son, don't mess around

It was early in the fourth year of the Taiping era, just after the Spring Festival.

A momentous piece of news spread throughout the capital... The Empress decreed that Zhao Xi, the daughter of the current Chancellor Zhao and the heir of the Prince of Lin, be betrothed to him.

This news immediately ignited public opinion in Beijing.

The Zhao family's daughter?

That's the precious daughter of Zhao Xiang, a veteran of four dynasties. She's a young lady of high birth, with countless suitors in the capital. And now she's going to marry the heir of the Prince of Lin.
Who doesn't know that the Crown Prince of Lin is already married?

Doesn't this mean that Prime Minister Zhao's daughter is going to marry that damned Prince Lin's son as a concubine?
Just as many people were furious, someone else discovered a blind spot... Wait, it seems she wasn't married off as a concubine, but rather as a wife?
Some people suddenly discovered that at the beginning of the year, the imperial court had issued an edict revising the 'Marriage Law' of the Great Ning Dynasty.

The new law no longer restricts the number of wives a man can marry; in other words, no matter how many wives a man marries, they are all legal wives.

This seemingly absurd legal amendment has now come in handy.

In this way, the fact that the Zhao family's daughter married the Prince of Nalin as his principal wife made many people feel much better.

At least on the surface, this gave the Zhao family and that Prime Minister Zhao enough face.

But soon, someone noticed something was wrong... Wait, who changed this new law?

Could it be the current female emperor?

Over the years, rumors have circulated in the capital that the crown prince born to the current empress is inextricably linked to the heir of the Prince of Lin.

Now, the Empress has taken the initiative to amend the law, making it perfectly legitimate for the Prince of Lin to marry the daughter of the Zhao family... What kind of behavior is this?
She arranged for her husband to marry.

Be strict with yourself?

Regardless of the truth, the matter became the talk of the town in Beijing, and the people were enjoying the conversation.

While discussing the love triangle between the current empress, the crown prince of Lin, and Miss Zhao, everyone also talked about how the betrothal gifts brought by the Lin family when they came to propose marriage stretched all the way from the gate of the Zhao residence to Dongmen Street.

It was a grand and magnificent procession.

It is said that a year ago, when the Prince of Lin held his grand wedding, the heir apparent of the Prince of Lin hosted an extremely extravagant ceremony. Many people have only heard about it but have not witnessed it firsthand.

But this time, the scene when the Lin family proposed marriage was enough to shock many people and show them the arrogance of the Prince Lin's mansion.

On the day of the wedding banquet, the procession stretched all the way to the south gate of the capital. There were so many onlookers that city guards had to be deployed to maintain order.

Subsequently, the grand wedding procession traveled south to pick up the Zhao family's daughter and return to the Prince Lin's residence.

……

Aren't you going with him?

The Imperial Palace, Yongle Palace.

Jinxiu stood under the eaves, looked at the aloof and elegant girl holding a sword beside her, and sighed softly.

"He wanted to take you with him."

The girl holding the sword snapped out of her daze and shook her head.

“This is the last chance. If you don’t go, you don’t know when you’ll see him again,” Jinxiu sighed.

The girl holding the sword remained silent, staring blankly at the flowers and plants in the courtyard.

Seeing this, Jinxiu didn't say anything more. She turned and left, passing through the palace corridor and arriving at the front hall.

In the front hall, another aloof figure stood.

"male……"

Jinxiu had just opened her mouth when she swallowed it back.

Although the princess is now the emperor, Jinxiu still habitually addresses her as the princess.

Li Piaomiao, who was in sight, was also gazing into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.

Princess, you must also be reluctant to part with His Highness, right?

If you're so reluctant to part with it, why did the princess pretend to be indifferent when Your Highness came earlier?
Jinxiu sighed softly.

Princess, I don't know when you started to become so conflicted.

This is a good thing, but... it doesn't seem so good?

……

In early spring, the ice and snow melt, and the temperature warms up.

On the way back to Linjiang City, the carriage was filled with a warm fragrance.

Lin Jiangnian lay half-reclined, resting with his eyes closed. Beside him and in his arms lay a beautiful young woman, her clothes disheveled, her snow-white skin partially exposed.

Under the lifted blanket, a pair of extremely white and slender legs were draped over him.

The young woman in his arms stretched and looked up at Lin Jiangnian, who was resting with his eyes closed. Her eyes crinkled as she asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Lin Jiangnian held the beauty in his arms, his palm sliding down as he sighed, "I'm thinking, marrying you would probably shorten my lifespan by several years."

Zhao Xi was taken aback, then quickly realized what she meant. Her face flushed red, and she said angrily, "So, you regret marrying me, right?"

"That's not true."

Lin Jiangnian hugged her, gently stroking her, and said with a playful smile, "This young master is willing to shorten his lifespan."

Zhao Xi rolled her eyes dramatically: "Even without me, you would still have your lifespan shortened... Don't think I don't know that you go to the palace every night and spend a lot of time with those two sisters, right?"

Lin Jiangnian asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

"Do you have any secrets that can be kept from me?!"

"Miss Zhao's intelligence capabilities are indeed impressive; I admire them."

"Stop talking so much!"

Zhao Xi sneered: "When you were messing around with those two sisters, why didn't you shorten your lifespan?"

"Tsk, the way you're talking, are you jealous?"

"Yes, I'm jealous. What's wrong?"

"Nothing much, you look so cute when you're jealous, give me a kiss."

"No kiss? Kiss my foot!"

"..."

Inside the carriage, the two played around for a while, but after a long time, they gradually returned to silence.

Zhao Xi rested her head on Lin Jiangnian's chest, tracing circles on his body, and asked lazily, "How much longer until we reach Linjiang City?"

"It'll be soon. We're almost at Xunyang County. After we pass Xunyang County, it will be about half a month before we arrive."

"So, is your partner difficult to get along with?"

Zhao Xi's tone was slightly worried.

"Is Miss Zhao scared?"

Lin Jiangnian looked down at her and said happily, "Don't worry, Zhiyuan is easy to get along with. I got her consent to marry you this time."

Zhao Xi was somewhat surprised: "Why would she agree?"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "Probably for the benefit of the Prince Lin's mansion."

"Marrying you is like binding your father to our Prince Lin's mansion. So, all things considered, I'm actually the one who comes out on top."

"That's right! Marrying me would be a huge win for you!"

Zhao Xi gave a smug hum, then remembered something: "Oh right, there's one more thing... how did you convince my father?"

"It's a long story..."

"Then speak slowly, I have time to listen!"

"..."

"Why are not you talking?"

"..."

"Tell me...did you threaten or intimidate my dad again?!"

"..."

"asshole!!"

"..."

Lin Jiangnian had traveled this road from the capital to Linjiang City countless times and knew it by heart.

The wedding procession made frequent stops along the way, sightseeing at various places. In the evening, they rested at an inn in a local town.

As newlyweds, their journey was naturally filled with passionate encounters, and Lin Jiangnian and Zhao Xi were already in perfect sync in this regard.

Along the way, Lin Jiangnian was so captivated by Miss Zhao's beautiful legs that he forgot all about home.

This was tough on Xiaoyue, as she had to watch the door while also secretly eavesdropping on the walls... After listening for several nights, she was exhausted.

After arriving in Xunyang County, Lin Jiangnian stayed for a few more days.

He first went to pay respects to the father of the kite, and then visited the prefect of Xunyang City.

Just as they were about to leave, they unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance in the city.

Hu Yao!

In a private residence on the western outskirts of the city, Lin Jiangnian met Hu Yao, who had disappeared for several years after leaving the capital.

Despite not seeing her for several years, she still looked as radiant as ever, not at all as down-and-out as one might have imagined. Her eyes and brows still retained some of the charm she once possessed when she was highly sought after in the capital.

Come to think of it, this woman is very smart, and with her beauty, she can get by anywhere.

Lin Jiangnian discovered Hu Yao's whereabouts in Xunyang City and originally intended to tell Xu Zhongshan the news. However, just as he had this thought, he discovered the presence of the Secret Observatory near Hu Yao.

He immediately understood.

It seems he underestimated Xu Zhongshan.

Therefore, Lin Jiangnian did not disturb them.

Everyone has their own destiny, and Lin Jiangnian did not interfere.

As for where Xu Zhongshan will ultimately go, Lin Jiangnian did not make the decision for him.

