Chapter 240 Now that We Are Here

Outside Zhao Mansion.

"Your Highness, please."

Outside the door, a servant was bending down to respectfully escort Lin Jiangnian to the carriage.

Lin Jiangnian, who was about to get on the carriage, inadvertently caught a glimpse of a beautiful figure not far away from the corner of his eye, standing quietly under a tree.

The cold wind blew in, and the thin figure stood tall in the wind.

"No."

Lin Jiangnian rejected the Zhao family's offer to send him back, and turned around and walked towards the tree not far away.

As we get closer, the beautiful shadows under the trees gradually become clearer.

"Auntie, why are you here?"

Lin Jiangnian looked at the woman standing in front of him. The cold wind blew her hair a little messy, her face was slightly red, and the hot breath she exhaled was instantly blown away by the cold wind. Even so, it still couldn't stop her beautiful face, as bright as the autumn moon and as bright as spring flowers.

Under the thin clothes, the snow-white mink velvet could not resist the invasion of the cold wind. The cold wind penetrated the clothes and stimulated her skin, giving her a somewhat delicate aura, which made her heart ache.

Jiang Yuxiang's beautiful eyes stared at Lin Jiangnian and looked him up and down. After making sure that he was intact, he breathed a deep sigh of relief and then said angrily: "What do you think?"

"You entered the Zhao Mansion without any conscience, how can I, the aunt, rest assured?"

Lin Jiangnian was a little moved: "Auntie, don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

"You said the same thing before, but what happened?" Jiang Yuxiang glared.

Lin Jiangnian was speechless.

He does seem a bit brave when he says this now.

"snort!"

Jiang Yuxiang snorted and looked at Lin Jiangnian in front of him with complicated eyes. After a while, he sighed softly: "You are my sister's only child. If something happens to you, how will I explain to your mother? "

The tone was regretful and seemed to be a bit sad.

Lin Jiangnian didn't know how to answer the question. He saw Jiang Yuxiang's frozen body in front of him trembling slightly, and his thin clothes couldn't block the cold wind. He kept pacing in place until he felt a little warmer, so he took off his coat and put it on Jiang Yuxiang.

"Auntie, it's cold, let's go back."

Jiang Yuxiang was stunned for a moment, watching in a daze as Lin Jiangnian put his coat on her body, and stared blankly at Lin Jiangnian's delicate and bright eyes.

Feeling the breath of the warm coat wrapped around her body, she came back to her senses. Her face, which was already slightly flushed by the cold wind, seemed to be even redder. She turned her face away unnaturally and hummed softly: "Forget it. The boy still has some conscience.”

But soon, she seemed to smell something, her pretty eyebrows wrinkled slightly, and her delicate nose gently sniffed the coat on her body. Then, as if she realized something, her face suddenly changed slightly, and she raised her eyes and stared at Lin Jiangnian: "What did you do with that Miss Zhao?"

Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised by the aunt's sudden question, and wondered: "Is it nothing?"

"Why do you ask, auntie?"

Jiang Yuxiang narrowed her eyes and stared at Lin Jiangnian with her beautiful eyes. Then, she suddenly approached Lin Jiangnian and sniffed him gently.

Then he asked, "Why does your body smell like rouge?"

"Then what did Miss Zhao do to you? During this time... what happened to you?"

Although the appearance and fragrance were very light, Jiang Yuxiang could still smell it.

Why does Lin Jiangnian have the scent of rouge on his body? Didn't he go to see that Miss Zhao?

Could it be that this rouge comes from the Miss Zhao family?

...What did he do with that Miss Zhao family?

Lin Jiangnian was startled and then realized something. Maybe I entered Miss Zhao's boudoir before, and the fragrance was overflowing in the boudoir. I accidentally got some rouge fragrance on my body, but it hadn't completely dissipated, so my aunt discovered it?

Auntie's nose is also very sensitive.

Lin Jiangnian smiled bitterly: "Auntie, you misunderstood. I and that Miss Zhao are innocent..."

But Lin Jiangnian's explanation was a bit weak.

"Are you saying that Miss Zhao, who has never met you, invited a man like you into her boudoir when they first met?"

Jiang Yuxiang stared at Lin Jiangnian. The more he listened, the more he felt something was wrong.

Although she was not familiar with the young lady from the Zhao family, she also knew that the young lady from the Zhao family was extraordinary. She had been smart since she was a child and had both talent and beauty. He usually lives in the privacy of his boudoir, rarely showing up in public and few people know about him.

I had never heard that Miss Zhao had ever been close to a man, but now she suddenly invited Prince Lin, whom she met for the first time, into her boudoir... This felt wrong.

