early morning.
Lin Jiangnian was awakened by the knock on the door and opened his eyes in a daze.
"Who is it?"
"Your Highness..."
Xiao Zhu's soft and cautious voice came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Lin Jiangnian sat up and yawned.
The door opened and Xiao Zhu walked in cautiously. Looking at Lin Jiangnian who had just woken up, he said anxiously, "Your Highness, don't sleep anymore..."
"The prince has returned home!"
Prince Lin has returned home?
So fast?
Upon hearing this news, the sleepiness on Lin Jiangnian's face immediately disappeared, "He's back already?!"
"Um……"
Xiao Zhu approached and whispered, "Sister Qingqing went out of town to pick up the prince this morning. The prince returned home shortly after dawn and is now in the front hall..."
Xiao Zhu said anxiously, "Your Highness, please get up quickly. It's time to go see the prince..."
The prince has returned home, but His Highness is still sleeping... The prince would probably be angry if he knew.
Here we come!
What is coming will come!
"OK!"
Lin Jiangnian was not very nervous. He nodded and got up from the bed.
Xiao Zhu hurried forward and helped His Highness change clothes and wash up. After he was dressed neatly, he stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself in the mirror. Lin Jiangnian stared at him for a while and took a deep breath.
"Let's go!"
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand and left the room.
On the way to the front hall, Xiao Zhu whispered to Lin Jiangnian what had happened before.
After returning to the palace, the prince immediately summoned the housekeeper and several officers who stayed in Linjiang City to learn from them about the recent events in Linjiang City and the palace.
Lin Jiangnian listened quietly and soon arrived at the front hall.
Outside the hall, Zhi Yuan, dressed in white, stood outside the hall. Her straight and delicate body, the graceful figure hidden under the white clothes, and her face that remained calm, looked at Lin Jiangnian quietly.
"Your Highness, the prince has been waiting for you for a long time!"
"This prince knows!"
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyes and looked forward. What is coming will eventually come!
After adjusting his mood, he walked calmly into the front hall.
In the front hall, it was quiet.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood. In the front hall, there were several figures.
The housekeeper of the mansion stood respectfully aside, reporting something to the person in front.
Under the eaves on the other side stood a young man in green clothes.
His face was expressionless and fierce.
When Lin Jiangnian stepped into the front hall, his eyes immediately fell on Lin Jiangnian, looking him up and down.
It was not until a moment later that he looked away.
"Your Highness!"
He spoke expressionlessly.
Lin Jiangnian glanced at him and recognized his identity.
Zheng Zhiming!
Liu Su mentioned that Lin Wang's capable general was extremely skilled in martial arts and had strong ability to handle affairs. This time when Lin Wang went north to Xuzhou, he only brought him with him, which was enough to show Lin Hengzhong's trust in him.
Because of this, Zheng Zhiming did not have a good relationship with the Prince of Lin.
However, Lin Jiangnian did not take it to heart. His eyes fell on the middle-aged man sitting in the main seat in front of him.
He was dressed in a gray robe and looked inconspicuous.
A very ordinary face with a slightly weathered look, dusty and worn. However, one can still see some of his youthful handsomeness from the weathered face.
More importantly, this face is somewhat similar to Lin Jiangnian.
Obviously, this person is the biological father of Prince Lin, the king of a different surname in the current Daning Dynasty!
King Lin, Lin Hengzhong!
However, Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised.
Looking at the middle-aged man in front of him with a slightly rough and ordinary appearance, it is difficult to associate him with the imagined King Lin who commands hundreds of thousands of troops, destroys several countries in southern Xinjiang with a wave of his hand, kills people like crazy, and is extremely powerful.
The King Lin who was rumored to have three heads and six arms was actually such an ordinary middle-aged old man?
When Lin Jiangnian's gaze fell on him, Lin Hengzhong happened to look up and saw Lin Jiangnian appearing outside the door.
The two looked into each other's eyes!
Finally met!
The next second, Lin Jiangnian suddenly felt a sharp, suffocating breath coming at him. His entire body felt as if it had been strongly stimulated, and his chest felt tight.
At a glance!
Just one glance made Lin Jiangnian feel a terrifying pressure. The other person's calm eyes were deep and bottomless.
Lin Jiangnian was shocked and his back felt cold instantly!
