On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

Zhao Shuyu was instantly terrified and turned pale.

During her more than twenty years as empress, what she feared most was not the sword fights, but the sudden upheaval of those around her.

She knew all too well how much resentment those palace maids harbored towards her.

They deducted monthly wages, forced people to kneel, banned them from eating, and even failed to provide winter coats on time.

She had done these things many times before and never thought much of it, simply believing that servants should endure them.

But what if one day these people are given free rein and allowed to turn against her...?

Zhao Shuyu dared not think any further, and said in a weak voice, "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"

"You'll know once you try it."

"Gulp..."

Zhao Shuyu swallowed hard. "I...I understand."

"Hahahaha." Lin Yi laughed heartily.

There was nothing more delightful in the world than conquering the empress, so he pulled Zhao Shuyu into a tight embrace and kissed her red lips fiercely: "My dear, this is my good woman."

"..." Zhao Shuyu dared not resist or show any resistance. She lowered her head, looking like she was ready to be taken.

Lin Yi turned around with her in his arms and waved to Consort Zhou.

The latter got up and came over, and was also embraced by Lin Yi.

"I need you all to work together from now on and manage the affairs of the palace well, without causing any trouble." He then looked at Consort Zhou, "Consort Zhou, you will come back, won't you?"

Consort Zhou nodded emphatically: "Yes, Your Highness is my woman, of course I will come back."

"Good girl." Lin Yi kissed her on the lips and then said, "Alright, everything has been explained, I should be going now."

After saying that, Lin Yi let go, turned around and left.

Zhao Shuyu suddenly called out from behind him, "Wait!"

"Hmm?" Lin Yi turned around.

"Will you...will you come to Kunning Palace again in the future?"

Zhao Shuyu felt embarrassed after asking the question.

What kind of talk is it for an empress to ask a courtier if he will come to her palace?

But she still asked.

Because she really needed Lin Yi.

Lin Yi laughed and said, "Do you want me to come?"

Zhao Shuyu turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

"Hehehe, if you perform well, I will naturally come." After saying that, Lin Yi turned to look at Consort Zhou, "Let's go."

"Yes." Consort Zhou stepped forward and followed Lin Yi out.

Zhao Shuyu stood there in the warm pavilion, watching the two figures pass through the beaded curtain and grow further and further away.

The beaded curtains clattered together, making a crisp sound, and then fell silent again.

She was all alone in the warm room.

A palace maid cautiously approached and asked softly, "Your Highness, would you like the meal served?"

Zhao Shuyu ignored her and walked to the window, pushed it open a crack, and let the cold wind in.

It was completely dark outside, and a few lanterns on the palace road swayed in the wind, casting long shadows.

Zhao Shuyu stood there, Lin Yi's words repeating in her mind.

"I can be your protector."

Nangong Xiong had never said such a thing to her.

Having been married into the palace for over twenty years, her relationship with the emperor was purely transactional, devoid of any affection.

The Zhao family needed her to stabilize the harem, and the emperor needed the Zhao family's money and connections; both sides got what they needed.

As for marital affection? What is that? Zhao Shuyu hasn't thought about these things for many years.

But Lin Yi's words today stirred something within her.

It's very light, very fast, and almost negligible.

But she knew that the thing had indeed moved, and the movement made her feel uneasy.

The palace maid called out again, "Your Highness?"

"Send it over." Zhao Shuyu came back to her senses and said calmly. Then she walked back to the phoenix bed, sat down, pulled the quilt over her legs, and said, "Return all those things to them. They can't leave the palace now, so they don't need them."

"Yes."

"Also, you can all collect your own allowances; I don't need them."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Shuyu took off her socks and stared blankly at her toes that Lin Yi had kissed.

……

When Lin Yi and Consort Zhou walked out of Kunning Palace, the wind outside was a bit stronger than before.

The two walked along the palace path, followed by two Shenji Battalion soldiers, who kept a respectful distance.

After walking for a while, Consort Zhou suddenly spoke.

"Your Highness."

"Um?"

"I have a question I'd like to ask, but I'm afraid it might offend you."

"you say."

"Why doesn't Your Highness just depose Zhao Shuyu?"

That's a very good question.

Lin Yi did have the ability to cripple Zhao Shuyu, without even needing any pretext, but he didn't do so.

What do you think?

Consort Zhou thought for a moment and said, "I guess it's because of the Zhao family."

"You're half right."

"And what about the other half?"

"The other reason is that removing her would not benefit me. Although Zhao Shuyu is troublesome, with her in Kunning Palace, the harem has a nominal steward. I can't possibly come to the harem every day to deal with those trivial matters. Keeping her in charge of those mundane things is much easier than replacing her with someone else."

Consort Zhou nodded: "Your Highness's consideration is correct."

"Moreover," Lin Yi added, "she's out of options now and can't pull any tricks. I can keep her around as a signal."

"What signal?"

"Tell the Zhao family that your people are still in my hands. If you behave, she'll be fine. If you don't... hah."

Lin Yi didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already quite clear.

When Consort Zhou heard Yingying bow, she said, "Your Highness's considerations are thorough; I admire you."

"Of course, otherwise why would I be sitting in this position?"

The two walked to a fork in the road at the end of the palace path.

To the left is the direction of the palace gate, and to the right is the direction of the other concubines' residences.

Consort Zhou stopped in her tracks: "Your Highness, my residence is on the right, so I won't see you off."

Lin Yi also stopped and looked at her.

A sliver of moonlight peeked out from behind the clouds, illuminating Consort Zhou's face and making her features appear exceptionally delicate.

That understated beauty is like a cup of warm water—not irritating, but very comforting.

"Is it cold where you live?"

Consort Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Does Your Highness wish to stay somewhere? I will arrange it."

"No, I was just asking."

"Hmm...it's alright, isn't it? It's much better than before. The Divine Machine Battalion was given charcoal according to rank, which is enough to keep burning."

"That's good." Lin Yi nodded. "Go back now, be careful on the road."

"Yes."

Consort Zhou bowed and turned to walk towards the palace path on the right.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly turned around.

"Your Highness."

"Um?"

"Regarding the matter of visiting relatives, I've thought it over and decided that I'll postpone it for now."

Lin Yi was somewhat surprised: "Why?"

"The palace is not peaceful right now. If I leave, there will be no one to keep an eye on things for Your Highness. It won't be too late for me to go when the situation is more stable."

She is so obedient and sensible.

Lin Yi was becoming more and more satisfied with her.

Ultimately, Nangong Xiong did have a few capable people around him, but unfortunately he didn't cherish them.

Consort Zhou added, "However, I would like to write a letter to my sister. Is that convenient?"

"Of course it's convenient. After you've written it down, give it to the people at the door, and I'll have them deliver it."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Consort Zhou turned around and left.

Lin Yi stood there, watching her figure disappear around the corner of the palace path, before walking back towards the palace gate.

Qiangzi is waiting at the entrance of the harem.

The palace is divided into the front court and the inner palace, separated by a main gate.

"Your Highness."

"Okay, let's go."