't help but ask: "Chen Zhao is actually the biggest bad guy hiding around His Majesty?!"
"Has he tried his best to hide for so many years? He must have set up a big trap, right?"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at Xu Lan, who looked excited, and shook his head: "He's dead!"
Xu Lan's expression immediately solidified: "Dead, dead?!"
"right!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "Didn't his body hang at the city gate two days ago? You didn't know?"
"Not paying attention..."
Xu Lan shook her head, she rarely cared about these things.
"Then, is that Chen Zhao dead like this?"
Xu Lan is indeed an eldest lady with the aura of a son and daughter of the world, and the plot of the story she longs for should not be like this.
"Then what is the purpose of his many years of hard work as a eunuch?"
Xu Lan didn't understand.
"Don't say you don't understand, I don't understand either."
When Lin Jiangnian heard the news of Chen Zhao's death, it was difficult to accept it and felt a bit ridiculous.
This man is obviously a peerless master, but he is willing to stay in the deep palace as a eunuch, hiding for many years, and then he takes action... He thought he was holding back something big, but he didn't expect it!
"And then?!"
Xu Lan continued to urge, asking Lin Jiangnian to continue speaking.
"Gone!"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head: "When Chen Zhao died, Emperor Ning died, and the prince succeeded to the throne..."
"It's gone?"
"Gone!"
Xu Lan was a little disappointed.
The story was not what she imagined.
However, I remembered that Lin Jiangnian and the eldest princess were trapped in a secret room. For some reason, her heart moved slightly.
"By the way, let me ask you a question?"
"Um?"
"Did anything happen between you and the eldest princess in the secret room?"
Lin Jiangnian: "..."
It's endless, right? !
Lin Jiangnian was too lazy to answer: "Children, don't ask so many questions."
"I'm not……"
Xu Lan was about to refute that she was no longer a child, but then she quickly thought of something and subconsciously lowered her head.
She was immediately discouraged!
Her face flushed slightly, and she glared at him angrily, saying: "Rogue!"
Lin Jiangnian: "?"
Inexplicable!
He didn't say anything, but was called a hooligan?
However, he soon realized what Xu Lan meant by her words, and his eyes fell on her, looking at her quietly. Then he remembered the voice he overheard at the door of Xiaozhu's room a few nights ago.
"Xu Lan!"
"Hmm?"
Xu Lan raised her eyes and snorted: "Something?"
"I do have a prescription here..."
Lin Jiangnian thought for a while: "Do you want it?"
"Prescription?"
Xu Lan looked a little blank, and looked into Lin Jiangnian's eyes.
Blinked!
Soon, as if suddenly realizing something, she turned her head to look at Xiaozhu beside her, but saw Xiaozhu lowered her head a little guilty, her face flushed.
The next second, Xu Lan's face flushed.
With a look of shock and shame, he said angrily: "No!"
"Really?"
"Really!!"
Xu Lan was furious: "I, I don't need that kind of thing!"
"Get out, get out!"
"..."
Xu Lan ran away!
Fleeing in a panic!
Looking at this situation, I guess I won't dare to come again for a few days!
After being intimate with Xiao Zhu, Lin Jiangnian asked her to go back and rest first, and then called his men to find out the situation in Beijing.
These days, he, Zhiyuan and Lin Qingqing were trapped in the palace, and most of the affairs in Beijing were handed over to Lin Kong.
From Lin Kong's mouth, I roughly understood the situation in Beijing these days.
These days, there is not much change in Beijing. However, I heard that the Secret Heaven Division was closed!
Lin Jiangnian knew this.
The Secret Heaven Division had been under the control of Chen Zhao before, and I don't know how many of Chen Zhao's confidants were planted in it. Now that Chen Zhao's identity has been exposed and he has died, the Secret Heaven Division will naturally not escape the reckoning.
The people of Beijing and the officials of the court applauded this result!
The notorious Mi Tiansi finally fell!
Lin Jiangnian didn't care about Mi Tiansi's life or death, but he cared more about Chen Changqing's situation. This was a chess piece he had worked hard to plant. If he was sacrificed because of this incident, it would be a loss!
It was previously learned from Lin Qingqing that when Chen Zhao assassinated the prince, Chen Changqing suddenly turned against him and blocked the fatal blow for His Royal Highness the Prince. He was seriously injured and died unknown.
Now I learned from Lin Kong that Chen Changqing was resting in the palace and was out of danger and was fine!
Lin Jiangnian breathed a sigh of relief!
He also realized that Chen Changqing might be very successful this time!
He had made great contributions to saving the emperor, and when the prince ascended the throne, his contribution would definitely be indispensable. At the same time, as the leader of the Secret Heaven Division, he had suffered various blows in the Secret Heaven Division before, and now he was lurking beside Chen Zhao and stood up to protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at a critical moment...
