On the morning of New Year's Eve, it started to drizzle.
Icy rain mixed with a biting wind enveloped the entire capital, but the streets were still bustling with people, and the air was filled with the scent of firecrackers.
The streets are filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
Even in the cold winter, ordinary people's yearning for the New Year cannot be concealed.
It is rare to have a good time next year.
Even the news of unrest from the north failed to affect the people's joy for the New Year.
Lin Jiangnian got up early, sat on the bed and looked out the window. Through the window paper, he saw the gray sky outside.
Judging from the situation, with the sudden drop in temperature, it might snow again after the New Year!
Lin Jiangnian sat on the bed for a while, recalling the battle of wits and courage with Zhiyuan last night. Zhiyuan was no longer by the bed, only a few lingering scents remained.
“Squeak!”
The door was pushed open, and a petite figure rushed in wrapped in the cold wind from outside.
"Your Highness?!"
Xiaozhu, wearing a light-colored skirt, wrapped herself tightly. Her delicate and tender little face was flushed by the cold wind, but her eyes were bright and lively.
"Your Highness, are you awake?!"
Xiao Zhu walked into the room and saw His Majesty sitting on the bed behind the screen. He closed the door and moved behind the screen.
"Your Highness, it's time to get up!"
The little maid's voice was very sweet, with a hint of stickiness in it.
Sounds very comfortable.
When Lin Jiangnian saw Xiaozhu, he immediately waved at her: Come here.
Xiao Zhu stopped and blinked, with a hint of shyness in her eyes.
"Your Highness, please get up quickly... Madam asked me to call you."
Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised: "What did my aunt call me for?"
Xiao Zhu shook his head: "It seems nothing, but my wife asked you to get up early. Today is New Year's Eve, and we have dinner together later!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly, and seeing that Xiaozhu was still standing there, he asked her to come over.
Xiao Zhu blushed and shook her head: "No... Your Highness, you must want to bully Xiao Zhu again!"
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows. Is this little maid getting too bold?
"Xiaozhu."
"Um?"
"You don't think that if you don't come over, I can't bully you, right?"
Xiao Zhu looked confused.
By the time she reacted, His Highness's figure had appeared in front of her silently.
Xiao Zhu was suddenly panicked and her pretty face turned red.
"Your Highness, you... you..."
"Why aren't you wearing any clothes?!"
"Oh...don't...we'll be discovered...mmmm..."
“…”
After giving the disobedient Xiao Zhu a severe "lesson", Lin Jiangnian dressed refreshed, stood up, pushed the door open and walked out.
The cold wind howled outside the door, blowing on Lin Jiangnian, but he didn't feel any chill at all.
As Lin Jiangnian's Xuan Yang Heart Method became increasingly powerful, the winter wind had little effect on him. The endless flow of rich, scorching energy within his body drove away the winter wind.
After getting up, Lin Jiangnian went to his aunt's place first, greeted her, and saw the two sisters still practicing martial arts in the backyard.
The sisters worked very hard, and even the cold winter could not stop their determination to be diligent. In the winter, they were sweating profusely, and their sweat almost soaked through their tight-fitting clothes. The cold wind soon made them feel freezing.
Anyone who sees such a pitiful and pretty pair of sisters suffering such a fate will feel sad.
However, Zhiyuan had no intention of showing any mercy to the woman.
Lin Jiangnian did not disturb Zhiyuan and turned to go to the front hall.
Not long after, Lin Qingqing walked in from outside, looking exhausted.
"Your Highness."
Lin Qingqing came up to Lin Jiangnian and spoke respectfully.
"How is the situation in the capital?"
Lin Qingqing said, "The court hasn't reached a conclusion yet, but the various families in the capital are eager to make a move..."
"The news from the north came too suddenly, and many people saw the benefits..."
"If it weren't for the prestige of Prime Minister Zhao, the court would have been in chaos long ago..."
Lin Qingqing spoke in a deep voice and reported to Lin Jiangnian what had happened in the capital.
Yesterday morning, urgent news arrived from the north. When the news reached Beijing, it caused a great uproar.
Now a day has passed, and although the capital seems calm on the surface, there are actually undercurrents.
For those who are concerned about the country, they are thinking about how to resolve the crisis in the north and maintain the stability of the dynasty. But for those who are interested, this chaos in the north is actually an opportunity for them to be promoted and enjoy wealth and glory!
The people in the court have different thoughts. In addition, the emperor is in seclusion and his royal highness is ill, which has led to the officials and forces in the court fighting each other.
Very lively!
"It seems like they won't be able to come up with a result in a short period of time?"
After listening to Lin Qingqing's report, Lin Jiang laughed.
"If nothing unexpected happens, that's probably it!"
