son, don't mess around

Lin Jiangnian's tone was nonchalant, but the words he said were truly heartbreaking.

The faces of everyone present changed immediately!
No one expected that Lin Jiangnian would suddenly bring up the late emperor at this time.

The surroundings were silent, and Zhao Jing's face turned even paler. Facing Lin Jiangnian's questioning, he was defeated step by step, and couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

"me……"

His voice trembled, and he was afraid under Lin Jiangnian's gaze, and subconsciously lowered his head to avoid his sight. He could only look to his grandfather for help, hoping that his grandfather would stand up and punish this arrogant and domineering Prince Lin.

"Jing'er, don't be rude!"

At this moment, Mr. Zhao, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke coldly.

The tone was serious, with a hint of harsh blame.

Zhao Jing shuddered, his face turned pale, and he lowered his head: "Grandpa, I, I know..."

Then, Zhao Jing stood behind Mr. Zhao, lowered his head and stopped talking, being extremely low-key.

Lin Jiangnian watched this scene quietly and felt amused.

The old man seemed to be scolding in a stern tone, but in fact he was protecting Zhao Jing and turning his previous remarks into a statement that the young man was ignorant of etiquette.

In this case, there is not much point in Lin Jiangnian continuing to hold on to it.

Of course, if Lin Jiangnian insisted on holding on to it, it would really make Zhao Jing very scared and make him unable to sleep well for ten days or half a month.

I guess after today, the next time he has a chance to see her, he will have to avoid her as much as possible.

After scolding Zhao Jing, Old Zhao raised his head again and looked at Lin Jiangnian in the center of the hall, staring at the Prince of Lin in front of him!

He was not familiar with Lin Jiangnian, and the last time he saw this boy was many years ago.

Over the years, his health has gradually become weaker, and his interactions with the Lin Wang Mansion have become less frequent. When I first met this kid, he was just a target. But now, this Lin Wang's son has grown up!
At this moment, Lin Jiangnian in Mr. Zhao's sight vaguely had some of the aura of Lin Hengzhong in his past.

In fact, he seemed even more arrogant and presumptuous than Lin Hengzhong!
Old Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly. Lin Hengzhong could be considered arrogant back then, but his style of doing things and other aspects were also very disciplined.

And this kid in front of me...

Neither his words, actions nor his expression showed the slightest respect he deserved.

Mr. Zhao's heart sank slightly, and his face became a little more gloomy.

"I came to the Prince's Mansion this time because I do have something important to discuss with the Prince. It is both a public and a private matter!"

"Since the prince is in poor health now, I will not beat around the bush."

Elder Zhao stared at Lin Jiangnian and asked, "I heard that the prince arrested Chen Hongsheng, the head of the Chen family, in public a few days ago?"

Lin Jiangnian looked calm and said, "It is true."

"As the head of the Chen family, Chen Hongsheng has made a lot of contributions to Linjiang City over the years. Not to mention his merits, he has also worked hard, and he has a close relationship with the prince..."

Elder Zhao asked coldly, "Now that the prince is in poor health, and the prince is in charge of the overall situation of the palace, it is difficult for him to convince the public if he arrests Chen Hongsheng for no reason!"

Facing Elder Zhao's questioning, Lin Jiangnian looked calm and said, "I have my own reasons for this matter, so Elder Zhao, please don't worry about it!"

"After all, Chen Hongsheng is the head of a noble family. If Your Highness arrests him, how can the other noble families feel at ease? Your Highness, aren't you afraid of causing panic among other noble families and causing an uproar among the people?"

"I didn't care about this matter at first, but it concerns the stability of Linjiang City and the future of Linwang Mansion. It's not easy for Linjiang City to be as prosperous as it is now in recent years. It is the result of the joint efforts of all parties. I don't want Your Highness to be impulsive and confused and ruin the current situation!"

Lin Jiangnian smiled without saying anything, sneering in his heart.

This old guy is threatening him?

He still knows how to say high-sounding words!
What does the current situation of Linjiang City have to do with this old man?
How much contribution has he made to the present state of Linwang Palace?

Now you are trying to take credit for something by licking someone's face?
Over the years, his Zhao family has done so many dirty things in the name of Linwang Mansion in Linzhou. Doesn't this old guy know it?

"Don't bother Mr. Zhao with this matter. I will make the decision myself."

Lin Jiangnian spoke in a calm tone, not giving Mr. Zhao any face at all.

When Mr. Zhao saw Lin Jiangnian's attitude, his expression changed slightly.

This kid actually ignored him like that?

He had already said this, but the boy was still so indifferent, and his tone did not show any desire to explain at all, which inevitably made Mr. Zhao angry.

