son, don't mess around

Chen family.

In the hall, Chen Hongsheng sat upright on the armchair with his eyes closed. His face, which used to be full of life, looked much more haggard.

"Master, I have followed your instructions and joined forces with other noble families to put pressure on the government and spread the news in the city...but the palace does not seem to be affected."

Since Chen Junru was arrested, the Chen family has been operating secretly, but with little effect.

After all, the one who arrested Chen Junru was the prince of Lin, and even the master himself failed to rescue the young master. It was extremely difficult to put pressure on the palace through various forces.

If it was the Lord Lin, it might be easier, but the Prince Lin's personality was too strange, and no one knew what he was trying to do. There was no guarantee that the Prince Lin would not be so desperate that he would tear his face off with the Chen family and fight to the death.

Sitting on the throne, Chen Hongsheng looked calm and was not surprised by the result.

He didn't want to put pressure on the palace to release Chen Junru. His real purpose was to test the situation of the Prince Lin in the palace.
"Master, in my opinion, that Prince Lin may have really..."

The butler started to speak here and then stopped.

This is not just his guess, but also the consensus of many people in Linjiang City.

Something must have happened to the prince!
Now, all we need is an opportunity and a chance to test it.

But the problem is that the palace is airtight and difficult for any outside forces to penetrate.

No one knows the true situation of Prince Lin!
No one dares to gamble!
Even though I guessed that something might have happened to Prince Lin, but...

What if nothing happens?
None of the noble families in Linjiang City dared to gamble, and were waiting for others to be the first to take action.

"Most of the noble families in the city have kept a low profile in the past few days. They are waiting and watching, and most of them want the master to be the first to take action."

Speaking of this, the butler's tone was a little heavy.

Originally, the Chen family should have stayed out of the matter and sat on the Diaoyutai. No matter how the situation in Linjiang City changed, no matter what the relationship between the court and the Linwang Mansion was, it would not affect the Chen family. But the young master suddenly got into trouble, forcing the Chen family to be involved.

"Master, our Chen family must not be used as a gun by others!"

The butler looked worried.

Chen Hongsheng lowered his eyes slightly and said coldly: "I know."

Naturally, he would not be the first person to break this impasse!
But if he wants to save Chen Junru, he will have to confront the Lin family.

Chen Hongsheng's face was cold and he remained silent for a long time. The atmosphere in the hall was a little depressing.

Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door.

"Master, there is new information."

A dark figure hurried over and appeared outside the hall.

"come in."

Chen Hongsheng spoke expressionlessly.

The shadow approached, quickly stepped forward and knelt on one knee in front of Chen Hongsheng: "Master, not long ago, I saw the guards of Prince Lin's Mansion appear in the city again and captured many people and brought them back to the palace..."

It is not uncommon for the guards of Prince Lin's Mansion to arrest people.

Especially since Prince Lin was assassinated, countless people in Linjiang City have been implicated, and countless people have been imprisoned.

Arresting people is not surprising.

"But the problem is that the Lin Wang Mansion's arrest this time is very strange. There is no reason for it, and it appeared very quickly, as if they were deliberately hiding something..."

The black shadow spoke quickly and added: "Coincidentally, I just learned something... There is a piece of news that has been circulating in Linzhou recently."

"There are rumors outside that the current Prince Lin in Prince Lin's Mansion is a fake..."

When he heard the news, Chen Hongsheng, who had originally looked gloomy and indifferent, suddenly focused and stared at the black shadow in front of him: "What do you mean?"

The black shadow quickly told all the information he had gathered.

Chen Hongsheng frowned and remained silent.

Is Prince Lin a fake?
This news was indeed unexpected.

It all sounds a bit absurd. How could the Prince of Lin be a fake?
At first, Chen Hongsheng didn't take it seriously, and even thought that the news was a bit too fake. It was probably a rumor fabricated by someone trying to fish in troubled waters in the current chaotic situation in Linjiang City.

But after listening to the folk rumors, Chen Hongsheng's expression became more serious... The circulating "rumors" were well-founded and did not seem false.

More importantly, the Prince of Lin now gave people an indescribable sense of strangeness.

It seems like he has become a completely different person since his trip to the capital.

In just one year, no matter how much one experiences or how great the changes are, it is impossible for such changes to occur?

Chen Hongsheng clearly remembered that the Prince of Lin was not good at speaking. Although he was not weak, he gave people a sense of emptiness and was definitely not strong.

