On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

After saying that, Lin Yi kissed Zhao Shuyu again.

This time, Zhao Shuyu didn't bite.

It's not that I didn't want to bite, but I missed when I tried to bite someone. Instead, my teeth collided, making my front teeth ache and hurt. I still feel that tingling sensation in my mouth.

However, to Lin Yi's surprise, Zhao Shuyu's lips were quite soft.

In his memory, this woman spoke like a knife, and always had an arrogant look on her face. She didn't seem like a soft-spoken person at all.

But when I actually kissed it, I realized, well, it really is very soft.

Her softness is completely out of character for her.

But though her lips were soft, her reaction was quite hard.

She pressed both hands against Lin Yi's chest and pushed him outwards with all her might. Her fingernails dug into his pectoral muscles through his brocade robe, causing him great pain. She also made muffled sounds in her throat and turned her head to the side, trying to get away from him.

After giving her a kiss, Lin Yi didn't pursue her further. Instead, he whispered in her ear, "Your Majesty, don't bother."

"Get out of my way!" Zhao Shuyu was still struggling.

"The palace has the Divine Machine Battalion, the city has the Emperor's Army, and there are 300,000 troops in the north. Your Majesty... even if you struggle, where can you run to?"

Yes, the whole world belongs to Lin Yi.

Can she escape today, or tomorrow? She's just a weak woman; if he wants something, even the gods can't stop him.

Unless I die...

Thinking of this, Zhao Shuyu's hands, which were pressed against his chest, slowly slid down.

It's pointless.

She didn't cry, nor did she struggle anymore.

He simply turned his head to look at the bronze crane incense burner in the corner of the hall, his eyes unblinking, seemingly lost in thought.

A wisp of smoke was exhaled from the bronze crane's beak, which curled and floated upwards under the light, dissipating in mid-air.

Zhao Shuyu just watched.

Lin Yi gave a wicked smile and picked her up in his arms.

To be honest, Zhao Shuyu was lighter than he had imagined.

Although she had lived a life of luxury in the palace for more than 20 years, she had little excess fat and a small frame.

Lin Yi placed her on the phoenix chair, the armrests of which were carved with phoenixes holding pearls in their mouths. The gold lacquer was still intact, but the satin cushions on the chair surface were already a bit old, and the embroidery threads were frayed.

Lin Yi squatted down, resting one knee on the chair, and reached out to unbutton her clothes.

Zhao Shuyu suddenly pressed her hand on his, then turned to look at Lin Yi.

Being so close, Lin Yi could clearly see the bloodshot in her eyes and the intense struggle within them.

"Lin Yi..."

"Um?"

You'll regret it.

Zhao Shuyu's face was fair and her features were regular. There were two red patches on her cheekbones, which were flushed with anger.

If it weren't for the resentment and bitterness in her eyes, she would actually be quite beautiful.

"I have never regretted what I have done." Lin Yi continued working on his hands.

Zhao Shuyu looked at him for a few seconds, then released her hand and closed her eyes.

A wisp of cold wind slipped in through the crack in the window, causing the flame of the lamp on the table to flicker slightly. At the same time, Zhao Shuyu's eyelashes trembled.

Lin Yi observed this and continued with his own business.

"Your Majesty has been in the palace for over twenty years, how many times has His Majesty touched you?"

Zhao Shuyu remained silent.

Lin Yi continued, "They come twice a month, on the first and fifteenth, sit for a cup of tea, and leave. They never stay overnight. Am I correct?"

"Your Majesty, sitting on this phoenix throne, watching those young concubines receive favor every day, must feel very uncomfortable, right?"

Are you cold?

Only these three words made Zhao Shuyu's body stiffen slightly.

Lin Yi noticed, but instead of pressing the issue, he changed the subject.

"I am not your enemy. I just want Your Majesty to know that you have other uses in this harem."

"I am not a pawn for the Zhao family, nor am I a decoration for His Majesty."

Zhao Shuyu did not respond to his words, but her actions spoke louder than her words.

It can be said that she never touched Lin Yi once from beginning to end.

But at some point, her fingers still unconsciously gripped the back of his shirt.

I don't know how much time passed, but the temperature inside the room made the window paper damp with my breath.

Lin Yi stood up, tied the sash of his brocade robe, and adjusted his jade pendant. His movements were very natural, just like when he was dressing at home.

After he finished dressing, he turned around and glanced at Zhao Shuyu, who was curled up on the phoenix chair.

She was turned to the side, her phoenix robe not yet fastened, revealing a section of her fair shoulder and collarbone.

A few strands of hair fell out of her bun and onto her cheeks.

Her entire demeanor was completely different from that of the empress who had been sitting upright and speaking in a way that sounded like needles.