Lin Qingqing nodded.
Those officials are still fighting among themselves, how can they come up with a set of rules?
"Where is the Emperor?"
Lin Jiangnian asked again.
Such a big thing happened, but the emperor still didn't move?
"The urgent report has been sent, but there is still no news from the Emperor..."
Lin Qingqing paused and said hesitantly: "It is precisely because the emperor did not react that the officials in the court are so unscrupulous..."
The emperor still didn't move?
Lin Jiangnian was thoughtful, thinking about the bold idea that had emerged in his mind not long ago.
After a moment, Lin Jiangnian asked again, "Outside the city, is there any movement?"
Lin Qingqing said, "I have already followed His Highness's instructions and withdrawn all the personal troops stationed outside the city back to the capital. Only a few secret sentries have been left outside the city..."
"According to the sentry's reply, there is no movement outside the city yet!"
"No movement yet?"
Lin Jiangnian murmured.
He has pushed the Third Prince into a desperate situation and his time is running out.
Why is there no movement in this situation?
Or, he has other plans!
Or...
Lin Jiangnian was silent and thoughtful for a moment before he said, "Qingqing, be careful these next two days. The safety of the Jiang Mansion will be in your hands for the next few days. Do you understand?"
Hearing Lin Jiangnian's solemn tone, Lin Qingqing's heart trembled slightly. She realized something and nodded immediately: "As you command!"
Then, Lin Qingqing turned around and left in a hurry.
Although he didn't know when the third prince would take action, Lin Jiangnian had to take precautions in advance.
As long as the Jiang Mansion is safe, it doesn’t matter what the Third Prince wants to do!
…
New Year's Eve.
Everyone in the Jiang Mansion finally gathered together.
In the afternoon, Jiang Ningkang returned to the Jiang Mansion in a hurry, exhausted.
Mother Jiang stepped forward to help him take off his coat, and couldn't help complaining, "Why are there so many things going on in the court? It's New Year's, and you're still being asked to go?"
Jiang Ningkang rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache: "Something big happened in the court!"
"What's so important that I can't take a vacation and go home for dinner on New Year's Eve?"
Jiang's mother said unhappily.
Jiang Ningkang sighed, without explaining too much, but asked: "Where is Jiang Nian?"
"In the backyard with the kite."
Jiang Ningkang hesitated to speak and finally said nothing.
"Okay, now that we're all back, don't be sad anymore. It's Chinese New Year, and it's rare for us to get together for a reunion dinner. If there's anything, we can talk about it next year!"
Mother Jiang couldn't help but give him a lecture.
Jiang Ningkang didn't say anything more and just nodded.
In the evening, night fell, and the sky was still drizzling with raindrops. The raindrops wrapped in the cold wind fell on the skin, and it was freezing cold.
Inside the Jiang Mansion, the lights were on and the atmosphere was full of joy.
The whole family gathered together and had a reunion dinner.
The meal was quite enjoyable. The only one who was not very happy was probably Jiang Shaoan.
After being beaten by his father yesterday, Jiang Shaoan had a bitter face, as if someone owed him a lot of money.
When Jiang Ningkang saw his unfilial son's expression as if his father had died, he was so angry that he almost wanted to beat him up.
After the reunion dinner, it was completely dark.
Not far from the Jiang residence, the crackling sound of firecrackers could be heard from time to time. Not far away, flames shot up into the sky, which was the sight of fireworks exploding in the air.
Faintly, the joyful atmosphere of the New Year could be felt on the streets.
“It’s so lively!”
Xiao Zhu lay on the guardrail, looked up at the sky not far away, and couldn't help sighing.
This was her first time celebrating the New Year in Beijing, and of course, it was also the first time in all these years that she had a concept of the New Year.
Lin Jiangnian stood beside Xiao Zhu. Seeing the excitement in her eyes, he reached out and touched her head. "What's wrong? Do you want to go out and take a look?"
Xiao Zhu's eyes lit up slightly, but she quickly glanced back at the courtyard: "It's raining! It's very cold outside. Sister Zhiyuan said it's very chaotic outside and asked us not to go out..."
"What are you afraid of? Isn't your Highness here?"
Lin Jiang laughed young and turned his head to look at the eaves not far away. Zhiyuan, wearing a light green long dress, was leaning quietly under the eaves.
"Zhiyuan, do you want to go out for a walk?"
"It should be quite lively outside tonight!"
Under the eaves, Zhiyuan glanced at Lin Jiangnian and Xiaozhu and refused calmly: "No."
"Go ahead. There's no point staying at home. It's better to go out for a walk!"
Lin Jiangnian walked up to Zhiyuan, took her hand, and pulled her and Xiaozhu out without saying a word.
