Chapter 301 Miss Zhao Becomes Arrogant

Zhao Mansion, inner courtyard.

In the quiet courtyard, the dead leaves scattered in the courtyard a few days ago have been cleaned up. Several bare trees stand by the wall, which looks a bit desolate.

The small stream under the arch bridge flows slowly, and the water flow is much smaller. The bottom of the stream is clear and the smooth pebbles like jade can be seen.

The quiet environment is a scene of winter. Only the big tree next to the swing under the eaves not far away is still green, retaining a hint of the scenery of winter spring.

Outside the courtyard.

A little maid walked quickly under the eaves and the door of the room.

"Miss."

In the room, a young woman was lying lazily on the soft couch, holding a book of poems that had been turned over several times in her hand, flipping through it boredly.

The room was warm like spring. The woman was wearing a simple and thin long skirt, and a pink gauze with a straight collar and a double-breasted collar on her shoulders. She looked lazy and elegant.

Because she was lying on the couch sideways, the collar of her double-breasted dress was slightly open, and the light green tube top was faintly visible, and the large area of ​​snow-white skin from the goose neck to the collarbone was also visible.

Her black hair, which had not yet been combed and dressed up, was scattered, making the delicate and casual face under the black hair add a bit of messy beauty.

There was an indescribable surprise!

Especially when she was lying on her side, the hem of her long skirt slid up slightly, revealing a pair of snow-white, jade-like, slender and well-proportioned beautiful legs, white, tender, slender, and small and exquisite.

Her calves were well-proportioned and slender, and there was no flaw on her white skin, and even if you got close, you couldn't find any faults. Following the calves upwards, there were plump and smooth thighs, with firm skin, slightly fleshy, but slender and long.

It was beautiful!

Zhao Xi lay on the couch sideways, turned over casually, and her chest seemed to be more open, and the plump legs were more faintly visible under the wrapping.

She flipped through the poetry book in her hand repeatedly, with a dull look on her face.

Perhaps it was because she had lived in seclusion for a long time that this winter seemed a little boring.

It wasn't just the winter that was boring, even the entire capital seemed to be boring.

She didn't raise her eyes when she heard the voice of the maid outside the door.

"What's the matter?"

The voice was a little weak.

Outside the door, Xiaoyue lowered her head and whispered, "Miss, early this morning, the master sent someone to the Jiang Mansion. I heard that he wanted to meet the prince of Lin..."

In the room, Zhao Xi, who was lying on the soft couch weakly, sat up subconsciously. As she stood up, the collar of the open front of her chest opened wide, and the long skirt and outer coat slipped off her shoulders, and the light green bra was mostly exposed to the air.

At the same time, the fullness that could not be fully covered by the bra was also looming at the same time.

Trembling.

Zhao Xi's originally uninterested eyes seemed to light up with a gleam of light.

That guy... is here?

Dad wants to see him? !

So fast?

"Where is he?"

Xiao Yue outside the door said: "I just heard from the people in the mansion that Prince Lin has arrived at the mansion and is now with the master."

Already arrived?

Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes were moving, and a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She stood up and walked towards the door.

She wanted to see what that guy looked like when he went to see her father.

But after taking two steps, Zhao Xi suddenly thought of something and stopped.

That guy came to see her father. Would it be inappropriate for her to rush over?

Also, she hasn't settled the score with him for the last time!

Thinking of what happened last time, Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes quickly showed some shame and anger, and she gritted her teeth lightly.

She still remembered the grudge for the last time.

While hesitating and thinking, Zhao Xi subconsciously glanced at the bronze mirror not far away, and then she saw that her clothes were disheveled, and she quickly tidied up her clothes to cover the snow-white skin exposed to the air.

He stared at his messy black hair and his slightly unkempt appearance in the bronze mirror. Although he looked quite cool and beautiful, for some reason, Zhao Xi felt that he seemed a little... embarrassed?

Staring at the bronze mirror, Zhao Xi thought for a while.

"Xiao Yue."

"Miss?"

"Come in."

Xiao Yue outside the door heard what the young lady said, pushed the door open and walked in, and found that the young lady was sitting next to the dressing table.

"Miss, what do you want to do?"

"Come here and help me dress up."

"Yes."

Xiaoyue slowly approached the young lady, looked at her young lady through the bronze mirror, and blinked: "Miss, are you going to meet the prince of Lin later?"

Zhao Xi looked at himself in the bronze mirror: "Why do you ask?"

Xiaoyue blinked: "Miss, you suddenly want to dress up, isn't it..."

Zhao Xi glanced back at her: "Who said I dress up to meet him?"

Xiaoyue was at a loss and innocent: "Isn't it?"

Zhao Xi raised his delicate chin slightly, a little proud: "Does this young lady need it?"

She is naturally beautiful, even without any makeup, she is still delicate, beautiful, charming, but generous.

Xiaoyue thought for a moment, tilted her head and asked: "But, isn't there a saying that goes, women dress themselves to please themselves?"

