On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

Luo Hongtu had no idea when his wife had become like this.

Back when she was in the Luo family, she was always amiable and always had a smile on her face.

She couldn't bear to punish the servants when they made mistakes. When Wan'er sneaked out to play, she only gave her a few simple scoldings.

Now look at her, she acts like a complaining, shrewish woman every day, cursing anyone she sees.

Indeed, it is easy for a person to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

The sudden and drastic change in her family had a profound impact on her.

Luo Hongtu knew he couldn't argue with her, so he simply lowered his head and finished his meal first.

But to everyone's surprise, the more Li cursed, the more enthusiastic she became.

"Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is eating! Look at this pig slop! I've been married to you for most of my life, and while I wouldn't say we ate delicacies every day, we were always living in luxury. And now, you're hiding in the palace, drinking dishwater every day!"

Luo Hongtu frowned and glanced outside the door.

"Keep your voice down! This is the imperial palace, not the Luo residence! Do you think this is still the time when you could do whatever you wanted? You should be grateful you even have something to eat, and you're still being picky!"

Upon hearing this, Li became even angrier.

"I'm being picky? Luo Hongtu, put your hand on your heart and tell me, is this even fit for human consumption? There's not a single drop of oil in this porridge, and my chest has gotten so thin from hunger!"

Luo Hongtu pursed his lips and muttered under his breath.

"So what if you're thin? You're quite old, who cares about you?"

"What the hell?! Luo Hongtu, are you even human? It's not like you were young and always clinging to me and kissing me!" Li Shi, stung by this, immediately reddened her eyes. "You think I'm too old and not as charming as those young girls, right? Then go find a concubine! What do you care about me! Waaah..."

Finish.

When Li cried, Luo Hongtu felt particularly irritated.

"Alright, alright, I didn't say anything about taking a concubine. Alas, His Majesty also has his difficulties. Lin Yi has cut off all the supplies to the palace, and everyone in the palace is tightening their belts. The fact that we have a place to stay is already a great blessing from the Emperor."

In fact, Luo Hongtu had long wanted to try a new concubine.

Unfortunately, when he married Li Shi in his early years, he promised the Li family that he would never take a concubine.

At that time, he was just an ordinary scholar with no connections, while the Li family was able to help him rise to prominence.

He had no choice but to agree.

Now, times have changed, and the once beautiful woman has aged into a haggard old woman.

"Heaven's grace? Bah!" Madam Li wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "He used to at least smile when he saw you. And now? You've gone to see him these past few days, has he even seen you?"

Luo Hongtu's heart tightened.

Li was right; Nangong Xiong's attitude towards him had indeed made a complete 180-degree turn.

Back when the Luo family still had some value, Nangong Xiong would summon him to the palace every few days, showering him with gifts and addressing him as "Minister Luo" repeatedly.

But now?

The Luo family was completely ransacked by Lin Yi, and both of their daughters fell into his hands. The Luo family was now just an empty shell.

Luo Hongtu knew exactly what kind of person Nangong Xiong was.

That's the kind of guy who won't act until he sees a clear benefit.

Now that he was no longer of any use, Nangong Xiong didn't even bother to look at him.

Living in the palace was merely a means to appease the court officials.

These past few days, he went to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to request an audience, but each time Sun Fu dismissed him on the grounds that "His Majesty is busy with state affairs."

In Nangong Xiong's eyes, he was now a useless piece of trash.

So now, apart from attending court, he stays obediently in the palace, just waiting for Lin Yi to fall from power.

As long as Lin Yi is dead, he can make a comeback.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is busy handling state affairs!" Luo Hongtu stammered, trying to save face. "That scoundrel Lin Yi is causing trouble outside. Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state. How could you possibly have time to see me every day? What do you, a mere woman, know? Don't spout nonsense here!"

Li gave a cold laugh.

"I'm just spouting nonsense? Luo Hongtu, don't try to fool me with that! Nangong Xiong just thinks we're a burden now that the Luo family has nothing left! You still dream of him helping us get our assets back? Let me tell you, no way!"

