"Miss, where are you going again?"
Xu Mansion.
A figure tiptoed across the courtyard and sneaked towards the door.
After walking a few steps, a maid appeared not far from Xu Lan, looking at her mistress's movements curiously.
Xu Lan was suddenly shocked.
Discovered?!
"I'm going out for a stroll and some fresh air."
Xu Lan made up an excuse and was about to slip away.
"Miss, are you going to the Linwang Mansion?"
The maid sighed softly and reminded her, "Miss, you've been going to Prince Lin's Mansion too frequently recently..."
Xu Lan curled her lips: "Is there any problem?"
The maid hesitated to speak, then shook her head gently: "Master has something to ask you."
"not see!"
Hearing the maid mention her father, Xu Lan immediately snorted: "Tell my father, I'm going out for a stroll. If you have anything, don't look for me, go find my second brother!"
After saying that, Xu Lan slid out of the yard.
The maidservant didn't dare to stop him. Seeing this, she could only sigh and go back to report to the master.
"How can this be possible!"
At the Xu Mansion, Xu Lan's father Xu Xiupeng slammed the table in anger after learning about this.
"How can a girl, who hasn't even married yet, run out all day long?!"
"Where's she? Were they not stopped?!"
The maid said cautiously: "Miss, Miss has already run away, I can't stop her..."
"snort!"
Xu Xiupeng snorted heavily, and something appeared on his frowning face. After a while, he waved his hands in a slightly irritated manner.
"Go down first."
The maid took her leave.
Xu Xiupeng thought for a moment and glanced behind him: "How is the Lin family doing recently?"
Behind Xu Xiupeng, an inconspicuous figure was hidden. He lowered his head and said, "Everything has been relatively peaceful in Prince Lin's Mansion recently. Prince Lin was invited to go to the north this time, and it will take some time for him to return. With Prince Lin's trusted confidants in charge of the palace, there won't be any trouble!"
Xu Xiupeng narrowed his eyes thoughtfully: "Where's Lin Jiangnian?"
"Since the recent assassination attempts, Prince Lin has not left the palace and has remained inside. According to rumors within the palace, Prince Lin has been... practicing martial arts!"
"Practicing martial arts?"
Xu Xiupeng's face showed a hint of surprise: "He wants to practice martial arts?"
The Xu and Lin families are old friends, and Lin Jiangnian grew up under his care. Given his personality and temper, could he endure the hardship of learning martial arts?
After a brief pause, he seemed to remember something and shook his head gently: "Perhaps the recent attacks and assassinations have made him feel dangerous. However, he probably won't be able to hold on for much longer..."
He knew Lin Jiangnian best. Princess Lin passed away early, and Lin Jiangnian had been pampered since childhood. He was a real second-generation rich kid. How could he really be diligent in practicing martial arts?
Most likely it's just a spur of the moment thing!
"Master, the court is currently in turmoil and confusion. The emperor has been in seclusion for several years. There are rumors that His Majesty is seriously ill and has not much time left..."
The man behind him said in a deep voice, "If the news is true, the imperial court in the capital will probably be in turmoil soon. In recent years, Prince Lin has become more powerful in Linzhou and has become a thorn in the side of the imperial court..."
"Once this turmoil spreads to Linzhou, neither you nor I will be immune... For the Xu family, for the young master and young lady, the master must make a decision early."
Xu Xiupeng's eyes gradually lowered, his brows furrowed tightly, and his square face was filled with deep thought for a long time.
"Master, the imperial court's reduction of the feudal lords is an inevitable trend. You must not hesitate... Even if Lin Hengzhong is exceptionally capable and a man of great talent and strategy, what good is that? Don't you and I both know what kind of person Lin Jiangnian is?"
"While Prince Lin is still alive, Prince Lin's Mansion might still be safe and sound. Once Prince Lin passes away and Lin Jiangnian takes the throne, will he be able to protect the family business established by Prince Lin?"
"Over the past few years, you've repeatedly urged Prince Lin to take a concubine and have children, but Prince Lin ignored you. It's clear he intends to pass this vast palace and family business on to Lin Jiangnian... But how could Lin Jiangnian be capable of such a heavy responsibility?"
"Once Prince Lin passes away, the power that has built up in Prince Lin's Palace over the years will instantly collapse. By that time, it will be too late..."
…
Xu Lan walked briskly into Prince Lin's Mansion.
