On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The second day of the first lunar month.

The heavy snow that had lasted for several days finally stopped, and the long-awaited winter sun shone through the thin clouds, casting a thin but precious warmth that shone on the glazed tiles and streets covered with white snow, reflecting a dazzling golden light.

The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder from firecrackers, the aroma of food wafting from every household, and a festive, languid, and joyful atmosphere.

According to ancestral custom, the emperor and empress were required to fast and pray for blessings on the second day of the Lunar New Year. However, Murong Yan decided to leave the palace incognito for half a day, citing the reason of "understanding the people's sentiments and sharing their joy."

At the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), a simple yet elegant two-horse carriage drawn by blue silk, accompanied by several skilled imperial guards disguised as servants, quietly drove out of Xuanwu Gate and merged into the bustling crowds of Chang'an City.

Inside the carriage, thick velvet carpets were laid out, and a bronze hand warmer in the corner emitted a cozy warmth.

The Phoenix Descent Dress that Murong Yan wore close to her body was still the same dress she never parted with.

The dark Suzhou brocade cotton fabric clung softly to her body, with gold cotton velvet and phoenix patterns embroidered in gold thread subtly flowing beneath the fabric of her everyday clothes. Only when she moved could one glimpse a hint of understated splendor from the collar and cuffs.

The black and gold mink shawl came in handy at this moment, and she wrapped it tightly around herself. The fur gleamed with a dark sheen in the light filtering through the car window, effectively warding off the chill outside.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train was cleverly folded and concealed within the wide hem of the everyday dress. Although it did not appear cumbersome, its unique sense of weight was still present.

She wore a veiled hat adorned with light gauze, concealing her stunning beauty, revealing only a pair of clear and curious phoenix eyes as she surveyed the long-unseen bustling city scene outside the window.

Lin Zhen, dressed in the fine clothes of an ordinary young master from a noble family, was exceptionally handsome and had a refined demeanor. He sat beside her, his gaze gently falling on her.

“Yan’er, look over there,” Lin Zhen pointed to a bustling market outside the window, her voice tinged with laughter, “That’s the West Market, the liveliest place during the New Year holidays.”

Murong Yan looked in the direction he was pointing and saw shops lining both sides of the street, with banners waving. There were shops selling New Year pictures, lanterns, sugar figurines, and all kinds of dried fruits and candied fruits... The variety was dazzling and overwhelming.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling over prices, and children's laughter mingled together, brimming with vibrant life. This was a stark contrast to the orderly and solemn atmosphere of the palace; it was a lively, bustling scene that greeted the eye.

"Stop the car," Murong Yan instructed softly, her voice carrying a rare hint of joy.

The carriage stopped at the street corner. Lin Zhen got out first, and then carefully helped her down from the carriage.

Stepping onto the still slightly slippery bluestone path after the snow had been cleared, Murong Yan subconsciously tightened her black and gold mink shawl.

Lin Zhen immediately noticed and reached out to pull the front of her cloak tighter, saying softly, "The ground is slippery, be careful."

"Mm." Murong Yan nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips beneath her veil.

She reached out and gently took Lin Zhen's arm.

This intimate gesture, which would never be made in the palace, seemed perfectly natural in the bustling marketplace.

Like any ordinary aristocratic couple, the two joined the bustling crowd.

Murong Yan was full of curiosity about everything. She stopped in front of a stall selling exquisite paper-cuts, picked up a lifelike "Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness" paper-cut and examined it carefully; she also stopped in front of an old man selling candied hawthorns, looking at the crystal clear, red and tempting fruit with interest in her eyes.

"Want some?" Lin Zhen lowered his head, leaned close to her ear and whispered, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.

Murong Yan nodded somewhat shyly.

Lin Zhen smiled and took out a small piece of silver, bought two of the largest strings of silver, and handed one string to her.

Murong Yan took a small bite through the light gauze, and the sweet, sour, and cool taste melted in her mouth, making her squint her eyes in satisfaction.

Looking at her childlike appearance, Lin Zhen's eyes were almost overflowing with doting affection.

They then visited a shop selling silk and satin. Murong Yan touched a piece of soft Jiangnan brocade with great interest and discussed the pattern and color scheme with Lin Zhen in a low voice.

At a shop selling stationery, Lin Zhen selected a set of fine Huzhou brushes and Huizhou ink for her; at a stall selling folk trinkets, he bought a clay roly-poly toy that could shake its head, which amused Murong Yan to chuckle.

When we arrived at a lantern riddle booth, it was packed with people.

Various kinds of lanterns are hanging, with strips of paper with riddles written on them attached below.

Talented men and beautiful women, peddlers and laborers alike, were all deep in thought, some whispering, others clapping and cheering, creating a lively atmosphere.

“Husband, look at that,” Murong Yan pointed to a riddle on a revolving lantern: “'One side is green, one side is red, one side likes rain, one side likes wind’ (guess a Chinese character), what is the meaning?”

After a moment's thought, Lin Zhen smiled and said, "This is the character '秋' (autumn). Green rice seedlings rejoice in the rain, and red flames rejoice in the wind."

"I see." Murong Yan suddenly realized, her eyes sparkling beneath the veil. "My husband is truly learned."

At this moment, a young man who looked like a scholar was explaining another riddle to his companion. His clear voice drew cheers from the crowd.

Murong Yan listened intently, nodding slightly. Lin Zhen noticed this and, with a thought, said gently to the scholar, "Brother, your insights are exquisite. Would you be willing to explain the riddle on the lotus lantern beside you to my wife?"

He was humble and approachable.

Seeing Lin Zhen's extraordinary bearing and the woman beside him whose face was covered but whose posture and demeanor were far from ordinary, the scholar quickly cupped his hands in a polite greeting and then began to explain earnestly.

Murong Yan listened with great interest, occasionally exchanging a few words with Lin Zhen in a low voice.

At this moment, they seemed to be just an ordinary couple who had come out for a trip, happened to meet a talented person, and exchanged literary ideas, far away from the disputes and power struggles of the court.

Before they knew it, the sun was already setting. The leader of the accompanying guards quietly stepped forward and whispered a few words in Lin Zhen's ear.

Lin Zhen understood and said softly to Murong Yan, "Yan'er, it's getting late, we should go back."

A hint of reluctance flickered in Murong Yan's eyes, but she still nodded obediently. On the way back, she carried a bag of freshly roasted chestnuts with osmanthus flavor, still steaming hot. Lin Zhen had bought them for her after noticing that she had taken a second look at them.

The carriage slowly drove back to the imperial city, shutting out the hustle and bustle of the city. Back at the Zichen Palace, after dismissing everyone, Murong Yan removed her veil, revealing a pretty face flushed with excitement and a touch of chill.

She let out a long sigh of relief, the joy of the outing still lingering in her eyes: "It's been so long since I've been able to move around so freely, it was really fun."

Lin Zhen took off the black and gold mink shawl that was still chilly from the outside air and handed it to the palace maid. She then poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, saying softly, "If you like it, I'll accompany you for a walk when we have some free time in the future."

Murong Yan held the warm teacup, feeling the warmth from her fingertips, and looked up at him, her eyes full of dependence and tenderness: "Alright. But today, my husband has had to accompany me for half a day."

"Being with you, how can I talk about hardship?" Lin Zhen chuckled, reaching out to tidy her hair that had been slightly ruffled by the veil. "Seeing you happy makes me happy."