"Marry the eldest princess?"
Hearing this news, Lin Jiangnian was not as surprised as he had imagined.
Zhiyuan had mentioned this matter to him before, and now that Lin Hengzhong suddenly brought it up, Lin Jiangnian was mentally prepared.
but……
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Jiangnian asked, "Do you have to marry me?"
Lin Hengzhong glanced at him and asked, "Why? You don't want to marry me?"
"I've never met the eldest princess before, but I'm going to travel thousands of miles to the capital to marry her. Isn't that a bit too much of a fuss?"
Lin Jiang sighed and admitted honestly: "I'm really not very willing..."
He had no interest in that princess at all, let alone traveling thousands of miles to the capital to marry a woman he didn't know at all?
Who knows what the eldest princess looks like? What's her temper like? What if she has some mental issues...
Isn't this just making things uncomfortable?
Lin Hengzhong seemed to have anticipated this and nodded slightly: "You are right, but that girl is not simple!"
"She's younger than you, yet she's already entered the Profound Heaven Realm. Barring any unexpected events, she'll definitely reach the Grandmaster level within ten years... Whoever marries her will have the protection of an additional Grandmaster. Do you understand what that means?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded. Of course he knew what Grand Master meant!
but……
For those aristocratic families, a Grandmaster is a rare find, a rare sight in the world. If they could secure the protection of one, their family could survive for decades. But for Lin Hengzhong, as a king of a different surname from the Daning Dynasty, holding crucial military and political power within Linzhou, he held immense power. Why would he care about such a thing?
So what if he's a Grandmaster?!
No matter how strong one's individual strength is, he is ultimately unable to compete with a well-trained army.
There has never been anyone in this world who is truly invincible!
"Your engagement with her was made long before your mother was still alive. It was an engagement decreed by the current emperor. Now that you are of marriageable age, this marriage should naturally be put on the agenda."
As if thinking of something, Lin Hengzhong looked at Lin Jiangnian and chuckled, "That girl is not only extremely skilled in martial arts and intelligent, but I heard she's also incredibly beautiful. If you marry her, it wouldn't be a big mistake for you."
"But if you don't want to..."
Lin Hengzhong paused and waved his hand: "That's fine, Dad will find a way to help you cancel this engagement when the time comes."
His tone was light, as if he was just talking about an insignificant matter.
Lin Jiangnian was silent.
He originally thought that Lin Hengzhong would ask him to go to Beijing to marry the eldest princess, but now it seems that this is not the case?
Lin Hengzhong gave him the choice?
If you don't want to, just quit?
The tone seems relaxed, but is it really relaxed?
After a moment of silence, Lin Jiangnian looked up at Lin Hengzhong, only to see that his eyes were still calm.
"Since the marriage was granted by the Emperor, if I regret it, won't the Emperor be angry and punish me?"
Lin Jiangnian hesitated: "Will it implicate Prince Lin's Mansion?"
Lin Hengzhong's eyes remained calm. "It's nothing, just a small matter."
His expression and tone were calm and composed.
Lin Jiangnian was silent for a long time: "I heard..."
"A lot of people in the capital are against this marriage?"
"That's exactly what happened."
Lin Heng nodded. "Many people in the capital hate me to the core and naturally don't want our Lin family to have any more contact with the Tian family. Some people are worried that I will seize the Li family's territory."
Lin Jiangnian's eyelids twitched suddenly.
Seize the Li family's kingdom?
This is really dangerous!
But when these words came out of Lin Hengzhong's mouth, it seemed normal?
"Well, does Dad have this idea?" Lin Jiangnian asked tentatively.
Lin Hengzhong glanced at Lin Jiangnian again: "Why? Do you want Dad to rebel?"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head: "It can be built, but it's not necessary."
"oh?"
Lin Hengzhong seemed somewhat interested: "Why do you say that?"
"How can rebellion be so easy?"
Lin Jiang sighed. "No matter how powerful you are, you're still just a king of a different surname. The Daning Dynasty belongs to the Li family. If you rebel, you'll be a traitor, a rebel against the party. The people of the world will never allow you to support them. Rebellion is too difficult... Why bother trying to do something that won't please you?"
Rebellion is a technical job!
It is something that should never be done unless it is absolutely necessary.
If he were living in a chaotic world now, with the Daning Dynasty in turmoil and many heroes rising up, Lin Hengzhong might have a chance to succeed in his rebellion, but even so, he would still be criticized by people all over the world.
