son, don't mess around

As soon as these words came out.

There was a brief silence in the pavilion.

Li Piaomiao looked normal and did not explain. He just turned his head and glanced at Lin Jiangnian on the other side.

This action was caught by Yuan Zhongnan, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Lin Jiangnian had not expected that Governor Yuan would gossip about this. When Li Piaomiao looked over, Lin Jiangnian understood... this was throwing the problem to him!

Lin Jiangnian remained calm and chuckled, "This matter still needs the approval of His Majesty. If I really marry the princess, I will definitely invite Master Yuan to have a drink at the wedding."

"I hope Lord Yuan will show me some favor then!"

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will definitely prepare a great gift for Your Highness and bless you two!"

Yuan Zhongnan spoke with a smile on his face and did not continue to dwell on this issue.

Then, we started talking about other things.

Lin Jiangnian was not very familiar with this Governor Yuan, and the relationship between the two was not very good. However, an incident six months ago, coupled with their identities, made their relationship much closer.

In comparison, Yuan Zhongnan seemed to be more familiar with Li Piaomiao. However, Li Piaomiao was aloof and not good at speaking, so they did not communicate much.

"I didn't expect that more than a decade would have passed in the blink of an eye. The scene when the late emperor conferred the title on me is still vivid in my mind. I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye..."

Yuan Zhongnan seemed to be feeling somewhat emotional.

The death of the previous emperor, the ascension of the new emperor, and the change of dynasties were bound to be a cause of some emotion for ministers like Yuan Zhongnan.

Especially since he had a close relationship with the late emperor, it was inevitable that he felt a little sad.

"Now our Daning Dynasty is facing internal and external troubles. As a minister, I have failed to help Your Majesty share his worries. This is indeed a dereliction of duty..."

"What are you talking about, Lord Yuan? As the governor of Yanzhou, Lord Yuan was loyal to the dynasty, performed his duties faithfully, and maintained the peace and stability of Yanzhou. He made great contributions and devoted himself to the cause..."

Lin Jiang spoke with a young smile, and saw Yuan Zhongnan looking at him with a meaningful look.

Lin Jiangnian understood and turned to look at Li Piaomiao who had been silent beside him: "Master Yuan and I have some private matters to discuss. Can you go back first?"

After hearing this, Li Piaomiao still didn't say anything. She looked at Lin Jiangnian silently for a few times and nodded lightly.

Then he stood up and left the pavilion.

A figure in white quickly disappeared.

Yuan Zhongnan half-closed his eyes as he watched this scene, and said with emotion: "Her Royal Highness the Princess has always been cold and arrogant, but I didn't expect that she would be so obedient in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Your Highness, you really know how to control your wife!"

Hearing Yuan Zhongnan's slightly teasing tone, Lin Jiangnian did not refute. His eyes fell on Yuan Zhongnan opposite him and he paused: "I wonder what Mr. Yuan wants to say to this junior?"

"It's nothing serious, I just have some small doubts in my mind that I haven't figured out clearly, and I would like to ask your Highness for advice."

"I don't deserve your advice, Lord Yuan, please speak."

At this point, Yuan Zhongnan paused and narrowed his eyes slightly: "Your Highness, do you still remember what you promised me half a year ago?"

Lin Jiangnian's expression did not change: "Of course I haven't forgotten!"

"Master Yuan helped me in the past. I will always remember this favor!"

Hearing this, Yuan Zhongnan nodded and sighed.

"The current situation in the world has become complicated and confusing. As the governor of Yanzhou, I am walking on thin ice..."

Yuan Zhongnan's tone seemed a little heavy, "After all, I am just a pawn of the court, insignificant in the world situation... In the future, I will have to rely on His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Lin Jiang laughed: "Master Yuan is too modest. Master Yuan is the governor of Yanzhou, with a high position and a large army. He is famous. How can it be insignificant?"

"It may be so in the eyes of others, but in front of Your Highness, how can I, a governor, be considered as prominent in the slightest?"

Yuan Zhongnan shook his head slightly. He stared at Lin Jiangnian and spoke slowly, "Prince Lin was attacked this time. Your Highness, have you ever guessed who the murderer is?"

Hearing Yuan Zhongnan mention this again, Lin Jiangnian's eyes narrowed slightly: "Does Lord Yuan know?"

"I don't know, but there are only a few forces in the world that can accomplish this..."

Yuan Zhongnan did not continue speaking, but Lin Jiangnian knew the origins of those forces.

It’s just not clear why Yuan Zhongnan brought this up?

At this time, Yuan Zhongnan's voice became slightly solemn: "The situation in the dynasty is turbulent now. Your Highness, do you think that the new emperor can keep it under control?"

Lin Jiangnian's expression remained unchanged: "Master Yuan, are you going to make irresponsible remarks about state affairs?"

