son, don't mess around

silence!

There was silence all around.

The old Emperor Ning sat down at the table, his old and sunken eyes staring at the same old figure in front of him.

This trusted old slave who has been with him for more than twenty years and is loyal to him. Finally tonight, his true purpose was revealed.

Emperor Ning's eyes went from shocked at the beginning to gradually calming down.

Then again, it became calm again.

He is so tired!

The bones in his body have long been destroyed by the poison, and he is extremely weak. Even talking is now difficult.

He quietly stared at Chen Zhao in front of him.

Staring at this old slave who had been groveling in front of him for more than twenty years, in front of him, he burned the edict he had just made clean.

Treason!
The nine tribes should be killed!

There was a burning smell in the air, and an indescribable coldness.

After Chen Zhao burned the imperial edict in his hand clean, he raised his head and slowly straightened his spine that had been bent for decades!

His figure was still stooped, but his aura had changed at this moment. At this moment, he is no longer the old eunuch who bends over and smiles all the time!
He met Emperor Ning's eyes, and their eyes interacted.

At this moment, both of them were as calm as water.

There is no longer the gap in status in the past, and there is no more domineering aura. They looked at each other like old friends for decades.

silence!

a long time!

"Why!"

Finally, Emperor Ning spoke first.

The tone was dull.

It’s a little tough too!
He seemed to have just breathed a sigh of relief, staring at the slave in front of him who had been with him for more than twenty years, but who had become strange tonight for no reason.

"Your Majesty, what do you want to know?"

Chen Zhao spoke.

His tone was still low and hoarse, but a little less fearful than before.

"Who are you?"

Emperor Ning stared at him and asked in a deep voice.

"I?"

Chen Zhao's eyes were deep and hollow, and there seemed to be a touch of trance and confusion in his deep and empty eyes, as if he had been stuck in long memories.

After a while, he sighed deeply: "It doesn't matter who you are, old slave!"

"Your Majesty, that's who I think this old slave is!"

Emperor Ning concentrated on him, stared at him for a long time, and then spoke in a deep voice: "You want to kill me?"

Chen Zhao lowered his eyes and said slowly: "I hope more than anyone else that Your Majesty can live longer!"

"why?"

Emperor Ning stared at the old slave in front of him.

It wasn't until tonight that he realized that this old slave who had been with him for decades had other intentions!
It was not until tonight that he finally showed his claws!
However, what made Emperor Ning more and more puzzled was that...he had many opportunities!
He is Emperor Ning's most trusted servant, and he is also the one with the greatest chance of making a move! If he really wanted to kill Emperor Ning, he would have had countless opportunities to do so in the past ten years!

But, he never did it!

Chen Zhao and Emperor Ning looked at each other and said calmly: "As long as your Majesty lives, this old slave can live!"

"If Your Majesty dies, this old slave will also die soon!"

He was Emperor Ning's most trusted eunuch, but at the same time, he was also a thorn in the side of countless people in the capital.

Especially that His Highness the Crown Prince!
When Emperor Ning dies and His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will definitely not let him go!
When the time comes, his fate will be self-evident!

Therefore, he is indeed the person who hopes that Emperor Ning will live longer the most!
Emperor Ning stared at him with deep eyes: "So, these years you have been looking for ways to extend my life, just to protect yourself?"

Chen Zhao said calmly: "I want to live a few more years!"

"I also hope that Your Majesty can live a few more years!"

His voice was still a bit dull and strange.

Emperor Ning was silent, staring at the old slave in front of him with some confusion.

He is indeed a loyal and extremely capable eunuch...except tonight!
Over the years, Chen Zhao has worked diligently and almost never made any mistakes. At the same time, he also spared no effort to find a way to extend the life of Emperor Ning, and successfully allowed Emperor Ning, who should have died long ago, to survive until now.

Because of this, Emperor Ning had great trust in him. Not only did he hand Mi Tiansi into his hands, but he even condoned all his actions in the court over the years.

He gave Chen Zhao everything he could get. As a eunuch, he had the power to control almost half of the court. He was at the pinnacle of eunuchs!
Emperor Ning knew that all this would be broken sooner or later. Once he died, His Highness the Crown Prince would never let Chen Zhao go!

In his heart, he also gave Chen Zhao a chance!
only……

He didn't seem to grasp it.

