Lin Jiangnian had no idea what Prime Minister Zhao was planning, and even if he did, he probably wouldn't take it to heart for the time being.
The King Xu who was entrenched in the north of the Daning Dynasty did have some grievances with the Lin Palace.
This is not surprising!
As the only two kings of different surnames in the world, King Xu has always had considerable grievances and conflicts with Lin Hengzhong.
But these won’t cause much trouble!
There is no other reason.
Too far!
Prince Lin's fiefdom was located on the southern border of the Daning Dynasty, while Prince Xu's was on the northern border. One in the south, the other in the north, guarding the dynasty's borders, they were nicknamed the Southern and Northern Kings by the people of the world.
Such a long distance meant that there would only be private testing and friction between King Xu and King Lin. They might compete secretly, but they would never really tear each other apart.
The two kings of different surnames were thousands of miles apart. Even if they really fell out, apart from cursing and sparring with each other in the court, mocking and plotting against their political enemies, it would not cause much substantial harm to either side.
It is unrealistic for Prime Minister Zhao to maneuver between two kings of different surnames and balance the forces of all parties.
Whether it was Prince Lin or Prince Xu who rebelled, it would be a huge blow to the imperial court. As for wanting to use another prince to eliminate the rebellious prince, it was even more unrealistic.
Not to mention the thousands of miles between the two factions, the capital of the Daning Dynasty happened to be located right in the middle of the power of the two vassal kings. If one rebelled, whether the other was willing to send troops was one thing. Even if they were willing, by the time the other vassal king arrived in Beijing to support him, the emperor's grave would likely be covered in grass.
More importantly, would the emperor dare to allow the vassal kings to lead their troops into the capital?
The strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf may lead to the wolf entering the house if you are not careful...
Then, the only possibility is that Prime Minister Zhao is preparing for the worst.
But no one knows what it is exactly.
Lin Jiangnian had no idea what Prime Minister Zhao was thinking. After getting Prime Minister Zhao's tacit consent, he planned to leave with satisfaction.
However, when leaving the courtyard and arriving at the front hall of the Zhao Mansion, Lin Jiangnian stopped again.
Today's meeting with Prime Minister Zhao was facilitated by Miss Zhao. Actually, it was all thanks to her help.
I don't know... Is she at home?
After thinking for a moment, Lin Jiangnian turned around immediately.
He planned to find Miss Zhao to express his gratitude in person!
Um.
Just to thank her for the matchmaking.
…
Outside the cold courtyard.
Lin Jiangnian drove to the outside of the courtyard in a familiar manner. At the door, a maid who was familiar to Lin Jiangnian saw Lin Jiangnian, was slightly startled, and blinked.
"Prince Lin...His Royal Highness?"
Lin Jiangnian recognized the maid, having met her a few times before. She was quite cute.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Xiaoyue was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed respectfully.
As if a little shy, she lowered her head slightly.
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand and glanced at the yard behind her: "Is your young lady here?"
Xiaoyue nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, Miss has been waiting for His Highness for a long time..."
"wait for me?"
Lin Jiangnian was puzzled.
Xiaoyue then realized that she had said something wrong. Her face turned slightly red and her eyes were a little flustered.
"Your Highness, the young lady has given instructions. You can go directly to see her... She is in the courtyard..."
Xiaoyue lowered her head and hurried to make amends.
Lin Jiangnian thought the maid was a little strange, but he didn't take it to heart.
Since Miss Zhao is here, that's enough!
Nodding, Lin Jiangnian walked into the courtyard.
Xiaoyue stood outside the yard, quietly looking up at the back of the Prince of Lin, her face slightly flushed, her eyes filled with a hint of envy.
This Prince Lin is so handsome!
Unfortunately, this Prince Lin is already engaged to the eldest princess of the dynasty...
Xiaoyue sighed softly, but soon seemed to think of something and blinked.
etc……
The eldest princess and her young lady are good sisters and have a very close relationship.
But why does the eldest princess's fiancé often come to see his young lady during this period?
Xiaoyue blinked.
Could this be...
As if thinking of some possibility, Xiaoyue's eyes gradually widened in shock.
My dear lady, are you trying to steal your best friend's fiancé?
…
A cold courtyard.
In deep winter, the weather becomes increasingly cold.
However, compared to the previous times, when I stepped into this familiar courtyard today, it felt less desolate than before.
The dead leaves scattered on the ground were cleaned up, and the furnishings around were neatly arranged. There was no trace of the late autumn chill that I had when I first came.
