son, don't mess around

Zhao Mansion, inner courtyard.

In the quiet courtyard, the dead leaves scattered in the courtyard a few days ago have been cleaned up. A few big bare trees stood under the wall, looking a bit desolate.

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

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

Outside the hospital.

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

"Miss."

In the room, a young woman was lazily lying on her side on a soft couch, holding a book of poems that she had read several times, and she was flipping through it boredly.

The room was as warm as spring. The woman was wearing a simple and thin long skirt, with a straight-collared pink gauze draped over her shoulders. She looked lazy and elegant.

Because she was lying sideways on the soft couch, her lapels were slightly open, the light green tube top was looming, and the large area of ​​snow-white skin from the gooseneck to the collarbone was clearly visible.

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

There is something indescribably amazing!

Especially in the side-lying position, the hem of the long skirt slides up slightly, revealing a pair of snow-white jade, slender and well-proportioned legs, which are white, tender, slender, and small.

The calves are well-proportioned and slender, and there is not a single flaw on the white and tender skin. Even if you get close, you can't find any faults. Going up the calf is the plump and smooth thigh. The skin is firm and slightly fleshy, but slender and slender.

Beautiful!

Zhao Xi lay on his side on the soft couch and turned over casually. His mind seemed to be more open, and the fullness of his clothes became more and more looming.

She turned over the poetry book in her hand repeatedly, looking very interested.

Perhaps because I have been living in purdah for so long, this winter seems a bit boring.

It's not just the winter that's boring, the entire capital seems to be boring too.

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

"What's the matter?"

The voice was a little weak.

Outside the door, Xiaoyue lowered her head and said softly: "Miss, early this morning, the master sent someone to the Jiang Mansion. I heard that they wanted to meet the Prince Lin..."

In the room, Zhao Xi, who was still lying weakly on the soft couch, subconsciously sat up. As she stood up, her collar, which was already open on her chest, was wide open, her long skirt and coat slipped off her shoulders, and most of her light green tube top was exposed to the air.

At the same time, the fullness that cannot be fully covered by the tube top is also looming.

Trembling and towering.

Zhao Xi's originally interested eyes seemed to light up.

That guy... is here?

Dad wants to see him? !

So fast?

"Where is he?"

Xiaoyue outside the door said: "I just heard from people in the house that Prince Lin has arrived at the house and is now at the master's place."

Already arrived?

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

She wanted to see what it was like for that guy to meet her father.

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

That guy is here to see his father. Is there something wrong with her rushing over?

Also, I haven’t settled the accounts with him yet for what happened last time!

Thinking of what happened last time, a hint of embarrassment quickly appeared in Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes, and she gritted her teeth gently.

She still holds grudges for what happened last time.

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

Then he stared at his messy black hair in the bronze mirror, as well as his slightly slovenly and cold appearance. Although it looks a bit cold and beautiful. But for some reason, Zhao Xi felt that he seemed a little... embarrassed?

Staring at the bronze mirror for a moment, Zhao Xi thought about it.

"Little Moon."

"Miss?"

"You come in."

Xiaoyue outside the door heard the young lady's words, opened the door and walked in, and found the young lady sitting next to the dressing table.

"Miss, what are your orders?"

"Come here and help me dress up."

"Yes."

Xiaoyue slowly walked up behind the young lady, looked at her young lady through the bronze mirror, and blinked: "Miss, are you going to see His Royal Highness Prince Lin later?"

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

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

Zhao Xi glanced back at her: "Who said I dressed up just to see him?"

Xiaoyue was confused and innocent: "Isn't it?"

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

She is naturally beautiful, even without any makeup, she still looks exquisite, has a charming temperament, is naturally charming, yet elegant.

Xiaoyue thought for a moment, tilted her head and asked, "But, isn't there a saying that says, a woman should be humble to those who please her?"

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

"Xiaoyue, do you believe that I sold you to Wang Er, the pig seller in the western suburbs of the capital, to be my wife?"

Zhao Xi is smiling but not smiling.

