On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The summer night's thunderstorm had subsided, leaving only intermittent drips from the eaves, striking the white marble steps outside the hall with a cool, clear sound, as if playing a lingering melody for this sleepless night.

The inky blackness of the sky had not yet faded, but a sliver of dawn was already breaking through the darkness in the east, the faint light struggling to pierce the pre-dawn darkness and outlining the majestic and continuous silhouette of the Forbidden City.

However, the empire's central government was already brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Outside the palace square, civil and military officials stood solemnly in their official robes and hats, according to their rank. Everyone had a solemn expression, and the air was filled with a sense of oppression and silence before a storm. Even the slightest sound of fabric rubbing together and breathing could be clearly heard.

News of the sudden outbreak of war in the northern frontier spread like wildfire, reaching the core of power in Chang'an within just a few hours.

At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison, whips cracked three times, and the high-pitched, drawn-out announcement from the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial broke the silence of dawn: "His Majesty has arrived—all officials kneel to welcome him—"

"Long live! Long live! Long live the emperor!" A deafening roar erupted, shaking the dust off the beams and pillars of the palace.

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

Today is no ordinary day; it is the first grand court assembly since the start of the war that will determine the fate of the nation.

Murong Yan still chose her unique Phoenix Descent dress, which symbolized her strength and will, as the base layer.

However, to match this extremely solemn occasion, she solemnly draped over her nightgown a matching black and gold shawl of exquisite craftsmanship.

This embroidered robe is made of black silk brocade, with seven-colored gold thread mixed with bird feathers and down. It is embroidered with patterns of hundreds of birds paying homage to the phoenix and churning clouds using the lost technique of "gold-threaded embroidery". The shimmering light is magnificent and incomparably luxurious. It overlaps and complements the phoenix pattern on the main body of the nightgown, adding to its majestic aura.

The light from countless giant candles and palace lanterns in the hall converged on her, and the dark black brocade of her Phoenix Descent Dress seemed like a bottomless, icy pool, deeply absorbing the light.

Only the woven gold cotton and the phoenix patterns embroidered with gold thread are fully activated under the strong light, flowing with a hot and brilliant luster like molten gold, as if the sleeping phoenix has awakened and is about to spread its wings and soar into the sky.

The exquisite craftsmanship of Suzhou brocade ensures that this cotton nightgown, even on such a formal occasion and when layered, remains lightweight and does not appear particularly heavy or cumbersome.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train stretched out gracefully on the polished gold brick floor above the imperial steps and in front of the phoenix throne, accompanied by Murong Yan's steady and firm steps.

As she walked, the path naturally formed winding, stacked, and wrinkled lines, extending from the high throne all the way to the edge of the steps, with some even drooping down to where the officials knelt below, creating a powerful and unquestionable sense of chaotic grandeur.

The wide, bell-shaped sleeves appeared even more magnificent and grand against the backdrop of the embroidered robe, and the gold tassels on the cuffs swayed slightly with her movements.

The black jade thumb ring on her left thumb gleamed with a deep and resolute luster under the brilliant light of the hall.

"Rise, my lords." Murong Yan sat upright on the phoenix throne, her gaze calmly sweeping over the mass of officials who had risen below. Her voice was clear and melodious, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it possessed a strange penetrating power, clearly suppressing all other noises in the hall and reaching the ears of everyone present.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The officials bowed again and stood at attention. All eyes were focused on the nine-tiered platform, on the empress who wore a dark gold phoenix robe and exuded natural majesty.

Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Murong Yan cut straight to the point, her phoenix eyes flashing with a cold, sharp light, and she got straight to the point:

"The military report from the northern frontier has surely reached you all. The Uwei in the northern desert has broken its promise and brazenly torn up the peace treaty, amassed a large army, and invaded our territory. The beacon fire at Langshan Pass has already been lit! This is a provocation against the prestige of our Great Qian Dynasty and a trampling on the people of the world! I ask you, my beloved ministers, how should we respond?"

Her voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a metallic quality.

No sooner had the words been spoken than several veteran generals, led by the Marquis of Jingbei, could no longer contain themselves and stepped forward, their voices booming like thunder:

"Your Majesty! The wolves of the northern desert have gone too far! Only by striking them head-on can we uphold our national prestige! We are willing to personally go to the northern frontier, and we will not return until Loulan is conquered!"

