On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The spring rain that had lasted for several days finally stopped, and the long-lost sunshine pierced through the clouds, spreading its warm golden light over the wet palace.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass.

Lin Zhen stood under the eaves and took a long breath of the long-lost, dry and warm air.

She was trapped in the mansion for several days, surrounded by the sick Wan'er, the weak Qingxia after childbirth, the pregnant Yue Wu who needed comfort, and the poor condition Gu Zhen. Although she enjoyed the joy of family, she also felt a little suffocated by being trapped in tenderness.

Today is a clear and sunny day, which is a good time to go out and get some fresh air.

He straightened his bundle and called Hou Chun: "Hou Chun, prepare the horses and pick a few capable men. Come with me for a trip."

Hou Chun took the order, and soon, a group of five or six people, including Lin Zhen, rode out of the side door of the palace with light luggage.

The moment he stepped out of the vermilion lacquered gate, the sunlight poured down unobstructed, and Lin Zhen felt that even his breathing became easier.

The streets in the city still bore traces of rain, and the sound of horses' hooves clacking on the wet stone slabs made a crisp "tapping" sound.

Shops along the street have reopened one after another, and there are obviously more pedestrians. The capital city, which has just cleared up after a long period of rain, is full of new vitality.

As they reached the wider Chang'an Avenue, the number of pedestrians and vehicles on both sides thinned out. Lin Zhen pulled the reins, slowing the pace of his horse and moving closer to Hou Chun, who was riding alongside him.

"Monkey," Lin Zhen said casually, looking ahead, breaking the monotonous rhythm of the horse's hooves. "How's the marriage going with the young lady from the family I found for you last time?"

Hou Chun's originally serious face suddenly revealed a hint of embarrassment and shyness, and the hard lines seemed to soften a lot.

He bowed his head and replied, "Your Highness, thank you for your concern. I have been busy preparing for various matters. According to the rules, I have asked a reliable matchmaker to propose marriage and have compared the horoscopes. The other family has not yet explicitly rejected it."

He paused and added, "Once the matchmaker has negotiated and confirmed the initial intention, I will personally go to your house to propose marriage. After that, we will set an auspicious date for the formal wedding."

Lin Zhen nodded with satisfaction: "Well, very good. Lifelong events should be treated with such seriousness."

He changed the subject, his tone unquestionable, "Now that you're getting married, you should have a place to settle down and stop drifting with the crowd. You've protected me for so long, risking your life, and have made great contributions. I'll pay for your wedding house and find a stable, appropriately sized house in the city. After you get married..."

Lin Zhen paused, then looked at Hou Chun sharply: "You no longer have to stay in the guard camp and guard me every day."

Hou Chun suddenly looked up, a trace of surprise and resistance flashing in his eyes: "Prince?!"

Lin Zhen didn't wait for him to say more and continued, "The military department directly under the palace is in need of a deputy commander. With your skills, qualifications and loyalty to the palace, you are more than qualified to take on this responsibility. It is much better than being my personal bodyguard with no rank or status. It is stable and can provide for your family, and you have a better future." This is the smooth future he planned for his trusted and beloved general.

However, far from showing any joy, Hou Chun eagerly rode his horse closer to Lin Zhen, his tone filled with pleading and stubborn loyalty: "Prince! I... I don't want to go to the military headquarters! I just want to stay by your side and serve as your bodyguard!"

He frowned, "As long as my humble position doesn't bother you, my humble servant, I'm willing to be your horseman for the rest of my life!"

"Nonsense!" Lin Zhen scolded softly, his voice low but stern. "You're about to start a family! And you're still thinking of sleeping in that big bunk bed in the guard camp? You're following me through thick and thin, on the edge of a knife, with no clear time limit? How can this be? What wife would want to marry a husband with no future?"

Hou Chun was anxious, his dark face flushed with excitement. He immediately argued, "I can go home if I'm not on duty! I will never sleep in the camp! I will be on duty with the prince during the day, and go back to be with the bride at night! I will definitely not delay either!"

He tried to find a solution that would have the best of both worlds.

Lin Zhen slowly shook his head, speaking earnestly and with unwavering determination: "No. Staying by my side isn't a long-term solution after all. A guard's duty is to protect my safety and lead the charge. You're a different person now, with a family behind you. How could you take such a risk again? Besides, you have all the skills you need, and you deserve a wider world to display them! Giving you a position at the Military Commission isn't a demotion, it's an opportunity for you to make great achievements! It's about making you a truly respectable and responsible person, not just a head of a guard!"

He looked at Hou Chun with deep eyes. "You've gained enough experience over the years. Serving as the deputy commander of the palace's guard battalion isn't enough experience for you? Asking you to serve as a deputy in the military department is by no means a concession! That position is something many people would beg for! Hou Chun, you've grown up, and you need to learn to move forward!"

Hou Chun was silent.

He understood that Lin Zhen was doing this for his own good, paving a safer and brighter path for him.

Every word the prince said made sense.

But his heartfelt loyalty and reliance on his long-established identity as a bodyguard caused him to struggle internally.

He was used to and liked the feeling of guarding the prince. The entrustment and trust amidst the flash of swords and the shadow of sabers was the supreme honor.

But asking him to leave... He clenched the reins, his knuckles turning slightly white.

Lin Zhen didn't force him anymore, knowing that he needed time to digest it.

Let's put this matter aside and continue on our journey.

After walking through the streets and alleys, we finally stopped in front of a newly built pavilion in the west of the city, which was quite elegant and low-key, and was very popular.

The plaque hanging high reads "Qiong Yu Pavilion", which is the hottest newly opened brothel in Beijing recently, and also Zhang Li's new industry.

The girls here are beautiful and elegant, attracting countless literati, dignitaries and wealthy businessmen.

Lin Zhen looked up and dismounted. A clever servant came running over to lead the horse, smiling broadly.

Lin Zhen said to Hou Chun and the others, "You guys wait outside, or you can go in and have some fun. The bill will be in my name. Hou Chun," he deliberately looked at Hou Chun, who still had a frown on his face, "come in with me."

After saying that, Lin Zhen walked straight into the building.

The lobby on the first floor is elegantly decorated, with the sounds of zithers and the presence of people.

Lin Zhen had no intention of admiring the beauties in the hall. Instead, his eyes wandered among the figures drinking tea, playing chess, and listening to music in the corner of the lobby, searching for his target.

Sure enough, near a carved moon-shaped door, an old monk wearing a flashy brocade robe, with a shiny forehead and a rosy face, was sitting on a soft couch with his horse and sword in his hands.

In one hand he held a fine glass, drinking the finest wine, while with the other he was clasping a prostitute with picturesque features. The prostitute was laughing softly, her face flushed with joy, as she covered her mouth with her hands.

It’s the chess and card Buddha who I haven’t seen for a few days!

Lin Zhen's lips curled up into an ambiguous smile. He ignored the curious or awed looks from those around him, pushed through the slightly crowded flow of people, and strode towards the happy corner.