Emperor Ning stared at the ground, which was almost completely burned, leaving only some remains of the 'relic'.

Emperor Ning should have been angry when a slave burned the 'edict' he had made as the emperor in front of him.

However, he didn't have any anger or mood at the moment.

Maybe he doesn't have the strength anymore.

He half-squinted his eyes, and his eyes were cloudy. After a while, he said in a deep voice: "You can't change any situation even if you burn my edict..."

The trend is set!

The edict he left behind was just in case. Even without this edict, no one could stop the prince from ascending the throne!

Burning or not burning has absolutely no meaning.

"I gave you a chance..."

Emperor Ning continued to speak in a low voice.

Chen Zhao's gaze remained unchanged: "Your Majesty is talking about the third prince?!"

Emperor Ning said: "Since you know, why didn't you help the third prince on the night he led his troops into the palace?"

Chen Zhao was secretly having an affair with the third prince, and Emperor Ning knew this very well.

In fact, he secretly approved of all this!
He acquiesced to Chen Zhao's contact with the third prince, and also acquiesced in the collusion between the third prince and Mitiansi to extend his power into the imperial palace...

He acquiesced in all this!
It was also the question that the prince asked the third prince when he came to see him after the mutiny failed!
And among this, there may be some selfishness of Emperor Ning. In his eyes, he might be more optimistic about the third prince!

Prince, your heart is too soft after all!

He indulged the third prince and Chen Zhao.

If Chen Zhao united with the third prince, he would really win against the prince. In Emperor Ning's eyes, this may be the best outcome.

But, after all, nothing is permanent!

The night the third prince led his troops into the palace, there was chaos in the capital.

But Chen Zhao, who had colluded with the third prince, stayed in the Yangsheng Hall and had no involvement from the beginning to the end.

This was obviously a chance for him to survive...why did he refuse? !
Facing Emperor Ning's confused gaze, Chen Zhao calmly asked, "How do you know, Your Majesty, that this old slave didn't help the third prince?"

Emperor Ning's eyes were startled, and after a while, he stared at him as if he had realized something: "So...it turns out that's how it is!"

He muttered to himself, with a look of surprise on his face. After a while, Emperor Ning's strength seemed to dissipate and he became limp.

He sighed deeply.

"Unfortunately, it's still too late..."

The overall situation has been decided, and nothing can be changed!
"You could have kept hiding it!"

Emperor Ning said in a deep voice: "Why should we... be exposed tonight?!"

Chen Zhao's eyes were calm and calm. This old and hunched servant seemed to be more energetic now.

Quietly staring at the frail emperor sitting in front of him, he said calmly: "Because, I don't have time anymore..."

"When His Majesty dies and the Crown Prince ascends the throne, this old slave will have no chance to stand up!"

"So, the old slave has to be exposed in advance..."

"That's too late!"

Emperor Ning shook his head and murmured to himself: "We have reached this point, what can you change?"

Maybe a little earlier, he would still have a chance!
Being betrayed by the most loyal old slave around him, Emperor Ning should have been furious. But at this moment, there was no anger in his heart.

Life is coming to an end, and it seems that many things are not that important to him anymore.

"Your Majesty, isn't he curious?"

Chen Zhao looked at Emperor Ning in front of him quietly and said slowly: "What do you want to do, old slave?"

Emperor Ning stared at him and said nothing.

He seemed to have no strength to speak anymore, and he could feel that the breath of life in his body seemed to be passing much faster than before.

How many days can he survive like this?
And can you... survive tonight?

"The old slave has been in the palace for more than twenty years and has served His Majesty for more than ten years...Does Your Majesty still remember the scene when he first met the old slave?"

Emperor Ning's eyes were in a daze.

First time meeting?
How could he remember these things that happened more than ten years ago?
Especially remember the days of being a slave?

"Actually, the old slave doesn't remember clearly..."

Chen Zhao looked deeply and sighed slowly: "It should have been...about fifteen years ago, right? It was when His Majesty returned from the expedition in person that the old slave appeared next to His Majesty."

Hearing this, Emperor Ning seemed to recall some thoughts in his mind. He tried desperately to catch it, but he couldn't catch it no matter what!

"That year, His Majesty returned to the palace in person and was seriously injured..."

Chen Zhao's voice seemed to have a magical power, echoing in Emperor Ning's ears: "I heard that His Majesty was assassinated by a master and was seriously injured..."

