On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

A summer thunderstorm swept through Chang'an without warning. The gale-force winds, carrying large raindrops, violently pounded the glazed tiles of the Zichen Palace, making a crackling sound like the urgent beating of war drums.

Strikes of pale lightning tore through the inky black night sky, illuminating the hall as if it were daytime, only to be swallowed by deeper darkness again. Only the rumbling thunder echoed across the sky, making people tremble.

Inside the Qifeng Pavilion, the candlelight flickered in the breeze that swept through the hall, casting long and distorted shadows onto the walls painted with phoenixes in flight.

Murong Yan did not go to bed early because of the bad weather. She sat upright behind the large rosewood phoenix-patterned desk in the outer study. The pile on the desk was no longer ordinary government memorials, but military intelligence reports, border defense maps and various dispatch plans proposed by the Ministry of War from all over the northern frontier.

The situation in northern Xinjiang, like the weather outside the window, is already brewing with impending storm.

She was still only wearing the Phoenix Descent Dress, and because it was late at night and she was in the private inner study, she did not cover herself with the black and gold shawl.

However, even in the dead of night amidst thunder and rain, the robe she wore as her only nightgown still exuded an undeniable air of authority.

Under the flickering candlelight, the jet-black Suzhou brocade absorbed the light, revealing a profound blackness even more serene than the night. The gold cotton velvet woven into it and the phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread suddenly burst forth with a fleeting, shimmering golden light, like the lurking eyes of a dragon in the dark, with each flash of lightning, before receding again, only flowing with a warm glow between the folds of the fabric.

The Suzhou brocade technique gives this cotton nightgown a lightweight quality, which is even more evident at this moment. Even though the skirt is huge, it will not bring extra heaviness or stickiness on a hot and humid rainy night.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train was not restrained, stretching out from behind the phoenix-patterned desk, across the smooth gold brick floor, with some piled up beside the chair legs, and more winding to the door of the study, with a few strands even slipping under the beaded curtain leading to the bedroom.

As she gazed intently at the map for a long time, occasionally rising to compare it with the huge map of northern Xinjiang hanging there, the hem of her skirt was stirred by the wheels of the chair, her own steps, and the occasional gust of wind, creating layers of folds and folds that laid out a chaotic trail behind her, full of dynamism and anxiety.

With her wide, bell-shaped sleeves, she used one to gently support her forehead as she read an urgent military report, the gold tassels of the cuff dangling onto the desk, while the other softly rested on the spread-out border map, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the enemy and friendly situation symbols marked on it.

The black jade thumb ring on her left hand gleamed with a deep and cold luster under the interplay of candlelight and electric light.

Lin Zhen sat on a low couch on the other side of the desk, with several scrolls of documents spread out in front of him. He was intently reviewing the Ministry of War's latest detailed regulations on the transportation of grain and fodder.

His brows were slightly furrowed, clearly he was also deeply concerned about the war in the northern frontier. A thunderous roar erupted outside the window, so loud it shook the heavens and the earth, even causing the candlelight inside the hall to flicker violently.

Murong Yan paused slightly, her hand holding the pen moving. She raised her eyes, gazing at the night scene blurred by the rain outside the window. A barely perceptible hint of worry flickered in her phoenix eyes as she murmured to herself:

"With such a thunderstorm, I wonder what the situation is like in the northern frontier? The soldiers are probably having a hard time camping out there..."

Hearing this, Lin Zhen looked up, put down his pen, walked to her side, and gently placed a freshly brewed cup of calming tea, its steam rising gently, in her hand. He said softly:

"The north is bitterly cold, and summer thunderstorms are not uncommon. Zheng Jiao is a veteran general with strict discipline, so the camp must be secure. The soldiers are well prepared, so Yan'er doesn't need to worry too much. As for you, you've been reading military reports for most of the night, and your eyes are tired. Have some tea and rest."

His voice was steady and carried a comforting power.

Murong Yan took the warm teacup, the warmth from his fingertips easing her tense nerves. She took a small sip from his hand, the slightly bitter yet sweet tea sliding down her throat, bringing a touch of warmth.

She put down her teacup, and naturally reached out to grasp Lin Zhen's hand, which was resting on the table. Her fingertips were slightly cool, and her grip carried a sense of dependence.

“Husband, look here,” she said, pointing with her other hand to a valley marker southeast of the Northern Desert Dragon City on the map.