……

After four months of sightseeing, the wedding procession finally returned to Linjiang City.

Meanwhile, the city of Linjiang had been preparing to welcome them for a long time.

The Prince Lin's mansion was brightly decorated and bustling with activity.

More than a year later, the Crown Prince of Lin remarried, this time to the daughter of the current prime minister. This was undoubtedly another major event that would cause a sensation throughout the entire city of Linjiang.

The wedding was unprecedented in scale, with countless forces from all sides attending. Large and small factions from across the dynasty flocked to the wedding to offer their congratulations.

From royalty and nobility to heads of prominent families, everyone was eager to attend this wedding.

The Prince Lin's mansion was brightly lit, and everyone in the mansion was busy, with joy on their faces.

Before the wedding, Lin Jiangnian first took Zhao Xi to pay her respects to Lin Hengzhong. Afterwards, he took Zhao Xi to the Prince's Mansion courtyard, where she met the person Zhao Xi had always wanted to see.

The courtyard was equally filled with joy.

Sitting in the central hall was a woman in her early twenties, wearing a long, elegant dress with tassels, her hair slightly piled up, revealing a cool and aloof face.

Her eyes and brows had lost some of their coldness, replaced by a gentler look. Even more noticeable was her slightly protruding belly. A maidservant followed closely beside her.

"Paper kite".

Lin Jiangnian strode closer and stood before the woman. The girl he once knew was now almost a mother. Having not seen her for over half a year, Lin Jiangnian missed her terribly.

"Your Highness."

Zhiyuan spoke softly, her gaze falling on Lin Jiangnian. Her gentle gaze was cool yet tender, like that of a devoted wife waiting for her husband's return.

Until her gaze shifted from Lin Jiangnian to Zhao Xi behind him.

At that moment, Lin Jiangnian suddenly realized that the atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze for a second.

Just as he was thinking about how to start the conversation, Zhao Xi, who had followed behind him, suddenly stepped forward and came to the kite.

The two women slowly met each other's eyes. Zhao Xi calmly looked at the woman in front of her, Zhiyuan, whom she had heard of before but was meeting for the first time in a real sense.

Just as Lin Jiangnian was wondering if the two women would suddenly turn on each other and start arguing, and he was prepared to separate them at any time... Although Zhiyuan was pregnant, it was obviously easy for her to deal with Zhao Xi, who was powerless.

However, the imagined scene of the two women drawing swords and turning against each other did not occur.

instead……

A faint smile suddenly appeared on Zhao Xi's face. She lowered her head slightly, bowed, and said very respectfully, "Zhao Xi greets her elder sister."

The picture freezes.

Lin Jiangnian's expression froze as he looked at Zhao Xi in disbelief... No, is this still the same unruly Miss Zhao?
Is this the same Miss Zhao who came here aggressively, saying she wanted to compete with Zhiyuan for her position in the family and that she wanted Zhiyuan to call her "sister"?
Why is it that as soon as we meet, she's the one who calls me "sister" first?

Where is your backbone?
On the way here, we agreed to teach the kite a lesson.
Zhao Xi's reaction was truly unexpected by Lin Jiangnian.

When Zhao Xi lowered her eyes and called her "sister," Zhiyuan's reaction was also beyond Lin Jiangnian's expectations.

She suddenly stood up. Although she was eight or nine months pregnant and wearing loose-fitting clothes, she still couldn't hide her cold and elegant temperament.

She stepped forward to Zhao Xi, looked at the woman in front of her, gently took her hand, and said softly, "Don't be too reserved, we'll all be family from now on!"

Zhao Xi seemed taken aback, not expecting the kite to react this way.

Perhaps the gentleness and kindness went a little too far?

This was beyond her expectations.

She had anticipated that the Crown Princess would be extremely dissatisfied with her appearance, and would be harsh and difficult towards her, giving her a few hard times before she even entered the palace... Zhao Xi had even prepared herself, intending to use gentleness to overcome strength and have a good battle with the Crown Princess.

However, the Crown Princess's kind reaction left Zhao Xi momentarily bewildered, looking around with a blank expression.

She subconsciously looked up and met the eyes of the woman in front of her. What she saw was a woman with a cool and gentle demeanor, yet also a maternal glow.

She was completely different from the aloof maid she had met before.

At that moment, Zhao Xi seemed to understand something.

Her smile grew even brighter as she nodded.

"Then thank you very much, sister!"

"..."

The first meeting between Zhao Xi and Zhiyuan was not as tense as Lin Jiangnian had imagined. There were no arguments, quarrels, or even jealousy.

Zhiyuan accepted Zhao Xi very peacefully... although all of this was part of a plan that Zhiyuan had tacitly approved long ago.

The fact that the two women were getting along so well still made Lin Jiangnian feel a little unreal.

No, when did Paper Kite become so magnanimous?

Lin Jiangnian vaguely remembered how resistant this newly appointed Crown Princess was to her half-sister... She would rather die than give Lin Jiangnian a chance to relive her marriage!

So why are they being so tolerant of Zhao Xi's appearance now?
Completely unexpected!

Lin Jiangnian was baffled and couldn't understand how Zhiyuan could be so magnanimous, but as things stood, the outcome was good.

Zhiyuan's peaceful acceptance of Zhao Xi's existence meant that things would remain calm and peaceful at the Prince Lin's residence.

For Lin Jiangnian, this was naturally the best outcome!

The wedding took place as scheduled, and the Prince Lin's mansion was brightly lit on this day.

On this day, the entire city of Linjiang celebrated, with a grand wedding ceremony drawing countless people. Noble families, officials, and ministers from all over the Great Ning Dynasty gathered together.

Under the witness of Lin Hengzhong, Lin Jiangnian and Zhao Xi got married. The daughter of the Zhao family officially married into the Lin family and became the concubine of the Prince of Lin.

That night, a grand banquet was held at the Prince Lin's residence, lasting all night long, with everyone staying up all night.

Many people couldn't sleep that night.

"..."

"Shh, keep your voice down!"

Night falls in the inner courtyard of the Prince Lin's mansion.

Several furtive figures cautiously crept into the courtyard. The one in the lead was a woman dressed in a colorful long dress. She made a shushing gesture and tiptoed toward the room not far away.

"Sister Xu Lan..."

Behind them followed a young girl of about twenty years old, her still somewhat childish face full of worry: "We're going to spy on His Highness's wedding night...isn't that inappropriate?"

"Hey, Xiaozhu, what's wrong with this?"

A maid in green whispered, "Look at your prince. He's been gone for so long, and now that he's finally back, he's bringing a woman to get married. Xiaozhu, think about how long you've been neglected?"

"Also, what if your prince marries a new woman and then turns his back on you and your Paper Kite sister?"

Hearing Xiao Lü's enticing words, Xiao Zhu blinked. She wanted to refute, but didn't know how to start.

"So, we're going to go see what kind of femme fatale that he brought back tonight!"

Xu Lan, who was walking at the front, angrily clenched her fist, looking fierce.

Xiao Zhu asked worriedly, "Sister Xu Lan, are you going to cause trouble?"

"How can it be?!"

Xu Lan coughed lightly to cover her guilty conscience: "I just went over to take a look... Never mind, you guys hurry up and follow, be careful not to get caught!"

"..."

A few people crept furtively to the door. The room was lit, and they secretly approached the window, pricked up their ears, and pressed their ear against the door to eavesdrop on the sounds coming from inside.

Strangely, there was no sound from inside the room.

"That can't be right. Didn't they just go back to their room? Why is there no sound? Is it over?"

Xu Lan looked puzzled.

"That shouldn't be possible, that guy couldn't be that fast, could he?"

"...Could it be because that vixen is too tempting?!"

Thinking about this, Xu Lan became even more indignant.

Just as she was trying to poke a hole in the paper window to peek inside, the tightly closed door suddenly burst open, catching the people at the door off guard and causing them to tumble onto the floor.

"Ouch!"

Xu Lan, Xiao Lü, and Xiao Zhu, who was following behind, fell to the ground, and Xu Lan cried out in pain.

"Who?!"

Just as she was about to speak angrily, she heard a voice that sounded like a half-smile: "What are you doing?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Xu Lan looked up and saw Lin Jiangnian's figure in her line of sight.

He was wearing a bright red long robe, a groom's attire, and exuded an indescribable handsome charm.

