IDWBE -Chapter 583 Marital Property

This woman was far too clever!

In the former Yuezhou, a land of four wars, she had somehow managed to safely transfer such a large family fortune.

All right under his nose, her influence and wealth were growing bigger and bigger.

He didn’t particularly mind.

The most pitiful was still the Prince of Heshun, who had been so thoroughly deceived by his own daughter—sometimes hungry, sometimes full, living in a miserable state.

Truly, a filial son with a kind father, the filial piety reaching the skies.

It was a miracle that the Prince of Heshun hadn’t been driven to death by anger.

Hu Miaoyi naturally understood the Prince’s intention, yet she remained calm. “Prince, all of this is merely my father’s goodwill.”

“From now on, my admiration for you will flow like a river, unending and ceaseless.”

Looking at Hu Miaoyi, her face calm and her heart steady, Lin Yi couldn’t help but admire her skill.

He had underestimated her before!

This woman had been playing dumb to hide her cleverness all along!

She had completely misled him, making him think she was a naive, inexperienced girl!

“Prince…”

Unable to guess the meaning behind the Prince’s words, Hu Miaoyi’s composure finally cracked.

“Kind words—I am complimenting you,” Lin Yi paced in front of her, hands behind his back. “Have you ever read the Liang laws?”

Hu Miaoyi had been pleased by the first half of the sentence, but the second half left her puzzled.

Why ask if she had read the Liang laws?

Had she truly offended the Prince?

Nervously, she said, “Though I am not learned in poetry and books, I have read through them once out of boredom.”

Lin Yi smiled. “The Liang laws clearly stipulate marital property. Even if a couple divorces, property must be divided.”

Under the new Liang laws, pre-marital and post-marital property distinctions were ignored by Lin Yi.

Those who dared to take concubines—if the concubine filed for divorce—could claim a share of the property.

However, this was theoretical. Once Lin Yi controlled the government, although he promoted gender equality, the feudal constraints weren’t easily broken. Powerful families weren’t so easily challenged by a concubine.

Even if a concubine petitioned, it might not achieve much.

Power and wealth were inseparable.

Of course, some officials, seeking political appearances, might force the elite to give a small sum—a hundred or so taels—to pacify matters.

For Lin Yi, regardless of practical effectiveness, such a blanket law had to be fixed.

Otherwise, wealthy men with many concubines would produce few children, while poor men couldn’t marry, lowering the birth rate.

Hu Miaoyi’s heart skipped a beat. Bowing her head, she said, “I am foolish, and humbly request the Prince’s guidance.”

“No offense intended,” Lin Yi said leisurely, “Your money is my money. Marital property is shared. You donated marital property without consulting me?”

Lin Yi had always been a man of clear distinction between public and private.

What was his was his.

His armies were his, the Liang kingdom was his, but what was his wasn’t necessarily everyone’s.

He could lend money to the court, but there was no such thing as “donating” or “gifting.”

He was still waiting for Gan Mao to return money, nearly breaking his heart.

“….”

Hu Miaoyi was shocked.

She never imagined the Prince could speak so shamelessly!

No matter how much or how it was obtained, it was her personal dowry—her private silver!

How could it be considered marital property? Yet, though married, they were also in a “ruler-subject” relationship—there was no rationale to argue.

She bowed deeply. “It is entirely my fault. Please punish me, Prince.”

“Punish you for what?” Lin Yi waved his hand. “If you must donate, then donate ten thousand taels. That should suffice as your father’s goodwill.”

“Prince, my father already announced this. Perhaps…”

Hu Miaoyi couldn’t help laughing and crying at the same time.

If the Prince of Heshun lost face, that meant she lost face too!

How could she establish credibility, authority, and trust afterward?

“If it’s been announced, then it’s been announced. What’s the harm?”

Lin Yi said casually. “Just have Gan Mao come to get the silver from me.”

Hong Ying, picking up the Prince’s subtle gaze, asked cautiously, “Sir, should I go handle this?”

“Yes. Go, and tell Gan Mao that the one million taels the Prince of Heshun donated was paid by me.”

Once the money arrived, the wealth of the elites would be returned in full; for the people’s money, a 70-30 split.

Lin Yi, as regent, naturally followed the same principle.

“I understand.”

Hong Ying was unsurprised in the slightest.

Anything done in service of the Prince was correct.

After Hong Ying left, Lin Yi turned back to Hu Miaoyi. “You came here on some business with me?”

Hu Miaoyi tapped her head, smiling. “I almost forgot—actually, I came to congratulate the Prince.”

“Congratulate? On what?”

Lin Yi asked curiously.

“Miss Du was nauseous this morning. I saw it and had Chen Xilian check her pulse—there’s a pregnancy pulse.”

Hu Miaoyi smiled.

“Pregnant?”

Lin Yi was not surprised.

The old ox plows, carrying burdens, sows a seed—harvest is only natural.

Hu Miaoyi continued, “I also arranged a particularly attentive maid for her, so the Prince need not worry.”

“Take care of it as you see fit.”

Lin Yi said, then headed directly to Du Yinniang’s chamber.

Du Yinniang was rubbing her belly when she heard the door open and looked up to see Lin Yi entering, hands behind his back.

“Prince, will you keep your word?”

“To go make pirates with you?”

Lin Yi thought of their previous agreement, helpless.

“Prince,” Du Yinniang raised her head, “With your protection, he will be a great maritime merchant across the seas.”

Lin Yi said irritably, “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Are you really sure it’s a son?”

“A son for certain!”

Du Yinniang said confidently.

“The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment,” Lin Yi pouted. “Alright, now that there’s a pregnancy, take care of yourself. No more martial training. No more recklessness.”

“Thank you for your concern, Prince,” Du Yinniang cupped her hands and said, “I wish to move out of the Prince’s mansion, and hope you will allow it.”

“Don’t trust anyone?”

Lin Yi rubbed his forehead.

“I trust no one!”

Du Yinniang snorted.

Lin Yi sighed. “Do as you wish. Moving out will save me some silver anyway.”

“Thank you, Prince.”

Du Yinniang was overjoyed.

The next day, Wen Qian led a team with a carriage to escort Du Yinniang out of the He Prince Mansion.

After finishing breakfast, Lin Yi didn’t see Hu Miaoyi’s figure.

Hong Ying accompanied a smile. “The Princess was furious and broke several cups.”

Lin Yi snorted. “I’m angry too. Let alone her.”

Hong Ying chuckled awkwardly. “Miss Du bought a new residence near the Governor’s Office. The maid and servants are all old folks from Black Dragon Island. I heard Nie You will arrive in a few days.”

Lin Yi snorted. “This woman is playing tricks on me. It seems she already knew she was pregnant. If the Princess hadn’t found out, she would’ve kept hiding it.”

Hong Ying lowered his head, silent.

That was not a task meant for him to relay.