On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Lin Zhen didn't reply, but simply pulled her closer to him to make her more comfortable, and listened quietly to what she had to say.

Murong Yan's gaze seemed to pierce through the carriage, reaching the deepest part of the myriad lights of the city, as she murmured:

“My husband, look at them… those parents holding their children’s hands and buying them sugar figurines and lanterns, those couples haggling over a piece of fabric at a stall, those ordinary people gathered around watching acrobatics and cheering… They may not know about the political intrigues of the court or the wars on the border, but all they care about is the necessities of life, the well-being of their families, and the fleeting joy of the festival.”

Her fingertips unconsciously entwined around a silk ribbon on Lin Zhen's lapel, and she continued to whisper, her voice so soft it seemed she was speaking to herself, or perhaps confiding her deepest feelings to her most intimate lover:

"But isn't this exactly what we've been striving for? Peace and prosperity throughout the land, people living in peace and contentment, doors left unlocked at night, and lost items left unattended on the road... When my father was alive, he often told me that a ruler must bear the weight of the vast empire on his shoulders and have the capacity to care for hundreds of millions of people in his heart. I used to sit on that cold phoenix throne, reviewing endless memorials and listening to my officials report on disasters, wars, and taxes in various places... Sometimes I felt that the words 'prosperous age' were so heavy and so distant."

She paused slightly, took a breath, and felt a sense of grounded strength in the everyday atmosphere of the marketplace.

"But tonight, sitting in this carriage and looking out the window at all this, I suddenly feel that 'a golden age' is not just a cold number on a memorial or a flowery phrase in a history book. It is right here, in the lanterns that fill the streets, in the children's clear laughter, and in the satisfied faces of every ordinary person. It is warm, it is lively, it is... tangible."

Lin Zhen lowered his head, his chin gently stroking the top of her head, his voice steady and full of strength:

"Yes, Yan'er. This is what we want to protect. Every decision you make, every bit of pressure you bear, is for the sake of keeping the lights of every household burning brightly, and for ensuring that the peaceful lives of ordinary people are not disrupted. You are a good emperor, Yan'er. If your father is watching from heaven, he will surely be proud of you."

Murong Yan gently shook her head in his arms, her tone carrying a complex mix of vulnerability and determination:

"No, my husband, I have not done enough. The northern frontier is not yet pacified, the Northern Kingdom is eyeing us covetously, and there may still be undercurrents in the court... Sometimes I am afraid, afraid that I am not capable enough, afraid that I will fail my father's expectations, afraid that I will not be able to protect this hard-won peace."

As she spoke, she subconsciously tightened her grip on Lin Zhen's hand, as if trying to draw strength from him.

Lin Zhen wrapped his hand tightly around hers, his grip firm, his voice low but carrying a calmness that could soothe any unease:

"Don't be afraid, Yan'er. You are not alone. You have me, the loyal and righteous Lin family, loyal ministers like Prime Minister Du and Minister Zhou, and countless people who yearn for peace. Together, we will surely overcome all obstacles and ensure that this prosperous era will not only extend to Chang'an but also benefit the whole world and last for generations."

His words were like the most solid rock, firmly supporting Murong Yan's somewhat sentimental feelings at that moment.

She lifted her head in his arms, her phoenix eyes shimmering with tears, reflecting the soft pearly light in the carriage and Lin Zhen's resolute and affectionate face. Within them lay his understanding and support for her as Empress, and even more so, his deepest love for her as his wife.

"My husband..." she whispered, her voice filled with deep dependence and gratitude, "Thank you for always being by my side."

"Nonsense," Lin Zhen lowered his head and placed a gentle and precious kiss on her smooth forehead. "We are husband and wife, one in spirit, sharing both glory and shame. Wherever you are, I will be there. If you want to protect this prosperous world, I will clear the way for you, be your sharpest sword, and your strongest shield."

Murong Yan sighed contentedly, burying her face in his warm chest again, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat. The noisy sounds of the city outside the window seemed to become distant background noise.

At this moment, she was no longer the empress who stood alone atop the nine-layered palace, but simply an ordinary woman deeply loved and protected by her husband.

The heavy burden of national affairs and the uncertainty of the future seem to have been temporarily relieved and soothed in this warm and solid embrace.

The carriage slowly drove through the most bustling streets, the surrounding lights gradually thinned out, and the sounds of people faded into the distance, foreshadowing the approach of the imperial city.

Murong Yan seemed a little reluctant to part with this rare moment of warmth and life. She sat up slightly and took one last look out the window.

In the distance, the lights shining from the windows of ordinary people's homes formed a warm halo in the night.

She spoke softly, her voice low, yet carrying an undeniable resolve, as if making a promise to Lin Zhen, and also a vow to herself:

"My lord, I will make sure these lights stay burning forever. So that every citizen of the Great Qian can enjoy such a peaceful festival."