"Then what do you suggest we do! If you're so capable, go out and demand the family fortune back from Lin Yi! Aren't you good at arguing? Go to the Regent's Palace and start arguing!"

"Go then! Let me tell you! If I get my family property back, you won't get a single penny!" With that, Madam Li got up and left.

When Luo Hongtu saw that she was serious, he immediately went to stop her.

"Hey, you're actually going?"

"What can we do if we don't go? Starve to death in this palace?"

"You know Lin Yi is ruthless and merciless! Going there will only make things more dangerous for you!"

"Impossible! My two daughters are in his hands now. Even if I can't get the family property back, he won't do anything to me!" Li was certain that Lin Yi liked the Luo sisters, so she didn't listen to his advice at all.

Luo Hongtu rushed over, grabbed her hand, and said nervously.

"Okay, you can go, but remember, don't force yourself to come back!"

Li was completely stunned. Looking at his hand gripping hers, she said incredulously, "You really want me to go?"

"I……"

In fact, Luo Hongtu also wanted to get his family property back, but how should I put it?

You can't exactly say, "It's impossible for me to go, but it's more likely for you to go," can you?

Li sighed deeply, watching him slowly nod, utterly disappointed.

"Fine, fine, Luo Hongtu, I've been married to you for twenty years, and now you're trying to push me out! Aren't you afraid Lin Yi will do something to me?"

The Li family had heard far too many sordid stories about wealthy families.

But she never imagined that these things would happen to her.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Fine... I'll go! But let me tell you, Luo Hongtu, we're finished. The Li family of Longxi will no longer support you! We're going our separate ways!"

"you!"

When Luo Hongtu saw that she seemed determined to divorce him, he immediately panicked.

I wanted to rush up and try to persuade her again, but Li had already turned and walked away into the sunlight, her back view resolute.

"Sigh... Go ahead and act like this." Luo Hongtu still didn't think Li would dare to divorce him; at most, she would just throw a tantrum.

When she comes back, I'll just drink some traditional Chinese medicine and coax her a bit.

As for the family property... it would be best to get some of it back.

Even if they can't get it back, the Luo family can still ease tensions with the Lin family, which is still a good thing.

......

There is a bamboo grove in the garden of the Regent's Palace.

The old regent particularly admired the integrity of bamboo, so he specially commissioned a craftsman to transplant it.

Every summer, the bamboo grows lush and green, and the occasional breeze brings a crisp rustling sound.

There is a pavilion in the middle of the bamboo forest, which is used by the regent to appreciate the bamboo. Today, Lin Yi is sitting here, preparing to meet a guest.

"Your Highness." Lin An arrived, carrying a tray with various tea sets on it.

Lin Yi nodded: "He's here?"

"Yes, we'll be there soon."

Lin An arranged the items from the tray one by one on the desk, then bowed and withdrew.

As they walked out of the woods, they saw a burly man dressed in coarse linen clothes coming towards them.

He stepped forward with a smile: "This old servant greets General Nalan."

"Old An, it's been years, you look great." Nalan Ku arrived.

The man looked to be in his forties, extremely burly and strong, with dark skin, rolled-up trousers, and a straw hat on his head, which was covered in mud.

If an ordinary person saw him, they would definitely think he was an old farmer who had just come to the city to buy vegetables after working in the fields.

Lin An smiled and said, "Hehehe, this servant is getting old and wants to retire to enjoy his old age, but His Highness won't allow it, so I have no choice but to continue serving here. Please come in, tea and refreshments have been prepared."

"Alright, let's catch up after we finish talking with the prince."

In his early years, the old prince always took Lin An with him when he went to war, so the two were old acquaintances.

Lin An smiled and nodded. Nalan Ku slipped into the bamboo forest, and then Lin An shouted to the servants passing by outside the courtyard, "Stay away from here! No one is allowed to come near! Anyone who dares to overhear or spread rumors will lose their head!"

"Yes, butler!"

The servants quickly withdrew and ran around spreading the news.