Emperor Ning's eyes suddenly dawned. That had changed his destiny and was also the culprit that brought him to this point!
Every time he thought about it, there would always be a deep feeling of unwillingness in his heart!

"What do you want to say?"

Emperor Ning stared at him, panting, and asked in a low voice.

Chen Zhao's tone remained calm, and there was no wave in his eyes: "Your Majesty, do you still remember the appearance of the mysterious master who assassinated you back then?"

"appearance……"

Emperor Ning was in a daze.

The mysterious master who assassinated him more than ten years ago covered his face and broke into the camp on his own, killing people and killing people, almost killing him!
Even after so many years, Emperor Ning still had lingering fears about that night.

The memory of that night shrouded in black robes is especially vivid!

"You ask……"

Emperor Ning spoke subconsciously, but suddenly at a certain moment, he seemed to have come back to his senses.

He suddenly raised his eyes and stared at the old slave Chen Zhao in front of him.

At this moment, Chen Zhao standing in front of him no longer looked as rickety as before. He stood up straight, less servile and more mysterious.

It was still that old face, but it seemed to be filled with an indescribable strange aura. Especially those calm eyes, staring at him extremely calmly and deeply.

This was the first time Emperor Ning saw Chen Zhao who showed no respect in front of him!

Very familiar, yet strange!
At this moment, Emperor Ning stared blankly at the figure in front of him with an unusual temperament.

Suddenly, he seemed to feel a bit familiar from him.

Emperor Ning's eyes suddenly became extremely shocked when he realized what he was doing. The originally dead temperament seemed to be rejuvenated at this moment.

"you?!"

"It's you?!!"

Emperor Ning stared intently at Chen Zhao in front of him, staring at the vaguely familiar aura coming from him...

Somewhat similar to the mysterious master who assassinated him that night in southern Xinjiang? !

"You, you are the master who assassinated me back then?!"

"It's you?!!!"

"..."

In the secret room, Emperor Ning's shocked voice echoed.

It's low and depressing, but I can't suppress the shock and anger in my heart no matter what!
Shock!

Angry!

The experience he had when he was assassinated that night was still unforgettable to this day!

That was the culprit that cast a lifelong shadow on him and caused his life and fate to turn around, leading him to this situation!
But at this moment, he actually sensed the aura of that master from the old slave in front of him who had been following him for so many years!
what does that mean? !

The master from back then... had been hiding next to him? !
Hidden from him for so many years? ! !

Emperor Ning's eyes were red, his breathing was rapid, and he stared at Chen Zhao.

At this moment, his mood, which had always been calm, finally fluctuated violently.

Chen Zhao's expression remained as usual. He quietly looked at Emperor Ning, who was a little furious and excited at the moment, with neither happiness nor sadness.

Not a word!

Be silent!

Until half an hour later...

Emperor Ning, who was so furious, could no longer hold on any longer. His body collapsed softly on the chair, panting heavily, his face turned pale and he felt dizzy.

very tired!

He was so tired that he could hardly speak!

But even so, he still stared at Chen Zhao.

"You, when did you sneak into the palace..."

"What on earth do you want to do?!"

At this moment, Emperor Ning finally couldn't sit still!
He was not worried about how much trouble Chen Zhao could cause. After all, Chen Zhao was just a eunuch!
The many back-ups left by Emperor Ning were enough to check and balance him.

However, when he realized that the eunuch in front of him who had been with him for many years might actually be the mysterious master who almost killed him back then!

Emperor Ning had to be vigilant and pay attention!
He realized...

The Chen Zhao in front of him is most likely a descendant of the destroyed southern kingdoms!

And what is their purpose of sneaking into the Daning Dynasty for so many years?
revenge? !
Or...restore the country? !

Thinking of this, Emperor Ning shuddered in his heart!

Even there are remnants of the southern kingdoms around him. How many remnants are there in the court and under the Daning Dynasty? !
They have been lurking for so many years, how many back-ups are there? !
Emperor Ning stared at him intently, his face pale: "Since you assassinated me back then, why did you save me?!"

"Since you are lurking beside me, why haven't you taken action for so many years?!"

"What on earth do you want to do?!"

"maybe."

Facing Emperor Ning's question, Chen Zhao did not answer, but sighed inexplicably.

