On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

As they chatted, the sun began to set.

A stunning sunset descended from the horizon, illuminating the faces of the mother and daughter and highlighting their tears.

Just then, Likun returned, carrying a basket in her hand.

"Your Majesty, everything has been bought."

Yang Siyu wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said with a smile, "Look at people, the older they get, the less capable they become. They start crying as soon as they start talking, and they've even forgotten their basic manners. They didn't even ask if you were hungry..."

Nangong Min pouted slightly: "Why does Mother say such things? It makes me feel uneasy."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore." Yang Siyu patted Nangong Min's wrist, then looked at Li Kun: "How is it? Did the people from the Prince's Mansion give you any trouble?"

Li Kun shook her head: "No, when the soldiers heard that they were cooking for the princess, they let them pass without saying a word."

Nangong Min smiled slightly.

It's likely that Lin Yi has already given the word.

"Mother, I brought you quite a few things this time, all for daily use." Nangong Min stood up, took the list from Liying, and placed it in front of Yang Siyu. "The situation is not good right now, and the relationship between Father and the Prince is very strained, so many things can't be sent in. I took the liberty of taking some things from the Prince's private treasury. The Prince has seen them all and said that they are your homecoming gifts."

"real?"

What was Lin Yi's homecoming gift?

During this period, Lin Yi was ransacking other people's homes and stealing their belongings.

Does he also know about gift-giving?

Yang Siyu picked up the list and looked at it. It was all about food, clothing, and daily necessities, as well as a few nice pieces of jewelry and ornaments.

In the past, Yang Siyu wouldn't have even glanced at this small gift; he would have simply thrown it away.

but now……

"Oh dear, silly child, you've had a hard time in the Prince's mansion. What are you doing taking things from his private treasury? Your mother has everything she needs..." Yang Siyu said this with a hint of guilt.

Nangong Min smiled and gestured with her chin towards Likun: "You have everything you need, so why are you sneaking out to shop?"

"Sigh..." Yang Siyu was a little embarrassed, so she simply stopped mentioning her mother and said, "Never mind, let's not talk about this. What does Min'er want to eat? I'll make it for you myself!"

"I want to eat my mother's celery stir-fried with venison!"

"Okay, wait! I'll make it right away!" Yang Siyu was overjoyed and ran to the small kitchen, lifting her skirt.

Nangong Min simply smiled and shook her head.

My mother is still quite childish sometimes; she even knows how to brag.

As night fell, Yang Siyu carried in two plates of dishes, followed by palace maids and eunuchs.

"The food is ready!"

"There's Min'er's favorite celery stir-fried with venison, crab-stuffed orange, and dried eggplant..."

Those around him were drooling.

These dishes used to be a rare treat, but now even the emperor can't get them anymore.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Good heavens, speak of the devil, and he appears.

Nangong Xiong, dressed in a yellow robe, looked like a large weasel and came in after smelling the aroma.

"Hahaha, my beloved concubine, I knew there would be something delicious today!"

Yang Siyu was still wearing her apron, so embarrassed that she stood there picking her toes.

Nangong Min immediately rose and knelt down: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Min'er, get up quickly, hahahaha." Nangong Xiong had heard about her return to the palace and rushed over after finishing his official duties.

Without any ceremony, he swaggered to the head seat, picked up his chopsticks, and added a piece of venison: "Mmm! Delicious! My beloved consort's cooking is still the best. My mouth has been so bland lately, I've been craving this!"

As he spoke, he tasted all the dishes on the table by himself.

Yang Siyu and her daughter were in a dilemma, unsure whether to sit or stand.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Nangong Xiong seemed to have finished eating. He wiped his mouth with a hint of relish and looked at them, saying, "Hmm? You should all sit down and eat with us."

Yang Siyu chuckled awkwardly, "Uh...hehehe, I'm not hungry, Your Majesty should eat first."

"You're definitely the most sensible one!"

That's not what I really mean.

Yang Siyu bought ingredients to cook without even calling him; he did it on purpose.

Wiping his mouth, Nangong Xiong drank another cup of wine, smacked his lips, and looked at Nangong Min.

"Min'er, why didn't you send anyone to inform your father that you've returned?"

Nangong Min lowered his eyes, his voice somewhat reluctant, but his attitude was still very respectful: "Your Majesty, my return home is a small matter, and I dare not disturb Your Majesty."

"Nonsense! You are my most beloved eldest princess! What matter concerning you is trivial? Get up and let me see if you have suffered any mistreatment since marrying into the family!"

Nangong Min knew he was acting, but whether it was a matter of ruler and subject or father and son, she had to play along.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly fine and have not been wronged."

In fact, Nangong Xiong didn't care at all whether she was wronged or not.

What he cares about is what his daughter, whom he has raised for so many years, will bring him in the end.

We can't just have this one meal, can we?

"Min'er, you have always been smart and sensible since you were a child, and your father has always been proud of you. Now that you have married into the Regent's Palace, the burden on your shoulders is even heavier."

"Your Majesty's teachings are correct. Your son will remember them and will be careful and cautious, so as not to bring shame to Your Majesty and the royal family." Nangong Min's tone was respectful and impeccable.

Nangong Xiong felt somewhat irritated.

I thought to myself, how come this child is still like this after getting married?

She can't be charming, she can't flatter, she can't even say a nice word. She's like a wooden doll, so boring.

