On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The horrific scene turned many officials in the audience pale, unable to look directly at it.

Some people were so frightened that they lowered their heads or couldn't help but vomit.

Murong Yan remained seated, her gaze behind the beaded curtain coldly observing the entire execution process.

She wanted to use this cruelest punishment to show everyone what the consequences would be for challenging her bottom line and harming the people she wanted to protect, especially the children!

The entire execution lasted for nearly an hour.

When Li San finally breathed his last, the platform was completely silent, with only the thick, pungent smell of blood lingering in the air.

Murong Yan then slowly stood up. She walked to the edge of the platform and her gaze swept across the entire audience once more.

The beaded curtains clashed, producing a crisp sound that was particularly jarring in the deathly silence.

Her voice, amplified by her inner strength, clearly reached everyone's ears; it wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight.

"You have all witnessed what has happened today."

"I, Murong Yan, rule the Holy Emblem, wielding both benevolence and severity. Those who submit to me will live in peace and prosperity, their children will be able to attend school, and their futures will be limitless. Those who defy me, this is their fate!"

"Children in schools are the foundation of the nation's future. Anyone who dares to harm a child, no matter who they are or why, will have their entire family executed, their bones crushed and their ashes scattered to the winds!"

"Goguryeo is a thing of the past, and the Andong Protectorate is my territory! As my subjects, you should abide by my laws, learn my language, and work together to create a peaceful and prosperous world! If there are any stubborn and disobedient individuals, Park Ji-woong and Lee Sam will serve as cautionary tales!"

Her voice was devoid of any emotion, carrying only a chilling murderous intent and an unquestionable authority.

After saying that, she didn't linger. She turned around and walked down the platform with Lin Zhen.

Just as she turned around, her dark gold train brushed against the blood-stained edge of the platform—

The action conveyed a resolute sense that the execution was complete and authority had been established!

The five-zhang-long dark gold trail that had been dragging through the yellow earth and bloodstains of the execution ground was suddenly lifted up!

The edge of the luxurious brocade was inevitably stained with a few drops of dark red blood, which drew a breathtaking arc in the air with a whoosh!

As the train suddenly billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining, which was densely woven with gold threads and shimmered with an eerie and cruel golden-red light under the dim light, as if it had been soaked in blood!

The patterns of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun burst forth with a scorching, deathly glow, like molten lava from hell.

The light was filled with the ruthlessness of stopping killing with killing, the determination of using violence to control violence, and an almost obsessive and firm will to maintain order and the future through the most extreme means. It was noble, magnificent, and carried a chilling calm that used terror to build peace!

This fleeting glimpse was the most direct visual impact of her iron-fisted rule.

The hem of her skirt fell, concealing the bloody golden light and terrifying pressure.

Murong Yan and Lin Zhen left the execution ground side by side, leaving behind the deathly silence and fear.

The third year of the Holy Emblem Era, at the end of April.

The bloody public execution in Cao's city of Anzhou was like a thunderclap, shaking the entire Andong Protectorate.

Park Ji-woong was beheaded and his head displayed to the public, while Li San was executed by slow slicing. The brutality of the executions far surpassed the rumors of Murong Yan's previous massacre of the city.

However, unlike a massacre motivated by pure venting of anger, this execution was a demonstration of authority with a clear objective and "sufficient" justification—harming children crossed the absolute red line drawn by Murong Yan.

Its deterrent effect is unprecedented.

For a time, all potential and overt resistance forces within the Protectorate were silenced.

Some of the old officials who had previously been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant became extremely obedient; the undercurrents of resistance among the people to the "same script" policy were also temporarily quelled.

The school's meals were provided with the strictest guarantee, with no skimping whatsoever.

The children's faces regained their rosy hue, and their voices rang out louder as they read aloud.

On the surface, Murong Yan's iron-fisted methods seem to have successfully brought this newly acquired territory into the track she set in a short period of time.

A bizarre "order" and "peace" built on fear has arrived.

Several days after the execution, Murong Yan's life seemed to return to its usual rhythm.