Fortunately, Lin Jiangnian, who had been prepared, remained calm. After a moment of distraction, he quickly reacted and lowered his head to say, "Dad!"
It was quiet all around.
The butler who was originally reporting also stopped and looked back at Lin Jiangnian behind him, with almost all eyes on him.
Lin Hengzhong looked at Lin Jiangnian in front of him quietly, sizing him up and down. After a moment, he nodded slightly: "Yeah."
This "hmm" was very gentle, but seemed to contain some other emotion.
Lin Jiangnian was stunned for a moment.
"You all go down first."
At this time, Lin Heng spoke again, his voice returning to calm.
The man in blue under the eaves nodded, then glanced at Lin Jiangnian one last time, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but then he lowered his eyes and left the front hall.
"Then, Your Majesty, I will withdraw first!"
The butler beside him also tactfully withdrew and did not disturb the reunion of the prince and his royal highness.
Soon, only Lin Jiangnian and Lin Hengzhong were left in the front hall.
"Jiang Nian, come and sit down."
Lin Hengzhong's voice came again, extremely gentle, so gentle that it even made Lin Jiangnian a little dazed.
However, he did not show any fear. He nodded slightly and sat down aside.
He looked up and looked at Lin Hengzhong.
Lin Hengzhong was also looking at him, his deep eyes were still calm, but seemed to have a strange look in them.
For some reason, Lin Jiangnian was somewhat unsurprised.
How to describe it?
Indescribable!
Lin Hengzhong in front of him gave Lin Jiangnian the feeling that he was not like the ruthless King Lin, but more like... a loving father?
Before this, Lin Jiangnian had rehearsed countless possible scenarios. How would Lin Hengzhong react when he saw him?
Was it the rage after discovering Lin Jiangnian's identity?
Or is it a question of doubt?
Or... he was completely unaware, but was still cursing at his disappointing son?
Logically speaking, this is the temperament and character that the King should have.
However, looking at Lin Hengzhong in front of him at this moment, Lin Jiangnian was somewhat dazed... but then, he became more alert.
How could Lin Hengzhong, who could command hundreds of thousands of troops, march into several countries in the southern border, and make great military achievements, and was made a king by the emperor as an exception, be a gentle person?
Although he was confused, Lin Jiangnian remained calm. He met Lin Hengzhong's gaze and asked, "Dad, are you all right on your journey back?"
The Prince of Lin had always been unruly and lawless in Linjiang City. The only person he feared in the entire palace was Lin Hengzhong.
Therefore, when facing Lin Hengzhong, even the Prince of Lin still did not dare to be presumptuous.
"fine."
Lin Hengzhong said calmly, "There were some annoying flies, but they've been dealt with. They're not a problem!"
Lin Jiangnian's eyes narrowed. Annoying flies?
The flies that King Lin mentioned might not be real flies, so...
Lin Jiangnian, who had anticipated something, seemed to be lost in thought. When he looked up, he saw Lin Hengzhong still looking at him.
Lin Jiangnian suddenly felt uneasy: "Dad, why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's been a long time since we last met. Jiang Nian, you've changed a lot." Lin Hengzhong seemed a little confused and spoke.
Lin Jiangnian's heart suddenly jumped, and he said calmly: "Dad thinks I've changed?"
“It has indeed changed!”
Lin Heng nodded and stared at him for a while. Just when Lin Jiangnian was getting extremely nervous, Lin Heng suddenly spoke again: "You have become mature!"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned.
Then, Lin Hengzhong asked again, "I heard from Zhiyuan that you've started practicing martial arts? You're doing well, and have made some progress?"
Lin Jiangnian had already made his point, so he nodded slightly and said, "That's right!"
"Dad, during the past few months when you were away, a lot of things happened in Linjiang City, and I also encountered several assassination attempts..."
"Then I thought, if I could learn martial arts and gain some skills, if I could protect myself, I wouldn't have nearly lost my life so many times..."
Lin Jiangnian had already prepared a set of excuses for learning martial arts. Wanting to protect himself was indeed the real reason.
Therefore, his answer was flawless.
"Okay, martial arts is good!"
Hearing Lin Jiangnian's answer, Lin Hengzhong's eyes lit up slightly, a smile appeared on his face, and he looked a little relieved: "Jiangnian! You have finally grown up!"
