On the Day of the Grand Wedding, My Wife Was Acting Strange - Chapter 61:

Chapter 61: Lin Zhen Is Going to Enter the Palace?

To Lin Zhenxian, 100,000 taels of silver was by no means a small amount. The fact that he took it out without even blinking proved that he definitely still had a large fortune. The more Murong Yan thought about it, the more unwilling she felt. She bit her lip, her beautiful almond eyes as if trying to see through Lin Zhenxian’s heart.

“Your Highness, 100,000 taels is but a drop in the ocean for the disaster victims in Liaodong. Why don’t you contribute a bit more?”

Murong Yan had already made up her mind. With 100,000 taels for disaster relief, it would be enough for Liaodong’s people. The extra funds could conveniently end up in her own pocket. She could renovate the palace, clean up the Huaqing Pool, and buy a few decent pieces of jewelry and rouge. Even if she didn’t usually use them, she could secretly beautify herself at night. What woman didn’t like to look beautiful?

But to her surprise, Lin Zhenxian refused directly, “Your Majesty, 100,000 taels is my limit. If you want more, you’ll have to ask Hanlin Academy Gu to help.”

Gu Beichen cursed this old fox inwardly.

“I wonder what Your Highness wants me to do?”

“Tell us how you knew about the Lin family’s wealth! As long as you tell the truth, I, Lin Zhenxian, will give everything I have and add another 50,000 for disaster relief.”

“Hiss…”

Lin Zhenxian was determined not to say anything! Truly cunning.

It seemed the chance for Her Majesty to fleece Lin Zhenxian was as difficult as reaching the heavens.

“Your Highness, I really only heard it as a rumor and don’t know the details of the Lin family’s affairs.”

Lin Zhenxian glanced sideways at him, “So, you weren’t secretly spying on the Regent’s Mansion?”

“No.”

“In that case, stop listening to baseless rumors and speaking nonsense in front of Her Majesty. If I find out again, I’ll make you regret being born in this world!”

Gu Beichen gritted his teeth.

Old bastard, sooner or later I will kill you! And I’ll kill your grandson too, wipe the Lin family off the face of this earth!

Facing Lin Zhenxian’s threat, Gu Beichen didn’t dare retort. He could only swallow the insult and wait for revenge another day.

Finally, Lin Zhenxian said to Murong Yan, “Your Majesty, I will go back now and prepare the 100,000 taels of silver. Also, I hope Your Majesty will not believe the slander of petty people in the future.”

Lin Zhenxian cast his sharp gaze on Gu Beichen, his shrewd old face full of disgust.

“Such cowardly rats who disturb the state don’t deserve to set foot in the discussion hall. From now on, let Lin Zhen enter the palace to help you handle state affairs.”

Lin Zhenxian’s words were not even up for discussion, which made Murong Yan very annoyed, “Matters of the court do not require Your Highness to meddle.”

“Your humble subject takes his leave.” Lin Zhenxian showed no respect and turned to leave directly.

Murong Yan was so angry her chest ached, and she couldn’t help coughing violently, “Cough, cough, cough.”

“Your Majesty!”

Gu Beichen tried to help, but Murong Yan waved him away.

She turned and looked unhappily at Huanhua.

This damned girl, why did she tie the chest wrap so tight?

Didn’t she know how big I am?

Huanhua seemed to sense the meaning in Murong Yan’s gaze and timidly lowered her head.

After catching her breath, Murong Yan turned coldly to Gu Beichen, her voice icy and devoid of the slightest affection, completely different from her earlier indulgent tone.

“Hanlin Academy Gu, tell me, where exactly did the rumor about the Lin family’s wealth come from!”

Gu Beichen closed his eyes and sighed inwardly.

Sigh, the heart of an emperor is the hardest to fathom.

“Your Majesty… I truly heard it as a rumor.”

“Hmph, you better hope that’s true. But judging by the Regent’s attitude, tomorrow’s impeachment in the early court is inevitable. You’d better think of an explanation yourself, or don’t blame me for not protecting you.”

“Your humble subject understands…”

Gu Beichen bowed low, but as he lifted his head, a trace of viciousness and malice flashed in his eyes.

That terrifying gaze was directed at Murong Yan.

…

On his way home, Lin Zhenxian went straight to the casino and personally instructed Cao Xiong to deliver 100,000 taels of silver to the palace.

Cao Xiong never compromised on Lin Zhenxian’s orders. When he said 100,000, it was exactly 100,000, not a coin more or less. Each silver ingot was weighed precisely, and Zhang Li was tasked to record the accounts, placing them one by one onto the carriage and sending them to the palace.

Since Lin Zhenxian left, Lin Zhen had been waiting anxiously in the courtyard for news. He was deeply worried about his cheap grandfather’s temper. If he gave the entire several million taels to Murong Yan, then all his efforts these days would have been in vain.

As the sky darkened, Lin Zhen sat in the pavilion of the Quiet Heart Garden, drinking tea that had long lost its taste. Finally, Lin Zhenxian returned with a sullen face.

Lin Zhen stood up and asked anxiously, “Grandfather, how did it go?”

“Sigh.” Lin Zhenxian sighed before speaking, “There’s a flood in Liaodong. I took out 100,000 taels to relieve the disaster.”

One hundred thousand!

Lin Zhen almost blacked out and fainted.

How many taxi companies would I have to open to earn that back?

And it was for disaster relief…

Even without thinking, he knew that money would never reach the common people!

Lin Zhen slumped onto the stone bench and sighed, “Sigh.”

“It’s just 100,000 taels of silver. Compared to your little treasury, what is that? The people of Liaodong are already suffering. Are you still begrudging them this?”

“Grandfather, what I care about is precisely the people.”

“Then why are you sighing?”

Lin Zhenxian sat on the stone bench as well, while Lin An immediately poured fresh tea for him.

As for Lin Zhen’s, no one cared.

Lin Zhen straightened his posture, facing Lin Zhenxian, “Grandfather, do you really think this money will help the people?”

“Of course! With this money, the court can buy grain and cloth, and transport them to Liaodong. Isn’t that helping the people?”

“Grandfather, what makes you think the purchased goods will reach the common people?”

Lin Zhenxian’s tiger eyes sharpened, and he scolded sternly, “Nonsense! What do you mean? Are you saying the court will not deliver them to the people?”

“Hehehe…” Lin Zhen let out a few bitter laughs.

Of course they will deliver them, definitely.

But when, and what will actually be delivered, that’s uncertain.

There’s approval at the top, skimming in the middle, layer after layer of exploitation. By the time it reaches the commoners, all that’s left will be husks.

What a pity.

From birth a young master, growing up to be Regent, only knowing how to lead troops into battle but never understanding farming or the struggles of the common people—Lin Zhenxian would never understand the suffering of the lower classes.

“Grandfather, if this money were under your control, you could decide what to buy, send whom to deliver it, and naturally the people would be helped. If it’s left to others… or the Gu family faction, the people will only suffer more.”

Lin Zhenxian saw that his grandson wasn’t joking and asked in surprise, “Why? Does the Gu family dare to embezzle even disaster relief funds?”

“They’ve already embezzled millions of taels. What’s another hundred thousand?”

“You speak without evidence. I refuse to believe Gu Yunting would do such a thing.”

Even as political opponents, Lin Zhenxian refused to believe that Gu Yunting, known as a great scholar, would do such a thing that defies heaven’s will.

It seemed Lin Zhen had to give his old man a serious lesson.