The night was deep, and the bedchamber was brightly lit with only a few candles, casting a soft glow.

She was only wearing that form-fitting phoenix descending to earth dress.

Her long hair, loose from her bath, cascaded over her shoulders, carrying a damp mist and a faint fragrance.

The black and gold mink shawl was casually draped over the screen.

She leaned lazily against the soft couch by the window, holding a book in her hand, but she didn't look at it carefully. Her gaze was somewhat absent as she stared at the deep night outside the window.

In the private space of the night, the Phoenix Descends to Earth dress washes away the fierce aura of the day, revealing its inherent softness and magnificence.

Under the soft candlelight, the ultra-black Suzhou brocade fabric presents a velvety texture, absorbing the warm light, while the woven gold cotton and real gold threads flow with a honey-like, warm and restrained radiance.

On the nightgown, the pattern of the giant phoenix reaching for the sky completely concealed all its sharpness when resting, like a phoenix resting in its love nest, its posture peaceful, yet still exuding an inviolable elegance.

One of her wide, bell-shaped sleeves hung softly over the edge of the couch, the gold tassels at the cuff brushing against the carpet. The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a lustrous sheen as she occasionally turned the pages of a book.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train was spread out on the couch in an extremely unrestrained manner—part of it was pressed down by her curled-up legs, part of it cascaded down the edge of the couch, and a large part of it meandered and flowed on the carpet under the couch like a river of dark gold. In some places, it even intertwined with the legs of the low table next to the couch, forming a kind of most natural and private mess after she was completely relaxed and let down all her guard.

This disarray is an external manifestation of her inner weariness and search for peace.

The palace door opened softly, and Lin Zhen, having finished his military duties, entered.

He had changed into casual clothes, and his face showed a hint of weariness, but his eyes immediately softened when he saw Murong Yan on the bed.

"Yan'er, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?" He walked to the bedside, sat down naturally, and gently brushed away a strand of wet hair from her cheek.

Murong Yan snapped out of her reverie, put down the book, and naturally nestled into his embrace, burying her face in his chest. She took a deep breath of his fresh, pleasant scent and said in a muffled voice, "Husband, you're back. I can't sleep."

Lin Zhen embraced her, feeling her body relax and also sensing the subtle emptiness in her heart.

He said in a low voice, "Still thinking about the matter with the city official?"

Murong Yan nodded gently in his arms, her voice slightly unsteady: "Hmm, husband, do you think I was too ruthless? Even some veteran generals turned pale at that scene."

Lin Zhen was silent for a moment, then tightened his grip on her arm: "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. People like Park Ji-woong have no bottom line. If we don't use swift and decisive measures to deter them, similar incidents will only continue to occur, and more innocent children will be harmed. Yan'er, your actions may seem cruel, but they are actually for the sake of longer-term peace. This is a matter of great benevolence, not petty compassion."

His words, as always, firmly supported her.

Murong Yan felt a warmth in her heart. She raised her head, her phoenix eyes filled with a hint of dependence and a search for affirmation: "Really? Husband, you don't think I'm a cruel and bloodthirsty person, do you?"

Lin Zhen lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, saying softly, "My Yan'er, you are the kindest and strongest woman in the world. Being cruel to the enemy is the greatest mercy to your people. I will always stand by your side."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan finally showed a genuine smile, like a cat being stroked, and rubbed against him: "My husband is the best. With you here, I'm not afraid of anything."

She paused, then said softly, "But after this incident, I always feel that beneath this surface of calm, there are probably undercurrents. Will the remnants of Goguryeo really be content with this?"

Lin Zhen's gaze narrowed slightly: "Yan'er's concerns are quite valid. Although Park Ji-woong is dead, the 'Restoration Banner' organization behind him is deeply entrenched and may have other leaders. Recently, 'Night Owl's' secret report did indeed contain some scattered information indicating that some remaining forces are showing signs of moving to remote mountainous areas or coastal islands. They may be accumulating strength and waiting for an opportunity."