On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

The door to the main room was half open, and a light was on inside. Nangong Min was sitting under the light, flipping through an account book.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, put down her pen, and stood up to greet them.

"My husband is back."

"Um."

As Lin Yi entered, Nangong Min stepped forward to untie the sash of his cloak.

A tacit understanding had developed between them—when he returned, she would take off her cloak; when he sat down, she would serve him tea; when he took off his boots, she would test the water temperature.

Nangong Min insisted on doing these things herself from the day she married into the family, and the maids couldn't get involved.

He took off his cloak and hung it on the coat rack, then squatted down to help him take off his boots.

"Was everything alright at the palace today?"

Lin Yi sat in the chair and let her take off her boots.

"Not bad, the city defenses have all been taken over, the Imperial Guards have been disarmed, and Zhang Yong has been tied up."

Nangong Min nodded, brought over the hot water to test the temperature, and then put his feet into the basin.

"How is Father?"

"It wasn't a big deal. I said a few harsh words, and then I admitted it."

Nangong Min did not ask any further questions.

Perhaps he knew his father too well; he was all bark and no bite, and deep down he was extremely afraid of death.

Lin Yi led his troops into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. What could he do? Apart from shouting a few words, he couldn't do anything.

"Did my husband go to the inner palace as well?"

Lin Yi glanced at her.

Nangong Min's expression was calm as she continued to massage his instep.

But Lin Yi knew that this woman was very meticulous and couldn't possibly be indifferent.

"I went." He didn't intend to hide it from her. "I summoned all thirty or so concubines in the harem to Kunning Palace and gave them a lecture. From now on, supplies will be distributed by the Shenji Battalion according to rank."

Nangong Min hummed in agreement.

"And then there's the Empress; I also spoke with her privately for a while."

"Oh? What did my husband say to Mother?"

Min'er calls Zhao Shuyu "Mother Empress." Although she is not her biological mother, according to the rules, the Empress is the legal mother.

Lin Yi said, "I asked her to keep an eye on things in the palace, especially on your father's side."

"She agreed?"

"She didn't explicitly say yes, but I think she will."

Nangong Min didn't say anything more and continued to wash his feet.

The steam rising from the basin covered her face with a layer of water vapor.

Lin Yi had no idea what she was thinking, and he didn't bother to guess.

Because some things don't need to be explained in too much detail, and besides, given Min'er's personality, even if she knew, she wouldn't say anything.

After washing his feet, Nangong Min dried them with a handkerchief, then tucked them into the blankets. She then got into bed herself, lay on her side, and placed one hand on Lin Yi's chest.

"My husband."

"Um?"

"I have prepared everything for Mimi's investiture ceremony tomorrow. The dress, incense table, and investiture document are all perfect, in accordance with the standards for a concubine."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work, but... I have another question: who else does my husband plan to take as a concubine in the future?"

That's a very direct question.

Lin Yi turned his head to look at her.

Nangong Min's eyes shone brightly in the dim candlelight, revealing no emotion, but her tone was calm, not like she was accusing someone.

"Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"I just want to have a clear idea in mind so I can prepare my dowry and courtyard in advance."

"Hahaha, you're really getting addicted to being a busybody, aren't you?"

Nangong Min laughed, "Hehehe, I'm not jealous, I'm just afraid of being flustered later. If you have someone you like, just say the word, and I'll arrange it for you."

Lin Yi thought for a moment.

"Not at the moment."

"What about Guo Fu?"

Nangong Min smiled and said, "I'm afraid that I'll be flustered and lose my dignity as a princess. If you have someone you like, just tell me, and I will make the arrangements."

Lin Yi thought for a moment.

"Not at the moment."

"What about Guo Fu?"

Lin Yi was taken aback.

Nangong Min said, "That person from Qingzhu Courtyard has been living here for a year, but there's still no official title. If we just ignore it like this, it will be a disgrace to the Prince's Mansion."

Lin Yi had indeed forgotten about Guo Fu, or perhaps he simply hadn't had time to deal with it.

Let's talk about it later.

"Mmm." Nangong Min didn't ask any more questions, pulled the blanket over, and snuggled into his arms.

"The investiture ceremony will begin at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow, my husband, don't oversleep."

"You can't sleep too long."

The two said nothing more.

Soon after, Nangong Min fell asleep, her breathing even.

Lin Yi was awake and stared at the roof beams for a long time, thinking about several things.

Lost in thought, I drifted off to sleep.

the next day.

Before dawn, the chickens outside started crowing.

"Giggle giggle..."

It kept happening, one after another, without end.

Lin Yi rolled over, wondering if these beasts had no leader at all. They all yelled in unison, more punctual than bugles.

