On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Lin Zhen's voice remained calm, but the power in his words sent a shiver down Princess Sakura's spine.

"Indeed, the process is painful, and bloodshed is inevitable. But if not, how can old wounds be cured? How can stubborn resistance be stopped? Only by using absolute force to shatter all unrealistic fantasies and the foundations of stubborn resistance can obstacles be cleared for new life."

His words struck Princess Sakura's heart like a heavy hammer.

She had never heard anyone explain such a brutal war in such a rational and visionary way.

"And then what?" Lin Zhen changed the subject, his gaze returning to Princess Sakura's face, carrying a hint of guidance.

"It is reconstruction. His Majesty's exemption of taxes, distribution of land, construction of water conservancy, promotion of industry and commerce, dispatch of good officials, and implementation of education are the root of the 'prosperity' and 'satisfaction' you see in Anzhou City today."

His tone carried an undeniable confidence.

"The people are simple and honest, and also the wisest. They will support whoever can bring them peace and prosperity. The pain of the past will be soothed by the stability of the present and the hope for the future. What Your Majesty gives them is something that the Goguryeo royal family could never give—fairness, order, and hope."

At this point, Lin Zhen paused slightly, looking at Princess Sakura's eyes filled with shock and contemplation, and added softly, "And this is the true 'benevolent governance,' not the benevolence of a woman, but the benevolence of an emperor. To stop killing with killing, to stop war with war, to destroy and then establish, this is the great way."

"The benevolence of an emperor lies in destruction before construction." Princess Sakura murmured these words repeatedly, her heart filled with turbulent waves.

Her original worldview was completely overturned at this moment.

What she had always perceived as "brutality" was, in fact, transformed into a far-sighted and necessary "treatment" under Lin Zhen's calm and wise explanation.

The governance methods that followed demonstrated wisdom and boldness far exceeding her expectations.

This powerful cognitive shock gave her an indescribable admiration for the man before her, as well as a deeper emotional stirring that she herself was unaware of.

She couldn't help but compare Lin Zhen to Otomo Suruga beside her.

Ōtomo Suruga is brave and loyal, but in his world, there seems to be only swords, orders, and a simple idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor.

He could not, like Lin Zhen, stand at such a high vantage point, understand the affairs of the world, and expound such profound and grand principles.

The difference in wisdom and magnanimity is like the difference between clouds and mud.

One is a brave general who fights on the battlefield, and the other is a king who controls the world and understands people's hearts.

Thinking of this, Princess Sakura subconsciously glanced at Ōtomo Suruga, who was standing like a javelin to her side and behind her.

What she used to find heroic and upright now seemed strangely stiff and shallow to her.

Like a weapon that is sharp but lacks soul, it pales in comparison to Lin Zhen, a jade with inner brilliance and unfathomable depth.

An indescribable feeling of contempt quietly grew in her heart.

She even felt that Ōtomo Suruga's deliberately guarded posture seemed so ridiculous and inappropriate in the face of Lin Zhen's composure.

"So that's how it is," Princess Sakura murmured absently, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She dared not look directly into Lin Zhen's all-seeing eyes, and hurriedly lowered her head, her heart pounding.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for enlightening me. I am now completely clear-headed." Her voice was barely audible, tinged with a hint of panic.

Lin Zhen took in her reaction, a barely perceptible look of understanding flashing in his eyes, but he didn't point it out, only smiling calmly: "It's good that the Prince understands. The way to govern a country lies in understanding the essence, not in being bound by appearances. If your country wants long-term stability, you should also think deeply about this."

His words were both a hint and an invisible deterrent.

"I am truly grateful for your instruction." Princess Sakura, her mind in turmoil, hurriedly rose and bowed again. "Your Highness is busy with state affairs, so I will not disturb you any longer."

All she wanted to do at that moment was leave as soon as possible and sort out her chaotic thoughts and inexplicably agitated feelings.

Lin Zhen also stood up and nodded slightly: "Please proceed, Your Highness. If you have any needs while in Anzhou, please inform the officials of the Ministry of Rites."

Princess Sakura practically fled the council chamber, forgetting to even signal to Ōtomo Suruga behind her.

Ōtomo Suruga paused for a moment, then quickly followed. He sensed that something seemed off about the princess, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. He just felt a strange unease rising within him.

Inside the council chamber, Lin Zhen walked back to the map, his gaze once again fixed on the vast sea, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

In his eyes, the Japanese princess's petty romantic thoughts were nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust on a chessboard, and perhaps even a useful pawn at some point in the future.

At this moment, his thoughts had already flown back to the inner palace, to the empress who only showed him her charm and dependence.

......

On the fifth day of the eighth month of the second year of the Shenghui era, at dusk.

Inside Murong Yan's bedroom at the Anzhou Imperial Palace, a languid and warm atmosphere permeated the air.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window frame, casting dappled shadows on the smooth floor. The summer heat gradually subsided, and a cool breeze blew gently.

Murong Yan was leaning against the soft couch by the window, playing with a jade hairpin in her hand, looking relaxed.

She had just taken a bath and was only wearing the black and gold Suzhou brocade cotton nightgown with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix—the Divine Phoenix Descending to Earth Dress.

Her slightly damp, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, exuding a faint, pleasant scent of soapberry.

On a summer evening, the palace was not cold, and the black and gold mink shawl was casually draped over the screen next to it.

The cotton fabric of the nightgown was soft and clingy, perfectly outlining her slender figure. Because of its lightness and thinness, it swayed gently in the evening breeze, making it incredibly comfortable.

Under the soft light of dusk, the Phoenix Descends to Earth dress sheds its formality as a daytime gown, revealing its privacy and splendor as a nightgown.

The deep black Suzhou brocade absorbs the warm tones of the setting sun, making its color deep and warm. The woven gold cotton and real gold threads flow with a soft and dazzling glow, like the melting gold of the setting sun.

On the nightgown, the pattern of the giant phoenix reaching for the sky, in its relaxed posture, has lost some of its domineering majesty and gained more of the elegance and languor of resting. Its phoenix eyes are slightly closed, as if it is also immersed in this tranquility.

One of the wide, bell-shaped sleeves hung softly over the edge of the couch, with gold tassels at the cuff brushing the floor, while the other sleeve was used by Murong Yan to cushion her cheek as she lay on her side.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a warm and subtle luster in the setting sun.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train was laid out on the couch in an extremely casual manner—part of it was rolled around her legs, part of it cascaded down the edge of the couch, and a large part of it, like a waterfall of dark gold, was piled up messily on the carpet under the couch, forming many natural folds.

This kind of unruly messiness, unique to when she's relaxing at home after a shower, is full of life and ultimate relaxation. It's only in front of her closest people that she's so unguarded.

The soft cotton fabric and the loose fit of the nightgown allowed her to fully enjoy this rare moment of leisure.