Xu Lan blinked and subconsciously looked around. The rooms around her were decorated in bright red and festive colors, and the lamps on the tables were flickering.

Not far away, sitting by the bed, sat a stunningly beautiful woman, smiling at them.

Xu Lan's smile immediately froze, and her toes began to grip the ground: "I, I was just passing by, and I accidentally tripped and fell... I, I'll leave now!"

With that, Xu Lan got up and fled in panic.

Seeing their master run away, the remaining little green dog blinked and hurriedly got up and ran out of the room.

Xiao Zhu, who was a bit slow to react, was still a little confused.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Xiaozhu lowered her head in embarrassment and panic: "This servant...this servant will go first..."

As she spoke, Xiaozhu also fled in panic.

Lin Jiangnian did not stop them. After the three of them had left the room, he closed the door again and turned around.

The festive colors reflected throughout the room, and the gaze fell upon the woman beside the bed, dressed in a stunningly beautiful crimson phoenix robe.

"Are those three your women too?"

Zhao Xi looked at him with a half-smile.

"Not at all."

"Huh, there are still those who can escape the clutches of you, Prince Lin?"

"Look what you said."

Lin Jiangnian stepped forward: "Is that how you see me?"

Zhao Xi glanced sideways, smiling broadly: "Aren't you one?"

"If that's how you put it, then I'll have to prove myself tonight!"

Lin Jiangnian sat down next to her and casually put his arm around her shoulder: "Now, no one will bother us."

"...What are you planning to do now?"

"Since it's our wedding night, such an auspicious and beautiful day, what do you think...?"

Lin Jiangnian leaned close to her ear and whispered something in it.

Zhao Xi was taken aback, and her face instantly turned red with embarrassment.

"What kind of crazy trick have you come up with now? I'm not coming!"

"Rejection is invalid!"

"If I object, I won't come..."

"It's too late, the marriage is already done. You won't have a chance to run away now. Just surrender obediently!"

"..."

"You, you're a complete pervert!!"

"..."

……

In September of the fourth year of the Taiping era, the scorching heat gradually subsided.

The city of Linjiang welcomed a long-awaited drop in temperature.

Inside a teahouse in the city.

Lin Jiangnian was leisurely lying in a private room on the second floor, drinking tea, chatting, and admiring the bustling scene in Linjiang City.

Xu Lan, Xiao Lü, and Xiao Zhu were also with him.

After Lin Jiangnian married Zhao Xi, he finally stopped running around for the next few months.

Of course, the main reason is... the kite was born!
After ten months of pregnancy, Zhiyuan gave birth to a baby boy.

The birth of this baby boy also signifies that Zhiyuan's position in the Prince Lin's mansion will be unshakeable from now on.

As the Crown Prince's wife, she gave birth to the eldest son. The significance of this is self-evident.

Even the generals and officials under the Prince Lin's command, who had previously been critical of Zhiyuan's background, fell silent after she gave birth to the baby boy.

After months of busy care and companionship with Zhiyuan, Lin Jiangnian finally had some free time to go out for a stroll.

In just a few years, Linjiang City has undergone earth-shattering changes.

Xu Lan and Xiao Lü huddled together, chattering away. Besides them, a new member joined them… Xiao Yue!
As Zhao Xi's personal maid, Xiao Yue successfully infiltrated Xu Lan's group and became increasingly familiar with them.

Xu Lan was clearly someone who couldn't stay idle. Having finally managed to go out, she naturally didn't want to spend her time drinking tea and maintaining her health with Lin Jiangnian at the teahouse. After a short while, she dragged Xiao Lü and Xiao Zhu out shopping.

Inside the teahouse.

After everyone left, Lin Jiangnian picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and looked out the window.

Lin Qingqing's figure appeared silently behind Lin Jiangnian.

Still no news?

Lin Qingqing lowered her head slightly: "I'm still investigating, and I believe there will be results sooner or later."

"They've been investigating for years!"

Lin Jiangnian sighed: "If we could find it, we wouldn't still be without any news."

"Your Highness need not worry too much..."

Lin Qingqing opened her mouth, wanting to comfort His Highness, but she didn't know where to begin.

In the end, silence was all that could be left!

Yes, she's been investigating for years!
Even the intelligence agencies of the Prince's Mansion couldn't find any clues, so where could the person have gone?

This world is vast, it can't be...

A bad thought popped into Lin Qingqing's mind, but she quickly shook her head.

Will not.

impossible!
"stop!"

Just then, a deep and authoritative shout came from the street outside the teahouse.

The once peaceful street was suddenly filled with noise and chaos. A shifty-eyed man quickly weaved through the crowd, fleeing in panic.

"Get away, get away!"

Seeing the crowd gathered on the street, he turned fierce and pulled out a gleaming dagger from his pocket.

The crowd that had been watching the commotion quickly retreated upon seeing the dagger, fearing they might get hurt.

Seeing the fear in the crowd, the man felt satisfied and quickly tried to escape.

Just as he crossed the street and passed the teahouse entrance, a figure leaped over his head, landed on his shoulder, and pushed off forcefully.

The man was kicked to the ground and scrambled to his feet in a disheveled state.

A woman dressed in a black dress with a horse-face design appeared in his line of sight. She looked dashing and coldly stared at him: "Trying to run away?!"

"You bitch, you're looking for death!"

Seeing that escape was impossible, the man's face darkened, and he looked fierce. He gripped the dagger tightly and charged towards the woman.

The woman in the horse-face skirt sneered. Facing the man's approaching dagger, she advanced instead of retreating, dodging his attack and kicking him in the chest.

The man suffered a severe chest injury and collapsed to the ground with a thud, screaming in agony.

"Suffer to death!"

The woman in the horse-face skirt quickly approached.

"Woman, spare your life!"

Knowing he was no match for the man, he begged for mercy.

"Hmph, I've been staking out you for half a month, and I've finally caught you. You have three lives on your hands, and you still want to beg for mercy?"

"Go and beg the government for mercy!"

The woman in the horse-face skirt raised her leg and kicked the man unconscious.

Just then, two panting constables came running from the street behind.

"Boss, wait for us!"

"Boss, we've caught him?!"

"That's the kid! He can really run! We finally caught him!"

The woman in the horse-face skirt glanced at the two of them and said, "Enough with the nonsense. Take them back and lock them up!"

"Yes!"

Two constables quickly tied up the man on the ground, grabbed him, and dragged him away.

At that moment, applause broke out from the surrounding crowd.

"Well done, Officer Shen!"

"Captain Shen truly lives up to her reputation as the number one constable in Linjiang City. She's beautiful and incredibly skilled in martial arts!"

"Could I get an autograph from the Chief Constable?"

The woman in the horse-face skirt, who had previously maintained a cool and aloof demeanor, suddenly became somewhat at a loss upon hearing the surrounding whispers.

She excels at catching thieves, but she can't handle this flattery. She quickly turns around and prepares to leave.

But at that moment, as if sensing something, she subconsciously looked up and met the eyes of a pair of people at the window on the second floor of the teahouse next door.

The next second, she froze on the spot.

The moment their eyes met, she froze, rooted to the spot.

On the second floor, Lin Jiangnian gave her a bright smile.

"Miss Shen, it's been a long time!"

"..."

"This female knight-errant Shen returned to Linjiang City three years ago. Relying on her remarkable martial arts skills, she successfully joined the government and became a junior constable..."

Behind him, Lin Qingqing was whispering something to Lin Jiangnian: "This female knight-errant Shen is chivalrous and righteous, loves to help the weak and oppressed, likes to meddle in other people's business, and often takes care of the poor. Therefore, she has a good reputation in Linjiang City and is loved by many people."

"With her impressive martial arts skills, she was quickly promoted to head constable in the government office..."

Lin Qingqing recounted to Lin Jiangnian the experiences of this female knight-errant Shen over the past few years. Lin Jiangnian looked out the window, watching the female knight-errant Shen gradually disappear into the distance, filled with emotion.

I first met this heroine Shen five or six years ago. At that time, heroine Shen was new to the martial arts world, hated evil as if it were her enemy, and was eager to kill this dog prince.

During the assassination attempt in Jiangnan, Elder Shen saved Lin Jiangnian's life. Before leaving, he entrusted Lin Jiangnian with the care of Shen Lingjun.