He sat up irritably, looked at the sky outside, and saw that it was still dark.

What do you call it when it's black?

Nangong Min also woke up, rubbing her eyes and asking, "Husband, so early?"

"I have a lot to do today, I'll go and get ready first."

"Hmm, then I'll get up too and go keep an eye on things in the kitchen."

The two got up one after the other. Lin Yi dressed and ran around the mansion, then practiced boxing and washed up in the courtyard.

At this moment, Lin An came over from the front hall.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

Lin Yi wiped his face with a towel and nodded: "Yes, is everything prepared for the investiture ceremony?"

"It's all settled. Chief Yang from the Ministry of Rites just arrived with two clerks. The incense table is set up in the main hall, the edict has been copied, and the formal attire has been sent to Madam Mi. Shishi is helping her change her clothes."

"How is Yang Mi's mood today?"

Lin An smiled, clearly pleased with the addition of a new member to the Prince's household: "This servant didn't see it with my own eyes, but Shi Shi said that Madam Mi was so excited last night that she didn't sleep well at all, and her eyes were red."

Lin Yi shook his head: "This girl."

Just then, Qiangzi ran in from the courtyard gate.

"Your Highness, Fatty is here. He says he has something to tell you."

"Let him in."

Today, the fat man was dressed in a dark red brocade robe with a gold-threaded ribbon tied around his waist, looking more neat than usual.

It's probably because Yang Mi and he have a good relationship.

"Big brother!"

"You're here so early?"

"Hehe, isn't today your little sister-in-law's big day? I'm here to celebrate with her." The fat man pulled out something wrapped in red cloth from his pocket and handed it over.

Inside was a congratulatory gift for Yang Mi: a pair of gold bracelets, bought from Yangzhizhai, which were very expensive.

Lin Yi took it and weighed it in his hand; it was quite heavy.

"That's very thoughtful."

"Absolutely!" the fat man chuckled.

Lin Yi asked, "You don't have anything else to do today, do you?"

"It's nothing, I'm just here to eat at the banquet."

"Then find a place to sit and wait for a while. The investiture ceremony won't begin until Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

"Alright."

Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Winter sunlight streamed through the windows into the main hall, casting dappled shadows on the gold-brick floor.

The main hall has already been decorated.

In the center was a red lacquered incense table, on which were placed three sticks of incense, two red candles, and a dish of offering fruit.

Behind the incense table hung a screen embroidered with phoenixes and peonies in gold thread, which gleamed under the lamplight.

To the left of the incense table stood Chief Yang, a man in his forties with a thin, long face, wearing a dark blue official robe, holding a document in his hands, and standing ramrod straight.

This person had a good relationship with Lin Yi and was one of the officials who joined him relatively early.

Beside him were two clerks holding the imperial seal and a phoenix-winged crown.

All three of them looked tense.

It's no wonder they were nervous.

Even the lowest-ranking investiture ceremony is a proper ritual; messing it up can cost you your head.

What's more, today's investiture is for the Regent's concubine. Who in the entire capital doesn't know the Prince's temper? If you make the ceremony lack prestige, he could send you packing your bags and back to your hometown tomorrow.

On the right, three maids, Shishi, Liying, and Shuying, stood in a row, holding a gold plate, a phoenix hairpin, and a silk handkerchief.

Nangong Min stood to the right of the incense table, dressed in a bright red phoenix robe and wearing a red-gold phoenix hairpin. She held a vermilion lacquered tray containing the official seal.

She wore a full face of makeup today, which was unusual for her. She had a light layer of powder on her cheeks and lipstick on her lips, making her look dignified and elegant.

Lin Yi leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and just waited.

Just then, Lin An suddenly said, "They're here, they're here."

According to custom, two young maids led the way, carrying palace lanterns.

Then there's Lin Mi.

She was wearing a peach-colored concubine dress.

Made of silk, the front of which was embroidered with colorful cloud patterns, and the hem of the skirt was two feet long, making a rustling sound when walking.

A gold sash was tied around her waist, making her slender waist appear even more delicate.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with two gold hairpins and a white jade hairpin, and she wore a pair of pearl earrings.

Her face was painted with rouge and her eyebrows were arched like distant mountains. Her big, watery almond-shaped eyes were full of nervousness and anticipation. She walked carefully, afraid of stepping on the hem of her skirt.

Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, she first glanced at Lin Yi, who was standing by the door frame.

Lin Yi nodded to her.

Mi Mi's lips curled slightly, but she quickly composed herself, lowered her head, and continued walking inside until she stopped in front of the incense table.

Manager Yang cleared his throat and unfolded the document.