In the courtyard.
"Your Highness, something big happened outside the city..."
Lin Qingqing lowered her head, her tone somewhat anxious and urgent: "Last night, our soldiers stationed in the hills behind the private residence were attacked..."
"Attack?"
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes: "Is it serious?"
Lin Qingqing said in a deep voice: "After Your Highness was safe, most of the soldiers in the mountain behind the private residence have evacuated, leaving only a few people to guard it. They were attacked last night, and their injuries were not serious, but..."
At this point, Lin Qingqing's tone sounded a little guilty, "The mountain behind the private house was lost."
Originally, the mountain behind the private residence was guarded by their people, but after the attack last night, the mountain behind the private residence fell into the hands of the other party.
Early this morning, Lin Qingqing came hurriedly and informed His Highness of the matter, and tried to find a way to take back the mountain behind the private residence.
However, Lin Jiangnian waved his hand nonchalantly, "As long as the person is fine, it's fine. As for the fact that it was lost in the hills behind the private residence, it's not a big deal."
"But……"
Lin Qingqing was about to speak, but was interrupted by Lin Jiangnian: "But, have you found out who did it?"
"Wang family!"
Lin Qingqing's eyes turned slightly cold, and she gritted her teeth in a deep voice.
The only people who can attack the secret room in the back mountain of the private residence are the Wang family.
She just came back from Wang's house yesterday, and the Wang family took action last night, just as expected.
"The Wang family's move is probably to destroy evidence..."
Lin Qingqing's voice was low and urgent: "Your Highness, we must not let them succeed!"
The evidence of Wang family's rebellion is buried in the secret room in the back mountain of the private residence. The Wang family raided the back mountain last night, and they must have come for this purpose.
Although the back mountain collapsed and the evidence of the Wang family's crimes was buried and destroyed, as Lin Qingqing directed the excavation of the mountain during this period, the Wang family had no idea what the situation was like in the back mountain. If something was really dug out, it would definitely not be a good thing for them.
The attack last night was an action taken by the Wang family.
Once the Wang family completely destroys the evidence, it will be disadvantageous to them.
"It doesn't matter."
Lin Jiangnian was not in a hurry and shook his head gently: "Let them go. The secret room in the back mountain of the private residence is no longer useful to us. Since they want it, let's return it to them."
"But……"
Lin Qingqing hesitated to speak. Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly realized something when she saw the calm expression of His Highness.
"Your Highness, did you anticipate this?"
"I guess so."
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "However, since the Wang family took action last night, it also shows that they are indeed extremely anxious."
Lin Qingqing asked in a deep voice: "Then Your Highness, when should we take action..."
“Almost…”
Lin Jiangnian spoke calmly, then thought of something else: "By the way, what are the reactions of the other families?"
"No response yet."
Lin Qingqing's eyes flashed with a sharpness, and she said coldly: "However, the people of these families are not fools. They will weigh the pros and cons. To make an enemy of our Linwang Mansion is to seek death."
"That's hard to say."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head: "To them, the Linwang Mansion is certainly an unattainable peak, but in Yanzhou, they may not take our Linwang Mansion seriously."
“Your Highness, you mean…” Lin Qingqing was startled, looking a little worried: “Is it possible that they will side with the Wang family and become our enemy?”
"It's not impossible."
Lin Jiangnian nodded lightly: "But..."
"The prerequisite is that the Wang family must gain power!"
Lin Qingqing was a little confused: "The Wang family is in power? Your Highness, what does this mean?"
"To be precise, they won't stand on either side, nor will they help us, or the Wang family!"
Lin Jiang said with a young smile: "Whoever wins will be the one they help."
Lin Qingqing was stunned, as if thinking about something.
She wasn't stupid either, and she pondered His Highness's words carefully. She was a little confused at first, but after careful consideration, she gradually understood. In an instant, a look of astonishment and admiration flashed in her eyes.
Your Highness, you see things so clearly.
Your Highness is indeed right. These family forces in Xunyang County are not fools. They cannot afford to offend the Lin Palace, but they also cannot afford to offend the Wang family.
Therefore, they will not take sides with any party and will never do anything to help others in times of need.
They will only help whoever wins!
Thinking of this, Lin Qingqing was amazed that His Highness could see things so clearly, but at the same time, she felt a little angry.
"These aristocratic families are truly insidious and cunning."
Lin Jiangnian just smiled and didn't say much. Compared to Zhiyuan, Lin Qingqing was indeed much younger.
She is still very naive when it comes to the dangers of the world.
