On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Lin Zhen, carrying the cool scent of night dew, quietly entered.

He had changed out of his princely robes and was now wearing a dark satin nightgown with a matching light cloak, clearly having just returned from dealing with urgent military reports in the imperial study. He waved away the palace maids standing at the door and gently closed it.

Seeing Murong Yan standing alone by the window, her long, dark gold train trailing on the ground, appearing even more lonely and majestic in the moonlight and candlelight, Lin Zhen felt a pang of heartache. He tiptoed and walked behind her.

"Yan'er, it's so late, why aren't you resting? It's windy by the window, be careful not to catch a cold." His voice was deep and gentle, filled with obvious concern. He reached out, but did not touch her directly. Instead, he gently draped the black and gold wedding robe he had brought over her slightly thin shoulders.

Murong Yan seemed to have sensed his arrival beforehand. She didn't turn around, but leaned back slightly, resting her back against his warm, firm chest, and let out a barely audible sigh:

"My husband, you're back... Is there any new news from the northern frontier?"

Her voice was hoarse with a hint of weariness, and her tone was full of dependence.

Lin Zhen reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, gently resting his chin on the top of her fragrant hair, and whispered:

"I just received a secret report from Zheng Jiao. The various departments of the Northern Desert Royal Court are frequently mobilizing, and the friction between small groups of scouts has intensified several times in recent days. Uvi's banner has appeared more than a hundred miles from the border. A major battle is likely to break out within ten days."

His tone was solemn.

Murong Yan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and her body tensed slightly.

After a long silence, she slowly said, "What's meant to come will come eventually."

She turned around, looked up at him, and in the moonlight, her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes were exceptionally clear and firm.

"What is your opinion on the matter at the Cui residence today?"

Lin Zhen cupped her face in his hands, gently stroking her slightly furrowed brow with his thumb, and said in a deep voice:

"There is no doubt that Cui Mingyuan harbors malicious intentions. Today, he has deployed executioners for two reasons: first, to test our courage, and second, to warn us that the Cui family is not without power. But in the end, he did not dare to make a move, firstly because he was intimidated by the emperor's power, and secondly... the time was not yet ripe. The situation in the northern frontier is still unclear, and he dares not rashly bear the eternal infamy of 'colluding with foreign enemies and forcing the emperor to revolt.' He is waiting, waiting for what he considers the most opportune moment."

"wait?"

Murong Yan sneered, a cold glint flashing in her phoenix eyes.

"Should we wait until both sides in the Northern Desert are exhausted? Or should we wait for changes in the court due to the war so that he can seize power, or even... carry out the deposed emperor act?"

Her words were sharp and went straight to the heart of the matter.

"Anything is possible." Lin Zhen's gaze was sharp.

"The Cui family is deeply entrenched, with extensive influence in the scholarly circles and the imperial court. If they collude with those inside and outside the northern deserts, or launch an attack during the turmoil of national war, they would indeed be a great threat. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone filled with strong confidence and reassurance.

"Yan'er, there's no need to worry too much. Our calm acceptance of the banquet and our safe return today have already served as the greatest deterrent to him. He now knows that we are not foolish rulers without any defenses. Right now, the war in the Northern Frontier is of utmost importance. We need to stabilize the court and fully support Zheng Jiao. Once we achieve a great victory in the Northern Frontier, we can easily deal with these evil spirits when we return."

Murong Yan leaned against him, wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face against his chest, and listened to his steady and powerful heartbeat. The anxiety in her heart gradually subsided.

"My husband is quite right. But... the thought of soldiers fighting bloody battles on the front lines while others harbor treacherous intentions in the rear... it troubles me..."

Her voice carried a hint of grievance and anger, as if she were confiding her vulnerability to her closest loved ones.

"I understand." Lin Zhen pulled her closer, holding her tightly as if to shield her from all the storms of life.

"Therefore, we must remain calm. For now, the best approach with the Cui family is to maintain stability. On the surface, continue to show them favor, granting them the rewards and positions they deserve, and perhaps even showing them some leniency to demonstrate the court's magnanimity and stabilize the hearts of the literati. In secret, we must strengthen our surveillance, especially regarding their possible channels of communication with governors, military commanders, and even... those in the northern deserts. We must keep a firm grip on these channels. I have already assigned the most capable members of the 'Night Owl' to be specifically in charge of this matter."

"Mmm," Murong Yan nodded gently in his arms.

"In terms of the court, we have loyal ministers such as Prime Minister Du and Minister Zhou, and you personally control the military. The defense of the capital is also as solid as a rock. As long as we don't make trouble ourselves, Cui Mingyuan can't cause any major problems."

She paused, raised her head, and her eyes regained the calm and decisiveness of a monarch.

"Once the news of victory arrives from the northern frontier, I will thoroughly investigate how many people have secretly shed tears they shouldn't have shed over the years in the face of the Kong family's downfall!"

Her tone was filled with a chilling killing intent, a stark contrast to the gentle demeanor she had displayed just moments before.

Lin Zhen looked down at her face, which was both aloof and stunningly beautiful and naturally dignified in the moonlight, and felt a mixture of affection and pride in his heart.

This is his wife, his empress, who can nestle in his arms and act like a little girl, yet also wield the power of life and death with ease.

"Alright, whatever you say." He replied softly, leaning down to place a light kiss on her smooth forehead. "It's late, and you've had a long day. You should rest. I'll take care of things in the Northern Frontier. You just need to conserve your energy and wait for good news."

Murong Yan nodded obediently, letting him lead her by the hand towards the phoenix bed in the inner hall.

Just as she turned around, preparing to leave the window—

The movements were relaxed and natural, reflecting the ease and naturalness that came after the agreement had been reached and the mind had been somewhat at ease!

The long, flowing, five-zhang-long trail of dark gold Suzhou brocade trailing behind was subtly stirred by this turning and shifting movement!

The luxurious brocade brushed against the smooth, mirror-like gold brick floor, producing an extremely subtle rustling sound that could be clearly heard in the silent palace.

As the train gently billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining, densely woven with gold threads, which shimmered with a deep and hopeful light, like the fusion of a dark night's starry river and the faint glow of dawn, under the combined illumination of the warm light of the palace lanterns and the cold moonlight outside the window!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown and its train instantly burst forth with a calm yet powerful golden light, as if making a decision under immense pressure and possessing complete confidence in controlling the future!

That light was filled with complete trust in one's partner, a clear understanding of the difficult situation, and a firm belief that together they would overcome the difficulties and usher in the dawn. It was noble, glorious, and at this moment it contained the peace and strength of having unloaded some of the burden!

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

Murong Yan and Lin Zhen walked hand in hand toward the phoenix bed.

The palace maids had already laid out brocade quilts and burned calming incense. Lin Zhen carefully removed her wedding robe and tidied her pillowcase.

"Husband,"

After Murong Yan lay down, she held onto Lin Zhen's hand tightly, her phoenix eyes gleaming faintly in the darkness, carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"Stay with me and talk to me until I fall asleep, okay?"

"Okay," Lin Zhen sat down beside the couch, tucked her in, took her hand, and said softly.

"I won't leave. I'll stay here with you. Sleep well, my Empress."

Murong Yan closed her eyes peacefully, a faint smile spreading across her lips, and soon fell into a deep sleep surrounded by that reassuring atmosphere.