On the street.
The lights are bright and the stars are intertwined.
On the bustling streets of Xunyang City, people come and go, passing merchants and pedestrians, mixed with the laughter and playing of children and the endless shouting of hawkers.
Lin Jiangnian strolled on the street, looking relaxed and at ease.
The weather is a bit colder as autumn approaches, but it still cannot dampen the enthusiasm of the people.
Xiao Zhu followed His Highness closely, wrapping herself up in warmer clothes. Her fair face flushed red in the cold wind, looking adorable.
She looked around curiously, looking at all kinds of people and those interesting and novel things, her eyes full of intelligence.
Lin Qingqing still followed His Highness meticulously, with an expressionless face, but always looking around, observing any movement.
Your Highness, when you go out, safety is the most important thing!
Among the crowds of people coming and going on the street, there were also many plainclothes personal soldiers of the prince, secretly protecting him.
"This Xunyang City doesn't look any different from Linjiang City, does it?"
Xunyang City is the most prosperous area in Yanzhou, but it is still far inferior to Linzhou Linjiang City. Walking on the streets of Xunyang City, you have the illusion of dreaming of returning to Linjiang City.
"I wonder which brothel in Xunyang City has more beautiful girls, the one in Linjiang City or the one in Linjiang City?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little curious about this.
Xiao Zhu was a little nervous when she heard this: "Your Highness, are you going to the brothel?"
"What's wrong?"
Xiao Zhu lowered her head, her cheeks puffed up slightly. After a while, she whispered, "Sister Zhiyuan said that brothels are not good places..."
"Your Highness should go less often!"
Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised: "Did Zhiyuan tell you about this?"
"Um."
"Didn't she tell you that this prince is now at the right age to visit a brothel?"
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows and said playfully, "If I'm not going to a brothel at such a young age, what should I go to?"
Xiao Zhu was speechless, not knowing what to say in rebuttal. She instinctively felt something was wrong, but she didn't know how to begin. Her cheeks puffed up, like a punching bag.
"Okay, just teasing you."
Seeing that the little maid seemed to take it seriously, Lin Jiang laughed and reached out to pinch her delicate pink face. "This prince is an upright person. How could I be such a vulgar person? This prince has no interest in those places of pleasure."
"Really?"
"Of course I take it seriously!"
Xiao Zhu's eyes lit up, but she quickly thought of something: "But Your Highness, you used to..."
"That was before!"
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand, took the opportunity to hug the little maid to his side, and said with a solemn oath: "This prince is now sworn enemies of drugs and gambling!"
The little maid had a confused look on her face, as if she didn't understand the connection between drugs, gambling and going to brothels.
But before her little head had time to think, she suddenly realized that he was hugging her in public, and her face immediately turned hot and red with embarrassment.
On the way to the capital, His Highness's behavior was occasionally extremely excessive, and even many people were already aware of the relationship between His Highness and her, but... he had never been so straightforward, right?
In public, the little maid's face turned red with embarrassment, and she was so nervous and shy that she didn't know what to do.
"Your Highness, please don't..."
“…”
Teahouse.
Fourth floor, window seat.
Liu Su's eyes casually fell on the street, and when she saw the familiar figure, she was stunned.
For a moment I even wondered if I had seen it wrong!
After checking it over and over again, she finally realized that she was not mistaken.
In the crowd on the street, that familiar figure, that familiar face... who else could it be but Lin Jiangnian?!
What a small world!
The expectations that had been rising in Liu Su's heart seemed to have finally come true. She felt an indescribable sense of relief, and her eyes lit up.
This guy really came to Xunyang City!
But before the inexplicable joy in Liu Su's heart could last too long, she soon noticed that there were two women beside Lin Jiangnian!
She was no stranger.
The woman who followed Lin Jiangnian respectfully, her body tense and ready for battle, was called Lin Qingqing. She was a member of the personal army of Prince Lin and a subordinate of Zhiyuan. Liu Su had met her several times before.