The Xu family and the Lin family were not far apart, just a few blocks away. Xu Lan had grown up in Linjiang City and, with her close ties to the Linwang Mansion, was even more familiar with it than her own home.
Following the road that was so familiar that it couldn't be more familiar, passing through the pavilions and corridors, walking through the long courtyard, we arrived at the courtyard where Lin Jiangnian was.
"Ms. Xu?"
Outside the courtyard, a maid was guarding the door. When she saw Xu Lan, she bowed slightly and spoke respectfully.
Xu Lan nodded slightly and glanced at the yard: "Where is your Highness?"
"Your Highness has just returned to his room. Do you need me to inform him?"
"Don't bother, I'll go find him myself!"
Xu Lan waved her hand, then walked briskly into the yard and came to the door under the eaves.
I pushed the door out of habit, but it didn't move at all.
Um?
Is the door locked?
Xu Lan knocked on the door immediately.
“Bang!”
"Lin Jiangnian, open the door quickly!"
“…”
"Mr. Lin, I know you are in the room, open the door!"
“…”
“Bang, bang, bang!”
“…”
In the room.
Lin Jiangnian, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground preparing to practice martial arts, was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
Xu Lan?
What is she doing here again?
I wanted to pretend I wasn't there, but the knocking got louder and louder, as if someone was about to kick the door down and burst in at any moment.
Lin Jiang sighed, finished his training, got up from the ground and walked to the door.
Open the door.
Outside the door, Xu Lan was still knocking. When she saw Lin Jiangnian appear at the door, she looked at Lin Jiangnian up and down with suspicion. Seeing that there was nothing unusual, she couldn't help but glance into the room behind him.
Lin Jiangnian noticed her gaze and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Xu Lan asked suspiciously, "Why are you hiding in the room without opening the door for so long?!"
"Do I need to report to you what I am doing in my room?"
Xu Lan was stunned. It seemed... to make sense?
But then he seemed to think of something and snorted softly, "No need to report, but you are so secretive and sneaky... Is there some secret you can't tell us?"
As she said that, she rushed into the room and glanced around: "Are you hiding a mistress in your golden house?!"
After glancing around the room and making sure there was nothing unusual inside, Xu Lan felt vaguely relieved for some reason.
Turning back, she saw Lin Jiangnian standing at the door, staring at her. Xu Lan instinctively felt a little guilty, but she quickly concealed it, turned her head, and snorted: "Then what are you doing in the room?"
"sleep."
"Why are you sleeping in the middle of the day?"
"Lunch break!"
Lin Jiangnian was too lazy to explain so much to her and glanced at her: "What are you doing here?"
"Come see you!"
Xu Lan said it fluently, but soon realized that something was wrong and quickly added: "I came to see how your martial arts training is going."
"...Are you being lazy these past two days?"
Lin Jiangnian returned to the table, glanced at her, and said playfully, "This prince is gifted in martial arts, so you're just waiting to be his maid?"
"Hmph, you wish!"
Hearing this, Xu Lan said unconvincedly: "If you want to surpass me, you are still far away!"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her calmly: "Is it difficult to surpass a ninth-grade cultivator?"
"you……"
Xu Lan's face flushed with anger. She thought of something and said angrily, "Hmph, don't be so complacent. I'm going to be an eighth-grade master soon. I wonder how you can surpass me?!"
"Eighth grade?" Lin Jiangnian glanced at her.
"Of course!"
Xu Lan was a little proud. She glanced at him with her little face raised and said proudly, "Do you think you are the only one working hard and I haven't made any progress?"
"I'm going to be an eighth-grade master soon... Forget three months, even if you were given another six months, you wouldn't be able to catch up with me!"
"Hmph, you're doomed!"
"Wait and become my servant!"
“…”
Seeing the inflated look on the face of Miss Xu in front of him, someone who didn't know him would think that she was about to step into the second or first rank?
Can a mere eighth-grade person make her so proud?
Lin Jiangnian shook his head secretly and did not continue to argue with her.
"Okay, then we'll see in three months?"
"See you then."
Xu Lan snorted.
"If you're alright, go back..."
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand and began to send the guests away: "This prince is going to start practicing diligently."
Xu Lan: “…”
She had just arrived and hadn't had time to sit down and drink some tea, but they were already starting to chase her away?
Miss Xu finally realized something was wrong: "Did you do this on purpose?"
