On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

She turned her head and whispered to Lin Zhen, her tone carrying a hint of smugness: "Husband, look, they're doing quite well, aren't they? My policies are still somewhat effective."

Looking at her childlike expression as she sought praise, Lin Zhen felt a surge of affection and softly replied, "It's more than just useful. Yan'er, your kindness extends to all corners of the world, and the people can live in peace and prosperity—it's all thanks to you."

As he spoke, he naturally reached out and tucked a strand of her wind-blown hair behind her ear.

This scene, witnessed by Princess Sakura behind them, evoked a complex mix of emotions within her.

She saw the natural and profound intimacy between Murong Yan and Lin Zhen, and she also saw the heartfelt awe and gratitude that the people around her had for Murong Yan.

This is far removed from her imagined image of a "tyrant".

She couldn't help but think of the Japanese nobles scheming for power and the impoverished lives of the common people, and an indescribable sense of bitterness and inferiority arose within her.

Murong Yan seemed to be in high spirits. She even lifted her skirt and carefully walked down the ridge to an old farmer who was sowing seeds.

The old farmer was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.

"Grandpa, no need for such formalities." Murong Yan bent down and asked kindly, "What kind of fruit is this? How was the harvest?"

The old farmer was flattered and stammered his reply.

Murong Yan listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

Sunlight shone on her, and the dark gold color of her phoenix-emerging dress stood out against the green field backdrop, yet strangely, it didn't seem out of place. Instead, it gave off a feeling of ruling the earth and blessing all people.

The long trail of grass inevitably clung to the mud and grass on the ridges of the fields, bearing the marks of spring. This messiness, at this moment, made it all the more approachable and authentic.

Just then, several children playing by the field were attracted by Murong Yan's beautiful dress and curiously gathered around, staring at her timidly with wide eyes.

A daring little girl even reached out her little hand to touch the glittering phoenix pattern on the train.

"How dare you be so rude!" The village head and the guards quickly reprimanded them.

Murong Yan waved her hand, indicating it was alright. She crouched down to be at eye level with the little girl, a rare and extremely gentle smile on her face: "Do you like it?"

The little girl nodded shyly.

Murong Yan took out several pieces of palace pastries wrapped in gold foil from her sleeve and distributed them to the children, saying softly, "Take these and eat them. Be good, listen to your parents, and grow up well."

The children cheered as they received the snacks and ran off happily.

Seeing this, the fear in the eyes of the surrounding villagers was gradually replaced by emotion.

Princess Sakura stood not far away, watching this scene with immense shock.

She never imagined that this empress, who could slaughter cities and destroy countries with a wave of her hand and wear bizarre and gorgeous clothes, would have such an approachable and even maternal side.

This complex image mixed her fear of Murong Yan with an indescribable sense of awe and curiosity.

After her inspection, amidst the villagers' profuse thanks, Murong Yan prepared to return to the imperial carriage. In high spirits, she turned to Lin Zhen, reached out her hand, and said sweetly, "Husband, I'm tired. Carry me back."

Lin Zhen smiled and naturally stepped forward, picking her up in his arms.

Murong Yan happily hugged his neck and buried her face in his chest, causing the surrounding guards and palace maids to lower their heads and laugh, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Just as Lin Zhen, carrying Murong Yan, turned and walked towards the phoenix carriage—

Murong Yan was lifted up and turned around!

The five-foot-long, dark gold trailing behind the train, which stretched across the spring fields and was covered in mud and grass clippings, was suddenly lifted up!

The luxurious brocade brushed against the green grass with a whoosh, drawing a dazzling arc in the sunlight!

As the train billows upwards, it reveals the "Golden Embroidery" lining, which is intricately woven with gold threads and pulsates with vitality and hope like golden waves of wheat under the bright spring sunshine!

The pattern of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun bursts forth with a warm and dazzling golden light, full of creation, nourishment and boundless aspirations for the future. It is noble, magnificent, and carries a powerful and ever-renewing force that is closely connected with the earth and its people!