In fact, Lin Jiangnian also felt that something was wrong.

He told his aunt what happened today, but hid the fact that Zhao Xi asked him to kill Chen Zhao at the end. He only said that Zhao Xi was a good friend of the eldest princess and wanted to meet him.

After hearing this, Jiang Yuxiang fell into deep thought. After thinking for a moment, he stared at Lin Jiangnian with a solemn expression: "Does this Miss Zhao... have any thoughts about you?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "I also have this suspicion."

Jiang Yuxiang glanced at him: "Are you quite proud?"

"No." Lin Jiangnian denied it.

"Stop pretending!"

Jiang Yuxiang poked his head: "Then Miss Zhao's appearance can be regarded as stunning, rare in Beijing, will you not be tempted?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "Auntie, do you think I am such a vulgar person?"

"Who knows?"

Jiang Yuxiang glanced at him and snorted softly. Then he stared at Lin Jiangnian seriously and said, "But please take it easy!"

"Um?"

"Zhao Xi is no better than others. She has a special status. Don't provoke her..."

Jiang Yuxiang stared at Lin Jiangnian and said with a serious expression: "You are engaged to the eldest princess, and the engagement has not been cancelled. If you get into trouble at this time and cause trouble, I can't help you!"

Jiang Yuxiang had to worry.

There's something wrong with that Miss Zhao family, I don't know what her purpose is. Whether he fell in love with Lin Jiangnian's beauty or had other motives, it didn't matter.

Lin Jiangnian is still engaged to the eldest princess, so it is naturally impossible for Prime Minister Zhao to let his most beloved daughter be Lin Jiangnian's concubine. When the incident comes to light, the consequences will be disastrous.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxiang had to warn Lin Jiangnian in advance.

Although this guy can do whatever he wants in Linzhou, after all, the mountains are high and the roads are far away, but this is the capital, and he cannot be allowed to do so again.

"Don't worry, aunt, I know what's going on."

Lin Jiangnian spoke softly, but Zhao Xi's previous reaction and those meaningful words came to mind, and he sighed.

He is really a gentleman!

He righteously rejected the ambiguous demands of the daughter of Prime Minister Zhao and resolutely resisted this unhealthy temptation!

Lin Jiangnian's eyes were clear and he felt proud that he was not tempted by beauty.

But then again...this Miss Zhao's legs are indeed white.

…

Xu Mansion.

"Second Young Master, are you back?"

As soon as Xu Zhongshan got off the carriage, there were servants outside the door to welcome him into the mansion.

Xu Zhongshan nodded: "Where is my grandfather?"

"The master is very busy today and has not returned home yet."

Xu Zhongshan was not surprised. Although the old man did not have much power among the six departments, he would still be very busy once there were some special and important days.

"Second Young Master, is it okay to attend the Lu family's wedding today?" the servant asked in a low voice while following Xu Zhongshan.

"today……"

Recalling what happened at the Lu family's wedding today, Xu Zhongshan's eyes were complicated and he couldn't help but sigh: "It's hard to describe in words..."

What happened today will probably spread throughout the capital soon.

besides……

Xu Zhongshan seemed to have thought of something: "Where is Xiaolan?"

The servant replied: "The lady has been staying in the room."

"Okay, I get it."

Xu Zhongshan waved his hand, drove the servants away, and stepped into the inner courtyard. As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw under the eaves not far away, the window edge was slightly open, and a young girl was lying on the table with her face bored, looking a little depressed.

"Xiaolan, why are you here?"

Xu Zhongshan approached and said worriedly: "It's so cold outside. You open the window and worry about catching cold."

The girl didn't seem to take his words seriously at all, she was still lying on the window edge in boredom, feeling weak.

"Why are you back so soon?"

"It's not too early."

Xu Zhongshan glanced at the sky and said, "Something unexpected happened, so I came back early."

When he said this, Xu Zhongshan's expression was obviously complicated. He looked at the little girl in front of him and said hesitantly: "Xiaolan, do you know who I met at the Lu family's wedding today?"

"who?"

The girl didn't even raise her eyes, as if she wasn't interested at all.

"I……"

Xu Zhongshan subconsciously wanted to speak and tell his younger sister what happened at the wedding today.

But when the words came to his lips, he held them back forcibly.

What happened today was too shocking!

Who would have thought that the young man who lied to him about calling him Lin Kong was actually Prince Lin? !

The Prince Lin's silent appearance at the Lu family's wedding was beyond everyone's expectations. Xu Zhongshan also didn't expect that he had already met Prince Lin, whom his younger sister had always mentioned.

Before the younger sister came to the capital, her father who was far away in Linzhou had given him instructions. In Linzhou, although the Xu family and the Lin family have a deep connection and friendship, the two families are family friends.