Xiao Zhu was being pulled by His Highness, her face showing a hint of excitement. Meanwhile, Zhi Yuan, who was being pulled by Lin Jiangnian in the same way, had a slightly blushing face.
"You, let me go..."
"open……"
How can they be so disrespectful and pushy in public?
In the past, Zhiyuan always acted aloof and cold in front of the servants in the mansion. If the servants discovered her current situation, her image would be ruined.
"You...let me go...I can walk by myself!"
“…”
In the capital, shops on both sides of the streets are brightly lit.
The bright red lanterns, festive spring couplets, and the smiles on everyone's faces perfectly highlight the joyful atmosphere of the New Year.
Even though it was raining, it couldn't stop the enthusiasm of the people in Beijing.
On the streets, various shops were still open, and the teahouses and restaurants nearby were packed. The streets were bustling with activity, and many children in new clothes were walking around.
Not far away, outside the brothel, a place of debauchery and revelry, the madam was still hawking her services swiftly. In the distance, one could still make out the silhouettes of many young women.
Even on New Year's Eve, service places like brothels are still brightly lit. They are so dedicated and still stick to their posts during this new year.
How can this not be considered prosperous?!
Outside the street.
Lin Jiangnian held an umbrella and stood side by side with Zhiyuan.
Behind the two of them, Xiaozhu was also holding an umbrella and following His Highness and Sister Zhiyuan very obediently.
As the prince's maid, Xiaozhu has a keen eye.
It was a rare opportunity to go out, and Xiao Zhu looked at the prosperous scene ahead, his little eyes filled with excitement. He looked around curiously, like a curious baby.
"As expected of the capital, it's so lively!"
Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but sigh.
Zhiyuan followed Lin Jiangnian without saying a word, looking ahead with a cold gaze.
Several people shuttled through the bustling streets, feeling the New Year atmosphere and the prosperity of the capital of the Daning Dynasty.
At this moment, Zhiyuan suddenly stopped and looked forward.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Lin Jiangnian noticed Zhiyuan's reaction and followed her gaze to look forward.
Several figures appeared under the eaves of a teahouse not far in front of the two of them.
A young man of extraordinary bearing, dressed in brocade clothes, with a hint of nobility between his brows.
Next to this young man stood a handsome young man. He had delicate features, a tall stature, red lips and white teeth, and looked like a scholar...
etc!
Lin Jiangnian quickly noticed something was wrong.
How can this be called a dainty-faced scholar?
…She’s clearly a woman disguised as a man!
She looks pretty good!
Lin Jiangnian looked at the woman dressed as a man. Although she concealed it well, her delicate eyebrows and beautiful eyes revealed a bit of feminine charm, which still betrayed her!
She is indeed a woman!
The real deal!
Just as Lin Jiangnian discovered this, the two people under the eaves also saw Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan under the umbrella on the street.
The two stopped and stared at each other. For a moment, there was a silence. The four of them stared at each other in silence for a long moment.
The raindrops fell softly, landing on the eaves and on the umbrellas.
Finally, Xu Xuan couldn't remain silent any longer and spoke first: "What a coincidence!"
There was a smile on his face as he looked at Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan in front of him.
Some unexpected and some surprising!
I didn't expect that our first meeting would be in such an occasion.
Prince Lin?
Xu Xuan quietly looked at Lin Jiangnian under the umbrella on the street, feeling emotional.
As expected, he is very handsome, and his appearance can threaten his position.
However, Lin Jiangnian looked at him doubtfully: "Who are you?"
"Do we know each other?"
The smile on Xu Xuan's face froze slightly, as if he didn't expect that Lin Jiangnian didn't recognize him?
He didn't quite believe it, but seeing that Lin Jiangnian didn't look like he was lying, he became suspicious.
However, Xu Xuan still smiled and said, "My name is Xu Xuan!"
He did not reveal his identity, but his name was enough to let the other party know who he was.
However, to Xu Xuan's disappointment, the Prince Lin in front of him looked indifferent, as if he was not surprised at all, and nodded.
"I don't know him."
Xu Xuan: “…”
Why do I suddenly feel frustrated?
Xu Xuan was about to speak when he heard Lin Jiangnian's voice again.
"Who is this?"
Lin Jiangnian's eyes fell on the woman dressed as a man beside Xu Xuan: "Your lover?"
As soon as these words were spoken, one could see Xu Chaoge next to him frown slightly and narrow her beautiful eyes a little.
Xu Xuan noticed his sister's emotions, coughed lightly, and quickly explained: "She is...my sister!"
"It turned out to be your sister!"
Lin Jiangnian suddenly realized, looked at her a few more times, and then spoke with a smile.
"You know what, your sister... is really pretty!"
“…”
