On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Evening. The carriage left the bustling West Market, passed through the heavily guarded gates, and entered the neighborhood where the Regent's Palace was located in the southeast corner of the Imperial City.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of the city, this place appears exceptionally tranquil and solemn.

High walls and deep courtyards, vermilion gates and copper nails, with majestic stone lions standing in front of the gates. Although not as grand as the Zichen Palace, it has its own profound and dignified air, which has been accumulated over the years and merits.

This is the Lin family's ancestral home, and also the place where Regent Lin Zhen grew up.

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the mansion gate.

The chief steward of the Prince's mansion, who had been informed in advance, was already waiting respectfully at the gate with a group of servants.

Lin Zhen got out of the carriage first, then turned around and carefully helped Murong Yan down from the carriage.

Although it was a private visit to relatives, the emperor and empress's presence still required proper etiquette.

Murong Yan had put her veil back on, concealing her face.

"This old servant respectfully welcomes Your Majesty and Your Highness back to the manor!" The head steward led everyone in kneeling and bowing, his voice filled with excitement and honor.

Many of the elderly people in the manor had watched Lin Zhen grow up and had deep feelings for this promising young prince and the empress he had personally married, who was now the mother of the nation.

"Rise, it's a family dinner today, no need for formalities." Lin Zhen gently raised his hand, his tone relaxed as if he were back in a familiar environment.

He turned to Murong Yan and whispered, "Grandpa must be getting impatient waiting in the warm pavilion."

Murong Yan nodded slightly. Through the light veil, she could feel the more intimate atmosphere in the mansion, which was different from that in the palace.

She let Lin Zhen hold her hand and, led by the head steward, slowly walked into the mansion.

After passing through several ceremonial gates and around the screen wall, the scenery inside the mansion suddenly opens up.

Although it is winter, the pines and cypresses in the courtyard are still green, with unmelted snow covering their branches. The rockeries and pavilions are arranged in a well-organized manner. Although they lack the extreme luxury of palace gardens, they are full of elegance and ingenuity.

Festive lanterns hung under the eaves, adding a festive warmth to the solemn atmosphere.

They went straight to a secluded courtyard deep within the mansion, the residence where the old regent, Lin Zhenxian, spent his later years.

An old plum tree in the courtyard is blooming fiercely in the cold, its fragrance wafting in the air.

Two guards, dressed in close-fitting clothes and with sharp eyes, bowed silently and then pushed open the carved wooden door of the warm pavilion.

A warm current, a mixture of faint medicinal fragrance, aged book scent, and sandalwood aroma, wafted over me.

The interior is furnished in a simple yet grand style. The display cabinets are filled with weapon models, territorial sand tables, and some ancient books. Huge military maps hang on the walls, silently telling the story of the owner's busy military life.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, and an upright posture was sitting in a rosewood armchair by the window, holding a military book in his hands.

He wasn't wearing court robes, but only a dark blue casual brocade robe. However, the imposing and ruthless aura between his brows, forged through countless battles, was hard to conceal.

It was none other than the old regent, Lin Zhenxian, a veteran of three reigns, a man of outstanding achievements, who had now laid down his heavy responsibilities and was enjoying his retirement.

Upon seeing his grandson and Lin Yan enter, Lin Zhenxian put down his book, his bright eyes sweeping over them, and a genuine and warm smile appeared on his face.

"Grandson, pay your respects to your grandfather!" Lin Zhen released Murong Yan's hand and bowed first.

Murong Yan then removed her veil and handed it to the maid beside her, revealing her true face. She then gracefully and respectfully curtsied and said softly, "Granddaughter-in-law Murong Yan greets her grandfather."

As she bowed, the hem of the dark gold phoenix descending to earth dress beneath her casual clothes swayed slightly with her movement. Although it was covered by her outer robe, its weight could still be felt.

"Alright, alright, get up quickly. We're family, no need for so much formality." Lin Zhenxian's voice was loud and clear, with the hearty manner characteristic of an old man. He stood up and gave a slight nod of help. "Is it cold outside? Come and warm yourself by the fire."

His loving gaze fell on Murong Yan's face, and after examining her carefully, he said with concern, "Yan'er's complexion is much better than what was said in the palace a few days ago. It seems that resting has been effective. That's good, that's good!"

"Grandpa, you're too kind. Your granddaughter-in-law is fine now." Murong Yan stepped forward and, with Lin Zhen's help, sat down on a cushioned chair to the left of the old man.

Lin Zhen then sat down naturally beside her. Immediately, a maid served hot tea and delicate pastries.

"Zhen'er, you look a bit thinner. You're busy with state affairs, so you should take care of your health." Lin Zhenxian looked at her grandson, her eyes filled with approval and barely perceptible worry.

"Grandson understands, Grandpa, don't worry," Lin Zhen replied respectfully.

The three generations of the family sat around the stove, sipping fragrant tea, chatting about everyday things, and asking about each other's diet and daily life, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Murong Yan also temporarily set aside her imperial demeanor and acted like an ordinary granddaughter-in-law, carefully inquiring about the old man's health, her words full of respect and care.