She had always been by Zhiyuan's side, and apart from doing errands, she had rarely been exposed to the dangers of the world. Even these simplest principles might not be clear to her.
She still has a lot to learn.
"Continue to monitor the reactions of the various families, and don't miss any signs of trouble in Xunyang City!"
Lin Jiangnian paused and narrowed his eyes: "Calculating the time, it's almost time!"
"It's time to settle this account with the Wang family."
“…”
In the courtyard.
Lin Jiangnian left first.
Lin Qingqing stood in the yard, thinking about what His Highness had just instructed her to do, and was about to turn around and leave.
A cold voice came from behind.
"Qingqing."
It was Sister Zhiyuan's voice.
Lin Qingqing stopped and looked back, only then did she see Zhiyuan appear under the eaves at some point, looking at him quietly.
Zhiyuan, dressed in white, made her whole body look flawless and her cold aura was evident.
For some reason, the usually cool and aloof kite now seemed to have a chill in Lin Qingqing's eyes. She felt as if the air around her had dropped several degrees, and she subconsciously shuddered.
Just now I remembered something!
She had just gone to report some important matters to His Highness, so she had forgotten some details.
If I'm not mistaken, His Highness came out of Sister Zhiyuan's room before?!
It was obvious that His Highness would not go to look for Sister Zhiyuan so early in the morning.
Then the only explanation is that His Highness was in Sister Zhiyuan's room last night...
She had been to His Highness's room before, and Xiaozhu also said that His Highness had not returned all night... This was completely consistent.
His Highness didn’t go home last night, so where was he last night?
Doesn't this mean that His Highness probably spent most of last night in Sister Zhiyuan's room?
Thinking of this, Lin Qingqing's face became more and more strange.
She suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, walked forward slowly, and lowered her head: "Sister Zhiyuan, do you have any instructions for me?"
Lin Qingqing didn't look up, but she could still feel Sister Zhiyuan's cold gaze on her, staring at her until her back felt numb.
Sister Zhiyuan, why do you look at her like this?
Could it be...
Just when Lin Qingqing was feeling uneasy, she heard the soft and elegant voice of Zhiyuan.
"What did you see just now?"
Hearing this, Lin Qingqing's heart skipped a beat.
What did you see?
Sister Zhiyuan, what are you asking?
Lin Qingqing subconsciously looked up and saw Sister Zhiyuan still staring at her.
His eyes were calm and unperturbed.
But for some reason, Lin Qingqing seemed to sense an imperceptible... murderous aura?
Her heart was shocked.
"Sister Zhiyuan, I didn't see anything!"
Lin Qingqing's face was solemn, and she said righteously: "I just had something important to report to Your Highness, and didn't notice anything else..."
"I know nothing."
His words were firm and his tone was resolute.
The next second, she could clearly feel the chill subside a little. This made Lin Qingqing secretly relieved, and she finally realized...
It’s true!
Sister Zhiyuan, you really want to kill people to silence them!
This also means that His Highness really was with Sister Zhiyuan last night...
Lin Qingqing's eyes were complicated, but it quickly disappeared, and her mind became heavy.
Sister Zhiyuan was obviously warning her not to reveal what happened today.
Lin Qingqing is naturally not stupid. She must not tell anyone a word about what happened today.
Be sure to keep your mouth shut!
Zhiyuan looked at Qingqing with cold eyes and was silent for a long time. He wanted to say something but hesitated, and finally said nothing.
"It's okay, you can go down first."
"yes."
Lin Qingqing felt relieved, bowed and turned to leave.
After Lin Qingqing left, Zhiyuan stared at the entrance outside the courtyard and remained silent for a long time.
When she came to her senses, she lowered her eyes, reached out and touched her fair and smooth face. She seemed to have thought of something, and a hint of imperceptible shame and anger appeared in her eyes.
He bit his lower lip lightly, then quickly released it.
When I looked up again, there was still confusion in my eyes.
But this hint of confusion seemed to be mixed with a bit of a girl's anxiety and fear of loss, which was hard to describe.
…
In the small courtyard.
Xiaozhu sat under the eaves, propping up his little head and staring blankly at the yard, bored.
Last night, His Highness did not return home.
Where did you go?
After returning from Sister Zhiyuan's place last night, Xiaozhu went back to the room, climbed onto the bed, took off his clothes, and waited obediently for His Highness.
But even after she warmed up the bed and fell into a drowsy sleep, she still didn't see His Highness come back.
Where has Your Highness been all night?
Xiao Zhu was a little worried, but didn't dare to run around.
His Highness had previously instructed that if he didn't come back, she would have to wait at home obediently.