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

Zhao Xi rolled his eyes and stared at himself in the bronze mirror again, his beautiful eyes moving as if he was thinking about something.

To please that guy?

how is this possible.

snort!

"..."

On the other side, outside the courtyard.

Lin Jiangnian walked out of the hospital and stood there, looking back behind him with a calm expression.

Although he failed to get a personal commitment from Prime Minister Zhao, Lin Jiangnian's purpose of coming here today has been achieved.

This Prime Minister Zhao has huge power in the court, has disciples all over the world, plays a very important role in the dynasty, and is the mainstay of the Daning Dynasty today.

If we can get his support, it will be of great benefit to Prince Lin's Mansion.

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

Prime Minister Zhao was an upright man and loyal to the court. Naturally, he would never support any vassal king. Prime Minister Zhao maintains a neutral attitude in the court and has never explicitly stated his intention to reduce the vassal state. However, 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 precisely because the thoughts and attitudes of Prime Minister Zhao were consistent with those of Prince Lin's Mansion.

Prime Minister Zhao did not want the court and the vassal king to really break up with each other, and Lin Hengzhong had no plans to rebel and usurp the throne.

Just as Lin Hengzhong mentioned to Lin Jiangnian, the Lin family now has almost everything in the world. Why take the risk of being poked in the back by the world and bear the eternal infamy?

Lin Hengzhong obviously didn't want to bear this infamy!

but……

If the imperial court is aggressive and really wants to corner Prince Lin's Mansion, Prince Lin's Mansion will naturally not sit still and wait for death. But before that, before the court really made up its mind to reduce the vassalage, there was still room for maneuver. This is also the real purpose of Lin Jiangnian's visit to Beijing and his visit to Prime Minister Zhao today.

For now, Prime Minister Zhao has a good attitude and has no intention of targeting the Lin family. Although no clear answer was given, to a certain extent, Prime Minister Zhao's attitude seemed to be acquiescence.

However, before leaving, Prime Minister Zhao also gave Lin Jiangnian a meaningful nod.

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

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

Zhao Jing stood outside the courtyard. When Lin Jiangnian came out, he stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, walk slowly!"

Lin Jiangnian waved his hand quickly: "Mr. Zhao, there's no need to see him off. I'm familiar with the road. It's cold, so Mr. Zhao should go back and rest first."

Zhao Jing stopped and said with a smile: "In that case, I won't send it off. Your Highness, walk carefully and slowly!"

Lin Jiangnian nodded, raised his hands to Zhao Jing, and turned to leave.

Zhao Jing stood there, quietly watching Lin Jiangnian's figure leave, then turned back to the inner courtyard.

In a quiet room.

Zhao Jing stepped into the room. Zhao Xiang was still sitting at the desk, closing his eyes slightly, thinking about something.

"master."

Zhao Jing glanced at it, was silent for a moment, lowered his head and said, "Master, do you really plan to follow the palace..."

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

Zhao Jing hesitated for a moment and then said: "His Royal Highness Prince Lin is not simple, and he is definitely not as unbearable as the outside world has rumored... In recent years, there have been rumors in the capital that Prince Lin is uneducated and incompetent. It is difficult to say that it is not that." King Wei Lin deliberately spreads it and deliberately paralyzes everyone."

Zhao Chuanan's eyes were cloudy and he sighed: "Do you think the Lin family has the intention to rebel?"

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

"Over the years, the Lin family has been deliberately avoiding conflicts with the imperial court. Lin Hengzhong knew this very well and has been making concessions. The Linzhou Army has been reducing its troops and handing over a lot of power in recent years, just to avoid Being too eye-catching has become a hidden danger to the court..."

"But as long as this King Lin is alive, everyone in the court will have trouble sleeping..."

"Yes!"

Zhao Chuanan lamented: "As long as he lives for one day, many people will not be able to sleep."

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 eradicate it completely... Under such circumstances, it is difficult to guarantee that the Lin family will always be loyal."

For the Lin family, they would die if they cut down the vassal clan but did not hand over power, and they would die equally if they handed over power. In this case, there will only be one result...

