son, don't mess around

"gone."

"gone?"

Xu Zhongshan was somewhat surprised: "Where did she go?"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at him and raised an eyebrow: "What, you can't bear to part with her?"

"I, no... I'm not..."

Xu Zhongshan's face flushed red: "I, I was just curious..."

"Why did she leave? What happened? Is she alright?!"

Lin Jiangnian said with interest, "If you weren't reluctant to part with her, why would you care about her so much?"

"me……"

Xu Zhongshan's face turned even redder.

"I...I just...she, she..."

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "So, isn't it because you can't bear to part with her?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhongshan fell silent.

After a long pause, he sighed deeply: "Perhaps."

Then, Xu Zhongshan smiled wryly and scratched his head: "To say I'm not reluctant would be a bit of self-deception, but to say I am..."

He didn't know how to start the conversation.

But Lin Jiangnian understood what he was struggling with.

"She's fine, but she's already left, she's left the capital."

Hearing this, Xu Zhongshan looked up in surprise: "Left the capital? Where did she go?"

"You want to know?"

Lin Jiangnian countered with a question.

"I……"

Xu Zhongshan opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but it seemed as if something was stuck in his throat and he couldn't speak.

Lin Jiangnian glanced at him: "If you're not prepared and determined to accept it, knowing will only add to your troubles."

"This is not a good thing for you or for her."

Xu Zhongshan remained silent, speechless.

Indeed, there are many things he cannot control.

He also knew what he couldn't accept.

"The capital city is not a good place for her, and leaving here is definitely a good thing."

"However, when she left, she asked me to pass on a message to you."

Lin Jiangnian continued.

Xu Zhongshan suddenly looked up: "What?!"

"She wants to thank you for taking care of her during this time, and she also wants to tell you... if there is a next life, she will come to find you sooner."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhongshan's heart trembled, as if struck by lightning, and he stood there stunned.

His eyes were unfocused, and he looked dazed.

In a daze, the image of that woman gradually appeared in my mind.

For a moment, my thoughts became increasingly chaotic.

At that moment, his mind was in complete turmoil.

"Is she okay?"

After a long silence, Xu Zhongshan finally spoke, his voice tinged with trepidation.

This message sounds a bit like... a last will and testament?

This made Xu Zhongshan uneasy.

"She's fine."

Lin Jiangnian said calmly.

Hu Yao was stronger than imagined; a woman like her would never easily contemplate suicide.

Although Lin Jiangnian did not pay special attention, her whereabouts naturally did not escape the eyes and ears of the Prince Lin's Mansion in the capital.

To find out her whereabouts, a little investigation will suffice.

"That's good."

Upon hearing the news, Xu Zhongshan breathed a sigh of relief. But what followed was a surge of more complex emotions.

He looked at Lin Jiangnian with a somewhat dazed and confused expression: "Brother-in-law, what do you think I should do?"

Lin Jiangnian countered, "What do you intend to do?"

"No, I don't know."

Xu Zhongshan smiled bitterly: "My mind is a mess right now, I don't know what to do. I feel like I've let her down, but..."

"Then follow your heart."

Lin Jiangnian patted him on the shoulder: "In life, you don't really need other people's opinions. If you want to do something, then do it. If you don't want to do it, then don't."

"If you can't figure it out, then think about it later."

Xu Zhongshan remained silent, carefully processing Lin Jiangnian's words, and gradually calmed down.

"You're right, I think I know what to do."

Xu Zhongshan took a deep breath, his gaze gradually hardening.

"Brother-in-law, there's one more thing I need to ask of you."

"You said."

"She is, after all, a weak woman, leaving the capital alone in such chaos. If possible, brother-in-law, could you send some people to protect her secretly... at least, to prevent anything from happening to her?"

Looking into Xu Zhongshan's determined gaze, Lin Jiangnian said nothing more and nodded.

"it is good."

"..."

After the first snowfall in Beijing, the weather became even colder.

The once bustling streets are now truly empty and deserted, and even the children who used to play on the streets are nowhere to be seen.

This year's snowfall was heavier and colder than in previous years, and can be considered a snow disaster.

Less than half a month after the heavy snowfall, the number of disaster victims in and around the capital increased significantly, leading to chaos in the city and its surrounding areas. Despite the government's best efforts to maintain order, it was ultimately a temporary solution.

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, more and more disaster victims are freezing and starving to death, and the situation will only worsen further.

This is undoubtedly a serious problem for the imperial court, which is currently facing an empty treasury.

Many conscientious merchants in the capital have begun to spontaneously devise ways to provide disaster relief and help the people, but even so, it is only a drop in the ocean. They can only help temporarily, not permanently, and they cannot save so many people.

Even the Jiang family wasn't idle. Although the Jiang family wasn't considered a major family in the capital, they had the backing of the Jiang family in Jiangnan, and had accumulated a considerable amount of money and provisions over the years. Currently, Jiang Ningkang and his wife were still far away in Jiangnan, and Zhiyuan was in charge of all the affairs of the Jiang family mansion.

After the disaster, Zhiyuan arranged for the people in her household to take out the grain stored in the mansion and go to help the disaster victims.

But this winter has only just begun, and who knows how many more people will die. If the court does nothing, the situation will only worsen.

Lin Jiangnian, upon returning to the Jiang residence and learning of this news, was filled with emotion.

"The imperial court is probably in dire straits right now, and Li Cining's health has deteriorated significantly, I'm afraid..."

With His Majesty absent from the morning court sessions these past few days due to illness, rumors have been rampant in the capital. Various factions are speculating wildly.

Lin Jiangnian knew very well that Li Cining's body was at its limit. In his condition, it was questionable whether he could even hold on until next spring.

The situation may even be more serious.

Under such circumstances, with the court in turmoil, the war situation in the north becoming increasingly critical, the army suppressing the rebellion in full swing, and the national treasury empty, there was no time to care about the lives of the disaster victims.

"Ha, this imperial court is indeed utterly corrupt."

In the courtyard, Liu Su leaned against the eaves, arms crossed, a hint of contempt in her eyes: "They don't even care about the lives of the common people, they might as well be overthrown."

Lin Jiangnian ignored the woman's impulsive words. Even though the situation was chaotic, the consequences would be unimaginable if the court were to be overthrown.

He sighed: "Now, all we can do is wait."

"Waiting for what?" Liu Su looked at him.

"Waiting for the one in the palace to pass away."

Upon hearing this, Liu Su raised an eyebrow: "Wait until the emperor dies?"

"If he dies, wouldn't the situation become even more chaotic?" Lin Jiangnian did not answer Liu Su's question: "Right now, the situation in the capital can only rely on us."

"On us?"

Liu Su curled her lip: "Although the Jiang family can provide relief to disaster victims, it is ultimately limited. With just this little bit of money and food, how many people can they save?"

"Even if we can't save them, we have to."

Lin Jiangnian said, "I have already sent someone back with the message. The troops transporting grain from Jiangnan should arrive in a few days."

"Jiangnan? Troops transporting grain?"

Liu Su seemed to sense something was amiss. After a long pause, she finally realized what was happening and stared at him: "You really did target Jiangnan, didn't you?!"

As is well known, Jiangnan was the most prosperous region in the Great Ning Dynasty, and also the place with the most abundant grain reserves. The amount of grain hoarded by those aristocratic families was astronomical.

Upon hearing Lin Jiangnian's words, Liu Su instantly connected the dots. She also instantly understood why Lin Jiangnian had suddenly gone to Chujiang City half a year ago... seemingly to visit Old Master Jiang.

In reality, the Prince Lin's residence is playing a much bigger game!
"Yes."

At this point, Lin Jiangnian did not deny it: "Jiangnan is too wealthy, and this piece of fat meat will be targeted sooner or later. If the Prince Lin's Mansion does not strike first, they will fall into the hands of the imperial court or the Prince Xu's Mansion."

"So, your Prince Lin's Mansion got there first? But how did you deal with those aristocratic families?"

Liu Su stared at him, somewhat incredulous.

The powerful families of Jiangnan, whom even the imperial court could not deal with, were thus subdued by the Prince of Lin's mansion.

"Kill them, what else can we do?"

Lin Jiangnian spread his hands: "The imperial court has to reason with them, but we, the Prince of Lin's Mansion, don't need to. Those who don't comply, just confiscate their property and exterminate their entire clan, isn't that enough?"

Liu Su rolled her eyes: "If it were that simple, why hasn't the imperial court been able to subdue them for so long?"

"That's a problem of the imperial court, not a problem of the Prince Lin's residence."

Seeing Liu Su's suspicious look, Lin Jiangnian said, "It's quite simple. It was the Sixth Prince's assassination attempt that gave the Lin Prince's Mansion a legitimate opportunity to act..."

Lin Jiangnian originally planned to stage an assassination to give the Prince of Lin's mansion a pretext to send troops. However, the assassination turned out to be the real thing that Lin Jiangnian had been planning.

This makes the situation much better.

"With the Jiang family's prestigious reputation, coupled with the obedience of other aristocratic families, and the combined pressure and persuasion of the Prince Lin's troops, those aristocratic families, though seemingly tough, are actually just opportunists and spineless cowards..."

Lin Jiangnian said, "At this point, they have no other choice."

Liu Su listened intently. Although it sounded simple, upon closer inspection, it made perfect sense.

Ultimately, it's because the Prince Lin's mansion has a strong fist and no weaknesses. The imperial court, however, has to consider the bigger picture and the opinions of the people. But the Prince Lin's mansion doesn't have so many concerns.

Those who disobey will be killed.