"What on purpose?"
"Are you deliberately looking for an excuse to drive me away?"
"You think too much!"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and shook his head slightly: "Do I need to do it on purpose if I want to drive you away?"
Xu Lan: “…”
So angry!
So angry!
Why is this bastard so mean?
Why are you so in debt?
"snort!"
Xu Lan glared at Lin Jiangnian, then sat down at the table next to him and said angrily, "Then I won't leave!"
"Not leaving?"
"That's right, I'm not leaving today!"
Miss Xu snorted heavily, "I'm staying here this afternoon and not going anywhere... Not only am I not leaving this afternoon, I'm also going to have dinner here tonight!"
She looked like she was going to confront Lin Jiangnian head-on!
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment and said, "How about... you just don't go back tonight and sleep here?"
"Sleep here?"
Xu Lan was startled, then her face flushed red, and she glared at him shyly: "You, you wish!"
"What beauty am I thinking of?"
Lin Jiangnian was puzzled. "Didn't you say you wanted to waste time here? You might as well not go back. This palace has nothing but a lot of rooms. Don't even mention not going back today. You can stay here forever!"
The palace is so big, are you afraid that she won’t have a place to sleep?
Xu Lan: “…”
After a moment, he realized what Lin Jiangnian meant. His face immediately felt a little hot, and he quickly turned away. It took him a long time to recover.
He glanced at Lin Jiangnian and said, "Humph!"
"You want me to sleep here? I won't!"
"As long as you are happy."
Lin Jiangnian was too lazy to pay attention to her. This Miss Xu was just too idle.
How about finding her something to do?
Ask her to stop being annoying?
As soon as the thought came to his mind, Lin Jiangnian suddenly remembered something. He frowned slightly, stared at Xu Lan in front of him, and then slowly relaxed his brows.
Xu Lan was originally thinking about how to have a good fight with this guy, but suddenly she saw Lin Jiangnian staring at her with burning eyes.
There seemed to be a scorching glow in his eyes. As if... some conspiracy was brewing?
"You, why are you looking at me like that?!"
Xu Lan immediately became alert and subconsciously covered her chest with her hands... Was the look in his eyes trying to plot against her?
For some reason, the first thing that popped up in Xu Lan's mind was what happened that day...
The blush on her face, which had just faded, began to heat up again as she recalled what happened that day. She even vaguely felt a strange, inexplicable sensation in her body, familiar yet inexplicably tense and exciting.
"What's your reaction?"
Lin Jiangnian saw Xu Lan's alert expression and her movements...
"Don't cover it up, there's nothing...what's there to cover up?"
Xu Lan was startled and looked down subconsciously.
She fell silent as she seemed to realize something.
This bastard, he, he actually dared...
Xu Lan's pretty face flushed instantly, and she gritted her teeth. Just as she was about to explode, she saw Lin Jiangnian suddenly wave his hand: "Forget it, let me tell you something serious!"
"Aren't you free now? I need your help!"
"Help?"
Xu Lan was stunned when Lin Jiangnian forcibly interrupted his spell, and began to wonder if he had heard it wrong.
help?
Ask her for help?
But then Xu Lan reacted, gritted his teeth, and snorted coldly: "No help!"
You bullied her and still want her to help you?
How could there be such a good thing?
"Not helping?"
“No help!”
"That's okay!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded, stood up and walked towards the door: "I'll go find someone to help."
Xu Lan was stunned again. He gave up just like that?
No, shouldn't you come and beg me and say a few nice words?
How come he...can't even comfort himself?
Asking for help without any attitude?
Xu Lan was so angry that she stomped her feet immediately, feeling anxious and angry. Seeing Lin Jiangnian was about to leave the room, she bit her red lips, and a feeling of shame and anger flashed across her.
"You, you stop!"
“…”
Night falls.
The Prince Lin's Mansion fell into silence again.
The vast Linwang Palace, nestled within Linjiang City, was vast and tranquil. Hidden in the darkness, eerie figures occasionally flashed by, creating a slightly oppressive atmosphere.
A strange figure appeared silently in Prince Lin's Mansion, climbed into the courtyard without anyone noticing, came to the door of the corridor, pushed the door open and walked into the room with ease.
The room is bright and quiet.
The woman in red who had just walked into the room seemed to notice something. She sniffed slightly, and a look of doubt appeared on her cold and delicate face.