Xiao Zhu sat obediently under the eaves, feeling bored and a little worried.
Not long after, footsteps were heard not far away. Xiao Zhu raised his eyes, and the next second, his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Your Highness?!"
The sound of surprise.
Xiao Zhu stood up happily, watching His Highness's figure appear not far away, and slowly approached.
She walked forward happily and came before His Highness.
"Xiaozhu."
Lin Jiangnian reached out and rubbed her little head, smiling and said, "What are you doing?"
"Wait for His Highness!"
Xiao Zhu nodded obediently and threw herself into His Highness's arms, just as she was about to greedily breathe in the familiar scent of His Highness.
Next second.
Um?
Xiao Zhu sniffed and found something was wrong!
Wait, why does His Highness smell so weird?
Xiao Zhu sniffed carefully. Why did His Highness seem to have a feminine fragrance on his body?
She smelled it right!
And why does this smell seem familiar?
Xiao Zhu was full of doubts. He looked up at His Highness and asked cautiously, "Your Highness, where did you go last night?"
Lin Jiangnian didn't notice Xiao Zhu's strange look and said casually, "I went to do some business."
Sleeping with a kite should be considered a serious matter, right?
"oh."
Xiao Zhu didn't ask any more questions. She lowered her head and continued to smell the familiar fragrance on His Highness's body. The more she smelled, the more familiar it seemed.
Where have you seen me?
"Why? Are you missing me?"
Lin Jiangnian put his arm around Xiao Zhu, leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, causing her to blush and nervously say, "Your Highness, don't..."
It was broad daylight, in public, and Xiao Zhu was still very thin-skinned.
"What are you afraid of? There's no one here."
He liked this about Xiaozhu, she was allowed to do whatever she wanted and her blushing face was so cute.
Xiao Zhu puffed up her cheeks slightly, looking angry, but helpless.
"Did you wait for me for a long time last night?"
Lin Jiangnian asked again, seeing something on the maid's face. He didn't come home last night, so this little maid must have been waiting for him all night?
"Um……"
Xiao Zhu lowered his head a little embarrassedly and nodded softly.
"I had something to do last night, so I'll wash up and wait for this prince tonight."
Lin Jiangnian pinched her little face and said, "I will come to see you tonight."
Xiaozhu's face became even redder, and she looked so cute because of the heat and shyness.
“…”
Lin Jiangnian did not bully the little maid for too long. After being gentle with her for a while, he turned around and left the courtyard.
There is still business to be done!
Last night, the Wang family attacked the hill behind the private residence. This was just their first move, and the Wang family will definitely take further action next.
As expected, not long after Lin Jiangnian's prediction, another accident occurred in the city. Several strongholds arranged by Lin Qingqing in the city were suddenly attacked by the Wang family, causing heavy losses.
These strongholds were previously placed in the city by Lin Qingqing to gather intelligence and facilitate His Highness's journey north. However, they were accidentally exposed and subsequently attacked by the Wang family.
Caught off guard, the losses were heavy.
In addition, security was tightened within Xunyang City, with strict restrictions on civilians entering and leaving the city. The entire city was in a state of panic, with a sense of unease as if a storm was about to break out.
Immediately afterwards, news of another major operation came from Xunyang City. Government officials began to search the people on a large scale, entering people's homes to interrogate and search one by one, causing widespread resentment among the people.
But even so, the government did not stop and conducted a carpet search throughout the city looking for any suspicious persons.
"Your Highness, I'm afraid the Wang family is serious this time."
Lin Qingqing's voice was a little low: "They are sure that we are hiding in the city, and they want to use this method to force us to show up."
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes: "No rush!"
"Xunyang City is not small. Their efficiency in searching like this is extremely low. It will take some time to find them."
"Then we..."
Lin Qingqing couldn't help but ask, "When will we start?"
"Wait a little longer!"
"Haven't you waited yet?"
“Almost…”
Lin Jiangnian looked relaxed and not too worried.
The loss of several strongholds in Xunyang City did not result in heavy casualties, so no information was exposed.
Just then, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the door.
Then, a figure appeared outside the door.
"Your Highness, urgent news!"
"Come in."
Lin Jiangnian spoke lightly.
A soldier walked in quickly, bowed his head respectfully, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, urgent news has arrived from outside the city. The Yanzhou Governor, Yuan Zhongnan, has appeared in Xunyang County and is on his way to Xunyang City. He should arrive before tomorrow."
Upon hearing the news, Lin Jiangnian sat up.
"I've waited!"
"He's finally here!"
“…”