"Uwi's main force's movements remain unclear, but in the past few days, the number of times its small cavalry have crossed the border to harass us has increased significantly, and the area they are harassing is also expanding. I have a feeling that this is not just a simple test, but more like... a way to confuse us and cover up their true intentions."

Lin Zhen took her slightly cool hand in his own, warming it with his own palm. His gaze followed her fingertips to the map, and he pondered:

“Your intuition is correct. Uvi’s military tactics have always been cunning. His high-profile flammability and setting fires everywhere are likely a cover for the real attack direction. According to the latest intelligence from 'Night Owl,' the Golden Wolf Cavalry directly under the Northern Desert Royal Court have recently shown signs of secretly moving northwest. Although their tracks are well concealed, our people have still managed to detect a trace.”

"The Northwest?" Murong Yan's phoenix eyes sharpened, and her gaze immediately turned to the other end of the map.

"That's... Wolf Mountain Pass? It's a strategically important location, but not a traditional main road for military operations, and the defenses are relatively weak... Is Uvi planning a surprise attack?"

"Very likely!" Lin Zhen emphasized the location of the Wolf Mountain Pass, his eyes sharp.

"If we break through from here, we can bypass the heavily fortified Shuofang and Yunzhou line and strike directly into the heart of the Yanran Protectorate, posing an even greater threat! What a brilliant feint attack!"

Murong Yan suddenly stood up, her long, dark gold train gliding across the ground with a soft "shh" sound as she moved.

She strode to the huge hanging map, looked up and carefully examined the terrain, garrison markings, and possible routes of advance around the Wolf Mountain Pass, saying quickly:

"We must adjust our deployment immediately! Order the Yanran Protectorate to send more elite troops to guard the Langshan Pass and all the hidden paths! At the same time, order the garrisons in Shuofang and Yunzhou to be on high alert to prevent Wuwei from making a feint! Also, the supply lines, especially the northwest supply lines, must be heavily guarded!"

Just as she was speaking faster due to her anxiety, and turned around to explain the adjustment plan to Lin Zhen further—

The movements conveyed a sense of urgency and decisiveness after gaining a clear understanding of the enemy's situation!

The long, dark gold brocade train, which had been trailing behind the desk and on the ground, becoming even more tangled and messy due to her sudden rise and rapid movement, was abruptly stirred by this swift turn!

The luxurious brocade brushed across the floor, rubbing against the legs of the desk and chair, making a clear "swish" sound.

As the train suddenly billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining, which was densely woven with gold threads and shimmered with a dazzling golden light like lightning in the candlelight and the flashes of lightning outside the window!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown and its train instantly burst forth with a sharp and dazzling brilliance, as if it were a keen insight and decisive action in a critical moment!

The light was filled with the tension of impending battle, the wisdom of defeating the enemy, and an unquestionable authority of a commander. It was noble, brilliant, and carried a sense of urgency and a powerful aura of racing against time and winning a decisive victory from afar!

Her skirt fell, concealing the sharp golden light. Murong Yan had returned to her desk, dipped her brush in ink, and spoke quickly yet methodically:

"My lord, I will dictate this, and you will write it down. Immediately draft an imperial edict and send it to the northern frontier by express courier! Delay will only lead to unforeseen circumstances!"

"Alright!" Lin Zhen did not hesitate, spread out the bright yellow silk, and picked up his brush to wait.

The husband and wife worked in perfect harmony, one dictating and the other writing, and a series of instructions concerning the safety of the northern frontier and the fate of the empire quickly took shape amidst thunder and rain.

Just as the final troop mobilization order was about to be sealed, a series of extremely hurried, even panicked footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, accompanied by the clanging sound of armor clashing, heading straight for Qifeng Pavilion!

Immediately following was the eunuch's terrified, tearful report, which pierced through the rain:

"Your Majesty! Your Highness! Urgent military report from the northern frontier! The northern army... has invaded our borders! The Wolf Mountain Pass... is in dire need of help!"

"What?!" Murong Yan's hand holding the seal suddenly stopped, and the jade seal fell heavily onto the silk with a dull thud.

She suddenly looked up and met Lin Zhen's gaze, who had also risen abruptly. Both of their eyes were filled with shock, but after the shock came the same, rapidly solidifying coldness and determination.

War, in the end, came.