On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

After more than half a month of sailing and land travel, the imperial entourage finally returned to Beiping, the power center of the Holy Emblem Empire.

Under the blazing summer sun, the majestic palace shimmered with solemn golden light. Yet beneath this magnificent tranquility lay undercurrents more turbulent than the waves of the Bohai Sea.

The bloody tragedy of the extermination of three generations of the Kong family was like a boulder thrown into the still lake of Shilin, the ripples of which are quietly spreading. The remnants of the Kong family who managed to escape are like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike.

Upon returning to Zichen Palace, Murong Yan did not immediately assume the duties of governing the country as the outside world had expected.

The trip to Penglai, especially the final assassination and the decisive bloody purge, while demonstrating her iron-fisted approach, also greatly depleted her mental and physical strength.

She still needed to rest, and the inner palace of Zichen Palace became her main place for handling government affairs and resting temporarily.

Night fell, and the palace lanterns were lit.

Inside the sleeping quarters, the ice chest exuded a cool breeze, dispelling the sweltering heat of the summer night.

The black and gold Suzhou brocade cotton nightgown that Murong Yan wore close to her body—the Divine Phoenix Descends to Earth Dress—was still her nightgown that she never changed.

After days of arduous travel, the five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train of her skirt spread out in an increasingly messy state on the smooth, mirror-like gold brick floor. Part of it curled up beside the phoenix couch, while another part meandered towards the palace gate. Several places were even inadvertently trampled, leaving shallow creases, silently telling of the owner's recent exhaustion and lack of attention.

One of her wide, bell-shaped sleeves hung softly at her side, while she used the other to support her forehead, which was resting on a soft pillow.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a warm and understated luster under the soft light of the palace lantern.

When Lin Zhen entered carrying a bowl of freshly brewed calming medicine, he saw her with slightly furrowed brows, staring intently at a secret report in her hand. He sighed softly and sat down by the couch.

"Yan'er, it's getting late, you should rest. Drink your medicine while it's hot." His voice was deep and gentle, filled with undisguised tenderness.

Murong Yan looked up and saw it was him. Her tense expression eased slightly, and she naturally leaned against him, speaking in a slightly coquettish and lazy tone: "Husband, you're here... This medicine is very bitter, I don't want to drink it."

As she spoke, she even wrinkled her nose slightly, like a little girl.

Lin Zhen smiled helplessly, gently stirred the medicine with a silver spoon, scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it, and held it to her lips: "Be good, you'll get better faster if you drink it. Look at you, your complexion is still so bad."

His movements were extremely natural, as if he had done them a thousand times.

Murong Yan took a small sip of the medicine from his hand, her brows furrowing at the bitterness. Lin Zhen immediately picked up a candied fruit from the small table beside him and fed it to her.

Sweetness spread through her, and Murong Yan squinted her eyes contentedly. She leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered, "My husband still loves me the most."

She handed the secret report to Lin Zhen, her tone becoming serious: "Husband, look. 'Night Owl' just delivered this. The Kong family... is indeed not at peace. Although their overt power has been eradicated, some distant relatives and former students and officials who have received great favors from the Kong family are actively active in secret. There are even rumors that Kong Wenbo has a young son who was not at home at the time and may have escaped."

Lin Zhen took the secret report, quickly glanced through it, and his expression darkened.

The secret report also mentioned that among the literati, especially some officials who considered themselves to be of high moral character, there were many complaints about the cruel method of "exterminating the entire Kong family" in which the Kong family was executed. Although they dared not speak out, criticism and sympathy were quietly growing in secret.

This will undoubtedly pose a potential obstacle to Murong Yan's rule.

"Yan'er, this matter must be handled with caution." Lin Zhen put down the secret report and put his arm around her shoulder. "The Kong family has accumulated a thousand years of influence and is deeply rooted. Although swift and decisive measures can deter them for a time, if we cannot completely eradicate their influence, especially that possible orphan, they will surely become a major threat in the future. Moreover, we must also consider public opinion in the court and among the people."

