Early in the morning, Lin Jiangnian was awakened by the howling north wind outside the window.
The cold wind from the north was raging, making the trees in the yard rustle. The cold wind passed through the yard and hit the window paper.
When Lin Jiangnian woke up, he sat on the bed and stared blankly for a moment. After a sound night's sleep, the Xuanyang Heart Technique within him had circulated a full cycle, and his expression and eyesight were clear.
When he was still in Linjiang City, with the help of Liu Su, Lin Jiangnian entered the first level of Xuanyang Heart Method. As he practiced on the way to Beijing, Lin Jiangnian did not slack off.
Now, I have vaguely touched the threshold of the second level.
This surprised Lin Jiangnian somewhat. According to the original speculation, it was already extremely difficult to enter the first level of Xuanyang Heart Method, and it would probably take a long time to reach the second level.
But right now...
Lin Jiangnian half narrowed his eyes, fearing that all this was closely related to the medicine that the beautiful girl had fed him not long ago.
With the help of that beautiful girl, Lin Jiangnian's strength improved by leaps and bounds.
now……
Lin Jiangnian looked down at his palms, which were filled with aura and seemed to be brimming with powerful force.
Just a little more!
If he were just a little closer, Lin Jiangnian would have entered the fifth level.
Completely step into the ranks of the world's masters!
To have achieved such an accomplishment before the age of twenty was already extremely impressive, especially since Lin Jiangnian had only been practicing martial arts for a short period of six months.
It is rare in the world to achieve such results in just half a year.
Lin Jiangnian couldn't help feeling a little proud, but after thinking about it, he quickly sighed.
He has made rapid progress, but compared to Zhiyuan... he is still far behind!
Not to mention Zhiyuan, Liu Su, or even the eldest princess...
Their strength is far greater than Lin Jiangnian's.
What's more, Lin Jiangnian was able to achieve his current achievements with the guidance of famous teachers, the assistance of rich martial arts and medicinal materials, as well as chance and coincidence, and the convergence of various factors.
This made the slight sense of pride that had just risen in Lin Jiangnian disappear in an instant.
Sighing, Lin Jiangnian glanced at the door and called the maid outside.
The maids outside the door had been waiting for a long time. They pushed the door open and came in one after another. Two petite and graceful maids walked to Lin Jiangnian and helped the prince dress and wash.
One maid helped His Highness straighten his clothes, while the other helped His Highness with his hair. These two maids were both maids who had followed Lin Jiangnian from the Prince Lin's Mansion to the capital, and were specifically responsible for serving His Highness in his daily life.
"Where's Xiaozhu?"
Lin Jiangnian asked about it and said he hadn't seen Xiaozhu in the past two days.
Ever since he was caught by Zhiyuan when he went to see Xiaozhu that night, Xiaozhu seemed to be avoiding him and he hadn't seen Xiaozhu in the past two days.
"Sister Xiaozhu, do you need me to call Miss Zhiyuan over?"
"Never mind, that's not necessary!"
Lin Jiangnian hesitated and shook his head slightly.
At this time, footsteps were heard outside the door, and soon Jiang Yuxiang walked in.
"Miss Jiang!"
The two maids bowed their heads and spoke respectfully.
"You all should go out first."
Jiang Yuxiang spoke lightly, and the two maids nodded immediately and left the room.
Lin Jiangnian stood in front of the bronze mirror and looked at himself, then raised his eyes to look at Jiang Yuxiang who walked into the room: "Aunt, what's the matter?"
Jiang Yuxiang, wearing a Yunluoshan skirt and a snow-white mink coat, looked quite noble. She glared at Lin Jiangnian unhappily and said, "Of course there's something wrong."
"What is it?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little confused. When did he offend his aunt again?
"They're almost here, and you don't even know it?" Jiang Yuxiang glared at him.
"Come to my house?"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned. He had just woken up and really didn't know what had happened?
"Aunt, what do you mean?"
Lin Jiangnian vaguely realized something.
Jiang Yuxiang sighed softly, her eyes slightly worried as she stared at Lin Jiangnian's familiar and handsome face. Then, as if she had thought of something, she said unhappily, "It's all your fault..."
"It's spread all over the capital!"
"What about Zhou Huiguang?"
"What else is there?" Jiang Yuxiang looked at Lin Jiangnian, who remained calm, and said angrily, "Aren't you anxious at all?"
"Is it useful to be anxious?"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head gently: "Aunt, please be patient."
"You said it so lightly, but do you know what's being said outside now?"
Jiang Yuxiang frowned, worry lingering on her beautiful face. "I went out this morning, and even the people on the street were discussing this matter... They were all talking about how your Prince Lin murdered the young master of the Zhou family yesterday!"
"Then what?"
Lin Jiangnian was still not worried.
"You still ask what happened next?"
Jiang Yuxiang glared: "You've gotten into big trouble, do you know that?"
"Don't get excited, auntie!"
