On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

"I'll take care of things back home." Lin Zhen's voice was deep and firm, carrying an undeniable authority.

"The Night Owl is keeping a close eye on Cui Mingyuan, so he doesn't dare to make any moves for the time being. If anyone in the court dares to stir up trouble at this time, they will be courting death! You just need to stay firmly in the central government, which is the greatest support for the front line."

His words were like the strongest bulwark, dispelling the last trace of unease in Murong Yan's heart.

She looked up at his face, so close to hers, filled with concern and determination. A warm feeling welled up inside her, and she couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke the newly sprouted, slightly prickly stubble on his chin, her voice tinged with tenderness and affection:

"I know... It's been hard on you, having to coordinate military affairs and keep the court in check for me. Look at you, you've lost weight."

Lin Zhen took the hand that was stroking his cheek, brought it to his lips and kissed it gently, his eyes full of tenderness: "For you, for the Great Qian, what is hardship? As long as you can be at ease, I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

He lowered his head, his forehead gently touching hers, their breaths mingling, and whispered...

"Yan'er, don't be afraid, I'm here. We will definitely win."

"I'm not afraid." Murong Yan met his gaze, shook her head, and her phoenix eyes shone with the same unwavering determination as his.

"With my husband by my side, I fear nothing. But... we must win, and we must win spectacularly! We must win so that those who are secretly plotting will never dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts again!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling murderous intent and determination.

Just then, a gust of wind swept past the window, whipping up raindrops that pounded violently against the window frame with a loud crash!

Murong Yan was startled by the sudden noise and instinctively turned her head to look towards the window.

Just as she turned around—

His movements conveyed both alertness from being startled by the external noise and a quick recovery of composure!

The long, dark gold Suzhou brocade train, which stretched for five zhang (approximately 10 meters) beneath the warm couch and on the velvet carpet, and had accumulated and spread out due to her sitting and getting up for so long, was suddenly stirred by this swift turning motion!

The luxurious brocade brushed against the soft carpet, producing a dull yet clear rustling sound!

As the train billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Embroidery" lining, densely woven with gold thread, which, under the bright candlelight beside the couch, shimmered with a heat and scalding light like underground lava suddenly illuminated by lightning in the dark night!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown and its train burst forth with a brilliant golden light that seemed to burn the eyes, a light that grew stronger amidst the storms and more dazzling amidst internal and external troubles!

That light was filled with boundless confidence in the future, complete trust in one's partner, and immense power to meet all challenges head-on. It was noble, magnificent, and at this moment, it transformed into an unstoppable torrent of light that cleaved through the darkness!

Her skirt fell, obscuring the blazing golden light that symbolized faith and strength. Murong Yan had regained her composure. She leaned back into Lin Zhen's arms and whispered, "It's just the sound of wind and rain."

......

Just past midnight, deep within the Regent's Palace, in a secluded side room far from the main courtyard, seemingly used for storing old books and documents, the candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of two people sitting opposite each other onto the wall covered with thick mulberry paper, making them appear sometimes long, sometimes short, distorted and uncertain.

The air was filled with the musty smell of old books, the smoke of burning candles, and a tense silence that seemed almost solid.

The night outside the window was as dark as ink, and all was silent except for the distant sound of the night watchman's clapper, which occasionally broke the stillness and added to the eeriness.

Lin Zhen sat upright in a simple rosewood armchair, dressed in a plain black casual robe with a matching thin cloak, as if he had blended into the shadows of the room.

His face was calm, but his eyes were like a deep, cold pool, sharply scrutinizing the person sitting opposite him.

The candlelight cast interplay of light and shadow on his angular face, stripping away his usual elegance and leaving only a cold, authoritative aura befitting a person in a position of power.

Sitting opposite him was a thin man wrapped in a large, worn-out herdsman's leather robe that smelled strongly of mutton.

The man's hat brim was pulled down very low, covering most of his face, revealing only a weathered, hooked nose and a pair of tightly pursed, hard-lined thin lips.

His posture appeared restrained and humble, with his hands tucked into his sleeves and placed on his knees, but the slightly taut lines of his shoulders and neck revealed a sense of alertness and strength ingrained in his bones from years of riding on horseback.

