On the Day of the Grand Wedding, My Wife Was Acting Strange - Chapter 5:

Chapter 5: How Does He Know That!?

Lin Zhen gave Gu Beichen no chance to speak at all.

Because he knew that if Gu Beichen managed to say those words, the Empress would surely believe him.

At that point, the Lin family’s situation would only get worse.

Lin Zhen bowed to Murong Yan. “Your Majesty, last winter, the northern barbarians invaded with eighty thousand iron cavalry, capturing three cities within half a month. Our army and civilians suffered countless casualties, and the land was filled with sorrow. The Regent personally led the army and fought bitterly for half a year to bring about today’s peace.”

“But after the war, the Ministry of Revenue actually withheld the compensation for the fallen soldiers, causing tears at home while blood was shed at the front. My grandfather couldn’t bear it, so he sold off eight hundred acres of our family land and pawned various valuables to gather enough silver to comfort the families of the dead soldiers and ease their pain.”

“All these matters are clearly recorded in our Lin family’s accounts. If Your Majesty doubts it, you may have someone check.”

“Utter nonsense!” Gu Beichen couldn’t stand Lin Zhen twisting black and white and stepped forward, saying, “Your Lin family clearly embezzled the soldiers’ pay, that’s why you had the money to pay them compensation!”

Lin Zhen looked at him with disdain. “Then you admit that the Ministry of Revenue withheld the soldiers’ compensation?”

“I…”

Gu Beichen was rendered speechless by that single question.

Even Gu Yunting was stunned. He never expected Lin Zhen to bring up the issue in such a sharp way!

After all, it was his idea to withhold the compensation, aiming to weaken Lin Zhenxian’s prestige in the army.

And Lin Zhenxian did fall into the trap, embezzling military funds in desperation to pay the soldiers’ families.

This was a fatal move!

Even if Lin Zhenxian later filled the hole with his own money, embezzlement was still embezzlement.

But Lin Zhen, with just a few simple words, redirected the blame toward the Ministry of Revenue!

That was the Gu family’s lifeline!

Sure enough, Murong Yan’s sharp eyes turned toward Gu Zhongman. “Minister Gu, is this true?”

Gu Zhongman was so frightened that he fell to his knees. “Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged! I have never withheld the soldiers’ compensation!”

Gu Beichen pointed at Lin Zhen and said, “Lin Zhen, stop changing the subject! We’re talking about your Lin family embezzling military funds!”

“Embezzling military funds? Heh.” Lin Zhen sneered. “The six city garrisons in the capital, two hundred thousand troops, you can pick any soldier and ask them—has their pay ever been delayed by even a day?”

Lin Zhen stared at Gu Beichen, his gaze filled with mockery. “But your Gu family, I heard the Drunken Immortal Restaurant is actually your Gu family’s treasure vault. What? Do I need to send the Young Master’s guards to check?”

“Ah…”

How does he know that!?

Gu Yunting and Gu Beichen were both dumbfounded!

The Drunken Immortal Restaurant appeared to be just an ordinary tavern, but it was secretly owned by the Gu family.

All the treasures the Gu family had embezzled and received through bribes over the years were hidden in the cellar behind the restaurant.

It was these endless riches that allowed Gu Beichen to conquer the world, fill his harem, and become a legendary figure in the original story.

Lin Zhen originally intended to secretly empty the cellar and make a fortune, but now it would all fall into Murong Yan’s hands.

But there was no other choice. Since the Empress currently favored the Gu family, if they continued to confront them directly, it would only bring disaster to the Young Master’s mansion.

It was better to play a trick and drive a wedge between the Gu family and the Empress.

This move was called: sow discord, redirect the disaster!

Murong Yan’s gaze grew cold. She never expected the Gu family to have such secrets. She looked at Gu Yunting with a scrutinizing expression.

Gu Yunting trembled all over, sweat pouring from his forehead like rain, splattering on the ground.

