On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The Yangtze River is mighty and thousands of sails are competing.

The hustle and bustle and smoke of Huxian Deepwater Port were left far behind.

The huge official ship "Zhenhai" plowed through the turbid river water, went upstream, and headed towards the heart of the Daqian Dynasty - the capital.

On the deck, Lin Zhen stood with his hands behind his back, his black dragon-patterned cloak fluttering in the river breeze.

His deep gaze swept across the increasingly prosperous towns and fields on both sides of the river, the huge steel port of Hu County, the roaring workshops, the iron-blooded and murderous Jinwu Guards... like a faded scroll, slowly rolling up before his eyes.

After more than a year of hard work, Hu County has transformed from a dilapidated small town into a giant oriental port that controls the throat of rivers and seas, and the foundation has been laid.

It's time to step away for a while.

The atmosphere in the cabin was completely different from the solemnity on the deck, and was filled with a sense of relaxation and warmth of returning home.

Chu Xiling took off her work clothes and put on a moon-white brocade dress embroidered with silver bamboo patterns. Her long hair was loosely tied up and a white jade hairpin was inserted diagonally. She looked elegant with a rare hint of laziness.

She was holding a fragment of "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature" and studying it carefully. Occasionally, she would pick up a pen to sketch a few delicate mechanical sketches on the rice paper next to her, but the sharp concentration between her brows had quietly disappeared, replaced by a kind of tranquility after unloading a heavy burden.

Zhang Li was wearing a crabapple-red palace gown with golden butterflies and a flowered cloud satin bodice, and a snow fox-trimmed bodice. She was leaning on a chaise longue covered with a thick brocade cushion, playing with a warm mutton-fat jade pendant in her hand, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth.

Opposite her sat two beautiful girls.

On the left is Qingwen, who is wearing a goose yellow soft silk shirt with scattered flowers, and a light green brocade embroidered cotton skirt. She has a slim figure, with narrow shoulders and a thin waist, an oval face, beautiful eyes and thin eyebrows, and a lively look, revealing a bit of cleverness and cuteness.

Huanbi wore a long jacket embroidered with magnolia branches on a light blue background, and a moon-white lace skirt. She had a gentle and calm temperament, skin as white as snow, and beautiful eyebrows and eyes, especially her pair of bright eyes, which were crystal clear and had a bit of purity that seemed ignorant of the world.

"Sister Li," Qingwen finished her last stitch, bit off the thread, and handed the handkerchief to Zhang Li. "Do you think this lotus is appealing? I'll embroider it on a purse for Grandpa later. He's sure to like it!"

Zhang Li took the handkerchief, examined it carefully, and praised: "What a skillful hand! The hue of the petals looks as if they were alive! Grandfather will surely be delighted to see them." She turned her gaze to Chu Xiling.

"Sister Xiling, stop looking at those iron-lump pictures and give your eyes a rest. Now that you're back in Beijing, it's time to relax and unwind."

Chu Xiling put down the book and smiled slightly, her cold features softening a bit. "I'm used to it. Over in Hu County, Xiao Hanzhou is steady and Mao Mengji is in charge, so there won't be any major chaos. It's just... I feel like the blueprint for this 'steam turbine' is a little off..."

She subconsciously wanted to pick up the pen again.

"Oh, my dear sister!" Zhang Li grabbed her hand in a scolding tone, "We're home! Even if the sky falls, your husband will hold it up! Besides the blueprints, can you think of anything else?"

A chuckle was heard in the cabin.

Qingwen and Huanbi also smiled with their lips pursed.

Chu Xiling rarely showed a trace of embarrassment and obediently put down the book.

After sailing for several days, the majestic outline of the capital finally appeared on the horizon.

The huge city wall is like a winding dragon, with towering towers and fluttering flags.

At the dock, the ceremonial guards of the Zhenbei Palace were already waiting.

A sea of ​​personal guards stood in awe, their armors gleaming, their swords and spears like a forest. In the middle of them stood a huge black banner with a coiled dragon pattern fluttering in the wind, with a huge word "Lin" written on it!