"Miss, isn't that what you are doing..."

"Xiaoyue, do you believe that I will sell you to Wang Er, the pig seller in the western suburbs of Beijing, as my wife?"

Zhao Xi smiled with a fake smile.

Xiaoyue smiled, not worried at all: "If you don't believe it, Miss will definitely not be willing to sell me."

Zhao Xi rolled her eyes and looked at herself in the bronze mirror again, her beautiful eyes moving, as if thinking about something.

Pleasing that guy?

How is it possible.

Humph!

"..."

On the other side, outside the yard.

Lin Jiangnian walked out of the courtyard, stood in place, looked back, and looked calm.

Although he did not get the personal promise of Prime Minister Zhao, Lin Jiangnian's purpose of coming here today has been achieved.

Prime Minister Zhao has a huge influence in the court, his disciples are all over the world, and he has a pivotal position in the dynasty. He is also the backbone of the current Daning Dynasty.

If he can get his support, it will be beneficial to the Lin Wang Mansion.

But obviously, this is not realistic, and it is not Lin Jiangnian's real purpose.

Prime Minister Zhao is upright and loyal to the court. Naturally, he will never support any vassal king. Prime Minister Zhao's attitude in the court remains neutral, and he has never made a clear statement about reducing the vassal king, but if the Lin family dares to have the idea of ​​rebellion in the future, he will definitely be the first to stand up and oppose it.

Lin Jiangnian came here today because Prime Minister Zhao's ideas and attitudes are consistent with those of the Lin Wang Mansion.

Prime Minister Zhao does not want the court and the vassal king to really tear their faces, and Lin Hengzhong has no intention of rebelling and usurping the throne.

Just as Lin Hengzhong mentioned to Lin Jiangnian, the Lin family now has almost everything that can be owned by the world. Why should we risk being stabbed in the back by the world and bear the eternal infamy?

Lin Hengzhong obviously does not want to bear this infamy!

However...

If the court is aggressive and really wants to force the Lin Wangfu into a corner, the Lin Wangfu will naturally not sit still and wait for death. But before that, before the court has really made up its mind to reduce the vassal state, there is still room for maneuver.

This is also the real purpose of Lin Jiangnian's visit to Beijing this time and meeting with Prime Minister Zhao today.

For now, Prime Minister Zhao has a good attitude and does not intend to target the Lin family. Although he did not give a clear answer, to some extent, Prime Minister Zhao's attitude seems to be tacit consent.

However, before leaving, Prime Minister Zhao also pointed at Lin Jiangnian meaningfully.

When Prime Minister Zhao asked about the grievances between him and the third prince, he showed a slightly complicated and worried expression.

Lin Jiangnian stood there thinking for a moment before turning around and leaving.

Zhao Jing stood outside the courtyard, and when Lin Jiangnian came out, he walked up to him and said, "Your Highness, take care!"

Lin Jiangnian waved his hand quickly, "Mr. Zhao, you don't need to see me off. I'm familiar with the route. It's cold, so you should go back and rest first."

Zhao Jing stopped and smiled, "In that case, I won't see you off. Your Highness, take care!"

Lin Jiangnian nodded, bowed to Zhao Jing, and turned around to leave.

Zhao Jing stood there, quietly watching Lin Jiangnian leave, and turned back to the inner courtyard.

In a quiet room.

Zhao Jing stepped into the room, and Prime Minister Zhao was still sitting at the desk, with his eyes slightly closed, thinking about something.

"Master."

Zhao Jing took a look, was silent for a while, and lowered his head and said: "Master, are you really planning to go with Lin Wangfu..."

Zhao Chuan'an slowly opened his eyes and looked at this confidant who had been with him for many years: "What do you think?"

Zhao Jing hesitated and said: "This Prince Lin is not simple, and is definitely not as bad as the rumors outside... It is hard to say that the rumors about the Prince Lin's ignorance in the capital in recent years are not intentionally spread by the Prince Lin to deliberately paralyze everyone."

Zhao Chuan'an's eyes were turbid, and he sighed: "Do you think the Lin family will have the intention of rebellion?"

Zhao Jing was silent for a while, nodded, and shook his head.

"Over the years, the Lin family has been trying to avoid conflicts with the court. Lin Hengzhong knows this very well and has been giving in. The Linzhou army has been reducing its troops in recent years and has handed over a lot of power in order to avoid being too eye-catching and becoming a hidden danger to the court..."

"But as long as this Lin Wang is alive, people in the court will not sleep well..."

"Yes!"

Zhao Chuan'an sighed: "As long as he is alive, many people will not sleep well."

Zhao Jing was silent for a moment and said: "Lin Hengzhong has made too many enemies over the years. Those people want to uproot the Lin family and completely eliminate it... Under such circumstances, it is difficult to guarantee that the Lin family will be loyal at that time."

For the Lin family, if they do not hand over power, they will die. If they hand over power, they will also die. In this way, there will be only one result...

Zhao Chuan'an shook his head gently: "Lin Hengzhong will not rebel."

