On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Inside Murong Yan's bedchamber, the candlelight was soft.

She was not asleep; she was leaning against the soft couch by the window, reading a military book by candlelight.

The five-zhang-long train spread out like clouds beneath the couch, its dark golden radiance flowing quietly in the still night.

She seemed to be waiting for something.

Hearing the familiar footsteps outside the hall, Murong Yan's lips curled up slightly as she put down her book.

Lin Zhen pushed open the door and entered. When she saw the languid and luxurious figure on the couch, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her face. All her fatigue and unhappiness vanished at that moment.

"Yan'er, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?" He walked quickly forward, sat down on the edge of the bed, and naturally took her hand.

Murong Yan leaned into his arms and rubbed her cheek against his chest like a spoiled kitten: "Waiting for you, my husband? Instead of going to see your little beauty, you thought of coming back to me?"

Her tone was full of jealousy and teasing, but her eyes were bright and clear, without the slightest doubt.

Lin Zhen chuckled and gently flicked her nose: "Nonsense again. What little beauty? She's just a treacherous foreign woman who doesn't know her place and has ulterior motives. I've already dismissed her."

He briefly recounted what had happened in the study.

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan was not angry at all. Instead, she giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck: "I knew it. My husband is the most chaste. But that Japanese princess is quite brave. She actually dared to break into your study at night to seduce you. Tsk tsk."

“Courage?” Lin Zhen scoffed. “It’s more like stupidity. Her intentions are crystal clear.”

"Alright, alright," Murong Yan pecked him on the lips and laughed, "Let's not talk about her anymore, it's a downer. Husband, carry me to bed, I'm sleepy."

"Okay," Lin Zhen replied softly, and picked her up in his arms.

Murong Yan happily buried her face in the crook of his neck and sighed contentedly.

Just as Lin Zhen was holding her and turning to walk towards the inner bedroom—

Murong Yan shifted her body slightly due to the change in posture.

The five-zhang-long dark gold train that stretched out under the couch like a cloud was stirred, and with a whoosh, it swept across the carpet like waves in the night!

As the train quietly billowed up, it revealed the "golden brocade" lining, densely woven with gold thread, which shimmered with absolute trust and deep affection under the warm candlelight of the bedchamber!

The pattern of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun bursts forth with a golden light as brilliant and eternal as a galaxy. The light is filled with a sense of security that is filled with love, an unwavering loyalty to one's partner, and an intimacy that has become more unbreakable after being tested. It is noble, magnificent, and carries a sense of dependence and happiness that entrusts one's body and soul to another without reservation!

This fleeting glimpse was the most silent yet most powerful response to the clumsy temptation in the study.

The hem of her skirt fell, obscuring the deep, golden light.

Lin Zhen gently placed Murong Yan on the soft bed and covered her with a brocade quilt. He leaned down and planted a deep kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep now, my Yan'er," he whispered.

"Mmm. Husband, stay with me." Murong Yan responded groggily, reaching out to tightly grasp the hem of his robe.

Outside the window, the moon is bright and the stars are few.

Inside the sleeping quarters, all was peaceful.

......

In Liaodong, the ice and snow have melted, and vegetation has sprouted, presenting a vibrant scene.

Pyongyang has surrendered, and the former territory of Goguryeo has been incorporated into the Holy Emblem territory and established as the Andong Protectorate.

After nearly a year of governance, the new policies have yielded remarkable results, allowing the people to recuperate and thrive.

On this bright and sunny day, Murong Yan suddenly felt inspired to go to the countryside outside Anzhou City to see the spring plowing and understand the people's conditions.

This trip was neither a grand procession nor an incognito visit.

Murong Yan chose to ride in an elegantly decorated yet imposing phoenix carriage, escorted by elite cavalry. She specifically ordered that Prince Sakura accompany her, ostensibly to "let him witness the peaceful and prosperous life of the people under the rule of the Celestial Empire."