As for the other woman who was even closer to Lin Jiangnian and had a close relationship with him...
Xiaozhu!
The personal maid of Prince Lin.
She is here too?
This guy even brought his maid with him?
However, it seems that there are no other women around this guy except the maid?
Thinking of this, Liu Su felt relieved for some reason and was in a good mood. However, this situation did not last long. Liu Su suddenly saw Lin Jiangnian reaching out and hugging the little maid beside him. The little maid lowered her head, her face flushed with shame, and she was reluctant to refuse but also reluctant to accept.
Seeing this scene, the smile on Liu Su's face gradually froze.
"Saint, Saintess?"
Ling'er, who was following behind Liu Su, was the first to notice that something was wrong with Liu Su!
Why did the Saint's aura suddenly become a little cold?
The Great Elder also noticed Liu Su's change and subconsciously followed her gaze. Soon, he spotted the familiar figure on the street.
"Lin Jiangnian?!"
The Great Elder's pupils suddenly shrank, "He is really in Xunyang City?!"
I saw that familiar face in my sight.
The Great Elder's heart immediately burned with anger. He raised his eyes to look at Liu Su, but saw that Liu Su was staring at the downstairs with a slightly strange expression.
His eyes seemed a little... angry?
This completely dispelled the Great Elder's original suspicion that the Saint was attracted to Prince Lin.
The Saint's reaction did not seem like she was attracted to the Prince Lin, but rather more like... she had a grudge against him?
The Great Elder immediately said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rid of him!"
Liu Su didn't say anything, her eyes still fixed on the two people hugging each other on the street downstairs. It was not until they separated that she gradually came to her senses.
But even so, she could still see the anger and coldness in her eyes. Seeing the two people hugging each other downstairs, she felt extremely uncomfortable.
What happened between this guy and Xiao Zhu while she was away?
Why does the relationship between this master and servant seem so close?
Did he attack Xiaozhu? !
Thinking of this, Liu Su felt an inexplicable irritation in her heart. After taking a deep breath, she finally suppressed it a little.
He glanced at the Great Elder and said expressionlessly, "Great Elder, do you think we can assassinate him now?"
The Great Elder's eyes narrowed: "What do you mean by this, Saint?"
"This Prince Lin may not be smart, but Lin Hengzhong is definitely not stupid. Is it really that simple that he sent Lin Jiangnian to the capital to marry the eldest princess this time?"
Liu Su glanced at him and said, "Do you think there are any experts secretly protecting Prince Lin? How difficult would it be for you and me to assassinate him?"
The Great Elder stared at her: "Saintess, are you afraid?"
"Afraid?"
Liu Su said calmly: "I just want to advise the Great Elder to act with caution. Whether the Great Elder listens or not is none of my business. However..."
"I'd like to remind the Great Elder that many people in the world today want Prince Lin dead, but since Lin Jiangnian traveled north, he hasn't heard of any forces taking action..."
"What do you think is the reason, Great Elder?"
The Great Elder stood there in a daze, as if thinking about something, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
…
The other side.
Lin Jiangnian took Xiaozhu and Lin Qingqing for a stroll on the street to see the prosperous night view of Xunyang City. When they were tired, they found a teahouse and ordered a pot of tea to take a rest.
"It seems that Xunyang City has been in turmoil recently."
While walking around the streets, Lin Jiangnian could see that the atmosphere on the street was still somewhat tense, and from time to time he could see city defense soldiers moving among the crowd.
"The disappearance of the prefect's son has truly caused a huge uproar!"
Lin Jiangnian sighed.
Lin Qingqing, who was standing by, was silent for a moment and said, "Wang Shiquan treasures his only son very much. If anything happens to him, the consequences will be disastrous."
She hesitated: "Your Highness, do we really want to get involved?"
"Interfere?"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head gently: "Of course not, we are just watching the show!"
"As for other grudges, I won't get involved."
Lin Qingqing hesitated to speak, looking a little worried.
