Kyoto Prime Minister's House, Hayashi family.

Lin Zhimeng leaned against the window and smelled the plum fragrance, she supported her head with her bare hands, and wore a round carved hoop ring jade bracelet on her wrist, which was very exquisite. At this time, her brows on her beautiful face furrowed slightly, as if she was worried about something, but she was still beautiful and picturesque.

There are beautiful women in the north. Peerless and independent.

A look at the city. Then look at the country.

If Yi Xiangxiang was here, she would definitely not hesitate to chant these two small poems to Lin Zhimeng.

Lin Zhimeng's beauty, I can't find the slightest fault. It seems to be as cold and bright as the moon on the horizon, but a pair of bright eyes are as kind as the warm sun. Her beauty has no distance, and the clear and true beauty is in front of her.

This is the first beauty in Kyoto, and now she is also the first talented woman.

At the palace banquet two years ago, she played a self-arranged "Red Sleeve Fu", which shocked the heavens, and made the saint boast in public that "there are women like Lin Zhimeng" and gave a generous reward, and since then she has been famous.

From that day on, the most popular noble lady in Kyoto was the eldest lady of the Lin family in the Prime Minister's Mansion, Lin Zhimeng.

It was also from that day on, the matchmakers and matchmakers who came to the Lin family to say their relatives were about to step on the threshold of the Lin family.

"Eh, my little ancestor, it's so cold, why are you still blowing the wind with the window open!" Lin Zhimeng was smelling the fragrance by the window in a daze at this time, and a chubby grandmother came in from outside, and when she saw Lin Zhimeng's actions, she hurriedly walked over and closed the window.

"Don't worry, Mama, Meng'er is strong and strong, and she can still stand this little wind!" Lin Zhimeng said to the fat grandmother with a smile, but she didn't open the window again, but stood up and walked to the bookcase and picked up the book to read.

She knew that Mama cared for her, so naturally she would not make a fuss about opening the window again. And just now, I just felt bored, so I wanted to open the window to see the snow.

This fat grandma is Lin Zhimeng's wet nurse grandma, almost watching Lin Zhimeng grow up, because she was not polite to talk to Lin Zhimeng, I saw her hands on her non-existent waist, so she sat and said viciously: "How can a daughter's family say that she is strong and strong!" Besides, Miss, you are strong and strong, and you shouldn't blow the wind in winter, if you have another headache when you turn around, you can bear it! ”

Lin Zhimeng has a disease that has never been cured, that is, headache. She occasionally has a sharp cracking headache that does not have a specific onset period, and the cause of the trigger cannot be determined. The Lin family spent a lot of effort and invited many famous doctors to see and recuperate, but they did not find out the cause, but only reduced the pain and the number of episodes.

When it comes to having a headache, Lin Zhimeng is really scared, she has been dressed and fed since she was a child. And because he is smart and clever, he learns everything quickly, and he really hasn't suffered any setbacks. But this headache really hurt her.

In the early years, when it was more serious, she even hit her head with a pillar. Since the beginning of a few years ago, it is estimated that the doctor has taken the right medicine, and the disease gradually stops occurring.

"Okay, Meng'er has written it down, next time I don't open the window, Mama don't train Meng'er anymore." Lin Zhimeng was coquettish at Grandma Sun.

Such a beautiful and delicate person is coquettish to herself, even Mama Sun and her wife can't bear it, so she is naturally not willing to train again. She took the soup cover that Lin Zhimeng had just put on the table, put it in the latter's arms, and then sat down on the embroidery pier on the side and began to embroider, because she didn't want to disturb Lin Zhimeng's reading, so she didn't say a word.

She didn't want to disturb Lin Zhimeng, but there were other people who disturbed Lin Zhimeng.

In the winter mansion, only the bluestone road was cleaned by domestic servants and there was no snow, and a woman dressed in pink jumped from outside the courtyard. After a while, she entered the courtyard, pushed open the door of the main house, bypassed the eight-treasure carved screen, and appeared in front of Lin Zhimeng and Grandma Sun.

"Miss, guess what I heard!" Xiangqiao's voice sounded in her ears as crisp as a yellow warbler, and the excitement in her words was obvious.

Mama Sun put down the work in her hand and stood up and reprimanded: "You girl is getting more and more unruly, what kind of body is it to shout!" ”

Xiangqiao didn't notice that Grandma Sun was in the room, so she quickly bowed her head to apologize, and then asked for help while glaring at her young lady.

Lin Zhimeng is a little funny, the chubby grandma Sun always makes people feel kind because of her appearance, but grandma Sun must be strict when she helps her manage the yard, so she always deliberately puts on a fierce appearance, which really makes the little maids a little afraid of her.

