son, don't mess around

The atmosphere in the hall was still weird.

As Lin Jiangnian walked into the hall, there was silence all around. Everyone's eyes fell on him, with different thoughts in their minds.

Some people have ulterior motives, some are secretly calculating, and some are waiting to watch the show.

Lin Jiangnian ignored all of this and looked directly at the white-haired old man sitting on the main seat. His tone was calm, with a gentle smile, like a well-mannered, harmless young man.

However, his words did not break the eerie atmosphere at the moment.

No one responded!

No one spoke around, everyone was silent.

The people from various families around were watching quietly, and the old man Zhao who was sitting on the main seat stared at Lin Jiangnian with a blank expression, but with a hint of unkindness on his face, and he said nothing.

As for Zhao Jing, who was standing behind Mr. Zhao, he had a sneer on his face, waiting to see what was about to happen.

Lin Jiangnian remained calm about this.

He had long anticipated that these people came with ill intentions today. This old man came all the way to Linjiang City and to his Linwang Palace, and he definitely didn't have any good intentions.

Lin Jiangnian sneered in his heart, this old guy probably really took him seriously!
When Lin Hengzhong was crowned king, this old man did support him on the surface and seemed to have made a lot of efforts. But in fact, Lin Hengzhong had made great contributions and had a very high prestige among the people. He had already been rewarded no more and had no more titles to offer!
Apart from being crowned king, there is no other reward that can be given!
Becoming the king is a foregone conclusion!
If the late emperor did not confer the title, the generals following Lin Hengzhong would probably be the first to disagree.

Even without the support of this old man, the imperial court had almost decided to make him king in order to appease the people, appease Lin Hengzhong, and appease the Linwang Army!
This old guy is just taking sides based on the situation!
The Zhao family's base is in Linzhou. He saw the potential of Lin Hengzhong and chose to invest in Lin Hengzhong in line with the situation, thus earning a good reputation.

To be precise, this old man and the Zhao family behind him did contribute when Lin Hengzhong was crowned king.

But not much!

However, this old guy has always boasted over the years that he had devoted all his efforts to helping Lin Hengzhong become king, and had spent a lot of manpower and resources.

It was as if all the credit for Lin Hengzhong's title as king went to him. Without him, the Lin family wouldn't be what it is today.

Therefore, this old guy has always had extremely high standards and an arrogant attitude!

In order to appease the various forces that followed and supported him, Lin Hengzhong naturally had to give this old man face. After all, on the surface, the Zhao family did support him strongly, and this favor naturally had to be remembered.

Otherwise, what will others think?
It is also for this reason that even though Mr. Zhao has now retired behind the scenes, Lin Hengzhong still respects him a bit because of the face they had in the past.

After the Zhao family established such a relationship with the Linwang Palace in Linzhou, their power and status have also increased over the years.

Originally, this could be considered a win-win situation!
For the Lin Wang Mansion, being able to win over a powerful family like the Zhao family is indeed a good thing.

Even though the Zhao family has been somewhat unscrupulous in recent years due to their relationship with the Lin Wang Mansion, it has not had much impact. There is nothing wrong with giving some respect to this old man Zhao who is already half buried in the ground and being more accommodating to him.

The proper courtesy of the Lin Wang Mansion will naturally be in place!
However, this Mr. Zhao seemed to be a little too confident in his identity.

The face and respect that Lin Hengzhong gave him over the years made this old man a little inflated and he could no longer recognize his own identity and status!

At the age of nearly 70, he should have been enjoying his family life, but now he had to get involved in the feud between the Linwang Mansion and the aristocratic families.

Old thing, you have to meddle in other people’s business!

Does he really think of himself as a big shot?!
Lin Jiangnian's eyes fell on Mr. Zhao who was sitting on the main seat, and his heart sneered more and more.

Lin Hengzhong, considering the Zhao family's stance back then, or perhaps because Mr. Zhao was old and had given him some face in the past, made him a little carried away.

But Lin Jiangnian is different!
He won't give this old guy any face!

This old man came to the Lin Wang Mansion with a menacing attitude, and asked to see the prince, to see him, Lin Jiangnian. He looked like he was coming to question the king, and scared everyone in the mansion!
Naturally, Lin Jiangnian didn't indulge him. He just left the old man alone to dampen his arrogance.

When he saw this old man, Lin Jiangnian could feel that he looked down on him. He sat in the main seat in the hall without saying a word, with a very high attitude, staring at him with narrowed eyes.

It seems as if he is the master of this Prince Lin’s Mansion?
Lin Jiangnian glanced around and took it all in.

No one speaking?

Put pressure on him?!

