With such attire, smooth as jade, the Dean Lin, who appears elegant and humble, turns into a bright and ambitious young man with bold brows and spirited eyes.
Speaking of his ageâ¦
Jiang Ning casually asked Concubine Ya, who was standing next to her, âHow old is Chief Lin, actually?â@@novelbin@@
âPerhaps⦠twenty-three or four?â
Concubine Ya paused for a moment, then shook her head, âThis gentleman looks very young, but his temperament is quite mature, itâs really hard to guess.â
Jiang Ning asked Gufeng: âGufeng, do you know Lin Shimoâs age?â
Gufeng immediately replied: âLin Shimo, twenty-four.â
Jiang Ning laughed, âIt seems that our Concubine Yaâs guess is quite accurate.â
She stepped forward, raised her voice and shouted: âLingzi!â
Lingzi turned around and saw her, and her laughter stopped abruptly.
Li Tingqian and Wenzan ran over to pay their respects immediately.
âAuntie.â
âYour son pays his respect, mother.â
The both of them looked a bit guilty and sneaked peeks at the little girl sitting on the horse.
Lingzi whispered to Lin Shimo: âMaster Lin, you have to get me down quickly, my mother is here, and itâs going to get bad!â
Lin Shimo let go of the reins, stretched out one arm, allowing her to hold onto it. He carefully set her down on the ground, bent over and whispered with a smile: âItâs fine, Master Lin is here.â
He led Lingzi by the hand, walked up to Jiang Ning, and nodded slightly: âMaster Lin pays his respects to the Princess Consort.â
âChief Lin, thereâs no need to be so formal.â
Jiang Ning knew his lofty status, that the Spring Autumn Academy did not belong to the Great Sheng, so he actually didnât need to follow the usual formalities.
His presence in the Imperial Palace to teach princes is a honor even the Emperor respects.
Jiang Ning glared at Lingzi.
Lingzi looked up at Lin Shimo.
Lin Shimo said with a smile: âPrincess Consort, please quell your anger. I was teaching the eldest grandson of the Emperor how to ride a horse, and when I saw that Princess Lingzi seemed to like it, I let her ride as well, ensuring her safety.â
âI know Chief Lin is well-intentioned, but Lingzi is still too young, and too mischievous. If she rides a horse without othersâ attention, it could be unsafe.â
âThe Princess Consort speaks wisely.â Lin Shimo bent down and gently patted Lingziâs head, and whispered, âPrincess, letâs make a promise.â
âWhat is it?â
âUntil Lingzi grows up, she canât ride this horse by herself, alright?â
âBut Lingzi is already grown up!â Lingzi pouted, âThe red horse was given by daddy. Daddy said Lingzi can ride.â
Jiang Ning was angry: âDonât challenge me!â
Frightened, Lingzi slipped behind Lin Shimo, peering out half of her little face and cried: âMaster Lin help me! Mother wants to hit me!â
Looking at her nimble escape, like a little squirrel, Jiang Ning was angry yet amused, her anger largely defused, but her face was still solemn.
Lin Shimo smiled and said, âIf the Princess Consort wants to blame someone, blame me. The little princess is still young.â
Jiang Ning thought, even the Emperor treats you with courtesy, neither the Crown Prince nor the Prince of Zhao succeeds in inviting you, who dares blame you?
âChief Lin is too humble, itâs a minor thing, no big deal. Lingzi, come here. Your mother wonât hit you.â Jiang Ning beckoned to Lingzi.
While Lingzi was still hesitating, the sharp voice of an eunuch came from outside.
âThe Emperor arrivesââ
Upon hearing it, Jiang Ning subconsciously looked at Concubine Ya.
This Concubine Ya really has some ability, accurately guessing when the Emperor would arrive.
Concubine Ya had already knelt down to meet him, Jiang Ning could not see her expression.
She herself, leading a few children, paid her respects to the Emperor.