It's just that this fear is not afraid of being reprimanded by her, but afraid of being reprimanded by her nagging. Xiangqiao once said bluntly to Lin Zhimeng, saying that Grandma Sun was really too verbose when she scolded people. And in the entire courtyard, the only one who can stop Grandma Sun is the young lady, and it is because of Xiangqiao that she asks Lin Zhimeng for help.

"Mama, I want to eat the jujube cake you made today, you can help me make some!" Lin Zhimeng put down the book and said.

"Miss! You can't spoil this girl like this, you want to ...... in the future You can't be so unruly! Grandma Sun naturally knew that Lin Zhimeng was helping Xiangqiao escape the scolding.

What Grandma Sun didn't finish, Lin Zhimeng naturally knew what it meant, it was nothing more than that she was going to marry into a high-ranking family in the future, and the servants around her naturally had to understand the rules.

Lin Zhimeng got up and walked to Grandma Sun's side, shook her arm and said, "I know, don't worry, I will punish this maid who doesn't understand the rules for a while!" Kemeng'er really wants to eat the jujube cake you made, so you can make some for me! ”

Xiangqiao was also very good, and hurriedly walked over and shook Grandma Sun's other arm and said, "Mama, Xiangqiao knows that she is wrong, and I promise not to do it again next time!" No, there will be no next time! Mama, you have a lot of adults, so this time you will spare Xiangqiao! ”

Mama Sun was shaken, and hurriedly said: "Okay, okay, if you shake it again, you will shake it for me!" ”

Lin Zhimeng and Xiangqiao both stopped tacitly, and the two sent Grandma Sun out of the room and asked her to make red bean cakes.

"Say, what's so pleased?" When the person walked away, Lin Zhimeng turned around and asked Xiangqiao behind him.

Unexpectedly, Xiangqiao deliberately sold Guanzi, she walked to the carved wreath chair next to her and sat down, and poured herself a cup of tea like an uncle, just waiting for Lin Zhimeng to get up and ask her.

But where could Lin Zhimeng be so anxious, originally Xiangqiao didn't show any words, she didn't know if this news had anything to do with her, so naturally she wouldn't be defeated in front of the little girl. So I saw that she calmly returned to the bookcase and picked up the book she had just flipped through.

This time, he was in a hurry, and quickly put down the teacup and shouted: "Miss! ”

For her own lady's deliberate ignorance, Xiangqiao was very depressed.

Lin Zhi laughed when she dreamed of this and asked, "What?" Don't you really say it? ”

"Eh, just say it! But Miss will be happy to hear the news! Xiangqiao walked up to Lin Zhimeng and said with certainty.

"It's still selling, isn't it? You damn girl! Lin Zhimeng used the book to knock on Xiangqiao's head.

Xiangqiao shouted and retreated: "Ah, let's talk about it!" The slave said! The slave maid just heard that His Royal Highness the Seven Princes have returned to Kyoto! ”

Zhao Ziqian came back with Xiong Wei and Tongzhou's secret guards, and after arriving at the dock, the group quickly entered from the south gate of Kyoto, so that many people knew the news that they had returned to Beijing. And even if Xiangqiao doesn't report at this time, it is estimated that the entire capital will know about it tomorrow, and it can reach Lin Zhimeng's ears.

Lin Zhimeng paused for a moment, and her eyes instantly bloomed: "Why didn't you hear the news before?" Who are you listening to at this moment? ”

She was a little skeptical about the authenticity of the news, because it was too abrupt.

"The slave maid just went to Ren'an Hall to deliver tonic soup to the old lady, and listened to what the old lady and the old man said. However, the slave didn't stay long at the time, and only heard the master say that His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince entered the palace yesterday to ask for guilt with the saint, but the saint did not punish him. In addition, the old man said that His Royal Highness the Seventh estimated that he would come to the door to find the old lady in the next two days. Xiangqiao told Lin Zhimeng what she heard.

Lin Mansion Ren'an Hall is the residence of the old lady Lin Zhen, and Xiangqiao, as the maid of the eldest lady, will send the tonic soup there, also because this tonic soup is boiled by Lin Zhimeng herself to honor the old man.

"Have you heard why His Highness left Beijing? Were you hurt when you came back? Don't get caught in the wind chill this winter. Lin Zhimeng said eagerly.

Since the news came from Ren'an Hall, Lin Zhimeng naturally believed it.

"I haven't heard of this, but there is definitely no injury, His Royal Highness Seventh just went out to play, and he didn't go to the battlefield, how could he be injured!"

