The heavy snow stopped and the world became quiet.
Gloomy weather enveloped the entire capital city.
This heavy snow collapsed a large number of houses outside the East Gate of the city, causing countless casualties.
Many people died of freezing to death on the official roads outside the capital. This heavy snow caused great anxiety among the people, and the people complained bitterly.
The soldiers and defenders in the city rushed out to maintain order and deal with the victims.
The commotion was so loud that even the detectives from Jingzhao Prefecture and Mitiansi were alarmed, and a lot of people were mobilized to deal with it.
Beneath the snow, undercurrents surge.
In the eastern suburbs of the city, outside an unnoticed house, an unremarkable carriage quietly stopped outside the house.
The curtain was lifted, Lin Jiangnian got off the carriage and entered the house.
After passing through the courtyard and the pavilion, we came to a hidden room in the backyard. Entering the room, we unlocked the mechanism inside the room, revealing a secret passageway.
Passing through the quiet and dim inner room, we came to a secluded and deserted basement.
The air was filled with a slight smell of blood, mixed with an indescribable nauseating odor.
Lin Jiangnian slowly stopped outside the basement door and saw a figure lying in the corner through the railings.
A figure so disheveled that it was almost unrecognizable, covered in blood, in tattered clothes, and dying.
"How is it?"
Lin Jiangnian watched quietly, without any change in expression on his face.
Lin Kong appeared behind Lin Jiangnian, bowed his head and said respectfully: "I tortured this man and forced him to confess. Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission..."
Having said this, Lin Kong paused and said, "After a night of interrogation, he finally opened his mouth."
"This person is a minion of the eunuch Chen in the palace. He is usually responsible for controlling the Secret Heaven Department, cultivating power, helping Eunuch Chen to eliminate his enemies, and handling some shameful matters..."
Lin Kong reported respectfully, while Lin Jiangnian looked at the figure in the corner nonchalantly. This guardian of the Secret Heaven Division, who had been so high-spirited not long ago, had now fallen to this state.
After Lin Jiangnian defeated Chen Feiyang that day, he did not kill him.
Chen Feiyang worked for Chen Zhao, so he must have known a lot of secrets. Lin Jiangnian handed him over to his men to pry open his mouth.
Chen Feiyang's words were indeed tough, but only for a while.
Under the torture methods summarized from years of experience and practice in the Prince Lin’s Mansion, Chen Feiyang could not hold on for long and confessed everything!
"He is one of the four guardians of the Secret Heaven Division. Besides him, there are three others, especially the Great Guardian. Even Chen Feiyang is not very clear about his background. The Great Guardian is the real ruler of the Secret Heaven Division..."
"On weekdays, Chen Feiyang is mainly responsible for helping the eunuch Chen in the palace to eliminate dissidents. He uses the power of the Secret Heavenly Division to secretly frame and attack loyal officials in the court and win over powerful officials..."
"With the help of the power of the Secret Heaven Department, the eunuch Chen in the palace took the opportunity to become an all-powerful figure in the court, with overwhelming power..."
“…”
It has to be said that when Lin Jiangnian heard the information he pried out from Chen Feiyang, even though he had expected it, he was still a little surprised!
He had underestimated this eunuch Chen!
This eunuch Chen has really big ambitions!
While eliminating dissidents in the court, he also won over powerful officials. With the help of Mi Tiansi's power, he gradually formed a huge chain of interests, which made him a figure that no one in the court dared to underestimate!
Although this eunuch Chen never appeared in the court, he was able to influence the court affairs behind the scenes.
Eunuchs interfering in politics!
As early as when he was in Linzhou, Lin Jiangnian had heard about the power of Eunuch Chen. Now, after a careful investigation, he found that it was not that simple.
This Chen Zhao, who had such a knack for handling the imperial court, must be quite extraordinary. It would be difficult for Zhao Xi to assassinate him.
"Your Highness, there may be something fishy going on here!"
At this time, Lin Kong's voice came from the side again.
Lin Jiangnian glanced sideways: "What do you mean?"
Lin Kong said in a deep voice, "From the information I extorted from Chen Feiyang, I discovered some clues... This eunuch Chen has been particularly active in the capital in recent years. Two months ago, the entire family of the Minister of War was framed and imprisoned, and ultimately executed..."
"This isn't right!"
Lin Jiangnian's eyes moved slightly: "What's wrong?"
Lin Kong explained, "This Eunuch Chen is favored by His Majesty and holds the power of the Secret Heavenly Department. His influence in the court is already immense, and it is difficult for ordinary people to shake his position. Logically speaking, he is a smart man and should not make himself a target of public criticism..."