Moreover, although the Daning Dynasty is now in crisis, the situation is relatively stable. Under such circumstances, rebellion is tantamount to seeking death.
Even if Lin Hengzhong could really lead his army into the capital, so what?
Can you shut up everyone in the world?
Can you make all the people in the world submit?
By then, I am afraid we will be plunged into even greater war.
Today, Lin Hengzhong is the Prince of Lin, who controls the southern territory of the Daning Dynasty. He is so powerful that even the emperor in the capital is a little afraid of him.
He is almost the local emperor of Linzhou, and has basically obtained everything he can get. Why should he go to the trouble of doing something as brainless as rebellion?
After hearing Lin Jiangnian's words, Lin Hengzhong fell into a brief silence.
After a while, he sighed deeply: "Jiang Nian, you are right. Such a simple truth is clear to everyone, but..."
"Those old guys in the capital still don't trust me!"
Lin Jiangnian didn't say anything.
From the perspective of Prince Lin, he really had no reason to rebel. But from the perspective of those people in the capital, it was also correct.
A foreign king has become incredibly powerful, occupying the dynasty's southern borders and doing whatever he wants. With such immense power, we must be on guard!
No one can guarantee that Prince Lin won't rebel. Even if Prince Lin doesn't rebel, what about Prince Lin's Crown Prince? What about the future Prince Lin's Crown Prince?
How can people in Beijing sleep peacefully when power falls into the hands of outsiders?
"Forget it, let those old guys do it."
Lin Hengzhong waved his hand, a sneer on his face: "This king has been fighting for many years, what kind of situation has he not seen? As for these weak, scholarly, and pedantic old guys, what else can they do besides scolding me behind my back and disgusting me?"
How could the dignified King Lin, a king of a different surname who rose to power amidst the bloody war, be afraid of a bunch of old guys who could only write?
Lin Jiangnian looked at Lin Hengzhong in front of him quietly, hesitated for a while, and suddenly said: "Dad, I have an idea..."
"Um?"
Lin Hengzhong looked at him: "What?"
"During my time in Linjiang City, I've encountered numerous assassination attempts. The people behind this are closely connected to the forces in the capital... They failed to kill me this time, so I'm sure they won't let it go. As long as I'm in Linjiang City, they'll definitely come back again. Rather than let this happen, it's better to take the initiative..."
After listening to this, Lin Hengzhong's eyes fixed: "You mean..."
Lin Jiangnian sneered, "Since they want my child's life, why not give them this opportunity..."
"They must really want me to go to the capital, right?"
“…”
As night falls.
In a quiet courtyard.
A graceful figure walked with soft steps, crossed the corridor under the eaves, came to the door of the room, pushed open the door, stepped into the room, lit the oil lamp on the table, and the light gradually illuminated the entire room.
The room was filled with a damp smell, accompanied by a burst of fragrance. After taking a shower, the room seemed to be much fresher.
Zhiyuan, wearing a skirt, walked to the table nearby, sat down, picked up a towel and gently wiped her wet hair.
In the bronze mirror, an exquisite and beautiful face is reflected.
Fair and elegant.
After wiping his hair, Zhiyuan stared at himself in the bronze mirror quietly. He was silent for a long time, with no emotion on his face.
After an unknown amount of time, she looked away, a look of indescribable emotion in her expression. Then, she slowly stood up and walked to a nearby cabinet.
Let’s go!
In the past few days, she has handed over all the matters that needed to be handled in the palace.
No more worries!
She slowly packed up the things in the room. She had been in the palace for several years, but she didn't leave behind many things. She packed up simply, and apart from some clothes, she didn't have much other luggage.
After she finished cleaning up, she sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes slightly dazed, not knowing what she was thinking about. Not long after, the sound of footsteps in the yard brought her back to her senses.
The night was dark and silent, and the footsteps were extremely obvious, even a little... familiar!
Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, then slowly stood up, walked to the door of the room, pushed it open and walked out.
In the courtyard, Lin Jiangnian's figure just appeared.
"Hey, what a coincidence!"
Lin Jiangnian saw Zhiyuan walking out of the room and spoke with a chuckle.
Zhiyuan didn't say anything, what a coincidence?
This is her room, how could it be a coincidence?
"Your Highness, what's the matter?"
She spoke calmly.
Lin Jiangnian walked across the yard, came to the eaves, walked in front of Zhiyuan, looked at her, and then looked at the room behind him.
She had just showered, her skin white and rosy, very delicate. Her hair, not yet completely dry, stuck to her skin, and her delicate face remained expressionless as usual.