Lin Jiangnian stepped onto the cobblestone path and onto the arch bridge. Beneath the bridge, the stream flowed silently, with willow branches hanging on both sides.
After crossing the arch bridge, a figure appeared in sight ahead.
Not far away, at the corner of the yard, a big green tree stood tall in the cold wind, its emerald green forming a sharp contrast with the withered and yellow surroundings.
Under the tree hung an exquisite swing, woven from straw ropes, with the ground covered with grass. A graceful figure sat on the swing, gently swinging.
A simple, elegant long dress enveloped the woman's figure, yet it seemed ready to emerge. The thick mink draped over her body blocked the cold wind from the courtyard, but it couldn't block the trembling of the swing as it swayed back and forth.
It's eye-catching!
Half of her long black hair was combed up and tied with an exquisite white jade hairpin, and the other half was scattered casually until it reached her waist. As the cold wind blew gently, her long hair danced and scattered all over the sky, so stunning!
The woman leaned lightly on the edge of the swing, her bare hands holding the straw ropes on both sides of the swing. Under her skirt, one foot was lightly stepping on the grass, and the other foot was slightly suspended in the air, with her toes lightly touching the ground.
As the swing swayed back and forth, the skirt covering her legs fluttered slowly in the wind, and was lifted up from time to time, revealing the pair of... tightly wrapped jade feet under the skirt.
Yes!
Wrapped tightly.
The embroidered solid-colored silk stockings tightly wrapped the pair of jade feet that Lin Jiangnian had just peeked at and even played with in his hands a few days ago, leaving not a single bit of skin exposed.
She even wore thick trousers under her skirt to tightly wrap her pair of snow-white, slender legs.
Not a single bit can be seen.
Who are you guarding against?
Lin Jiangnian was very angry!
What about trust between people?
Lin Jiangnian stood by the arch bridge, looking at the woman sitting on the swing not far away.
With stunning looks and noble temperament, he seemed to have a cold gaze that made people feel out of reach.
The daughter of the then Prime Minister Zhao, a rich girl who is loved by everyone, seems to be born with a proud and cold temperament.
However, Lin Jiangnian had no intention of appreciating it.
He is very angry!
When he met Miss Zhao before, she was dressed boldly and never covered up in front of Lin Jiangnian. Even her three-inch golden lotus feet, which women should not easily show to others, were openly displayed in front of Lin Jiangnian.
He was even allowed to touch it!
Although the previous times she had intended to deliberately seduce and use Lin Jiangnian, it was enough to show that Miss Zhao should be a person who did not care about trivial matters.
...At least in front of Lin Jiangnian, he should be a person who is not fussy about trivial matters and is generous and generous.
But what about this time?
She wrapped herself tightly, which was totally inconsistent with her previous bold style.
Lin Jiangnian was not quite used to it.
Even though it's cold outside, it doesn't hurt to wear more clothes.
But it was obvious that he could feel that Miss Zhao was on guard against villains.
But……
"Beware of villains, how can you even be on guard against a gentleman like me?"
“…”
At the same time, Zhao Xi, who was swinging on the swing out of boredom, looked up and saw Lin Jiangnian standing on the arch bridge in front of him.
The two of them locked eyes, and a flash of shame and anger quickly appeared in Zhao Xi's eyes, then quickly dissipated.
"Hey, isn't this His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Lin?"
Zhao Xi raised the corner of her mouth slightly: "How come you have time to come to my place today?"
"Miss Zhao."
Lin Jiangnian seemed oblivious to the sarcastic tone in Miss Zhao's voice. "This prince was invited by Prime Minister Zhao to come to the Zhao residence today, and I came to visit Miss Zhao."
"By the way?"
Zhao Xi blinked, a hint of resentment quickly emerging in her eyes: "So, in His Highness's eyes, I am just someone you only think of when you are in the moment?"
"So, in His Highness's heart, I am so insignificant?"
Zhao Xi's eyes were dim and her voice was weak and aggrieved, like a daughter-in-law who had been angry. I felt pity for her.
Okay, okay, you want to act too, right?
“How could it be!”
Lin Jiangnian's expression remained unchanged as he shook his head, "Miss Zhao is naturally important to this prince. I came here today specifically to see her."
"Didn't you just say that by the way?"
"Is there?"
Lin Jiangnian looked bewildered, then said confidently, "Miss Zhao must have heard it wrong. I meant a special trip. I came here specially to see Miss Zhao today."
Zhao Xi: “…”
She never expected that the Prince of Lin would be so shameless and talk nonsense in front of her.