Several years passed in the blink of an eye, and this female knight-errant finally returned to where she started, becoming a constable in Linjiang City, realizing her dream of chivalry and passion.

Lin Jiangnian suddenly chuckled: "With a personality like hers, it's probably not that simple for her to become a head constable, is it?"

Lin Qingqing nodded slightly: "Given her personality, it would naturally be difficult for her to stay in the government office. But Sister Zhiyuan once instructed me to..."

She didn't continue, but Lin Jiangnian naturally understood.

Lin Jiangnian has been very busy these past few years and hasn't had the energy to deal with these things. However, Lin Jiangnian had told Zhiyuan about this before, and Zhiyuan obviously hadn't forgotten it.

With the Prince of Lin's mansion involved, protecting Shen Lingjun, a mere constable, would be a piece of cake.

"Consider it repayment for her master's life-saving grace!"

Lin Jiang smiled and said, "Let this righteous and righteous detective contribute to the security and peace of our Linjiang City."

"Later, I'll have someone send her a few more plaques."

Lin Qingqing stood behind, without responding.

She was used to her prince saying strange things from time to time. Even now that he was a father of two, he was still just as unreliable.

"Let's go, it's time to go back!"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at the sky, slowly stood up, and was about to leave when suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure flashing across the street between the buildings.

Lin Jiangnian paused, then suddenly looked up at the teahouse across the street!

That figure looks familiar?

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Lin Qingqing noticed His Highness's gaze and immediately looked across at the other side.

Across from the teahouse is... Qingfeng Tower?!
Brothel!

The largest brothel in Linjiang City.

"Your Highness, you..."

Lin Qingqing was about to speak up and remind His Highness that he could no longer go to such places casually.

But before she could speak, she saw her prince step onto the second-floor railing of the balcony, leap down, and land at the entrance of Qingfeng Tower across the street, striding into the tower's gate.

No... Your Highness, why are you in such a hurry?

Lin Qingqing stood there stunned for a moment, and when she came to her senses, she quickly followed.

Lin Jiangnian's appearance at Qingfeng Tower quickly caused a sensation.

In Linjiang City today, few people don't recognize Lin Jiangnian. In particular, Qingfeng Tower has a significant history with Lin Jiangnian.

Chen Yingying, the courtesan who assassinated Lin Jiangnian and then committed suicide in the dungeon of the Prince's Mansion, was the most beautiful courtesan in Qingfeng Tower back then.

Afterwards, Qingfenglou was shut down and went bankrupt, its entire operation thoroughly investigated.

It wasn't until several years later that it reopened. But after so much turmoil, Qingfeng Tower was no longer the brothel it once was.

"His Royal Highness?!"

The madam of Qingfeng Tower greeted them excitedly and obsequiously.

"What wind blew Your Highness here?!"

Lin Jiangnian ignored the madam's flattery and turned to Lin Qingqing, who had followed him, and ordered, "Seal off the scene and don't allow anyone to enter or leave."

After saying that, he quickly went upstairs.

Lin Qingqing had followed His Highness for so many years and was well aware of his behavior. At this moment, she realized that His Highness was probably not here to visit a brothel for pleasure.

She suddenly waved her hand, and soon several guards quickly gathered on the street outside the brothel.

"Send the order to surround Qingfeng Tower. Without His Highness's command, no one is to be allowed to enter or leave. Take control of everyone inside!"

"Yes!"

"..."

Qingfeng Tower, second floor.

Lin Jiangnian quickly arrived at the room where the familiar figure he had just seen had appeared.

Push open the door and walk in.

The room was empty, with no one in sight.

The surroundings were quiet, and the air was filled with the scent of rouge from a brothel.

Everything was as usual; the surrounding decorations were no different from those of an ordinary brothel.

Night was falling outside the window, and the room was dimly lit with no lights on. Looking around, it was an ordinary room, nothing out of the ordinary.

Is it here?

Lin Jiangnian muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping around before settling on the dressing mirror not far away.

As Lin Jiangnian approached, he saw a small dagger placed next to the bronze mirror.

It's rather strange that a dagger would appear in front of a woman's dressing table in a brothel.

More importantly... this dagger looked somewhat familiar to Lin Jiangnian.

I feel like I've seen this somewhere before?

Lin Jiangnian frowned, stepped forward, picked up the dagger, and examined it closely.

The dagger was exquisitely crafted and small, with intricate carvings on its scabbard. It was clearly no ordinary dagger. Anyone who could afford such a weapon must be extremely wealthy and powerful.

It's even less likely to happen in a brothel.

More importantly, the more Lin Jiangnian looked at the dagger, the more familiar it seemed.

The more I look at it, the more familiar I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.

However, perhaps because it was too long ago, or perhaps because he had seen it by chance, Lin Jiangnian's memory was very vague.

He stared intently at the dagger in his hand, trying to identify it.

Just then, a breeze picked up in the room!
A sudden gust of cold wind surged up from behind Lin Jiangnian and howled towards him.

Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to darken.

The room was plunged into a dim darkness.

The cold wind rattled the doors and windows, as if guiding something, and a chill ran straight to the top of one's head!

Lin Jiangnian suddenly turned around, looked in a direction in the darkness, and his gaze sharpened.

"call out!"

In the darkness, sharp hidden weapons are approaching!

Lin Jiangnian stood still, casually waving his hand. A gust of wind blew from his robe, easily deflecting the incoming hidden weapon.

Having entered the realm of Grandmaster, Lin Jiangnian now stands at the pinnacle of martial arts, and ordinary tricks of sneak attacks and assassinations no longer have any effect on him.

The wind seemed to pick up even faster the moment the projectile was blocked!

In the darkness, a figure attacked and approached.

Murderous aura is coming!

Lin Jiangnian remained standing in place. Just as the other party approached, he raised his sleeve and struck out with a palm.

It was an incredibly simple and unadorned palm strike, yet its speed was astonishing and its power terrifying.

With a single palm strike, a palm wind imbued with pure Yang energy roared toward the dark figure.

"boom!"

With a slight cry of pain, the dark figure in the room was blasted back by the terrifying palm strike.

It slammed against the table with a 'bang'.

"Crash!"

The table was torn apart.

The terrifying aura of a grandmaster echoed throughout the room.

In the darkness, Lin Jiangnian stared at the dark figure in his line of sight.

"who are you?"

At that moment, he felt that the dark figure in front of him was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember it for a while.

The dark figure, seemingly slightly injured after being struck, rubbed its shoulder and took a deep breath.

In the darkness, the shadowy figure slowly raised its eyes, revealing a pair of clear and bright eyes beneath the black veil covering its face.

"It's been many years, and Your Highness's martial arts have long surpassed that of this humble woman..."

"I said back then that His Highness's future achievements and prospects were limitless, and indeed they have been..."

The woman's voice was soft, with a hint of teasing.

Lin Jiangnian was startled and looked up to meet a pair of familiar eyes in the darkness.

At that moment, he remembered everything.

He knew who the owner of the dagger was!

Lin Jiangnian stared at the dark figure in the darkness, a look of joy on his face: "You're not dead? You're still alive?!"

"Where have you been all these years?"

"I've been looking for you for so long, why haven't I heard from you at all?!"

"You're still alive, why don't you come looking for me?!"

The room was completely dark.

But in the darkness, their figures were remarkably clear.

The woman in black seemed momentarily stunned when she heard Lin Jiangnian's emotional words and the undisguised joy in his eyes.

Then, his eyes became even brighter.

She slowly lifted the veil from her face, revealing a stunningly beautiful face that Lin Jiangnian knew all too well, yet hadn't seen for several years.

"Chaoge?!"

Lin Jiangnian's throat was a little hoarse.

Who else could this woman with such exquisite temperament and stunning beauty be but Xu Chaoge?
She's not dead?!
Four years have passed, and she has become more mature and more charming!
Four years later, when we met again, I never expected it would be in such a scene.

"Your Highness has probably mistaken me for someone else."

In his line of sight, the woman in black looked at Lin Jiangnian and smiled gently: "Xu Chaoge no longer exists in this world."

"She died four years ago!"

At this moment, Lin Jiangnian's emotions were surging, and he naturally understood the meaning behind Xu Chaoge's words.

The Xu Chaoge of the past is dead!

Now she...

But where has she been all these years?

At this moment, Lin Jiangnian had countless things to say and countless questions to ask her.