Is it really possible not to participate?
His Highness is now here, and even if he doesn't want to, he will inevitably be forced to get involved. What makes Lin Qingqing extremely puzzled is why His Highness has to wade into this muddy water?
Lin Jiangnian smiled without explaining anything further. This trip north to Beijing, aside from Li Qianlin's assassination plan that fell through before he could even execute it, encountered almost no obstacles.
It’s much easier than I thought!
But the more this happened, the more uneasy Lin Jiangnian became!
Logically speaking, he would face considerable resistance in entering Beijing this time, and many people did not want him to be able to enter Beijing safely.
But why was it always peaceful along the way?
"Let's go, it's almost time to go back!"
After drinking two pots of tea and resting for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Lin Jiangnian stood up and prepared to leave with Xiaozhu and Lin Qingqing.
Just as I stood up, I suddenly saw several figures coming down from the attic.
The person in the lead was a black-robed figure, shrouded in the black robe, and his appearance could not be seen clearly. Lin Jiangnian subconsciously glanced at him, and the black-robed person's gaze happened to fall on Lin Jiangnian, and their eyes exchanged briefly.
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes slightly.
This man in black robe is no ordinary person!
However, the eye contact lasted only a moment before the man in black robe withdrew his gaze and left with the two people beside him.
When he passed by Lin Jiangnian, he did not stop at all. Lin Jiangnian took another look, then turned back to look at Lin Qingqing, and saw that her eyes were also solemn.
Obviously, he also saw something.
"Is this guy quite powerful?"
Lin Qingqing nodded slightly, her expression solemn: "The aura is very strong, and the martial arts skills are at least better than those of my subordinates."
"I didn't expect that there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in Xunyang City!"
Lin Jiang laughed young and was about to leave when a flash of inspiration struck him. The image of the three black-robed people he had just seen suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Their attire wasn't surprising, as many people in the martial arts world wore strange clothing, but the attire worn by the three black-robed people just now...
Is it the pattern embroidered on the three people's bodies? Does it look familiar?
Lin Jiangnian had an excellent memory and he memorized the strange patterns on the clothes of the three people at a glance. They looked very familiar!
In an instant, Lin Jiangnian quickly recalled the people around Liu Su whom he had seen in the dilapidated temple during the heavy rain late at night... The strange patterns on their bodies seemed to be exactly the same as those of the three people just now?
In an instant, Lin Jiangnian's eyes fixed.
Celestial Cult? !
Were those three people from the Celestial God Cult?!
Is that strange pattern the exclusive symbol of their religion?
“Qingqing!”
Lin Jiangnian suddenly said, "Catch up with those three people and find out where they came from!"
Lin Qingqing was stunned. She didn't know why His Highness suddenly changed his tone and why he suddenly wanted to investigate those three people?
"Your Highness, are they having problems?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly.
Lin Qingqing immediately said seriously: "Yes, I will do it immediately!"
Having said that, Lin Qingqing hurriedly got up and left.
"Your Highness..."
Xiao Zhu beside him tugged at the corner of Lin Jiangnian's clothes: "Fa, what happened?"
"fine."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly, but his eyes gradually became focused and serious.
I didn't expect to see someone from the Tianshen Sect in Xunyang City. Judging from the aura of the black-robed man just now, this person probably has a high status in the Tianshen Sect.
For a moment, Lin Jiangnian was a little dazed.
It had been a long time since Liu Su's last departure. During this time, Lin Jiangnian had sent people to inquire about the Tianshen Cult and her news along the way north, but to no avail.
The world is so vast, aimlessly searching for someone is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Moreover, Lin Jiangnian wasn't sure if the woman would avoid him!
Encountering members of the Celestial God Cult in Xunyang City now meant that they likely had some planned operations there. Perhaps they could find clues about the Celestial God Cult from the black-robed figure, or perhaps they could follow the clues and find Liu Su?
I haven't seen her for so long, and I don't know where she is now?
