On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

As soon as these words were spoken, even Musk Moon, who was standing in the corner of the pavilion pretending not to exist, shrugged her shoulders suddenly and almost dropped the tea tray!

She lowered her head so tightly that she wished she could bury her face in the ground!

My face instantly turned red like a boiled shrimp!

Lin Zhen was also slightly stunned, and then the astonishment on his face instantly turned into an unruly and evil smile!

He even raised his hand exaggeratedly and pressed his chest, which was as strong as a cheetah, with his thumb, making a muffled "bang" sound!

That posture is full of absolute confidence and wild arrogance!

"As long as Yan'er wants it, don't even mention five times! Ten times! Your husband will do as you say!"

Murong Yan's face turned even redder at his domineering, direct and embarrassing answer!

She wanted to put on a stern face and scold him, but her pretty face, which was deliberately stern, was like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun, and it broke down in an instant!

The corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up, and although he clearly wanted to hide it, the smile that he couldn't suppress deep in his eyes had already spread throughout his eyes like spring light!

She rolled her eyes at him quickly and coquettishly, snorted harshly, and turned her head away again, her shoulders shrugging slightly and almost imperceptibly.

Where is the anger in that "humph"?

It's clear that she is shy, annoyed, and has a bit of indescribable expectation!

Just at this moment, a deliberately quiet sound of footsteps came from the distance in the corridor.

Musk Moon looked up as if she had been pardoned, then quickly walked to the edge of the pavilion and whispered, "Your Majesty, Prince, Xia Zhu has been brought here."

As soon as the words fell, a female official was seen leading a figure along the corridor.

Xia Zhu was still wearing the washed-out, slightly loose green cloth dress she had worn at the Censorate yesterday. Her long hair was simply tied up and fixed with an ordinary wooden hairpin.

She lowered her head, walked to the steps outside the pavilion, knelt on both knees with a respectful and proper posture, and touched her forehead to the cold golden brick floor:

"Your humble servant Xia Zhu pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor." The voice was cold and calm, without much emotion.

The blush on Murong Yan's face quickly faded, and she regained the majesty of an empress and a hint of alienation.

She cleared her throat and tried to keep her voice steady: "Stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After Xia Zhu bowed in thanks, he slowly stood up and stood with his hands hanging down.

When she raised her eyes and scanned the pavilion, her gaze inevitably passed by Lin Zhen who was standing next to Murong Yan, and her body stiffened slightly, almost imperceptibly!

It's like being hit by an invisible electric current!

Her gaze stayed on him for only a very brief moment before she quickly dropped it like a frightened rabbit!

Her long eyelashes trembled violently a few times, and an unnatural blush even flashed across her fair face for a moment!

The complex emotions contained in those eyes, and the shyness and indescribable panic at that moment... It was like being caught cheating, with nowhere to hide!

How could this extremely subtle reaction at this moment escape Murong Yan's eyes!

The jealousy and discomfort in her heart that had just been calmed down by Lin Zhen began to ripple again, like the water surface where a stone had been thrown.

She glanced at Xia Zhu unhappily, with a hint of indescribable anger and understanding, and her voice became a little colder: "Get up and answer. The matter between you and the prince is known to the prince and me."

These words were like a silent whip, lashing Xia Zhu.

Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her head drooped even lower, as if she wanted to shrink into the plain blue cloth dress.

Murong Yan took a deep breath, trying to suppress her turbulent emotions, making her voice sound dignified and fair. "The Crown Prince did nothing wrong in this matter! It's you, Xia Zhu! You've truly wasted my hopes and trust in you! How dare you act so recklessly in Penglai County! You disregard the law and take human lives with such disregard! You've caused so many unjust and wrongful convictions!"

Her voice suddenly rose, filled with a rebuke of disappointment: "If the Crown Prince had not observed everything and taken lightning-fast action to remove you from Penglai in time, the catastrophic disaster you caused would have been irreversible! If a catastrophe had occurred, you would have regretted it too late!"

