son, don't mess around

Just as Zhao Xi had predicted, the news that Lin Jiang had broken into the Lü residence and harassed the young mistress of the Lü family spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital overnight.

Lin Jiangnian's involvement was undoubtedly crucial in this.

Given the scandal that occurred in the Lü family, it was natural that they wouldn't publicize it widely.

But they could never have imagined that the Crown Prince of Lin would be so indifferent to his reputation. The shock of this matter was far greater than that of the attack on Miss Hu!

Many people were both shocked and suspicious.

Didn't the Crown Prince of Lin return to the Prince of Lin's residence a year ago?
Although Lin Jiangnian kept a low profile when he left the capital, many people knew about it. Furthermore, Lin Jiangnian didn't appear in public for a long time afterward, so many people were already aware of the matter.

But why has this guy suddenly reappeared in the capital?

He even went and flirted with the young mistress of the Lü family?

The news was so explosive that it was sure to be a source of great excitement for the people of Beijing.

Ordinary people are not naturally sensitive to politics. Even if the war in the north is devastating, it does not affect the capital, so most ordinary people will not feel it deeply.

However, it is often the scandalous stories surrounding the Crown Prince of Lin, who indulge in drinking, gambling, and whoring, that become the most talked-about topics.

Under the emperor's nose, how could the Prince of Lin be so rampant, bullying men and women?
The woman he was forced to marry was actually the daughter-in-law of the former Minister of Personnel.

How could this news not be explosive?

The young mistress of the Lü family, isn't she the eldest daughter of the Tao family who married into the Lü family a year ago?

Many people still vividly remember the wedding a year ago. It is said that the eldest daughter of the Tao family was indeed beautiful and elegant, a rare beauty.

No wonder she attracted the covetousness of the Prince of Lin, who flirted with her and even broke into the Lü residence at night.

After the news spread, it caused an uproar in Beijing. Ordinary people discussed it enthusiastically, enjoying the gossip, and all sorts of rumors emerged.

Some say that the Crown Prince of Lin has long coveted the beauty of Madam Lü and has always intended to take advantage of her. Others say that he has a brother who works in the Lü household and saw the Crown Prince of Lin and Madam Lü embracing each other in the room last night, their clothes disheveled.

Others chimed in, saying that the sisters were the personal maids of Madam Lü, and that they had personally witnessed the two using a shameless position with the woman on top...

Some even went so far as to say that Madam Lü had long been having an affair with the Prince of Lin and that they had been secretly colluding together.

One piece of evidence is that a year ago, at the Lu family's grand wedding, the Prince of Lin, who was clearly not familiar with the Lu family, went to the Lu family to congratulate them upon arriving in the capital, which seemed highly illogical. The real reason, however, was that the Prince of Lin and the young mistress of the Lu family had been having an affair for some time, and his attendance at the wedding was solely for the purpose of having one last sexual encounter with her…

The news became increasingly outrageous, and after being embellished by the public, the story evolved into multiple versions that spread uncontrollably and rapidly throughout Beijing.

The extent to which the rumors spread was far beyond what even Lin Jiangnian, the originator, had anticipated. He had just woken up when the rumors had already spread throughout the area.

"Damn it, who spread this rumor?!"

Inside the courtyard, Lin Jiangnian looked at the rumors circulating outside and cursed them.

Who spread these rumors that he and Tao Ya have been together for a long time?
It is said that the two had secretly pledged their lives to each other a long time ago, but the Tao family objected, and the two were forced to separate. In the end, the eldest daughter of the Tao family was forced to marry into the Lü family... What a tragic drama of being forced to separate lovers!

Zhao Xi, who was standing to the side, was already bent over laughing so hard she couldn't straighten up. She was supporting her waist with one hand, laughing without any regard for her image.

Lin Jiangnian's face was ashen; he was furious about the rumors.

That short-sighted person, at least have some skill in spreading rumors! Where did this plot come from? Does he, the dignified Crown Prince of Lin, need to be forced to separate his lovers?

Shouldn't he be the one with the big stick?
But ironically, ordinary people love to hear these kinds of stories and dramas, and they wholeheartedly believe them.

By the time Lin Jiangnian realized something was wrong, it was too late. Now that the news had spread throughout the capital, even if he wanted to explain, no one would believe him.

"Isn't this the result you wanted?"

Zhao Xi laughed for a long time before finally managing to catch her breath. She patted her chest lightly, and her full breasts trembled slightly, which was extremely eye-catching.

Then, she looked at Lin Jiangnian with a smile, her eyes full of schadenfreude: "Didn't you say you didn't care about your reputation? Now that things have blown up like this, isn't that just what you wanted?"