"These barbarians fear power but not virtue! Only by inflicting pain and terror upon them can we secure peace on the borders! Your Majesty, let us fight!"

The voices advocating for war surged like a tidal wave.

However, among the civil officials, some wore worried expressions. An elderly censor with white hair and beard stepped forward shakily, bowed, and said:

"Your Majesty, weapons are instruments of destruction, used only by sages as a last resort. Once war breaks out, countless lives are lost, and the national treasury is depleted... Should we... should we send another envoy to reiterate the order, or instruct the border generals to guard the passes and observe the situation? If we can subdue the enemy without fighting, that would be the best strategy..."

Pro-war officials immediately retorted:

"Imperial Censor Li is mistaken! Uwei is a wolf in sheep's clothing; how can words sway him? To merely guard the pass is tantamount to waiting for death! Only by taking the initiative can we seize the opportunity!"

In the imperial court, another debate broke out. Although it was not as intense as the last court meeting, the positions of those advocating war and those advocating defense remained distinct.

Murong Yan sat upright, listening quietly, her face expressionless, only her fingertips unconsciously stroking the warm, smooth black jade thumb ring.

Lin Zhen stood beside the steps, his gaze sweeping steadily across the entire hall, taking in the expressions of everyone present.

Once the commotion subsided, Murong Yan slowly raised her hand, and the hall instantly fell silent. All eyes turned to her once more.

“What you all say makes sense.”

Her voice rang out, calm yet carrying the pressure of an impending storm.

"War concerns the lives of soldiers and the safety of the people; peace concerns the dignity of the nation and the judgment of posterity. However, I want to ask you all, what is the purpose of Uwei's invasion of the south this time? Is it to plunder money and grain, or to destroy our country and ruin our society?"

She paused slightly, a cold glint flashing in her phoenix eyes, and her voice suddenly rose, carrying an imposing and unassailable authority:

"According to an urgent report from the border, this is no small matter for Uwei! He has deployed all his elite troops and even brought in the rebellious son of the Kong family, under the banner of 'restoring orthodoxy'! His purpose is not plunder, but to break through the Great Wall and take control of the Central Plains! This is a national war! A war of survival! It cannot be resolved by ceding territory, paying reparations, or seeking temporary peace!"

Her gaze swept over the old censor who had just advocated caution; her tone softened, but carried even greater weight:

"Minister Li, your concern for the people is a great comfort to me. However, you must know that if the skin is gone, where will the hair attach? If the gates of the country are wide open, how can the people find peace under the iron hooves of barbarians? Today's sacrifice is for tomorrow's eternal peace! So that our descendants will never have to suffer the pain of war again!"

She looked again at the generals who advocated for war, her voice resolute:

"Lord Jingbei, generals, your loyalty and bravery are commendable! However, this battle is no small matter. Uwei has been plotting for a long time, and our army needs a foolproof plan! We must not only be brave, but also strategic! We must be steady! We must be accurate! We must be ruthless!"

Finally, her gaze fell upon Lin Zhen, who had been standing silently and solemnly, and her tone was filled with complete trust and entrustment: "Regent Prince."

Lin Zhen immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your subject is here!"

"You shall have full authority over the war in the northern frontier and oversee the overall situation! I grant you the power to make decisions on the spot. All the necessities of the war, including manpower, provisions, and weapons, shall be fully guaranteed by the court without fail! The soldiers on the front lines shall be rewarded for their merits and punished for their mistakes. Rewards and punishments must be clearly distinguished to boost morale!"

Murong Yan's voice was clear and powerful, each word like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of everyone in the hall.

"Your Majesty, I obey! I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust and the fate of the nation!" Lin Zhen responded with a resounding voice, as steady as a mountain.

"Alright!" Murong Yan suddenly stood up, her five-zhang-long dark gold trail sliding across the ground.

She stood atop the high platform, looking down upon her assembled ministers, her phoenix-like majesty awe-inspiring, her voice like a drawn sword, echoing throughout every corner of the hall:

"By imperial decree! Effective immediately, the Great Qian Empire formally declares war on the Northern Desert Royal Court!"

"General Zheng Jiao, the General Who Guards the North, is promoted to Grand Marshal of the Northern Expedition, in command of all armies in the northern frontier, and granted the authority to execute first and report later!"

"Order the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works to immediately activate wartime mechanisms, and make way for the war effort! All grain, weapons, and laborers nationwide shall be centrally allocated and prioritized for supplying the northern frontier!"