Phoenix Cries Return to Court

"Oh, it's the Minister."

Lin Xihe seemed to only just notice him, slowly turning around. Her gaze swept over the gleaming blade in He Guangzheng's hand, and she smiled wryly, "Practicing swordsmanship so early in the morning?"

Seeing that He Guangzheng remained silent, only frowning and glaring at her angrily, Lin Xihe blinked and said, "That's true. If you don't exercise more, you might not be able to hold on for the good days to come."

As soon as he finished speaking, several suppressed chuckles came from the surrounding area.

He Guangzheng felt his face burning and immediately shouted, "How dare you, Wen! Spouting nonsense in broad daylight! What kind of behavior is this, bringing these people into the inner courtyard of my Minister's residence!"

Lin Xihe suppressed her smile and said seriously, "My lord, have you forgotten that you wanted to divorce me at yesterday's wedding banquet? It is said that a woman follows her husband wherever he goes, whether he is a chicken or a dog. After thinking about it all night, I have decided to grant your wish."

"So before dawn, I went to the private treasury to inventory my dowry, intending to divorce you once everything was settled, so as not to occupy the position of mistress and get in your way. But who would have thought that my entire treasury of dowry would be more than half empty?"

As she spoke, she glanced at everyone present, her voice suddenly rising a few decibels, "Back then, my father and brothers were summoned to Chongqing to control the floods, but unfortunately, they died for their country. The Emperor, mindful of the Wen family's contributions to the court, bestowed countless rewards upon them. However, I was the only orphan left in the entire Wen family, so all the Emperor's favor became my dowry. This matter is known to everyone in and around the capital."

As she finished speaking, she glanced at the crowd in the courtyard, noticing many nodding in sympathy. She then continued, "But I've only been married into the Ministry of War's household for a year, and my dowry, which once filled an entire storehouse, is now almost gone! May I ask, Your Excellency, where has my dowry, the reward my father and brothers earned with their lives, gone?"

As soon as he said that, the surrounding whispers immediately became lively.

Looking at the various gazes of the crowd, He Guangzheng felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He knew very well that these merchants, who frequented the marketplace, loved to gossip. If this matter wasn't suppressed today, the entire capital would probably know within an hour that He Guangzheng had seized his wife's property.

Not only would they lose face, but if the censors impeach them and the matter reached the Emperor, their official titles might also be implicated.

He suppressed the panic in his heart and forced a few smiles onto his stiff face. "My wife is joking. Yesterday, I was just saying it in a fit of anger. I never really wanted to divorce you."

"You are the rightful mistress of my household. From now on, just live a quiet and obedient life with me. Don't have any wild thoughts, and don't slander your husband in front of outsiders." He deliberately emphasized the last few words, his eyes carrying a hint of warning.

Looking at his hypocritical face, Lin Xihe's eyes revealed a hint of contempt. "If you say it's slander... you can also say that I'm being paranoid. With everyone here, I'd like to be a witness and ask you to make up for all the missing items according to this dowry list."

He Guangzheng frowned deeply. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes. "I... how would I know? Perhaps... perhaps you didn't keep it safe and lost it? Or perhaps the servants in the manor are dishonest?"

He argued outwardly, but inwardly he couldn't help but sigh, thinking that if he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have acted rashly this morning and provoked the Wen family.

Lin Xihe had anticipated his denial, so her face remained completely calm. Instead, she smiled leisurely and called out, "Since the Minister doesn't know, Chun Ge! Come and help the Minister recall."

As soon as she finished speaking, a young maid with her hair in two buns and dressed in pink quickly stepped forward, bowed gracefully to everyone present, and took out a small note from her bosom.

After unfolding the document, it was read aloud: "On the sixth day of the eighth month of the nineteenth year of Yong'an, the master said he wanted to send a gift to Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel, so he took two gilded enamel bowls and a pair of Hetian jade bracelets from the lady's private treasury; on the first day of the ninth month of the nineteenth year of Yong'an, the master said he wanted to host a banquet for his colleagues, so he took a gold peony hairpin and two strings of pearls from the lady's private treasury and took them to the pawnshop to exchange them for silver; on the fifth day of the ninth month of the nineteenth year of Yong'an, the master made arrangements..."

"Shut up! Shut up!" He Guangzheng's face turned pale as he interrupted Chun Ge's words sharply, looking at Lin Xihe and saying angrily.

"It's just a temporary loan from your dowry, madam. It's a private matter between us, why make a scene in public? In the end, isn't it because you're incompetent in managing household affairs that I'm short of money!"

Lin Xihe looked at his flustered appearance and sneered inwardly. She knew He Guangzheng's shameless nature all too well. He only said "borrowing temporarily" but didn't mention how or when he would return it. He clearly wanted to bluff his way out first and then let it go later.

She wouldn't give him that chance.

"Since you said it was a loan, then a loan must be repaid. However, you made a promise without any written agreement or set a date. Anyone can make such empty promises. To be on the safe side, I will use items from the Minister's residence to pay off your debt. I don't think that's too much to ask, is it?"

As she spoke, she looked at the crowd in the courtyard and raised her voice, "Everyone may wish to take a closer look. If there are any ornaments or objects in the mansion that you like, feel free to bid. The money won will just cover the dowry that you owe me, which will save you a lot of trouble."

Upon hearing this, the people around immediately understood and turned to look at He Guangzheng, their eyes filled with amusement and disdain.

It's a huge joke that a high-ranking official like the Minister of War has to sell his household items to pay off his wife's dowry.

He Guangzheng was so embarrassed that his ears and neck turned bright red. He was both anxious and angry, and he shouted at the servant beside him, "Madam is having a fit of hysteria! Quickly help Madam back to her room to rest!"

Upon hearing this, the servant hurriedly tried to step forward.

"I have my own legs, let's see who dares to touch me!" Lin Xi swept a sharp glance over her shoulder, "As long as the accounts are clear, I will leave! But the adults should at least have a written agreement."

The servant was so frightened by Lin Xihe's imposing aura and cold gaze that he shrank back, glancing at He Guangzheng and then at Lin Xihe, frozen in place.

"With everyone in this courtyard as witnesses, do you still not trust me?" He Guangzheng forced a serious expression.

Lin Xihe's smile remained, but her tone suddenly changed, "Just now, you were unhappy that I was in charge of the household affairs. To be honest, I've always been too lazy to manage the household affairs of the Minister's mansion. Now that you've married a concubine, I think Madam Tao is shrewd and capable. From now on, I'll entrust the management of the household affairs to Madam Tao."

She paused, and before He Guangzheng could speak, she continued, "But let me make this clear from the start: all expenses, large and small, for the household shall be drawn from the public accounts. Not a single penny shall be used from my private treasury, and my dowry shall not be misappropriated under any pretext."

Upon hearing this, He Guangzheng's face darkened. Although he had originally intended to help Tao Qingqing take over the family business, if she were to actually take over the management of the household, it would be equivalent to cutting off his way of misappropriating the Wen family's private property. In the future, when the household's expenses became tight, he would no longer be able to use her dowry to make up for the deficit at will.

But right now he's been cornered by the Wen family, and there are outsiders all around watching the show. If he doesn't agree, this matter will never end.