This fleeting glimpse is the most magnificent display of her achievements in governing the country.

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

Lin Zhen carefully carried Murong Yan into the phoenix carriage.

After Murong Yan settled into her seat, she looked out the car window at the Sakura Princess, who stood beside the car with a complex expression, and gave her a meaningful smile that carried a condescending yet tolerant air: "Princess, what I have seen today is to your liking. How does the life of my Holy Emblem subjects compare to that of Japan?"

Princess Sakura trembled, lowered her head, and replied respectfully, "The Celestial Empire is a land of plenty, where people live in peace and happiness. This humble subject is amazed and ashamed of his own inferiority."

"Mm." Murong Yan withdrew her gaze with satisfaction, leaned back on the cushion, and smiled sweetly at Lin Zhen: "Husband, let's go back."

The convoy set off, returning to Anzhou City. Inside the carriage, Murong Yan leaned lazily against Lin Zhen's shoulder, fiddling with the Chinese knot buttons on his lapel: "Husband, were you happy today?"

"I'm so happy." Lin Zhen hugged her and whispered, "Seeing the prosperous scene under Yan'er's rule makes me happier than anything else."

Murong Yan closed her eyes contentedly.

Outside the car, spring was in full bloom.

Inside the car, love lingered.

In the third year of the Shenghui era, in late spring of April.

The governance of the Andong Protectorate (formerly the territory of Goguryeo) has entered a stage of deepening.

On the basis of restoring production and stabilizing people's livelihood, Murong Yan issued another far-reaching edict: to promote the education of the Holy Emblem Mandarin (Chinese) throughout the entire Protectorate, and to establish official schools and elementary schools in various prefectures and counties to encourage children of school age to enroll in school and learn the Holy Emblem language, script, etiquette and classics.

This edict aimed to fundamentally promote ethnic integration, consolidate rule, and enable newly annexed people to "gradually adopt Chinese customs and be bathed in the king's civilization."

Anzhou City, as the seat of the Protectorate, was among the first to respond. The newly established "Qiming Academy" in the east of the city was one of the first government-run elementary schools, specifically for children aged six to ten.

On this day, the school was filled with the sound of children reciting the Thousand Character Classic. Their tender voices, though slightly accented, were clearly audible.

On this warm spring morning, Murong Yan and Lin Zhen arrived at the brand-new school in a small entourage.

Her trip was not a grand ceremonial affair, but rather a casual inspection.

She was still wearing that phoenix descending to earth dress.

Her black hair was styled into a simple Lingyun bun, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin with a pearl in its bead, which swayed gently with her steps.

The Phoenix Descends to Earth dress, set against the backdrop of a vibrant and hopeful school environment, exudes a dignified and edgy air that transcends palaces and battlefields, serving to educate and enlighten the people.

Under the bright spring sunlight, the deep black Suzhou brocade fabric exudes a serene warmth after absorbing the light and heat, while the woven gold cotton wool and real gold threads flow with a bright and hopeful glow, like the light of knowledge.

The pattern of the giant phoenix on the nightgown, when walking under the school corridor, lost some of its conquering spirit and gained more of a benevolent and majestic air of looking down on the fledglings and enlightening the ignorant.

The wide, bell-shaped sleeves were bound by the cuffs of the vest, making movement easier. The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb shimmered with a warm luster when she occasionally raised her hand to gesture.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train trailed behind it on the clean blue brick floor of the school.

As the school corridors turned and she walked slowly, her trailing tail naturally meandered behind her, sometimes brushing against the threshold, sometimes skimming the corner of the wall, and even gently sweeping over the fallen petals of the newly planted peach trees as she passed through the courtyard, carrying a faint scent of spring, creating a unique, vibrant messiness characteristic of walking in a new place.

This disarray symbolizes the seeds of civilization being sown on this land as she walks by.

The softness of the cotton and the comfort of the nightgown allowed her to blend more harmoniously into this childlike environment. Murong Yan nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the people working in the fields. Seeing the hopeful smiles on their faces, though covered in sweat, she couldn't help but smile slightly as well.