Seeing Jiang Yuxiang's moved expression, Lin Jiangnian spoke to comfort her.
"Calm down for a moment."
"How do you expect me to calm down?"
Jiang Yuxiang couldn't help but step forward and poke Lin Jiangnian in the head: "I told you to listen to me, but you didn't. You insisted on acting on your own. Now look what's going on. You've become a murderer... Now the people of Beijing are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself!"
"Do you know that you have caused a big disaster?"
How could Jiang Yuxiang not be anxious?
This huge blame fell on Lin Jiangnian. If it is not handled properly, the situation will be very serious.
Once public opinion in the capital ferments, how will he silence the world's gossip? How can he, the Prince of Lin, give an explanation to the world?
Anxious and worried, Jiang Yuxiang grabbed Lin Jiangnian and gave him a lecture. Lin Jiangnian didn't object to his aunt's accusations.
Just as I had settled my aunt down, Jiang Ningkang also arrived.
"uncle!"
Lin Jiangnian spoke.
Jiang Ningkang's expression was obviously serious and focused. He looked at Lin Jiangnian and said, "Jiangnian, this young master of the Zhou family, is he you..."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head gently: "His death has nothing to do with me."
Hearing this, Jiang Ningkang's heart relaxed a little.
When he heard the news, he was shocked and worried. Jiang Nian killed Zhou Huiguang?
And it happened in full view of everyone, which caused a huge trouble.
Jiang Ningkang finally breathed a sigh of relief after learning from Lin Jiangnian that Zhou Huiguang's death had nothing to do with him. After all, Lin Jiangnian was his sister's only child, and Jiang Ningkang naturally didn't want him to get into such trouble.
After confirming that Lin Jiangnian hadn't killed anyone, Jiang Ningkang quickly realized something: "So, someone is framing Jiangnian?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly.
Jiang Ningkang's expression suddenly darkened. "How can this be? Do you really think my Jiang family is easy to bully?"
"Don't worry, Jiang Nian, your uncle will definitely take care of it for you!"
Jiang Ningkang was about to turn around and leave when Lin Jiangnian stopped him again: "Uncle, don't be impulsive. Public opinion outside the city is fermenting right now, and there is no evidence to prove my innocence. Any rash action will only backfire."
With Lin Jiangnian's intervention, Jiang Ningkang gradually calmed down, realizing the seriousness of the situation. He looked slightly embarrassed, "But right now, public opinion in the city is extremely unfavorable to you, Jiangnian. I heard that the Zhou family has entered the palace and is going to report you to His Majesty..."
Lin Jiangnian was not surprised by this. He shook his head slightly and said, "Let him sue."
The emperor is in seclusion, so even if the Zhou family goes to complain, no one may pay attention.
"But I'm afraid I need to ask my uncle for a favor!"
"Jiang Nian, just tell me, your uncle will do his best to help you..."
“…”
Not long after Jiang Ningkang hurriedly left, Jiang's mother also came to the door. She was extremely nervous and grabbed Lin Jiangnian and asked worried questions for a long time. Finally, with the help of Jiang Yuxiang, Jiang's mother was able to calm down.
After persuading Jiang's mother, Lin Jiangnian finally had time to get up and leave the room and walk into the yard.
Outside the courtyard, Lin Kong had been waiting for a long time.
"How is it?"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at him.
Only then did Lin Kong tell what he had investigated.
Yesterday at the Lu family wedding, after Zhou Huiguang was murdered, the Zhou family quickly arrived. Zhou Yao was furious that his only son had died there for no reason.
When Zhou Yao learned that the man who killed his son was the Prince of Lin, he was shocked and angry. But in the end, the pain of losing his son overwhelmed his shock. He immediately declared that he would never reconcile with Lin Jiangnian and would sue the Emperor to make him pay for his blood debt with blood!
After hastily retrieving Zhou Huiguang's body, Zhou Yao rushed to the palace that night and knelt outside the palace gates to request an audience with His Majesty. However, it was too late last night and the palace gates had already been closed. Zhou Yao knelt outside the palace gates all night and was not brought into the palace until this morning.
As for what happened next, it is unknown.
However, from last night to this morning, countless officials who witnessed the scene yesterday submitted memorials, which were harsh in their words and pointed the finger at Lin Jiangnian, requesting His Majesty to investigate the murderer strictly and show no leniency.
It feels like everyone is pushing down the wall when it falls!
Almost overnight, the news that Lin Jiangnian had murdered the son of the Zhou family spread throughout the capital. From the upper class to the common people, everyone knew about it and talked about it with great relish.
A few days ago, everyone was still talking about the death of Prince Lin outside the city. Unexpectedly, the wind turned overnight. Not only did Prince Lin not die, he even came to the capital alive and killed the young master of the Zhou family?
Just this morning, in many of the city's most popular places, teahouses, and restaurants, one could hear people publicly and righteously denouncing Prince Lin. Whether or not this was a show, that was a matter of opinion.