"What happened to Elder Zhao? He looks so haggard. Could it be that he is too tired from traveling such a long distance to get to my Prince Lin's mansion at such an old age?"

Lin Jiangnian immediately showed some worry on his face, turned around and said, "Someone come!"

Just as he finished speaking, two or three servants from the mansion appeared outside the courtyard.

"Why don't you quickly arrange for Elder Zhao to go down and have a good rest? Elder Zhao is old and can't stand the long journey. You have to take good care of Elder Zhao, understand?"

"Yes!"

When the other people in the hall heard this, their expressions changed slightly.

How could they not hear the intentions of Prince Lin?

Although he said that Mr. Zhao had traveled a long way, his words were all hinting that Mr. Zhao was old and in poor health. He came all the way here because he was too old and blind to meddle in other people's business?
On the main seat, Mr. Zhao's expression also changed slightly.

There was a hint of coldness in his eyes, and he said in a low and dull voice: "No need, I'm fine."

"Although I am quite old, I am not senile and I don't need to rest."

Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian turned to look at him, and said with concern: "Mr. Zhao, please don't be stubborn. Your health is important. Mr. Zhao is a distinguished guest of my palace. If there is any problem with your health, but my palace does not treat you well, the prince will definitely blame me later."

Old Zhao stared at the young prince in front of him with an expressionless face.

The boy said this, but there was no respect for him on his face.

In fact, his attitude made Mr. Zhao feel offended.

Even Lin Hengzhong had to give him enough face. Every time he saw him, he would call himself a junior and treat him with respect.

However, the Prince Lin in front of him did not show the slightest fear. Instead, he looked straight at him without any respect for him.

This made Mr. Zhao very unhappy. He said expressionlessly, "I know my own health. You don't need to worry about me, my lord."

"Today I came to the palace to discuss something important with the prince. Where is the prince now?!"

Mr. Zhao went straight to the point and asked to see Lin Hengzhong.

There was no respect at all in his attitude.

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of the middle-aged men around all fell on Lin Jiangnian.

This is also their purpose!
The purpose of asking Old Zhao to come out is to test the current situation of Prince Lin!

Lin Hengzhong...is he dead or alive? !

Facing Elder Zhao's questioning, Lin Jiangnian remained calm and said, "The prince is at home, but he is not feeling well, so I'm afraid he can't meet Elder Zhao."

Everyone's eyes met, with different thoughts in their minds.

Elder Zhao stared at Lin Jiangnian and asked, "What's wrong with the prince?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "Mr. Zhao must have heard about it a long time ago, right? A few months ago, the prince was assassinated by a master assassin in Linjiang City and was seriously injured..."

"The prince has not yet fully recovered from his injuries and is still recuperating. He cannot meet with Elder Zhao."

Lin Jiangnian's answer was flawless and did not reveal any flaws.

Elder Zhao's voice sank, he stared at Lin Jiangnian and asked, "It's been more than a few months now, and the prince's injury hasn't recovered yet?"

Lin Jiangnian said calmly, "The prince has recovered a lot, but he has not fully recovered. The doctor said he needs to rest for a while and cannot see anyone for the time being."

"Mr. Zhao, what's the urgent matter you want to see the prince?" Mr. Zhao had a blank expression on his face: "Of course it's urgent!"

"I wonder if Mr. Zhao is looking for the prince for official or personal matters?" Lin Jiangnian asked.

Mr. Zhao stared at him: "What's the difference?"

Lin Jiang smiled and said, "If it's a private matter, Mr. Zhao might have come here in vain. We have to go back first. When the prince recovers in the future, I will come to visit him in person."

"If it's official business..."

Having said this, Lin Jiangnian paused for a moment, standing in the middle of the hall, with a calm expression and a light tone: "The prince is now concentrating on recuperating. All affairs of the palace have been handed over to this prince to be in full charge!"

"If Mr. Zhao has any official business, just tell him. I can handle it myself. There is no need to trouble my father to come forward."

After these words were spoken, there was silence for a moment!
The eyes of the rest of the people present changed instantly!
Although it was already clear that most of the things that happened in and outside the palace during this period were the work of the Prince of Lin, many people were still shocked to hear Lin Jiangnian admit it himself.

Full authority?

Did Prince Lin hand over the power of the palace to the Prince Lin's son?

Or……

Without exception, another thought emerged in the minds of everyone present.

Another... thought that made them want to make some progress.

"My grandfather wants to see the prince, what qualifications do you have to deal with it?!"

Just when there was a brief silence around, Zhao Jing, who had been standing behind Mr. Zhao, suddenly spoke.