Zhao Jing looked up, puzzled.

"Lin Hengzhong and I are old acquaintances. I know him. He has feelings for the Daning Dynasty. He once mentioned that as long as he is alive, he will never betray the dynasty... He is a man who values ​​friendship and will never easily break his oath."

Zhao Jing was stunned: "Then you are still worried, Prime Minister Zhao..."

Zhao Chuan'an glanced at him and sighed: "I am not worried about Lin Hengzhong, but... the Prince of Lin just now."

"Prince of Lin?!"

"This boy is not simple."

Zhao Chuan'an narrowed his eyes slightly: "Lin Hengzhong made him hide his incompetence for so long, he must have some plan... When this boy saw me just now, his mind was unfathomable, he was not afraid at all, calm and self-assured, he is definitely not simple... Lin Hengzhong has raised a good son!"

"Lin Hengzhong may not betray the dynasty, but this Prince of Lin may not..."

Zhao Chuan'an's eyes had a trace of worry: "When this Prince of Lin succeeds to the throne in the future, it is unknown what the result will be..."

Lin Hengzhong promised that he would not rebel easily, but who knows what this Prince of Lin thinks?

In the brief exchange just now, Prime Minister Zhao had already discovered that this boy was extremely thoughtful, unpredictable, and sufficiently... hypocritical!

Zhao Jing's face froze slightly.

But Zhao Chuan'an shook his head again and sighed: "However, Lin Hengzhong is in his prime, so there is no need to worry too much. What I am really worried about is actually the other one."

"The one in the north may be the biggest hidden danger!"

Zhao Jing's pupils shrank slightly, as if he realized something: "Prime Minister Zhao, you mean... King Xu?!"

Zhao Chuan'an's expression was slightly depressed, and he said in a deep voice: "That's right!"

He looked serious.

"Over the years, the King Xu in the north has been too low-key..."

"The court has been pointing its spearhead at Lin Hengzhong over the years. Behind this, there is a big hand stirring everything invisibly..."

"Most of the court's attention is on Lin Hengzhong, ignoring the King Xu in the north who has almost no sense of existence..."

"Don't forget, he is the biggest vassal king under the dynasty except Lin Hengzhong!"

Zhao Chuan'an's tone became more and more solemn: "When Taizu founded the country, the Xu family was made king, and it has been a hundred years since then. The ancestors of the Xu family made great contributions to the dynasty, and they married into the royal family, and were deeply trusted by the emperor. Many ministers in the court also trusted King Xu very much..."

Zhao Jing didn't speak, his expression was solemn.

It is true that there are two kings of different surnames in the dynasty, but in fact, the King Xu in the north has almost no sense of existence.

Facing the voices of reducing the vassalage in the court, the King Xu never showed any resistance, which made many ministers in the court trust him very much, and often praised the Xu family for their loyalty and bravery, which is the cornerstone of the dynasty.

The problem lies here. Xuzhou, the fief of King Xu, is located on the northern border of the dynasty. King Xu is also responsible for guarding the border and maintaining peace in the north of the dynasty.

Over the years, the tribal forces in the northern grasslands have been eyeing the dynasty. If the court wants to reduce the power of the vassal, and really reduces King Xu, who will be responsible for any chaos in the north?

What's more, the Xu family has been operating in Xuzhou for a hundred years, and its power has long been deeply rooted. Can the court really reduce the power of the vassal?

Thinking about it carefully, the low-key King Xu is indeed a bit abnormal...

Zhao Jing was terrified when he thought about it, and his back broke into a cold sweat.

"Prime Minister Zhao, this..."

"Now this King Xu is also a man of great talent and strategy. Over the years, according to the northern intelligence, King Xu has been secretly communicating with many officials in Beijing..."

"If King Xu really has the intention to rebel, the Daning Dynasty will really face the disaster of national destruction!"

Zhao Chuan'an's voice was particularly solemn.

Zhao Jing said in a deep voice: "Prime Minister Zhao, why don't you report this news to His Majesty?"

Zhao Chuan'an showed a bit of fatigue on his face: "The Xu family has a close relationship with the Tian family, and the Xu family has been hiding too deeply over the years. Without solid evidence, who would believe it even if it is said?"

"It is even very likely to alert the enemy! Given the current situation of the dynasty, if that King Xu really led his troops south to rebel, the world would be in chaos!"

"King Xu has been entrenched in Xuzhou for many years, and it is also a border area with strong troops and horses. Once they are ready, who in my dynasty can stop them?"

"Then what should we do..."

Zhao Jing was about to speak, but something seemed to flash in his mind.

As if he thought of something, he suppressed the shock in his heart and looked at Prime Minister Zhao: "So, Prime Minister Zhao, you met with the Prince of Lin today, isn't it just for..."

Prime Minister Zhao's eyes were turbid and deep, and his voice was low and no emotion could be heard.

"In this world today, the only place that can stop the northern King Xu is the Lin Palace!"

"..."