He murmured to himself: "If Your Majesty can live for another two years, maybe everything will be done in time..."

Having said this, Chen Zhao raised his eyes and looked calmly at Emperor Ning, whose vitality was getting weaker and weaker in front of him.

"Since His Majesty's deadline is approaching, the old slave..."

"Yeah, I can only send His Majesty a ride!"

Emperor Ning's pupils suddenly shrank, as if he had realized something.

"you……"

He was about to speak, but he felt a little difficult to breathe, as if someone was holding his neck, and his breathing became increasingly difficult.

His face began to turn red, and then turned white. After realizing something, Emperor Ning struggled to reach out his hand. He stared at Chen Zhao in front of him.

But in the end, the hand that had just been extended fell down weakly when it was halfway stretched out.

Chen Zhao stood there and watched this scene quietly.

Until half a hour later.

"Your Majesty, have a safe journey!"

The sound of sighing came from the secret room.

Turning around, the dim lights in the secret room shone on Chen Zhao's face, revealing an old look that was neither happy nor sad.

He looked at the scene in front of him quietly, muttering to himself.

"It's a little worse, it's still a little worse..."

"Ugh……"

A sigh lingered in the secret room.

Just this night.

The emperor of the Daning Dynasty passed away quietly!
……

night.

Jiang Mansion, in the backyard.

Lin Jiangnian lay quietly on the rocking chair under the eaves, in a leisurely daze.

After rescuing the Xu family and reuniting Xu Lan with his family, Lin Jiangnian came back first.

As for the conversation with Mr. Xu, Lin Jiangnian didn't make it too clear, but Mr. Xu should be able to understand it.

Of course, it’s okay if you can’t understand it!
Although the Xu family has been saved today, the Xu family has completely lost power. Whether the Xu family can gain a foothold in the capital in the future is still a question. If Mr. Xu still can't figure it out...

Then each has his or her own destiny!
Calculating the time, it has been more than half a year since I entered the capital from Prince Lin's Mansion, and I have stayed in the capital for a few months.

It’s really time to go home!
The forces in Beijing are too complicated, and the forces on all sides are constantly turbulent. Lin Jiangnian had a premonition that if he continued to stay in Beijing, sooner or later he would confront the Crown Prince!

Instead of doing this, it would be better to return to Linjiang City as soon as possible and be his dandy prince.

As for the grievances between the imperial court and Prince Lin's Mansion, it would be better to leave it to Prince Lin in his prime to handle!
This trip to the capital allowed Lin Jiangnian to fully understand himself... He is still more suitable to be a dandy prince, the kind who walks the streets with dog legs every day and teases women from good families!

……

However, before leaving, he had to meet the emperor! By the way, I will finalize my engagement with the eldest princess!
Lin Jiangnian was lying on the rocking chair, eyes half-closed, holding a soft and delicate body in his arms.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"

Xiaozhu curled up in His Highness's arms, resting her head on His Highness's chest, quietly listening to the heartbeat of His Highness's chest.

After a while, he quietly raised his head and saw that His Highness was concentrating, seeming to be thinking about something.

No movement for a long time!

Xiaozhu's voice made Lin Jiangnian come back to his senses. He glanced down at her, pinched her tender little face, and chuckled: "I was wondering when we should go back!"

"go back?!"

Xiaozhu blinked his eyes and quickly realized something: "Your Highness is saying... to return to the Prince's Mansion?"

"Otherwise, where else do you want to go back?"

Lin Jiangnian asked.

"No..."

Xiaozhu spoke softly and rubbed his head in His Highness's arms.

For Xiaozhu, it doesn't matter where he goes.

In her eyes, the most important people are Lin Jiangnian and Sister Zhiyuan. As long as I can be by His Highness and Sister Zhiyuan's side, it will be the same no matter where I go.

Hearing that His Highness wanted to go back, Xiaozhu was not particularly excited, but he was quite happy.

However, she then thought of something and asked tentatively: "So, Your Highness, where is the princess..."

She remembered that His Highness came to Beijing this time not on the orders of the prince to marry the eldest princess?
It's been a few months since the princess got married, so she's going back? !

"how?"

Lin Jiangnian rubbed her head: "So you hope your highness will marry a princess?"

"Nah……"

Xiaozhu's face turned red: "Xiaozhu is just curious..."

