C17

Linzi Shu [3]

The imperial palace was not the only city in Ying City. The most magnificent building was situated on a wide road in the southwest corner not far from the imperial city. In front of the lintel, there were four white jade pillars side by side, each carved in the shape of a qilin soaring into the clouds. The four Qilin statues carved from stone had an extraordinary aura. They had long claws and looked as if they were about to come to life.

Many soldiers were guarding the door. When they raised their heads and saw the black, lacquered signboard hanging in front of the gate, there were four eye-catching words carved on it, 'Royal Mansion of Ru Sheng'.

The palaces and pavilions were crisscrossed, and the green miasma hung in the air as a strong fragrance assaulted his nostrils. They were all exotic flowers and herbs that he could not call names. The garden in the palace didn't fall in the slightest. There was a small lake in the middle of the garden, and it was very famous. By the lakeside, a small bridge made of white stone was connected to a pavilion covered with glazed tiles. The corners of the pavilion were tied with wind chimes made from crystals. A cool breeze blew past, producing a melodious' Ding Ling 'sound.

She was sitting on a low stool, her ten-thousand-year fan swinging in front of her. She was looking at the perfect multi-petal lotus in the distance.

"Beaver, did you hear from me yesterday when I asked you to investigate that matter?" It was already lunchtime. A row of beautiful female servants walked over from across the bridge, step by step, confirming the menu for today's luncheon.

"I have a letter for you," said the thug while taking over the book and casually flipping through it. "The carp with hibiscus carp."

"Pear Fragrance Roasted Duck. Tell me about it."

"According to the scouts, Lin Zishu was indeed toyed with yesterday, and Lin Zishu was so hard-working that he fried clams." The beaver passed the menu to the maid, which was considered as having finished ordering lunch.

"Go on."

"Lin Zi was born from the fourth concubine of Grand Commandant Lin. She had three brothers and five sisters. Speaking of this forest, tsk tsk tsk tsk. " The beaver examined a cup of fruit tea for itself and brought it close to its nose to sniff it. It was indeed the fruit tea that Cheng Luo brought back from the Windraiser City.

"Hurry up and don't keep us in suspense." Even Cheng Luo was very curious, as expected, women gathered together and had endless gossip. Chloe picked up the nearest dish of preserves from the stone table and listened with great interest.

"Although Lin Taibai has already reached the year where he knows his fate, his ability to pursue flowers and seek for trouble is not difficult. He had taken in his eleventh concubine a few days ago. And speaking of Lin Zhishu's birth mother's identity … "Er, according to the scout, she was once a dancer from the Lin Clan, but by chance, she was taken in by Captain Lin. Mo Qiushu died when he was five, and the mother and daughter had no power at all in the Residence of Yue, so Lin Zhishu was bullied from a young age until he was bullied by his elder brother's shadow. She is truly a pitiful girl."

The three of them sighed endlessly. As the Grand Commandant's daughter and biological mother had left early on, those people naturally chose to pinch her. When they first met, Lin Zishu's dress had turned white. Even the hairpin that he wore was just an ordinary, cheap silver hairpin. Now that he thought about it, his eyelids jumped.

"Besides, the poor scholar that was secretly betrothed to Lin Zhishu has been kneeling in front of the Grand Commandant's residence since yesterday, asking to marry Lin Zhishu. Eh …" It's another bitter couple of mandarin ducks. " The beaver sighed and sipped the last of the fruit tea.

Mencius stood up abruptly and said, "If we allow them to continue like this, then where will our reputation be?" It seems like we are relying on our power to bully others. " Saying that, he stood up and prepared to leave.

"Princess, you can't act rashly."

— —

The people watching from outside the gates of the Grand Commandant's Estate were like a city market, and the sounds of discussion were even louder. It was all because of the shabby scholar kneeling in front of the door.

The man was as weak as he could be. His clothes had been washed to the point where it was hard to distinguish his original color, including the nondescript patches on his clothes. He lowered his gaze, but his current expression could not be seen clearly. He was a delicate and refined scholar.

