On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

"A proclamation to the world: All citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty must unite in hatred against the enemy and jointly resist foreign aggression! Anyone who dares to collude with the enemy, betray the country, spread rumors, or undermine the morale of the army will be executed without mercy!"

"This battle concerns the fate of the nation, its very survival! I urge all my beloved ministers to set aside their prejudices, unite as one, and assist me, the Prince, and the soldiers on the front lines to win this war to defend our country!"

"Your Majesty, we will obey your decree! We swear to serve you to the death! The Great Qian Dynasty will surely prevail!" Regardless of their previous stance, all the officials in the palace were moved by the Empress's resolute will and overwhelming power. They knelt down in unison and roared.

Just as Murong Yan finished announcing the final decree and was about to turn around to discuss the specific details with Lin Zhen—

The action conveyed the resolute determination after making the final decision and the firm resolve to embark on a new journey!

The long, dark gold brocade train, stretching five zhang in length and spreading out in disarray above the imperial steps and in front of the phoenix throne, was suddenly stirred by this swift turn!

The luxurious brocade brushed against the smooth, mirror-like gold brick floor, producing a sharp, clanging sound, like the clash of metal!

As the train billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Floor" lining, densely woven with gold threads, which, under the combined light of countless candles and the dawn's rays, shimmered with a brilliant and intense light, like the rising sun bursting forth and melting gold and iron!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown and its train instantly burst forth with an incomparably magnificent and sacred golden light that carried the fate of the nation, bore the weight of the common people, faced death to live, and was determined to wage war!

That light was filled with the emperor's decisiveness, the commander's will, and a tragic and heroic spirit of sharing life and death with the mountains and rivers. It was noble and glorious, and at this moment it transformed into a torrent of war that swept everything and an unwavering belief in victory!

The hem of her skirt fell, obscuring the golden light that symbolized war and determination, light capable of burning everything.

Murong Yan and Lin Zhen exchanged a glance, needing no words; everything was understood without being spoken.

......

The third day after the declaration of war.

The hustle and bustle of the day seemed to sink into the horizon with the setting sun, but the Forbidden City under the night sky was not at rest. Instead, it was shrouded in an atmosphere that was more solemn than ever before.

The palace gates were heavily guarded, and the patrolling imperial guards, clad in gleaming armor, echoed with footsteps that sounded more hurried than usual in the empty palace corridors. The continuous night rain had begun again without warning.

The pattering rain tapped against the glazed tiles and washed the white marble railings, adding a damp chill and desolation to the restless night.

Inside Qifeng Pavilion, the candlelight was bright, yet it was so quiet that only the occasional crackling of the candle wicks and the soft patter of rain outside the window could be heard.

Murong Yan dismissed all the palace servants and stood alone by the window.

She did not rest, still wearing only the Phoenix Descent dress, without even the black and gold shawl covering her.

In the stillness of the night, within the most private chambers, she shed the solemnity she had to project during the day, leaving only her close-fitting nightgown, which revealed a more authentic and slightly weary state.

Only a few palace lanterns were lit near the windows inside the hall, casting a dim, yellowish light that made her shadow appear long and thin.

Under such soft and partial light, the dark Suzhou brocade of the Phoenix Descending to Earth dress seemed to blend into the night outside the window, presenting an ultimate and serene black color.

Only the golden cotton wool woven into it and the phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread, in the dim light, faintly flow with a kind of delicate and lasting luster like a starry river in the dark night, not dazzling, but profound.

The Suzhou brocade technique gives this cotton nightgown its lightness, which is fully displayed at this moment. The wide skirt drapes naturally with her still posture, conforming to her slender figure without appearing bulky or heavy.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train stretched out behind her, extending from the window all the way to the phoenix couch deep inside the inner hall, with some strands even slipping into the shadows of the side corridor leading to the bathing hall.

Because she stood still for a long time, most of her skirt lay calmly on the cool gold brick floor. Only the part near her ankles formed some natural folds due to her subtle breathing and occasional shifts in weight, creating a static yet incredibly tense disorder in the silence.

One of her wide, bell-shaped sleeves hung softly at her side, the gold tassels at the cuff brushing the ground. She raised the other sleeve, her slender fingers gently resting on the cool wooden lattice of the carved phoenix window, gazing out at the dark, rain-shrouded distance.