"Your Highness and I are now in the same boat, so I mentioned these things..."

Yuan Zhongnan's eyes were somewhat profound. "These things are related to our fate, so I have to mention them."

"how do I say this?"

"Your Highness, do you know that the new emperor in the palace is not in good health?"

Yuan Zhongnan suddenly asked again.

Lin Jiangnian's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that the new emperor was in poor health. It was said that he was drugged by the third prince, which damaged his body and made him weak.

"In fact, the new emperor has had poor health since childhood. His illness six months ago only made his condition worse... The new emperor's condition is not optimistic now!"

When these words came out, Lin Jiangnian was shocked.

Somewhat wary.

How did Yuan Zhongnan know this?

How many spies does he have in the court? !

As if seeing through Lin Jiangnian's thoughts, Yuan Zhongnan sighed softly: "The new emperor has no children yet, and his health is also in trouble. I don't know how long he can last. The situation in the court has just stabilized. If anything unexpected happens, what will be the consequences..."

"Your Highness should know better than me, right?"

"What does Lord Yuan mean?"

"This new emperor is very thoughtful. He will definitely want to eliminate all hidden dangers to the dynasty during his lifetime. And your Lin family will definitely bear the brunt..."

Having said that, Yuan Zhongnan glanced behind Lin Jiangnian, but there was something else he didn't say.

Perhaps, marrying the eldest princess to the Lin family might just be a trick of the court.

"I believe that with the intelligence of Prince Lin and Your Highness, they have already thought of this. I came here today just to ask Your Highness a question..."

Having said this, Yuan Zhongnan paused again, then stared at Lin Jiangnian and slowly said, "Your Highness, have you ever thought about..."

"Proclaim yourself king?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the pavilion fell silent.

There was no sound between heaven and earth.

Lin Jiangnian said nothing, looked at Yuan Zhongnan quietly for a moment, picked up the tea on the table and took a sip.

After putting down the teacup, he spoke calmly, "Master Yuan, please be careful with your words. My Lin family is loyal to the court. How could we have such a treacherous and ambitious idea?"

"Yes, I was too talkative!"

Yuan Zhongnan's expression eased, and he chuckled again: "It seems that I am a little confused because of my old age, haha..."

"Lord Yuan is loyal to his country, and this prince admires him."

"..."

The tense atmosphere in the pavilion dissipated silently.

The two of them never mentioned this topic again, and instead talked about other irrelevant things.

When the time was almost up, Lin Jiangnian stood up and prepared to say goodbye: "Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Yuan. The journey south is long, so I have to take my leave first!"

"In that case, please take care, Your Highness. If you have the chance to come again in the future, I will definitely entertain you well!"

"Thank you very much, Master Yuan!"

Lin Jiangnian stood up, said goodbye, walked out of the pavilion, jumped on his horse, and quickly disappeared.

In the pavilion.

Yuan Zhongnan sat there the whole time, quietly looking in the direction where Lin Jiangnian disappeared, picked up the tea on the table and took a sip.

Not long after, a figure slowly walked in from a direction not far from the pavilion.

"Lord Governor!"

The visitor spoke respectfully.

It was the governor of Xunyang, He Jinqun.

"How is it, my lord?"

He Jinqun asked cautiously. Yuan Zhongnan kept his deep gaze forward and said calmly, "It's hard to say."

He Jinqun spoke cautiously: "My Lord, do you think that the Lin family... has any intention of establishing itself as king?"

Yuan Zhongnan didn't say anything.

The purpose of meeting the Prince of Lin today is to test him.

But, nothing was found out.

"If the Lin family really establishes itself as a king in the future, it will have both advantages and disadvantages for you, sir. Then at that time..."

He Jinqun wanted to ask something but held back.

Yanzhou borders Linzhou. If the Lin Palace really rises up as an army and declares itself king, the imperial court will want to suppress it, and the first person to bear the brunt of the attack will be the Yanzhou governor.

At that time, what decision will the governor make?
"I'm not worried about that..."

Yuan Zhongnan looked calm. If the imperial court went to war with the Lin Wang Mansion, he would face the greatest pressure. But at the same time, he would also face the greatest opportunity.

With the troops of Yanzhou in his hands, he would be fully empowered and qualified to negotiate with the imperial court.

"What I am worried about is the imperial court and Prince Lin's Palace..."

Speaking of this, Yuan Zhongnan recalled the scene just now and his eyes narrowed slightly.

After a while, he murmured, "The marriage between the imperial court and the Lin Wang Mansion is extremely disadvantageous to me..."

……

Lin Jiangnian was riding back on horseback. On the way, he saw a man in white sitting quietly on the horse's back on the roadside not far ahead.

The breeze blew, and the spring sunshine slowly fell on her, as if she was bathed in a layer of glorious luster.