"It's good to learn martial arts. Men of our generation should learn martial arts to stand tall and proud, and establish themselves between heaven and earth!"
"Dad has always wanted to pass on the Xuanyang Heart Method to you, so that you can take over Dad's position. But it's a pity that you were not interested before!"
At this point, Lin Hengzhong waved his hand and said, "Dad didn't force me at the time. You were young and naive, so it's understandable. As expected, a man must go through things before he grows up!"
Lin Hengzhong looked at Lin Jiangnian in front of him with satisfaction: "Now, you have finally grown up, Dad is very pleased!"
Lin Jiangnian breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for the compliment, Dad."
"However, your achievements aren't enough. Don't become complacent. You need to work hard! Don't give up halfway..."
Lin Hengzhong looked at Lin Jiangnian with a doting look in his eyes. He said, "You are my only son now. In the future, I will hand over the Lin family and Linzhou to you... If you want to shoulder this heavy responsibility, you are far from being qualified now!"
Lin Jiangnian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I will try my best."
"That's good!"
Lin Heng nodded emphatically: "Don't disappoint your mother's expectations. If your mother's spirit in heaven can see you, she will rest in peace!"
Lin Jiangnian frowned. Why did this sound weird?
However, Lin Jiangnian still nodded.
"Okay, Dad just got back. We had a lot of trouble along the way. I'm tired!"
After chatting with Lin Jiangnian about the past, Lin Hengzhong waved his hand and said, "I'm going to rest for a while. You can go down first!"
"yes."
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "Then I won't bother Dad!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
In the front hall, Lin Hengzhong stared at Lin Jiangnian's back, and a hint of excitement flashed across his originally deep and calm eyes.
Then, everything returned to calm.
…
Outside the front hall.
When Lin Jiangnian walked out, he was still in a daze.
I feel a little confused and a little bewildered!
Is it...over?
Lin Hengzhong, didn't even doubt his identity?
Not at all?
Lin Jiangnian was in a daze, instinctively feeling that something was amiss. Many of the scenes he had rehearsed in his mind had never occurred.
This made Lin Jiangnian, who was well prepared, feel powerless, as if his fist was hitting cotton.
When Lin Hengzhong met him, he seemed to have no doubt about his identity at all.
Is it because he disguises himself too well?
Lin Jiangnian looked down at himself, thoughtful.
It's not impossible, but...
Lin Jiangnian frowned, recalling the look in Lin Hengzhong's eyes when he looked at him, and always felt something was strange.
But I can’t tell what’s so strange about it!
What is going on?
Outside the front hall, there were two figures standing.
Zhiyuan, dressed in white, and Xiaozhu, standing behind Zhiyuan, blinked at Lin Jiangnian with a little nervousness and curiosity.
Lin Jiangnian stopped, his mind moved, and looked at Zhiyuan: "When did my father come back?"
Zhiyuan said, "The prince returned early this morning."
"Did you say anything to my father?" Lin Jiangnian continued to ask.
Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment and nodded.
"Have you said anything bad about this prince?"
Zhiyuan shook his head expressionlessly.
"Really?" Lin Jiangnian stared at her.
Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, with a hint of doubt on his face, and then he said expressionlessly, "Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"
"Nothing, just asking..."
Lin Jiangnian stared at her for a while, confused, and turned to leave.
Zhiyuan said from the side: "Your Highness, the prince is returning home today. We will have a family dinner to welcome him tonight. Your Highness, don't forget..."
"knew!"
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand and left without looking back.
…
In a quiet room.
A stealthy figure sneaked into the room.
"How is it?"
The voice of the person who came was urgent and a little uneasy.
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyes and looked at Liu Su who appeared in front of him.
At this moment, she looked Lin Jiangnian up and down with great seriousness. After confirming that Lin Jiangnian was safe, she seemed to have expected something: "Not discovered?"
"No." Lin Jiangnian shook his head.
"That's good!"
Liu Su stroked his chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
My heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally relaxed a little.
But then she noticed Lin Jiangnian's slightly serious expression: "What's wrong?"
"Isn't it a good thing that you didn't notice? What's your reaction?"
"It's a bit strange!" Lin Jiangnian frowned.