Murong Yan nestled in his arms, playing with the buttons on his clothes. After a moment of silence, she said softly, "I know. Back in Penglai, the situation was critical. Kong Wenbo and his son dared to openly attempt an assassination. If they weren't executed, how could we deter the world? How could we demonstrate the supreme power of the emperor? But... I never expected the aftermath to be so troublesome."

Her voice carried a hint of weariness and helplessness, a vulnerability she only occasionally revealed in front of Lin Zhen.

"This isn't your fault," Lin Zhen said, gently stroking her long hair.

"Traitors and traitors deserve to die. As for those undercurrents, leave them to me. I have already increased manpower to closely monitor all people and places associated with the Kong family, and I will definitely root out those remaining evildoers. I will also keep an eye on the court, and if anyone dares to cause trouble because of this, I will not let them off lightly."

He paused, looked down at the pale face of the person in his arms, and said in a gentler tone, "The most important thing for you now is to recover. As for matters of state, you don't need to worry too much about me and Prime Minister Du."

Murong Yan raised her head and looked into his deep and determined eyes, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She reached out and gently stroked his cheek, her fingertips feeling the new stubble on his chin, which tickled slightly: "Husband, with you here, I really feel at ease."

She paused, a sharp glint in her eyes. "However, I must personally oversee the affairs of the Kong family. Tomorrow, I will be attending court."

"Your health..." Lin Zhen frowned with concern.

"It's alright." Murong Yan sat up straight. Although her complexion was still not good, her eyes had regained the decisiveness of an empress.

"The more critical the moment, the more I must appear. I want everyone to see clearly that I, Murong Yan, am still sitting on this throne in the Zichen Palace! No demons or monsters can shake the throne of the Holy Emblem!"

As she spoke, she began to get up and leave the bed. Just as she turned, her feet were about to touch the ground—

The movement carried a slight sluggishness from sitting for a long time before getting up, but also a decisive and swift action!

The long, dark gold Suzhou brocade train, which stretched out on the ground in a messy, five-zhang-long manner, was suddenly stirred by her movement!

The luxurious yet delicate brocade brushed against the cool gold brick floor, making a soft "swish" sound.

As the train quietly billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining underneath, woven with even finer gold threads and shimmering with a dazzling and mysterious light like a starry river in the dark night under the palace lanterns!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown instantly revealed a more exquisite and intricate magnificent picture within. The golden light was not as calm as its appearance, but was full of restrained grandeur and resilience, as if declaring that no matter how messy and tired the appearance may be, the nobility and power of its core will never be extinguished!

This fleeting glimpse is an outward reflection of her inner resilience and determination.

The skirt fell down, once again concealing the dazzling gold lining.

Murong Yan steadied herself and gave Lin Zhen a reassuring smile: "See, I'm fine."

Although her steps were still somewhat unsteady, her spine was straight.

Lin Zhen knew he couldn't stop her, so he stepped forward and carefully straightened her slightly disheveled wedding robes, then draped the black and gold mink shawl over her shoulders, whispering:

"Okay, I'll go with you. But if you feel unwell, be sure to tell me."

The following day, at the Zichen Palace.

Murong Yan sat upright on the dragon throne. Although her face was pale, she had applied a light layer of powder, wore a pearl crown, and was dressed in court robes, exuding an air of majesty.

Lin Zhen, as the regent prince, stood solemnly beside the imperial steps. Civil and military officials lined both sides, and shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed in the spacious hall.

Sure enough, when the discussion turned to the appointment and removal of officials in Shandong Province and the education of scholars, an imperial censor stepped forward and subtly mentioned the matter of the Confucius family. Although he did not dare to directly criticize them, his words implied that the punishments were too harsh and might hurt the hearts of scholars, which would not be conducive to the world returning to benevolence.

Murong Yan listened quietly, her gaze sweeping calmly over the censor and then over the officials below who stood with their heads bowed in silence.