"How did you get here?!"

In the darkness, Xu Chaoge approached gracefully.

Four years have passed, but her beauty remains as pure as ever. Her unique temperament, and the mature charm she has gained over the years, seem to have brewed an even more mellow and delicious wine.

Beneath his dashing and heroic facial features lies a touch of weathered charm.

"This is my territory."

Xu Chaoge put her hands behind her back and looked at him with a smile: "Why can't I be here?"

"Your territory?"

Lin Jiangnian met Xu Chaoge's eyes and suddenly realized something.

"Qingfeng Tower, is this your territory?!"

“Yes!” Xu Chaoge nodded. “Isn’t that surprising?”

Lin Jiangnian stared at her, then seemed to remember something: "So, you were the one who instigated Chen Yingying back then?"

"You can say that."

Xu Chaoge nodded: "To be precise, Qingfeng Tower was just a pawn in my many territories, it just happened to come in handy back then... Was it unexpected?"

Lin Jiangnian nodded calmly, then shook his head.

It was unexpected, yet also within reason.

He had long known that the Xu Prince's Mansion had secretly tried to assassinate him many times; this was no secret.

“Yes, of course you’re not surprised, after all, I told you before…” Xu Chaoge looked up at him, a bright smile on her face: “I’ve sent people to assassinate you many times, I’ve always wanted to kill you…Am I very bad?”

"That's terrible!"

Lin Jiangnian nodded in agreement.

"Aren't you afraid?"

"Why be afraid?"

"Don't you want to know why I'm here?" Xu Chaoge took another step closer to Lin Jiangnian.

After not seeing her for several years, Lin Jiangnian felt a sense of familiarity emanating from her. He looked down at her delicate face and asked, "Have you come to assassinate me?"

"bingo!"

Xu Chaoge smiled even more brightly: "I'm here to kill you."

"Why?"

"You killed my father, caused the deaths of so many people in my Xu Prince's Mansion, and destroyed the century-old foundation of my Xu family... Tell me, should I hate you?"

Xu Chaoge looked at Lin Jiangnian: "Should I kill you?"

"It shouldn't be!"

Lin Jiangnian shook his head: "I didn't kill your father. He brought it on himself. The Xu family being wiped out is the price they paid for their choice."

"This is their choice, they have no one to blame but themselves!"

Xu Chaoge still smiled: "But their deaths are ultimately related to you... Without you, perhaps my father and the others would still be alive?"

The gentle tone, seemingly light, carried a hint of sadness.

Lin Jiangnian stared into her eyes: "So, this is why you've been hiding for four years and refused to see me?"

"Yes!"

Xu Chaoge nodded and sighed, "I'm afraid that if I see you, I won't be able to resist wanting to kill you... You know, I'm a very stubborn person, and I really might kill you."

"what about now?"

Lin Jiangnian took a step closer to her: "You've suddenly come to see me now, do you still want to kill me? Or is it..."

"You want to see me?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Chaoge fell silent for a moment.

She looked at Lin Jiangnian again: "What do you think?"

"None of this matters!"

Lin Jiangnian shook his head: "For me, being able to see you, to see that you are still alive, is the most important thing."

Xu Chaoge fell silent again.

After a long pause, she sighed softly, "It's been years since we last met, and you've become more and more glib. No wonder you were able to trick even Prime Minister Zhao's daughter into marrying you."

“This is what I really think.”

Lin Jiangnian looked intently at Xu Chaoge in front of him.

He searched for her for four years!

They searched until he even thought she was dead!

The battle at Xuzhou back then killed far too many people.

After searching until the very end, Lin Jiangnian had to believe... perhaps, she really did die that night.

Did he die on the city wall of Xuzhou, or in the fire at the Xuwang Mansion?

Even today, seeing Xu Chaoge 'back from the dead' again, nothing can better describe Lin Jiangnian's feelings at this moment.

"Seeing you again is the most important thing to me. Whether you came to kill me or what... seeing you alive is the best outcome."

"As for everything else, none of it matters!"

After all these years and so many things, Lin Jiangnian now only wants to protect the people he cares about and who are important to him.

Xu Chaoge stood there, stunned, her smile gradually fading. She just stared at him, as if trying to figure something out.

That dazed expression, and his eyes gradually reddening.

"And you said you couldn't use sweet talk?"

Xu Chaoge turned her head away and took a breath: "I'm almost moved to tears by you!"

At this point, she stared at him again: "Then, aren't you afraid that I really came here to kill you?"

"Not afraid!"

"Why?"

"you will not."

Lin Jiangnian looked into her eyes and said, word by word, "You! Won't!"

"I can't see a single trace of killing intent in your eyes!"

silence!

In the pitch-black room, the two stared at each other, a night breeze blowing in from the window. From the nearby street came the sounds of bustling activity.

Inside the room, Xu Chaoge smiled!
Smile brightly.

Two lines of clear tears slowly flowed down her cheeks, her reddened eyes unable to conceal her sorrow.

“Four years ago, I should have died that night, but Xu Xuan forcibly saved me…” He said he wanted revenge, he wanted to fulfill his father’s last wish, and protect the Xu family bloodline…

"But I know very well that it's all over, and he won't have another chance..."

"For the past four years, I've wanted to come find you, but I haven't dared. I'm really afraid that if I see you, I'll want to kill you..."

"So, I've been hiding from you, trying to keep you from finding me. I thought I would hold a grudge against you forever, and hide from you forever... until you got married again!"

"I'm jealous!"

Xu Chaoge looked at Lin Jiangnian, wiped away her tears with a smile, and smiled brightly: "It's strange, I'm actually jealous... But what right do I have to be jealous?"

"But I really can't help it!"

"So, after thinking about it for a long time, I finally decided to come see you. I want to know if I really hate you, if I really want to kill you..."

"It wasn't until I saw you just now that I suddenly realized... that it had all been my own escape, that I couldn't get out of the cage I had drawn for myself."

"I've never actually hated you..."

Xu Chaoge murmured, tears already streaming down her face.

Lin Jiangnian's heart trembled. He looked at Xu Chaoge, who was in tears, stepped forward, and hugged her in his arms!
Xu Chaoge's delicate body trembled slightly, and then she slowly reached out and hugged Lin Jiangnian's waist tightly.

Four years apart, it felt like the longing of those four years was finally released at this moment.

"Fortunately, we didn't become enemies, and..."

"We are really destined to be together..."

After a long while, Xu Chaoge's soft murmur rang in Lin Jiangnian's ears.

Do you still remember the promise we made four years ago?

A promise made four years ago?

In a daze, Lin Jiangnian seemed to remember something.

Xu Chaoge struggled out of his arms and took a step back.

In the darkness, she stood in front of Lin Jiangnian, gazing at him.

An emotion seemed to rise on his face.

A unique shade of crimson appeared.

The next second, in Lin Jiangnian's sight, Xu Chaoge slowly reached out and placed her hand on her waist. With her movement, the black clothes she was wearing quietly fell off.

In the darkness, a snow-white, delicate body came into Lin Jiangnian's view.

The black clothes fell off, followed by the close-fitting bodice, underpants, and finally... completely naked!
Snow-white, graceful, like the Creator, dazzlingly white, breathtakingly beautiful.

And so it came into Lin Jiangnian's view.

Lin Jiangnian's breath hitched slightly at that moment. He seemed to realize something and suddenly looked up.

In the darkness, after stripping herself completely naked, Xu Chaoge suddenly turned around and slowly bent down.

Then, from Lin Jiangnian's perspective, he could see Xu Chaoge's hazy figure slowly descending, a perfectly curved pose, from her snow-white shoulders to her shapely back, her slender waist...

And then, she suddenly turned around, revealing a stunningly beautiful face with a noble air, yet disheveled hair and a flushed complexion.

She was gently swaying her body, lightly biting her lower lip, her voice soft yet captivating.

"The promise I made to you four years ago, you little bitch!"

"Here to keep the promise~"

"..."

……

In the winter of the fourth year of the Taiping era, Old Master Jiang of Chujiang City in Jiangnan was about to celebrate his seventieth birthday!
Lin Jiangnian, the grandson of the heir apparent, along with his wife and several concubines, traveled to Chujiang City to celebrate the birthday of Old Master Jiang.

The group traveled along the way, enjoying the scenery and stopping frequently by waterway, and arrived at Chujiang City two months later.