But now, with the changes in the court situation, the Xu family has also been pushed to the forefront. Although Xu Zhongshan didn't know what his father's purpose was, he could vaguely guess it.

Before coming to the capital, my father had specifically warned my little sister not to have anything to do with Prince Lin.

Xu Zhongshan also heard that his little sister was very close to Prince Lin when he was in Linzhou. It is unknown what the relationship between the two is, but since the younger sister arrived in the capital, she was still inquiring about the Prince Lin. I am afraid that the relationship is not simple...

Especially when he realized that Prince Lin was in big trouble, Xu Zhongshan's heart sank even more. He hesitated for a long time, but finally did not speak.

"It's nothing, I just met an acquaintance..."

Xu Zhongshan sighed secretly, feeling slightly guilty.

Looking at the little girl who was getting thinner by the window, a smile appeared on her face: "Xiaolan, the weather has been nice these two days, would you like me to go out with you?"

"Not going."

"..."

The carriage slowly stopped at the back door of Jiang Mansion. In the carriage, Lin Jiangnian and Jiang Yuxiang got out one after another. Lin Jiangnian raised his eyes and glanced outside the wall. He vaguely saw several figures hidden in the darkness, passing by in a flash.

He didn't care. These people squatted outside Jiang Mansion for several days, and finally got results. However, by the time they returned, the news of Lin Jiangnian's appearance in the capital had probably already spread throughout the city.

"Go back first."

Jiang Yuxiang also looked away and glanced at Lin Jiangnian: "What are you going to do next?"

"I haven't thought about it yet..."

Just as he opened his mouth, he saw Jiang Yuxiang glaring at him slightly angrily, and then he said seriously: "Let's take a look first, there will always be a way."

Jiang Yuxiang was silent for a while, then said: "They will not give up, they will definitely make a big fuss about Zhou Huiguang... You have to be careful."

"I know."

Lin Jiangnian nodded.

Jiang Yuxiang looked at Lin Jiangnian deeply for a few more times, and after telling him again, he turned and left.

When Jiang Yuxiang disappeared, Lin Jiangnian turned back to the courtyard.

In the courtyard, two figures had been waiting for a long time. Lin Kong, and Lin Qingqing, whose injuries had healed a lot.

"Your Highness."

The two spoke respectfully.

"You came just in time. I have something to ask you."

Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly and looked at Lin Kong: "Help me check two people."

"Who do you want to check, Your Highness?"

"Li Qianlin, Gao Wenyang."

Lin Jiangnian ordered: "Check their connection with the third prince, and..."

"Check Zhou Yao, the doctor of the Ministry of Personnel, and all the connections and social networks of the Zhou family, the sooner the better."

"Yes."

A doctor of the Ministry of Personnel was not originally worth Lin Jiangnian's investigation. However, after Zhou Huiguang was killed, Lin Jiangnian had to pay attention to it. He was not on guard against the Zhou family, but worried that someone would attack him along the line of the Zhou family.

Have to be on guard.

"Qingqing."

Lin Jiangnian turned his head and looked at Lin Qingqing beside him: "How are you injured?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, it's all right now!"

Lin Qingqing spoke.

Lin Jiangnian glanced at Lin Qingqing, who still looked a little weak and had not fully recovered, and shook his head gently: "You should take a good rest for now."

Lin Qingqing raised her eyes and insisted: "I have recovered."

Hearing the meaning in Lin Qingqing's tone, Lin Jiangnian was silent for a while and sighed: "Then help me find someone."

"Who do you want to find, Your Highness?"

"Xu Zhongshan."

"..."

Manor.

The Lu family's wedding, the Zhou family's son was killed, and such a thing happened, casting a shadow on the wedding.

After hearing the news, the Zhou family rushed to the scene. When they saw the tragic death of their only son, Zhou's father was furious and grief-stricken, and Zhou's mother turned pale and fainted on the spot.

The one with the ugliest face was none other than the Minister of Personnel, Lu Fusheng.

"Third Prince, is this what you did?"

In the attic, in the room.

Lu Fusheng stared at the man sitting on the couch not far away with a gloomy face and asked coldly.

When he saw Zhou Huiguang being killed and Lin Jiangnian was at the scene, Lu Fusheng had already realized what the great gift mentioned by the third prince meant.

"Lord Lu, why are you so angry?"

The man on the couch said calmly.

"Today is the day of my son's wedding, why did His Highness do such a thing?"

How could Lu Fusheng not be angry?

He had repeatedly told the third prince not to mess around. But what was the result? Not only did he mess around, but he also caused such a big incident.