A murderous atmosphere is blowing in your face!

Different from the fierceness of the Jinwu Guards in Hu County, this is the iron-blooded majesty that only the border troops who have fought in hundreds of battles have, and it is ingrained in their bones!

Lin Zhen and the girls got off the boat.

Chu Xiling and Zhang Li were on the left and right, with Qingwen and Huanbi following closely behind.

The palace's chief steward, Lin An, had already led the others to kneel and greet them: "Welcome back to the palace, Prince, and all the ladies!"

"Old An, I haven't seen you for a year. How come you've gained weight?" Lin Zhen raised his hand to support him. His eyes swept over the familiar faces of his personal guards, and a long-lost warmth surged in his heart. "Is everything okay in the mansion?"

"In reply to the Crown Prince!" Lin Fu's voice was loud and clear, filled with uncontrollable excitement. "The Prince returned triumphantly a month ago! The Northern Yan court has surrendered! The entire territory of Northern Yan has been annexed by Daqian! Now, the Prince is enjoying the company of his grandchildren in his mansion, happily enjoying the company of his family!"

"Grandfather is back?!" Lin Zhen's eyes flashed with surprise!

Northern Yan!

This stubborn problem that had plagued the northern border of Daqian for a hundred years was solved by my grandfather in one battle!

His heart was filled with pride and he wanted to fly back home immediately!

The palace is located on the west side of the capital, covering a vast area, with red gates and high walls, and a solemn atmosphere.

However, when Lin Zhen and his companions stepped into the mansion, they felt a kind of almost noisy sound that was completely different from the majesty of the mansion...children's laughter!

Following the sound, we passed through the numerous courtyards and arrived at the "Songhe Hall", the quietest and most spacious place deep in the palace.

This is the residence of Regent Lin Zhenxian.

Before entering the door, I heard a loud, full-bodied, yet doting, voice coming from inside:

"Ouch! My little ancestor! Don't pull Grandpa's beard! Ouch! Be gentle! This was your great-grandmother's favorite beard!"

"Hahaha! Grandpa, grandpa has a long beard! He looks like an old goat! Chengyu is riding a big horse! Gah! Gah!"

"And me! And me! Cheng Shu wants to ride too! Grandpa, Grandpa, get down quickly!"

"Okay, okay! Ride! Ride! Ouch...you two little monkeys! Slow down! Don't fall!"

"Wa... Woo wa..." followed by the baby's loud cry.

"Oh! My little girl, don't cry! Did your brothers disturb you? Look, grandpa is performing a magic trick for you! Jingle bells! Look! Little bells! Do you like it?"

"Giggle, giggle..." The baby burst into laughter.

Lin Zhen stood outside the door, listening to the chaotic yet warm noise inside, and was a little dazed for a moment.

Is this... still the "Bloody Hand Butcher" in his memory who stood before thousands of troops with his sword drawn and struck fear into the hearts of the enemy?

He signaled his guards to be silent and gently pushed the door open.

The spacious and bright main hall was covered with thick Persian carpets.

An old man with a burly figure, white hair and beard, but a ruddy face and a vigorous spirit, was... lying on the carpet in a very ungraceful manner!

He was wearing a comfortable black uniform with dark gold cloud patterns, and on his head... there were two boys, about two or three years old, with chubby faces and wearing bright red brocade jackets and trousers!

It was Lin Zhen’s eldest son Lin Chengyu and second son Lin Chengshu!

The two little guys excitedly grabbed the old man’s white hair and beard, shouting “Gee-gee!” and rode their grandfather like he was a big horse!

Instead of being annoyed, the old man laughed out loud and crawled two steps on the ground in cooperation, making the two little guys giggle.

There were two wet nurses surrounding the old man, each holding a swaddling baby.

In one cradle was a delicate baby girl, who was opening her big black eyes and curiously watching her brothers playing; in the other cradle was a slightly smaller baby girl.

