Faced with his aunt's sudden questioning, Lin Jiangnian reacted calmly.
"Aunt, what do you mean by this?"
"What do you think?"
Jiang Yuxiang's beautiful eyes stared at Lin Jiangnian, looking him up and down, and finally stopped at Lin Jiangnian's face. She half-closed her eyes, with a smile on her face.
"You still want to hide it from me?"
"Absolutely not."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head, "How could I hide this from my aunt?"
"If you can believe what I said, there must be something fishy going on!"
Jiang Yuxiang sneered. She knew exactly what kind of person Lin Jiangnian was. She absolutely couldn't trust anything this guy said.
"Speak now, tell the truth."
Lin Jiangnian blinked: "What does my aunt want me to confess?"
"Your relationship with Zhiyuan."
Jiang Yuxiang stared at him and questioned him.
"Aunt, what's the relationship between me and Zhiyuan?"
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand with an innocent look on his face.
However, Jiang Yuxiang didn't believe it. She narrowed her eyes and sneered, "This is Zhiyuan's room. Did you mistake me for Zhiyuan just now?"
When she said this, Jiang Yuxiang's tone became a little strange, and there seemed to be a hint of anger, and the look she gave Lin Jiangnian was a little unfriendly.
"cough……"
Lin Jiangnian instinctively felt that something was not right, and was just thinking of an excuse to get away when he heard footsteps approaching the door behind him.
Outside the room, Zhi Yuan, dressed in a blue shirt and a cloud-like skirt, appeared at the doorway. She looked at Lin Jiangnian, then at Jiang Yuxiang, and seemed a little surprised, with a trace of inexplicable panic flashing across her face.
"Auntie..."
She spoke subconsciously, her eyes fixed on the two of them, as if trying to detect something. When she found nothing unusual, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Zhiyuan, come here."
Seeing the kite, Jiang Yuxiang's eyes gradually lit up and she waved at the kite.
Zhiyuan walked into the room and came to Jiang Yuxiang's side. Jiang Yuxiang shook her hand warmly. As soon as she shook her hand, she couldn't help but exclaimed: "Zhiyuan, why are your hands so cold? Don't catch a cold."
Zhiyuan shook her head slightly, then looked up at Lin Jiangnian: "You, why are you here?"
For some reason, Lin Jiangnian felt that Zhiyuan was a little strange, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He whispered, "I wanted to come see you, but I didn't expect my aunt to be here too."
He really didn't expect to meet his aunt under such circumstances.
So embarrassing!
Thinking about how he had accidentally kissed his aunt just now, Lin Jiangnian felt a little frightened... Although there was no blood relationship between him and his aunt, this behavior made Lin Jiangnian feel somewhat taboo.
"Why, you don't want your aunt to be here?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuxiang looked up at him with a forced smile.
Lin Jiangnian shook his head and said with a smile, "How could that be... I'm so happy to see my aunt again!"
"I haven't seen you for so long. I miss my aunt a lot."
Lin Jiangnian's face was full of sincerity, and there was a hint of amusement in Jiang Yuxiang's eyes. She looked him up and down, then turned to Zhiyuan beside her and said, "I haven't seen you in a few years. This kid's ability to talk nonsense has gotten better and better!"
"I don't know who was eager for me to leave Prince Lin's Mansion as soon as possible and stop causing him trouble. Now, after a few years, you have the nerve to say you miss me?"
Jiang Yuxiang sneered repeatedly, obviously holding a grudge and still remembering what happened a few years ago.
A few years ago, Jiang Yuxiang personally sent Zhiyuan to the Linwang Mansion and lived there for a while, but not long after, he was angered and left by the then Linwang Prince.
Of course, leaving in anger was just an excuse. The real reason was probably only known to Jiang Yuxiang.
However, when Jiang Yuxiang arrived at the Linwang Mansion, she had indeed relied on her status as an aunt to cause Lin Jiangnian a lot of trouble, so much so that Lin Jiangnian was extremely annoyed with this aunt. When Jiang Yuxiang left the Linwang Mansion, he almost set off firecrackers. As for missing her, it was obviously impossible.
Zhiyuan raised her eyes slightly, glanced at Lin Jiangnian, then glanced at her aunt casually without saying a word.
In this regard, Lin Jiangnian could only sigh inwardly.
This aunt of Prince Lin is indeed difficult to deal with. If not, she wouldn't be still unmarried!
Jiang Yuxiang's name was well-known throughout Jiangnan. Being nearly twenty-six and still unmarried was rare, especially in a wealthy family like the Jiangs.
Although Jiang Yuxiang is not the biological daughter of Mr. Jiang of the Jiang family, but over the years, as the fourth daughter of the Jiang family, Mr. Jiang has introduced countless young talents to her, but she didn't like any of them.
When she was with those young talents, she would either complain about their pedantry or be angry and hit them for looking at her in the wrong way...