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian became a little excited. He glanced casually around the teahouse before leaving with Xiaozhu.
Not long after Lin Jiangnian left, Liu Su in a red dress appeared in the teahouse, staring downstairs in a daze.
"Saint?"
Ling'er followed behind Liu Su, glanced at Lin Jiangnian's departing figure, and said with emotion: "He is the fake prince, right?"
That night in the ruined temple, she had personally captured Lin Jiangnian, the fake prince. She was also one of the few remaining people who knew of Lin Jiangnian's fake identity!
"I never thought he could actually make the fake look real!"
Ling'er's voice was slightly lamented: "The Great Elder must not know about this matter. If you, Saint, wanted to take the life of Prince Lin, it would be easy..."
Liu Su remained calm and silent.
After a while, she finally said, "Ling'er."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Saint?"
"You go back first, I have something to do."
Ling'er blinked and was about to ask the saint what she was going to do, but she saw Liu Su had quietly left, leaving only a beautiful back.
She blinked blankly.
"Saint, where are you going so late at night?"
“…”
The prefect's mansion, small courtyard.
After taking a shower and changing clothes, Lin Jiangnian returned to the room.
At this time, Lin Qingqing also hurried over.
"Your Highness."
"How is it?"
Lin Qingqing lowered her head and said, "I followed the orders of Your Highness and secretly followed the three people. I found out the inn where they were staying. But they were very vigilant, so I didn't dare to get close to them easily. I just had someone secretly follow them and report back to me..."
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "You did a good job. There's no rush on this matter. Don't alert the enemy. Let's investigate slowly to see who they've been in contact with and what their intentions are..."
"yes!"
Lin Qingqing nodded, then hesitated to speak: "Your Highness, where did those three people come from, and why are you suddenly staring at them?"
"The Celestial Cult."
Lin Jiang uttered a few words.
Lin Qingqing was stunned, then understood instantly.
"I understand!"
"It's getting late, go to bed early." Lin Jiangnian waved his hand gently.
Lin Qingqing lowered her head: "Then I'll take my leave!"
Lin Qingqing lowered her head and left the room.
Lin Jiangnian stood up and walked to the carpet beside him, crossed his legs and began to practice.
This is his unshakable plan every day!
On the way north, Lin Jiangnian did not neglect his martial arts.
As the Xuan Yang Heart Method began to work, Lin Jiangnian's blood and energy surged again, and he entered a mysterious state.
After a long time, Lin Jiangnian finished his practice, his breathing became steady and his mind became clear.
Feeling the blood surging through my body, I took a deep breath and looked up at the room, only to find that it was empty.
Where is Xiaozhu?
Lin Jiangnian then remembered that Xiaozhu's room was arranged next to his, and Xiaozhu did not disturb him when he practiced every day.
At this time, after finishing his training, Lin Jiangnian was full of energy and blood. He was in his prime. He stood up, pushed the door open, and came to the door of the next room.
"Xiaozhu?"
"Your Highness?"
Xiaozhu's cheerful voice came from the room, and soon the door opened, and Xiaozhu's pretty figure appeared at the door.
The little maid had just finished her bath, and her skin was delicate and white as jade. Beneath her wet hair, she had a delicate and childish face, like a young girl just beginning to grow up, and she was blinking.
"Your Highness, you...ah..."
Just as the little maid was about to speak, he saw His Highness suddenly walk in, pick her up by the waist, and stride into the room.
"Xiao Zhu, it's getting late, it's time to rest!"
Lin Jiangnian's voice was low, with a malicious smile.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
The little maidservant was completely unaware of what was happening, and her voice was nervous and extremely shy: "No, no, Your Highness hasn't turned it off yet... Woo..."
It was late at night and the courtyard was quiet.
A figure stood in the dark and silent courtyard, staring at the room not far away.
That cold and beautiful face was full of chillness.
The temperature in the entire courtyard seemed to drop sharply.
…