She is dressed in fine clothes and rides a horse, she is extremely beautiful, she has a cool and elegant temperament, and that beautiful face that makes people marvel whenever they see it.

Even though it looks a little cold, it still makes people feel excited.

Lin Jiangnian rode closer on horseback and chuckled, "Waiting for me?"

On horseback, Li Piaomiao looked back at him quietly for a few seconds, did not deny it, and nodded.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"Go back then?"

"it is good."

The two men rode side by side and returned together to the carriage parked on the official road not far away where they were resting.

"..."

"Yuan Zhongnan tried to test me, but I didn't respond."

"It seems that he is a little anxious. I'm afraid he heard some bad news..."

"Isn't this person a big threat to your court?"

On horseback, Lin Jiangnian mentioned it casually.

Li Piaomiao looked ahead and did not deny it. He nodded slightly: "He has the military power of Yanzhou in his hands. He has a huge influence in Yanzhou. The imperial court is a little afraid of him..."

"So what do you think he is afraid of?"

Lin Jiangnian turned his head, looked at Li Piaomiao's fair and delicate profile, and asked with a chuckle.

Li Piaomiao pondered for a moment, glanced at Lin Jiangnian, and said calmly: "He is worried about the reconciliation between the court and the Lin family."

Once the imperial court reconciles with the Lin family and the crisis in the south is resolved, this is naturally a scene that the Yanzhou governor does not want to see.

In this way, he would not be of much use to the court, and it would be easy for the court to control him.

"To be precise, he is afraid of seeing you and me get married, right?"

Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows slightly.

His and Li Piaomiao's appearance in Xunyang City would naturally attract the attention of various forces. And the Xunyang governor had not appeared since he disappeared yesterday, so it was obvious where he had gone.

"You know what? You came back to Prince Lin's Mansion with me this time, and it actually played a significant role."

Lin Jiangnian sighed.

Li Piaomiao did not comment, and her face still showed no emotion. A slight breeze blew by, slightly lifting the black hair in front of her forehead.

That absolutely beautiful and heart-pounding face, so fair and delicate, gives people an indescribable impulse.

Lin Jiangnian stared at it for a few seconds, and suddenly his heart moved slightly.

"How about you just think about it?"

"Ok?"

Li Piaomiao turned his head with a little confusion.

"Marriage alliance!"

Lin Jiangnian smiled and said, "Your court is marrying my Lin Wang Mansion, and we will all be one family in the future... At that time, you will be in charge of the interior, and I will be in charge of the exterior. Yuan Zhongnan and the Xu family will all be traitors..."

"Let's kill them together!"

Li Piaomiao seemed stunned for a moment, raised her eyes and looked at Lin Jiangnian after a moment.

She suddenly asked, "You want to marry me?"

It was a sudden voice, neither cold nor indifferent.

For a moment, Lin Jiangnian felt an indescribable weirdness.

Why does it sound like he really wants to marry her?
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand: "What's the point of marrying or not? This is a marriage alliance. We each get what we need... Do you understand?"

Li Piaomiao lowered her eyes slightly, her face expressionless.

"Is there a difference?"

"It should... be, right?"

Lin Jiangnian thought about it and emphasized again: "If we get married, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages in theory."

For the Lin Wang Mansion, it is definitely a good thing to marry into the imperial court. For Lin Jiangnian... it is not too bad either!
Being able to marry a quasi-first-class master who is so stunningly beautiful, even though it’s a bit cold, it’s the same even if you turn off the lights... It’s definitely not a loss.

Li Piaomiao looked forward and said in a neutral tone: "If that's the case, why didn't you marry someone in the capital before?"

"That doesn't mean you disagree?"

Lin Jiangnian argued convincingly.

When they were in the capital before, they had a tug of war with each other, but in the end, Lin Jiangnian was the better one and forced her to give in.

Therefore, Lin Jiangnian is justified.

"Is it?"

Li Piaomiao's cold eyes swept across Lin Jiangnian, then she retracted her gaze and looked forward again.

He didn't speak again.

Her reaction also made Lin Jiangnian a little confused.

However, I didn't ask any further questions.

But he didn't know if it was an illusion, but Lin Jiangnian felt that the aura of the princess next to him had become much colder.

Shouldn't it?

The coldness in her body has only been cleared away recently, so it shouldn't flare up so quickly, right?

Just as Lin Jiangnian was wondering, the two returned to the carriage rest area.

As soon as I got closer, I heard an argument coming from the front.

"Fox spirit, you fox spirit..."

"Who are you scolding?!"

"I'm scolding you, you vixen, taking advantage of others, you are shameless, bah..."

"Your words are so rude, you have no shame!"

"You stole my man, you're a slut!"

"I'm so mad... An Ning, help me teach her a lesson and beat her up!!"

"..." (End of this chapter)