On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The intense court assembly in the Taiji Hall, which concerned the fate of the nation, has already ended, but its lingering echoes, like the lingering morning bell outside the hall, reverberate over the Forbidden City, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone who knew about it.

Accompanied by Lin Zhen, Murong Yan left the noisy and still argumentative main hall, passed through many palaces, and returned to the Phoenix Palace, the private bedroom that belonged only to the two of them deep in the palace.

Stepping through the palace gates, the solemnity and clamor of the outside world seemed to be shut out by an invisible barrier.

The hall was warm as spring, with the underfloor heating system burning brightly. In the corner, the auspicious beast incense burner emitted wisps of calming fragrance, which mixed with the cool, fresh air filtering in from the window, creating a tranquil atmosphere that soothed the mind.

The furnishings inside the palace all showcased the ultimate luxury of the royal family and the supreme status of the phoenix element: phoenix-patterned window lattices, palace lanterns with golden phoenixes holding pearls, and even the gold bricks paving the floor were subtly engraved with patterns of phoenixes soaring and dancing.

Murong Yan walked straight to the phoenix chair located deep within the palace, backed by a huge screen.

She looked slightly tired as she walked. Just now, in the court, facing the fierce debate between the pro-war and pro-peace factions, she had maintained absolute calm and dignity. Now, back in this private space, her tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

She was still only wearing the Phoenix Descent dress, with a black and gold shawl over it.

At this moment, the Phoenix Descent Dress, which served as both her nightgown and everyday wear, was fully revealed.

The deep black Suzhou brocade, bathed in the soft light of the hall, absorbed a warm atmosphere, presenting a serene, deep-sea hue.

The gold cotton velvet woven into it and the phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread exude a subtle, understated golden glow, like an undercurrent.

The Suzhou brocade technique gives this cotton nightgown unparalleled lightness and softness. Even with such a large skirt, it doesn't feel particularly heavy to wear. On the contrary, its breathable and skin-friendly cotton properties make it her most intimate comfort.

On the skirt, a giant phoenix, embroidered with the finest gold thread, covers the entire garment. Its head is placed majestically on its chest, and its wings are spread out on the wide and gorgeous bell sleeves. The gold tassels on the cuffs sway gently with its movements, and the phoenix tail is seamlessly integrated with the five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train.

At this moment, the long train trailed unrestrainedly across the polished gold-brick floor behind her, stretching from the phoenix throne all the way to the palace gate. Due to her movements and relaxed state, it was spread out in a messy, layered, and twisted manner, with several places even being inadvertently pressed or kicked by the chair legs or her own steps, adding a touch of real and casual languid beauty. Yet, within this messiness, one could also subtly reveal the exhaustion her mistress had just experienced.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a soft, lustrous sheen under the warm light of the hall.

Lin Zhen followed closely behind and waved his hand to dismiss all the palace servants.

When the palace doors were gently closed, leaving only the two of them in the vast bedchamber, the indestructible armor that belonged to an emperor on Murong Yan's body seemed to melt away slightly in an instant.

She did not immediately sit on the phoenix chair, but stopped, turned around, and faced Lin Zhen.

She didn't speak, but simply tilted her head slightly and looked at Lin Zhen. Those sharp, all-seeing eyes that were once like an eagle's in the court were now shimmering with tears, carrying a hint of weariness that was hard to hide, as well as a deeper, more complete trust.

She took a small step forward, stretched out her arms, wrapped them around Lin Zhen's waist, rested her forehead against his firm, warm chest, and let out a barely audible sigh filled with dependence.

"Husband..." Her voice was muffled, with a hint of coquettish nasal tone, completely different from the decisive empress in the court, "...my legs are getting a little sore from standing."

Lin Zhen's most tender spot was instantly struck.

He immediately stretched out his arms and tightly embraced her slender body, which bore the weight of the nation, with one hand around her waist and the other hand gently and rhythmically patting her back, as if comforting a tired child.

He lowered his head, his chin gently stroking the top of her fragrant hair, his voice low and full of tenderness: "I know, you've had a hard time. Those old ministers in the court, their arguments never end."

Murong Yan gently shook her head in his arms, rubbing her cheek against the fabric of his chest like a cat seeking comfort: "It's not all hardship... it's just that I feel like the burden on my shoulders has never been so heavy before."

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"In the blink of an eye, the lives of thousands of soldiers and the fortunes of ordinary people may be decided..."

Lin Zhen didn't reply immediately, but simply hugged her tighter, warming her slightly cold hands and feet with his body heat.

After a moment, he bent down slightly, slipped one hand under her knees, and easily lifted her up in his arms.

"Ah!" Murong Yan exclaimed softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, a blush rising on her face. She scolded playfully, "What are you doing? Put me down right now, what kind of behavior is this..."

Despite this, she did not struggle at all, but instead buried her face even deeper.

Lin Zhen looked down at her rare girlish demeanor, his eyes full of doting smiles. He picked her up and walked a few steps to the large and majestic phoenix chair. However, he did not put her down but sat down first. Then he carefully placed her on his strong thighs, letting her lean against him in a very comfortable position.

Although the phoenix chair was spacious, the two of them still appeared very close when they sat together.

“There are no outsiders here, Your Majesty the Empress,” Lin Zhen gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek with his fingertips, his voice so tender it could melt water, “If you’re tired, just lean on your husband and rest for a while. No matter how big the problem is, I’ll be there to help you.”

Murong Yan adjusted her position and nestled softly in his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest. Listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, her restless emotions gradually calmed down.

Her dark gold phoenix-themed dress spread out even more haphazardly due to this intimate sitting posture. Part of it draped over the wide seat of the phoenix chair, while the rest trailed down, intertwining with the hem of Lin Zhen's robes, with the long tail even slipping down to the footstool.

One of the wide, bell-shaped sleeves draped softly over Lin Zhen's arm, while the other was unconsciously clenched in her hand.

"Husband," she said suddenly after leaning back quietly for a while. Her voice had regained its clarity, but it still carried a soft, dependent tone.

"You saw it all in court today. The calls for peace are not entirely without reason. Once war breaks out, the people will suffer greatly, and the national treasury will be depleted... How could I not know these things?"

Lin Zhen held her slightly cool hand, warming it in his palm, and said in a deep voice:

“Yan’er, your concerns are very valid. But some battles must be fought. The Uwei in the northern desert is ambitious and cannot be swayed by appeasement. Today he brings up the Kong family, tomorrow he will dare to raise an even more high-sounding banner. If we show weakness, it will only embolden him and make him think that our Great Qian is easy to bully. At that time, the flames of war may not break out immediately, but there will never be peace on the border, the pressure on the border defense will increase, and the costs of paying tribute, making peace through marriage... these soft weapons may not be less than a hard battle. Moreover, in the long run, the morale of the army and the people will be eroded.”

Murong Yan raised her head and looked into his deep and firm eyes, which held no hesitation or doubt, only complete trust and support.

She reached out and gently traced the sharp lines of his jaw with her fingertips, whispering, "I know...that's why I stood against the majority in court and set the tone for war."

Her gaze gradually sharpened, carrying a hint of cold killing intent.

"We must fight in the northern desert! And we cannot give them any chance to breathe! Uwi wants to use this winter to build up his strength and wait for spring when the grass is lush and the horses are fat? I will not let him have his way!"

She sat up a little straighter, still leaning against Lin Zhen's chest, but her tone now carried the decisiveness of a decision-maker: