On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Inside the Linshui Flower Hall of the Anzhou Imperial Palace, the atmosphere did not truly ease after Lin Zhen left; instead, it became even more subtle and oppressive.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating the table full of delicacies, but no one had the appetite to touch their chopsticks.

The fragrance of lotus blossoms drifted in on the breeze, yet it couldn't dispel the palpable tension in the hall.

Murong Yan ate her meal leisurely, as if the shocking interrogation she had just endured had never happened.

Her posture was elegant, her movements were graceful, and every bite of her chopsticks was just right.

The black and gold mink shawl was still neatly draped over her shoulders, its fur gleaming with a dim sheen in the candlelight.

She even sipped a small cup of imperial wine with great interest, a faint blush rising on her cheeks, adding to her languid charm.

Princess Sakura, sitting opposite her, was extremely uncomfortable, her face pale, her hands tightly twisting her belt under the table, and she was even breathing cautiously.

She lowered her head, her gaze avoiding any contact with Murong Yan, like a frightened fawn exposed to the phoenix's gaze.

In this private yet dynamic space, the Phoenix Descends to Earth dress seems to come alive.

Under the candlelight, the deep black Suzhou brocade fabric appeared even more profound, like a starless and moonless night sky, absorbing all the light and leaving only a heavy, oppressive aura.

The woven golden cotton wool and real gold thread transformed into the sharpest light in the darkness, flowing and shimmering with Murong Yan's subtle movements, like the cold scales of a giant beast lurking in the night, ready to unleash destructive power at any moment.

On the nightgown, the pattern of the giant phoenix reaching for the sky, in its tranquil dining posture, with its wings folded and its mind focused, is more unsettling than any ferocious pose. It is an absolute calm that holds the power of life and death.

The wide, flared sleeves were concealed by her outer robe, but the black jade thumb ring on her left thumb occasionally reflected a deep light as she held a cup and chopsticks, like the occasional glint of light from beneath the closed eyelids of a giant beast.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade trailing behind the main seat spread out, meandering across the smooth floor, past the table legs, and even extending to a spot not far from the seat of the Sakura Princess. The dark gold brocade seemed to possess warmth under the candlelight, yet it was also icy cold, creating a chaotic and aggressive atmosphere.

This disarray is no longer casualness, but an invisible demarcation of power, as if declaring: this space, and even your fate, are all under the cover of my skirt.

The softness of cotton and the name "nightgown" are ironic at this moment; they envelop an iron will and the power of life and death.

Murong Yan ate slowly, and even commented on the taste of the dishes, as if she were just enjoying an ordinary dinner.

She put down her silver chopsticks and gently wiped the corners of her mouth with a snow-white silk handkerchief when she felt it was about time.

She didn't speak immediately, but instead slowly turned her gaze to the deep night outside the window, her fingers unconsciously stroking the delicate surface of the wine glass.

After a long while, she turned back, her gaze falling on the still trembling Princess Sakura. A half-smile curved her lips, and her voice, though calm, was as firm as a hammer:

“Your Highness,” she began, no longer using “朕” (the imperial “I”), but instead using a more intimate yet condescending form of address, “there are no outsiders here, how about we have a private conversation?”

Princess Sakura trembled, and with difficulty raised her head to meet Murong Yan's unfathomable phoenix eyes. Her voice was as soft as a whisper: "Your Majesty, please speak. Your humble servant is all ears."

Murong Yan smiled gently, leaned forward slightly, rested her elbow on the table, and propped her chin up, appearing to be having a casual conversation. However, her words sent a chill down Prince Sakura's spine:

"Do you really like my imperial consort, Prince Lin?" she asked directly, her gaze sharp as a knife, as if it could see through any disguise.

Princess Sakura's face turned deathly pale instantly, her lips trembling as she tried to deny it, but under Murong Yan's all-knowing gaze, she didn't even have the courage to lie.

She could only lower her head again, tears welling up in her eyes.

Murong Yan didn't need her answer. She continued speaking to herself, her tone carrying an almost cruel mockery: "Hmm, Prince Lin is indeed handsome, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and possesses an extraordinary demeanor. Not to mention you, even I was captivated by him when we first met."

As she spoke, a genuine tenderness appeared in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cold scrutiny.

“However,” she changed the subject, her voice turning cold, “it’s one thing to like someone, but you also have to consider whether you’re worthy of them.”

Her gaze, like a cold scanner, swept over Princess Sakura from head to toe.

"As for you, you are quite decent-looking and have a bit of exotic charm. As a princess of Japan, your status is not too bad and it is not an insult to you."

With each word she spoke, Princess Sakura lowered her head further, and tears of humiliation finally streamed down her cheeks.

Murong Yan seemed not to see her tears and continued in that nonchalant yet highly insulting tone:

"Your Japan is a tiny, insignificant country, lacking in resources and with a rudimentary civilization. Your rulers and ministers are short-sighted, only knowing how to fight amongst themselves or covet other countries, like moles peering at the sky, unaware of the vastness of the world. If it weren't for the sea separating you, you would have long been devoured by your powerful neighbors, leaving not even bones behind. Do you really think I don't know what you're up to by sending you here? It's nothing more than seeing Goguryeo on the verge of collapse, wanting to take advantage of the chaos and gain some benefits, yet you're too timid and hesitant, only daring to send a woman to test the waters. It's utterly laughable."

Her words were like whips, striking Princess Sakura's heart again and again, crushing the dignity of Japan underfoot.

Princess Sakura bit her lower lip, tasting the blood, but dared not utter a single word in rebuttal.

Because she knew that what Murong Yan said was true.

Compared to this colossal empire before them, Japan was indeed as insignificant as dust.

Murong Yan admired her humiliated yet forced-to-endurance expression, seemingly quite satisfied.

She picked up her glass, took a small sip, and then slowly offered her final "gift":

"Fine, considering you still have some beauty and your deep affection for the Prince, I will give you a chance." She put down her wine cup, her gaze softening again, yet becoming even more chilling. "After the Goguryeo matter is settled, you can stay here."

Princess Sakura suddenly raised her head, a glint of disbelief flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly overwhelmed by even greater fear.

Murong Yan parted her red lips slightly, and the words she uttered struck Prince Sakura like a thunderbolt: "Stay here to warm Prince Lin's bed."

"!!!"

Warm the bed!

These two words, like the sharpest icicle, pierced through all of Princess Sakura's illusions and dignity!

She was trembling violently and almost fainted.

She was a princess of a country. Even though Japan was weak, she was still a princess of noble birth. When had she ever suffered such blatant humiliation, being treated like a plaything?

"This is an immense favor," Murong Yan's voice continued, carrying a haughty air of bestowing favors. "Countless women from foreign lands would gladly be able to get close to the Prince. You may stay by his side without any official title, but you will still receive some of his favor and grace. Perhaps it can even garner some pity for your poor Japan, preventing it from following in the footsteps of Goguryeo. So, will you accept this favor or not?"