Xiangqiao hurriedly appeased Lin Zhimeng, she knew that as long as what she said was related to His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, the young lady must be very concerned and concerned, because she had deliberately sold Guan Zi just now. However, Xiangqiao thought to herself at this time, and she didn't know why there were so many young talented sons in Kyoto, why the cold Seventh Highness made the young lady fall in love. She thinks that His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince is better, polite and polite, and looks more compatible with the gentle young lady.

As Lin Zhimeng's personal maid, she naturally knew who her young lady liked for a long time. Over the years, she has helped Lin Zhimeng find out a lot about Zhao Ziqian, the Seventh Prince, and she has known about Miss Yi's deep love for His Royal Highness the Seventh Highness for a long time.

Lin Zhimeng put down the book in her hand, sighed and said to Xiangqiao: "You don't understand, there have been open guns and hidden arrows in Kyoto for a long time, let alone outside Kyoto." ”

"The slave maid knew what the young lady meant, but His Royal Highness the Seventh sneaked out, and even the saint and the concubine Niangniang only found out later, so it was ...... Even if someone wants to assassinate the Seventh Highness, they may not know their whereabouts. Xiangqiao said.

After all, she is a maid who serves beside the eldest lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion, although she looks innocent on the surface, but she is not really a simple person. Xiangqiao can say this, which is enough to prove why she is qualified to serve the prime minister's concubine.

Lin Zhimeng nodded when she heard this, and put her hands on the soup cover to keep warm: "Is there really no one who knows what His Royal Highness the Seventh Highness is going out of Beijing for?" ”

I don't know why, but she was always a little worried.

Xiangqiao walked aside and sorted out the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone on the bookcase and replied: "I just heard that I am going to visit the mountains and rivers, and I want to come to His Royal Highness Seven, I think Kyoto is boring, go out and have fun." ”

Zhao Ziqian's reason to the outside world is to visit the mountains and rivers, saying that he is going to see the mountain scenery of the Li Dynasty. This is also tenable. Which of the sons of a family in Kyoto doesn't like to have fun? Even if you don't have a place to hang out with fireworks, there are people who prefer polo kemari. And even a character like the Four Princes will go to Meihuan Garden to find Linghua to play, and it is not surprising that the Seven Princes go to enjoy the landscape.

"I'm just afraid he'll be blinded by the scenery outside." Lin Zhimeng stroked the carved lines on the soup cover with her hand, and sighed and said this.

When she said this, it was a bit of a pun.

"Miss, don't worry, how can the scenery in this world be as beautiful as Miss. Last time we went out on the street and met His Royal Highness the Seventh by chance, when you went to greet him, when the young lady Xiong on the side praised the young lady for being really beautiful, the slave maid also saw His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince nodding in agreement! Xiangqiao said with a grin.

Lin Zhimeng looked up at Xiangqiao in surprise and asked, "Really?" ”

Xiangqiao walked over and said, "It's true, the slave doesn't dare to deceive Miss!" ”

So Xiangqiao saw that her young lady lowered her head, and then she didn't know what she thought, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously pulled out a smile.

Seeing this, Xiangqiao was about to make fun of her own young lady, when she heard a movement at the door. She opened the beaded curtain and went out sideways, bypassed the screen and came to the door, and found that it was Madame, so she hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects.

"Why is Mother here? Don't freeze when it's so cold this day, you can call me over if you have something. Lin Zhimeng, who was inside, also heard the movement and came out, and handed the soup cover in his hand to Mrs. Lin's Zhang.

Outside, at some point, it started to snow again, and large snowflakes fell. Zhang took the maid and the maid to stand under the eaves, and the snowflakes also flew in and landed on her shoulders, she patted the snowflakes away and said, "Come into the house and say." ”

Lin Zhimeng naturally hurriedly brought people into the house, and after coming in, she helped her mother take off her cloak, and helped Zhang to sit down in the circle chair, and Xiangqiao took a soup cover over again, and poured a cup of hot tea for Zhang.

"Okay, don't be busy, you all go down, I have something to tell the eldest lady." Zhang took the hot tea and sent away all the maids he had brought with him, including Xiangqiao, who had been guarding, leaving only one of her capable mother-in-law guarding the door.

"Mother, what's wrong? What is it that you want to command? Lin Zhimeng sat down next to Zhang and asked.

Lin Zhimeng's mother Zhang is from the Guogong Mansion, although she acts majestically on weekdays, she does things happily, and it is rare for her to have such a solemn expression, because Lin Zhimeng is very concerned.

