After being kicked out of the room by his aunt, Lin Jiangnian returned to the courtyard next door.
It was a dark night, the cold winter wind was howling in the yard, and the dead trees were rustling.
It wasn't too late. When Lin Jiangnian returned to the courtyard, Lin Qingqing, dressed in a tight suit, had been waiting for him under the eaves.
In a battle outside the capital, Lin Qingqing was seriously injured and stayed in the Jiang Mansion to recuperate for a period of time. Now her injuries are almost healed.
Lin Qingqing was credited with the arrest of Gao Wenyang today. After prying the truth about Zhou Huiguang's poisoning out of Gao Wenyang, Lin Jiangnian didn't stay there any longer, leaving the finishing touches entirely to Lin Qingqing.
From Linjiang City to the capital, Lin Qingqing worked diligently and conscientiously along the way, hardly making any mistakes. She was extremely loyal to the Linwang Mansion and was a rare and outstanding subordinate.
After finishing today's affairs, Lin Qingqing quickly came to Lin Jiangnian to report the situation.
"Come in and talk."
Lin Jiangnian pushed open the door under the eaves and walked into the room. Lin Qingqing followed His Highness silently and lit the lights in the room.
The lights flickered, illuminating the room.
"how's it going?"
Lin Jiangnian asked.
Lin Qingqing stood in the room and spoke in a low voice, but her tone was filled with some unconcealed excitement: "The Gao family is finished!"
"Gao Wenyang publicly admitted to poisoning Zhou Huiguang today. Although he later denied it, it's no use..."
"Not only did Zhou Yao hear it himself, but also Chen Changqing, the leader of the Secret Heaven Division, and several respected elders from other families were present. They all heard it clearly. Even if he continues to argue and deny it, it will be useless..."
"Not long after His Highness left, Zhou Yao beat Gao Wenyang half to death and brought him back to the Zhou family mourning hall. In full view of the crowd, he made Gao Wenyang kowtow to Zhou Huiguang as he was buried. Furious, Zhou Yao nearly beat Gao Wenyang to death on the spot, but was stopped..."
"However, the news of Gao Wenyang poisoning Zhou Huiguang quickly spread from the mouths of everyone present today. After fermenting tonight, I'm afraid that starting tomorrow, this news will spread throughout the capital..."
Lin Qingqing couldn't contain her excitement. His Highness had been slandered for so many days, and finally his grievances were cleared.
It is truly a joyful day!
However, Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly: "It's not that simple. The people don't believe it that easily."
Lin Qingqing looked up in confusion.
Lin Jiangnian sighed and explained, "Compared to Gao Wenyang framing people and killing people, everyone prefers to see me, the Prince of Lin, slaughter innocent people... Even if the truth comes out, the common people in the market town won't be interested in this news, and they may not even be willing to believe it."
Lin Qingqing seemed to be lost in thought.
I seem to understand, but I also seem not to understand.
"So, what should we do?"
Lin Qingqing couldn't help but ask.
"This is the true purpose of the Third Prince."
Lin Jiangnian spoke.
The real purpose of the Third Prince poisoning Zhou Huiguang was to stir up public opinion in the capital and completely nail Lin Jiangnian's reputation to the pillar of shame.
It's not very harmful, but it's disgusting enough!
Of course, it will also have a significant impact on the reputation of Prince Lin’s Mansion in Beijing.
Lin Jiangnian pondered for a moment, then mentioned another matter: "What happened next? Did Gao Wenyang confess?"
Mentioning this, Lin Qingqing's face turned slightly cold, and she shook her head. "When the news of Gao Wenyang poisoning Zhou Huiguang spread, it shocked everyone. Those who had originally wanted to speak up for the Gao family chose to wait and see. The Gao family also came. They didn't believe Gao Wenyang would do such a thing, and they had a conflict with the Zhou family, almost coming to blows. Fortunately, the people from the Secret Heaven Division arrived and took Gao Wenyang back..."
Gao Wenyang still stubbornly denied anything, refusing to admit to poisoning Zhou Huiguang and revealing nothing about the Third Prince... However, I don't think he can hold out for much longer. A playboy like him would probably confess everything after just a few days in the Secret Heaven Division..."
At this point, Lin Qingqing's eyes fixed: "Your Highness, should we prepare to take this opportunity to impeach the Third Prince?"
"The Third Prince's attempt to frame Your Highness is an excellent opportunity for counterattack..."
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and asked, "Do you think Gao Wenyang will hand over the Third Prince?"
