Jinxiu left the Yangxin Palace and walked along the outer corridor under the palace eaves to a palace next door.
The palace here is not much different from the Yangxin Palace next door, but it is more deserted. The flowers and plants in the corners of the courtyard are slightly withered, and a few rays of warm sunlight slowly shine through, giving it a peaceful atmosphere.
In this cold courtyard, a pure white figure was standing quietly under the eaves.
The lonely and cold figure and icy temperament seemed to make the surrounding air several degrees colder.
Jinxiu took small steps forward, came to the princess' side, and whispered softly, "Your Highness, I have brought His Highness the Prince of Lin to the Yangxin Palace..."
Li Piaomiao stood there quietly like a lonely sculpture, with a cold and expressionless face beneath his jet-black hair, and nodded lightly.
Jinxiu blinked, and seeing that her princess was unmoved, she whispered, "Your Highness, won't you go over and take a look?"
Li Piaomiao retracted his gaze from the courtyard: "What are you looking at?"
What are you looking at?
Of course, I went to see how His Royal Highness the Crown Prince addressed His Royal Highness the Prince of Lin!
He called him brother-in-law in a very affectionate way.
Even Jinxiu was stunned by what she heard.
Although His Royal Highness was kindhearted, it was rare to see His Royal Highness entertain others so warmly and cordially, especially when the other party was...
Jinxiu carefully looked at her own prince for a few times and blinked: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was extremely enthusiastic when he saw His Royal Highness the Prince of Lin. He personally stood up to greet him and even called His Royal Highness the Prince..."
"Brother-in-law!"
When Jinxiu said the word "brother-in-law", she could clearly see that the princess was slightly startled, and then she looked at her intently: "Did the prince really say that?"
"Uh-huh."
Jinxiu nodded hurriedly, "I heard it clearly. The Crown Prince called His Highness his brother-in-law as soon as he saw His Highness the Crown Prince, and was extremely enthusiastic... His Highness the Crown Prince tried to refuse, and he said it was a matter of time. Anyway, Your Highness the Princess will marry His Highness the Crown Prince sooner or later, and we will be family in the future..."
After Jinxiu finished speaking, she saw that her Royal Highness the Princess seemed lost in thought, so she asked again, "Princess, do you want to go over and... stop the Crown Prince?"
The princess was silent for a moment before she said, "No need!"
"Let him do what he wants."
Jinxiu blinked: "Then, what if His Royal Highness the Prince Lin takes it seriously?"
The eldest princess had her hands behind her back, wrapped in a long white dress. A little bit of warm winter sun fell on the hem of her skirt, shining a bit of golden light.
Her eyes remained calm: "It has nothing to do with me."
Is it irrelevant?
Jinxiu blinked, looking at the cool and beautiful temperament of her own princess, feeling a little envious and a little worried.
Li Piaomiao glanced at her and said, "Let's go."
"Where are you going?"
"Come with me to the harem and meet my mother."
Li Piaomiao spoke lightly and walked towards the door.
A hint of doubt appeared on Jinxiu's pretty and sweet face. Meeting the Queen?
Why does Your Highness the Princess suddenly want to see the Queen today?
Although she didn't know the reason, Jinxiu quickly caught up.
“…”
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
On the tea table, steam was rising from the tea.
A faint, lingering sandalwood scent lingered in the air. His Royal Highness, dressed in a brocade dragon robe, sat quietly at the table. A thick stack of memorials lay on the tea table in front of him.
Glancing around, the cold and gloomy palace gave people an indescribable chill.
It seems that this is where His Royal Highness the Crown Prince works and handles government affairs on a daily basis.
At this time, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince warmly invited Lin Jiangnian to sit with him, and looked at him with a smile on his face: "I have heard that my brother-in-law is handsome and elegant. Today I finally get to see him in person..."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's gaze fell on Lin Jiangnian, and after a careful examination, he sighed, "I didn't expect him to be even more outstanding than the rumors said. My brother-in-law is handsome, and his temperament is elegant and refined. I'm really envious..."
Lin Jiangnian and the Crown Prince sat facing each other, and the two looked at each other. From the moment he saw the Crown Prince, all Lin Jiangnian could see in his eyes was surprise and emotion.
And his overwhelming enthusiasm for his future brother-in-law!
The enthusiasm made Lin Jiangnian feel uncomfortable.
I was afraid that all this was just a facade from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and that in reality, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had already arranged for executioners outside the Yangxin Palace...
Lin Jiangnian even looked around quietly, and only felt relieved after making sure that there was no one else around.
"Your Highness, your compliments are too kind. In terms of appearance, how can I compare to your Highness?"
Facing the praise from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly: "Only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is truly a man of great appearance, dignified and imposing, with both talent and beauty, as handsome as Pan An..."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince has a unique and outstanding temperament. I believe that Your Highness has the potential to be a true dragon, and the appearance of an emperor is fully revealed..."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince: “…”
The two suddenly fell into a strange silence.