The black jade thumb ring on her left hand blended almost into the surrounding darkness in the dim light, only occasionally flashing a faint, deep light when it was turned very slightly.

She was looking north.

Despite the towering palace walls and the vast mountains and passes that blocked her way, her gaze seemed to pierce through the night rain, reaching the land that was being, or was about to be, ignited by war.

The declaration of war had been issued, and the war machine had been set in motion, but her heart could not find complete peace.

Military orders were issued from the Privy Council, and carts of provisions and supplies were rushing to the northern frontier day and night. Generals were ordered to set off... Could all of this withstand the iron cavalry that had been plotting for a long time in the northern desert?

Can Zheng Jiao hold the line?

How many more soldiers will shed their blood on the battlefield and die on the battlefield?

A deep, imperial worry and responsibility weighed heavily on her heart, a thousand times, ten thousand times heavier than the dress she wore.

With a soft creak, the door to the bedchamber was gently pushed open.

Lin Zhen walked in silently, her clothes damp and slightly chilly.

He had changed out of his royal robes and was now wearing only a black satin casual suit with a dark cloak over it to protect him from the rain. Tiny raindrops still clung to the ends of his hair.

He waved to the palace maids standing at the door, indicating that they did not need to announce his arrival. He gently took off his damp cloak and handed it to one of them before stepping inside.

Hearing footsteps, Murong Yan slowly turned around.

Upon seeing him, the deep worry in her eyes was instantly replaced by a sense of dependence and reassurance, and her tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Husband, you're back... How's the situation at the Privy Council?" Her voice was hoarse with a hint of weariness as she naturally reached out her hand to him.

Lin Zhen strode forward, grasped her slightly cool hand, and frowned slightly: "Your hands are so cold, how long have you been standing in the wind?"

His tone was reproachful and tender. He immediately wrapped her hand tightly in his warm palm, while his other hand instinctively reached out to her forehead to feel her temperature.

"Not long after, I was just watching the rain, and my mind was a bit chaotic, so I needed to calm down."

Murong Yan let him hold her hand, absorbing the warmth from his palm, and leaned slightly closer to him.

"Any new news from the front?"

Lin Zhen put his arm around her shoulder and led her away from the window to sit down on a warm couch in the inner hall, which was covered with a thick velvet carpet.

The light from the dragon-shaped candlestick beside the couch was brighter, reflecting the solemnity between his brows and the traces of his days of hard work.

"I just received a 600-li urgent message from Zheng Jiao. The elite vanguard of the Northern Desert, numbering about 30,000 cavalry, has been launching a fierce attack on the Langshan Pass for two consecutive days. The defending general, Wang Bing, has led his troops in a desperate fight, suffering considerable casualties, but the pass is still in their hands. Zheng Jiao has urgently dispatched 20,000 Shuofang Iron Cavalry to reinforce them, and they should arrive by tomorrow evening at the latest. In addition, the movements of Wuwei's main force remain elusive. Their banner seems to be moving erratically east and west about 100 li north of Langshan, making it difficult to determine their true intentions."

Murong Yan leaned against him, listening to his steady narration and feeling the strong heartbeat from his chest. Her chaotic emotions gradually calmed down.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her eyes were clear and resolute once more.

"The Langshan Pass is crucial and must not be lost. Tell Zheng Jiao to hold it at all costs! If reinforcements are insufficient, send more from Yunzhou and Yanran! The imperial court will do everything in its power to ensure the supply of provisions and weapons!"

"I have already issued the troop mobilization order in the name of the Privy Council."

Lin Zhen nodded and gently patted her back, as if comforting a restless child.

"Don't worry, Zheng Jiao is a veteran general, and Wang Bing is also a brave and fierce general. Langshan is a natural fortress and not so easy to break through. Uwi wants a quick victory, but we will fight him to the bitter end. The longer it drags on, the more advantageous it will be for us."

"Mmm," Murong Yan responded softly, burying her face in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled.

"It's just tough on the soldiers at the front... and those people in the court..."

She didn't say it explicitly, but Lin Zhen knew she was referring to the powerful families, led by the Cui family, who harbored resentment towards the Kong family.

Once war breaks out, it remains to be seen whether these people will hinder us from the rear, spread rumors, or even secretly collude with those in the northern desert.