"Now, the Lü family probably can't escape this situation even if they want to."

Lin Jiangnian glared at her, annoyed. He didn't care about his reputation, but he didn't expect to be slandered like this.

His lifelong reputation is now completely ruined!

"Tsk..."

Zhao Xi crossed her arms, making her already full breasts even more prominent. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she said, "Besides, who knows if you did this on purpose... There's a lot of talk about it outside, and there's evidence to back it up."

As she spoke, Zhao Xi stepped forward, a half-smile on her face: "You wouldn't actually be having an affair with that young mistress of the Lü family, would you?"

Lin Jiangnian reached out and tapped her head, saying irritably, "Do you think I'm someone who doesn't pick and choose my food?"

"Wow, so you mean if that Mrs. Lü were any prettier, you'd really want to have an affair with her?"

Zhao Xi took a step back, dodging Lin Jiangnian's hand, and pouted.

She knew perfectly well that Lin Jiangnian couldn't possibly have had anything happen between him and Tao Ya; this guy had a psychological aversion to such things and wasn't interested in other people's wives.

However, this did not stop Zhao Xi from teasing him. Who told this bastard to bully her like that last night?
Lin Jiangnian stepped forward and pulled the woman into his arms.

"If she is truly beautiful and her looks can rival yours, then I, the young master, will indeed have to consider it."

"Ha, what a heartless man."

Zhao Xi rolled her eyes at him, too lazy to bother arguing with this jerk.

But soon, Zhao Xi discovered something else... This scoundrel's claws started to get restless again.

Zhao Xi glanced down and slapped his paw hard: "What are you trying to do now?!"

"Touch."

Lin Jiangnian's hand, which was originally resting on Zhao Xi's waist, uncontrollably explored upwards and stopped where it should have been.

"Haven't you touched it enough yet?"

Zhao Xi was speechless; that scoundrel's hands had never been well-behaved.

As long as she's with him, his hands will always linger on familiar spots on her body.

Never change despite repeated warnings!

Zhao Xi went from blushing with embarrassment and anger to feeling helpless, and finally to being too lazy to struggle anymore.

No matter how much she struggled and resisted, it was useless. This bastard's claws seemed to be uncontrollably attached to her body, leaving her helpless.

"not enough!"

Lin Jiangnian leaned closer, his voice soft: "Touching you for a lifetime wouldn't be enough, how could it be enough?"

"hiss……"

Zhao Xi got goosebumps all over her body, her delicate body tensing up: "Stop talking, it's so cheesy and disgusting."

Lin Jiangnian was displeased: "Hey, now you're starting to think I'm being cheesy? Last night you were clearly..."

Before I could finish speaking, I felt my foot being stomped on hard.

He then met Zhao Xi's embarrassed and threatening gaze: "Shut up!"

"Stop talking!"

Zhao Xi wouldn't let him continue; she blushed just thinking about what happened last night.

Once that scoundrel had tasted the sweetness, how could he possibly let her go?

The image of him blushing and blushing was unbearable for Zhao Xi to recall, and she couldn't stand the thought of this scoundrel reminiscing about it. She decisively told him to shut up and not to mention it again.

She took a deep breath, adjusted her mindset, and then glared at him again, annoyed: "What are you planning to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Now the news is everywhere, you've achieved your goal. What's your next plan to lure them out?" "Wait!"

"Are we just going to wait like this?"

Zhao Xi naturally didn't believe it. This scoundrel of a man only knew how to wait?

"if not?"

Lin Jiangnian shrugged and saw Zhao Xi glaring at him angrily, her eyes seemingly showing some displeasure. Only then did Lin Jiangnian pull her into his arms again, his hand instinctively squeezing hers.

heavy.

Then, his foot was stomped on hard again.

"Are you still pinching me?"

Lin Jiangnian ignored Zhao Xi's protest and chuckled, "There's something I need your help with."

Hearing that Lin Jiangnian needed her help, Zhao Xi temporarily forgot about the scoundrel's groping hands and asked, "What is it?"

"I need to go to the palace to see someone, and I need your help."

"Need my help to enter the palace?"

Zhao Xi was taken aback. Although it was indeed inconvenient for Lin Jiangnian, the son of a prince, to enter the palace, his relationship with the current emperor made it relatively easy for him to do so.

The person I need her help with, and whom I need to meet...

After a brief moment of thought, Zhao Xi quickly realized what was going on.

"You want to see..."

"Yes."

Meeting Zhao Xi's gaze, Lin Jiangnian nodded.

"The Empress Dowager of the current dynasty."

"..."