After a while, Li Qining sighed softly: "Brother-in-law, do you know that if this gets out, it will be terrible..."
Real dragon?
The appearance of an emperor?
If this description were applied to the Crown Prince, once it were spread, it would immediately be said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had the intention of rebellion.
"I believe that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will not spread this."
Lin Jiangnian looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in front of him with a smile on his face.
"That's right."
Li Ci Ning sighed, "However, if my father or the ministers in the court heard this, I'm afraid they would impeach me again."
He looked like he had a headache.
Lin Jiangnian didn't say anything.
Li Ci Ning looked at Lin Jiangnian again and chuckled, "Although this is the first time we've met, I don't know why I feel particularly close to you."
Lin Jiangnian also smiled and said, "I feel the same way. I feel inexplicably close to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Ha ha!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince laughed twice: "It seems that you and I, my brother-in-law, are truly destined to become a family."
As he spoke, Li Qining picked up the teacup on the table and said, "I wanted to have a drink with my brother-in-law, but unfortunately I haven't been feeling well recently, so I can only drink tea instead of wine. I'll toast you, brother-in-law!"
Lin Jiangnian also picked up the teacup and said, "Your Highness, you should take care of your health. You are the heir to the dynasty, and you cannot afford any mishaps."
Li Qining picked up the teacup, took a sip, put it down, and then sighed softly: "It's difficult to be the crown prince!"
As he was speaking, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly coughed violently twice, and his face turned pale and weak.
Lin Jiangnian took a look and his eyes fixed.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince...seems a little weak?
Is the condition very serious?
You won’t die here, will you?
If he died here, Lin Jiangnian would probably have to bear the blame until his death!
With the experience of taking the blame last time, Lin Jiangnian was very cautious this time.
"Your Highness, you..."
Lin Jiangnian asked tentatively: "Are you okay?"
"No problem!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince waved his hand, took a deep breath, and calmed his breathing: "It's nothing serious, just a little weak, and I haven't recovered yet."
"That's good. Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."
Lin Jiangnian spoke, becoming more alert.
When I first arrived in Zhongzhou, I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was seriously ill. Now, such a long time has passed, and he still hasn't recovered. This shows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's condition seems to be very serious!
However, Lin Jiangnian didn't care. He only cared whether His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would die today.
Even if I die, I must not die in front of him.
"I don't know what important matter His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to see me about today."
Lin Jiangnian casually asked about the business.
A smile appeared on the pale face of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince: "Brother-in-law is suspicious. Do I have any other purpose in calling you here today?"
Lin Jiangnian said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has been ordered to supervise the country. He is usually very busy with government affairs. I am afraid that I will delay your important work."
Li Ci Ning shook his head slightly: "My brother-in-law's business is naturally the business."
"After my brother-in-law marries Piaomiao, you and I will be as close as family. With my brother-in-law in charge of the southern border of our Daning Dynasty, our Daning Dynasty will be forever secure. This is the most important thing!"
This Crown Prince... is there something behind his words?
Lin Jiangnian remained calm and chuckled, "Of course. The Lin family is favored by His Majesty and guards Linzhou for His Majesty. We should relieve the emperor's worries."
"Your Majesty is willing to marry the eldest princess to me. This is such a great favor, and I am deeply grateful..."
“…”
Telling lies with open eyes is Lin Jiangnian's specialty.
He didn't know why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came to see him today, but Lin Jiangnian already had a plan to deal with it.
However, when the Crown Prince heard Lin Jiangnian's words, he suddenly fell silent.
After a while, Youyou sighed: "My brother-in-law and I will be a family in the future. Why should my brother-in-law say such high-sounding words to fool me?"
Lin Jiangnian blinked: "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
"Every word I just said is true!"
"I do want to believe my brother-in-law, but..."
Li Qining glanced at Lin Jiangnian and sighed softly, "What my brother-in-law said is exactly the same as what those officials in the court usually try to deceive me..."
"I find it really hard to believe!"
Lin Jiangnian: “…”
Are there so many treacherous ministers in the court?
Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was deceived?
Did you trick the Crown Prince into giving him some experience?
"Your Highness, you are worrying too much. I am different from those people."
"What's the difference?"
"Every word I say is true and truly reflects my true feelings."
"But, did the ministers in the court also tell me the same thing?"
“…”
The atmosphere gradually became silent.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at Lin Jiangnian, suddenly chuckled and waved his hand: "Brother-in-law, don't worry. I have no other intentions. Today I simply want to see you... Today I am not the Crown Prince, and you are not the Prince of Lin. You and I are just ordinary... friends, how is it?"
"Whatever His Royal Highness the Crown Prince says is what it is, right?"
Lin Jiangnian naturally didn't believe it.
This Crown Prince who is the regent has nothing to do and just wants to see him?
