son, don't mess around

Ruyi Building.

The sunlight penetrates the ancient building and shines into the building.

It was sunny and bright outside the building, but it was dark and cool inside, isolating it from the high temperature outside.

On the fourth floor, near the window.

Senior Li sat in his old seat, hunched over like an old man in his twilight years, holding a wine jug and pouring a mouthful of strong liquor into his mouth.

After drinking the liquor, the stimulation of alcohol quickly spread and exploded in the mouth and throat. Senior Li closed his eyes and savored it carefully.

After a while, he opened his eyes and exclaimed in relief.

Opposite Mr. Li, Lin Jiangnian quietly looked at the plain-looking old man in front of him.

When he first met Mr. Li in Ruyi Building, Lin Jiangnian's instinctive experience told him... this old man sweeping the floor was not simple.

No matter in which scene, the Sweeping Monk is an extraordinary existence.

What’s more, it is in this Ruyi Tower.

Later it was proved that this old man was indeed not a simple person.

He taught Lin Jiangnian a lot of things and guided Lin Jiangnian in martial arts. Although Senior Li was not willing to admit it, in Lin Jiangnian's heart, he was indeed half his master.

"Your Highness, why are you free today?"

After carefully tasting several sips of the liquor, Senior Li put down the wine jug and looked up at Lin Jiangnian.

Lin Jiangnian smiled and said, "I came here specially to visit Mr. Li. When I came back a few days ago, I didn't have time to catch up with Mr. Li."

When Lin Jiangnian came back a few days ago, he came to visit Senior Li. Unexpectedly, Li Piaomiao suddenly appeared and recognized Senior Li's identity.

The uncle and niece reminisced about the past first, so after Lin Jiangnian came back, he didn't have time to have a good chat with Senior Li.

Senior Li glanced at Lin Jiangnian with a deep look in his eyes, and said casually: "It's good that Your Highness has this intention. What is there to reminisce about with an old man like me?"

Lin Jiangnian said: "I am where I am today thanks to Elder Li's support. If it weren't for Elder Li's guidance a year ago, I wouldn't be able to return to the palace safely now."

Elder Li did not speak. He looked Lin Jiangnian up and down quietly. After a while, there seemed to be deep meaning in his cloudy eyes.

"Your Highness, have you already understood your own life experience?"

Lin Jiangnian nodded and said, "When Mr. Li first met me a year ago, I'm afraid he had already discovered that I was a fake, right?"

Mr. Li did not comment, and said calmly: "There is no such thing as fake or not, you are the prince of Lin Wang."

Lin Jiangnian did not respond. He understood what Elder Li meant. A wry smile appeared on his face, and he sighed, "I suddenly feel a lot of pressure."

Mr. Li was surprised: "What do you mean?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "I have been wandering outside for more than ten years, and I never thought that there would be such a day... This Prince Lin is more like a constraint to me."

"The younger generation is always worried that they will not do well enough, humiliate the reputation of the palace, and harm the people of Linzhou in the future..."

Mr. Li was silent and looked at Lin Jiangnian. He could understand.

The Prince of Lin had never received any education in a royal palace, nor had any famous teacher's guidance. Suddenly one day he learned that he had become the real Prince of Lin, and had to shoulder the fate and future of the entire royal palace.

Anyone would feel great pressure!

Who made him the prince of Lin?

He carries on his shoulders not only the fate of the Linwang Mansion, but also the fate of the people of Linzhou.

"Your Highness, don't worry too much."

Elder Li said, "Your Highness is still young, and the prince is also in his prime. Your Highness still has a lot of time to learn and improve with the prince."

"With the prince paving the way for your Highness, your Highness will surely grow into a capable person in the future, and will never bring disgrace to the reputation of the Lin Palace."

Lin Jiangnian also smiled and said, "I hope it will be as Senior Li said."

Elder Li glanced at Lin Jiangnian again and said meaningfully, "Your Highness, you came to an old man like me today to reminisce about the past. You didn't come just for this, did you?"

Lin Jiangnian showed an embarrassed look on his face and rubbed his head: "Sure enough, I can't hide it from you, senior."

Elder Li looked deep in his eyes and said, "Tell me, what is the matter with you coming here today, Your Highness?"

"Actually, it's not a big deal."

Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment and asked, "I am just a little curious about what happened between Elder Li and the Princess."

"I heard that Senior Li is the uncle of the current emperor?"

Lin Jiangnian asked.

Mr. Li didn't seem surprised by Lin Jiangnian's question. He glanced at him and said, "Didn't the girl tell you?"

“It was mentioned.”

Lin Jiangnian nodded: "However, I was also deceived by her."

"Oh? How did you cheat?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed, "She came to Linjiang City from the capital with me this time. She lied to me that she was going to Ruyi Tower to look for some medicinal pills, but I didn't expect that she was actually here for you."

"I was deceived so badly by her!"