Just then, the carriage swayed slightly as it passed a slightly bumpy section of road. Murong Yan instinctively sat up straight and reached out to steady herself against the window frame.

Just as she turned around—

The movement carries a final gaze at the magnificent world outside the window and a resolute vow formed in the heart!

The dark gold Suzhou brocade train, piled under the carriage seats, covered in a day's dust, and messily curled, was stirred by the sudden jolt and her movements!

The outermost hem of the skirt fluttered up, brushing against the soft carpet covering the floor of the carriage.

As the train's taillights quietly lifted, the "Golden Lace" lining, intricately woven with gold threads, shimmered with a vast and unwavering light, like a galaxy descending to earth, under the soft pearlescent glow inside the carriage and the interplay of light from countless homes outside the window!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown and its train instantly burst forth with an incomparably profound and sacred golden light, carrying the hopes of the people and the oath of the emperor.

The light was filled with appreciation for the magnificent scene before them, a sense of responsibility for the future, and a steadfast belief in working together with those around them until death. It was noble, glorious, and at this moment contained immense power and gentle determination!

The hem of her skirt fell, obscuring the dazzling golden light that symbolized responsibility and protection.

Murong Yan sat up straight, her gaze no longer lost or saddened, but regained its usual clarity and determination.

She took Lin Zhen's hand and they intertwined their fingers.

“Let’s go back to the palace, my husband.” Her voice was calm yet firm. “Tomorrow, there are many more memorials and many more state affairs waiting for us to handle.”

Seeing her regain her fighting spirit, Lin Zhen's eyes were full of admiration and love. He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go home."

The carriage drove into the quiet palace road, gradually isolating itself from the myriad lights and bustling atmosphere of everyday life behind it.

It was the fifth day of the first lunar month, just past the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

The city was still shrouded in the deep darkness of the pre-dawn night, but the Forbidden City had already awakened.

The palace gates opened one after another, and civil and military officials dressed in robes of various ranks, holding jade tablets, walked silently and orderly along the long palace road through the still-unmelted snow, toward the Taiji Hall, which symbolized the core of imperial power.

Today is the Grand Court Assembly, the first Grand Court Assembly after the holiday break, and the atmosphere is particularly solemn.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the lights were on, making it as bright as day.

A massive golden pillar with a coiled dragon supports a towering dome, which is painted with flying phoenixes, echoing the intricate phoenix patterns carved on the golden bricks on the ground.

Deep within the palace, atop the nine-tiered high steps, stands the unique crimson-gold phoenix chair. The back of the chair is carved with a phoenix spreading its wings as if about to take flight, each feather lifelike, exuding an unapproachable royal majesty.

A solemn atmosphere filled the air, with only the soft footsteps of the officials and the rustling of their clothes.

At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison, and the whip cracked three times.

The high-pitched, drawn-out voice of the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs pierced through the hall: "His Majesty has arrived—all officials kneel to welcome him—"

In an instant, all the officials in the hall knelt down, and the deafening shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" were deafening.

Above the high steps, a side door opened, and Murong Yan, accompanied by Lin Zhen, slowly walked out and ascended the imperial steps.

Murong Yan was still wearing the form-fitting Phoenix Descent dress, but she solemnly covered it with a matching black and gold shawl to signify the formality of the court assembly.

The Phoenix Descending to Earth dress, made of the deepest black Suzhou brocade with gold cotton velvet woven into it, gave the dark background a subtle golden luster. Under the illumination of countless candles in the hall, it was as calm as an abyss, yet also radiant with inner splendor.

Suzhou brocade is exquisitely crafted and lightweight. Although this cotton nightgown has a large skirt, it does not feel particularly heavy due to its excellent craftsmanship.

On the skirt, a giant phoenix covering the entire body is embroidered with the finest gold thread. The phoenix's head is raised high in front of its chest, and its wings are spread out on the wide and gorgeous bell sleeves. Gold tassels hang down from the cuffs, and the phoenix's tail is perfectly connected to the five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train, which trails behind it.

At this moment, the long train, untouched by any palace servants, trailed naturally across the polished gold-brick floor of the imperial steps and the phoenix throne. As she walked, it spread out like a dark gold brocade, its natural wrinkles and curves caused by her steps appearing rather messy, yet in this supreme hall of power, it formed a unique, unadorned, and natural majesty.

The black and gold shawl draped over her shoulders, the golden phoenix pattern on the shawl overlapping and complementing the phoenix pattern on the nightgown, adding to her dignified and domineering aura.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a deep luster in the candlelight.

Her steps were steady, her phoenix eyes sweeping over the dark mass of kneeling officials below, her gaze calm yet extremely penetrating.