Lin Qingqing thought for a moment and said expressionlessly, "Even if he doesn't want to explain, he has to explain!"
As a guard at the Prince Lin's Palace, she had personally interrogated prisoners and was naturally well aware of the horrors of those punishments. Ordinary people could not withstand them, let alone a pampered dandy like Gao Wenyang.
No matter how tough he talks, he can't be tougher than those horrific torture instruments.
Lin Jiangnian sighed softly and asked, "Even if Gao Wenyang confessed that the Third Prince was the culprit who poisoned Zhou Huiguang and put the blame on me, what can I do?"
"Of course I'm taking this opportunity to play..."
Lin Qingqing was about to speak, but seemed to suddenly realize something. She raised her eyes to look at His Highness, her face a little ugly, and she hesitated to speak.
"The Third Prince won't admit it!"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly: "He used Gao Wenyang to kill Zhou Huiguang, and he would never leave any evidence. Even if Gao Wenyang confessed, even if everyone knew it. But... there is no evidence!"
"In this way, all the facts Gao Wenyang confessed become slander!"
Lin Qingqing was silent, her face looking a little ugly.
Obviously she had thought of this as well. The Third Prince had never appeared from beginning to end, so there was no way to find out about him.
"So, there is only one way for Gao Wenyang to go."
Lin Jiangnian had already anticipated Gao Wenyang's fate: "If nothing unexpected happens, Gao Wenyang will soon take all the blame and admit that he poisoned Zhou Huiguang. And then..."
"He committed suicide out of fear of punishment in the Mitiansi prison... This matter was completely covered up and came to an end."
Lin Qingqing looked up in disbelief: "How could he commit suicide?!"
"If he doesn't want to be decent, someone will naturally help him be decent."
Lin Jiangnian said, "Either he dies and everything is over. Or, the entire Gao family will perish with him."
Lin Qingqing was silent, gnashing her teeth unwillingly, "Can the Third Prince really get away with it?"
"Of course not."
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and shook his head slightly.
"But there's no evidence..."
"Without evidence, can't you make it up?"
Lin Jiangnian sighed. Lin Qingqing was good in every way except that she didn't think fast enough.
Lin Qingqing was stunned. "Your Highness, what do you mean..."
Lin Jiangnian sneered, "Everyone knows that the Third Prince did it, and everyone also knows that there's no evidence that can't be traced back to the Third Prince. But that's only for the officials and the noble families in the capital. As for the common people in the capital, what evidence do they need?"
"unnecessary!"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head gently: "If there is no evidence, then make it up... If the Third Prince can frame him, why can't I, the Crown Prince, make up evidence?"
Lin Qingqing hesitated and said, "Will they believe the fabricated evidence?"
"It doesn't matter whether those officials and their families believe it or not. The key is that the people believe it!"
Lin Jiangnian asked, "Do you think they would rather believe that this prince slaughtered innocent people, or would they rather believe that the Third Prince and the Prince of Lin had a grudge, fought openly and secretly, and committed murder and framed someone?"
Lin Qingqing finally realized His Highness's purpose: "Your Highness, you want to..."
“Give others what you would have them do for you!”
Lin Jiangnian spoke slowly: "Then let's see whether this prince's reputation will be damaged first, or his reputation will be damaged first..."
"If he is accused of murder and framed, and he wants to compete for the throne again, I'm afraid the people of the capital will be the first to disagree..."
Lin Qingqing's eyes gradually lit up.
Yes, the third prince still wants to compete for the throne. Once this crime is pinned on him and the news of the third prince's misconduct spreads, it will be extremely difficult for him to gain the support of the people.
Who would be willing to support a person who could poison a minister's son and frame the prince's son to become emperor?
This is undoubtedly a major blow to the third prince!
"Your Highness, I understand."
Lin Qingqing immediately spoke excitedly and was about to go and do the work, but was stopped by Lin Jiangnian again.
"Your Highness, do you have any further instructions?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "Just let Lin Kong handle this matter. I have something more important that I need you to do."
"Your Highness, please speak."
Lin Jiangnian stood up and took out an account book from the bookshelf beside the room. "Qingqing, do you still remember this?"
Lin Qingqing took a quick look and quickly remembered. Wasn't this the account book she and His Highness had dug up when they discovered the Wang family's secret cache of armor and weapons in the Wang family's secret passage outside Xunyang City?
"I must seek retribution from him for the deaths of my personal soldiers outside the city!"
Lin Jiangnian looked at Lin Qingqing and spoke slowly.
