Chapter 42: Although Song Youning feels for Lin Qinglian...
Although Song Youning had a mediocre initial impression of Lin Qinglan, he had never gotten along with her when he was a child.
But she is not a petty person. She will naturally use talented people.
What's more, it's better to make use of the help that comes to your door.
Lin Qinglan's father is old, and she wants to win grace for him! This person has weaknesses and desires, so as long as her weaknesses are firmly pressed in her hands, she will not be able to turn the tables.
So what if she’s a woman?
If she dares to cause trouble, I will deal with her.
Song Youning squinted his eyes and looked at the woman in front of him. She had light black eyebrows and looked weak and frail, and she didn't look like someone who could do anything at all.
Since she wants to use her, this person must have some brains. She doesn't want to spend all her energy to train a fool.
Although Lin Qinglan has been with Li Xiang since she was a child and has good abilities, she will be of no use if she can only talk big but has no practical application.
What's more, she has Li Funing, her think tank, by her side...
Song Youning glanced at her, and her frown began to relax. She said, "Ms. Lin, please get up first..."
The heavy stone in Lin Qinglan's heart suddenly fell to the ground. Although she did not have close contact with this prince, she was still a daughter of an official family and she had heard a little about her.
I heard that this princess has always been a person who knows right from wrong. If she hates this person, she won't bother to pay attention to you even if you beg her in every possible way.
It was said that when she returned to the palace, the newly crowned number one scholar, Xie Jingming, went to the princess's mansion every few days, and sent rare treasures to the princess's mansion like water. In the end, the number one scholar was thrown out of the palace by the maidservants beside the princess, and only the treasures were confiscated. Later, it was said that the princess sold them at a high price.
If she has some affection for someone, her attitude will be a little more humble.
And now, Lin Qinglan glanced at Song Youning's face from the corner of his eyes, squinting at her with an attitude of scrutinizing her.
My heart was instantly relieved. Judging from the situation, I didn't completely win her attention.
At least there is a chance.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will definitely live up to your expectations!" Lin Qinglan slowly stood up after pondering for a moment, and gently patted the dust on her dress with her fair palms. Her eyes were bright, as if she saw hope again.
Li Funing, who was standing aside and listening to the two people's conversation, was naturally unhappy. He had originally planned to set up a trap to make Song Youning, the heartless man, jealous.
He had already informed Lin Qinglan in advance, but she had tricked him. Song Youning had finally come to the Prime Minister's Residence to visit him, and he was originally happy.
As a result, not only did she fail to achieve her goal, but Song Youning was also busy talking to her.
Not only did he not receive any concern, but he also made things difficult for Lin Qinglan!
Although it was for her and his own future, and her father was good friends with his own father, it was his duty to help her, so he couldn't say anything.
But he was a great prime minister and an important official in the court, and he was tricked like this?
Although Li Funing appeared calm and acted as if nothing had happened, he felt increasingly bitter inside. However, due to his own pride, he couldn't get angry in front of the other person.
I could only compete with myself secretly in my heart, and the words I said became more and more sour.
He raised his eyebrows and pretended to be indifferent: "Your Highness is concerned about Miss Lin... I am here, but I am sorry to bother you."
Li Funing flipped through the book in his hand and pretended not to care.
However, Song Youning was completely immersed in the conversation with Lin Qinglan. The two of them were talking happily, as if he was the only one standing next to them.
He withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the ancient book in his hand. The ancient book that he had cherished and wanted to worship suddenly lost its interest.
Seeing that the two of them ignored him, and not wanting to be noticed by them too deliberately, he had to try to make his presence felt secretly.
"Ahem, ahem," he said with a serious expression of concern, "Your Highness and Miss Lin are having a very pleasant conversation... I still have some official business to attend to... How about I take my leave first... to make room for Your Highness and Miss Lin?"
When Song Youning heard Li Funing cough lightly, he looked over instinctively.
She wanted to show some concern, but when she heard what he said, the words of concern were cut short in her stomach.
Song Youning was completely immersed in his own world at the moment. Where should he send Lin Qinglan to train her? Or would it be feasible for her to enter the government?
He didn't notice Li Funing's abnormality at all and just nodded.
Another reason was that she really didn't think Li Funing would be jealous of a woman. If it was Xiao Lin in the past, she could understand it, but Lin Qinglan was a girl, even her rival in love...
According to her, shouldn't she be the one who's jealous? Why is it the other way around when it comes to Li Funing?
So Song Youning naturally didn't think Li Funing was throwing a tantrum, but simply assumed he had withdrawn early due to some reasons...
"In that case... Lord Li, please go ahead and do your work! I get along well with Miss Lin, let's chat a little more..." Song Youning nodded and raised her hand to wave.
