On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

Guo Ao was stunned. He didn't expect Lin Yi to actually make a move, and immediately took a step back.

Immediately afterwards, the servants surrounded him and protected their master behind them.

"How dare you!"

"How dare you threaten the Vice Minister! Step down now!"

"You retainers shouldn't think you can act with impunity just because you're from the Prince's residence!"

"Beware, His Majesty may exterminate your entire clan!"

"Get lost, don't push your luck."

These servants were clearly used to being arrogant; they weren't afraid of the fully armed retainers at all, and even dared to shout.

Lin Yi waved his hand: "Kill."

At his command, one of the retainers immediately brandished his longsword.

"puff!"

Before the servants who were cursing could react, their heads flew off, and blood gushed from their necks.

"what!"

"No!"

"Please, please spare me!"

"I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"

Puff puff.

The remaining servants were dumbfounded. Just as they were about to run away, the guards quickly killed them all.

The incident happened so fast that the people hadn't even had time to react when they saw several heads rolling to their feet, and they immediately screamed in fright.

"Oh my god! Murder!"

"Run!"

"What's the panic? The Lin family won't harm ordinary people!"

"Then hurry and report it to the authorities!"

"Are you stupid? Isn't he just an official?"

Several civilians turned pale with fright and, no longer daring to watch the spectacle, turned and ran.

Some locals familiar with the Lin family's behavior continued to stand and watch, trembling with excitement.

These corrupt officials have been oppressing them for so many years, and now they're finally getting their comeuppance!

After the guards finished killing the man, they pressed their blood-stained swords against Guo Ao's neck.

"No, no, no! Don't kill me!" Guo Ao was terrified. His legs went weak and he almost wet his pants. He quickly raised his hands.

He never expected that Lin Yi would actually dare to make a move and even kill someone in the street!

Isn't he afraid of being condemned by the people? Isn't he afraid of being abandoned by the scholar-official class?

"Arrest him," Lin Yi ordered again, and the guards took out ropes and tied Guo Ao up.

Guo Ao, his voice sharp but his tone weak, roared, "Lin Yi! I am, after all, an official of the imperial court! How dare you order your men to kill my servants in the street, and now you're threatening me! This is an abuse of power! I'm going to report you to His Majesty!"

Lin Yi nodded: "Alright, I'll be waiting."

After saying that, he turned to look at Lu Dehao: "Dehao."

"Big brother?" Lu Dehao quickly stepped forward.

"I'll give you five hundred men. Go and ransack his house for me." Lin Yi pointed at Guo Ao, who was being held down by the guards. "All gold, silver, valuables, antiques, paintings, house deeds, and family property—anything that can be used to pay off debts—will be confiscated. Leave nothing behind."

These words shocked everyone present!

ransacking the house?!

This...this is too cruel!

Guo Ao was terrified: "Lin Yi! How dare you! You defy the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, you're lawless! Are you planning a rebellion?!"

Do you think I wouldn't dare to rebel?

These were the last words Lin Yi said to Guo Ao. Then he turned and waved to Lu Dehao, "Go, do a good job."

"Alright! Just you wait and see, big brother!"

Lu Dehao rubbed his hands excitedly and roared towards the inner courtyard of the Prince's mansion, "Men! Gather five hundred elite troops! Follow me to ransack Minister Guo's house!"

"Yes!" came the excited reply from the manor.

Because every time the prince returned from raiding someone's home, he would share some with his brothers.

Following a prince like that would be a promising career!

"Lin Yi! How dare you! I am an official appointed by the imperial court, and the head of the Guo family of Jinling! You cannot treat me like this!"

"Lin Yi! You come back here and explain yourself!"

"Lin Yi, you bastard, I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice! The law does not apply to officials; you cannot abuse your power against me!"

"I will definitely report you to His Majesty!!"

No one paid any attention to Guo Ao's roar.

Soon, five hundred retainers dressed in black armor and wielding ring-pommel swords surged out, exuding a murderous aura.

Upon seeing this, Guo Ao immediately deflated, his lips trembling.

Lin Yi is serious; he really wants to raid my house!

It's over...it's all over!!

"Let's go! To the Guo residence!" Lu Dehao waved his hand, ordering his men to lift Guo Ao up, and hundreds of people rushed towards the Guo residence.

The crowd of onlookers were left dumbfounded, unable to recover for a long time.

I thought to myself, "This regent is too domineering! He kills people whenever he wants, and confiscates property whenever he wants, without even giving them a chance!"

But... why does it feel so satisfying to watch?

......

Guo Mansion.

The reception room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Guo Ao's wife, Lady Mi, was leaning against the daybed, holding a cup of fine Longjing tea.

She was very well-preserved; though in her early forties, she looked no more than thirty. Dressed in brocade and finery, the gold hairpin in her hair swayed slightly with her movements, exuding elegance and nobility.

Sitting to her left was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a fawning expression, dressed in silk and wearing several large gold rings on his fingers.

He looks like a wealthy local businessman.

"Madam, look at this matter..." The wealthy merchant rubbed his hands, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "My good-for-nothing son is really... Alas, it's all my fault for neglecting to discipline him, which led him to commit such a grave mistake."

Lady Mi put down her teacup and glanced at the gift list on the table out of the corner of her eye, feeling quite pleased.

The emperor issued an edict banning gambling, which cut the family's income by more than half. Now was the time when they needed money.

She nodded slightly, her voice carrying a hint of haughty indifference: "Prefect Sun's letter made it very clear. Your child not only persecuted that family's daughter, but also accidentally killed her, right?"

The wealthy merchant's face immediately fell, and he bowed and scraped, saying, "Yes! Yes! My son has realized his mistake and spends his days in prison weeping, filled with remorse. But... but that family is relentless, demanding my son pay with his life, refusing even the money. I have no other choice but to humbly come to you, Madam."

"Oh? You don't even want the money?" Lady Mi raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. "In this day and age, are there still such ungrateful commoners?"

"Who says otherwise! They're like rocks in a latrine, stinking and hard!" the wealthy merchant immediately chimed in. "I'm willing to offer ten thousand taels for my son's life, but they won't even glance at it! Madam, you must do me justice!"

Lady Mi sneered inwardly.

She knew exactly what the wealthy businessman was thinking.

What do you mean they don't want the money? It's clearly because they don't want to give it.

It's better to use ten thousand taels of silver as a stepping stone to get in touch with me than to give it to that lowly commoner. At least I can get close to the powerful Minister of Justice in the future.

Merchants are driven by profit.

However, considering the gift list and the prefect's reputation, it's not that I can't help.

After all, the master still owns 1,500 acres of land in Handan.

Thinking of this, Lady Mi stretched out her slender hand adorned with a jade bracelet, gently touched her temple, and said slowly, "Alas, you know the situation is not good now. The court is investigating strictly. Your matter... is not easy to handle."