Seeing Liu Su remain silent, Lin Jiangnian chuckled again: "Originally, this grain transport was to prepare for the army's upcoming march, but it has come in handy this time."

Liu Su seemed to realize something, and narrowed her eyes: "You want to take this opportunity to win people's hearts?"

"That's it."

Lin Jiangnian nodded.

Originally, the grain transport was intended as a preparatory step for the Prince Lin's Palace to send troops to quell the rebellion in the future. However, the disaster in the capital this time gave Lin Jiangnian an opportunity to win over the hearts and minds of the people in the capital.

Such opportunities are rare. Once the Prince Lin's Mansion wins the hearts of the people on moral grounds, neither the imperial court nor the Prince Xu's Mansion will have any chance to contend with the Prince Lin's Mansion.

Lin Jiangnian was not going to let such an opportunity slip by easily.

"You really are cunning."

Liu Su looked at Lin Jiangnian with some surprise, as if she were seeing him for the first time.

"What?"

Lin Jiangnian objected: "I'm doing this to do good deeds and help disaster victims. Isn't that what we should do?"

"You're trying to win people over," Liu Su said, pursing her lips.

"Wasn't that just something that came along incidentally?"

Lin Jiangnian said confidently, "I am not the kind of person who does good deeds anonymously. My Prince Lin's Mansion has given so much grain and money to help the people this time. Shouldn't we gain some good reputation?"

Liu Su rolled her eyes dramatically: "Are you sure that's the money and grain from your Lin Prince's Mansion? Not something you plundered from Jiangnan?"

"That's also robbing the rich to help the poor, a chivalrous act."

Lin Jiangnian spoke with righteous indignation.

Liu Su continued to scrutinize the people, but she did not refute them further.

At that moment, there was a commotion outside the courtyard.

Paper Kite appeared at the doorway, followed by the Jasmine and Wind Chimes sisters.

Upon noticing the commotion in the courtyard, the two exchanged a glance and wisely chose to leave.

"Paper kite".

Lin Jiangnian quickly stepped forward and came to Zhiyuan: "You're back? You must be tired."

Zhiyuan lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on Lin Jiangnian's hands that were holding hers, and then glancing at Liu Su under the eaves behind Lin Jiangnian.

The two women exchanged a glance, and Zhiyuan quietly withdrew her hand from Lin Jiangnian's palm.

She shook her head slightly: "It's okay, I'm not tired."

Zhiyuan's indifferent actions naturally caught Lin Jiangnian's attention. He glanced back and saw Liu Su under the eaves still with her hands on her hips, a meaningful sneer on her face. She snorted and turned to leave gracefully.

Well, it's that woman stirring things up again.

Lin Jiangnian was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth; he had to find time tonight to teach her a lesson.

Lin Jiangnian thought to himself, then turned to look at Zhiyuan. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Zhiyuan ask softly, "Your Highness, how are you?"

"Sixth Prince, has Chen Zhao been found?"

"That's a long story..."

Lin Jiangnian looked at Zhiyuan, who looked somewhat tired, and said, "I'll tell you about these things later. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Dinner is ready. Let's talk after you've eaten."

Paper Kite didn't refuse; she simply nodded slightly.

"it is good."

……

Night fell, and the sky grew dark.

A cold wind howled through the courtyard, causing the trees to sway.

Even though the fire in the stove was burning brightly, the room temperature remained low and it was still a bit chilly.

"Is it unusually cold this year?"

In the dimly lit room, Liu Su, dressed in red, stood by the bed, gazing at the scenery in the courtyard, murmuring to herself.

"With the window open, how can you not be cold?"

Inside the room, Lin Jiangnian sat at the table and asked, "Would you like some wine to warm yourself up?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Su turned around: "You have wine?"

"How could there be no such thing as a lie?"

Lin Jiangnian spoke up, revealing that he had previously set up a distillery under Xu Lan's name in Linjiang City, specializing in the production of spirits.

At that time, it was thanks to strong liquor that I obtained the Nine Sword Techniques from Elder Li.

Although Lin Jiangnian didn't manage the winery much afterward, he did bring the technology with him when he went to Beijing last year.

"Wait, I'll have my servants bring some wine over."

Lin Jiangnian got up and asked the servants outside the door to fetch some wine.

After the servants brought the wine to the mansion, Lin Jiangnian was about to close the door when he suddenly noticed another figure outside the room.

"Zhiyuan? What brings you here?"

Outside the door, Zhiyuan, who had just taken a bath, changed her clothes and went out without makeup. The coldness on her delicate face had faded.

She glanced at the room behind her, her expression as calm as ever, her tone neither cold nor indifferent.

"Your Highness doesn't welcome me?"

"Welcome, welcome, of course you're welcome."

Seeing this, Lin Jiangnian happily pulled the kite into the room.

"boom!"

Close the door.

Everyone's here!
...(End of chapter)