IDWBE -Chapter 535 Dare to Marry

“Uncle.”

Lin Yuantu was truly a little confused.

Why did his uncle’s tone sound so strange?

And even a little… irritating.

Back in Moxi, anyone who dared speak to him like this would already have grass three feet high growing over their grave.

But there was no helping it—circumstances were stronger than him.

What else could he do?

He could only grit his teeth and continue,

“Your nephew is dull-witted. Please enlighten me, Uncle.”

Lin Yi smiled. “You shouldn’t always be trying to compete with others. Many things in this world are illusions—you can’t really grasp them. Child, politics runs very deep. Whether a man has power or not actually doesn’t matter that much. Being happy is what’s most important.”

Sigh…

All of them wanted to cross the river by feeling his stones.

He definitely wouldn’t allow that.

He planned to make them build their own bridge.

“Uncle…”

Lin Yuantu felt numb.

It seemed like his uncle had said everything… yet also nothing at all.

He didn’t even know how to reply.

“In this world, the ones who win are usually the heartless ones. I appreciate your attitude,” Lin Yi continued slowly, “but Moxi is currently hanging by a thread. The tune you’re playing is worse than a blind beggar playing a broken instrument. That’s not clever.”

“Do you understand?”

“Thank you for your instruction, Uncle. I understand.”

This time Lin Yuantu truly understood.

Moxi was in turmoil, yet he had been thinking about fighting for power—that was a bad idea.

His uncle had already seen through him.

He wasn’t surprised.

If the court of Great Liang couldn’t see through such a simple thought, then it would truly be full of useless officials.

“Since you are my nephew, I’ll point you toward a clear path,” Lin Yi said while pacing.

“Return to Moxi and fight alongside your people. Beyond the frontier, people admire heroes. They respect strong men. A prince without achievements at a critical moment will never gain recognition. Even if your father passes the throne to you, you won’t sit on it for long. When doing things, you must use strategy—don’t turn your greatest advantage into your greatest weakness. Your biggest advantage is that you are the Khan’s son.”

That was also Lin Yi’s advantage.

So he understood it deeply.

If he hadn’t been Emperor Delong’s son, things would have been very troublesome.

Unless he possessed abilities greater than the founding emperor Lin Baozhi, he would still only be considered a rebel.

His position as Regent Prince wouldn’t be so secure.

In feudal societies—whether East or West—legitimacy mattered above all.

Hearing this, Lin Yuantu suddenly woke up.

Yes.

On the grasslands, the law was survival of the fittest. Strength was worshipped. Only the strong gained respect.

Even if his father died, he might not be the one who ultimately won.

“Uncle, please save Moxi from disaster!”

This time he was completely sincere.

His forehead slammed heavily onto the stone floor.

“Young man,” Lin Yi said calmly, “I admit you’re clever. But sometimes cleverness backfires. Show a few flaws. Show some youthful spirit. That will help the nomads of the grasslands love you more. When people believe they control everything, they forget that the greatest constant in the world is change. In truth, you control far less than you think. In a gambling house, when people want to roll three of a kind, they throw the dice as hard as possible. But in reality, that has no effect on the dice at all. It’s meaningless.”

Lin Yuantu lowered his head silently.

He had never imagined this usually carefree and joking uncle would speak such heavy and thoughtful words.

No one had ever spoken to him like this since he was young.

“You’ve worried yourself for me, Uncle. Your nephew knows his mistake.”

Lin Yi continued enthusiastically, “Sitting on a rock while fishing, with clear water and a calm mind. Imagine this scenario: your father is fighting the Wadan people on the grasslands. Supplies are exhausted, soldiers are tired, morale is low, casualties are mounting, and despair is approaching. At that very moment—you arrive with a great army, descending like a god from heaven and saving everyone. What kind of scene would that be?”

What kind of scene?

Just imagining it made Lin Yuantu excited.

If he could truly change the tide of battle at that moment, he would become the greatest hero of the grasslands.

He would receive supreme honor.

Even if he wasn’t a god, the soldiers of Moxi would treat him like one.

Stories about him would spread across the plains.

He would become the eternal sun of the grasslands.

Even if his father didn’t want to pass the throne to him, the people would demand it.

“The Wadan run rampant—only Uncle can uphold justice!”

“I’ve already ordered troops from Daizhou and Saibei to gather in Shuozhou,” Lin Yi said.

“Soon there will be one hundred thousand troops, and I will place them entirely under your command.”

Of course, more than sixty thousand of them were laborers.

Lin Yi didn’t mention that part.

“Your kindness will never be forgotten by the people of Moxi!”

Lin Yuantu slammed his head against the ground again and again.

“When judging a person,” Lin Yi said with a smile, “don’t look at what he says—look at what he does. Isn’t that right?”

Even real brothers kept clear accounts.

Let alone these two—an illustrious uncle and a cheap nephew.

The accounts had to be settled clearly.

Even landlords didn’t have surplus grain.

Taking a loss was impossible.

“Moxi—”

“Stop,” Lin Yi interrupted. “If we talk about money directly, it will hurt our feelings as uncle and nephew. Let your officials negotiate with the Ministry of Rites instead.”

“Uncle is wise.”

Lin Yuantu couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

His uncle had perfected the art of having it both ways.

---

Three days later, He Jixiang brought a treaty negotiated between the Ministry of Rites and Moxi.

After reading it, Lin Yi threw it onto the table.

