It's not scary to travel through a book, you can change your fate as a cannon fodder by yoursel

Lin Changqing first sent Weng Xiaoxiao back to Xiushui Hutong. On the way back, he thought about what Weng Xiaoxiao had said several times over. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, and his curiosity about Weng Xiaoxiao grew.

After dinner, Lin Changqing entered his father's study for the first time.

Lin Zhi looked up at his useless little son from behind the desk, then lowered his head and continued reading. "Your elder brother has entered the examination room. Everyone in the family has been praying for him these days. You are not allowed to mess around."

If it were usual, Lin Changqing would have agreed and run away after hearing his father's tone. However, today he had something to say, so he had to bite the bullet and stay.

"Father, I heard a few words from my friend today, but I don't quite understand them. I want to hear your opinion?"

Lin Zhi looked up in surprise, as if he didn't recognize his son. Seeing Lin Changqing's serious face, he became serious and said, "Tell me about it."

"My eldest brother passed the imperial examination. Father is going to seek an official position for him through the Prime Minister's connections? But if the Prime Minister...if the Prime Minister falls, how much will the official position obtained from him be affected?"

Lin Zhi listened, frowning deeper and deeper. He stood up and walked around the room a few times, closing the door, and then sat back down and said gently, "What do you think?"

Lin Changqing had never been treated like this by his father before, and was a little flattered for a moment. "My friend said it was right. He stepped on others to get to the top, and he will eventually become a stepping stone for others."

Lin Zhi tapped his slender fingers on the table, and after a long while he smiled, "If your brother can make it into the top ten, he will be admitted directly to the Imperial Academy, and I won't have to worry about him. If he does averagely, I will arrange for him to be sent out to gain some experience down there."

Father is not going to ask the Prime Minister for help. Lin Changqing feels relieved. "Father is wise. I am not worrying about him anymore."

"It's not superfluous. You are finally sensible and it's a comfort to the elders. Your friend is very knowledgeable. As long as he has good character, you can make friends with him."

It turns out that being praised feels so good.

Lin Changqing, who was feeling complacent, accidentally caught a glimpse of white hair on his father's temples, and his heart sank. He thought it was time for him to grow up and share the family's worries. "My son will no longer misbehave and make his father angry."

Although this son is neither good at literature nor martial arts, he has never done anything wrong and has a kind heart. Seeing his son so happy when being praised, the author knows that he has been too strict with him and cared too little for him in the past.

"Your elder brother is going to pursue a career in government, so the family business will eventually be handed over to you to manage. Study hard. Go back early and rest."

"Dad, please go to bed early and take care of yourself."

Lin Zhi nodded and waved.

Lin Changqing bowed and took his leave.

After coming out of the study, Lin Changqing went to the yard where his mother lived.

My father has two concubines. Although they stay at my mother's house most of the time, they are not there every day. Whenever my father is not around, Lin Changqing will come over to eat with my mother and chat.

Yang was thirty-six years old, petite and plump. She didn't look like she came from a military family at all, and she didn't have the slightest bit of fierceness.

Yang Lin’s affairs will be exposed sooner or later, and Lin Changqing plans to inform his mother first.

After hearing what her son said, Yang just frowned slightly. It is normal for a young girl to be in love and for a young boy to admire a girl. There is nothing strange about it, but it is difficult for it to come to fruition.

"Let's keep it a secret for now. Lin'er won't do anything that would bring disgrace to the family. After she comes of age next month, I'll test your aunt's opinion. Your grandfather only cares about his grandson, not his granddaughter. Lin'er's marriage is all up to your aunt."

Since his mother made the decision, Lin Changqing naturally didn't say anything more. He just hoped that his cousin could find a good match and live a happy life.

"As spring comes, there will be all kinds of flower shows and horse shows. If you find a girl you like, be sure to tell me. I'm willing to help you. As long as she's good, I don't mind if she's from a poor family."

In front of his mother, Lin Changqing was very casual and at ease. He was leaning on the warm couch at the moment. When he heard that he was going to get engaged, he jumped up immediately. "Mother, it would be better for you to find me a sister-in-law first. I'm only seventeen, why are you in such a hurry?"

Yang smiled. What she was worried about right now was her eldest son's marriage. Because of the imperial examination, the marriage had been delayed. She had to settle down with him this year no matter what, and the marriage could be held at the beginning of next year. She couldn't delay it any longer. She had already picked out several candidates and was just waiting for her son's nod.

"What do you want to talk to your father about? You actually went to the study on your own initiative. The sun is rising from the west?"

If his mother didn't ask, Lin Changqing had no intention of telling the truth. However, there was nothing in the family that could be hidden from his mother, so he repeated what he had said to his father.

Husband and wife get along for a long time, and their habits also influence each other. Yang knocked on the table a few times, and then sighed, "Mother doesn't like socializing, let alone flattering anyone, but in order for your brother to have a good future, mother hooked up with the Prime Minister's most beloved youngest daughter. I wanted to ask her to help pass on the message. Alas, I was blinded by one thing."

At this point, Yang showed a hint of resentment, "Qing'er, do you know what this lady is wearing?"

Lin Changqing didn't respond and waited for his mother to continue.

"Hmph, the clothes she wears are more luxurious than those worn by princesses and ladies, with pigeon egg-sized pearls as earrings and emerald jade bracelets, which are more water-resistant than those worn by imperial concubines. They say that the Prime Minister's family is low-key, but I'm just saying it's not like they have money written all over their faces."

Lin Changqing was shocked. Is the Prime Minister so greedy? If married girls can be compared to princesses and queens, what kind of situation must the Prime Minister's house be in? !

OK.

The title of marquis has been hereditary for three generations in their family, and they have never been able to save such wealth in several lifetimes. The Prime Minister has only been in power for twenty years, and he has achieved such glory. The old emperor must be waiting to fatten him up and leave him for the young emperor to slaughter.

However, Lin Changqing did not even tell his mother about such outrageous words. He only dared to criticize them in his heart.

"Qing'er, you are a good friend. If I didn't really regard you as a friend, I would never say such suicidal words in front of outsiders. The Gu family was more prosperous than the Song family twenty years ago, but what happened? Only one child is left alive. The emperor is old, and although the prince is an adult, he is still weak. The day the new emperor takes power will be the day the Song family is destroyed, no doubt about it."

The mother's wisdom is no less than that of the father. She sees things clearly and thinks things through, so she will no longer hesitate for a little profit. Lin Changqing is naturally relieved.

"When you have time, bring your friend to my house and I'll meet him too."

Not counting his childhood friends, none of the friends he made as an adult could be recognized by his mother. Lin Changqing was somewhat surprised and somewhat proud, "He came from a poor family, and he was afraid that his mother would dislike him."