"I will go and arrange a seat for His Highness right away..." Chuntao cleverly sent the servant behind her to bring two chairs.
Chuntao was about to arrange seats for the two of them, but Song Youning looked at the hard chairs and frowned.
After thinking for a while, he said, "I'm used to sitting on the Huanghuali openwork chair in Lord Li's study. Sitting on this chair... I'm afraid I won't be used to it..."
"How about?"
Song Youning raised her eyes and glanced at Li Funing who was about to leave, with tenderness in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Li Funing paused, and the amplitude of his movement caused the necklace on his hair crown to shake.
He grew up with her since childhood, so he naturally understood what she meant.
I felt even more annoyed...
She came to the Prime Minister's residence to look for him, but not only did she ignore him, she was chatting animatedly with someone else. Standing and chatting wasn't enough, she even moved the chair from his study over and sat down to chat? This was simply too much!
But he couldn't bear to see her sitting on the bench, so he could only say with difficulty: "Your Highness, please do as you please."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and walked towards the study without looking back. Halfway there, he sighed helplessly and said, "Get the cushion for His Highness..."
Gnashing his teeth, he said, "Just say...it's for Miss Lin..."
After saying that, he left without looking back.
Since Lin Qinglan was close to Li Funing, she naturally heard his whispers.
Her expression gradually became panicked, and she thought to herself that she had finally hooked up with His Highness, and she must not let this man's jealousy ruin her relationship. She had no improper thoughts about Li Funing, and at most, he had only taken care of her when she was young. She hurriedly explained, "Master Li really cares about Your Highness. Look... this cushion also comes with this servant..."
Song Youning didn't hear what Li Funing was muttering at all.
Just now, Li's mind had been constantly pondering: how could she test Lin Qinglan's ability? Nowadays, women were not allowed to enter the government. If she wanted to use her, she would have to proceed slowly. Where should she place her? What would be the safest place? After much thought, it seemed that the only place she could place her was the Zuixian Pavilion.
Song Youning didn't think much about Lin Qinglan's sudden enthusiasm, and just regarded it as her concern for his future career.
"No problem!" Song Youning waved his hand, turned his gaze to the frail woman in front of him, and asked tentatively, "Miss Lin, do you understand the art of business?"
Lin Qinglian was stunned, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
She had obviously not expected Song Youning to ask her such a question. Her understanding of the path to officialdom was still stuck in her father's. She thought that women should enter officialdom like ordinary Enke students, reading the Four Books and Five Classics, and then, after becoming well-educated, taking the imperial examinations to enter officialdom. But she had to do it as a woman.
Lin Qinglan was a little flustered, unconsciously clenching the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes lowered. "I have been familiar with the Four Books and the Five Classics since I was young. I know all the ancient books that men have read, but I have never been exposed to the art of business..."
"Your Majesty, I don't know..." Lin Qinglian raised her eyes.
"What does this have to do with my daughter's entry into the government?"
Song Youning shook her head. If Lin Qinglan was a man, she could definitely recommend him for promotion.
But as a woman, it would be difficult for her to leave her boudoir, let alone enter the government. If she wanted to achieve something as a woman, or even enter the government as a woman, she must not forcibly change the rule of law. This matter must be done slowly...
She picked up the tea that Chuntao had prepared for her, took a sip, and explained slowly, "Miss Lin... Although I am the Crown Princess, I cannot go against the ancestral system and promote you into the officialdom..."
"Or perhaps we could reopen the imperial examination for women, but I don't have the ability to do that right now... If you want to enter the government as a woman, you must take your time until I can personally rewrite the 'Collected Regulations'."
Song Youning added, "I am the only one who has the power to help you... and all you can do during this period is to do your utmost to help me ascend to the stage!"
Lin Qinglan sat on the cushion, lost in thought. Now she had no other choice. There were no children or nephews left in the family, only her.
Her father was exiled to a remote place, and her mother died of illness. Her Lin family was a prominent family, and she should have been the eldest daughter who grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she had to live in someone else's house, even though Li treated her like his own daughter.
But she refused to accept it. Even if there were no male heirs in the family, so what? She could still support the family and restore the Lin family's former glory!
There was a glimmer of hope... She suddenly stood up from the chair and fell to her knees again with a "thump".
"I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness, and I will do anything for you... I only ask Your Highness to give me a chance..." Lin Qinglan knelt on the bluestone road, and the mud on the stone slabs was all over her pure white skirt.
The courtyard was suddenly filled with locust flowers, tirelessly decorating the courtyard. Although they were small and beautiful, often overlooked and even trampled into the mud, they were always trying their best to bloom.
Song Youning even felt that this weak appearance was even more resilient and proud than the already powerful cypress tree.
Therefore, she was willing to help her for the sake of her own throne.
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