"Eh, I know this person." He is the one who got rich and learned, but was unable to take out any money to pay respect to the examiner.

Amongst the crowd, an old man recognized the man who had been kneeling in front of the entrance to the Grand Commandery.

Xiao Qinglian, the most famous scholar in Ying City. She was even more powerful than the crown prince, Su Yang. However, Xiao Scholar, who had failed to enroll in high school several times, was truly pitiful.

"Eh? Why is he kneeling here? " The aunt at the side asked curiously. This question was what everyone present was thinking.

Another aunt said, "I heard that Xiao Jianzi secretly had some feelings for the daughter of Lin Taibai. It was unfortunate that Lin Taibai had forced his daughter to marry the son of Rucen King. This time, Scholar Xiao has come to ask for marriage! "

Everyone understood the purpose of Xiao Scholar's arrival and could not help but sigh. Although he dared to compete with the King's Manor for it, he could not help but admire Xiao Scholar's courage.

"Xiao Lang!" The young girl who rushed out from the Tai Bei Manor was most likely the girl who had developed feelings for Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing Lian's eyes lit up as she stood up and rushed in front of the woman. "Shu'er!"

The two of them huddled together. Behind them, many servants came out of the Grand Commandant Residence, and a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothing slowly walked out. It was the owner of this residence, 'Lin Tai Ming'.

Under the watchful eyes of the onlookers, the pair of lovebirds knelt resolutely at Lin Taibai's feet.

"Father, your daughter is only willing to marry Xiao Lang. I beg father to grant my daughter's wish." The woman kowtowed three times, and a red mark appeared on her fair forehead.

"Lieutenant Lin, I am preparing for the Imperial Examinations. I will definitely treat Shu'er well in high school." "Please, don't betroth Shu Er to anyone else."

Even though their relationship was like gold that couldn't be broken, Lin Taibai didn't even manage to lift his eyelids before he kicked away Xiao Qing Lian.

"Originally, this old man had to forgive you, a poor scholar, for not being able to bring out any big waves." This old man has underestimated you, you dare to kidnap my daughter, then I will ask you, what do you think is suitable for you to go shoulder to shoulder with the eldest young master of the Royal House? "

Lin Taibai's words caused the citizens to discuss repeatedly. Really? What kind of place is the Royal House? In the palace of a protector of the kingdom, no matter which family's daughter had spent several lifetimes trying to squeeze their way in, the difference between the two was like the sky and the earth.

Xiao Scholar was so ashamed and angry that he couldn't say anything for a moment.

"What is it? Can't say it? "Since you can't say anything, hurry up and f * ck off!" Lin Tai Wei smirked as he looked at Xiao Qing Qing in disdain. He turned to the servant, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and bring the Sixth Miss back, so you don't have to embarrass me here. "

With that, the servant pulled Lin Zishu up from the ground.

"Xiao Lang!" "Xiao Lang!" Lin Zhishu really was a stubborn person. However, how could a weak girl tear a strong servant apart and be carried back to the Grand Commandant's Estate without any explanation?

"Shu'er!" Shu'er! Wait for me! I'll definitely go to high school! I'll definitely marry you! "

Five days later, they would choose the day of the ceremony. Meng Shichen decided to go over personally to show his appreciation. Rucan King only had two sons, so the gifts he had prepared ranged from gold and silver to silk and silk to porcelain. He was so envious that even the Emperor's son who had a wife was only so ostentatious.

As for the Sixth Miss of the Lintai City Prefecture, she had been on a hunger strike for quite some time, and so she worried badly about her servants. If something were to happen to her, let alone the fact that the people from the Great Yu Residence were unable to give an explanation to the Royal House, even if they were servants, they wouldn't even be able to think about it. Thus, no matter how much big guy racked his brains and tried, the Sixth Miss Lin straightened her neck and threatened that if he forced her to do so again, she would end up in the Tai Bei Prefecture. Thus, at present, no one dared to dissuade him. They only hoped that young master Meng would come today. After all, he was their future husband, and his words were more useful than their servants.