For this matter, Old Master Jiang had apologized countless times to other families. However, Jiang Yuxiang continued to do as she pleased, and her reputation gradually spread throughout Jiangnan. Few dared to provoke this little devil anymore.
It has been delayed until now...
Seeing that if she delayed any longer, she might not be able to get married. This time, Mr. Jiang was really ruthless. He would not indulge her anymore and would force her to marry even if he had to tie her up.
When Jiang Yuxiang saw that something was wrong, she packed up and ran away overnight. After escaping from the Jiang family, she ran to her second brother's house in Beijing to seek refuge.
…
At the moment, Jiang Yuxiang was pulling Zhiyuan. She glanced at Lin Jiangnian, shook her head and sighed, "Zhiyuan, you've spoiled him too much. You've let him do what he wants..."
"You should have listened to me in the beginning. If this kid doesn't listen, just beat him up... If he dares to object, go complain to his father!"
"Don't forget, you were invited to the Prince Lin's Mansion by his father to teach this kid a lesson..."
“…”
Lin Jiangnian, who was standing by, was horrified when he heard this. What a joke! His aunt taught Zhiyuan such a stupid trick right in front of him without any concealment.
Now Lin Jiangnian understood why Zhiyuan had treated Prince Lin so badly in the past. He thought it was probably because of this aunt's shady advice.
Zhiyuan, who was standing aside, didn't say anything, but just listened quietly to her aunt's "teachings". She raised her eyes and looked at Lin Jiangnian. There seemed to be a hint of joy in her cold eyes.
"I told you, did you hear me?"
Zhiyuan didn't say anything. She looked at her aunt, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.
Jiang Yuxiang was satisfied and turned to look at Lin Jiangnian, only to see that Lin Jiangnian was looking at her with a complicated expression.
"What are you looking at?"
Jiang Yuxiang snorted coldly: "If I don't teach you a lesson, what will happen to you when you grow up?"
Lin Jiangnian was helpless and sighed: "Auntie, I'm already very big!"
"Um?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuxiang raised her eyes and looked at Lin Jiangnian carefully for a few seconds. Only then did she notice that Lin Jiangnian was indeed no longer the same person he was a few years ago.
A few years ago, Lin Jiangnian was still a teenager, his face still embracing the innocence of a child. Now, seeing him again, Lin Jiangnian was already considerably taller than she was, and his once youthful face had become more handsome. His features were sharp and angular, delicate yet with a touch of handsomeness. His appearance almost perfectly inherited the best qualities of both Lin Hengzhong and Jiang Wan, and Jiang Yuxiang couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
Although she recognized Lin Jiangnian at first sight, she was still a little stunned when she saw the handsome young man in front of her.
In the blink of an eye, you have grown so big?
As if she thought of something, a look of surprise appeared on Jiang Yuxiang's originally calm face, and then her expression became a little unnatural.
"Where's the big one?"
Jiang Yuxiang retracted her gaze and glanced at Lin Jiangnian with a hint of disdain: "I don't see where it's much bigger."
“…”
Lin Jiangnian thought about it but still didn't say anything.
Although this aunt was harsh in her words, one could still see a hint of joy flashing in her eyes.
She looked Lin Jiangnian up and down again and said, "I heard that you were assassinated outside the city?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded and explained to his aunt what he had said to Jiang Ningkang before. After listening to it, Jiang Yuxiang's eyes gradually turned cold and she snorted coldly: "They are so bold that they even dare to touch my Jiang family!"
Obviously, Jiang Yuxiang was extremely angry about Lin Jiangnian's assassination. After all, Lin Jiangnian was half Jiang family blood, and Lin Jiangnian's accident was also a provocation to the Jiang family.
What's more, Lin Jiangnian is the only child left by Sister Jiang Yuxiang. How can she not be angry?
"I have informed the Empress of this matter. She will make it clear to His Majesty and investigate the matter thoroughly. She will give you and the Jiang family an explanation!"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned. He hadn't expected his aunt to have spread the news to the palace. He shook his head gently. "I had anticipated this. Aunt, don't worry too much!"
"It was anticipated, but you still nearly lost your life?"
Jiang Yuxiang said unhappily.
Lin Jiangnian was silent. There was no way to refute this.
"Lin Hengzhong is so cruel. He just lets you come to the capital like this? What if you die on the way?"
Mentioning this, Jiang Yuxiang's tone was a little more angry: "Is this how Lin Hengzhong protects his child?"
Lin Jiangnian was silent for a moment: "Dad, he also has a secret that he can't tell you."
Jiang Yuxiang sneered: "No matter what unspeakable secrets you have, you are his only child. If something happens to you, how will he explain it to my sister?"
"Back then, he promised to take good care of you, so the Jiang family let him take you back...but what about now?"