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Mr. Li's face. He laughed heartily twice: "I see... This is in line with the girl's personality."

After a pause, Elder Li asked again, "What does Your Highness want to ask?"

"There's nothing I want to ask."

Lin Jiangnian said, "I am just a little curious, what is the grudge between Senior Li and the late emperor?"

When this matter was mentioned, Mr. Li's eyes became somewhat deep, and then when he came to his senses, he waved his hand: "It's already the past, why mention it again?"

"It's all over."

Judging from the reaction on Senior Li's face, he didn't seem to be willing to talk about what happened back then. Lin Jiangnian had also investigated secretly these days, but he didn't know exactly what happened back then.

Lin Jiangnian didn't ask any more questions, but asked another question.

"I heard that the princess came all the way to the palace to ask you to come out of retirement?"

Old Li picked up the wine jug and took another sip. After tasting it carefully for a while, he opened his slightly cloudy eyes and glanced at Lin Jiangnian.

Then he sighed and said, "Why do you have to test me like this, Your Highness?"

"Since you already know, why ask again? It seems a bit petty."

Lin Jiangnian did not feel embarrassed even though he was directly exposed by Mr. Li.

"It's true that I am a little pedantic!"

Lin Jiangnian smiled and said, "I am just curious, why did Mr. Li refuse?"

Mr. Li looked at him and asked, "Why should I agree to this?"

Lin Jiangnian said: "The new emperor in the capital is weak and will not live long. The Daning Dynasty is facing the danger of having no heir... If Elder Li comes to the capital at this time, he will surely be able to command the support of all and ascend to the throne in a logical manner!"

"Although I don't know what happened back then, I have heard my father mention that our predecessors once fought for the throne. Now that the opportunity is right in front of us, isn't Mr. Li tempted?"

Old Li shook his head: "I am an old man now, how can I have the energy to do this?"

Lin Jiangnian disagreed: "Senior is now in his prime, and it is the right age to make breakthroughs."

"The past was the past, and the present is the present. As an old man, I'd better not get involved in this mess."

Mr. Li looked indifferent. He had long lost interest in fame, wealth and power.

"So, Senior's plan is to support the eldest princess to take the throne?"

Lin Jiangnian asked again.

Elder Li looked at him and said with a smile, "That girl is your fiancée. If she ascends the throne, wouldn't that be a good thing for your Linwang Palace?"

“Not necessarily.”

Lin Jiangnian shook his head and said with emotion: "In this world, fathers and sons can become enemies, and brothers can break up, let alone a mere fiancée..."

"Who can guarantee that when the princess ascends the throne and becomes the emperor, she will not turn against me in the Lin Palace?" Senior Li said with a smile, "If that is the case, then it is your highness's problem."

"I?"

Lin Jiangnian was stunned, a little surprised: "Why did Mr. Li say that?"

"That girl is your fiancée, so she belongs to you. If you don't even have this much confidence in her, it only proves that Your Highness is not yet capable of subduing her..."

At this point, a meaningful look appeared on Mr. Li's face: "Am I right?"

Lin Jiangnian was silent.

After a while, he sighed deeply and said, "Mr. Li, do you know how powerful the princess is now?"

Li Lao shook his head slightly: "That girl is extremely talented. She is still very young now, so I'm afraid she is at least above the second rank, right?"

"One step away, the first-grade Grandmaster realm!"

Lin Jiangnian said expressionlessly.

Mr. Li's eyelids twitched slightly, as if he had not expected this.

"A master!"

"A twenty-year-old master."

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "Senior, how do you think I can subdue her?"

"I'm afraid I can't even beat her with one hand, let alone subdue her..."

"I am lucky not to be subdued by her."

"..."

To subdue a woman who is about to reach the Grandmaster level?

Lin Jiangnian didn't even dare to think about it!

A year ago, when he didn't know martial arts, he thought that a master was just like that. At most, he was a little better than an ordinary master, but he was still just a master after all!
But when Lin Jiangnian really entered the world of martial arts, as his martial arts skills became more and more advanced, he also became more and more aware of the gap in martial arts strength.

It is clearer how terrifying the Grandmaster realm is!
How does the saying go? When you didn't know any martial arts, you saw me as a frog in a well looking at the moon. But when you entered the realm of martial arts and became a master, you realized that you saw me as a mayfly looking at the sky... That was Lin Jiangnian.

Not to mention surrendering, he was lucky enough to be able to withstand a few moves from Li Piaomiao without being seriously injured.

When facing Zhiyuan and Liu Su before, Lin Jiangnian could secretly make up his mind that "things change over time", and was determined to surpass the two sisters one day, and then subdue them both together.

But as for the eldest princess... Lin Jiangnian never had such an idea at all.

The gap in strength is too huge, like an insurmountable chasm.

There is no other way except giving her medicine!
……

"Your Highness has misunderstood."