“You expect to test me with this? Anyone could pass such a test. Are you trying to fool ghosts?”

He Jixiang said worriedly, “The lands beyond the frontier are poor and bitterly cold. Perhaps—”

“We still have officials who dream of being the supreme empire,” Lin Yi interrupted loudly.

“But times have changed! Moxi is poor—are we richer? On average, every nomad there owns herds of cattle and sheep and eats meat daily. What about our people? They cling to a few acres of land and struggle desperately. Before pitying others, pity ourselves first. Think about the refugees in Jibei, the poorly clothed citizens, the starving children.”

If he didn’t squeeze something out of Moxi, he would feel ashamed toward the people of Great Liang and the soldiers at the front.

“Your Highness is wise,” He Jixiang said helplessly.

Three days later, Lin Yuantu left Ankang City with his delegation at full speed.

He no longer had the calm confidence he showed when arriving.

Soon after, Lin Yi appeared in court for the first time in a long time and publicly announced:

Great Liang would send troops to protect its vassal state.

The war machine of Great Liang began operating again.

In Ankang City, not only did rice prices rise—even sweet potatoes increased by one copper coin.

Lin Yi stood at the entrance of the Guan family house, accepting silver from Guan Xiaoqi.

She complained, “I told you to come earlier. Why did you only come today?”

Lin Yi casually stuffed the silver into his pocket.

“You’re not even counting it?” she asked.

“Do you think I don’t trust you?” Lin Yi laughed.

“Hmph,” she said while pouring tea.

“You always brush people off. I never know which of your words are real.”

“Where’s your father?” Lin Yi asked.

“How could he leave a girl alone at home?”

“I’m not a child,” Guan Xiaoqi replied.

“And patrols pass through Ankang City every night. If I shout, a dozen guards will come immediately.”

She tilted her head mischievously.

“Don’t believe me? Try it.”

Lin Yi laughed.

“Try it? Even if you scream yourself hoarse, no one will come to save you.”

All the people nearby were his men.

If her voice could reach anyone else, he would admit defeat.

“I’m not afraid of you! Come on!”

She stood proudly with her hands on her hips.

Lin Yi spat out a blade of grass and lunged like a hungry wolf.

“Then here I come!”

“Come!”

She remained fearless.

But when he actually rushed forward—

“You rogue! You’re serious?!”

She quickly covered her chest and stepped back.

Lin Yi said disappointedly, “Why didn’t you scream?”

“You’re not a good person!” she said angrily.

“I never claimed to be,” Lin Yi replied with a grin.

“How about I take responsibility for you?”

“Really?” she asked with wide eyes.

Lin Yi was caught completely off guard.

“You’re not going to regret it?” she demanded.

“You said I’m a scoundrel. You dare to marry me?” Lin Yi asked.

She snorted. “You’re lazy, but otherwise not bad. At least your heart isn’t evil.”

“I don’t even own land or a house,” Lin Yi teased. “You still dare?”

“We both have hands and feet,” she said confidently. “Are we afraid of starving?”

Lin Yi looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

Since his rebirth, she was the first woman who treated him normally—not because of his status.

“Girl,” he said, smiling, “your eyesight is excellent.”

“So what do you mean?” she asked nervously.

“You really want to live with me?”

“I keep my word,” she said.

“But your father probably won’t agree,” Lin Yi said.

“Then we’ll run away!” she replied decisively.

She even shoved a piece of silver into his hand.

“Go rent a house first—somewhere far away so my father can’t find us!”

“You want to elope with me?” Lin Yi laughed.

“If I have to marry that clerk,” she said angrily, “I’d rather die.”

“Being a government clerk is stable work,” Lin Yi said.

“At least you wouldn’t suffer.”

She sighed.

“They already look down on our small family. My father keeps trying to climb up socially. I’d rather stay single forever. But if I must marry someone… you’re not bad.”

Lin Yi accepted the silver and pretended to struggle.

“Well… I guess I’ll reluctantly marry you.”

“What do you mean reluctantly?!” she shouted.

“You’re lucky to marry me!”

“You won’t regret it?” he asked.

“Of course not!” she said proudly.

“If you don’t listen to me, I’ll beat you! I’m Third Rank in martial arts!”

Lin Yi’s face turned black.

“You’re afraid now, aren’t you?” she laughed.

“Don’t worry. Since you don’t know martial arts, I’ll hit lightly.”

Lin Yi smirked.

“I hope you can actually bring yourself to do it.”

Even Emperor Delong and his mother had failed to beat him before.

“Stop talking—go quickly,” she urged.

“My father will be back soon. Rent a house and come pick me up.”

“Secretly?” Lin Yi asked.

“Of course!”

“Don’t worry,” Lin Yi said before disappearing into the night.

“I’ll come with an eight-carriage bridal sedan to marry you properly.”

Soon afterward, Lin Yi’s new residence was finally completed.

The Prince He’s mansion officially began moving there.

Lin Yi moved in first.

Touching the thick insulated walls and seeing the large iron boiler and long hot-water pipes, he became excited.

“This winter, I definitely won’t freeze to death!”

Behind the mansion was a dense forest with birds singing and clear spring water flowing.

Lin Yi removed his shoes and stepped into a pool.

The cold water shot straight to his head.

He quickly climbed out and leaned against the railing, sighing happily.

“This… this is what real life looks like!”

Only now did he understand why rich people loved mountain villas.