"Your Highness doesn't plan to marry the princess?"

Xiaozhu was a little worried: "Then, wouldn't His Highness want to resist the decree?"

"Not that serious."

Lin Jiangnian shook his head, thinking in his mind, and did not explain so much to Xiaozhu: "I have my own solution for this matter. Xiaozhu can take care of it if he has time..."

"I guess we'll be heading home soon!"

"So fast?!"

Xiaozhu blinked.

"Then, should I go and clean up now?"

Hearing that he was going back, Xiaozhu struggled to get up, thinking about packing his things quickly.

"Go."

Lin Jiangnian casually patted the little maid's plump and round butt, which made Xiaozhu blush with shame. After glaring at his highness, he ran away.

After Lin Jiangnian carefully savored the feeling, he stood up and came to his aunt's courtyard.

Since he plans to go back, he should tell his aunt in advance, so that he doesn't say that he hides something from her every time!
However, thinking that he would not be able to see his aunt again when he returned to Linzhou, Lin Jiangnian felt a little reluctant!

Although I rarely communicate with this aunt on weekdays, she is indeed very kind to Lin Jiangnian. After going back this time, I don’t know when it will be until the next time we meet.

After meeting her aunt and explaining her purpose, Jiang Yuxiang was obviously a little surprised.

"Go back, go back?!"

Jiang Yuxiang looked at Lin Jiangnian with some confusion: "Are you going back?"

"almost!"

Lin Jiangnian explained in a low voice: "It has been a few months since I came to the capital. The things that need to be solved have almost been solved. It is indeed time to go back..." Jiang Yuxiang's eyes were stunned, as if he did not expect Lin Jiangnian to suddenly say that he wanted to go back. For a moment, I was really reluctant to give up.

"Then, where is the eldest princess?"

Jiang Yuxiang couldn't help but ask: "Are you really planning to break off the engagement?"

"probably."

Lin Jiangnian was vague.

Breaking off the engagement is certain, but what the process will be is unknown.

Everything has to wait until we see the emperor.

If you can't see it...

Then the problem will be better solved!
"You haven't called off your marriage yet, so you're leaving in such a hurry?"

Listening to Lin Jiangnian's words, Jiang Yuxiang couldn't help but said: "What if His Majesty doesn't allow it? He insists on letting you marry the eldest princess?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "I don't want to marry, Your Majesty can't force me to marry, right?"

"You can choose?"

"cannot!"

Lin Jiangnian said: "But I can escape from the marriage!"

Jiang Yuxiang: "..."

"Just take it easy. Isn't running away from marriage a child's play? This is the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Jiang Yuxiang said angrily.

"I just said it casually..."

Lin Jiangyoun smiled and said: "No surprise, this matter will come to an end in the next few days... After it is resolved, it will be time to go back!"

The purpose of this trip to the capital has been achieved. Looking at the situation in the capital, trouble is not far away!

Jiang Yuxiang's eyes were a little complicated and he looked at Lin Jiangnian quietly.

She also knew that Lin Jiangnian could not stay here forever when he came to Beijing this time. After living here for so long, it’s almost enough!
But when she thought about leaving, she felt a little reluctant.

"Let's go, let's go, you all go, leave me alone here to die alone!"

Jiang Yuxiang sighed quietly.

Listening to his aunt's angry words, Lin Jiangnian comforted him: "If aunt doesn't want to leave us, she can go back to Linjiang City with us?"

"Going to Linjiang City?"

Jiang Yuxiang was stunned, as if he had not thought of this idea.

"Yup!"

Lin Jiangnian nodded: "Anyway, my aunt is going wherever she goes. Why don't you come with us to Linjiang City? You can have a companion along the way and treat it as a trip..."

It is true that my aunt doesn't have many friends in Beijing. Apart from the queen in the palace, the only person who could chat with my aunt was Zhiyuan.

After something happened in the palace during this period, my aunt has not been in the palace for a long time. I am afraid she has been a little busy recently!

Hearing this, Jiang Yuxiang was obviously moved.

But then, she glanced at Lin Jiangnian again.

"Don't go, don't go!"

"Why?"

"Linjiang City is your territory. I'm leaving. If you bully me, where can I reason with you?"

"Auntie, where are you, how could I bully you?"

"That's hard to say!"

Jiang Yuxiang glanced at him sideways and said coldly: "Who knows?"