Xia Zhu's body swayed slightly, his face growing paler, but he didn't say anything to defend himself. He just whispered, "Your Majesty is right. It was my own fault that I failed your grace."

Seeing that her attitude of admitting guilt was acceptable, Murong Yan thought of Lin Zhen's previous arrangements and softened her tone:

"Fortunately, the Crown Prince argued for you. Considering that this is your first offense and your integrity is commendable, you won't have to return to the Censorate prison after the three courts' joint trial. According to the Crown Prince's arrangement, you will temporarily go to the Prince's Palace..."

At the mention of the word "palace," Murong Yan's tone subtly paused. "Study the laws carefully, reflect on your mistakes, and learn from the Crown Prince what it means to be a true official! After this turmoil is over, I will assign you abroad depending on the circumstances."

Murong Yan's eyes were like lightning, filled with deep warning and unquestionable will:

"But he's no longer a county magistrate! Instead, he's been demoted to the position of Wuqing County Magistrate!"

She clearly spelled out her punishment and expectations for her: "This is a punishment for your previous foolish behavior! If you can fulfill your duties as County Magistrate, be fair and diligent, and make convincing achievements, then there will still be a bright future for you above the position of County Magistrate! I am mindful of your talent and ambition, and may give you another chance to truly set an example for the path of a female official! But if you relapse and mess up again..."

Murong Yan's voice suddenly turned icy cold, like the north wind in the coldest months of winter. "Then, give up on this idea! For the rest of your life, you won't have to dream of becoming an official again! And your failure will completely ruin the career path of women in Daqian! Don't say I didn't warn you! Do you understand?"

This warning was like a huge hammer hitting Xia Zhu's heart, but it was also like a ray of light in the darkness.

She raised her head suddenly, and her eyes instantly burst into a mixture of shame, regret, but even more turbulent fiery light!

She lifted her front again and knelt down on the ground. Her voice was slightly trembling with excitement, but it was extremely clear and firm:

"Your humble servant, Xia Zhu, bows in gratitude to Your Majesty for your great grace! Your Majesty's graciousness and generosity fills me with tears of gratitude! Your Majesty, rest assured! I will reform myself and do my utmost! I will never again disappoint Your Majesty! This time, I will repay Your Majesty's grace of rebirth with my life, share Your Majesty's worries, and bring honor to women all over the world!"

"Yeah." Murong Yan looked at the rekindled fire in her eyes, and the complicated jealousy in her heart seemed to be suppressed temporarily.

She nodded slightly, her voice regaining its imperial composure. "Withdraw. The Crown Prince and I have some important matters to discuss."

"I'll take my leave." Xia Zhu kowtowed again, his movements clean and neat.

She stood up, head down, and prepared to leave.

"Wait." Lin Zhen, who had been watching silently, suddenly spoke.

Xia Zhu paused and subconsciously clenched his hands at his sides.

She didn't look up, but just stood there stiffly.

Lin Zhen didn't look at her, but said to her, "Xia Zhu, go to the palace on your own first. Find the head steward, Lin An, and tell him that it was me who asked. He will arrange accommodation for you. You stay there well, and I will discuss everything when I return tomorrow."

A flash of understanding flashed through Xia Zhu's mind, followed by a hint of embarrassment, which eventually turned into calm. She replied softly, "Yes."

After Lin Zhen finished speaking, he seemed to have just dealt with an ordinary matter and said no more.

Xia Zhu bowed and, under the guidance of the female official, turned around silently and retreated step by step along the corridor they came from.

Murong Yan listened to Lin Zhen's arrangement for Xia Zhu.

"I'll talk to you when I get back tomorrow."

The sour feeling in my heart bubbled up again.

She glanced at Lin Zhen and met his gaze, which was filled with a knowing smile, as if asking: Did you hear that? I'm going to stay with you tonight.

Murong Yan snorted again in annoyance and turned her face away.

Her cheeks were involuntarily flushed with a rouge-like blush.