But only a year had passed, and the Prince of Lin whom I had seen a few days ago had a gleaming gaze. Although he was not strong, he was in good health, full of energy and vitality. It was clear that he had strong internal strength and was not weak in martial arts...

Although they look very similar, they do not seem to be the same person at all!

Is it...

Is it really fake?!
As soon as this thought came to mind, Chen Hongsheng's heart suddenly moved.

If this is really the case...

His eyes flickered a little, and he turned to look at the butler next to him: "What do you think?"

The housekeeper was also extremely shocked by the news. After a brief thought, he said, "I think this news is not groundless. Prince Lin is indeed a little strange..."

Then the butler expressed his guess.

By investigating Lin Jiangnian's behavior in the capital over the past year, we can indeed find some clues. From the words, actions and habits of this prince of Lin, we can indeed find some differences from the past.

I was puzzled before, but if the Prince Lin was replaced by someone else... the original strange and incredible things seemed to be solved?

It all makes sense!

"If this Prince Lin is really fake, that would be interesting."

The butler's eyes were obviously excited, and he was still worrying about how to rescue the young master.

Now, isn't the opportunity here?

Chen Hongsheng's originally gloomy eyes also burst into a glimmer of light.

He thinks even further!

Now the life and death of Lin Hengzhong in the palace is unknown. If at this time, news spreads that the Prince Lin is an imposter... once it is confirmed.

The Prince Lin's Palace will most likely be torn into pieces in an instant!
Even if it doesn't collapse overnight, it will definitely suffer heavy damage.

When……

Thinking of this, Chen Hongsheng's voice suddenly condensed: "Go and check all the clues that Lin Jiangnian has found in the past year. You must find evidence."

"Yes."

The black shadow left in a hurry, and Chen Hongsheng looked outside the yard, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

This news is of vital importance to him and the Chen family.

In fact, this is most likely an opportunity for his Chen family to break free from the control of the Lin family.

Regardless of whether this news is true or false, even if it is false...

Chen Hongsheng's face was cold and his fists were clenched under his robe.

He also wants to turn the fake into real!

……

Qingfeng Tower, in the private attic.

Lin Jiangnian and Li Piaomiao are still fighting on the line.

The weather was nice, the sun was shining, the fragrance of rouge wafted through the air, and the music of lewdness was endless. Qingfeng Tower was indeed the largest brothel in Linjiang City. Apart from the entertainment activities that were only half an incense stick long for most men, it was also a place for entertainment and romance that was elegant.

Qingfeng Tower also has many talented and beautiful women who sell their art but not their bodies, and who would charge a premium for selling their bodies. There are clients who come for those few minutes, and of course there are also pure people who come here simply to listen to the music and watch the dance, talk about life with the girls, and look for the feeling of love.

Of course, the latter are mostly not even as good as the former's half incense stick. They have hidden illnesses and are unable to do what they want.

Commonly known as impotence!

But being impotent does not stop them from spending a fortune to win the smiles of beauties, listen to music and watch dances. The voices of the young girls echo in this place of extravagance, accompanied by bursts of elegant music from time to time, which is out of place here.

Elegant room.

Lin Jiangnian and Li Piaomiao sat side by side and looked at each other. Both of them had calm expressions without much emotion.

It was like they were talking about something that was just ordinary, and neither of them seemed to take it seriously.

But neither of them spoke again.

Lin Jiangnian was waiting for Li Piaomiao's next answer, but Li Piaomiao...

After staring at Lin Jiangnian for a long time, she opened her red lips and said in a neutral tone: "What do you want to say?"

"Nothing, just a little curious."

Lin Jiangnian chuckled and looked her up and down: "Do you want to be the emperor?"

"Do not want to."

Li Piaomiao's answer was straightforward.

She had no interest in the throne from beginning to end.

This answer was within Lin Jiangnian's expectations. He looked Li Piaomiao up and down again and asked slowly, "Then..."

"Are you going to give up?"

This time, Li Piaomiao remained silent.

Her expression was normal, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she was hesitating.

From her reaction, Lin Jiangnian got the answer he wanted.

"So, you're just like me, you can't let go, right?"

Lin Jiangnian looked relaxed, leaning back slightly, and looking at her: "Neither you nor I have any interest in this easily accessible power, but we can't let it go because of our status and responsibilities."

"Is it right?"

Li Piaomiao remained silent and did not speak.