These two, one is Yue Wu’s child Nannan, and the other is Gu Zhen’s child Qingqing.

They seemed to be woken up, their little mouths pouted and they were about to cry, but Lin Zhenxian was quick-eyed and quick-handed, and took out an exquisite gilded little bell from somewhere and waved it in front of her eyes. The crisp "ding-ling-ling" sound immediately attracted the attention of the babies. They burst into laughter and stretched out their chubby little hands to grab it.

Chu Xiling, Zhang Li, Qingwen, and Huanbi followed behind Lin Zhen. When they saw this scene, they couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.

Lin Zhenxian heard movement at the door and looked up.

When he saw Lin Zhen, his eyes instantly burst into surprise, like two burning flames!

"Zhen'er?! My dear grandson! You are finally back!" He was about to stand up suddenly!

"Ouch!" The two little guys above his head were caught off guard and almost fell down, screaming in fright.

"Be careful!" Lin Zhen took a step forward and caught his two sons steadily, one in each hand.

"Grandpa, you are so bad! You made Chengyu fall!" Chengyu pouted, looking aggrieved.

"Grandpa, you are so bad! You made Chengshu fall!" Chengshu also imitated his brother.

"Ouch! It's grandpa's fault! It's grandpa's fault!" Lin Zhenxian hurriedly got up, patted his two great-grandchildren's backs in a panic, and wanted to hug his great-granddaughter in the cradle. He looked as if he wished he could grow three heads and six arms. Where was the dignity of the "Bloody Hand Butcher"?

He is a real "child slave" who is completely controlled by his grandchildren!

Lin Zhen looked at his grandfather's appearance, feeling both amused and helpless.

He put his son down, straightened his clothes, and knelt respectfully: "Grandson Lin Zhen, I pay my respects to grandfather! Congratulations to grandfather on your great victory in the Northern Expedition, and on raising the prestige of our country!"

"Get up, get up! We're family, why are you being so polite?" Lin Zhenxian pulled Lin Zhen up and slapped his big hand, like a palm leaf fan, on his shoulder. The force was so strong that Lin Zhen was shaken.

"Good boy! You've gotten stronger! And darker! You've done a great job in Hu County! The deep-water port! The industrial park! I heard about it in the army! You really bring honor to our Lin family! Hahaha!"

His laughter was so loud that the dust on the beams fell down.

"It's all thanks to Grandfather's great blessing." Lin Zhen smiled, his eyes sweeping across the room full of grandchildren. "Grandfather... seems to be enjoying himself so much that he doesn't want to leave?"

"That's right!" Lin Zhenxian picked up a great-granddaughter and rubbed her little face with his beard, making the baby giggle. "After a lifetime of fighting, your bones are hardened! Now that the north is pacified, it's time to enjoy a peaceful life! Playing with grandchildren and enjoying the joy of family life, this is the real joy of life! Zhen'er, you don't know, these little ancestors are even more naughty than you were when you were a child! Hahaha!"

He laughed heartily, as if all those years of war, mountains of blood and seas of gore had vanished in the children's laughter in the room.

Lin Zhen looked at the undisguised satisfaction and doting in his grandfather's eyes, and the thought of reporting on the military affairs of Hu County and discussing the southward strategy (South Korea) in his heart disappeared in an instant.

Grandfather... is truly content with having grandchildren!

He smiled helplessly, accompanied his grandfather and grandfather to tease the children for a while, and briefly told them some interesting stories about Hu County and what the children saw and heard on the road.

Lin Zhenxian listened with great interest, and was particularly amazed at the "iron lumps" that Chu Xiling had made and the "money making money" that Zhang Li had made. However, when Lin Zhen vaguely mentioned topics such as "coastal defense", "Japanese pirates", and "military expansion", she only hummed a few times and then went back to entertaining her great-granddaughter with great interest.

"Grandfather," Lin Zhen saw that the time was almost right and stood up and said, "My grandson has been away from Beijing for a long time, and there are still many things in the mansion that need to be settled. I will take my leave first."