"There are some things I want to talk to you about." Lin Jiangnian said.
Zhiyuan raised her eyes: "What's the matter?"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her, with a half-smile in his voice: "Are you planning to let this prince talk to you at the door?"
Zhiyuan was silent, hesitated for a moment, and said, "It's getting late... Your Highness, please speak frankly."
Lin Jiangnian looked her up and down and suddenly said, "You've changed."
Zhiyuan looked puzzled and frowned slightly: "Why do you say that?"
"You would never refuse this prince before."
Lin Jiangnian said calmly: "Looking at you now, it seems that you are not very welcoming to me, the prince?"
Zhiyuan was silent for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, you overthink it."
"Am I overthinking it?"
Lin Jiangnian stared into her eyes and suddenly took a step closer.
Zhiyuan subconsciously stepped back, avoiding Lin Jiangnian's sight, his expression a little unnatural.
"What exactly does Your Highness want to say?"
"You are not honest!"
Lin Jiangnian stared at her delicate, fair face quietly, and suddenly sneered, "As this prince's maid, you actually want to sneak away?"
"You maid, you are so brave!"
As soon as the words fell, a flash of panic flashed in Zhiyuan's eyes. But she quickly calmed down, looked up at Lin Jiangnian, and said calmly: "Your Highness knows?"
"If this prince doesn't know yet, are you planning to sneak away?"
Lin Jiangnian sneered.
Today in Ruyi Tower, when he learned the identities of Liu Su and Zhiyuan sisters, he also heard from Lin Hengzhong that Zhiyuan was leaving.
Lin Jiangnian was surprised; he had never heard of this matter. His personal maid was leaving the palace, and he, the prince, was kept in the dark?
So Zhiyuan didn't plan to tell him?
Lin Jiangnian was somewhat angry.
So he immediately came to ask for accountability.
Facing Lin Jiangnian's questioning tone, Zhiyuan quickly calmed down, lowered her eyes, and said lightly: "If I'm gone, wouldn't it be good for Your Highness?"
"Good news?"
Zhiyuan said calmly, "Your Highness has always disliked me and wanted to kick me out of the palace. Now that I've left the palace, no one will discipline you anymore, and I won't be an eyesore to you anymore. Shouldn't you be happy?"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned.
It seems... that's the case?
From the moment he entered the palace, she knew that Zhiyuan and Prince Lin were not on good terms. Furthermore, during the few months Lin Jiangnian had been there, she had often contradicted him, without the slightest bit of the flattery expected of a maid.
Now that she's gone, it does seem like a good thing?
In a trance, Lin Jiangnian looked at the pretty and graceful girl in front of him. She was always calm and composed, elegant and a little gentle.
For some reason, Lin Jiangnian felt a little dazed.
This maidservant was disobedient and usually went against him. She could even catch a maidservant in adultery when she molested her. She was really not qualified at all. But when she was about to leave, Lin Jiangnian had an indescribable feeling.
Thinking about it carefully, Zhiyuan didn't seem to be as excessive to him as he imagined?
While she lacked the awareness of her duties as the Prince Lin's personal maid, she also hadn't acted inappropriately. Her work was flawless, with no mistakes. She coached Lin Jiangnian in martial arts, arranged the maids and servants, and kept everything in perfect order.
Strictly speaking, she can be considered a qualified maid.
Now that he suddenly has to leave, Lin Jiangnian is somewhat... reluctant?
Yes, it is normal to be reluctant to let such a beautiful maid leave suddenly, right?
"What you said does make sense."
Lin Jiang sighed: "With you gone, there will be no one to control me. This is indeed a good thing, but..."
Having said that, Lin Jiangnian paused, then suddenly took another step forward, walked in front of Zhiyuan, and stared down at her fair and pink face.
Zhiyuan subconsciously wanted to retreat, as if he was remembering an experience that happened one night not long ago.
"Since this is a good thing, why is Your Highness still so aggressive?"
"because……"
Lin Jiangnian spoke lightly, and suddenly reached out and pinched her delicate chin.
A hint of panic flashed across his eyes, and Zhiyuan immediately turned his head away, a blush quickly creeping up his cheeks, and he took a step back.
"Your Highness, respect yourself!"
Lin Jiangnian, however, had no self-respect at all, and he slowly stepped forward again, approaching.
"You are this prince's maid!"
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes, stared into hers, and said lightly: "If you want to leave the palace, you must first get the consent of this prince!"
"Do you understand?"
“…”