Lin Qingqing quickly realized something. Is His Highness going to take action against the Third Prince?
"But Your Highness, what does this account book have to do with the Third Prince?"
"Of course."
Just looking at this account book alone doesn't reveal much. But in addition to these, Lin Jiangnian also has some "evidence" that Wang Changjin gave to him when he saved Wang Qinshi.
Those evidences are the most important things that threaten the Third Prince's life.
"The Third Prince stayed in the capital to secure the position of Crown Prince. He has secretly been involved with many families over the years, and most likely has already been raising private soldiers and secretly recruiting troops..."
Lin Qingqing gradually realized His Highness's purpose: "Your Highness, are you saying that we should find a way to secretly sabotage the Third Prince's plan and make him fail?"
"No."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head and said firmly, "We must lend him a helping hand... Let him rebel as soon as possible!"
“…”
After Lin Qingqing left, the night gradually darkened.
After finishing the important instructions, Lin Jiangnian yawned and felt a little sleepy!
It's time to rest!
He slowly stood up, walked out of the room and headed towards the courtyard next door.
Having decided to teach Zhiyuan a lesson tonight, Lin Jiangnian naturally did what he said.
It's time to let Zhiyuan have a taste of the teachings from His Highness, so that she won't have a cold face all day long and not take His Highness seriously.
At this hour, my aunt should have gone back, right?
Lin Jiangnian walked lightly and quietly to the outside of Zhiyuan's room.
The lights in the room had already been turned off. Had Zhiyuan gone to bed?
Lin Jiangnian pushed the door gently and locked it.
Hey, it's locked?
Who are you guarding against?
The door was locked, which must have been Zhiyuan's doing. So, my aunt must have gone home, otherwise there would be no need for Zhiyuan to do this.
However, how could this stop Lin Jiangnian?
The door was difficult to open, so Lin Jiangnian turned and walked to the window next to him, put his hand on the window, stretched out his hand gently, and circulated his internal energy.
“Crack!”
With a crisp sound of wood cracking, the window bolt broke in an instant and the window was easily pushed open.
Great force works miracles!
In the face of absolute power, no obstacles exist.
Pushing open the window, Lin Jiangnian nimbly climbed into the room and walked towards the bed behind the screen.
"Kite, here I come!"
Zhiyuan's martial arts skills far surpassed Lin Jiangnian's, so it was impossible for her not to hear the noise of the window being destroyed. Therefore, Lin Jiangnian did not try to hide his presence anymore and strode behind the screen.
But even when Lin Jiangnian walked to the bed, there was still no movement on the bed.
"Huh?"
Pretending to sleep, huh?
Lin Jiangnian moved closer to the bed and was about to take action, but then he remembered something. He paused and slowly lifted the quilt.
The room was pitch black, and through a faint light from the window, the outline of a beautiful face lying on the bed was clearly visible.
Although he couldn't see clearly, Lin Jiangnian recognized it at a glance.
"Aunt?!"
Lin Jiangnian's hands trembled, and he subconsciously took a few steps back with his eyes wide open.
My heart is pounding!
Damn it!
Why is it my aunt again?!
Why is she sleeping here again? !
Lin Jiangnian was both shocked and relieved. Fortunately, he had learned from his previous experience and was much more cautious tonight. The experience and lessons of last night were still vivid in his mind. When he saw that it was his aunt lying on the bed again, he was so frightened that he almost died.
When I calmed down, I noticed that Jiang Yuxiang was lying quietly on the bed, with her eyes closed and breathing slowly, as if she was asleep?
Not awake?
Seeing this, Lin Jiangnian finally felt relieved.
It’s good that you didn’t wake up!
It’s better to leave first.
Lin Jiangnian, who was about to leave, thought of something else.
Auntie sleeps here?
So, what about the kite?
Lin Jiangnian glanced at the bed out of the corner of his eye and soon discovered that there seemed to be another person under the thick bedding.
Looking closely, he saw a pair of eyes with a somewhat sad look staring at him.
Lin Jiangnian: “…”
Who else could it be if not the kite?
In the darkness, Zhiyuan under the quilt suddenly sat up slowly, looking at him quietly without saying a word.
Lin Jiangnian didn't say anything either. He made eye contact with Zhiyuan and asked her why her aunt was here.
Seeing the look of fear and disappointment on Lin Jiangnian's face, Zhiyuan's eyes flickered and she said calmly, "Auntie guessed you were coming tonight and stayed on purpose."
Hearing Zhiyuan speak, Lin Jiangnian quickly made a hushing gesture towards her.
