son, don't mess around

The atmosphere in the study was somber.

Lin Jiangnian, as an uninvited guest, appeared openly and brazenly before Prime Minister Zhao.

They got straight to the point, and their words were extremely impolite.

This caused Zhao Xiang, who was looking down at the memorial, to tremble slightly. He suddenly looked up at the unrestrained young man standing in the room, a hint of anger rising in his eyes.

"What did you say?!"

"Prime Minister Zhao, please don't get angry!"

Zhao Xiang's lips twitched involuntarily.

Don't get angry?
This man addressed him as "Old Deng" without any politeness. Although Zhao Xiang didn't know what the meaning of this address was, based on his understanding of this man, it was definitely not a good one.

He immediately asked to marry his daughter?

Is she definitely going to marry him?

Such an arrogant and domineering attitude could not help but anger Prime Minister Zhao.

Then this guy said, "Don't get angry?"
Even the most composed person would turn hostile upon hearing such words.

Lin Jiangnian, however, seemed oblivious to Zhao Xiang's increasingly angry expression, and continued to laugh to himself, "I've come here today to have a proper discussion with Zhao Xiang about this matter."

Zhao Xiang asked expressionlessly, "What is it?"

"Regarding the matter of marrying your daughter!"

Lin Jiangnian gave Zhao Xiang a bright and sunny smile: "Xi'er and I are deeply in love, and I ask Zhao Xiang to grant us our wish!"

Looking at the familiar face before him, Zhao Xiang barely managed to suppress the urge to slap the boy twice.

How dare he even mention it?
He still dares to say that?

Should we let him have his way?
That's incredibly bold!

"Don't even think about it! I would never marry Xi'er to you!" Prime Minister Zhao said with a gloomy face.

"Hey, Prime Minister Zhao, don't be angry. I've come here with sincerity."

Zhao Xiang stared at him: "What sincerity?"

"My heart is filled with sincerity."

"..."

"You brat, get out!"

"Ahem, just kidding with Prime Minister Zhao."

Lin Jiangnian's joke was clearly not funny at all.

The powerful and influential Prime Minister Zhao, who now controls the court and the country, has no time to joke with Lin Jiangnian.

Lin Jiangnian stepped forward, sat down opposite Zhao Xiang's desk, and sighed: "Zhao Xiang should know that Miss Zhao and I have already pledged our lives to each other, and no matter how much you object, it will be to no avail."

"On the contrary, it may backfire."

Zhao Xiang's gaze turned slightly cold: "You are threatening me."

"Of course not, I have always respected Prime Minister Zhao."

Lin Jiangnian continued, "My relationship with Miss Zhao was originally a misunderstanding, but now that things have come to this point, I naturally have an inescapable responsibility."

"I suppose Prime Minister Zhao wouldn't want me to be a fickle, heartless man who would let Miss Zhao down?"

Zhao Xiang stared at him and sneered, "You're not a fickle person?"

Lin Jiang cleared his throat to cover his guilt: "There's an old saying that goes, since things have already happened, we should accept them calmly... Today, I want to sit down with Prime Minister Zhao and discuss how to resolve this matter!"

He was about to leave the capital and head north to Xuzhou. He didn't know how long he would stay, so before leaving, Lin Jiangnian wanted to settle things with Zhao Xi.

Zhao Xiang already knows about his relationship with Zhao Xi. If this matter is not handled properly, who knows what tricks this old man might secretly play later?
Now that Zhao Xiang holds immense power, even Lin Jiangnian has to be wary of whether this old man might plot against him behind his back.

Zhao Xiang naturally had no time for jokes with Lin Jiangnian. If he could, he wouldn't want to pay any attention to this guy at all. The moment he saw him, he wanted someone to break his legs and throw him out.

But he can't!

This child's identity is far too sensitive!
Now is a critical juncture in the transition of dynasties, and Prime Minister Zhao is extremely busy. He must stabilize the court and eliminate any potential threats to the Princess at the front.

Therefore, he must utilize all available resources. Lin Jiangnian, standing before him, is undoubtedly someone who can greatly assist the imperial court right now!

Now that the emperor has passed away and the edict of succession has been proclaimed to the world, the eldest princess has successfully ascended the throne. However, the third prince in the north, Li Yuan, has also followed suit and ascended the throne, claiming the legitimacy of the dynasty, intending to instigate internal strife in the Great Ning Dynasty and take advantage of the situation.

More seriously, many forces within the dynasty's territory are now affected by it. This poses a severe test for the new dynasty's rule.

This is why Prime Minister Zhao did not kick Lin Jiangnian out directly.

He disliked Lin Jiangnian very much; in Zhao Xiang's eyes, Lin Jiangnian had absolutely no redeeming qualities.

She used sweet words to deceive his daughter, spoke rudely to him, showed no respect for his elders, and was utterly shameless and vulgar...

This boy bears not a trace of Lin Hengzhong.

How could a prince as powerful as Prince Lin have given birth to such a thing?