No shame, no guilt...
Zhao Xi's full chest trembled slightly in anger. After a while, she sneered unhappily, "You are so hypocritical."
"Usually, I learn this from Miss Zhao."
Zhao Xi glared: "When did I teach you this?"
Lin Jiangnian said, "Miss Zhao's pitiful appearance just now, like a young wife who had been abused, wasn't that also a very conspicuous and hypocritical act?"
"you……"
Zhao Xi was furious, her pretty face flushed slightly: "You are the one who was ruined!"
"This prince is just describing..."
"Shut up!"
Zhao Xi's breathing became rapid, and her chest shook even more dazzlingly.
She gritted her teeth, a look of shame and anger on her delicate face, glared at Lin Jiangnian, and even stopped swinging on the swing.
Miss Zhao, who was full of charm and elegance, was obviously quite angry at the moment.
Seeing this, Lin Jiangnian stopped provoking her. He coughed lightly and said, "I was just joking with Miss Zhao just now... Actually, I came here today specifically to express my gratitude to Miss Zhao."
"grateful?"
Zhao Xi raised her eyes and stared at him.
Lin Jiang smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Miss Zhao, for your help. This is why I was able to see Prime Minister Zhao today... Therefore, I came here specially to express my gratitude to Miss Zhao."
"Oh!"
After listening to Lin Jiangnian's explanation, Zhao Xi was stunned for a moment, and then looked at Lin Jiangnian in surprise.
Then, a sarcastic sneer appeared on his face.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince of Lin, is this how you express your gratitude?"
Zhao Xi glanced at him and said with a forced smile: "You came to my house to express your gratitude with empty hands and no sincerity, which is fine, but you even said that I was a young wife who was ruined."
"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Lin's way of expressing his gratitude... is truly unique and ingenious!"
How does that sentence go?
Don’t offend anyone, don’t offend a petty woman!
Obviously, this Miss Zhao in front of him was deliberately looking for trouble!
What a sarcastic way!
And the reason why she was picking on him wasn't just because of what Lin Jiangnian had just said...
Or maybe it was because of that last time... he got angry?
"Ahem... Miss Zhao misunderstood. This prince will naturally not come to express his gratitude empty-handed. This prince has prepared a small gift, which will be delivered to your residence later..."
Zhao Xi glanced at him and said, "Later? I'm afraid it won't be delivered until His Royal Highness returns to the Jiang Mansion, right?"
Lin Jiangnian: "...Miss Zhao, you are truly intelligent and unparalleled. Even this makes me admire you."
“…”
Zhao Xi stared at Lin Jiangnian for a few seconds, then suddenly said unhappily, "You're being hypocritically honest."
"Miss Zhao, are you praising this prince?"
"What do you think?"
"Just think of it as Miss Zhao praising me."
Lin Jiang smiled young.
hypocritical?
An honest person cannot survive in Beijing.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that this Miss Zhao seems harmless. Isn’t she actually just as hypocritical?
Big brother, please stop making fun of your second brother!
Zhao Xi raised his eyes slightly and looked at Lin Jiangnian.
Today, to show respect to Prime Minister Zhao, Lin Jiang, for the first time, had changed into a white brocade robe. While not a formal robe, it was still luxurious. The robe was embroidered with brocade patterns, the belt was inlaid with gold thread embroidery, and he wore a jade pendant, the jade's quality was priceless at first glance.
Lin Jiangnian was born with a beautiful appearance and a handsome face. His eyebrows were slightly raised, revealing an extraordinary temperament that seemed to be born with him. Indistinctly, there seemed to be a bit of fascinating and indescribable temperament.
Zhao Xi stared at it blankly, and when he came to his senses, his face was slightly flushed and there was a hint of strange color in his eyes.
She sighed, her eyes dim as she spoke, "When I first met His Highness, I knew he was no ordinary person. But I never imagined he could be so shameless..."
"Just based on this point, Your Highness will most likely achieve great things in the future!"
"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Zhao."
“…”
"Forget it, I won't bother with you."
Zhao Xi rolled her eyes beautifully, tapped the ground with her toes, and the swing began to swing slowly again.
"How was the conversation with my dad?"
Zhao Xi suddenly asked while swinging gently on the swing.
"It's okay." Lin Jiangnian said.
"Did my father promise to help you?"
Zhao Xi looked up at him in surprise.
"No."
"That's more like it."
Zhao Xi glanced at him again and said, "My father is the Prime Minister after all. With so many eyes on him, it's unlikely he would help a prince's son like you... I'm afraid your plan will be in vain!"