After taking a sip of hot tea, Zhang put down the teacup and said, "Just now your father came back and told me that the Seventh Prince has returned to Kyoto. Now that the list of show girls has been decided, the second prince and the fourth prince have come to the mansion to walk around, and it is estimated that the seventh prince will come over in the next few days. Mother asked you, do you really want to enter the Seven Princes' Mansion? ”

Lin Zhimeng loves the seventh prince Zhao Ziqian, which is no secret among the several masters of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Because when it was determined that the daughter of the Lin family was going to participate in the draft, when Lin Zhimeng knew that even she had to participate in the draft for the glory of the family, she personally begged in front of the old lady Lin of Ren'an Hall, indicating that what she wanted to enter was the Seven Princes' Mansion.

The Lin family's choice of master was not the order of the saint as Xiong Wei guessed, but Lin Zhen and Master Lin found that the huge Lin family did not have a grandchild who stood out, so he had to let his granddaughter continue to maintain the glory of the Lin family for a hundred years. Lin Zhimeng, as the most outstanding granddaughter in this generation, naturally has to sacrifice for the family.

Although it is a sacrifice, in fact, Lin Zhimeng, who knows the news, is excited, if it weren't for this opportunity, she would not have been able to marry the person she liked.

"Mother can be sure that His Royal Highness the Seventh will really choose our family?" Although Lin Zhimeng is extremely beautiful and talented, she is still very self-aware. She knew that even if several princes and royal palaces threw out olive branches now, they were all for the three words of the Prime Minister's Mansion, not for her Lin Zhimeng.

If today's Prime Minister's Mansion is not the Lin Mansion, then it will not be her Lin Zhimeng who gets this honor, she knows this reality very well.

But despite this, as long as she can be with that person, she doesn't mind.

She didn't mind that he had chosen her because of who she was, and she felt that as long as she could stand by his side, it would be enough.

"It is estimated that it is not bad, Kang Shizi has talked to your father before, and your grandfather has not replied to the Second and Fourth Highnesses for a long time, and I think he is also looking at the attitude of the Seventh Highness." Zhang took his daughter's hand and said.

The Zhang family is a little entangled, in fact, the crown prince, the second prince, the fourth prince and the seventh prince all have the possibility of reaching the top in the future. The crown prince already has a concubine, and the remaining three princes, if she considers it from her mother's point of view, she will still choose the more gentle fourth prince Zhao Zixiu, but the daughter is interested in the cold seventh prince Zhao Ziqian! This made Zhang a little embarrassed.

Lin Zhimeng didn't know her mother's psychological activities, but after she heard her mother's words, she said firmly: "Mother, my daughter wants to enter the Seven Princes' Mansion!" The daughter loves the Seventh Highness, if the family must choose a prince to support, the daughter hopes that this person is the Seventh Highness. ”

If he can help him reach a high position, he will definitely leave a different position in his heart, Lin Zhimeng thought.

"Really don't think about the Fourth Highness?" Zhang tried to persuade his daughter: "The fourth prince is from Concubine De, and he has the support of the Yuwen family behind him, and he is gentle and frank, and my mother thinks he is more suitable for you." ”

"My daughter has made up her mind!" Lin Zhimeng said.

She knew why her mother thought that the Four Princes were better than the Seventh Princes, because the Four Princes were always gentle and gentle, and they were also polite to others. But the Seventh Prince always has a cold face, looking at the cold and impersonal feelings, and has the title of "Jade-faced Shura". But Lin Zhimeng knew that this Seventh Highness was actually not what he looked like on the outside, he was actually a very compassionate person.

Lin Zhimeng's thoughts were pulled to the spring of three years ago, she sneaked out with her maidservant to hang out, passed by an alley when she took a shortcut, and unexpectedly saw the handsome Seven Highnesses teaching a few beggars to play spinning tops, so she stopped to watch.

The sun that day was very warm, shining on Zhao Ziqian's body and also shining into Lin Zhimeng's heart.

Since then, she can't hold anyone in her heart except him.

That's why Lin Zhimeng bothered to compile "Red Sleeves Fu" later, and shined at the palace banquet, just to attract his attention.

After hearing his daughter's words, Zhang said helplessly: "Okay, since you are so sure, I will tell your father." After a few days, after His Highness Seven came to the door and talked to your grandfather in detail, Mother asked your brother to invite him to a few banquets, so that you could spend more time with each other. ”

When the juniors get together, the Zhang family naturally doesn't want to come forward to make a game by themselves, so they can only create opportunities for Zhao Ziqian and Lin Zhimeng in the name of their son. There are many banquets in winter, and when the time comes, any classmates or poetry and wine party or flower viewing banquet can invite the talented and beautiful people in Kyoto to attend, and you can also invite Zhao Ziqian, the Seventh Highness, in a bright and bright way.

Lin Zhimeng was very happy when she heard this, and hurriedly thanked her mother.

It's a pity that she didn't wait for the person she wanted.