News of Lin Jiang's daring intrusion into the Lü residence and his harassment of Lü's young mistress spread rapidly throughout the capital. It also reached the ears of various powerful and influential families in the city.

For the various factions in the capital, their concern was naturally not whether Lin Jiangnian had an affair with Madam Lü.

What they realized was the deeper meaning behind this matter.

Why did the Crown Prince of Lin return to the capital at this critical juncture? What is his purpose?
What connection did his return to the capital have with the Xu Prince's Mansion in the north?
What exactly is the attitude of the Prince Lin's Mansion, which is far away in the south, and what threat does it pose to the imperial court?
Will this shake the interests of various powerful families and officials?
The rumor that Lin Jiangnian had harassed the young mistress of the Lü family has left many aristocratic families and officials in the capital baffled. What grudge does the Prince of Lin have against the Lü family? Why would such a rumor spread?
Unable to fathom the situation, all factions turned their attention to the Lü family, eager to see how they would react.

After all, this matter involves the Lü family, and everyone wants to know what exactly happened.

The patriarch of the Lü family was a former Minister of Personnel, a very famous and influential figure. His protégés were all over the country, and his spies were everywhere in the court. Even though the Lü family was now in decline, they shouldn't have been so blatantly humiliated.

Everyone was waiting to see how the Lü family would react.

Should they openly confront the Prince of Lin and fight him to the death? Or should the Lü family swallow their pride and let the eldest son of the Lü family obediently accept being cuckolded?
……

Imperial City.

Outside the Yangxin Hall.

A figure hurried to the outside of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and reported something to the chief eunuch at the entrance. The chief eunuch then returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Inside the hall, the heating was intense.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside the palace it was warm and cozy.

Even so, Li Cining, sitting in front of the main hall, still seemed to feel a chill. He was wrapped in thick robes, but he still couldn't resist the chill that surged from his heart.

Li Cining frowned, a hint of worry flashing between her brows.

He probably really doesn't have much time left!

"Cough cough cough..."

He coughed violently twice, looking somewhat exhausted.

He could feel that his health was getting worse and worse since the temperature dropped in winter.

He was in poor health from a young age, suffering from frailty and illness. This was also the reason why his father hesitated to raise him as his heir.

A weak and sickly emperor is undoubtedly a disaster for a country.

Li Cining was well aware of his physical condition; he and Piaomiao were siblings. Piaomiao was born with a cold constitution, and as her older brother, Li Cining was more or less affected by it.

Li Piaomiao is a martial arts prodigy. She comprehends a new path of martial arts, turning her cold body into a shortcut that benefits her cultivation.

Even so, her naturally cold constitution almost cost her her life.

If it weren't for Lin Jiangnian, she probably would have died long ago.

Although Li Cining's health wasn't as severely affected as Li Piaomiao's, it was still considerably impacted. She had been frail and sickly since childhood, with poor health.

More than a year ago, the Third Prince's poisoning attempt on him almost cost Li Cining his life.

Although he survived, his physical condition has become extremely serious.

It was almost beyond saving.

"Time is really running out..."

Li Cining muttered to himself.

At this moment, the chief eunuch outside the door walked in, came to Li Cining's side, bent down and leaned closer, "Your Majesty, there is a matter circulating among the people concerning His Highness the Prince of Lin."

Upon hearing that it was about Lin Jiangnian, Li Cining looked up: "What is it?"

The chief eunuch hesitated for a moment, but then told the whole story.

After Li Cining finished listening, a look of astonishment appeared on her pale and weak face.

"Breaking into the Lü family's house at night?"

"Having an affair with the young mistress of the Lü family?"

"How can this be?"

Upon hearing this news, Li Cining's first thought was that it was impossible.

He knew Lin Jiangnian; how could his brother-in-law possibly do such a thing?
Why would he be interested in someone else's wife?

"Your Majesty, the news has already spread far and wide, and..."

The chief eunuch then spoke up: "That former Minister of Personnel, Lü Fusheng, went to the Jingzhao Prefecture early this morning to report a case."

"Are you sure?"

Li Cining looked even more astonished.

The chief eunuch nodded, sighed inwardly, and looked somewhat surprised.

Clearly, no one expected that the Crown Prince of Lin would do such an absurd thing.

But ironically, it is true.

"Your Majesty, Lü Fusheng has filed a complaint against the Prince of Lin for breaking into their Lü family home and harassing his daughter-in-law... The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture has already reported this matter to Your Majesty, and we request Your Majesty's decision."

"Lu Fusheng said he wanted to see His Majesty and beg His Majesty to give his Lu family justice!"

"..." (End of this chapter)