He couldn't help it!
Ever since Lin Jiangnian appeared, his jealousy and dissatisfaction towards the Prince Lin had reached a peak!
Jealousy and hatred have changed him beyond recognition.

Why is this bastard better looking than him and more arrogant than him?
More importantly... this bastard prince actually ignored him? !

Zhao Jing could clearly feel that ever since the appearance of Prince Lin, he had never taken him, a person of the same age, seriously.

His attention was on his grandfather from beginning to end.

This made Zhao Jing feel an inexplicably familiar sense of being ignored and humiliated!
In the Zhao family, he was often ignored like this.

Being ignored by his two older brothers and hearing Lin Jiangnian's arrogant words, Zhao Jing, who was already angry, finally couldn't help himself.

Are you still fully responsible?

Grandpa is going to see Prince Lin. What qualifications do you, a junior, have to point fingers in front of Grandpa? !
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Zhao Jing. He frowned and looked at him with a puzzled look: "Who are you?"

Zhao Jing was so angry!

This Prince Lin doesn't even know who he is? !
I've been standing here getting angry for a long time, but it turns out the other party doesn't even know who I am? !
Especially when he saw Lin Jiangnian's confused and bewildered look, Zhao Jing felt as if he had held back a huge breath.

A punch was thrown, hitting the cotton!

"My name is Zhao Jing!"

Zhao Jing suppressed the anger in his heart.

"Zhao Jing?"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at him and then shook his head: "I haven't heard of it."

"you……"

Zhao Jing was so angry that he almost vomited blood.

"Jinger!"

Zhao Jing wanted to say something, but Old Zhao turned around and looked at him.

Zhao Jing immediately complained: "Grandpa, he doesn't take you seriously at all. This is too bullying, I can't swallow this. Grandpa, you are going to see the prince, what qualifications does he have to talk to you like this?"

Zhao Jing felt frustrated and angry.

He didn't take this so-called Prince Lin seriously at all, so naturally he couldn't allow Lin Jiangnian to speak to his grandfather like that.

Who the hell are you to talk to Grandpa like that?!
When Lin Jiangnian heard this, he looked at him twice and laughed: "You said that this prince is not qualified?"

Zhao Jing and Lin Jiangnian made eye contact. For some reason, Lin Jiangnian was smiling and looking at him.

But for some reason, Zhao Jing suddenly felt a chill in his heart. The seemingly harmless smiling face in front of him made him feel a little creepy.

Is it an illusion?

"No, that's right!"

Zhao Jing said in a timid tone: "Even the prince has to be respectful when he sees my grandfather... What qualifications do you have to speak to my grandfather like this?!"

Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian still had a smile on his face and said nonchalantly: "I gave you face, didn't I?"

"What did you say?!"

Zhao Jing opened his eyes wide in disbelief, as if he didn't expect Lin Jiangnian to say such a thing?

"You, you dare to scold me?!"

"Scold you? I didn't hit you because I was doing it for your grandfather's sake!"

Lin Jiangnian looked at him as if he was looking at a fool: "You said that this prince is not qualified?"

"Do you know the identity of this prince?!"

Faced with Lin Jiangnian's sudden questioning, Zhao Jing's face changed slightly, and he didn't know how to start for a moment.

"Back then, the prince rode his horse across southern Xinjiang and destroyed more than a dozen countries in southern Xinjiang, expanding the territory of our Daning Dynasty by nearly a quarter. He assisted the late emperor in unifying the country and made great military achievements. He was named a king of a different surname by the late emperor, and his family inherited the title and helped the dynasty guard the border for generations."

"And I am the prince of Linwang, the only heir to the Linwang Palace appointed by the late emperor. This Linjiang City, and even Linzhou, are all under my jurisdiction. All the people in Linzhou are my subjects... Do you think I am qualified?"

Zhao Jing's face suddenly changed and turned pale. He could no longer utter a word!

He really didn't expect that the Prince Lin would use his status to pressure him!

He couldn't refute a single word for a moment!
Especially at this moment he felt creepy!

Although the Prince Lin in front of him had a smile on his face, his eyes were extremely creepy, and the hairs on his body almost stood up.

Unable to utter a word, he almost subconsciously hid behind his grandfather.

Lin Jiangnian's gaze also fell on Mr. Zhao who was sitting on the main seat.

There was no respect in his eyes.

Very peaceful.

"By the way, you just said... my father has to be respectful when he sees your grandfather?"

"This prince has to ask... In the past, the late emperor and the prince were of one mind and had a very good relationship. The late emperor even became brothers with the prince, better than real brothers. Even the late emperor never said that the prince needed to be respectful in front of him..."

"Why, what is your grandfather's status? Is he more noble than the late emperor?!"

"..." (End of this chapter)