Lin Jiangnian always felt that his aunt's gaze meant something, but he couldn't tell.

"Don't worry, you are my aunt, how dare I bully you!"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "If I bully you, Zhiyuan will not let me go."

"is it?"

Jiang Yuxiang looked Lin Jiangnian up and down, as if he suddenly remembered something, his eyes were slightly dazed.

Then he looked away unnaturally.

As if he remembered something that had happened before, he took a deep breath and gradually calmed down.

"Besides, I haven't thought about it yet."

"Auntie, do you think about it carefully?"

Lin Jiangnian looked at his aunt and added, "If Zhiyuan knows that you are going back with us, my aunt will be very happy."

"Ouch!"

Jiang Yuxiang glanced at him: "Have you learned how to use paper kites to blackmail me?"

"How is this a threat?"

Lin Jiangnian shook his head and chuckled: "This is a cordial invitation!"

Speaking of this, Lin Jiangnian suddenly remembered something: "By the way, aunt, can I ask you a question?"

"Say it!"

"You came to the capital from home this time... isn't that old man angry?"

When Jiang Yuxiang, who had a relatively calm expression at first, heard this, he immediately glared: "What do you mean, brat? On purpose?!"

"Don't dare!"

Lin Jiangnian shook his head and explained: "Just out of curiosity...Auntie, you are running away from marriage this time, old man..."

"What's running away from marriage?"

Jiang Yuxiang interrupted him angrily, glared and said angrily: "When am I going to get married?"

"Then aunt, why don't you dare to go back..."

Hearing this, a hint of embarrassment immediately appeared on Jiang Yuxiang's face, and he stepped forward to pull Lin Jiangnian's ears: "Why are you asking so many questions at such a young age?!"

"Don't ask any more questions!"

Lin Jiangnian ducked sideways and quickly comforted him: "I'm just asking casually, auntie, don't take it to heart."

Lin Jiangnian didn't know much about his aunt's escape to the capital.

I just heard that my aunt escaped with the help of the maid in the house overnight and ran to the capital to hide in order to escape the Jiang family's pressure to marry.

Although he mentioned it in one sentence, Lin Jiangnian still heard something unusual.

With the help of the maid, he escaped overnight...

This probably means that the Jiang family is really planning to marry off Jiang Yuxiang this time!
Although from Lin Jiangnian's point of view, my aunt is still very young now, at the age when her youthfulness has just faded away and she has become mature.

But in the eyes of the Jiang family, this is obviously not the case!
In the eyes of the Jiang family, for a woman of the same age as Jiang Yuxiang, their children are almost ten years old, but she is still not married yet!
Sorrow!

Shame on you!
Especially for a wealthy family like the Jiang family, they pay special attention to face!
But Jiang Yuxiang is a maverick and unexpected!

This time the Jiang family seemed determined to marry Jiang Yuxiang off, but Jiang Yuxiang also resolutely chose to resist and ran away from home overnight...

Lin Jiangnian had to admire her, her aunt was worthy of being an aunt, her temperament and temper were really hot!

This kind of skill is also admirable!

However, Lin Jiangnian realized that this matter might not be over yet.

Although Jiang Yuxiang was hiding in the capital for the time being, he was protected by his second brother Jiang Ningkang, so it was okay for the time being.

But sooner or later, the Jiang family will come looking for them!
Jiang Yuxiang can't hide in the capital forever, so when the time comes...

Lin Jiangnian reminded her, and sure enough, Jiang Yuxiang's face changed slightly, obviously aware of this possibility!
After all, it’s really impossible to hide for a lifetime!

According to her estimation, after this new year, someone from the Jiang family will probably come to the capital!

After all, her whereabouts are relatively easy to find, and the Jiang family will come to her sooner or later.

And Jiang Yuxiang is determined to fight to the end... not to marry!
Anyway, I would rather die than get married!

Who says that women must marry?

It’s all just the feudal dregs of those old antiques!

"Actually, aunt can go to Prince Lin's Mansion with us... In this way, the Jiang family will not be able to find your whereabouts for the time being, even if they are found in the future..."

Lin Jiangnian paused and continued, "They don't have the guts to come to the palace and ask for someone!"

He swore and promised: "As long as I'm here, no one can force you, aunt, to get married!"

