On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Meanwhile, on the edge of a chaotic shantytown in the southeast corner of Anzhou City, a silent pursuit is unfolding.

After the incident, Li San was temporarily confined to a servant's room in the backyard of the school, and his movements were monitored, but his daily meals still had to be purchased and delivered by a special person.

This gave "Night Owl" an opportunity.

The person responsible for keeping an eye on Li San was a top member of "Night Owl," codenamed "Shadow Seven."

He disguised himself as a pancake vendor, pushing his cart around the back alley of the school every day, but his eyes were fixed on the small door leading to the servants' quarters like those of a hawk.

On the fourth day at dusk, the sky was about to darken but was not yet completely dark.

Yingqi keenly noticed that a mute old servant who was usually responsible for delivering meals to Li San did not return directly to his residence after leaving the school. Instead, he wandered into the shantytown and meandered through the narrow, dirty alleys.

Shadow Seven calmly packed up the pancake stall and followed silently like a ghost.

The mute servant was clearly very familiar with the terrain; he walked hurriedly, but occasionally looked back warily.

With her superb tracking skills, Yingqi maintained a safe distance from him at all times, concealing herself by using corners and piles of debris. Finally, the mute servant slipped into a low, dilapidated, musty-smelling mud-brick house.

Yingqi did not approach rashly, but quickly climbed up a nearby old locust tree with lush branches and leaves. Taking advantage of the twilight, he held his breath and peered into the house through a hole in the window.

The room was dimly lit, with only a soybean oil lamp lit.

Besides the mute servant, there were two other people.

One of them, a wiry man with a scar near his eye, was none other than Park Ji-woong, a minor leader of the "Restoration Banner"!

The other person was his deputy, Kim Soon-cheol.

The mute servant then pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Park Ji-woong.

Park Ji-woong took it, quickly scanned it under the light, and a sinister smile appeared on his face.

He whispered to Kim Soon-cheol (Shadow Seven understands lip reading): "That good-for-nothing Li San can't hold on any longer. The note says the government is investigating closely, and he's going crazy with fear. He asked us what to do next and threatened that if we push him any further, we'll fight to the death."

Jin Shunzhe sneered, "Useless thing! Tell him to stay calm and say it was all an accident. Once things calm down, his family will be returned to him, along with a generous reward. If he dares to say anything, I'll make sure his whole family dies a horrible death!"

Park Ji-woong nodded, took out paper and pen, quickly wrote a few lines, handed them to the mute servant, stuffed a few copper coins into his hand, and waved for him to leave quickly.

Shadow Seven was overjoyed!

We've finally got solid evidence!

After patiently waiting for the mute servant to leave, he observed for a while longer to confirm that Park Ji-woong and the other man would not leave for the time being. Then, like a raccoon dog, he slid down the tree and quickly disappeared into the night to rush back to the palace to report.

It was nearly midnight, but Murong Yan, preoccupied with her own thoughts, did not retire early. Instead, she sat in Lin Zhen's study, seemingly reading casually, but in reality, she was restless.

Under the candlelight of the night, the ink of that divine phoenix-adorned dress seemed even darker, the gold even more subdued, as if it were waiting for the final news alongside her.

Lin Zhen sat behind his desk, seemingly calm, but his frequent glances out the window betrayed his inner anxiety.

Suddenly, three rhythmic knocks came from outside the study.

Lin Zhen perked up: "Come in!"

Shadow Seven slipped in, knelt on one knee, lowered his voice, and reported everything he had seen and heard, especially emphasizing Park Ji-woong's physical characteristics and the content of their conversation.

The scroll in Murong Yan's hand landed on the table with a "thud".

She suddenly stood up, her phoenix eyes flashing with a terrifying cold light and the rage that had been building up for days!

The five-zhang-long trailing tail swished behind her as she suddenly stood up, making a "whoosh" sound!

"Good! What a fine 'banner of national restoration'! What a fine Park Ji-woong!" Murong Yan's voice was icy cold, each word seemingly carrying shards of ice. "How dare you lay a hand on a child! How dare you provoke me like this! You're courting death!"

She turned to Lin Zhen, her murderous intent undisguised: "Husband! The evidence is conclusive! It's time to close the net!"

Lin Zhen also stood up, his expression grim: "Don't worry, Yan'er! I will immediately dispatch 'Night Owl' and elite Imperial Guards to surround that stronghold, capture Park Ji-woong alive, and eradicate this traitorous gang!"

"No!" Murong Yan interrupted him decisively, a cruel smile curving her red lips.

"No need to capture him alive! Issue my decree: after the encirclement, kill them all without exception! Especially that Park Ji-woong, I want his head! As for that traitor Li San,"

She paused, a flash of disgust crossing her eyes. "Execute them all, and exile their families three thousand miles away! I want everyone to know what the consequences are for daring to harm my people, especially the children!"

Her orders were filled with iron-fisted ruthlessness.

At this moment, she was no longer the little woman who would act coquettishly towards Lin Zhen, but a ruthless empress who held the power of life and death.

Lin Zhen had no objection to this. He knew that only swift and decisive measures could deter such a ruthless enemy.

He nodded and said, "Yes! I'll arrange it right away!"

Murong Yan walked up to him, reached out and straightened his collar. The murderous intent in her eyes subsided slightly, revealing a hint of weariness: "Husband, be careful. I'll wait for you to come back."

Lin Zhen took her hand and kissed her forehead: "Don't worry, it's just a petty thief, nothing to worry about. Yan'er, you should rest now. Tomorrow morning, there will surely be good news."

After saying that, Lin Zhen turned around and strode out of the study, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.

Murong Yan stood alone in the study, gazing at the dark night sky outside the window, her anger and murderous intent still surging within her.

She knew that this covert struggle was about to end in the bloodiest way.

Her Phoenix Descent Dress, bathed in candlelight, shimmered with a deep, golden luster, as if it were prepared for the impending bloodshed.

Just as she turned around, preparing to leave the study and return to her bedchamber to wait—

The action was a desperate act, a release of pent-up anger!

The five-foot-long, dark gold train that was spread messily on the study floor, just like her chaotic thoughts, was suddenly stirred!

The luxurious brocade swept across the ground with a whoosh, like a battle flag sweeping through the air!

As the train suddenly billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining, which was densely woven with gold threads and shimmered with a cruel and resolute light like that of a bloodthirsty demon under the cold candlelight!

The pattern of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun burst forth with a golden light as hot and cold as hellfire. The light was filled with a fury that could destroy everything, a merciless punishment of the enemy, and an almost ruthless absolute will to defend its authority and the safety of its people. It was noble, magnificent, and carried an unquestionable sense of judgment that was about to cleanse the filth with blood!

This fleeting glimpse was her final declaration as a conqueror and avenger.

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