Who would believe this if I told them?
However, since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not point it out, Lin Jiangnian naturally did not point it out.
The two of them drank tea and chatted happily, as if they had just met, but also as if they were old friends who had known each other for a long time.
The identities of the two people were tacitly not mentioned again.
…
On the other side, the harem.
In the cool back garden.
"What? Prince Lin is here?"
In the courtyard, a beautiful woman stood up, a little surprised: "Why is he here?"
In the courtyard, Li Piaomiao, dressed in a white long dress, looked indifferent: "The prince called me."
"Why did Ci Ning call him into the palace?"
The beautiful woman showed a bit of doubt on her face: "He is the son of a vassal prince. If he enters the palace without your father's order..."
"The prince knows what's going on."
The beautiful woman quickly realized something: "That's right, your father ordered Ci Ning to be the regent, Ci Ning will not do anything reckless."
After muttering a few words to herself, the beautiful woman's eyes lit up slightly: "It's rare. Since the Prince of Lin has entered the palace, I would like to go and take a look..."
"I've heard Yuxiang mention it a lot recently, and I'm curious. I want to go and take a look..."
As she spoke, the beautiful woman glanced at Li Piaomiao beside her and said, "Take a look at this future son-in-law of mine."
“…”
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Lin Jiangnian and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince drank tea instead of wine, and they had a great chat.
After noon, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince even invited Lin Jiangnian to have a meal with him. After dinner, seeing that it was getting late, Lin Jiangnian finally bid farewell to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was reluctant to leave, he was indeed busy with government affairs, so he did not try to keep her. He made an appointment with Lin Jiangnian to meet again in the East Palace when he was free next time.
When Lin Jiangnian stood up and prepared to leave, the voice of a palace maid was heard outside the Health Hall.
"The Queen has arrived!"
"Is the mother here?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was a little surprised.
Lin Jiangnian did not expect the Queen to appear suddenly, and turned around to look outside the palace.
A group of people soon appeared in the sight ahead.
Leading the group was a beautiful woman.
She has an exquisite appearance, gentle and noble. Time has not left many traces on her face. She is wearing a luxurious robe, and her whole body reveals a graceful temperament, like a mother of the country.
Surrounded by palace maids, he slowly approached.
Lin Jiangnian's eyes fell on the beautiful woman, and he quickly saw in her a bit of the cold and aloof temperament similar to that of Li Piaomiao.
They are indeed mother and daughter!
Logically speaking, this Empress should be nearly 40 years old. However, judging from her appearance, she looked like a mature woman under 30.
A little too young.
"Mother!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince quickly stood up and went out to greet him.
"Mother, why are you here?"
Li Ci Ning walked out of the hall and spoke in surprise.
"I came to check on you, Ci Ning, how are you?"
The Queen Mother looked at the Prince with a look of doting and concern.
"Thank you for your concern, mother. Ci Ning is doing well." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince replied.
"That's good. You are the crown prince, so you must take good care of yourself and never overwork yourself."
"Your son will remember this!" His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said respectfully.
The Empress nodded slightly, her gaze following the Crown Prince to his back, and casually said, "I heard from Piaomiao that Prince Lin is here? Is he here? Let me see him."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was slightly stunned. Did the Queen Mother come here today to see her brother-in-law?
At the same time, Lin Jiangnian walked out of the hall and looked at the queen in front of him, who had a beautiful and dignified face and a noble and majestic temperament.
Lin Jiangnian bowed and said, "I am the Crown Prince of Lin Wang, Lin Jiangnian, and I pay my respects to the Empress!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed that the Queen's eyes were on him, and she kept looking him over.
After a while, the Queen's voice was heard. It was very cold, yet somewhat ethereal, with an indescribable aura: "No need to be so polite, my lord."
"Thank you, Queen."
Lin Jiangnian just slowly raised his head and made eye contact with the Queen.
The queen had deep beautiful eyes and a noble temperament. She was dressed in brocade clothes and carved embroidered shoes. Her hair was tied into seven strands and tied with a jade hairpin, exuding a dignified air.
She wore a faint smile, calm and elegant. She looked at Lin Jiangnian and praised him, "Your Highness is indeed a handsome man, gentle and elegant, worthy of being the son of Prince Lin. Seeing you today, I am truly impressed."
"Thank you for the compliment, Her Majesty."
Lin Jiangnian had just opened his mouth when he heard the Queen's tone suddenly change: "So, the Crown Prince suddenly came to the palace today, is it to marry Piaomiao?"
"Prince, are you ready to marry Piaomiao?"
"?"
Lin Jiangnian looked up and met the Queen's eyes. He saw that her eyebrows were like emerald feathers, extremely beautiful, and there seemed to be some depth in her eyes.
And inexplicably, it feels a little... menacing?
Aggressive?
The Queen's tone is... is she trying to urge you to get married?
…