This smell... is it wine?
A faint smell of alcohol filled the room, strong and stimulating!
She looked up and saw an exquisite square table placed in the middle of the bright room. Lin Jiangnian was sitting at the table, with his head down, doing something unknown.
On the table in front of him were two wine jars. The smell of alcohol was clearly emanating from there.
The woman in red had a hint of doubt in her eyes and slowly approached.
"What are you doing?"
Lin Jiangnian didn't look up: "Study and learn some knowledge!"
"Knowledge?"
The woman in red was startled and glanced at the wine on the table next to her: "Where did the wine come from?"
"Brewed."
“…”
"You still like to drink?"
As if she had not expected that Lin Jiangnian had such a hobby, the woman in red sat down beside him and opened the jar of wine next to him.
The next second, the rich aroma of wine filled the air.
The strong stimulation made the red-dressed woman's eyes light up, "This wine..."
She had never experienced such a strong smell of alcohol before. When she got close to it, the strong and stimulating smell of alcohol made her pores seem to bloom at this moment.
She casually poured a bowl of wine from the jar, put it to her nose and took a light sniff, feeling the scent of alcohol that she had never smelled before, and she immediately felt much more energetic.
She took a sip from her red lips, and the strong and stimulating smell of alcohol instantly swept over her body.
“Good wine!”
The eyes of the woman in red immediately lit up.
"What are you doing?!"
Lin Jiangnian looked up and saw the woman in red holding a wine bowl. Then he realized something: "You stole my wine?!"
"Drinking secretly?"
The red-dressed woman blinked her beautiful eyes and said, "Isn't this just drinking openly?"
As he spoke, he took another sip, his deep eyes becoming brighter, and he couldn't help asking, "Where did you get this wine?"
"Secret formula, never to be revealed to anyone else!"
"Secret formula?"
The red-dressed woman was startled for a moment, then showed an incredible look on her face, with a look of astonishment in her eyes: "Don't tell me, you brewed this wine?"
"What else?"
Lin Jiangnian rolled his eyes.
The woman in red was even more surprised: "Where did you learn this?"
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment and said, "This is a winemaking method from my hometown..."
The two jars of wine on the table in front of you are the results of Lin Jiangnian’s hard work today!
Earlier in Ruyi Tower, Lin Jiangnian learned that Senior Li loved to drink, especially strong liquor, and he immediately became interested.
Strong liquor?
This wasn't difficult for Lin Jiangnian; the only difficulty lay in concealing his actions. The uneducated Prince of Lin suddenly learned to brew wine... something was clearly amiss!
However, with the appearance of Xu Lan today, it helped Lin Jiangnian a lot!
Xu Lan, this annoying guy, turned out to be useful at this time and became a qualified tool!
Leveraging Xu Lan's reputation, Lin Jiangnian quickly and reasonably managed everything. After continuous exploration and improvement, he finally succeeded in producing these two jars of distilled liquor.
In this era of backward brewing technology, the distilled liquor made by Lin Jiangnian is undoubtedly a dimensionality reduction attack.
Doesn’t Senior Li like to drink strong liquor?
Tomorrow Lin Jiangnian plans to take these two jars of wine to teach Senior Li a lesson!
The red-dressed woman's eyes showed a hint of surprise. A secret recipe from her hometown?
This guy...where is he from?
While thinking, the woman in red was attracted by the liquor in front of her. After a few sips, a hint of red appeared on her originally fair face.
Her already beautiful face became even more charming under the light. Her deep and cold eyes were a little smart as she glanced at Lin Jiangnian: "What are you doing?"
"I'm researching whether I can purify and flavor the wine to make it taste better..."
Winemaking is not difficult, and Lin Jiangnian has already memorized this technique in his mind, but he has no way of grasping the details, so he can only keep trying.
I don't have enough time today, so I can only come back to study. Once I figure it out, I'll try again in a couple of days to improve the taste of this liquor.
The woman in red nodded thoughtfully. After finishing a bowl of wine, she showed a look of reluctance. She glanced at the wine on the table, then at Lin Jiangnian, and said, "Give me a jar of this wine!"
Unexpectedly, after Lin Jiangnian looked up and glanced at her, he shook his head without even thinking.
“No difference!”
…
(Or two in one) By the way, this book hardly contains cliché stories such as copying poems and books to do business. Some things will only be borrowed in specific occasions and will not be written in detail.