But judging from her reaction, she seemed to agree with Lin Jiangnian's statement.

"Then, congratulations in advance!"

Lin Jiangnian said with emotion: "The future empress, the first empress of our Daning Dynasty. Supreme, unprecedented and unrivaled..."

Li Piaomiao frowned and said expressionlessly: "What on earth do you want to say?!"

Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows: "Haven't I already asked what I wanted to ask?"

Li Piaomiao said coldly: "I won't sell myself out."

"so?"

"I cannot agree to this marriage."

"..."

Li Piaomiao's refusal was within Lin Jiangnian's expectations.

After all, she was such a cold and proud person, but in order to get the support of the Lin family, she had to compromise and marry Lin Jiangnian, and even have a child... This was obviously an insult to her!
The reason why Li Piaomiao could become such a young master is not only because of her extraordinary talent in martial arts, but more importantly, she has a strong and tenacious heart.

How could she, who is so proud, agree to such a ridiculous thing?
She sold herself for power. What's the difference between her and those prostitutes in Qingfeng Tower?
It’s just that it’s sold at a higher price!
Looking at Li Piaomiao's expressionless and cold face, and the pair of eyes that did not hide their indifference at all, Lin Jiang laughed: "Are you angry?"

Li Piaomiao said nothing.

"The prince did something a little unkind in this matter. However, he had no ill intentions. After all, you and I were already engaged in name, and he just wanted to make it happen..."

"Of course, there are some selfish motives involved. You should understand that, right?"

Li Piaomiao was silent.

This is also the reason why she was not angry. She and Lin Jiangnian already had a nominal engagement, and mentioning marriage was not a threat or a transaction.

However, when this marriage was linked to interests, she felt conflicted.

"I came to you today just to have a good chat with you."

Lin Jiangnian was frank and open: "You represent the court, I represent the Lin Wang Mansion, let's discuss the next plan, whether to agree or refuse, to make peace or go to war..."

"I think you also hope that the imperial court and the Lin Wang Mansion can coexist peacefully, right?"

Li Piaomiao stared at him quietly, her beautiful eyes flickering.

Obviously, Lin Jiangnian's words were exactly what she was thinking.

After a while, she nodded slightly.

"You said."

"From the current situation, your brother's health is deteriorating, and I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for much longer... The best situation at the moment is naturally for you to succeed your brother and inherit the throne, legitimately..."

"For the Lin Wang Mansion, it is natural to hope so. After all, no matter what, you and I have a history, and we are not enemies... I would naturally be happy to see you become the emperor."

"However, I cannot represent the Lin Palace. I can trust you, but those people in the palace may not. As the prince of Lin, I have to be responsible for the Lin Palace... You should understand this, right?"

Li Piaomiao was silent.

"Of course, the prince's decision to let us get married was indeed a stupid move, and it was definitely not his true intention."

"Getting married has more advantages than disadvantages for both you and me."

Lin Jiangnian shook his head. The so-called marriage was most likely just a way for Lin Hengzhong to force Li Piaomiao to abdicate.

"Since you want to be the empress, you can't marry me in name only... at least not before you take that position."

People in this world are not fools. How could they watch the eldest princess, who is already a married woman, sit on the throne of the emperor?
Especially since the eldest princess is marrying the Prince Lin, who is considered by everyone to have rebellious intentions?

Wouldn’t that be handing over the Li family’s kingdom to someone else?
Therefore, before Li Piaomiao took the throne of empress, there was absolutely no benefit in marrying Lin Jiangnian.

As for when you sit down...

Once the matter is settled, it will no longer be the turn of the world to complain.

Li Piaomiao listened silently without saying a word, and the frost in her beautiful eyes gradually faded.

This was also her idea.

Marrying Lin Jiangnian meant that she lost the opportunity to compete for that position.

Therefore, she never thought about it.

At least, I didn't think about it before taking that position.

Seeing that Li Piaomiao remained silent, Lin Jiangnian thought that she was still worried, so he changed his tone and shook his head, saying, "Don't worry, even if you are willing to marry me now, I can't marry you."

Hearing this, Li Piaomiao raised his head slightly and stared at him with cold eyes.

After a while, he finally said, "Why?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed and said, "I have already promised to marry Zhiyuan. You know Zhiyuan, right? You should have seen her..."

"She is my legal wife, so you don't have to worry that I will be so despicable as to use this method to threaten you into submission..."

"..." (End of this chapter)