“That… that’s all ancestral property…”

Lin Zhen, enjoying the chaos, fanned the flames further.

“Your Gu family’s ancestors were just butchers. Your father was only a low-ranking officer in the Ministry of Justice, and you were promoted from the Imperial Clan Office by the late Emperor. Where did all that ancestral property come from?” Lin Zhen deliberately raised his voice so that everyone could hear clearly. “Could it be from embezzlement?”

“Lin Zhen, don’t slander me!” Gu Beichen roared.

“Slander?” Lin Zhen ignored him and addressed Murong Yan, “Your Majesty, I humbly request that you immediately send people to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. I guarantee the treasures hidden there are worth no less than three hundred thousand taels of silver!”

The Gu father and son’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets!

How does he know that!?

Knowing that the Drunken Immortal Restaurant was a treasure vault was still somewhat understandable, but to accurately state the amount of three hundred thousand taels—this was definitely not normal!

There was a spy in the house!

Gu Yunting’s mind was now filled with the thought of rushing home to root out the traitor!

Otherwise, they would never have peace again.

Murong Yan’s face turned slightly red with rage.

For an emperor, there was nothing more intolerable than betrayal.

“Minister Gu, do I need to send someone to check?”

She didn’t even bother using the word “beloved,” which showed she was already furious.

“No, no, no, Your Majesty, I was accumulating that wealth to prepare for your birthday celebration. If you need it… I’ll immediately turn it over to the Treasury.”

Crack.

Lin Zhen seemed to hear the sound of the Gu father and son’s hearts breaking.

Embezzling three hundred thousand taels felt great, but handing it over was truly painful!

Murong Yan closed her eyes in disappointment. Her patience had been completely worn out.

“Do as you will.”

She had originally come today just to offer congratulations to the Regent’s mansion.

No matter what, the Lin family had served the royal family for three generations, and that respect had to be shown.

But she hadn’t expected Gu Beichen to commit adultery with Lin Zhen’s wife!

If not for his occasional talents and the fact that he had advised her several times, Murong Yan would never have helped the Gu family today.

But under Lin Zhen’s deliberate manipulation, the Lin family was not only innocent but also exposed the Gu family’s shocking embezzlement of three hundred thousand taels.

All of them were corrupt officials and treacherous ministers!

Murong Yan’s youthful, beautiful face showed a trace of melancholy.

“Today’s matter ends here. No one is to speak of it again.” She stood up and said, “I am tired. As for the matters of the Lin and Gu families, you two can settle them yourselves.”

“The Emperor departs!”

Murong Yan left.

Gu Yunting glanced at his son, then at Lin Zhen, who was barely suppressing his laughter, before finally fixing his gaze on Lin Zhenxian.

“Young Master, I will return in three days.”

Gu Beichen looked at the tearful Liu Shuyao but said nothing, following his father’s steps and leaving.

The loyal officials of the Gu family also left the Young Master’s mansion one by one.

Finally, Lin Zhenxian allowed himself a rare smile, patting Lin Zhen’s shoulder. “Whether it’s hanging or drowning, I’ll let you handle it.”

Knowing he meant Liu Shuyao, Lin Zhen nodded.

Lin Zhenxian laughed heartily and strode out.

In his eyes, his grandson finally showed some promise.

Quick-witted, eloquent, truly his legacy!

In time, inheriting the title of Young Master would be no problem.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go back to drinking!”

“The Young Master is indeed generous!”

“Congratulations, Young Master. After today’s events, the heir will surely mature greatly!”

“The Young Master’s mansion has a worthy successor now!”

In the end, only Liu Hanyang remained.

He looked sadly at his daughter, then knelt in front of Lin Zhen with a thud.

“Heir…”

“Father! You can’t kneel to him!”

Liu Hanyang shoved his daughter aside. “Get lost. I, Liu Hanyang, have no daughter like you! From today onward, our father-daughter relationship is severed!”

“Father… sob sob sob…”