What's worse, this thing has even managed to lure his precious daughter away. And now it's brazenly and arrogantly appearing before him to provoke him... How could Zhao Xiang not be angry?

But Prime Minister Zhao knew his daughter's temperament very well. She was intelligent from a young age and had her own ideas. Over the years, Xi'er had lived deep within the mansion, yet she was also very knowledgeable about national affairs. Xi'er had always been an extremely rational person.

Therefore, Zhao Xiang also understood that once Xi'er made up her mind about this thing, it would probably be useless for him, as her father, to object.

As this person said, this matter eventually needs to be resolved.

If this can be resolved properly, it will be the best explanation for him, the Zhao family, the imperial court, and the people of the world!

"How are you going to solve it?"

Zhao Xiang stared at him, his gaze sharp.

"I have a suggestion, I wonder what Prime Minister Zhao thinks?"

Looking at the white-haired old prime minister in front of him, Lin Jiangnian made his suggestion: "I hope Prime Minister Zhao can grant my wish to marry Miss Zhao. At that time, my Linwang Mansion will prepare generous gifts and, with the utmost sincerity, bring Miss Zhao back to the Linwang Mansion in a grand and glorious manner in front of the whole world."

"We will absolutely not allow Prime Minister Zhao to lose face in the slightest. What do you think, Prime Minister Zhao?"

Zhao Xiang stared intently at Lin Jiangnian with a deep gaze: "Can Xi'er be the principal wife?"

"Of course not..."

Zhao Xiang sneered: "My daughter, Zhao Xiang's daughter, can only be your concubine?"

"Prime Minister Zhao, you flatter me... There's no such thing as concubines. I'll go and suggest to the Princess that we amend our laws so that everyone can marry several wives, treating everyone equally, and so that families can live in harmony... By the way, didn't I already suggest that to you last time, Prime Minister Zhao?"

"Moreover, given Zhao Xiang's current influence in the court, this matter can be entirely led by you, Zhao Xiang..." Zhao Xiang's face was dark as he stared at Lin Jiangnian with a gloomy expression.

She amended the laws of the Great Ning Dynasty just so that her daughter could marry this scoundrel as his legal wife?
If he were to do such a thing, he would lose all face in front of the world.

"Is this how His Highness approaches resolving the issue today?"

Zhao Xiang stared at Lin Jiangnian, his gaze gradually turning hostile. Was this young man here today to resolve the problem, or to toy with him?

"Prime Minister Zhao, please don't be impatient. I haven't finished speaking yet."

Lin Jiangnian seemed to have a dry mouth from talking, so he picked up the tea on the table, poured himself a cup, and began to savor it.

“Good tea!”

Lin Jiangnian praised him, and as Zhao Xiang's gaze grew increasingly hostile, he slowly spoke up: "Since Zhao Xiang wants to speak frankly, then I won't beat around the bush either."

He paused for a moment and looked at Zhao Xiang: "After the eldest princess ascended the throne, the first imperial edict to support the king has been issued and spread throughout the dynasty."

"How the various prefectures and counties will react to the imperial edict is unknown. However, what they intend to do is not important. But my Prince Lin's Mansion will definitely send troops!"

Lin Jiangnian looked at Zhao Xiang in front of him and smiled brightly: "As a subject of the Da Ning Dynasty, my Linwang Mansion will naturally respond to the new emperor's edict and send troops to assist the new emperor in quelling the rebellion in the north!"

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Zhao Xiang's originally gloomy eyes, accompanied by a look of astonishment.

But soon, he stared intently at Lin Jiangnian, as if he had understood something.

"Your Prince Lin's residence has probably had this plan in mind for a while now, hasn't it?"

Lin Jiangnian did not deny it, and continued to smile: "As for the conditions that Prime Minister Zhao proposed last time, my Prince Lin's Mansion will never agree to them, nor can it agree to them... Prince Lin's Mansion will not accept the court's reduction of the power of the princes, and it is even more impossible for it to hand over the troops that the mansion uses to protect itself!"

"Prime Minister Zhao should know this better than anyone else."

"However, my Prince Lin's Palace will send troops to help the court quell the rebellion, resolve the threat from Prince Xu's rebel army, and the various tribes entrenched on the northern border of the dynasty."

"Of course, to show our sincerity, the Prince Lin's Mansion does not need a single soldier from the court, nor does it need any military pay from the court. In fact, the court will not be responsible for any damage to the Prince Lin's Mansion."

Lin Jiangnian tapped his fingers lightly on the table as he slowly began to speak.

Zhao Xiang stared at him and said coldly, "Your Linwang Mansion has occupied Jiangnan and secretly controlled so many aristocratic families in the past six months. You have collected countless amounts of grain and gold and silver. Why would you care about the meager tribute from the imperial court?"

"Zhao Lianxiang knows all this?"

Lin Jiangnian seemed somewhat surprised, but then revealed a meaningful smile: "Then, what if... the Prince Lin's Mansion is still willing to supply the imperial court with military pay and provisions free of charge?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiang's pupils suddenly contracted.