"Strange?" Liu Su was puzzled.
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and recounted his reaction to Lin Hengzhong's previous meeting. After he finished, Lin Jiangnian said with a puzzled look on his face, "Even though he didn't seem to notice anything, I still feel like something is strange...but I can't put my finger on it!"
Lin Hengzhong's reaction and tone were beyond Lin Jiangnian's expectations, which made him instinctively feel a little weird.
It's like an instinctive reaction when facing a crisis!
It’s so easy!
It’s too easy!
It was so easy that Lin Jiangnian felt very uneasy!
Liu Su also gradually fell into silence. After hearing what Lin Jiangnian said, it seemed a bit strange?
King Lin was definitely not a kind-hearted person. It was hard to imagine such a gentle and loving scene!
More importantly, he didn't realize Lin Jiangnian's fake identity at all?
"Is it possible that you're overthinking it?"
Liu Su frowned and said, "If Lin Hengzhong really found out that you were a fake, why would he be so gentle to you? I'm afraid he would arrest you immediately and interrogate you!"
Lin Jiangnian speculated, "Is he secretly planning something? A big move?"
Liu Su shook his head, "Why would a dignified King Lin need to plot against you?"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned. This was true.
So, why is this?
Could it be just his illusion?
Just overthinking it?
"Maybe you really are overthinking it. Lin Hengzhong might not even realize you're a fake."
Liu Su spoke up and analyzed, "Perhaps he really thinks of you as the Crown Prince of Lin, which is why he treats you so peacefully and kindly?"
Lin Jiangnian frowned. It was not impossible, but...
"He doesn't have any doubts at all? This is what makes me most uneasy..."
"Isn't this a good thing? This means you are the Prince of Lin..."
Just at this moment, Liu Su, who was halfway through her words, seemed to think of something and suddenly raised her eyes to stare at Lin Jiangnian in front of her.
A terrible possibility came to her mind!
Seeing her reaction, Lin Jiangnian immediately realized something: "What did you think of?"
Liu Su's eyes changed slightly. She stared at Lin Jiangnian, as if she wanted to take in every reaction on his face.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Is there a possibility that you are the real Prince Lin! !"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned and realized the meaning of Liu Su's words.
"This is impossible..."
He immediately denied it subconsciously.
"That night in the dilapidated temple..."
Liu Su seemed to be recalling something, muttering to himself, and then took a deep breath: "Is there a possibility... that the Prince of Lin who died in the temple that night was just a substitute!"
"And you are the real dog prince?!"
When this thought came to her mind, Liu Su's heart began to beat faster.
At first, she did doubt whether Lin Jiangnian was the real dog prince. However, she gradually gave up this idea. But now, after realizing what happened today, she had to doubt it again.
"How is this possible?!"
Lin Jiangnian immediately shook his head and said in astonishment, "If I were the real Prince Lin, how could I not know about it myself... If I were that bastard Prince, could I have hidden it from you?"
Liu Su frowned, it was indeed so.
Can……
She stared at Lin Jiangnian up and down with a suspicious look on her face.
Not long after, a flash of inspiration seemed to appear in her mind again, and she stared at Lin Jiangnian in astonishment.
"What if you lose your memory?"
"Amnesia?"
Lin Jiangnian was also stunned.
“That’s right!”
Liu Su stared at Lin Jiangnian, and a hint of excitement gradually appeared in her eyes, as if she had guessed some truth!
"What if the one who died that night was indeed just a substitute, and you... are the real Prince Lin?!"
"As for your amnesia..."
"Could it be that you were injured or frightened during the assassination attempt that night, causing you to lose your memory?"
"So, you forgot your identity?!"
Liu Su breathed rapidly and stared at Lin Jiangnian.
Lin Jiangnian was also suddenly stunned at this moment, and fell into a long period of contemplation and doubt.
…
night!
The Prince Lin’s Mansion was bustling with activity.
The return of Prince Lin caused quite a stir in Linjiang City. Officials of all ranks and people from prominent families in Linjiang City came to visit and give him gifts.
However, they were all rejected by King Lin.
At night, a welcoming ceremony was held in Prince Lin’s mansion.
In the quiet room, a banquet with several dishes was placed on the table, and Lin Jiangnian and Lin Hengzhong sat down.