"That's hard to say." Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly.
"Um?"
Lin Jiang smiled and said, "Although Prime Minister Zhao and I have different positions, we share the same ideals and goals."
"What is it?"
Zhao Xi looked suspicious.
A common ideal goal?
How come she doesn't know?
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes slightly, and after a while, he spoke softly: "The world is at peace."
Zhao Xi: “…”
"Miss Zhao doesn't believe it?"
Zhao Xi looked a little strange. He stared at him for a few seconds before saying quietly, "Do you think I should believe this?"
"Should I... believe it?"
"But it's really hard for me to be convinced by your Highness's daily behavior..."
"It seems that Miss Zhao has many misunderstandings about this prince!"
"Is this really a misunderstanding?"
Zhao Xi stared at him and asked back.
There seemed to be a hint of shame and annoyance in his expression.
Seeing her reaction like this, Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but think of what happened two days ago, and his eyes subconsciously glanced down...
"What are you looking at?"
Zhao Xi immediately noticed that Lin Jiangnian's gaze was looking down.
In an instant, she felt that tingling sensation surge up her heart again, and subconsciously retracted her legs under her skirt, staring at him in embarrassment: "What are you looking at?!"
"I didn't see anything."
Lin Jiangnian looked away and curled his lips.
What a big reaction.
This Miss Zhao looks calm on the surface, but actually she cares a lot?
Zhao Xi gritted his teeth. What haven’t you seen yet?
This guy was clearly staring at her feet, yet he acted so serious and hypocritical.
So annoying!
As if she had thought of something, Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes moved and narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement appearing on her face: "Since Your Highness dared to peek at me, why didn't you dare to admit it?"
"I don't have any."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head in denial.
"Your Highness has already touched me, so why are you being so secretive and acting like those hooligans on the street? Doesn't that damage your dignity as the Crown Prince of Lin?"
"How could this prince be the same as a gangster?"
"Isn't that the way Your Highness glanced at me just now?"
"Miss Zhao, if you say that, I have something to say... To be honest, this is all your fault, Miss Zhao!"
"Blame me?"
Zhao Xi was slightly surprised.
Blame her?
Why is she blamed for this?
"yes!"
Lin Jiangnian looked at the girl swinging on the swing in front of him, then glanced down and sighed softly. "Ms. Zhao said just now that she did touch me... But why is she being so dishonest today?"
Zhao Xi was still confused for a moment and didn't react: "How am I not honest?"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and said regretfully, "Miss Zhao, you're covering yourself up so tightly. Isn't that dishonest? Since you've already touched her, why is there any need to hide it? Isn't it unnecessary?"
"If Miss Zhao is honest today, why should I be so sneaky?"
"Miss Zhao is openly displaying herself, so naturally, this prince will openly admire her..."
"Miss Zhao is wary of even a gentleman like me. This really makes me sad..."
"Tell me, is this your fault?"
“…”
Zhao Xi was stunned!
He stood there in a daze, his eyes dull.
Look of shock!
Why does it sound like...it makes some sense?
But soon, Zhao Xi suddenly reacted, his face flushed, and he was embarrassed and angry.
Something is wrong!
I almost got fooled!
This guy is clearly trying to change the concept, confuse the audience, and make unreasonable demands!
What is the frank display?
He clearly wanted to take advantage of her?
Still a gentleman?
"spit!"
Zhao Xi stared at him with a blushing face. If it weren't for what happened a few days ago, she might have really believed it.
The first few times she deliberately seduced him, the Prince of Lin remained unmoved, and Zhao Xi almost thought he was really a gentleman.
But after being touched last time, Zhao Xi immediately gave up this idea!
gentleman?
Are there any decent men who casually touch women's feet?
Even though she was just being angry on purpose, but...did he really touch her?
He touched her so carefully and seriously, with such skillful movements and techniques that I almost let her touch me... It was obvious that he had touched her many times before!
Who knows how many women have fallen into his clutches!
Thinking of this, Zhao Xi blushed and glared at him: "According to you, it's really my fault?"
"Should I take off my shoes and socks now and lift my legs so you can see it openly?"
Lin Jiangnian coughed and said, "Logically speaking... it's like this."
"In that case, how about I take off my dress, bellyband and underwear so that you can see more clearly?"
Lin Jiangnian was surprised: "Is it really possible?"
Zhao Xi's pretty face flushed red, and she sneered with gritted teeth.
"You wish!"
“…”
Brothers, please give me some monthly tickets!!!
