On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Inside the warm pavilion of the Regent's Palace, the charcoal fire crackled, and after a hearty meal, the somber atmosphere of the earlier discussion on military affairs in the northern frontier was gradually replaced by the warmth of a family dinner.

The maids quietly cleared away the leftover food and served fresh, refreshing tea and a few exquisite fruits.

Regent Lin Zhenxian leaned back in his armchair, which was covered with a soft, thick mink fur cushion. His face was ruddy, and he had a hint of post-drinking comfort. His loving gaze lingered on his grandson Lin Zhen and granddaughter-in-law Murong Yan.

Murong Yan sat upright in the rosewood armchair below Lin Zhen. After a night's rest and the hot meal she had just eaten, a healthy blush finally appeared on her pale cheeks.

The black and gold Suzhou brocade cotton nightgown, named "The Phoenix Descends to Earth," was like her most intimate armor and comfort. The dark fabric gleamed with a deep luster under the warm candlelight, and the gold cotton velvet and phoenix patterns embroidered with gold thread flowed with a calm and restrained radiance with her subtle movements, all concealed by the palace dress fabric.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb made a soft sound as she picked up the teacup, its gentle touch against the warm porcelain surface.

Lin Zhen sat beside her, relaxed, carefully peeling a tangerine, removing the white pith, and then naturally handing the tangerine segments to Murong Yan.

Murong Yan took the orange, ate it in small bites, and smiled with satisfaction in her eyes. She said softly to Lin Zhen, "This orange is very sweet. Husband, please try some too."

Lin Zhenxian watched the young couple's interaction, his gray eyebrows relaxed, and his eyes were full of satisfaction.

He stroked his long beard, chuckled, and said in a loud voice with a hint of barely perceptible expectation, "Seeing you two so loving and harmonious makes my heart sweeter than if I had drunk honey."

He paused, his gaze lingering lightly on Murong Yan's still relatively flat stomach. His tone softened, yet carried the undeniable concern of an elder.

"Yan'er, now that you've recovered, Zhen'er and the court officials will take care of the affairs of the Northern Frontier. What you should be thinking about most is another important matter, which is also the most important matter for our Lin family and even the entire Daqian."

Murong Yan was just taking another orange segment from Lin Zhen when she heard this. Her movements paused slightly, and two blushes instantly rose on her fair cheeks, as if she had been adorned with the finest rouge.

How could someone as intelligent as her not know what her grandfather was referring to?

She subconsciously lowered her eyelids, her long, thick eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, and her fingers holding the orange segment tightened slightly, showing a hint of shyness and helplessness.

This is a rare display of girlishness in the usually ruthless and decisive empress who handles state affairs.

Upon seeing this, Lin Zhen immediately put down the orange in her hand, reached under the table and gently grasped Murong Yan's slightly cool hand. The warmth and strength from her palm calmed her down a little.

He looked up at his grandfather, a gentle yet firm smile on his face, and continued, "Grandpa, your thoughts are clear to both me and Yan'er. However... this matter cannot be rushed. Yan'er has just recovered from a serious illness, and the imperial physician repeatedly advised her to take good care of herself and not to overexert herself. She needs to... proceed gradually, which is the best long-term solution."

In his words, he expressed his understanding of his elders' expectations while taking responsibility upon himself, cleverly resolving Murong Yan's predicament.

Lin Zhen, being an old and shrewd man, could easily see through his grandson's protective intentions. Far from being annoyed, he laughed even more heartily, pointing at Lin Zhen and saying to Murong Yan:

"Yan'er, look at this boy, he's becoming more and more caring! Alright, alright, I know you young people have your own ways of doing things, Grandpa won't rush you, won't rush you."

Despite this, the expectation in his eyes remained undiminished, and he then spoke earnestly:

"However, as someone who's been through this, let me tell you the truth. While the stability of the country is important, the continuation of the bloodline is also the foundation of the nation. The birth of a son soon is not only a joy for the family but also a blessing for the country. Countless eyes throughout the court and the country are eagerly awaiting it. With a legitimate prince, the country will be more stable, and those treacherous villains hiding in the shadows will be more deterred. This old man of mine has no other wish than to hold his great-grandson in his arms as soon as possible, to enjoy the bliss of family life, and to be able to face his ancestors in the afterlife, won't he?"

These words were sincere and heartfelt, showing both the love of an elder and profound political considerations, making them difficult to refute.

Murong Yan raised her head, the blush on her face still lingering, but her eyes had regained their clarity and seriousness. She gently squeezed Lin Zhen's hand in return, then looked at Lin Zhenxian, her voice soft but carrying an undeniable seriousness:

"Grandpa's teachings are etched in my mind. It is my duty and my heart's desire to ensure the continuation of the Lin family line and the prosperity of the nation. However... as my husband said, this matter concerns the very foundation of the nation, and I must wait until my health is properly restored before I can... before I can live up to the expectations of Grandpa and all the people of the land."

As she spoke, her voice lowered, and the blush that had just faded began to reappear.

Lin Zhen spoke up again at the right moment, changing the subject slightly in a relaxed tone: "Grandpa, don't worry, I will take good care of Yan'er and follow the imperial physician's advice. When spring comes next year and Yan'er is fully recovered, there may be good news to make you happy. For now, you should just enjoy your retirement. I and Yan'er will take care of the affairs of the court."

Lin Zhenxian was no ordinary man; he knew when to stop. He laughed heartily, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "Good, good, good. With you saying that, Grandpa is relieved! Enough said, enough said. Try this newly arrived Wuyi rock tea; it has a very mellow flavor."

......

The third grade.

Last night, a silent snowfall transformed the vast courtyard of the Regent's Palace into a silver-white wonderland.

As dawn broke, the light shone on the pristine white snow, reflecting a crystal-clear glow.

The pavilions, towers, pines, and cypresses in the courtyard were all covered with a soft, thick blanket of snow, and the whole world seemed to be immersed in a pure and tranquil peace.

However, this tranquility was soon broken by a burst of light footsteps and laughter.

Murong Yan, without any elaborate outer robes, wearing only her signature Phoenix Descent dress and a matching black and gold shawl, took Lin Zhen's hand and stepped into this world of Qiong Yao with great interest.

The Phoenix Descends to Earth dress was made of the deepest black Suzhou brocade, with soft golden cotton wool incorporated during the weaving process. This made the entire fabric, under natural light, have a subtle dark gold luster flowing through the black background, making it luxurious but not dazzling.

Suzhou brocade is exquisitely crafted and lightweight, so even though the skirt is huge, it doesn't feel particularly heavy.

It was indeed a cotton nightgown, soft and breathable against the skin. In the chilly winter morning, the warmth generated by her movements and the childlike joy in her heart made her feel not so cold.

On the nightgown, a huge, magnificent phoenix is ​​embroidered with the finest gold thread using extremely intricate stitches.

The phoenix pattern is not confined to one corner, but starts from the front and back, with its outstretched wings extending to the wide and gorgeous bell sleeves, with gold thread tassels hanging down the cuffs, as if it is about to take flight.

The phoenix's long tail feathers transformed into a magnificent, flowing trail, seamlessly integrated with the nightgown itself, forming a Suzhou brocade train that stretched over five zhang (approximately 10 meters) long.

At this moment, the long train, untouched by any palace servants, trailed naturally and casually across the pristine white snow behind them.

With Murong Yan's light steps, the train of her skirt left a deep, winding, dark gold trail in the snow, disrupting the smooth snow surface. Glistening snowflakes clung to the edges of her skirt, and the texture of the Suzhou brocade intertwined with the accumulated snow, creating a dynamic and extremely chaotic beauty.