Lin Jiangnian does have this confidence and confidence now. If his aunt doesn't want to, let alone someone from the Jiang family, even if Mr. Jiang comes, Lin Jiangnian won't give him face!
Jiang Yuxiang was startled and looked up at Lin Jiangnian.

After a while, she narrowed her eyes slightly: "Are you protecting my aunt?"

"Sure!"

Lin Jiangnian nodded: "You are my only aunt, if I don't help you, who will I help?"

"I'm not your aunt!"

"No difference."

"..."

"alright."

Jiang Yuxiang sighed quietly, with a hint of joy in his beautiful eyes: "I'll think about it."

"Okay, aunty, please think about it slowly and I won't bother you!"

After achieving his goal, Lin Jiangnian left.

Jiang Yuxiang was left standing there, watching the direction Lin Jiangnian left.

He curled his lips and said, "This brat actually wants to protect my aunt?"

After a moment, he sighed again and murmured: "But sister, your son has finally grown up..."

"As an aunt, I feel relieved..."

"..."

After leaving his aunt's courtyard, Lin Jiangnian planned to go find Zhiyuan, but he encountered a fiery figure barging in!

"Lin Jiangnian?!"

A clear and slightly joyful voice sounded.

Lin Jiangnian raised his eyes and saw Xu Lan, wearing a double-breasted floral dress, standing in front of him and waving to him.

"Xu Lan?"

Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised and stepped forward: "Why are you here?"

"I'm coming to see you!"

Xu Lan's delicate face was full of energy, sweeping away the decadent aura of the past few days, her whole person was shining, and she was restored to the same elegant Miss Xu as before!

"At this point in time..."

Lin Jiangnian raised his head and glanced at the night: "Shouldn't you be reunited with your grandfather and brothers at home to reminisce about old times?"

"Oh, there are so many old things to talk about!"

Xu Lan curled her lips. After learning that her grandfather and brother were fine, she was completely relieved.

She was not a sentimental person to begin with. Now that her grandfather and brother were fine, she quickly put her previous unhappiness behind and returned to her seemingly heartless and silly look.

"Where were you just now?"

Xu Lan asked.

"I chatted with my aunt for a while..."

Lin Jiangnian glanced at her: "You came here so late, is something wrong?"

"Yes, I have!"

Xu Lan nodded and looked at Lin Jiangnian, "I'm here to thank you."

Speaking of this, Xu Lan sighed quietly: "If it weren't for you, I'm afraid my grandfather and brother would be finished this time..."

Xu Lan was very grateful to Lin Jiangnian!
Thank you very much!

Therefore, after being reunited with her grandfather and brothers, she couldn't wait to find Lin Jiangnian.

Even she herself doesn’t know the reason for such urgency!
"thank?"

Lin Jiangnian took a step back and looked her over: "Is this how you say thank you?"

Xu Lan blinked: "What else?"

"Thank you with empty hands?"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at him: "Isn't that too insincere?!"

Hearing this, Xu Lan's face turned a little red and she was a little embarrassed: "I forgot..."

She just wanted to come over and see Lin Jiangnian as soon as possible, and completely forgot about the sincerity of her thanks... Besides, she had no experience in this area in the past!

After being reminded by Lin Jiangnian, she found that saying thank you with empty hands like this... indeed seemed very insincere?

"So, what do you like? What do you want?"

Xu Lan looked at him and said tentatively: "I'll get it for you later?!"

"Forget it, it's boring!"

Lin Jiangnian sighed and glanced at her: "Can the sincerity I ask for be the same as the sincerity you give me on your own initiative?"

"No, it's different?"

Xu Lan was startled and blinked blankly.

They are all sincere, is there any difference?

Lin Jiangnian: "..."

I wanted to fool her, but I didn't expect that Miss Xu was so stubborn that she couldn't understand the hint at all.

"no the same!"

Lin Jiangnian shook his head: "Forget it, I'm just kidding you... You came to see me so late, just to say thank you to me?"

"Not entirely..."

"Ok?"

"You haven't told me yet..."

Xu Lan seemed to have thought of something, her face was slightly unnatural, but she still stared at him and asked: "Did my grandfather... say anything to you today?"

"What do you ask for this?"

"Just, just ask..."

"I didn't say anything."

Xu Lan obviously didn't believe it: "Really, really?"

"what do you want to say in the end?"

