On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

Lin Yi was probably also surprised that Guo Fu would say such a thing, and he was immediately stunned.

Not only him, but almost everyone present was momentarily stunned, wondering what Guo Fu was trying to express.

A few seconds later, Lady Mi's eyes widened, and she shouted shrilly, "Guo Fu! Have you gone mad? You are a widow, how can you say such things?"

The other concubines also turned their heads, their eyes filled with disdain.

"Yes, what right do you, a withered woman, have to serve the prince?"

"Have you no shame?"

You've completely disgraced the Guo family!

"Don't ever say you know me again! I find it disgusting!"

Guo Fu ignored their mockery and simply knelt there, staring at Lin Yi as if she had made a great decision.

She knew perfectly well what doing this meant.

A woman who has been widowed for many years voluntarily asks to stay and serve another man; once this gets out, her reputation is completely ruined.

But she couldn't care less about that now.

Although her brother was greedy, he had treated her well over the years.

After her husband's death, her brother took her back to the Guo family mansion, gave her her own courtyard and maids, fed her well, sent her money regularly every month, and never let her suffer the slightest grievance. Now that the Guo family is in trouble, how can she stand idly by?

Everyone says the Regent is a womanizer, and that he even licked Luo Qingyu's toes in the street.

She considered herself to be quite beautiful, and if she could win his favor, perhaps the Guo family could truly be spared this great calamity.

Lin Yi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Heh heh heh, let the Guo family go... do you think you're worth that price?"

Guo Fu bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.

She swore she had never begged anyone so humbly in her life, let alone used her body as a bargaining chip.

"I know I'm not worth it, but I'm willing to do everything I can..."

"Enough," Lin Yi interrupted her. "Guo Fu, I am not the kind of person who is easily swayed by beauty. Besides, what your brother did has nothing to do with you. I will not hold a grudge against you, nor will I let the Guo family off the hook because of you. These are two separate matters."

After saying that, he looked at Lu Dehao and said, "Dehao, take him back."

"Huh?" Lu Dehao was stunned for a moment. He was really reluctant to part with them. "Big brother, are you really sending them all back?"

"Nonsense, why would we save it for the New Year?"

"Yes..." Although reluctant, Lu Dehao obediently agreed.

Sigh, my brother is too harsh on himself.

You say you're a prince, so why don't you just enjoy yourself? Why bother with humanity?

coercion.

"Your Highness..." Guo Fu wanted to try again, after all, she had nothing to exchange with Lin Yi except for her crippled body.

But Lin Yi ignored her completely, turned around, left the courtyard, and returned to his bedroom.

Lady Mi and the other women looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.

They despised Guo Fu, but at the same time hoped that Lin Yi would take Guo Fu in and return the Guo family's property.

After all, exchanging a widow for several lifetimes of wealth and luxury is still worthwhile.

But to my surprise, Lin Yi didn't want it at all.

This shattered their last glimmer of hope, leaving them with no choice but to live a life of meager fare from then on.

After hesitating for a long time, Lu Dehao waved his hand and said, "Did you all hear that? My elder brother is merciful and is letting you go back. Aren't you going to thank him?"

"Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing our lives..." The women quickly kowtowed.

Then Lu Dehao had his men untie them and arranged for a carriage to take them back to their residence.

At the entrance of the Prince's Mansion, Lu Dehao watched the carriages clanging away into the distance, then turned back and smiled.

"Madam Guo, do you know why I kept you here?"

That's right, he left Guo Fu behind alone.

The latter felt a pang of anxiety and shook his head.

Lu Dehao lowered his voice: "To tell you the truth, the Prince definitely likes you, but the price you offered is too high. And letting the Guo family go? My elder brother is currently worried about how to cause trouble for those officials; why would he let you off the hook?"

Guo Fu's face turned deathly pale, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes glaring at him: "So you're also mocking me for overestimating myself?"

"No, that's not it. Didn't you just say you were willing to stay and serve my older brother?" Lu Dehao chuckled. "Hehehe, I can give you a chance."

"What opportunity?"

"You stay here and willingly climb into his bed. I can't guarantee anything else, but your family members will definitely be safe," Lu Dehao whispered again, his words seductive. "This is the best possible outcome. Otherwise, do you think your brother could have survived the crimes he committed?"

Guo Fu bit her lip and remained silent for a long while.

For a woman, nothing is more important than her reputation.

Staying meant giving up her chastity, which she had maintained for many years, betraying her deceased husband, and becoming Lin Yi's woman.

In the past, she would have refused even at the cost of her life.

But if we don't leave, what will happen to my sister-in-law and nieces if my brother really dies?

What about the nephew who has gained prestige in the local area?

She had no choice but to accept her loving brother.

Finally, she took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face, and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll stay."

Lu Dehao's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "Hehehe, clever. My older brother likes clever women."

"But you have to promise that my family will all be safe and sound."

"Of course! I, Lu Dehao, keep my word, don't worry." Lu Dehao patted her shoulder: "Don't cry, come with me. I'll arrange a place for you to stay first, as for my older brother... I'll think of something."

Guo Fu nodded, wiped away her tears, and followed him into the mansion.

……

In the master bedroom, Lin Yi was sitting on the edge of the bed, preparing to go to sleep.

Mimi stood to the side, watching Yifei take off his shoes and socks.

"Your Highness, that Guo Fu... are you really not going to take her?"

Lin Yi glanced at her: "You're really concerned about this?"

"No, no!" Mimi quickly shook her head. "I just think that woman looks quite pitiful... and quite pretty too."

Lin Yi ignored the second half of the sentence and sneered, "Heh, there are plenty of pitiful people in this world, how could I possibly manage them all?"

After saying that, he climbed onto the bed, propped his neck up with one hand, and looked at her: "Guo Ao has been corrupt and lawless for so many years, and countless people have been killed. The women in his family must have done a lot of immoral things because of his high position and power. Therefore, I have no sympathy whatsoever for dealing with such a rich and heartless official."

Mimi nodded.

Although the prince is ruthless, he never harms the innocent; that's what makes him a truly great man.

They are much better than those who use their little bit of power to make things difficult for others.

"Okay, stop thinking about it and go to sleep."

"Mmm!" Mimi loves sleeping the most, and she hurriedly started to take off her clothes.

Yi Fei rolled her eyes, took Lin Yi's robe, turned around and went out, where she met Lin An who came in.

"Your Highness."

Mimi quickly put her hand back down from her collar and turned her back to the door.

Lin Yi sat up and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Um, Young Master Lu left a woman named Guo Fu behind, and she lives in the Green Bamboo Courtyard."

"Tsk..." Lin Yi clicked his tongue and shook his head helplessly: "This brat..."