As the former head of the Jiang family, the most prominent family in Jiangnan, Old Master Jiang enjoyed immense prestige and connections both in Jiangnan and throughout the country.

Therefore, this birthday celebration naturally attracted countless people to come and offer their congratulations.

The birthday banquet was extremely lively, with heads of various prominent families and even many officials and ministers from the capital traveling long distances to celebrate Old Master Jiang's birthday.

Mr. Jiang, now seventy years old, is in increasingly poor health. Despite this, he still insisted on attending the birthday banquet.

The guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely at the banquet.

And then, at this banquet, there was someone else that no one would have expected to arrive!
It was the beginning of the fifth year of the Taiping era. The country was at peace, and after several years of recuperation, people's livelihoods had recovered, and the imperial court in the capital had restored its former order.

Thus, after tirelessly governing and consolidating power to completely control the court, the empress finally found some free time to embark on a southern tour to inspect and review the situation in all the prefectures and counties of the Great Ning Dynasty.

During his southern tour, passing through Jiangnan, upon learning of Old Master Jiang's birthday, he specially changed his route and arrived in Chujiang City.

Whether it was for Grandpa Jiang's birthday banquet or for some other reason, no one knows.

In any case, the appearance of Empress Da Ning brought the birthday banquet to a true climax!

No one expected that the Empress would suddenly appear here!
Even Lin Jiangnian didn't expect this.

He knew about Li Piaomiao's inspection tour, but in recent years, Li Piaomiao, as the emperor, had devoted himself to government affairs and had become a workaholic.

Lin Jiangnian had sent someone to invite her to the birthday banquet, but Li Piaomiao did not respond.

Lin Jiangnian hadn't held out much hope, but Li Piaomiao's sudden appearance gave him a big surprise!

After the birthday banquet ended, Lin Jiangnian went to find her immediately.

If you calculate the time, it's been more than a year since the two last saw each other.

Seeing each other again now, Li Piaomiao naturally felt somewhat uncomfortable. Before long, under Lin Jiangnian's shameless advances, their passion ignited like dry tinder.

After a series of sweet and intimate exchanges, Lin Jiangnian gradually and meticulously stripped the revered, aloof, and proud Empress of the Great Ning Dynasty bare.

I taught her a lesson she deserved!
……

The Jiang residence was quiet and still late at night.

In the backyard.

"Your Highness hasn't changed at all!"

Jinxiu sat under the eaves, glanced at the lights burning in the room not far away, her face slightly flushed, and spat out in annoyance.

Beside her, An Ning, dressed in white, held her sword, head bowed, lost in thought.

But a faint, almost imperceptible blush appeared on that fair, delicate, and maturing face.

Li Piaomiao brought the two women with her on this southern tour. Naturally, the two women were overjoyed to be reunited with Lin Jiangnian.

However, His Highness is currently busy rekindling his old romance with the princess and has no time to pay attention to the two of them.

The two women had no complaints, after all, she was their princess.

However, given Jinxiu's personality, she still had to say a few words.

It's because the separations are always so long that she misses them terribly and feels terrible.

It's all Your Highness's fault!
Just as Jinxiu was muttering to herself, footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Then, several familiar figures rushed in excitedly.

The leader was a woman of striking and heroic bearing. When she burst in and saw the brocade and tranquility beneath the pavilion, she was suddenly taken aback.

"Fox spirit?!"

"You're here too?!"

Upon hearing this unfamiliar yet familiar address, Jinxiu subconsciously turned around and saw this familiar figure.

...In this world, who else but that Miss Xu would call her a vixen?

Xu Lan!

"Oh, isn't this Miss Xu?"

Jinxiu raised an eyebrow.

"It's true that enemies are on the same road!"

Xu Lan and Jinxiu are old rivals.

Ever since Xu Lan drugged Lin Jiangnian, which benefited Jinxiu, Xu Lan has held a grudge and caused trouble for Jinxiu every few days, thus creating a grudge between the two.

It has been five years since the two last met in Jiangnan!
Five years had passed, and both of them had changed a lot.

But one thing hasn't changed... the two still can't stand each other.

Upon seeing Jinxiu, Xu Lan couldn't help but start making sarcastic remarks. Jinxiu, of course, was not to be outdone, her words dripping with sarcasm. The two women clashed, and tensions quickly rose between them.

"It's been so long, you vixen, you haven't changed at all! You came all the way from the capital to seduce other women's men!"

"Tsk, I wonder who's still without a title or status?"

Xu Lan's defenses crumbled instantly.

She definitely did not marry Lin Jiangnian!
The main reason was that Xu Lan was shy. After Lin Jiangnian married Zhiyuan and Zhao Xi, he did indeed plan to marry her as well.

But Miss Xu, being a woman of high status, felt ashamed for no reason and refused to marry him.

After all, that guy has already married two women. If I marry him again, wouldn't I become a concubine?

Therefore, Xu Lan absolutely refused!
However, the Lin and Xu families lived next door to each other, so even though Xu Lan hadn't married into the Lin family, she still went to the Prince Lin's residence every day. Later on, she simply moved in and refused to leave.

Although she had no official title, everyone in the Prince Lin's residence had long regarded her as the prince's concubine.

But now that Jinxiu had said that, Xu Lan felt she had lost face and immediately became furious: "You don't have a title either? A maidservant, how dare you sleep with the same man as your master, don't you know any shame!"

Jinxiu's expression changed; Xu Lan had really hit a nerve.

"What did you say?!"

"I'm talking to you, what's wrong? Want to fight?"

"Fight? You think I'm afraid of you?"

"Then come on, you vixen, see if I don't tear your breasts apart!"

"Heh, you're just jealous that I have a better figure and bigger breasts than you!"

"What's the use of being big? Don't be so smug!"

Jinxiu smiled slightly at Xu Lan: "I'm sorry, being big is indeed not very useful."

"But His Highness likes my eldest son!"

As she spoke, Jinxiu deliberately puffed out her chest, highlighting her proud figure and towering curves.

Xu Lan was instantly furious.

"Aaaaaah!! You vixen, you dare to flaunt your charms? I'll pinch you to pieces!!"

"..."

Li Piaomiao did not stay in Chujiang City for long. After the birthday banquet of Old Master Jiang, she quickly set off to continue her southern tour as originally planned.

However, before leaving, she did mention to Lin Jiangnian that the last stop of this southern tour would be Linjiang City.

At that time, she will visit Lin Hengzhong at the Prince Lin's residence, and also plans to pay respects to the late Princess Lin.

The meaning is self-evident.

Lin Jiangnian was naturally pleasantly surprised and made a promise with Li Piaomiao to meet again in Linjiang City.

After Li Piaomiao left with Jinxiu and Anning, Lin Jiangnian and his group did not rush back.

Chu Jiangcheng was already familiar to everyone, and the Jiang family had practically become their second home.

Grandpa Jiang is quite old, and we don't know when we'll see him again. Plus, the scenery in Jiangnan is beautiful, so everyone naturally wanted to stay a little longer and spend more time with him.

As night fell, the Jiang residence was deserted.

Xu Lan, having run off somewhere with Xiao Lü, Xiao Zhu, and Xiao Yue, was nowhere to be seen. Zhao Xi, visiting Jiangnan for the first time, had long yearned for its scenery. Upon arriving in Jiangnan, she became completely captivated by its culture and landscapes.

Therefore, the huge Jiang residence was extremely deserted.

Lin Jiangnian, on the other hand, had some free time and nothing to do all day. He would chat with Grandpa Jiang and listen to him boast about his past glories.

As people get older, they tend to reminisce about the past.

Grandpa Jiang was particularly outstanding.

After listening to Grandpa Jiang reminisce about his youth for an hour, Lin Jiangnian returned to his small courtyard as night fell.

There were no servants in the courtyard, so Lin Jiangnian didn't go back to his room but instead went to Zhiyuan's room.

Compared to the others, Zhiyuan was much quieter. She rarely went out and didn't like interacting with people. Most of her time was spent either practicing martial arts or reading in her room.

The lights flickered.

Inside the room, as expected, Zhiyuan was sitting on the windowsill reading a book.

When Lin Jiangnian entered the room, she closed her book, looked up at him, and her eyes, though still cool and aloof, gave off a very reassuring feeling.