"But he's acting out of character, constantly suppressing his political enemies, framing loyal officials, and publicly trying to win over court officials. This... is very wrong!"
Lin Kong frowned: "He is just a eunuch, but his actions are like..."
"There are other plans!"
Listening to Lin Kong's analysis, Lin Jiangnian seemed to be lost in thought.
What Lin Kong said was indeed correct.
A eunuch who already had great power in the court and whose position could not be shaken by anyone except the current emperor.
Why would you risk offending everyone and go to great lengths to plot and suppress the officials in the court?
And why did he want to win over so many ministers and forces? He...
What do you want to do?
Any other intentions?
As a eunuch, he already had immense power. What else could he possibly want?
It can't be...
An idea gradually emerged in Lin Jiangnian's mind.
He remembered the time when Chen Changqing had told him... Mi Tiansi had a close relationship with the third prince.
If we talk about that Eunuch Chen in the palace and the Third Prince... then everything seems to make sense?!
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but stare at it.
This is very important news indeed!
As the palace's chief steward, Chen Zhao clearly controlled almost all palace affairs and held immense influence. If the Third Prince truly harbored any ill intentions, the two of them could work together...
Thinking of this, even Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat!
If this is true, the Daning Dynasty will probably be in chaos!
There will be chaos!
He had to be cautious and vigilant about this matter.
At this moment, Lin Kong said again: "Your Highness, there is one more thing!"
"What is it?"
"Commander Lin just sent someone to deliver intelligence this morning. She discovered traces of a private army outside the capital yesterday evening. Judging from the signs, I'm afraid they are the target Your Highness is looking for..."
"Found it?"
Upon hearing this news, Lin Jiangnian's eyes narrowed slightly and he became alert.
The third prince has stayed in the capital for a long time. He wants to compete for the throne, so he must have a lot of cards in his hand.
When Lin Jiangnian entered the capital, most of the masters he assassinated outside the capital were martial arts masters secretly raised by the third prince.
In addition to these martial arts masters, Lin Jiangnian also suspected that the third prince was secretly recruiting and training a private army, and that this private army must be not far from the capital.
If the Third Prince wants to accomplish anything, it is absolutely impossible without his own soldiers.
Therefore, not long ago, Lin Jiangnian sent Lin Qingqing to arrange people to investigate secretly and make sure to find the third prince's private army. Now there is finally news.
"Where is Qingqing?" Lin Jiangnian asked.
"Commander Lin is still tracking the whereabouts of that private army and has sent someone to report this to Your Highness, asking what to do next."
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment and said, "For now, don't alert the enemy. Let Qingqing continue to track them secretly. Don't expose yourself, and don't act rashly. Report any unusual movements at any time."
"yes."
Lin Jiangnian muttered to himself, "It seems that the Third Prince can't sit still any longer..."
The traces of the Third Prince's private army can be found outside the city, which means that they are likely to arrive soon! The current turmoil in the court is indeed a good opportunity for the Third Prince.
However, the time is not right yet.
Lin Jiangnian had no intention of alerting the enemy!
The Third Prince wants to compete for the throne, so he naturally has only one goal...
For Lin Jiangnian, he naturally hopes that the more chaotic the better.
The more chaotic the Daning Dynasty became, the less interested these people were in managing the Lin Palace. All the Lin Palace had to do was sit back and watch the tigers fight, continuing to develop in the south.
But on the other hand, Lin Jiangnian cannot completely stay out of it!
He was not interested in who would be the future crown prince or emperor of the Daning Dynasty.
But, it definitely can’t be the Third Prince!
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes, wondering whether he should inform the Crown Prince of this news?
In any case, the Crown Prince gave Lin Jiangnian a pretty good first impression.
He called him brother-in-law affectionately. Compared to the Third Prince who wanted to kill him before they even met, this Crown Prince was indeed a good man...
"Your Highness."
At this time, Lin Kong's voice came from the side again: "This person has been interrogated. What should we do with him?"
Lin Jiangnian came to his senses and looked towards the corner.
The disheveled and bloody figure twitched slightly, as if wanting to struggle, but he couldn't muster any strength.
He had no internal strength left and had almost completely lost the ability to move due to the torture.
Even if I wanted to commit suicide, I couldn't.
"He can't be kept."
Lin Jiangnian spoke lightly.
From the very beginning, he had no intention of letting Chen Feiyang live.
Now that all of Chen Feiyang's usefulness has been squeezed out, there is only one fate waiting for him.