Killing Zhou Huiguang and blaming the prince of Lin?

Is he really crazy?

"This is a great opportunity!"

The third prince did not regret it. He half-closed his eyes and sighed: "It's a pity that the people in the Mi Tiansi are too timid..."

"If we catch him, it will be interesting."

Lu Fusheng said expressionlessly: "Is this what the prince told me?"

The third prince raised his eyes and said lightly: "Today's matter, I was indeed a little reckless. I apologize to Lord Lu here. However, this is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."

"Once Zhou Huiguang dies, he Lin Jiangnian will have no way to defend himself. When today's matter ferments, he Lin Jiangnian will confirm the fact of killing Zhou Huiguang. By then, even if Lin Jiangnian does not die, he will have to lose a few layers of skin!"

The third prince's face was filled with a few meaningful and complacent smiles.

He only needs to move his fingers lightly to put the prince of Lin into an extremely passive danger.

What can he use to fight against himself?

Lu Fusheng's face was gloomy. He naturally knew what the third prince wanted to do?

However, what happened today almost made his Lu family lose face. It was the day when his Lu family was honored and famous, but it became a joke in the capital.

There was also trouble with the Zhou family. After all, Zhou Huiguang died in his Lu family's territory, and dealing with the Zhou family also made him anxious.

"For today's matter, this prince will naturally not forget the help of Lord Lu."

The third prince stood up, walked towards Lu Fusheng, and bowed his hands and said: "When this prince comes to power in the future, Lord Lu will definitely be the first meritorious minister. This prince will definitely not treat Lord Lu badly, Lord Lu can rest assured."

Lu Fusheng was silent, his face looked a little better, and he reminded expressionlessly: "Your Highness, please don't forget our plan because of personal grudges."

"Lord Lu, don't worry, I have my own plan."

The corners of the third prince's mouth rose slightly, and a hint of disdain appeared in his eyes.

How could a little prince of Lin Wang be qualified to be his enemy?

It was just an insignificant little role in his plan to seize the throne.

…

Lin Kong and Lin Qingqing left in a hurry after receiving Lin Jiangnian's order.

Today, I attended the Lu family's wedding and was invited to the Zhao family. When I returned to Jiang's house, it was already dark. Lin Jiangnian called the maid in the courtyard and ordered her to prepare hot water for bathing and changing clothes. After bathing and changing clothes, I returned to the room refreshed.

As soon as I returned to the room, Lin Jiangnian paused.

There was a figure in the room.

It seemed that I had been waiting for a long time.

"Zhiyuan?"

In the dim room, a graceful figure could be vaguely seen, and Lin Jiangnian's eyes lit up slightly.

Who else could it be if not Zhiyuan?

The lamp was lit, and the figure of Zhiyuan was reflected in the bright room. Sitting quietly at the table, she looked at him coldly.

"Zhiyuan, why are you here?"

Lin Jiangnian approached, and Zhiyuan took the initiative to come to the door. This was really a pleasant surprise!

Since that night a few days ago, Zhiyuan has been avoiding him these days. Even if she met him, she treated him as a stranger. She almost ignored Lin Jiangnian's initiative to chat with him.

I think what happened that night should have caused a great impact on her.

Lin Jiangnian did something a bit too much, so it's normal for her to be angry!

Of course, apart from being angry, there may be other reasons...

At this moment, Zhiyuan took the initiative to find him, which really surprised Lin Jiangnian.

Very surprised!

Facing Lin Jiangnian's surprised eyes, Zhiyuan turned her head a little unnaturally.

Still sitting there, with a cold expression.

Still didn't speak.

The cold look gave people a sense of anger.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Jiangnian sat next to Zhiyuan naturally, and stretched out his hand to grab her hand, but Zhiyuan dodged it.

Lin Jiangnian did not give up, and continued to chase, and Zhiyuan continued to dodge. After a few rounds, Zhiyuan finally responded.

She glared at Lin Jiangnian with some shame and anger: "What are you doing?"

"I haven't seen you for a long time, and I miss you a little."

Lin Jiangnian smiled and said.

Zhiyuan's face flushed slightly, and she stood up subconsciously and walked out the door.

Just as she was about to take a step, she was stopped by Lin Jiangnian: "Where are you going?"

"Go back."

Zhiyuan spoke expressionlessly, but her tone seemed to be a little emotional.

How could Lin Jiangnian give her this opportunity?

Seeing that Zhiyuan wanted to leave, he stopped her slender waist and hugged her back again.

Zhiyuan didn't seem to expect Lin Jiangnian to take action directly, and stumbled a step, and fell into Lin Jiangnian's arms unexpectedly.

"Since you are here, sit for a while."

"..."