Lin Jiangnian sat down beside Zhiyuan, gently pulled her into his arms, and sighed, "The old man seems to be a little confused; he's been talking a lot lately."

Zhiyuan lowered her eyes slightly and said softly, "The old man's health is not very good."

"Yes!"

Lin Jiangnian said with some helplessness, "It's already quite an achievement that he's lived this long. I don't know how much longer he can live... Five years ago, he still managed to injure his bones and muscles."

"There's nothing good to do inside Ruyi Tower; we can only leave it to the old man's fate!"

Grandpa Jiang was over seventy years old after all, and having not practiced martial arts, his body was already at its limit.

Now, everything is up to fate!

Zhiyuan didn't speak again, gently resting her head on Lin Jiangnian's shoulder, carefully sensing the atmosphere at the moment.

Lin Jiangnian glanced sideways; the aloof little maid he had first met had now matured considerably.

Time has left no trace on her face; she remains youthful and beautiful, but with a more vibrant energy than before.

Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but sigh. That fierce and cold little maid from back then had now transformed into the Crown Princess of Lin, and his wife.

Sometimes when I think about it, it all seems like a dream.

Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but lower his head and move closer.

As if sensing something, a faint blush appeared on the kite's face.

"what you do?"

"I want to kiss you!" Lin Jiangnian said matter-of-factly.

Zhiyuan blushed.

"shameless!"

"Hey, we already have a child, what's the point of being shameless?"

Lin Jiangnian was quite bold; seeing Zhiyuan's shy appearance, his heart stirred.

Although the two were already married and had children, Lin Jiangnian gradually taught Zhiyuan a lot of knowledge, even in bed together.

But once they're off the bed, Zhiyuan reverts to her aloof and serious demeanor. She still gets shy in the face of Lin Jiangnian's flirtatious advances.

But Lin Jiangnian didn't care about all that. The more interesting the kite was, the more he found it amusing, and he couldn't help but want to continue teasing it.

"No, no... um..."

Just as the two people in the room were enjoying a warm and intimate moment.

Suddenly, a noise came from outside the room, startling the two of them.

Zhiyuan hurriedly pushed Lin Jiangnian away, stood up, and quickly straightened her clothes. Then, she suddenly looked towards the door.

"Who?"

Lin Jiangnian also looked towards the door, annoyed. Who had interrupted his good time this time?

The flickering lights outside the window cast a vivid red shadow that silently appeared inside the room.

The red dress, as vivid as blood, became even more striking under the cover of darkness. The owner of this red dress was exceptionally stunning in such an atmosphere.

"Tsk, you've ruined your plans, haven't you?"

In the darkness, the woman in red crossed her arms, a half-smile on her face, looking like she was watching a good show.

"Su'er?"

Lin Jiangnian's eyes lit up, and his face lit up with surprise: "You've come?"

"Stop trying to get close. Are we that familiar?"

Liu Su, dressed in bright red, glanced at him.

"It's been a long time! Where have you been all this time?"

Lin Jiangnian's face was full of smiles.

"What are you grinning about?!"

Liu Su rolled her eyes.

"It's nice to see you."

Liu Su glanced at the paper kite beside her, a half-smile on her face: "Your lawfully wedded wife is still watching. Is it really appropriate for you to flirt with this holy maiden in front of her?"

"So what? You two even slept together before..."

Lin Jiangnian subconsciously opened his mouth, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Liu Su, whose face turned bright red.

"shut up!"

Saintess Liu was instantly overwhelmed.

This matter has always been a disgrace to Liu Su, a past she can't bear to recall. How dare this guy bring it up again?!
Liu Su threatened fiercely, "If you dare mention this again, I, the Holy Maiden, will castrate you!"

Lin Jiangnian wasn't afraid at all, and spread his hands: "Su'er, can you beat me now?"

Liu Su's expression froze. She had almost forgotten that this guy was now a grandmaster, a far cry from what he used to be.

If they were to actually fight, she would be no match for this guy.

No wonder this guy has become increasingly unrestrained and excessive in front of her!
"Ah!"

Liu Su sneered, but then quickly realized something and her eyes darted around.

She first glanced at the kite beside her with a meaningful look in her eyes. The kite noticed her gaze and frowned.

This woman is definitely up to no good!

"I have some very important news here. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

"what news?"

"Well, this is naturally about your... aunt who has been missing for several years." Liu Su said meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiangnian, who had been looking nonchalant, suddenly jolted and quickly sat up.

"Su'er, do you know anything about your aunt?!"

Lin Jiangnian asked excitedly, "Where is she?!"

Seeing Lin Jiangnian's expected reaction, Liu Su secretly curled her lip, but her smile widened: "Tsk, you react so strongly when your aunt is mentioned? What, do you miss her that much?"

"Su'er, do you know where your aunt is?!"

At this moment, Lin Jiangnian no longer cared about arguing with Liu Su.

He was incredibly excited and eager to hear the news about his aunt.

My aunt has been gone for almost five years!
Five years ago, Lin Jiangnian, who was in the capital, received news that his aunt, who was in Jiangnan, had left a letter and then left the Jiang family.

At the time, Lin Jiangnian thought his aunt was just going out for a walk and didn't pay much attention. In addition, he was busy with the war in the north and therefore overlooked the matter.

After the war in the north was quelled and peace was restored throughout the land, Lin Jiangnian suddenly realized that his aunt had been missing for a long time.

After that, Lin Jiangnian sent people all over the world to search for his aunt's whereabouts.

This search lasted for five years!

Over the past five years, Lin Jiangnian has searched almost the entire territory of the Great Ning Dynasty.

But my aunt seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

Whether it was the Prince Lin's Mansion, the Jiang family, or even the people sent by Li Piaomiao from the imperial court to search together, they still couldn't find even the slightest trace of their aunt.

This made Lin Jiangnian go from worry to anxiety and finally to despair... In this vast world, where did his aunt go?

Why did she leave in the first place?

Yes, because of him?

Over the past few years, Lin Jiangnian has been searching for his aunt's whereabouts while feeling guilty and remorseful.

If it weren't for him, perhaps my aunt wouldn't have left, and wouldn't have 'vanished into thin air' like this!
Even so, Lin Jiangnian did not give up. He continued to send people to search for his aunt's whereabouts, leaving no clue unchecked.

Now that he has heard news about his aunt from Liu Su, Lin Jiangnian is naturally extremely excited.

"I don't know her whereabouts."

Liu Su's lips curled up slightly: "However, some people know."

"Who?!"

Lin Jiangnian said anxiously, "Su'er, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me quickly."

"Hmph, you weren't this concerned when I disappeared!"

Liu Su snorted coldly.

"I ran into someone in southern Xinjiang a while ago, an acquaintance, someone you know too!"

Liu Su uttered a name: "Yu Yunyao!"

Lin Jiangnian's gaze sharpened.

He was familiar with this name.

Yu Yunyao, my aunt's best friend in Chujiang City.

Five years ago, she betrayed her aunt by drugging her, which ultimately led to her losing her virginity.

In other words, it was she who caused the current situation five years ago.

"Why is she in southern Xinjiang? What does her whereabouts have to do with my aunt's disappearance?" Lin Jiangnian frowned.

"At first, I didn't take her seriously, but when she saw me, she was terrified and her eyes were darting around. I felt there was something wrong with her, so I grabbed her and questioned her. Sure enough, I got some information out of her..."

Liu Su smiled enigmatically: "It was your aunt who sent her to the Southern Frontier... The timing was shortly before your aunt left the Jiang residence."

Lin Jiangnian's eyes were deep and urgent: "Is there any connection between these things? Does she know something?"

"That's what I thought too, so I sent people to torture her severely."

Liu Su sighed, "I didn't expect her to be so stubborn, preferring death to speaking up, and quite loyal too..."

"However, I still managed to get some information out of her."

"It turns out that after she went to southern Xinjiang, someone else went to look for her..."

Liu Su's smile grew even wider: "Your Highness, you know this person too."

"Who?!"

Liu Su suddenly turned around and looked at Zhiyuan, who hadn't said a word, with a bright smile on her face: "You should know who that person is, right?"

Zhiyuan calmly met Liu Su's gaze until Lin Jiangnian's gaze also fell on her.

"Paper Kite, do you know who that person is?!"

Looking at Lin Jiangnian's anxious, eager, and expectant gaze, Zhiyuan lowered her eyes and nodded: "I know."

