On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Chen Yuanshan bowed respectfully to Murong Yan and Lin Zhen, who were alighting from the carriage, his voice loud and clear.

Although he is well over sixty years old, his straight back and bright eyes still reveal that he was a fierce general who fought on the battlefield in his youth.

"General Chen, please rise quickly."

Murong Yan raised her hand, signaling him to rise. The old man in front of her was once a valiant general under the late emperor, who had made great contributions to the Great Qian Dynasty. Later, he was seriously injured on the battlefield and retired to his hometown of Yunzhou.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chen Yuanshan stood up and looked at the Empress before him, who was even more beautiful and majestic than in the legends. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, which were always full of wisdom and composure.

There was reverence, admiration, and also a trace of sadness, hidden very deeply, knowing why His Majesty and the Prince had come today.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, please come in."

He turned to the side and gestured for them to enter the mansion.

Inside the Chen mansion, carved beams and painted rafters, winding paths leading to secluded spots, servants coming and going in an orderly fashion, presenting the scene of a large family.

The group took their seats in the main hall according to their rank and status. Servants served them the finest tea, and the atmosphere became somewhat subdued for a moment.

A trace of sorrow was on everyone's face.

Murong Yan slowly spoke, breaking the silence.

"General Chen, I am deeply saddened by what happened to your son."

As she spoke, she took the exquisite wooden plaque made of sandalwood from the guard's hand.

"I have come to escort him home."

As Chen Yuanshan looked at the wooden plaque that emitted a faint sandalwood scent, his aged and cloudy eyes instantly reddened. He stretched out his calloused hands and tremblingly accepted the wooden plaque.

He didn't cry or howl; he just quietly held the wooden plaque, a deep sorrow on his face.

"It is my son's honor to be able to serve His Majesty and sacrifice himself for the Great Qian Dynasty."

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice hoarse, yet carrying an undeniable firmness.

"Indeed, it is the glory of my Chen family."

As he spoke, he stood up from his seat and gave Murong Yan a solemn military salute.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to grieve for my son."

"The men of the Chen family should be heroes in life and ghosts in death. To die on the battlefield wrapped in a horse's hide is the best destiny for us soldiers."

His words, filled with loyalty and heroism, moved everyone present.

Even Murong Yan, with her clear and cold phoenix eyes, showed heartfelt admiration.

"General Chen, you are truly righteous."

She stood up and nodded slightly to the respectable old general.

"Preach my will."

She turned her head and looked at the accompanying officials.

"Chen Jingzhi was posthumously conferred the title of 'General Zhaowu', bestowed the posthumous name of 'Zhonglie', and enshrined in the Hall of Heroes and Martyrs in the capital, where his statue was made in gold and he will be worshipped for ten thousand generations."

"His father, Chen Yuanshan, was highly meritorious and educated his son well. He was granted the title of 'Loyal and Brave Duke' and his fief was three thousand households."

"If any of his sons wish to enter officialdom, they may be recruited without regard to the usual procedures; if any of them wish to join the army, they may enter the Shenji Camp and be personally instructed by General Yue Fei."

This reward is undoubtedly substantial.

In particular, the title of "Loyal and Brave Duke".

In the Great Qian Dynasty, one could not be granted the title of Duke without making extraordinary contributions.

Although Chen Yuanshan had made great military achievements in his youth, he was still far from being granted the title of Duke.

Now, His Majesty bestowed this immense honor upon him on the grounds that he had "properly raised his son."

This is not just a personal reward for him.

It is also an affirmation of the entire Chen family.

"This old minister...kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty for Your Majesty's divine grace!"

Upon hearing this reward, Chen Yuanshan could no longer contain himself, and two streams of tears of emotion flowed from his long-dry eyes.

He knelt down and performed the grand ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows to Murong Yan. The Chen family members behind him, who were also excited and had tears in their eyes, also knelt down.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Great Qian Dynasty!"

The shouts, as loud as a mountain and as powerful as a tsunami, echoed throughout the entire Chen residence.

Murong Yan looked at the Chen family members in front of her, who were in a state of high spirits, and a gratified smile appeared on her usually cool and aloof face.

Knowing that what I did was right, I wanted all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country, and their families, to know that their efforts and sacrifices have not been forgotten.

I have always remembered.

My empire will always be remembered.

After spending a day in Yunzhou City to comfort the families of all the fallen soldiers, the convoy set off again, slowly heading towards the capital.

Along the way, the oppressive and heavy atmosphere of before was gone.

Murong Yan's inner knots seemed to have been untied quite a bit, and she gradually became more talkative. Occasionally, she would lean against Lin Zhen's chest, act coquettishly, and have intimate conversations with him.

A captivating smile often appeared on her beautiful, cool face, which was as clear as the moon.

The sight amazed Yue Fei and his personal guards.

They never imagined that the Empress, so decisive and dignified on the battlefield, could also have such a girlish side.

Of course, only that unfathomable prince could enjoy such a benefit.

The convoy headed east.

When the officials of the prefectures along the way learned that His Majesty and the Prince were about to pass through their territory, they all began cleaning the streets and decorating them with lanterns and colorful decorations several days in advance, preparing to put on a grand show to welcome the imperial procession.

Murong Yan sternly rejected all of them, ordering the caravan not to enter the city, not to disturb the people, and to keep everything simple.

This greatly disappointed the officials who had hoped to use this opportunity to show off and flatter the Emperor.

However, this also increased the love and support of the people along the way for Her Majesty the Empress, who cared for the people and did not engage in ostentation.

Unbeknownst to them, the convoy had entered the Gyeonggi region.

Furthermore, in less than two days, they will be able to return to the bustling capital city they have been away from for so long.

On everyone's face was a mixture of joy and excitement, a feeling of being close to home yet also a little apprehensive.

However, just as they arrived at a narrow valley called "Wolong Valley".

An accident happened.

Wolong Valley, as its name suggests, is a valley that stretches for dozens of miles, resembling a giant dragon lying on the ground.

On both sides of the valley are towering cliffs that seem to reach into the clouds, with only a narrow, rugged path in the middle that can only accommodate two horse-drawn carriages side by side.

The terrain is extremely treacherous, serving as the only route to the capital and an excellent ambush site.

As the convoy slowly drove into Wolong Valley, Lin Zhen, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

A cold glint flashed in those deep eyes that were always filled with laziness and nonchalance.

"Husband, what's wrong?"

Murong Yan, who was leaning against him, immediately noticed his unusual behavior.

She raised her head, her beautiful phoenix eyes filled with concern.

"A visitor is coming."

Lin Zhen smiled, her voice calm yet carrying a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.

"Moreover, judging from this, there are quite a few people."