Lin Zhen naturally rode alongside the imperial carriage.

Inside the phoenix carriage, Murong Yan was not wearing any elaborate formal attire.

As spring warmed, she wore only the Phoenix Descent Dress, leaning against the cushioned carriage. Through the light gauze curtains, she gazed at the fields rushing past outside the window, her phoenix eyes filled with a hint of scrutiny and satisfaction.

The Phoenix Descends to Earth dress, worn during this spring outing, blends seamlessly with the natural scenery, presenting a unique aesthetic.

Under the bright spring sunshine, the deep black Suzhou brocade fabric no longer appears somber, but instead exudes a profound sense of absorbing the vitality of all things. The woven gold cotton and real gold threads flow with a radiant and hopeful glow in the sunlight, just like the warm spring sun.

The pattern of the giant phoenix on the nightgown, as it moved, lost some of the static majesty of the palace and gained more of the dynamic air of inspecting the territory and benefiting all living beings.

The wide, bell-shaped sleeves were hidden by the cuffs of the blouse, but the black jade thumb ring on her left thumb flashed in the light when she occasionally raised her hand to part the curtains.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train was not restrained in the spacious phoenix carriage. Instead, it spread and piled naturally on the carpeted floor of the carriage with the slight bumps of the vehicle, forming a unique, flowing messiness in motion.

This disarray adds to the realism and vitality, as if this magnificent attire was meant to be connected with the world and all things in it.

The breathability of cotton and the comfort of the nightgown allowed her to stay comfortable during her travels.

Lin Zhen rode a pure white steed, guarding the imperial carriage.

Dressed in a smart riding and archery outfit, he was dashing and spirited. His gaze would sometimes sweep around to ensure safety, and sometimes look tenderly at Murong Yan in the carriage.

Princess Sakura followed behind in a simpler carriage.

Today, she wore an elegant cherry blossom-colored kimono, her feelings were complicated, both nervous about facing Murong Yan and full of curiosity about what she was about to see.

The convoy traveled to a village called "Xinghuatun" about 20 miles outside Anzhou City.

Nestled amidst mountains and water, with fertile land, this place is bustling with spring planting.

The message had been sent by fast horse, and the local magistrate and a few village elders were already kneeling at the village entrance, trembling with fear, to welcome them.

As the imperial carriage came to a stop, Lin Zhen dismounted first, quickly walked to the front of the carriage, and personally helped Murong Yan down.

Murong Yan, supported by his hand, gracefully stepped down from the phoenix carriage. The spring breeze blew, lifting the hem of her blouse and her ink-black hair, and also stirring the long, flowing, dark gold train.

Stepping onto the rural land, Murong Yan took a deep breath of the air, which was filled with the fragrance of soil and grass, and a joyful expression appeared on her face.

Looking around, she saw farmers busy plowing and sowing in the fields, children playing on the ridges, and women washing clothes by the river. The sounds of chickens and dogs filled the air, creating a peaceful and busy scene.

It was a world apart from the desolation and death she remembered seeing when she first entered Goguryeo a year ago.

"Rise," Murong Yan said calmly to the kneeling villagers. Her voice, delivered clearly through her inner strength, reached everyone's ears without losing its gentleness.

The villagers rose in fear, stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, and dared not raise their heads.

Murong Yan walked slowly towards the fields, Lin Zhen followed closely behind, and Princess Sakura also followed carefully behind, accompanied by her maids.

"How did the spring planting go this year? Are the seeds and farming tools sufficient?" Murong Yan stopped by a newly renovated field ridge and asked the village head beside her.

The village head was an old farmer in his fifties, with dark skin and a face full of wrinkles. Upon hearing this, he excitedly replied, "Thanks to His Majesty's blessings! Everything is fine! The government has already distributed new grain seeds, as well as iron plows and oxen. Taxes have also been waived for three years, and everyone is working with great enthusiasm! This year is sure to be a good year!"

His words were simple, yet filled with sincere gratitude.