Zhao Chuanan shook his head gently: "Lin Hengzhong will not rebel."

Zhao Jing looked up, puzzled.

"Lin Hengzhong and I are old acquaintances. I know him well. 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 person who values ​​​​loyalty and will never Will easily break his oath."

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

Zhao Chuanan glanced at him and sighed: "What I'm worried about is not Lin Hengzhong, but... the Prince Lin just now."

"Prince Lin?!"

"This boy is not simple."

Zhao Chuanan narrowed his eyes slightly: "Lin Hengzhong has allowed him to hide his stupidity for so long, so he must have some agenda... When this guy saw me just now, his thoughts were unfathomable, he didn't have any stage fright, he was calm and composed, and he was anything but simple... Lin Hengzhong You have raised a good son!”

"It is true that Lin Hengzhong may not betray the dynasty, but His Royal Highness Prince Lin may not..."

There was a hint of worry in Zhao Chuanan's eyes: "When Prince Lin succeeds to the throne in the future, we still don't know what the outcome will be..."

Lin Hengzhong promised that he would not rebel easily, but who knew what Prince Lin was thinking?

After the brief exchange just now, Prime Minister Zhao has already discovered that this man is very thoughtful, unpredictable, and... hypocritical!

Zhao Jing's face condensed slightly.

But Zhao Chuanan shook his head slightly 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 person."

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

Zhao Jing's pupils narrowed slightly, as if he had realized something: "Mr. Zhao, you mean...Prince Xu?!"

Zhao Chuanan looked slightly downcast and said in a deep voice: "Exactly!"

His eyes were focused.

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

"The direction of the imperial court has been aimed at Lin Hengzhong over the years. Behind this, there is a big hand that is invisible and stirring up all this..."

"Most of the court's eyes were fixed on Lin Hengzhong, and they just ignored the almost nonexistent King Xu in the north..."

"Don't forget, besides Lin Hengzhong, he is the largest vassal king in the dynasty!"

Zhao Chuanan's tone became more solemn: "It has been a hundred years since Taizu founded the country and the Xu family was granted the title of king. The ancestors of the Xu family made great contributions to the dynasty and married into the Tian family. They were deeply trusted by the emperor and many ministers in the court also I feel very relieved about King Xu..."

Zhao Jing said nothing and looked solemn.

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

Faced with the call to cut down the vassalage in the court, King Xu never showed any resistance. Many ministers in the court trusted him very much. They often praised the Xu family as a loyal family and the cornerstone of the dynasty.

The problem lies here. King Xu granted Xuzhou a fiefdom, and Xuzhou was located on the northern border of the dynasty. This King Xu also shoulders the responsibility of 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. The court wants to cut off the vassal vassal, and if King Xu is really cut off, who will be responsible for any trouble in the north?

What's more, the Xu family has been operating in Xuzhou for a hundred years, and its influence has long been deeply rooted. Can the imperial court really successfully eliminate vassals?

If you think about it carefully, King Xu, who is so low-key, is indeed a little abnormal...

Zhao Jing was so frightened when he thought about it carefully that he broke into a cold sweat on his back.

"Mr. Zhao, this..."

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

"If King Xu really rebels, the Daning Dynasty will really face the disaster of national destruction!"

Zhao Chuanan's voice was particularly solemn.

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

Zhao Chuanan showed a tired look on his face: "The Xu family has a close relationship with the Tian family, and the Xu family has hidden it too deeply over the years. There is no conclusive evidence. Even if it is said, who will believe it?"

"It is even very possible to alert the enemy! With the current situation of the dynasty, if King Xu really sends his troops south to rebel, the world will be in chaos!"

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

"Then what should we do..."

Zhao Jing was about to speak when something suddenly flashed through 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, is it because you are meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Lin today..."

Zhao Xiang's eyes were turbid and deep, and his voice was low and there was no trace of emotion.

"Today, the only one who can stop Prince Xu from the north is Prince Lin's Mansion!"

"..." (End of this chapter)