Lin Yi took his cloak from the back of the chair, put it on, tied the straps, and then walked back to the phoenix chair.

"Your Majesty, please rest well. Tomorrow, I will have someone send over some new fabrics so that I can make you some new clothes."

Zhao Shuyu's clothes were almost completely torn to shreds.

But his body remained still, and he couldn't muster any strength at all.

"In addition, I will inform the Shenji Battalion that the Kunning Palace's allowances will continue as usual, and Her Highness will not be shortchanged in the slightest."

"roll."

Lin Yi smiled faintly, turned around, opened the palace door, and walked out.

Two soldiers from the Divine Machine Battalion stood outside the palace gate.

Upon seeing him emerge, they hurriedly clasped their hands in a respectful greeting, not daring to even glance into the hall.

Lin Yi nodded and strode out.

A cold wind blew in his face, making him shiver, and all his thoughts of romance vanished instantly.

Qiangzi waited outside the palace gate to lead the horse.

"Your Highness."

"Okay, let's go back."

Lin Yi mounted his horse and, as he rode, pondered the letter from the Zhao family.

Zhao Boduan's meaning in the letter was very clear: the Zhao family was willing to make peace with him, but there were three conditions.

First, the Zhao family's businesses and private armies in Jiangnan will remain untouched.

Second, a fixed amount of tax must be paid annually.

Third, replace the one in Kunning Palace.

The first two points are about preserving the Zhao family's core base, which is understandable.

For any aristocratic family that has existed for over a century, the first thing they say at the negotiating table is always to protect their family's assets; there's nothing more to say about that.

But the third one is interesting.

Why did Zhao Boduan take the initiative to propose replacing his own sister?

Logically speaking, the Empress is the Zhao family's most important pawn in the capital.

As long as she sits in Kunning Palace, the Zhao family will maintain influence in the court.

Replacing her would be tantamount to the Zhao family cutting off one of their own arms.

Unless... the Zhao family thinks this arm is useless, or the Zhao family thinks Zhao Shuyu is disobedient, so they want to replace her.

Or perhaps Zhao Boduan didn't really intend to abandon Zhao Shuyu, but was testing just how deep his control over the harem truly was.

If he agrees, the Zhao family will know that the rift between him and Nangong Xiong has widened to the point where they can arbitrarily depose the empress.

The Zhao family could then use this information to assess the situation in the capital and make appropriate arrangements in Jiangnan.

If he refuses, the Zhao family will know that he is still wary of something and dares not completely turn against the imperial power, thus giving the Zhao family room to maneuver with him.

Therefore, this letter, on the surface, was a plea for peace, but in reality, it was a high-level intelligence gathering operation.

After Lin Yi understood this logic, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

That old fox, Zhao Tiande.

No matter which move they make, the Zhao family will ultimately benefit.

But do you think I can't see it?

I rode my horse across the Jinshui Bridge and then through the Xuanwu Gate.

When the Shenji Battalion soldiers standing guard at the gate saw him coming, they all clasped their hands in greeting.

Lin Yi waved his hand, without stopping.

After leaving the palace, the night breeze was even cooler.

There weren't many people on Chang'an Street, except for one or two patrol teams of soldiers carrying lanterns.

Lin Yi, mounted on his horse, temporarily set aside the Zhao family's affairs and began to think about tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Yang Mi's investiture ceremony.

No, to be precise, it's Lin Mi.

This girl rose from a maid to the position of concubine in just over a year.

Although many people gossiped and talked behind his back, Lin Yi didn't care at all.

He set the rules for the Prince's Mansion.

He said whoever is a concubine, then she is a concubine.

If you disagree, you can try to reason with him; if you can't win the argument, then shut up.

After riding for about 15 minutes, we arrived at the gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Two lanterns hung by the door, and a servant came forward to greet the horse.

Lin Yi stepped on him, rolled off, threw down the reins, and strode inside.

When they reached the second gate, they ran into Lin An, who was holding a booklet, so he must have been waiting for a while.

"The prince is back."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"Everything for tomorrow's investiture ceremony is ready. Chief Yang from the Ministry of Rites came this afternoon and went over the procedures again. The incense table, the investiture document, and the ceremonial robes are all ready. The ceremony will officially begin at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow. Also, the few bolts of satin that the Princess Consort requested have been finished. I had the embroiderers work through the night on them. They are peach-colored and embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Lin An then asked, "Where will Your Highness be staying tonight?"

"The main wife."

"Alright, this servant will go and have Shishi prepare the water."

"Okay." Lin An turned and left.

Lin Yi walked along the covered walkway toward the main house.

Several gauze lanterns hung under the eaves on a winter night, their warm yellow light casting a long shadow on the bluestone floor.