On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Just as the argument in the imperial court reached its climax...

Lin Zhen finally moved.

He slowly stood up from his seat and yawned.

"Are you all done arguing?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it resounded loudly in everyone's ears.

The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony fell silent instantly.

All eyes instinctively turned to the man who was walking down from the Phoenix Terrace.

His face carried a hint of languor from just waking up, as if the heated debate just now was nothing more than a boring spectacle meant to lull one to sleep.

Lin Zhen walked to the center of the hall, glanced at the officials who were still red-faced from arguing, and smiled.

"I think you all make a lot of sense."

This seemingly random remark left everyone present stunned.

Even Murong Yan on the Phoenix Terrace looked at him with some curiosity.

I wonder what he's really up to.

"Minister Kong, by citing classical texts and upholding the fundamental principles of social order, is a pillar of the nation and deserves recognition."

Lin Zhen first nodded to the old minister with white hair and beard.

Upon hearing this, a smug smile appeared on Kong Rong's wrinkled old face.

In his view, although this prince acted unconventionally, he was ultimately sensible.

However, the smile on his face didn't last long.

Lin Zhen, however, changed the subject.

"Li Shaoqing, on the other hand, argued his case with reason and upheld the law, and is also a pillar of the nation, deserving of commendation."

His words instantly froze Kong Rong's smug smile.

This also made the young reformist officials stand up straight, their faces showing an expression of pride.

"Your Highness, what are you doing..." Zhang Jianzhi looked at Lin Zhen, completely dumbfounded by this attempt to smooth things over.

So, whose side are you on?

"Minister Zhang, please calm down." Lin Zhen waved his hand at him. "I haven't finished speaking yet."

He turned around and looked again at the bewildered civil and military officials.

"I believe the reason you are arguing so fiercely is that you do not have a thorough understanding of this case."

"You just listened to Zhang Xiang's one-sided account and made a judgment about the nature of this case."

"Have you ever considered whether there are any hidden secrets behind what seems like a simple 'rape case'?"

Lin Zhen's words caused everyone present to fall into deep thought.

Yes.

They were so engrossed in arguing about "social norms" and "legal principles" that they neglected the case itself.

Why did Zhao Shou'er choose to remain a widow for three years rather than share a room with her husband?

Why did Wang Tiechui only commit adultery while drunk three years later?

Is there something else going on here?

"Your Highness means..." Kong Rong's brows furrowed tightly.

"What I mean is that it is too early to draw any conclusions before the matter has been thoroughly investigated."

Lin Zhen's lips curled into a smile, a smile full of confidence and composure.

"Your Majesty." He turned around, bowed to Murong Yan on the Phoenix Terrace, and said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that this case be temporarily shelved."

"I will investigate the ins and outs of this case thoroughly before making a decision."

"Approved." Murong Yan nodded. "This matter will be entirely entrusted to Your Highness to investigate and handle."

"Retreat."

……

What should have been a tumultuous morning court session was effortlessly defused by Lin Zhen's skillful maneuvering.

Civil and military officials filed out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Each person wore a thoughtful expression.

They knew this wasn't over yet.

……

at the same time.

In Wangjia Village, a hundred miles away from the capital.

A dozen or so figures, dressed in black and wearing black iron masks, silently infiltrated the seemingly peaceful village.

They were Lin Zhen's most elite secret guards.

The leader was a black crow.

“Boss, we’ve investigated everything.” A guard appeared behind Xuan Ya. “Wang Tiechui is indeed an honest man. He spends his days forging iron and farming. He’s a bit dull and not good with words, but he’s quite popular in the village.”

"Where is Zhao Shou'er?" Xuan Ya's voice was like two cold stones rubbing together, devoid of any emotion.

"This woman is a bit suspicious." A hint of disdain flashed in the guard's eyes.

“We found out that although she was from a neighboring village, she was not actually a native of the area.”

"She came here five years ago with her father, who was said to be a merchant."

"Her father passed away from illness a year ago. She lived alone until three years ago when she married Wang Tiechui through a matchmaker."

"Furthermore, it was discovered that this woman was no longer a virgin before she married Wang Tiechui."

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Xuan Ya's eyes, hidden beneath his black iron mask, flashed with curiosity. "Continue."

"Yes." The guard nodded. "While visiting the village, I inadvertently learned some information from a woman who was usually close to Zhao Shou'er."

"The woman said that Zhao Shou'er often sneaks off alone to the willow grove behind the village."

"Moreover, I always stay for a long time each time I go."

"Willow grove?" Xuan Ya frowned slightly. "Have you sent anyone to investigate?"

"Investigated." The guard nodded. "We found some very suspicious traces in the willow grove."

"What traces?"

“Footprints.” The guard’s voice was even lower. “We found two different sets of footprints deep in the willow grove, under a large, well-hidden willow tree.”

"A set, it's for women, judging by the size it should be Zhao Shou'er's."

"And the other group..."

"It's a man's."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Ya fell silent.

"Pass down the order." He spoke slowly after a long silence.

"Have everyone lie in ambush near the willow grove."

"I want to see just who that adulterer really is."

"Yes!"

……

The night is getting darker.

The lights were still on in Wang Tiechui's house.

He sat at the wooden table with a missing leg, drinking alone by the dim light of an oil lamp.

His face was filled with dejection and confusion.

Why did things turn out this way? He just wanted to live a good life with his wife.

What did he do wrong?

In another room, the lights were on.

Zhao Shou'er carefully dressed herself in front of the mirror.

She changed into a brand new pink silk dress and put a silver hairpin in her hair.

She looked at herself, who looked unbelievably beautiful, and a smile full of excitement appeared on her lips.

She quietly pushed open the door, glanced at Wang Tiechui who was drinking alone, and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes.

Then, like a cat stealing fish, it slipped out of the house silently.

He ran towards the willow grove behind the village.

What she didn't know was.

Behind her, a dozen black figures followed like ghosts.