Lin Zishu lay dispiritedly on his bed. In just a few days, he had become a phoenix. His father had sent people to renovate the long defunct school, along with ten years of tables and chairs that needed to be propped up to keep their balance. Now, all of them had been replaced with the newest style of tables and chairs.

Normally, no one would be willing to attend to the Moulin Moon Courtyard, but now, they meticulously selected a few pretty and clever first-rate maids and made it even more spotless. Today, she swapped the withering Fox Tail Lily in the vase for the one that she had just broken off from the flowerbed, causing her to sneeze continuously. She had been suffering from hay fever ever since she was young. Since she didn't have the strength to speak, she gave up.

"Sixth Miss, Eldest Young Master will come and see you in a while. This servant will help you comb your makeup." The maid tried to curry favor with him, but Lin Zishu could not get a response from her.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, someone lightly knocks on the door. The maid pushed open the door and let out a creaking sound. In front of the door stood a dashing young man, dressed in a robe that was even whiter than white jade, his black hair meticulously tucked into the white jade crown. The maid naturally recognized him as the eldest son of the Royal House, Meng Shichen.

"Water, I want to drink water." Lin Zi Shu moaned in a hoarse voice.

Meng Shichen smirked. He picked up the teapot and sipped on it before walking to the couch. In a split-second, her pupils constricted. After not seeing her for a few days, she was actually as weak as a piece of paper.

Meng Shichen had expected her to torture him like this, so he sighed and said gently, "Come, Little Shu."

"..."

— —

"What did you say?" Second sister, I advise you to mind your own business! "

Meng Shili was in his study, reading a book. However, he didn't expect Meng to come in so quietly. Meng Shili insisted that he had something important to discuss.

Meng Shili slapped the book on the table and frowned as he stared at the cat.

"Eh? Are you my brother or not? Why was there such a huge gap between the two of them when they were born the same time! Xiao Shuren is so pitiful. It's because of this so called family background that Grand Commandant Lin is unwilling to marry Lin Zhishu off to him. I said, "Help him, what's wrong?"

Meng Shili sneered. His expression did not look like someone his age.

He said righteously, "How can you help? Give him the money to bribe the examiner? Or do you use your status to bribe him? — Second Sister I tell you, there are so many of these people in the world, and no woman in your life wants you to be a saint. If you help him one time, there will be another. Next … Endless! — It had to be blamed! Blame them for being born lowly! Blame them for being despicable! It's their fault if they are so cheap and have delusions of eating swan meat! "

Meng Shili picked up the book again, trying to ignore his nosy sister. His brother choked on his words, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Who taught you to be so cold and heartless at such a young age? Is that the Book of Saints that you study every day?! I don't care! I'll definitely help you with what happened to Scholar Xiao. If you dare to say even half a word to your parents and big brother, I'll pull out your tongue! "Humph!"

The bright sunlight fell on her face as she opened the door to the study. She was about to step over the threshold when she heard Meng Shili say in a light voice.

He said, "Did you think I had a choice when I was born into an official's family? Second Sis! We were born with unparalleled rights and inexhaustible wealth, but! There was a price to be paid. Do you think that by giving kindness to others, they would be able to treat you with gratitude and sincerity? Why? "Why don't you understand? Can't you see the reality? Second Sis …"

In the large study room, there were all kinds of books, and on the gold-plated pen holder, there were several exquisite brush stencils, an exquisite inkstone. The huge stone desk, the wooden chair that was used to carve the qilin beast, and the gold-plated crane candlesticks, all belonged to this nine-year-old boy that could not be considered a teenager. He had to sit here for another seven or eight hours every day, at an age that did not fit in with him, a lonely companion.