If I sneak in here in the middle of the night and wake up my aunt, she'll catch me...
Does he, the Prince Lin, still have any face left?
Lin Jiangnian lowered his voice and asked, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"You didn't ask."
"Why didn't you remind me when I came in just now?"
"I locked the door."
Lin Jiangnian: “…”
Facing Zhiyuan's calm eyes, Lin Jiangnian was speechless.
Indeed, the door is locked.
but……
"You could have reminded me when I came in!" Lin Jiangnian was a little embarrassed.
"What are you doing here so late at night?"
"Chat with you."
"Just chatting?" Zhiyuan said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Of course!"
Lin Jiangnian almost patted his chest and made a solemn promise, but thinking that it would wake up his aunt, he didn't dare to speak loudly.
Zhiyuan glanced at him and suddenly said, "Then come up and talk."
"Come up?"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned.
Where to go?
Just as I was wondering, I saw Zhiyuan move inward, leaving a small space next to him, which was right between Zhiyuan and my aunt.
Zhiyuan looked up at him without saying a word, but her meaning was obvious.
Come to bed and talk!
The place has been made for him.
Lin Jiangnian: “???”
If his aunt wasn't here tonight, he would have chatted with Zhiyuan until dawn without any hesitation.
But my aunt is here now. If Lin Jiangnian dares to climb up, he may not see the sun tomorrow.
This won't work!
Zhiyuan clearly calculated this, was it intentional?
In the darkness, Zhiyuan's face was calm, without any emotion, just looking at him, as if waiting for him to come up.
Very tempting!
Lin Jiangnian admitted that he was indeed moved at some point.
But it only took a second for him to regain his senses.
Don't move!
If something happens, something big will happen!
"Did you do that on purpose?"
Lin Jiangnian lowered his voice and said unhappily, "You knew my aunt was here, but you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"Forget it."
Zhiyuan's expression remained calm as he spoke softly.
"I'm sleepy."
Lin Jiangnian: “…”
Doesn't he want to come?
I really want to teach this ignorant little kite a good lesson.
But when he caught a glimpse of his aunt's face sleeping soundly on the bed, he immediately woke up.
"Just wait and see how I'll deal with you tomorrow night!"
After Lin Jiangnian made these harsh words, he left the room unwillingly and with a bit of regret.
Not tonight.
She's waiting tomorrow night!
…
In the room.
Zhiyuan was still sitting on the bed, legs bent, eyes fixed quietly on the window not far away, lost in thought, not knowing what she was thinking about.
His eyes were calm, without any emotion.
It was not until a while later that she gradually came to her senses and the corners of her mouth curled up inadvertently.
"coward."
The voice was very soft, but it carried a hint of inexplicable joy.
Seems to be in a good mood.
She withdrew her gaze and fell on her aunt who was 'sleeping' beside her. She stared at her quietly with her pretty eyebrows slightly furrowed.
But after a while, it slowly dispersed.
Maybe she was overthinking it?
after all……
She's his aunt!
Thinking of this, her mood seemed to improve a lot. As if remembering something, her face inexplicably became hot.
She slowly lay down and wrapped herself back into the covers, wrapping herself tightly.
After a while, the girl seemed to remember something. She stretched out a hand from under the quilt and slowly tapped Jiang Yuxiang's chest beside her.
The next second, Jiang Yuxiang, who was originally "soundly asleep", suddenly made a faint sound that sounded like pain, but also had a pleasant tone.
"Um... I, what's wrong with me?"
In the darkness, Jiang Yuxiang spoke in a daze, her starry eyes half open.
"No, nothing..."
The kite's voice was very soft, with a hint of guilt.
"oh."
Jiang Yuxiang's mind was still hazy. She turned over, closed her eyes again and continued to sleep.
Zhiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and looked up to see her aunt facing her sideways, very close to her.
A beautiful face that is quiet and elegant with a hint of maturity cannot hide her natural beauty, it is stunningly beautiful.
Zhiyuan stared at her quietly, lost in thought. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes fell on the slightly lifted quilt of his aunt, and he caught a glimpse of her plump and round breasts beneath her thin undergarments. It was quite a sight.
Zhiyuan blinked slightly, not knowing what she remembered, and subconsciously lowered her head... It seemed like there was a gap?
Just as she was thinking blankly, the girl's head suddenly shuddered, and she suddenly realized something. Her pretty face turned red and hot in an instant.
The girl felt ashamed of the sudden thought and buried her head in the quilt in panic.
Playing ostrich.
Play dead.
sleep.
…