When he said this, Jiang Yuxiang's tone was inevitably a little excited, with a bit more emotion: "Has he done what a father should do?!"
Facing Jiang Yuxiang's aggressive questioning, Lin Jiangnian felt an indescribable warmth in his heart. This aunt, whom he had just met, was indeed harsh in her words, but even though she was condemning Lin Hengzhong, her words revealed her concern for him.
Lin Jiangnian wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't open his mouth.
Lin Hengzhong had no choice but to do this. On the other hand, it was also Lin Jiangnian's request. As the crown prince of Prince Lin, he couldn't live under Lin Hengzhong's meticulous care forever. He had to break away from Lin Hengzhong's protection and venture into the martial arts world on his own.
But it is obvious that some accidents happened on the way to the world!
Seeing that her aunt was very emotional, Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment and then spoke softly to persuade her, "Aunt, don't be angry."
"How can I not be angry?!"
Jiang Yuxiang's delicate and elegant face was filled with anger, but in the end, she took a deep breath and waved her hand: "Forget it."
He looked at Zhiyuan with a look of pity in his eyes: "Thank you for your hard work this time."
Zhiyuan remained silent and just shook his head slightly.
"If I had known this would happen, I would never have let you go to Prince Lin's Mansion."
Jiang Yuxiang looked resentful, as if she had thought of something. But when she saw Lin Jiangnian, she sighed deeply. There were many things she couldn't stop.
Zhiyuan still didn't say anything, but looked up at Lin Jiangnian, but this did not escape Jiang Yuxiang's eyes.
Jiang Yuxiang looked at Lin Jiangnian, then at Zhiyuan.
"Kite?"
She held Zhiyuan's hand.
Zhiyuan looked up, puzzled.
"You and him..."
Jiang Yuxiang pointed at Lin Jiangnian, hinting: "What is your relationship now?"
As soon as these words were spoken, a trace of panic suddenly appeared on Zhiyuan's calm face. Caught off guard, a bright red flashed across her fair cheeks.
This reaction caught Jiang Yuxiang's attention.
There is a problem!
"Auntie, you're asking again..."
Lin Jiangnian was about to speak when he saw Jiang Yuxiang turn around and glare at him unhappily: "What does this have to do with you?"
"What are you still doing here? It's so late, why don't you get out?"
Lin Jiangnian: “…”
He turned his back on me!
"Go back to sleep quickly, I'll settle the score with you tomorrow!"
Jiang Yuxiang waved her hands impatiently.
Lin Jiangnian sighed and glanced at Zhiyuan again: "Well, I'll go back and rest first?"
After that, no one paid any attention to him. Lin Jiangnian sighed, turned around and left the room.
Only Jiang Yuxiang and Zhiyuan were left in the room.
Jiang Yuxiang held Zhiyuan's hand and sighed softly: "So, you are already..."
After a brief panic, Zhiyuan gradually calmed down. There was still a hint of red on her cold face. When she heard her aunt's question, she was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized something and shook her head: "No..."
"Really?"
"without……"
Jiang Yuxiang was a little surprised to get the exact answer: "That shouldn't be the case. How could that guy let you go? He must have eaten you clean all along the way."
Zhiyuan just lowered her head, her face blushing, and said nothing.
Jiang Yuxiang sighed softly, and then the smile on her face gradually faded. She stared at Zhiyuan for a while, and suddenly said, "Do you already know his identity?"
As soon as the words fell, Zhiyuan, who was originally blushing, seemed to be stunned. She raised her eyes and looked at the calm and serious expression on her aunt's face, "Aunt, you..."
"How should I know?"
Zhiyuan didn't say anything, but nodded.
"This matter was very secretive, and very few people knew the truth back then, but I still managed to discover some clues..."
Jiang Yuxiang sneered, "I accidentally found the daughter of the midwife who delivered my sister, and got some clues from her. Following these clues, I gradually found out some past events. Combining them with what happened before, I guessed some of the truth. However, I'm still not sure..."
"It wasn't until I met this kid today that I was truly sure...he's not Lin Jiangnian, right?"
Faced with his aunt's questioning, Zhiyuan was silent for a long time and finally nodded.
“It is indeed so!”
Jiang Yuxiang sneered and looked at Zhiyuan again: "How did you know that?"
"Guess."
"Guess?"
Jiang Yuxiang was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized something: "That's right, you've been with him for so long, how could you not notice... That guy was pretending to be me just now, and you know what, he was pretending quite well..."
"That……"
Jiang Yuxiang looked at Zhiyuan again, was silent for a moment, and asked in a deep voice: "If that's the case, then, where is the original Lin Jiangnian?"
Zhiyuan raised her eyes to look at Jiang Yuxiang, then lowered them again. Her tone was neither cold nor indifferent, and no emotion could be heard from her.
"Dead."
“…”