In short, Lin Jiangnian's reputation became infamous almost overnight in Beijing! Of course, Lin Jiangnian's reputation in Beijing was not good to begin with. But this time, he completely angered the public.
In the past, no matter how bad the Prince of Lin was, in everyone's eyes, his tyranny was only in Linzhou and had little to do with them. Now that the Prince of Lin has come to the capital to kill people, this is completely different!
Of course, even among those condemning Lin Jiangnian, there were also some who had some issues with their character. The first thing Prince Lin did upon arriving alive in the capital was to kill the son of the Zhou family. Could it be that the assassin who had previously assassinated Prince Lin outside the city was related to the Zhou family?
As soon as these words were spoken, the city quickly fell into a new round of discussion. In short, Lin Jiangnian became a hot topic in Beijing again overnight.
Reached the top!
Just as the situation was getting worse, in the afternoon, the Jiang Mansion also welcomed an uninvited guest.
Countless figures swarmed to the outside of Jiang Mansion from all directions, with ferocious expressions and ill intentions.
The servants of the Jiang Mansion noticed this and immediately rushed to report it in panic. The master guards of the mansion also set out to confront the people outside the mansion.
"Hand over the murderer!"
"Hand over the murderer who killed my son!"
"Lin Jiangnian, get out here!"
“…”
The noise outside the door was so loud that it alarmed the entire Jiang Mansion.
Lin Jiangnian was also a little surprised when he heard the news from the mansion.
"Are you here to cause trouble?"
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes: "Who is causing trouble?"
"Zhou Yao!"
Hearing this news, Lin Jiangnian knew what was going on: "Let's go and take a look."
When Lin Jiangnian arrived outside the Jiang Mansion, it was in a mess and the situation was tense.
In the crowd, a middle-aged man with gray hair and red eyes was standing in the alley outside the mansion. His expression was gloomy, his eyes were red, and the sadness of losing his son still remained on his face.
This person is Zhou Yao, Zhou Huiguang's father.
At the gate of Jiang Mansion, Jiang Ningkang and the guards were blocking the door, and their faces were also not looking good.
"Jiang Ningkang, Lin Jiangnian killed my son, and now you still want to protect him?"
Zhou Yao stared at Jiang Ningkang with a cold voice.
Jiang Ningkang had a blank expression on his face: "Master Zhou, you and I are colleagues in the capital. You said Jiang Nian killed your son. Do you have any evidence now?"
"The news has already spread throughout the capital. So many people witnessed it yesterday. The evidence is irrefutable. Do you still want to deny it?"
Zhou Yao's eyes were red at this moment. Although he looked haggard, his eyes were extremely fierce.
His only son is gone.
At this moment, he has already lost his mind!
Jiang Ningkang sighed, "I understand Mr. Zhou's feelings, but the Secret Service is still investigating this case. It's not good for Mr. Zhou to be so arbitrary..."
"So you want to protect him?!" Zhou Yao stared at him intently.
Jiang Ningkang's expression remained calm: "Master Zhou, why are you being so unreasonable?"
As he spoke, his tone turned cold: "If Lord Zhou has any grievances, he can go and complain to His Majesty. But now he comes to my Jiang family to make trouble. Do you really think that my Jiang family is easy to bully?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the guards around the Jiang Mansion drew their swords.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense!
Zhou Yao's face was extremely grim. He stared at Jiang Ningkang intently: "Good, very good..."
He came to the Jiang family today to seek justice!
He was extremely angry when he failed to see His Majesty in the palace, and he brought people to the Jiang family. Unexpectedly, Jiang Ningkang actually protected Lin Jiangnian?
At present, the Zhou family has many skilled guards. If they were to fight, they would probably suffer a great loss. Thinking of this, Zhou Yao's heart became more and more angry. He pointed at Jiang Ningkang and said coldly: "I, Zhou Yao, will not be a human being if I don't avenge this!"
After leaving these harsh words, Zhou Yao took his men away.
The place was in a mess.
Not far away, Lin Jiangnian squinted his eyes and watched the scene quietly, as if thinking about something.
How dare Zhou Yao come here and act wildly?
As a doctor in the Ministry of Personnel, how dare he speak so shamelessly?
There must be someone guiding him from behind.
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian's heart became clear.
At this moment, a smug sneer came from not far away.
"Oh, you have come to this day!"
Lin Jiangnian turned his head and saw Young Master Jiang, whom he had not seen for a few days, standing under a pavilion not far away, looking at Lin Jiangnian triumphantly.
He had naturally heard about what was happening in the city. Upon learning that Lin Jiangnian had killed Zhou Huiguang, Jiang Shaoan was initially incredulous, but then overjoyed!
"Your death is imminent. You actually dared to kill Zhou Huiguang... No one can save you now."
The pride on Jiang Shaoan's face grew more and more intense, and he almost had the words "revenge" carved on his face!
Cool!
So cool!
…