On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

Lin Yi finished his morning exercise, shirtless, his bronze skin covered with a fine layer of sweat, his powerful muscles smooth and well-defined, bearing several knife and arrow scars.

Several passing maids saw him and blushed deeply. They wanted to approach him but didn't dare, so they could only watch from afar.

When we returned to the octagonal pavilion, a simple breakfast was already laid out on the table.

Steaming hot millet porridge, several plates of delicate side dishes, and a steamer of meat buns.

"Come sit down, everyone, and eat together." Lin Yi picked up a steamed bun and waved to the fat man and Lu Dehao who were walking slowly over from not far away.

These two guys got completely drunk last night and were carried to a guest room by the servants. They were woken up by Lin Yi early this morning and are now still sleepy-eyed and yawning.

"Oh my god, brother, you're up way too early, the rooster hasn't even crowed yet." The fat man rubbed his sleepy eyes, slipped on his cloth shoes, and came over with a clattering sound.

Lu Dehao was in a similar state; he sat down in a daze, picked up the millet porridge, and started drinking.

Lin Yi said, "I'm telling you two, you should be more self-aware. The day's work starts in the morning; how can you always sleep in?"

"Forget it, if you ask me, the key to a good day is morning exercise. You find two pretty maids to serve me in bed, and I guarantee they'll get up earlier than you." The fat man waved his hand and shook his head. "Damn it, I must have drunk fake alcohol last night. My head is buzzing. Hey, you, bring another steamer of buns."

The maid turned and left.

After finishing a bowl of millet porridge, Lu Dehao felt a little better and asked, "Brother, what are the plans for today?"

The fat man's mouth was big enough to stuff three steamed buns in one go, and he mumbled indistinctly.

"Get some chicken feathers out of your mouth and go whoring."

"Get lost," Lin Yi cursed irritably, then said to Lu Dehao, "After dinner, go to the city and see which casinos are still operating secretly. Although the old emperor has issued an edict, there are definitely some fearless individuals who will defy the law."

Lu Dehao's eyes darted around: "Big brother, you mean we should take them down too?"

"No, there's no point in taking them over. Find a few shops in good locations and figure out a way to buy them. We don't need to do it ourselves; just have a few trustworthy people negotiate and drive the price down as far as possible. If they don't sell, think of another way to force them to sell. As for the money, take it from the Prince's Mansion; just tell Lin An."

"Alright, I'll arrange for the Military Affairs Bureau to go later." Lu Dehao rubbed his hands together and looked at the fat man, "Fatty, is everything alright?"

The fat man nodded and busied himself eating his steamed buns.

His father, Wang Tienan, was the Minister of War and was originally in charge of managing the Military Affairs Bureau. However, he later planned to change course and pledge allegiance to the emperor, so he handed over the power of the Military Affairs Bureau to Huo Da, the Prefect of the Capital.

Huo Da was a candidate for the imperial examinations in his early years and a typical royalist. Wang Tienan's move at the time was indeed intended as a gesture of goodwill. However, there were no internal reshuffles within the Military Command during this period, especially after the Shenji Battalion besieged the city, Wang Tienan directly revoked the military power.

Therefore, asking someone from the Military Affairs Bureau to go out is just a matter of saying a word.

The fat man ate more than twenty steamed buns in one go, smacked his lips, and seemed to want more.

Lin Yi gave him the bun he had half-eaten.

He didn't mind, picked it up and swallowed it. After poisoning the last bowl of millet porridge, he wiped his mouth and said, "Brother, then this fat man will continue to go to the countryside to plunder the local tyrants."

Robbery can be addictive.

Because the money came in so quickly.

But Lin Yi shook his head: "No rush, this matter needs to be taken slowly. If we push those landlords too hard, they'll unite and cause trouble. We need to boil the frog slowly, one by one. Today, you take some men to lift the blockade on the palace."

"Huh?" The fat man was taken aback. "It's solved already? What if the old emperor tries to play tricks on us again?"

"He doesn't have the guts now. Besides, Min'er is already married into the family, and I have to give my wife some face. Here's what we'll do: keep the city gates closed. Send them in their allotted food and drink according to their rations, just enough to keep them from starving. As for the delicacies, silks, and tributes from all over the country, they're still ours. Understand?"

Fatty Wang grinned: "Got it! It means just a token gesture, but don't let them know what we mean. We also need to make sure your wife understands what we mean."

"Yes, that's the idea. Go ahead."

"Alright."

The two brothers went out after eating their fill, while Lin Yi went out to take care of other things.

......

The main hall of the Prince's Mansion was extremely large, and it was where the Lin family discussed important matters on weekdays. As for the interior decorations and furniture, they were undoubtedly luxurious and imposing.

At this moment, the newly appointed Regent's Consort, Nangong Min, was sitting in the main seat, dressed in a bright red palace gown. Her hair was styled in an elaborate woman's bun, adorned with several phoenix hairpins inlaid with red gold and kingfisher feathers. Her face was covered with exquisite makeup, which added a touch of elegance and nobility to her already dignified appearance.

Her posture was standard and elegant, her back was straight, and the connection between her neck and shoulders was flat and smooth, without any undulation or dowager's hump.

This is also why she has never used a pillow while sleeping.

At this moment, she held a cup of pre-rain Longjing tea in her hands, gently skimming off the foam with the lid, her movements calm and unhurried.

Three women sat at the lower seat: the Luo sisters, and Guo Fu, a widow who had voluntarily stayed behind.

The butler, Lin An, stood respectfully to the side, eyes downcast and silent.

Hundreds of maids and servants from the Prince's mansion were kneeling in the dark courtyard outside the hall.

The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

Nangong Min gently blew on the tea, then put down the teacup without drinking, her gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of Luo Qingyu and the other two.

"My three sisters, from today onwards, we are family. I don't like all that formalities, so I'll get straight to the point."

She paused, her gaze falling on Luo Qingyu.

"You are all the prince's women, some willingly, some forced, and some forcibly taken. Regardless of right or wrong, I will not pursue the past. But from now on, I hope you will uphold the virtues of womanhood and behave yourselves. You may have your own little schemes, but you must never do anything to harm the prince's mansion or disgrace the Lin family. Otherwise, don't blame me, as your elder sister, for not showing any sisterly affection."

Upon hearing this, Guo Fu immediately stood up from her chair and bowed deeply to Nangong Min.

"Your Madam's words are wise; I will keep them in mind." These insincere words slipped out, making Guo Fu feel even worse.

Because she never considered herself a prince's woman, but merely a bargaining chip or hostage left behind to protect the Guo family, which was fundamentally different from Luo Qingyu and the others.

But in Nangong Min's eyes, they were all the same.

Luo Qingyu saw Nangong Min looking at her and secretly sneered.

A family? Adhering to traditional female virtues?

You're nothing more than a plaything your father gave to Lin Yi so he could prolong his own life. Why do you act like the mistress of the house from the moment you arrive?

You think you can tell me what to do? Who do you think you are!

How ridiculous!

Just wait, sooner or later I'll kill you and Lin Yi together.