Lin Jiangnian's words undoubtedly touched on the issue he cared about most... The imperial court was currently facing a severe shortage of food and various combat supplies at the front lines.

At present, this is almost a matter of the stability of the dynasty.

If the soldiers at the front can't even afford to eat, they could mutini at any moment.

But the current imperial court is already strapped for cash, with an empty treasury. Even Prime Minister Zhao is finding it difficult to raise funds for the army from the powerful families in the court.

However, if the court could possess the immense wealth of Jiangnan and receive military supplies from it, it would have the confidence to quell the rebellion.

At that time, Xu Wang's rebel army will naturally be nothing to fear.

For a moment, Zhao Xiang's mind was in turmoil, but his expression remained unchanged: "Anything else?"

"Isn't the sincerity of my Prince Lin's Mansion enough?" Lin Jiangnian retorted.

Zhao Xiang stared at him, expressionless: "You should be well aware of how much of a threat the Prince of Lin's mansion poses to the court now."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiangnian scoffed: "Prime Minister Zhao, you yourself have said how great a threat the Prince Lin's residence poses to the court now?"

"If that's the case, does Prime Minister Zhao think the court still has a choice?"

Lin Jiangnian's words finally made Zhao Xiang's expression change.

"Does your Prince Lin's residence also intend to rebel?!"

Lin Jiangnian shook his head and said calmly, "Prime Minister Zhao has misunderstood. The Prince Lin's Mansion has never had any intention of rebelling... Just as Prime Minister Zhao has seen, if the Prince Lin's Mansion really had any intention of rebelling, the person standing in front of you now would probably not be this young master."

This is the source of the Prince Lin's confidence in being the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

"The Prince Lin's Mansion has shown sufficient sincerity, and we hope that Prime Minister Zhao will give it serious consideration... The people of the North are currently suffering terribly from the chaos of war. The Prince Lin's Mansion can assist the court in quelling the rebellion, resolving the chaos in the land, and restoring the Great Ning Dynasty to its former glory..."

"The choice now rests on Zhao Xiang's decision."

Zhao Xiang finally lost his composure. He stared at Lin Jiangnian for a long time, his eyes gradually becoming very complicated.

He ultimately underestimated this young man. Although his style of doing things was not like Lin Hengzhong's, his methods and his calm composure were no less than Lin Hengzhong's back then.

Now, he represents not only himself, but also Lin Hengzhong behind him, and the threat of the hundreds of thousands of troops of the Southern Prince's Mansion.

At this moment, Zhao Xiang fell silent.

Indeed, all the choices seemed to hinge on a single thought.

Can……

If the Prince Lin's Mansion harbors disloyal intentions, it would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to the current Great Ning Dynasty!

After a long pause, Zhao Xiang seemed to let out a sigh of relief. He stared intently at Lin Jiangnian, his voice low and hoarse: "What does your Linwang Mansion want?"

"A promise from the imperial court never to weaken the power of the regional military governors, and..."

Lin Jiangnian glanced at Zhao Xiang: "After the world is at peace, I will need Zhao Xiang's help with matters between my Prince Lin's Mansion and the new emperor."

The imperial court's promise never to weaken the power of the vassal states was just an empty promise. What Lin Jiangnian really wanted was Zhao Xiang's full support in court.

Once they can win over Prime Minister Zhao, and even if all they need is for him not to oppose them in court, Lin Jiangnian and Li Piaomiao's future plans can proceed smoothly.

As if realizing something, Zhao Xiang stared at Lin Jiangnian: "What deal did you make with His Majesty?"

Lin Jiangnian said, "This is a secret between me and His Majesty. However, Prime Minister Zhao can rest assured that the Prince Lin's Mansion will never do anything to harm the court or the people of the world."

"As long as the imperial court does not reduce the power of the princes and the Linwang Palace... as long as I, the heir apparent, am alive, I will never pose the slightest threat to the imperial court!"

Lin Jiangnian's voice was firm and resonant, his tone confident and composed.

He is the heir apparent of the Prince of Lin, the sole successor of the Prince of Lin's mansion. Everything in the Prince of Lin's mansion will be handed over to him. Therefore, at least while Lin Jiangnian is alive, he will never allow the Prince of Lin's mansion to engage in armed conflict with the imperial court.

Now that the emperor of the Great Ning Dynasty is Li Piaomiao, who is also Lin Jiangnian's woman, Lin Jiangnian has even less reason to fight against the court.

Zhao Xiang fell silent, as if lost in deep thought.

After a long silence, Prime Minister Zhao looked up at Lin Jiangnian and said, "If you can do this, I will never make things difficult for you in the future. But if your Prince Lin's mansion is as ambitious as Xu Hong..."

"Even if it costs me my old life, I will make sure that your Prince Lin's Mansion is infamous for eternity and becomes an object of contempt by the world!"

"..." (End of this chapter)