He came to the palace this time just to act as a peacemaker!
He originally thought that with his status and qualifications, when he came to the palace to meet Lin Hengzhong this time, Lin Hengzhong would at least give him some face.

He never expected that he would not meet Lin Hengzhong, but instead meet the Prince of Lin, whom he did not take seriously.

But in his eyes, the Prince Lin should be respectful to him!

The prince of Lin Wang, who had accomplished nothing, heard that this boy was just an uneducated and unlearned dandy, a brat who acted so unruly by relying on the reputation of Lin Hengzhong's Tree Shade!

Even Lin Hengzhong had to show some respect to him. When such a brat met him, he had to treat him with great respect and honor, right?
Who would have thought that this kid didn't take him seriously at all! Whether it was his tone, words or actions, there was no respect at all.

What's more, even after he said this, the Prince Lin remained indifferent.

Even hinting that he was meddling in other people's business?

Old Zhao was furious, and his face was gloomy: "I would like to ask you, what crime did Chen Hongsheng commit?"

"If the prince doesn't give an explanation, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public!"

Facing Mr. Zhao's unfriendly questioning, Lin Jiangnian looked calm: "This prince has handed Chen Hongsheng over to the government office. As for what he has done wrong, the government office will give a fair result."

"If Mr. Zhao wants to know, just wait a little longer. The government should announce it soon!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone around looked at each other in bewilderment. Some of them seemed to have not expected that the Prince of Lin would be so tough.

Don’t even take Mr. Zhao seriously?
Not giving any face at all?
Wait for the official announcement?
Who doesn't know that the government office has long been controlled by your people, Lin Jiangnian?
Now you have the final say in the government office. Whatever Chen Hongsheng has done wrong, isn't it just a matter of your words?
Hearing this, Mr. Zhao's face became a little gloomier.

"Good, good, good!"

Mr. Zhao said "good" three times in a row, staring at Lin Jiangnian: "As expected, he is Lin Hengzhong's son. He should not be underestimated!"

"I was wrong!"

It seems like a tone of praise, but it is actually full of irony!
Lin Jiangnian didn't seem to hear it, and smiled: "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Zhao!"

"It's rare for Elder Zhao to come all the way to my palace. I guess he must be exhausted from the journey. Why don't you stay in the palace for a while and have a good rest and recuperate? It will also allow the younger generation to take care of Elder Zhao. What do you think?"

"No need!"

Mr. Zhao's face turned slightly pale and he waved his hand to refuse.

How dare he live in the Prince Lin’s Mansion?
"Regarding the matter of Chen Hongsheng, I hope that the prince will think twice before acting, and not do anything rash or foolish, so as not to cause unnecessary turmoil and trouble, and lose the face of Prince Lin!"

"By then, I'll become a laughing stock for the whole world!"

Old Zhao looked at Lin Jiangnian in front of him coldly, and his tone was not polite at all. After that, he stood up with the crutches: "Jing'er, let's go!"

Zhao Jing, who had been standing behind Old Man Zhao without saying a word, suddenly stepped forward to support his grandfather as if awakened from a dream.

"Grandpa, where are we going?"

"Is there no place for you and me, grandson and grandson, to stay in Linjiang City?" Old Zhao snorted coldly.

Zhao Jing quickly lowered his head and helped his grandfather leave.

In the hall, the people from other families, seeing Old Zhao stand up and leave, also stood up and found an excuse to leave.

Soon, the hall was empty.

Lin Jiangnian was left standing in the middle of the hall, watching Mr. Zhao leave with an indifferent expression.

"This Zhao Qing has come with bad intentions!"

At this moment, a slightly brisk voice came from the back of the hall.

Lin Jiangnian turned his head and saw Jinxiu, who was dressed in a light red skirt, walking towards him with her skirt lifted.

"Were you eavesdropping again?"

Lin Jiangnian took a look and knew that Jinxiu was hiding behind and eavesdropping again.

"How can that be called eavesdropping?!"

Jinxiu straightened her tall and full chest confidently and said with a faint smile: "This slave is listening openly!"

Lin Jiangnian didn't argue with her. He raised his eyebrows and looked outside the courtyard: "What do you think?"

Jinxiu glanced outside the door and said seriously, "I think his purpose is not simple!"

"How to say?"

"This Zhao Qing is quite old and it seems like he won't have many years left to live. The person behind him must be no simple person, as he was invited out this time." Jinxiu smiled and narrowed her beautiful eyes, looking very pretty.

Lin Jiangnian looked at her and smiled, "Who do you think it is?"

"I'm afraid it's not just as simple as these noble families..."

Jinxiu was thoughtful: "This Zhao Qing is not a fool, it is impossible that he does not know the benefits and disadvantages. In addition, with his relationship with your palace, under normal circumstances, he would not come forward to destroy and shake the relationship with your palace because of the pressure from other families!"