Lin Jiangnian noticed Xu Lan's twitching and stared at her for a while.

This look made Xu Lan a little embarrassed.

"You, why do you look at me like that?"

"There's something wrong with you!"

Lin Jiangnian stared at her intently: "Why are you blushing?"

"I-I didn't!"

"Are you nervous?"

"No, no!"

"Then why are you stammering?"

"me……"

Seeing Xu Lan stammering, a blush appeared on that delicate face under the dim light.

This was something Lin Jiangnian rarely saw in the past.

This usually carefree Miss Xu actually has a coy side like a blushing little girl?
Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but find it interesting. He suddenly chuckled: "Your grandpa did ask me a question today..."

Seeing Xu Lan blushing and looking a little shy, she still opened her eyes curiously and looked over.

Lin Jiang young laughed: "Your grandpa asked us what our relationship is today!"

"what?"

As soon as these words came out, Xu Lan felt as if something exploded in his head, and a feeling of shame spread instantly in his heart.

Grandpa, he actually...

For a moment, Xu Lan was so ashamed that she felt ashamed and panic filled her chest, making her unable to help but have the urge to escape from this place.

But at the same time, there was also another unspeakable strange emotion spreading in her chest, which made her suppress the shyness and panic in her heart.

She lowered her head, her face feeling a little hot.

"Then, then you..."

Xu Lan's voice stuttered: "What did you say? What did you say..."

Lin Jiangnian quietly admired Miss Xu's reaction in front of him and chuckled: "What do you think our relationship is?"

"me……"

Xu Lan's tone was shy, she didn't dare to raise her head, and she was at a loss: "I, I don't know..."

"What a coincidence!"

Lin Jiangnian said in a low voice: "I don't know either."

Hearing this, Xu Lan was slightly shaken.

His originally blushing face turned pale for some unknown reason.

She subconsciously raised her head and looked at Lin Jiangnian. A trace of panic appeared on the delicate face.

There seemed to be some emotion brewing in those pupils.

"Do you know why?"

Lin Jiangnian still chuckled.

Xu Lan bit her lower lip lightly and said nothing.

She shook her head.

"Because..."

Young Lin Jiang sighed, his eyes slowly moving down Miss Xu's delicate and nervous face.

"My eldest son, I don't like young ones."

Hearing this, Xu Lan's eyes were in a trance, as if he was a little unresponsive.

After a while, she lowered her head, bit her lower lip, and defended in a very soft but strong voice: "I, I am not, not young anymore..."

She is about the same age as Lin Jiangnian, not much younger than him.

He is indeed not too young anymore...

"I'm not talking about age."

Lin Jiang young sighed.

"Ok?"

Xu Lan was startled and looked in a daze.

No, not age?

She subconsciously raised her head and met Lin Jiangnian's eyes.

The gentle and calm eyes seemed to be hinting at something.

Very deliberate!
Xu Lan's expression was still stunned. It was not until a while later that she finally seemed to realize what Lin Jiangnian was looking at.

He looked down subconsciously.

Then, silence!
There was a long silence!

The face that was originally pale suddenly turned red with embarrassment visible to the naked eye!
The shyness of the girl spread all over her delicate and delicate face, which was so red!

And Xu Lan also instantly remembered the questions Lin Jiangnian had asked her when she was at Prince Lin's Mansion...

That was one day when the two first met, and Lin Jiangnian's soul questioning was still fresh in his mind!
“If the tree doesn’t have a heart, does it still need to be wrapped with bark?”

“The teapot doesn’t have a pot, do I need a tea lid?”

"Then if a person has no feet, do they need to wear shoes?"

"..."

Xu Lan understood everything instantly!
At the same time, another emotion of shame and annoyance emerged in my heart, mixed with a hint of loss.

This, this guy really...

Sure enough, he dislikes her... because she is young?!
Really, really small?
Xu Lan lowered her head and saw her own toes... she was stunned.

The answer is obvious!
Realizing this, she became increasingly frustrated.

His eyes gradually dimmed!

At this moment, she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder. Subconsciously raising his eyes, he saw that Lin Jiangnian's eyes were still gentle. There was even a bit of encouragement mixed in.

The dog man consoled him: "Don't be discouraged, there is still a chance to grow..."

"Be confident, I'm very optimistic about you!"

Xu Lan: "..."

"..." (End of this chapter)