On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Nearly ten days have passed since Murong Yan was assassinated.

The Anzhou Imperial Palace remains heavily guarded, making it difficult even for birds to enter.

Speculation abounds regarding the Empress's injuries. Some say she is critically wounded and her death is kept secret; others claim she is only slightly injured and is planning a fierce counterattack. The truth, however, remains firmly sealed within the high walls of the palace.

The bedroom was filled with the fragrance of medicine, replacing the ambergris that was usually used.

Murong Yan leaned against the phoenix couch covered with thick cushions, her body covered with a brocade quilt, only revealing her upper body wearing the Divine Phoenix Descending to Earth dress.

After Lin Zhen's continuous nourishment of her internal energy and the careful treatment of the imperial physician, her complexion was no longer as pale as it had been a few days ago, and a hint of color had returned, but her lips still appeared somewhat pale.

Her once sharp and imposing phoenix eyes had lost their edge, replaced by a languid and serene look, a result of her illness.

The Phoenix Descends to Earth dress fit her body closely, and the dark Suzhou brocade fabric made her skin appear even whiter, yet it also subtly revealed a sense of fragility.

The woven gold threads no longer shimmer with dazzling light, but rather flow like an underground river under the moon, gently clinging to the folds of the nightgown.

The image of the giant phoenix, reaching for the sky, lay quietly in her reclining posture, as if it too was resting and recuperating, waiting for the opportunity to soar through the heavens again.

One of her wide, bell-shaped sleeves draped softly over the brocade quilt, while she used the other to gently cushion her cheek as she lay on her side.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb remained in its original place, but its luster seemed to have diminished.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train spread out on the couch, mostly covered by the brocade quilt, with only a small section at the end trailing down to the edge of the couch, carrying a sense of powerlessness yet still present, quietly curled up on the clean floor.

This is a slightly fragile mess after fighting against illness, yet it still retains an inviolable essence.

Lin Zhen moved almost all government affairs to the outer room of the palace so that he could keep an eye on Murong Yan at all times.

Besides handling urgent military affairs and listening to "Night Owl's" reports, he spent most of his time by her bedside, personally feeding her medicine, wiping her sweat, and reading leisurely books to relieve her boredom.

"Husband, is the court still peaceful these days?" Murong Yan drank a spoonful of the medicine Lin Zhen handed to her lips, frowned slightly, and asked softly.

Although her voice was weak, it was clear and coherent, indicating that she was fully conscious.

Lin Zhen gently wiped the medicine stains from the corner of her mouth with a silk handkerchief and said softly, "Everything is fine, Yan'er, don't worry. Those clowns have all been dealt with. The court officials all know you are recuperating, and no one dares to cause trouble."

He deliberately concealed the unusually active nature of the Japanese delegation to avoid troubling her.

Murong Yan nodded, gazing out the window at the thriving pomegranate blossoms in the courtyard, lost in thought: "This time I was too impatient, always thinking about quickly seizing this newly acquired territory, but I forgot that eradicating the deep-seated problems requires patience."

Her tone carried a hint of reflection, lacking her usual ruthless decisiveness and instead displaying a calmness born of experience.

This near-death experience seems to have given her a deeper understanding of the difficulties of ruling.

Lin Zhen held her hand and comforted her, "Yan'er has done enough. The swift and decisive measures to deter and the gentle approach to appease the people were both correct. It's just that the enemy is too cunning and treacherous, and it's impossible to guard against them. Once you recover, we will discuss this further and we will definitely eradicate these hidden dangers at their root."

Murong Yan turned her gaze from the window to Lin Zhen's noticeably thinner face, her eyes filled with heartache and tenderness: "My husband has had a hard time these past few days."

She reached out her other hand and gently stroked Lin Zhen's slightly haggard cheek.

"For you, what hardship is there?" Lin Zhen lowered his head and kissed her palm, his eyes full of tenderness.

Just then, a cautious voice from outside the palace announced: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Japanese envoy, Princess Sakura, is requesting an audience. She says she has heard that Your Majesty is unwell and has come to inquire after your well-being."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown appeared on her lips.

Lin Zhen's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"She's certainly well-informed; her arrival is 'just in time.'" Murong Yan's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. "Husband, do you think she came here genuinely to pay her respects, or does she have ulterior motives?"

Lin Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "The Japanese delegation has been in more frequent contact with the outside world recently than before. In particular, that merchant Taira no Sadamori is very secretive. It is more likely that he came to inquire about our situation at this time."