This man was one of the most mysterious strategists under Uwei, the Left Wise King of the Northern Desert, and also the riding and archery teacher of Uwei's youngest daughter, Princess Saren. His name was Ashina De, and he was known as the "Fox of the Grasslands".

He risked everything to sneak into Chang'an, all for the sake of secretly meeting the regent of the Great Qian Dynasty.

There was no one else in the room besides the two of them.

Even the old servant who served the tea, after placing two cups of scalding hot, strong-tasting brick tea on the low table beside the two, quietly withdrew and closed the door tightly.

The silence lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, with only the occasional crackling of the candle wick and the barely audible breathing of the two people.

Finally, Ashina De spoke first. His voice was hoarse and low, with a heavy northern accent, yet he spoke fluent Chinese, his words clear and distinct:

"Your Highness, Regent, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. I bring with me the sincere wishes of the Left Wise King, Uwei, for peace, and my respect for Your Highness personally."

Lin Zhen picked up the teacup beside him, feeling the scalding heat emanating from the rough earthenware bowl with his fingertips, but he didn't drink. He simply gently stroked the rim of the bowl, his gaze still fixed on the other person, his tone flat and emotionless:

"Sincerity? While King Wuwei has amassed 100,000 troops to fiercely attack my Langshan Pass, he also sent you to sneak into Chang'an in the dead of night to talk to me about sincerity? Mr. Ashina, don't you think that's ironic?"

His words were like a cold knife, cutting right through the facade of hypocrisy.

Ashina's facial muscles, hidden in the shadow of his hat brim, seemed to twitch slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, and his voice remained steady:

"Your Highness is wise. The incident at Wolf Mountain was caused by some impatient young men in the tribe who were greedy for merit and acted rashly. It was not the intention of the Left Wise King. The Left Wise King has always hoped to coexist peacefully with your country and exchange goods. This conflict was a misunderstanding. Someone... well, someone stirred up trouble and tried to undermine the diplomatic relations between the two countries."

His words were ambiguous and implied something.

"Oh? A misunderstanding? Provocation?" Lin Zhen's lips curled into a faint, cold smile.

"Who is so capable as to incite the Northern Desert Royal Court to launch a national war? Could it be... that 'Holy Son-in-Law,' whom the Left Wise King of Uwei treats as an honored guest, Young Master Kong Zhiqian?"

He directly pointed out that sensitive name, his gaze piercing as if trying to see through the leather hat to discern the other person's true reaction.

Ashina's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, his hands, hidden in his sleeves, seemed to clench. He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying:

"Your Highness is well-informed... The matter of Young Master Kong is also out of necessity. His family suffered misfortune and were forced to flee to the grasslands. The Left Wise King was merely acting out of benevolence and righteousness to provide protection. As for the title of 'Imperial Son-in-Law,' it was just something his subordinates made up and should not be taken seriously. The Left Wise King knows very well that the Great Qian Dynasty has already made a holy decision regarding the Kong family's affairs and has no other intentions."

He tried to distance himself from the situation, his tone carrying a barely perceptible urgency.

Lin Zhen put down the teacup, making a slight clinking sound.

He leaned forward slightly, the candlelight flickering in his eyes, creating an invisible sense of oppression.

“Mr. Ashina, there’s no need to beat around the bush. What exactly does Uwei want to say by sending you here? If it’s to persuade us to surrender, or if you’re just hoping to cede territory and sue for peace, then please keep your mouth shut. The blood of my Great Qian soldiers will not be shed in vain.”

Sensing the chilling killing intent emanating from Lin Zhen, Ashina De finally raised his head. Under the brim of his hat, a pair of eyes, gleaming with shrewdness and cunning like those of a hungry wolf on the grassland, met Lin Zhen's gaze.

His face was covered with deep wrinkles, and his skin was dark and rough, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp.

“Your Highness misunderstands. The Left Wise King has no such intention.” He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and lowered his voice, “The Left Wise King sent me here to make a deal with Your Highness… a deal that is beneficial to both Your Highness and the Left Wise King.”