However, Elder Li shook his head slightly, as if smiling: "Your Highness, you know that to subdue a woman, sometimes you don't necessarily have to be stronger than her."

"The strength of martial arts doesn't mean anything."

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "The younger generation understands this..."

He understood the truth, but the key was that the eldest princess just refused to listen!
Li Piaomiao was arrogant and proud. If one wanted to subdue her, he could either crush her with martial arts, or find another way!

But it is clear that alternative approaches are being thwarted.

More importantly, Lin Jiangnian no longer has that much time.

The princess's heart was as cold as a stone, and Lin Jiangnian didn't have much time to melt her. The two of them didn't spend much time together, and even if they had developed a good impression of each other, it was far from enough.

Even if Li Piaomiao developed feelings for him because of this, Lin Jiangnian did not dare to guarantee that this feeling would play a big role in the future resolution of the grievances between the court and the Lin Wang Mansion.

Personal emotions are unlikely to play a big role in front of the country!

"In that case, there are indeed not many choices before Your Highness."

Elder Li nodded thoughtfully. After a moment's silence, he looked at Lin Jiangnian and said, "Now for the court and the Lin Palace, supporting her to take the throne is the best option. But it is far from enough for her and me, an old man. To achieve this, we must have the support of your Lin Palace..."

"I know Lord Lin. Your father would never do a business that would lose money, and he would never be willing to suffer a loss. If she wants to get the support of your Lord Lin's Mansion, she must pay a price..."

At this point, Senior Li looked at Lin Jiangnian meaningfully: "As for the price, that depends on you."

"I?"

Lin Jiangnian was stunned and didn't quite react: "What do you mean, senior?"

Elder Li looked deep in his eyes and spoke slowly, "Now the Daning Dynasty is facing internal and external troubles. It seems prosperous on the surface, but in fact, there are undercurrents. There are treacherous ministers in power in the court, and the factional forces are complicated. Local officials are divided, and the aristocratic families control the economic lifeline of the dynasty."

"In the north, there is also the Prince Xu who is eyeing the dynasty covetously... Prince Xu intends to take over the whole world. If his plan succeeds, the people of the whole world will be dragged down! Even your Linwang Palace cannot escape unscathed!"

"Now, the choice is in your hands."

At this point, Elder Li's deep gaze seemed to have a profound meaning: "This world will eventually be yours..."

……

After coming out of Ruyi Building, Lin Jiangnian felt even more depressed, as if the burden on his shoulders had become heavier?!
Lin Jiangnian had always considered issues from the perspective of the interests of the Linwang Mansion and the people of Linzhou. Everything he did was based on protecting the interests of the palace.

As for what will become of the Da Ning Dynasty and what will happen to the people of the world, it has nothing to do with him.

On the contrary, the more chaotic the dynasty is, the more beneficial it is to the Prince Lin's Palace.

But what Senior Li said today was like an extra layer of shackles falling on Lin Jiangnian.

If the Lin Palace really intends to support Li Piaomiao to take the throne, then he, the Prince of Lin, will no longer be just the Prince of Lin.

His attention will inevitably be on the people of the world.

In the future, this world might not only belong to the Li family...his Lin family will also have a share!
In this way, Lin Jiangnian will face even greater pressure!
Some things seemed to be developing in a direction beyond his control...

"Your Highness."

Just when Lin Jiangnian came out of Ruyi Tower, Lin Qingqing's figure had been waiting for a long time on the shore of the lake.

"Your Highness, there is movement from the Chen family!"

"Just now, news came in that in the evening, a carriage sneaked out of the back door of the Chen family and headed towards the outside of the city..."

"The person in the carriage is most likely Chen Junru!"

Lin Qingqing's tone was a little excited. After waiting for so many days, there was finally some movement.

Ever since His Highness suddenly released Chen Junru a few days ago, he has ordered people to keep a close eye on the Chen family.

At the beginning, the Chen family was peaceful for quite a while.

But as time went by, just as His Highness had expected, the Chen family could no longer sit still.

Especially these days, the city is in turmoil, but the Linwang Mansion has always been calm. The more so, the more uneasy those who have ulterior motives feel.

No one knows what kind of medicine the Linwang Mansion sells!

Especially the Chen family...

A few days ago, Lin Qingqing found out from Chen Junru's friends that...Sun Yuan's wife was most likely still alive.

On the day when Prince Lin came back, Chen Junru threatened to teach that woman a lesson!
As long as that woman is still alive, there will definitely be some movement from the Chen family!
Lin Qingqing was ordered to keep an eye on the Chen family for several days, and finally waited until the Chen family made some movement.

"Send someone to keep a close eye on it, don't alert the enemy!"

Lin Jiangnian looked normal.

Especially at this time, the more patience is needed.

It was obvious that the Chen family had lost their patience.

Chen Junru lost his patience and showed his chicken feet.

So next...

"This is a good show. I have to go and see it myself."

"..." (End of this chapter)