"I understand!"
Lin Kong's expression hardened, and he was about to walk towards the corner.
"etc."
Lin Jiangnian called out to him again and shook his head gently: "He must die, but we don't have to kill him."
Lin Kong looked puzzled, not knowing what His Highness meant.
"Help me do something."
Lin Jiangnian glanced at Chen Feiyang in the corner, then turned to look at Lin Kong.
Lin Kong bowed his head and said respectfully, "Your Highness, please give your orders."
"Send him to the Zhao residence."
"Personally deliver it to Miss Zhao and tell her... I've brought her a great gift!"
“…”
Zhao Mansion.
Inner courtyard.
Xiaoyue, wrapped in a thick skirt, stepped hurriedly into the inner courtyard on the thick snow and came under the eaves.
"Miss, Miss!"
She reached out and knocked on the door, her voice anxious and rapid.
After a moment, a lazy and soft voice came from the room: "Xiaoyue, why are you so flustered?"
"Miss, it's, it's the Prince of Lin..., he, he..."
Outside the door, Xiaoyue was panting and was about to explain when she suddenly heard someone getting up from inside the room, followed by the sound of footsteps on the carpet approaching from afar.
“Squeak!”
The door was opened.
Zhao Xi, wearing a thin long skirt, appeared at the door and said with great energy, "He's here?!"
"Where is it?"
Zhao Xi glanced around the yard, but did not see the familiar figure.
There was no one there except Xiaoyue under the eaves.
"No, no..."
Xiaoyue quickly explained: "No, it's not the Prince of Lin who has come. It's the Prince of Lin who has sent people here!"
"He didn't come?"
Upon hearing this news, the excitement in Zhao Xi's eyes quickly faded.
"Why didn't he come?"
"Who was sent?"
Zhao Xi was about to speak when the cold wind outside the door blew on her, and she shivered from the cold as she was only wearing thin clothes.
"Miss, put on your clothes quickly, don't catch a cold!"
Seeing this, Xiaoyue quickly closed the door to block the cold wind out.
She stood at the door and explained, "There's a man outside named Lin Kong. He said he's a subordinate of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and is here to see the young lady on His Royal Highness's orders."
Inside the room, Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes were filled with suspicion.
She knew this Lin Kong. He was a member of the personal army of Prince Lin. Why would that guy send a subordinate here if he didn't come himself?
Although he was a little confused and dissatisfied, Zhao Xi quickly adjusted his mood, put on his clothes, and walked out of the room.
"Where are the others?"
Zhao Xi asked Xiaoyue.
Xiaoyue replied, "In the side yard."
Zhao Xi nodded and quickly brought Xiaoyue to the side yard.
In the side courtyard.
The yard was full of snow.
Lin Kong, dressed in a gray robe, stood quietly in the courtyard. Next to him was a huge sandalwood box.
Soon, Zhao Xi appeared in the side yard.
Lin Kong raised his head slightly, then bowed respectfully and said, "I pay my respects to Miss Zhao."
"Are you Lin Kong?"
Zhao Xi glanced at the man with her beautiful eyes.
"That's me." Lin Kong said.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince sent you here?"
Zhao Xi asked, "Where are the others?"
"My Highness is busy with affairs and cannot leave, so he specially ordered me to come here."
Zhao Xi's tone was slightly dissatisfied. Didn't that guy know that he had something to tell him? Why did he send a subordinate?
Our own people aren't coming?
"What did he ask you to come over for?"
Lin Kong said, "I'm here on His Highness' orders to deliver something to Miss Zhao!"
"Sending something?"
Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes fell on the huge box next to Lin Kong, and she was slightly puzzled.
What's this?
"What's the gift?"
"His Highness said he wants to give Miss Zhao a big gift!"
Big gift?
Zhao Xi looked confused... What kind of gift did that guy give her?
At the same time, Lin Kong opened the box next to him. As the box was opened, a bloody smell spread out.
Zhao Xi subconsciously held his breath and glanced inside the box.
After just one glance, she was stunned for a moment, as if realizing something, and her pupils shrank slightly.
Inside the box, a man was tied up and curled up inside.
His clothes were covered in blood, tattered, and in such a mess that it was impossible to tell what he looked like.
But in an instant, Zhao Xi thought of something. Her eyes became extremely sharp: "Who is he?"
"Secret Heavenly Guardian, Chen Feiyang!"
Lin Kong still said respectfully: "My prince asked me to deliver this great gift to Miss Zhao, and also said..."
"Miss Zhao, you will definitely like it!"
“…”