Since you don't know how to appreciate my kindness, then I'll proceed with official business.

Thinking of this, Nangong Xiong leaned back in his chair and said in a calm voice, "Since you married into the Prince's mansion, have you seen Lin Yi do anything improper? Has he colluded with ministers? Has he hoarded weapons? Has there been any sign of rebellion?"

Nangong Minxin thought to herself, "Is there even a question?"

It's obvious that my husband is planning a rebellion.

"Your Majesty, I live a secluded life in the palace and know nothing about what is happening outside."

Perfunctory!

Nangong Xiong slammed the wine cup to the ground.

Snapped--

"what!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Yang Siyu trembled with fear and quickly knelt on the ground.

The eunuchs and palace maids around them also knelt down in a few scattered places, and no one dared to raise their heads.

Still not satisfied after smashing a wine cup, Nangong Xiong got up, walked around the table, and stood in front of Nangong Min, looking down at her.

"What a convenient excuse of knowing nothing! Lin Yi is your husband. How could you know absolutely nothing about what he does every day, who he meets, or what he says? Or have you already sided with that traitor after only a few days of marriage?"

Nangong Min kowtowed to the ground and answered loudly, "Your Majesty, you are wise. Your son dares not utter a single lie. The Prince leaves early and returns late every day, and rarely discusses politics after returning. Your son keeps in mind the ancestral precepts of the Great Zhou Dynasty: the harem must not interfere in politics, and the women of the inner palace must not inquire about the affairs of men outside the palace. Your son only handles some trivial accounts in the inner palace and disciplines the maids. I truly have no idea what the Prince does outside."

Nangong Xiong was panting heavily, pointing with one hand to the two plates of vegetarian dishes on the table.

"Look at what I'm eating now! Not even a decent piece of meat! That bastard Lin Yi, under the guise of inspecting tribute, has stolen all the good stuff sent to the palace from all over the country! I, the dignified Emperor of the Great Zhou, can only drink millet porridge to get by every day! He's trying to rebel! He's trying to starve me to death!"

Nangong Xiong became more and more excited as he spoke, and he even spat out his saliva.

Yang Siyu knelt beside her, weeping as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health. Min'er has just married into the family, so it's really not appropriate for her to inquire about these things. Please don't make things difficult for her."

"Shut up!" Nangong Xiong turned and roared at Yang Siyu, "It's all because of your good daughter! I married her off to be an undercover agent, not to be a virtuous wife and loving mother to that traitor!"

"I... Waaah..." Yang Siyu was so scolded that she dared not make a sound, and could only cover her mouth and cry.

Nangong Xiong turned his head and stared at Nangong Min again, his tone turning cold.

"Min'er, I'll be frank with you today. If Lin Yi doesn't die, our Nangong family's rule will be unstable! I will have someone prepare a colorless and odorless poison for you. Find an opportunity to put it in his tea or food. Once he drinks it, he will die in no time. At that time, I will immediately send troops to take over the defense of the capital and arrest the entire Shenji Battalion. Then, the Great Zhou Dynasty will still belong to our Nangong family."

Nangong Min suddenly looked up, her face full of disbelief.

She never imagined that her father would actually order her to kill someone!

And the person she killed was her husband, whom she had just kowtowed to and married.

"Father..." Nangong Min's voice trembled, "Your subject... Your subject cannot do it."

"You have to do it, even if you can't! You are the eldest princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and you have enjoyed so many years of wealth and luxury. Now it's time for you to contribute to the Great Zhou's cause! Are you just going to stand by and watch your father be bullied to death by that traitor?"

Nangong Min's tears flowed uncontrollably as she desperately shook her head.

"Father, I have studied the classics since childhood, and you have always taught me to uphold the virtues of a wife. The Book of Rites says, 'A woman should obey her husband after marriage.' Now that I have married Lin Yi, he is my husband, my heaven. How could I do something as rebellious as murdering my husband? This would be punished by heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Xiong was so angry that he kicked over the chair next to him.

"What do you mean by 'a woman must obey her husband'? What do you mean by 'divine retribution'? I am the Emperor! My words are the law! Lin Yi is a traitorous minister, and everyone has the right to kill him! Killing him is acting on behalf of Heaven, it is putting righteousness before family! The people of the whole world will be grateful to you, and history will record your deeds in great detail! What are you still hesitating about?"

Nangong Min shook her head, crying so hard she couldn't breathe.

"Father, I truly cannot bring myself to do it. Although the Prince has a bad reputation, he respects me greatly and has even entrusted me with the management of the Prince's residence. If I were to poison him at this time, wouldn't I be less than a beast?"

Seeing Nangong Min's stubborn refusal, Nangong Xiong was so angry that his head was buzzing.

All these years of raising my daughter have been for nothing!

At a crucial moment, he actually sided with outsiders.

"Fine, very well indeed!" Nangong Xiong sneered repeatedly. "Now that you've grown up and your wings have hardened, you don't even listen to me anymore!? Huh!? Do you think Lin Yi is powerful now, and that you can become the founding empress if you follow him, so you don't even acknowledge your own father?"

Nangong Min quickly kowtowed and explained, "Father, I have absolutely no such rebellious thoughts! I just don't want to violate ethical and moral principles."

"Stop trying to fool me with that nonsense!" Nangong Xiong interrupted her loudly. "I'm telling you right now. You have to do it, whether you like it or not! There's no room for discussion!"