On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

The Imperial Palace, Zichen Hall.

The atmosphere at the morning court sessions has been somewhat strange for the past few days.

The ministers stood below in silence, while the emperor sat above, his face etched with worry. Especially today, Nangong Xiong's face was ashen, his eyes sunken, and his lips chapped and peeling.

This was due to hunger, and also self-inflicted.

As the emperor, he would naturally be the first to eat any good food in the palace, but the problem was that there was hardly anything left in the palace, and they could only eat coarse food. However, Nangong Xiong, who was used to being rich, was unwilling to eat, and would only eat a bite when he was extremely hungry.

Over time, you will naturally feel dizzy and lightheaded from hunger.

In contrast, those ministers lived much more comfortably. They lacked nothing at home, and if they needed anything, they could go out and buy it. Lin Yi did not restrict them.

The emperor drank millet porridge in the palace, while they ate fish and meat at home, yet none of them mentioned secretly sending some to the palace.

After all, it was a year of great turmoil, and no one knew what would happen in the future. Even ordinary people were keeping their money safe and dared not spend it recklessly, let alone those officials who were good at changing their tune with the wind.

Thinking of this, Nangong Xiong became even angrier.

None of them are filial.

"Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned!" Sun Fu, holding a whisk, called out from beside the dragon platform, his voice weak and feeble.

Actually, he didn't go hungry; all the eunuchs below him were desperately trying to curry favor with him.

But in order to share the same hatred as the emperor, they had to put on a show.

The ministers looked at each other, but no one spoke first.

It's no use saying anything now. Lin Yi is powerful and has surrounded the capital like an iron barrel. What can they possibly discuss?

At this moment, Cai Ming stumbled in from the palace gate.

"Your Majesty! Great joy!" His shout brought the entire lifeless hall to life.

All the ministers turned their heads at once, their eyes gleaming as they looked at him.

Nangong Xiong excitedly stood up from the dragon throne, "What good news? Tell me quickly! Is that scoundrel Lin Yi dead?!"

This was the news he had been thinking about day and night, the news he had been dreaming of hearing these past few days.

Once Lin Yi is dead, all the problems will be solved!

Cai Ming shook his head repeatedly, panting as he said, "No, Lin Yi isn't dead..."

"Useless! What kind of bullshit is it that he's not dead?"

"Your Majesty, although Lin Yi is not dead, he has lifted the lockdown on the palace and even sent fresh grain and meat to the palace!"

What?!

Upon hearing this, the ministers all offered their congratulations.

"The lockdown's been lifted? Really?"

"Thank heavens! Your Majesty will never have to go hungry again!"

"Yes, His Majesty and the empresses can finally have a proper meal!"

"It pains me to see Your Majesty growing thinner day by day! Now, the problem is solved!"

"Thank God!"

Nangong Xiong ignored all this nonsense and stared at Cai Ming, asking, "Lin Yi lifted the blockade? Are you sure?"

"It's absolutely true!" Cai Ming cried out. "The Shenji Battalion has withdrawn, and the Imperial Guards have taken over the palace defenses! The supply convoy is heading to the palace!"

!

My honey trap has worked!

Hahaha, I always said that even heroes have difficulty resisting the charms of beautiful women.

Nangong Xiong was overjoyed. He had thought that it would take at least three to five days before he could whisper sweet nothings in Min'er's ear after she got married, but who knew that the blockade would be lifted in just one night!

Excellent, Min'er, you have indeed lived up to your father's expectations.

"Silence!" Nangong Xiong waved his hand at the chattering ministers below.

The courtiers immediately fell silent.

Nangong Xiong couldn't hide the smile on his lips as he announced loudly, "My beloved ministers, since there's nothing else, let's adjourn the court. Go back and get some rest, and prepare yourselves!"

Everyone understood that Nangong Xiong meant to go back and make preparations, because the local troops could enter Beijing at any time, and Lin Yi's death would be imminent.

As long as Lin Yi lives, none of these people will be able to rest easy.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" The ministers shouted in unison, bowed, and then retreated out of the hall.

Soon, only Nangong Xiong, Sun Fu, and Cai Ming remained in the vast Zichen Hall.

Nangong Xiong could no longer contain his excitement and burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Good! Excellent! Min'er alone has solved our immediate crisis. It seems that Lin Yi is nothing special after all! He's far from being able to compete with me!"

Cai Ming immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune and is the ruler of the world. Compared to you, Lin Yi is like a grain of rice vying for the sun's brilliance!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Fu curled his lip in disdain.

In his view, this matter is probably not that simple.

All the scheming and tricks Lin Yi had previously revealed showed that he was not someone who could be easily fooled.

Sun Fu didn't believe Lin Yi would give in just because she was a woman; there must be other reasons behind it.

As Nangong Xiong laughed, he felt his stomach growl again and instructed Sun Fu:

"Sun Fu! Quickly, tell the imperial kitchen to stew two chickens for me immediately, old hens that are at least five years old! Also, steam three sea bass. Oh, and pangolin, stew that for me too! My mouth has been so bland lately, I need to replenish it properly today!"

Seeing his smug look, Sun Fu sighed inwardly.

With this level of skill, it would be a waste to give you the country.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid that won't work."

"Huh?" Nangong Xiong's laughter stopped abruptly. "What did you say? What's wrong?"

Sun Fu replied expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, although Lin Yi has lifted the blockade, the palace supplies have not yet been fully delivered. The Imperial Kitchen currently has nothing but rice and noodles, and the things you requested are also unavailable."

Nangong Xiong frowned and waved his hand impatiently. "Then immediately issue my decree, ordering the supply convoy to proceed to the capital! If they delay my meal, I'll take their heads!"

He can't wait a moment longer; he just wants to eat the meat right away.

Just then, a general in armor strode in from outside the hall; it was Zhang Yong, the commander of the Imperial Guards.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

"What is it now? I was just about to eat."

Zhang Yong raised his head, his face filled with anger and helplessness: "Your Majesty, the supplies sent to the palace have been stolen again by Lin Yi's men!"

"What?!" Nangong Xiong stood up, his hands gripping the dragon table, completely stunned. "Robbed him? Didn't he already lift the blockade? Why did he still steal things?!"

Zhang Yong gritted his teeth and said, "Lin Yi's men said they came to inspect the tribute. All the delicacies, silks, antiques, paintings, and rare treasures offered to the palace… they didn't keep a single one. They took them all back to the Regent's Palace, claiming they weren't up to standard. They only left us the most basic rice and flour, a small amount of pork, and some vegetables…"

"Pfft—" Nangong Xiong's vision went black, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"

Sun Fu and Cai Ming quickly reached out to help.

"Lin Yi! You despicable liar who broke his word! I will never forgive you! Cough cough cough..." Nangong Xiong slid down the dragon table to the ground, his eyes bloodshot, and shouted to the sky.

He thought that by giving up his daughter, all his problems would be solved. But he never expected that Lin Yi, that scoundrel, would double-cross him! He lost both his wife and his money!

What a shame!

This is an absolute disgrace!

Nangong Xiong could even picture Lin Yi pinning down the daughter he had raised with such care, plotting against him.

"Lin Yi...cough cough cough..."

"Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance! You must not get angry again."