Wenren Zong had become very dark and thin, but his expression was calm and his demeanor remained refined.
At the moment of making eye contact with him, Jiang Ningâs heart was filled with mixed feelings.
When she sent him away from Changâan City, she thought she would never see him again in this lifetime.
Unexpectedly, in just a year and a half, he came back.
When Wenren Zong saw her, his deep black eyes remained unruffled. Following the rules, he knelt down and paid his respects to her and the Crown Prince.
As for the handsome young man beside him, dressed in flowing robes and wearing a headscarf, with a face as beautiful as jade, he must be the legendary Lin Shimo.
Chunlai had said that only Lin Shimo could compare to the Crown Princeâs appearance.
In Jiang Ningâs opinion, it was indeed the case.
However, the two of them were still different.
Li Hongyuan had a youthful and noble air, handsome and elegant, but on his always icy face, there were inevitably a few traces of coldness and disdain.
This Dean Lin, on the other hand, was open-minded, handsome, and magnanimous, with a smile always on his lips.
He was young but possessed a restrained and calm temperament unique to middle-aged men.
This was rare.
However, he also appeared a bit weak.
Perhaps it was because of the scholarly air he exuded, giving people the wrong impression.
So many traits mixed in one person made him very extraordinary.
He held an ivory-colored jade fan in his hand and also paid respects to Li Hongyuan and Jiang Ning.
âDispense with the formalities,â
Li Hongyuanâs voice was bone-chillingly cold as soon as he spoke.
Lin Shimo smiled, rose, and sat down.
Wenren Zong, on the other hand, kept his eyes slightly lowered and stood at his side.
Now, he was just a commoner.
Aside from these few people in the palace, there were two others who Jiang Ning hadnât expected.
The Empress and the Prince of Zhao, Li You.
The Emperor chuckled, âItâs quite a coincidence today. Thereâs something you should be able to settle now that Dean Lin is here, Princess Consort. You mentioned a few days ago that you wanted to confront him.â
Lin Shimo looked at Jiang Ning, his bright eyes filled with a hint of confusion.
Jiang Ning suddenly felt embarrassed.
Facing such a worldly beauty like Dean Lin, even she, thick-skinned as she was, couldnât utter those wild, unsubstantiated statements.
âDoes Dean Lin have any children?â The Emperor, who enjoyed watching Jiang Ningâs embarrassment, deliberately asked.
Lin Shimo shook his head slightly and smiled, âYour Majesty, I have never married, so how could I have any children?â
The Emperor frowned, âThatâs strangeâ¦â
âEmperor Father, I heard you wanted to see me for something?â Jiang Ning hurriedly changed the subject.
âOh, yes.â The Emperor glanced at the Empress and Li You, âWhich one of you wants to go first?â
The Empress laughed and said, âIn principle, we should discuss this matter with your parents. However, since you are in the palace, I would like to inquire about your opinion.â
âPlease speak, Your Highness.â
âDoes the Princess not know whether her younger sister from her maternal family has been married off?â
âYour Highness, are you asking about my Sixth Sister, Jiang Yan? No, she hasnât.â
âIn that case, would it be alright if I act as a matchmaker for your sister?â The Empress asked with a smile.
Jiang Ning looked at the Prince of Zhao, Li You, and understood, âCould it be that the Prince of Zhao has taken a liking to my Sixth Sister?â
Li You stood up and said, âI have long heard that the Princess Consortâs sister is gentle and virtuous, with a beauty that rivals the moon and flowers. I have always admired her.â
Jiang Ning thought to herself, âHypocrisy.â
He had just returned a few days ago, and he already dared to say he admired Jiang Yan?
To be fair, Jiang Yan was pretty and amiable, but she was far from the description of moon-like beauty.
Moreover, Jiang Yan was born of a concubine and her status was not suitable for someone of Prince Zhaoâs high-ranking nobility. He could have chosen a noble lady of higher status.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om