Meng Shili seemed to be crying a little as he stared at the drug. He opened his lips as if he wanted to say something. After a long while, she stepped out of the door and mercilessly left her little brother behind. Meng Shili stared at the back of the figure with downcast eyes, as if he had already made up his mind.

— —

Lin Zishu suddenly opened his eyes. Meng Shichen was in front of him. Shocked, Zhang Tie opened his thirsty lips and was at a loss for words.

"What's wrong, Little Shu?" "Come, drink some water." Meng Shichen gently helped Lin Zishu up. Lin Zishu hesitantly took the cup and finished it in a few gulps.

"You … "Why are you here …" Lin Zhishu's face was sallow and sallow. Even his hair had lost its luster after a few days of hunger strikes. With a hoarse voice, she looked at Meng Shichen, who was just inches away from her, with a slightly fearful expression, like a flower that was about to bloom.

Meng Shichen said amiably, "Of course it's for our marriage. Today is the day of the contract, did you forget?"

Lin Zishu shook his head with all his might, and his voice sounded like he was crying. He grabbed onto Meng Shichen's sleeve and said, "Young Master, please let me go, I saved your life once! I already have someone else in my heart! "

The wind blew in through the window. Unsurprisingly, it brought with it a slight chill. Presumably, autumn was not far away. Lin Zhishu shivered. She didn't know if it was because of the cool breeze, or because Meng Shichen's gaze was cold and gloomy, causing her to shiver.

He lowered his eyes and slowly blinked twice. The right corner of his mouth twitched into a meaningful smile.

"It's no use, Lin Zhishu. Do you really think that your 'one cry, two fights, three hung from the sky' is really of any use? If you die, your father will at most point to one of your sisters marrying me and not letting the marriage end. Do you know what a marriage between the Meng and Lin families means? I'll tell you! "Lin Zhishu, that means … mutual benefit, which means that your Lin Clan's official entry and gold and silver deposits are all just around the corner!"

When Meng Shichen said the last three words, Lin Zishu's heart skipped a beat.

The pain and anger filled Lin Zishu's heart in an instant, making her unable to breathe for a moment. As it turned out, she was only a tool, or perhaps a toy. Born in a eunuch's home, destined to love but not, destined to be a plaything to give to others at will! Lin Zifeng panted heavily, the dense smoke in his eyes flowing uncontrollably down his face.

Meng Shichen stretched out his hand and gently wiped away the tears on her face, then said with a seductive tone, "Little Shu, why not be my wife? "From now on, you are a member of the clan. No one will dare to bully you anymore, because you are my wife, the only one I care for …"

Lin Zishu gradually laughed, both at the same time seemed to be laughing at himself. She opened Meng Shichen's hand. Meng Shichen was frozen on the spot, expressionlessly looking at her haggard face like a withered flower.

"Meng Shichen, don't think that I don't know about the dirty tricks of your Royal House! You and your father! Your sister's happiness can be sacrificed for the sake of the royal power! How shameless! Extreme shamelessness! — You! You all rely on women's skirts to gain power! Money! I feel shame for all of you! "

Lin Zishu sneered. "Don't think I don't know, your sister …"

"How dare you!" "How dare you!" Meng Shichen's eyes were full of anger. He was obviously angry. Meng Shichen stood up and stabilized his body for a moment. Then, he returned to his warm disguise. Lin Zishu couldn't tell whether he was happy or angry. Ever since she first met him, this man had always been like this. His thoughts were meticulous, and his expression remained impassive. Lin Zishu was terrified. This kind of person was like a wolf, adept at camouflage. If a person was not on guard, they would be swallowed and wiped clean, followed by his gentle, warm, and hypocritical smile!

"I advise you to be a little more obedient and eat your meal. Otherwise, I can't guarantee that that Xiao fella will live well. "

His slender fingers took the untouched soup from the table and scooped up a spoonful of it. He put it to Lin Zhishu's lips and stared at Meng Shichen blankly. After a while, he swallowed that spoonful of porridge.

Meng Shichen smiled with satisfaction. "That's more like it."