This move can be said to have laid the foundation for his promising future!
Not to mention, his move of turning against the fruit was really quite wise!
At the same time, on the other side, the Crown Prince also began to deal with the many officials and families involved in the case of the Third Prince. Those who should be killed were killed, those who should have their homes confiscated were confiscated, and those who should be exiled were exiled!
On the other side, it was heard that the Third Prince who was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison was escorted to the Imperial Mausoleum, where he was imprisoned to guard the tomb and could not take a single step out of his life.
…
After understanding the situation, Lin Jiangnian also began to arrange a retreat.
Although he was going to return to Linjiang City, he did not intend to take the people around him away. These spies he placed in the capital still planned to stay in the capital and pass on information to the Linwang Mansion at any time.
At the same time, he also planned to keep a backup in the capital, so that if something unexpected happened at that time, he could be prepared in the first time. The capital is thousands of miles away from Linjiang City. If you don't make more preparations, it will be difficult to take care of any accidents.
When Lin Jiangnian entered the capital, he was followed by three hundred princes' personal soldiers, all of whom were completely loyal to him. But in the assassination outside the capital, more than half of them were injured.
In the past few months in the capital, Lin Jiangnian also tried to recruit and cultivate some confidants. The time was too short to cultivate too many talents. However, he also recruited a group of people. These people are enough as spies in the capital.
As for Lin Qingqing, as the most loyal and capable subordinate around Lin Jiangnian, he naturally planned to take her with him. Except for a few confidants, Lin Jiangnian planned to keep most of the others in the capital.
When Lin Jiangnian finished his busy arrangements, the sky gradually darkened.
The dinner was eaten with the people of the Jiang family. Since the night of New Year's Eve, the family rarely gathered together again and had a lively meal.
After dinner, Lin Jiangnian took a bath and changed his clothes, and came to Zhiyuan's room.
Zhiyuan changed into clean pajamas and sat on the bedside reading a book. Lin Jiangnian approached with ease, and when he was about to get on the bed, he was stopped by Zhiyuan.
"Hmm?"
Lin Jiangnian lowered his eyes and looked into Zhiyuan's eyes. Zhiyuan looked at him with clear eyes and said softly: "Go and accompany Xiaozhu."
"Hmm?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised and looked at Zhiyuan in astonishment.
Soon, he realized something from Zhiyuan's calm expression.
"Xiaozhu..."
"She has been worried about you these days."
Zhiyuan spoke.
Her tone was gentle, without any other emotions.
Just like her mood at the moment.
"Uh..."
Lin Jiangnian, on the other hand, was somewhat unable to do so.
This was the first time that Zhiyuan took the initiative to make such a request.
Let him accompany Xiaozhu?
You know, a few months ago, Zhiyuan only saw that Lin Jiangnian and Xiaozhu were getting closer on weekdays, and his face was cold.
He was angry, jealous... and even secretly bullied Xiaozhu.
This was all what Xiaozhu secretly complained to him later!
She was so petty, but she actually took the initiative to ask Lin Jiangnian to accompany Xiaozhu tonight?
"Then, what about you?"
Lin Jiangnian asked tentatively.
"I'm fine."
Zhiyuan glanced at him, her tone still light, "Go and accompany her more."
At this point, she added: "I won't be angry."
"Really not angry?"
"Really not angry."
Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian finally gradually determined... Zhiyuan was not speaking in a sarcastic way? !
She was serious?
"This..."
Lin Jiangnian realized something, and felt inexplicably touched. The fact that the petty Zhiyuan could say this was enough to prove her current changes.
Little Zhiyuan seems to be no longer the same person she used to be!
She now has the mind and attitude of a lady.
But...
He went to find Xiaozhu, and just left Zhiyuan here. Wouldn't that be bad?
Lin Jiangnian thought about it and hesitated: "How about I call Xiaozhu over?"
Hearing this, Zhiyuan immediately raised her eyes and stared at him.
Lin Jiangnian was still thinking about it and said: "Why don't we just go together..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw a trace of shame and anger on Zhiyuan's cold face, staring at him.
Lin Jiangnian realized something: "Hey, I don't mean anything else..."
He realized that Zhiyuan had misunderstood and thought too much, thinking that he wanted to play a master-servant game like last time...
"I mean our bed is big enough, and the three of us can sleep... Hey, just sleeping... Don't look at me like that, I really don't do anything..."
"Believe me, I really don't..."
"Get out!"
In the cold room, Zhiyuan's gritted teeth and angry voice came.
"Don't even think about dreaming again!"
"..."