An ordinary family dinner.
Lin Hengzhong seemed to have inherited Princess Lin's frugal habits and disliked extravagance. Therefore, this family dinner was extremely simple, with only Lin Hengzhong and Lin Jiangnian present.
There were several maids standing around, including Zhiyuan, Xiaozhu, and even Liu Su, serving dishes and pouring wine.
Lin Jiangnian glanced at Liu Su beside him, feeling a little strange.
Why is she here?
Liu Su also secretly glanced at Lin Jiangnian, but remained silent. When her eyes fell on Lin Hengzhong across from her, she quickly lowered them.
Calm and peaceful.
Pour wine for Lin Jiangnian and Lin Hengzhong!
This family dinner was rather ordinary.
At the dinner table, Lin Hengzhong didn't say much, but just asked some ordinary little things. However, when the recent assassination of Lin Jiangnian was mentioned, Lin Hengzhong did react.
"Heh, it seems someone really wants my Lin family to be extinct!"
At that moment, Lin Hengzhong, who had always been gentle, suddenly exuded an oppressive aura.
In an instant, almost everyone present changed their expressions.
Behind the crowd, Liu Su's pupils suddenly shrank.
Lin Jiangnian's face also looked a little ugly. He finally felt the horror of the King Lin in front of him.
Is the aura alone so terrifying?
Is this the power of a first-grade grandmaster?
However, this momentum disappeared in an instant and ceased to exist.
Then, Lin Hengzhong spoke again.
"Kite?"
"I'm here." Behind him, Zhiyuan lowered her eyes and spoke softly.
"How's the investigation going?"
Zhiyuan hesitated, glanced around, and said nothing.
Lin Hengzhong said calmly, "Just say it."
Zhiyuan then spoke, "The person who assassinated Your Highness has some connection with the Third Prince of the capital, and...Prince Xu!"
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes. Prince Xu?
The guy who is a prince of a different surname from him?
"Oh, what a great Third Prince, what a great Prince Xu!"
Lin Hengzhong sneered, "Looks like I'm going to have to settle this account with their father!"
After saying that, Lin Hengzhong shook his head again: "Forget it, let's eat first tonight and not talk about this for now."
"good!"
“…”
A family dinner ended quietly.
When Lin Jiangnian returned to his room, he was still frowning. Since Lin Heng returned home today, everything was very strange!
Not only Lin Hengzhong was puzzled, Liu Su was also puzzled!
Apart from the Xuanyang Diagram, what other purpose did she have in sneaking into Prince Lin's Mansion?
Besides, thinking of Liu Su's previous speculation, Lin Jiangnian's eyes became more solemn...
Could he be the real Prince Lin?
Or was it really as Liu Su said, that the one who died that night was just a substitute? And he was the real Prince Lin, but... he had lost his memory?
I can't figure it out, and I have no idea for the time being.
That night, Lin Jiangnian was not in the mood to practice martial arts. After taking a shower and changing clothes, he returned to his room. Liu Su was not there tonight, and Xiao Zhu had disappeared somewhere.
Lin Jiangnian, who had been nervous all day, relaxed and felt sleepy.
However, when I was drowsy in the middle of the night, I was suddenly awakened by a loud noise outside.
When I opened my eyes, I heard a loud noise not far away, accompanied by chaotic footsteps, and saw the sound of fire in the distance through the window.
"What's going on?"
Lin Jiangnian frowned, stood up, pushed open the door, walked outside, and walked out into the yard.
Soon, several figures appeared in the sight ahead, with flames everywhere.
In the darkness, countless palace guards flew through the air. Seeing this scene, Lin Jiangnian's eyes suddenly focused.
Densely packed, countless black shadows!
There are so many masters in Lin Wang Mansion?
Also, what is going on?
"What's going on?"
At this time, Lin Jiangnian saw a petite figure staggering, with a look of panic on its delicate little face.
"Xiaozhu?"
Lin Jiangnian frowned, and Xiaozhu saw His Highness and hurried over.
"What's going on? What happened?" Lin Jiangnian asked hurriedly.
"Yes, there is an assassin!"
Xiao Zhu lowered her head, her face filled with panic, and tremblingly said, "Your Highness..."
"The prince was assassinated..."
“…”