Murong Yan nodded: "In that case, let's meet him. It's just as well. I've been 'sick' for some time now, so it's time for outsiders to see how 'I' really am."

She deliberately emphasized the word "朕" (zhen, meaning "I, the emperor"), a calculating glint flashing in her eyes.

"Your health..." Lin Zhen said with some concern.

"It's alright." Murong Yan waved her hand and struggled to sit up straight. Lin Zhen quickly stepped forward to help her and placed several soft pillows behind her.

"It's just a matter of meeting a foreign official and exchanging a few words; I still have the strength. Besides, with my husband by my side, I feel very at ease."

She gestured to the palace maid to tidy her hair and clothes slightly, ensuring that the magnificent phoenix patterns on the collar and sleeves of her divine phoenix descending to earth dress were displayed just right, showing her status while maintaining the "casualness" of receiving guests while ill.

She wanted to show the Japanese princess a weakened, but not near-death, Empress of the Great Qian Dynasty who still held the reins of power.

"Let her in." Murong Yan nodded to Lin Zhen, her face regaining its indifferent and dignified expression, though her aura still seemed somewhat weak.

Lin Zhen understood, walked to the outer room, and said in a deep voice, "Summon the Japanese prince to an audience."

A moment later, the palace doors opened slightly, and Princess Sakura walked in with her head bowed and her steps small and cautious.

Today she was dressed in an elegant light green kimono, with no makeup on her face, and appeared very submissive.

Upon entering the hall, she knelt down in accordance with etiquette, her voice carrying just the right amount of concern and apprehension: "Your Majesty, I have heard that Your Majesty is unwell, and I am deeply worried. I have come to pay my respects. I wish Your Majesty a speedy recovery and a long and healthy life."

Murong Yan leaned back on the soft pillows, her gaze sweeping over her indifferently. She did not immediately call out to her, allowing the invisible pressure to permeate the hall for a moment.

She could sense the furtive, appraising gaze beneath Princess Sakura's seemingly submissive exterior.

"Your Highness is too kind." After a long while, Murong Yan finally spoke slowly, her voice carrying just the right amount of weakness, yet perfectly clear. "I only caught a slight cold at the prayer ceremony a few days ago. I'll be fine after a few days of rest. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

She casually attributed the assassination attempt to "a cold."

Princess Sakura quickly replied, "Your Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune and will surely turn misfortune into good fortune. When I was in Japan, I also had some knowledge of medicine. If Your Majesty does not mind, I am willing to..."

"No need," Murong Yan interrupted her calmly. "I have the imperial physicians taking care of me, and I am fine now. Is the Prince of the Inner Kingdom living comfortably in Anzhou? If he has any needs, he can make a request to the Ministry of Rites."

She skillfully changed the subject, both refusing the other party's "kindness" and appearing calm and magnanimous.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well." Princess Sakura bowed her head in response, but her mind was racing.

Murong Yan did indeed look ill, and her voice was not as clear and melodious as usual, but the calmness and majesty in her eyes, as well as the noble demeanor that could not be ignored even when she was ill, all clearly told her: This empress was definitely not on the verge of death as the rumors outside suggested! In fact, she might be recovering rapidly!

After a few more brief questions and answers, Murong Yan showed signs of fatigue and, citing the need for rest, served tea and saw the guest off.

Princess Sakura dared not linger. After bowing once more, she withdrew from the bedchamber.

The moment she stepped out of the palace gate, the submissive look on her face vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.

She had to immediately relay the truth about Murong Yan back to the country!

Perhaps the collaboration with Kim Soon-cheol needs to be reassessed.

Inside the bedchamber, after Prince Sakura left, Murong Yan's weariness vanished instantly. She looked at Lin Zhen and sneered, "How was it, my husband? Was my 'performance' passable?"

Lin Zhen stepped forward and tucked the blanket around her, his eyes filled with admiration and heartache: "Perfect timing. It shows weakness to lull the enemy into a false sense of security, while also displaying an inviolable majesty. I imagine that prince must be feeling quite anxious right now."

Murong Yan leaned back against the soft pillows, let out a soft sigh, and her eyes gradually hardened with cold light: "It seems that Japan is really getting restless. Husband, the surveillance of Langya Mountain and the coastline needs to be intensified. I have a premonition that an even bigger storm is coming soon."

"I know," Lin Zhen said solemnly. "Don't worry about getting better; I'll take care of everything outside. The day you recover will be the day we eliminate our enemies, both inside and outside!"

Murong Yan nodded and closed her eyes again.