"who is it?!"

"I."

The gentle tone was like a pebble falling into a calm sea.

Lin Jiangnian stopped himself from saying the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He stared incredulously at the aloof and elegant paper kite before him.

"Zhiyuan, you... went to see Yu Yunyao?!"

"What...what on earth is going on?!"

At this moment, Lin Jiangnian was somewhat confused.

"Don't you understand?"

Liu Su glanced at him, her smile widening: "The answer is already obvious!"

"Your good wife, your lawfully wedded spouse, has been deceiving you all along. She knew your aunt's whereabouts all along... she even helped conceal her aunt's movements!"

"Otherwise, how do you think someone could hide for five years despite the combined efforts of the Imperial Secret Bureau, the Prince of Lin's Mansion, the Jiang family, and my Heavenly God Sect?!"

You've been fooled by her from beginning to end!

Liu Su's tone was full of schadenfreude, as if she were watching a show and hoping things would get even worse.

Lin Jiangnian was startled and turned to look at the kite with disbelief.

"Paper Kite, what she said..."

Lin Jiangnian opened his mouth, wanting to ask if what Zhiyuan Liusu said was true.

But when she saw the kite's lowered eyes and the guilty and flustered look in them...

Everything will become clear!

Yes, how could anyone hide for five years like that, as if they had vanished into thin air?

Unless... there was a mole from the very beginning!
And this mole appeared right next to him...

It was someone he trusted most?
"Paper kite..."

Lin Jiangnian fell silent. He had been anxious, but suddenly his feelings became extremely complicated.

"What exactly is going on?"

He believed in kites.

The kite wouldn't lie to him for no reason.

But he needs an explanation!
The kite still had its eyes downcast, as if it had been holding back its emotions for a long time.

Finally, she raised her head and met Lin Jiangnian's gaze.

"I do know where my aunt is!"

The kite opened its mouth.

Lin Jiangnian's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Zhiyuan, since you know, why..."

"Your aunt doesn't want to see you."

Paper Kite interrupted Lin Jiangnian, glancing at him: "My aunt specifically instructed me not to let you know her whereabouts."

"She doesn't want to see you."

Lin Jiangnian stood there, stunned.

Does your aunt not want to see him?

So, it's that same thing again?
My aunt's words about pretending nothing happened turned out to be impossible.

She hasn't gotten over that hurdle in her heart yet, so she chose to run away?

But why did he remain on the run for five years?

Does she intend to hide from me for the rest of her life?

"My aunt..."

Lin Jiangnian's throat was a little dry and hoarse.

He was overjoyed to hear news of his aunt. But hearing Zhiyuan's words now filled him with incredibly complicated and heavy emotions.

"How is my aunt?"

After a long pause, Lin Jiangnian asked in a hoarse voice.

Paper Kite shook her head slightly: "Not very good."

"Why?!" Lin Jiangnian looked up.

"My aunt has something on her mind, something she can't get over!"

The kite opened its mouth.

Her calm reaction made Lin Jiangnian realize something.

"Paper Kite, you already know?"

"Ah."

Zhiyuan nodded.

"then you……"

Knowing the truth, Zhiyuan didn't seem to find it as hard to accept as she had imagined.

This left Lin Jiangnian speechless for a moment.

"It's not your fault."

Paper Kite spoke softly, then sighed, "But Your Highness shouldn't have kept it from me."

Lin Jiangnian remained silent.

"My fault."

Zhiyuan shook her head slightly: "Saying all this now won't help. Auntie doesn't want to see you; she's been avoiding you and deliberately hiding it..."

At this point, Zhiyuan suddenly looked at Lin Jiangnian: "What about His Highness?"

Lin Jiangnian met the gaze of the kite.

"Now that Your Highness knows about your aunt's situation, what are your plans and thoughts?"

Lin Jiangnian paused for a moment, then said, "I want to see my aunt."

Five years!

They disappeared for a full five years.

Regardless, Lin Jiangnian wanted to see his aunt.

He wanted to resolve the conflict between himself and his aunt!

Even if he doesn't succeed in the end, he still has to try.

Zhiyuan gazed into Lin Jiangnian's eyes and slowly spoke, "Then, Your Highness, are you prepared to accept and bear all the consequences?"

"Wha, what do you mean?!"

The kite didn't answer the question, but just sighed softly.

"I hope that Your Highness can become a man who stands tall and shoulders responsibility!"

"And I hope Your Highness won't regret it..."

"..."

At dawn, fifty miles south of Chujiang City in Jiangnan, there is a small town, and twenty miles behind the town, there is a secluded little mountain village.

The small mountain village is nestled in an extremely secluded location, like a paradise on earth. Nestled against the mountains and beside a stream, the village boasts picturesque scenery. The villagers are simple and honest, and everything is thriving.

Until this day, a group of uninvited guests arrived in the village, breaking the tranquility of the small mountain village.

Lin Jiangnian dismounted and looked at the scene of the small mountain village in front of him.

At this moment, he felt a mix of emotions: apprehension and excitement.

He had been searching for five years and never imagined that his aunt had never gone too far.

She lives in this small mountain village.

The scenery in the small mountain village is extremely beautiful. In the distance, there is a field of lush green rice paddies, and at lunchtime, smoke rises from the chimneys of distant houses.

Lin Jiangnian followed the road through the small mountain village and eventually arrived at a small courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

The courtyard was meticulously maintained, with rows of flowers planted in the corners, creating a vibrant spring atmosphere.

Not far away, under the eaves, various exquisite ornaments are hanging.

This scene is so familiar.

Lin Jiangnian stared at the scene, somewhat dazed.

The emotion in my heart grew stronger.

Just then, a figure walked out of the room.

Lin Jiangnian stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the beautiful figure in his line of sight.

Even though they hadn't seen each other for five years, even though he was wearing simple clothes, even though it was just a side profile, Lin Jiangnian recognized him at a glance.

It’s my aunt!
It really is my aunt!
Five years have passed, but my aunt still has the same charm!
Even in simple clothes, her natural beauty, unique gentle temperament, and undeniable elegance in every gesture cannot be concealed.

That's an indelible quality, something you're born with.

At this moment, Lin Jiangnian was both surprised and somewhat apprehensive!

This seems a bit unreal!

Jiang Yuxiang, who had just come out of the courtyard, soon noticed that there seemed to be someone outside.

"Who is it?"

She spoke softly, raising her eyes to look outside the courtyard.

She was stunned at first glance!
When I finally saw the familiar face standing by the fence outside the courtyard.

"Clap!"

The things in her hands fell to the ground.

Jiang Yuxiang was struck dumb, frozen in place, staring blankly at the familiar man standing outside the courtyard.

My mind is blank!
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

The two looked into each other's eyes, and the world was quiet. They gazed at each other across the courtyard fence, as if five years had passed!
It's like a glance that lasts a lifetime!
It seems like a very, very long time has passed, until...

"mother?"

A crisp voice suddenly rang out.

A little girl, about four or five years old, appeared behind Jiang Yuxiang.

She wore a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), had a delicate, childlike face, and wore pigtails, looking as exquisite as a porcelain doll. She peeked out with her big, dark eyes, curiously observing the strange man standing outside the courtyard.

The little girl's delicate and adorable face vaguely resembled Lin Jiangnian's features.

Lin Jiangnian's heart trembled; this familiar feeling was like an intimate connection from the soul and bloodline.

He decided almost immediately...

At that moment, the little girl was curiously tilting her head and staring at Lin Jiangnian, as if she were carefully observing something. After a while, she seemed to recognize something, her bright eyes blinked, and a sweet smile appeared on her face.

"father!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

(End of the book)

The Crown Prince's story ends here.

The extra chapter, originally planned to be 20,000 words, ended up being 50,000 words.

I'm exhausted from writing all this!

Having finished writing this last bit, I've completely drained my brain. Sitting in front of the computer now, my head is a complete mess.

But anyway, this story is finally finished!

Although it's not perfect, there are still many problems.

But everything that needed to be written has been written, everything that needed to be explained has been explained, the story is complete, and the characters all live happily ever after, a perfect ending!

As for what can't be written, then it's truly impossible to continue writing!

The story of this book ends here, but everyone's story continues.

Thank you again to all the readers who have made it this far!

Without further ado, see you in the new book!

...(End of chapter)