Lin Zhenxian looked at the perfect couple before him, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

He spent his life fighting, and in his later years, his greatest wish was to be surrounded by his children and grandchildren, and to have a harmonious family.

After a brief chat, Lin Zhenxian put down his teacup, his expression turned serious, and his gaze swept over the map of the northern frontier on the wall before he asked, "Zhen'er, you two have come at just the right time. What's the situation in the north... the northern desert lately? Although I am no longer in a position, these old bones of mine always feel uneasy when I hear rumors."

Although he had retired, the keenness he had developed during his many years of military service had not faded. In addition, he had many former subordinates and acquaintances in his old department, so he had his own sources of information and judgments about the border situation.

Lin Zhen and Murong Yan exchanged a glance, knowing that this was the main point of today's family banquet.

Lin Zhen sat up straight, his tone becoming calm and clear: "Grandpa, I was just about to report to you. The Northern Kingdom has been unusually quiet this winter, but according to 'Night Owl's' intelligence report, this quiet is more like the calm before the storm. Uvi has been frequently convening tribal chiefs for meetings and has been stockpiling arrows and building siege weapons on a large scale. More importantly,"

He paused, his voice slightly cold.

"He formally brought Kong Wenbo's youngest son, Kong Zhiqian, to the forefront, bestowing upon him the title of 'Sage's Son-in-Law' and ordering him to participate in military and political affairs. His attempt to use the name of 'Sage's Son' to carry out southward invasion and legitimize his actions has become blatantly obvious."

"The orphan of the Kong family..." Lin Zhenxian's white eyebrows furrowed, and his fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, producing a dull sound.

"That old fox Uvi has a clever plan! He wants to use a tattered 'orthodox' flag to shake the morale of our soldiers and civilians? Hmph, wishful thinking!"

The old man snorted coldly, a sharp killing intent flashing in his eyes—an instinct honed through countless battles.

"Grandpa is right." Lin Zhen nodded. "Although this plan is vicious, it also exposes their guilty conscience. Our dynasty has been established for decades and has a deep foundation. How could it be shaken by a mere child? Right now, I have ordered the northern border defenses to be on high alert and to send more scouts. At the same time, I have asked Prime Minister Du and others to guide public opinion among scholars and expose their true nature of recognizing a traitor as their father and forgetting their ancestors. In addition, I have sent people secretly to the Western Regions to try to obstruct any possible military and weapon trade between the northern deserts and foreign countries."

Lin Zhenxian listened attentively, nodding slightly from time to time.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Your response was generally correct. Showing strength to the enemy while maintaining a tight defense internally and a loose one externally was the right approach. As for the northern border defenses, Zheng Jiao is a formidable general; with him guarding them, we can be assured of safety. As for the Western Regions..."

A glint of light flashed in the old man's eyes.

“Simply obstructing the trade is probably not enough. If we can find an opportunity to create chaos within the Great Yuan Kingdom, or support a force that is pro-Daqian, that would be a long-term solution. This matter must be kept extremely secret, and the choice of personnel is of utmost importance.”

"I understand, grandson. I have already ordered Yingyi to personally select capable personnel to go there," Lin Zhen replied.

"Yes, I trust Shadow One to handle things." Lin Zhenxian stroked his long beard, his gaze returning to the map, as if recalling the battles of yesteryear.

"The northern frontier is vast and sparsely populated, with long winters, which is advantageous for defense but not for offense. If Uwei really wants to launch a large-scale southward offensive, he must wait until spring when the grass is lush and the horses are fat. These two months until spring are crucial. We must seize the time to prepare our troops, stockpile grain and fodder, and strengthen our city defenses. In particular, we must not lose the strategic locations of Yunzhou and Yanran."

"Grandpa's teachings are correct, I have remembered them," Lin Zhen replied respectfully.

Murong Yan listened quietly from the side, and then spoke softly: "Grandpa's wisdom is profound, and my husband and I have benefited greatly from it. With Grandpa here to guide us, I feel much more at ease."

Lin Zhenxian looked at her, his gaze softening: "Yan'er, you are the ruler of a country, and the burden on your shoulders is the heaviest. Zhen'er is sharing your burdens outside, and you must maintain stability in the court. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, but you must also grasp the right balance, both deterring the villains and calming the people's hearts. The balance in this is of utmost importance."

"Granddaughter-in-law will keep Grandpa's teachings in mind," Murong Yan replied solemnly.

After the business was concluded, the atmosphere in the cabinet relaxed again.

The maids then served a sumptuous family feast.

Although not as exquisite as imperial cuisine, it is full of authentic hometown flavors and the warm taste of home.

During the meal, Lin Zhenxian was in high spirits and told some interesting stories about Lin Zhen's childhood, which made Murong Yan cover her mouth and chuckle, while Lin Zhen shook his head helplessly.

The three generations of the family were enjoying each other's company, as if all the turmoil and changes in the outside world had been temporarily shut out from this warm and cozy room.

However, whether it was Lin Zhenxian chatting and laughing, Lin Zhen carefully arranging the dishes, or Murong Yan smiling gently, they all knew in their hearts that behind this warm reunion lay the increasingly urgent situation in the northern frontier.