"Under normal circumstances, as long as the Zhao family does not mess around, Zhao Qing's contribution in supporting Prince Lin's coronation is enough to preserve the Zhao family's prosperity and wealth for decades, so..."

Lin Jiangnian understood the meaning of Jinxiu's words: "You mean, Zhao Qing's appearance this time may be the intention of the Zhao family?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out..."

Jinxiu nodded, a look of understanding emerged on her pretty face: "To be precise, it must be related to the Zhao family!"

"If the Zhao family had no ulterior motives, they probably wouldn't have let Zhao Qing come all the way here to get involved in this mess. Zhao Qing just spoke to Your Highness in a very unfriendly tone, and it was obvious that he came prepared... I'm afraid that the Zhao family is playing some dishonorable role behind the scenes."

Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian sighed with emotion.

"The Zhao family was indeed a staunch supporter of the prince back then, but I didn't expect that they would have other intentions now."

"Isn't this normal?"

Her beautiful eyes blinked and she smiled faintly, "Didn't the Zhao family also see the potential of Prince Lin back then?"

"Nowadays..."

At this point, Jinxiu seemed to have thought of something, and said thoughtfully: "I don't think the Zhao family will necessarily betray Prince Lin's Mansion, nor can it be said that they have ulterior motives. Aristocratic families like them will never be truly honest..."

"I think the Zhao family got involved in this incident, probably hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to gain some benefits."

Lin Jiangnian was silent. Jinxiu's guess and analysis were probably correct. The Zhao family did not have any intention of betraying Prince Lin's Mansion.

That's unrealistic!

It's not good for the Zhao family at all!

The Zhao family showed up this time, even old Zhao Qing showed up, most likely for profit!
To be more precise, it should be called... taking advantage of someone's misfortune? !

"Your Highness, what are you going to do?"

Jinxiu looked at Lin Jiangnian with a smile on her face and winked at him.

Smart and curious.

"An old guy can't cause any trouble."

Lin Jiang shook his head, not taking Zhao Qing seriously at all: "If he wants to make trouble, let him make trouble. He won't have a good life for long."

"Let's see what else he can do!"

"..."

Outside the Prince's Palace.

The atmosphere was dull.

"This Prince Lin is really going too far, too much!"

"You don't know how to respect your elders, and you are so arrogant. You talked back to you, Mr. Zhao. You are so arrogant!"

"How can this boy be a prince of Lin Wang? How can he be a prince of Lin Wang? If he is allowed to inherit the Lin Wang Mansion in the future, I'm afraid things will go wrong!"

"..."

After leaving Prince Lin's Mansion, people from various noble families gathered around Old Zhao and condemned Lin Jiangnian with indignation.

They didn't expect that after going to so much trouble to invite Mr. Zhao out, they didn't expect that the Prince Lin would not even give Mr. Zhao face!
While they were angry, many of them also sneered in their hearts and made their own calculations.

Lin Jiangnian really didn't know how high the sky was and was extremely arrogant. After offending Old Zhao this time, Old Zhao would definitely not let it go. With Old Zhao's influence in Linjiang City, this matter would never end so easily.

Therefore, everyone had ulterior motives, but without exception they were secretly adding fuel to the fire and wanted to further escalate the situation.

Under the instigation of the crowd, Mr. Zhao's face was extremely gloomy. He had lost face in the Linwang Mansion today.

Being ignored by a junior!
This made Mr. Zhao, who had lived for decades just for this face, very angry.

If he had not tried his best to recommend Lin Hengzhong to the late emperor, and had the noble families secretly provide Lin Hengzhong with financial, food and power support, would he, Lin Hengzhong, have been crowned king by the late emperor?
He, Zhao Qing, made a great contribution to this!

Because of this, Lin Hengzhong has respected him over the years and treated him as a guest of honor! And Zhao Qing also believed that without him, there would be no Lin Hengzhong today!
This idea has long been deeply rooted in his mind.

He didn't think there was any problem at all!
Even in the entire Zhao family, many people think so.

Over the years, the Zhao family has relied on this to do some unknown things in Linzhou.

People from other families also know about it, but no one dares to provoke!
But today, the Prince of Lin did not give Zhao Qing any face at all, which made Zhao Qing feel greatly humiliated!
How can a little junior be so safe and sound?
Without him, you wouldn't be where you are today?

How presumptuous!
"This boy is arrogant, has no manners or rules, and has no upbringing at all!"

Elder Zhao had a gloomy expression and said coldly: "Since Lin Hengzhong is not good at disciplining him, then I will discipline him on behalf of Lin Hengzhong!"

"Jing'er, let's go!"

"..." (End of this chapter)