On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The chill of winter is dispelled by the warm sunshine of early spring, the snow melts and gathers into trickles, nourishing the land of Gyeonggi Province.

On both sides of the official road, withered willows sprouted, and bits of new green timidly stretched out in the chilly spring breeze.

A large carriage with a black coiled dragon emblem, escorted by hundreds of heavy cavalrymen of the Jinwu Guard, rolled over the wet loess official road and slowly drove towards the towering gate of the imperial capital.

The car curtains were lowered, blocking out the noise and dust of early spring outside, as well as the deep and gloomy mood of the people inside.

Lin Zhen sat upright in the car, his black dragon-patterned uniform spotless, his distinctly knuckled fingers unconsciously stroking a warm mutton-fat jade pendant.

The familiar scenery passing by the car window - the Ten-Mile Long Pavilion, the willows of Ba Bridge, and the majestic outline of the imperial capital - did not stir much ripples in his deep eyes.

The wind and snow of Beiyan, the thunder of Yinshan Mountain, the smoke of the Cliff of Broken Souls, the roar of the Burning Sky Thunder... are engraved deep in the memory like a brand, and are incompatible with the prosperous and peaceful spring scenery of the capital in front of us.

However, at this moment, what he was most concerned about was the royal palace hidden deep in the bustling imperial capital, and the long-lost beauties in the palace.

Qixia Garden.

The warm spring sun shines through the carved window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows.

In the courtyard, the fragrance of several old plum trees is still lingering, and the newly planted crabapple trees have already sprouted delicate buds.

The air was filled with the faint fragrance of plants and a subtle, elegant medicinal aroma.

"Today is the day my husband will return." Shangguan Wan'er sat upright in the main seat in the main hall, wearing a lilac-colored palace dress embroidered with a golden phoenix pattern. Her hair was tied up high, with a phoenix hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers inserted diagonally. There was a barely perceptible trace of expectation and reserve on her dignified and elegant face.

She held a cup of tea in her hand, and the curling hot steam enshrined her calm features.

As the principal wife of the palace, she knew that her every word and action was a face of respect for the palace. Even if her heart was filled with longing, she had to remain dignified and polite on the surface.

"Sister Wan'er is right." Yue Wu responded softly from the left side below.

She wore a moon-white brocade dress, topped by a matching gauze jacket. Her dark hair was loosely tied up with a white jade hairpin, her demeanor as cool and pure as an orchid under the moonlight. In her arms, she clutched a rosewood pipa, her fingertips unconsciously plucking the strings, releasing a few clear notes, tinged with a faint trace of longing.

"The north is bitterly cold...my husband must have lost weight."

"Hmph! That heartless guy has been gone for more than half a year and rarely even writes to me!" On the right, Qingwen was wearing a goose yellow floral short jacket with a light green floral horse-face skirt, and had two buns on her hair with a few round pearls in her hair. Her big, lively eyes twinkled, and her little mouth was slightly pouting, with a bit of coquettishness and dissatisfaction.

She was playing with a delicate nine-ring chain in her hand, which made a jingling sound.

"This time when he comes back, we must make sure he stays with us and makes up for what he owes us!"

"Sister Qingwen, please don't talk nonsense." Shangguan Wan'er put down her teacup. Her voice was gentle but carried undeniable authority. "Your husband has fought for our country and has made great contributions. We should be sympathetic to him."

"Yes... Sister Wan'er taught me a lesson..." Qingwen stuck out her tongue, lowered her head, and continued to fiddle with the Nine Rings, but her movements slowed down.

"Sister Zhang Li and Sister Xiling haven't arrived yet?" Huanbi, who was sitting below Yue Wu, asked softly.

She was wearing a water-green jacket and skirt embroidered with a lotus pattern. Her hair was in a simple bun with only a small velvet flower in her hair. She had a pretty face and eyes as gentle as water, with a hint of shyness and expectation of a beautiful girl from a small family.

"Li'er is in the accounting office. She said she needs to recheck the accounts of the Northern Yan Trade Route before her husband returns," Shangguan Wan'er said. "Xi Ling is in the 'Hundred Craftsmen' Pavilion' (Chu Xi Ling's exclusive workshop in the palace). She needs to rest and recuperate from her injuries, and Cheng Xuan is caring for her."

As he was speaking, the crisp sound of tinkling bells came from outside the hall.

Zhang Li, wearing a pomegranate red satin jacket with gold flowers all over it and a horse-faced skirt of the same color, walked in hurriedly.

Her hair was piled high with a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin inserted diagonally, which swayed gracefully with her steps. Her bright and beautiful face showed a shrewd and capable look, and she held a thick account book in her hand.

"Sister Wan'er, Sister Yuewu, Qingwen, Huanbi!" She spoke in a clear voice with a smile, "The monopoly of the Beiyan Black Stone Mountain Coal Mine has finally been finalized! Huitonghao has given a 30% profit margin, and we can earn at least this much more next year!" She stretched out three nail polish-painted fingers and gestured.

"Li'er, you've worked hard." Shangguan Wan'er nodded with a smile, "My husband will definitely praise you when he returns."

"Whether he praises us or not doesn't matter." Zhang Li handed the account book to the maid standing by, walked to her seat, took a sip of tea, and her eyes flickered. "As long as he comes back safely and spends more time with us, that would be the best."

"Sister Xiling is here!" Qingwen pointed at the door with sharp eyes.

Chu Xiling, supported by Cheng Xuan, walked slowly into the hall.

She was still wearing the indigo work clothes, but she had on a plain moon-white cloak, which made her face look even paler.

His left arm was hung in front of his chest, wrapped in thick gauze. His cold face showed a trace of fatigue after a long journey, but his eyes were still focused and sharp.

Cheng Xuan carefully helped her sit down and stood by her side.

"How is Xi Ling's injury?" Shangguan Wan'er asked with concern.

"It's okay, the remaining poison has been cleared, just rest." Chu Xiling's voice was cold and calm, and she glanced at everyone, "When will my husband arrive?"

"It's almost there. Someone from the palace reported that the imperial carriage has passed Zhuque Street." Shangguan Wan'er said.

For a moment, the hall fell silent.

The six women, some dignified, some cold, some bright, some smart, some gentle, and some quiet, all looked outside the hall at the same time.

The air is filled with a complex blend of anticipation, longing, tension, and sweetness. The joy of reunion after a long separation is about to dispel the gloom of separation.

The sound of horse hooves came from far away and finally stopped in front of the mansion gate.

The heavy vermilion lacquered door slowly opened.

Lin Zhen's dark figure appeared at the door, and the sunlight outlined his tall figure.

His deep gaze swept across the familiar courtyard, finally landing on the eagerly waiting figures at the main hall door.

A hint of warmth finally appeared in the depths of his cold eyes.

"Husband!" Qingwen was the first to lose control. Like a joyful yellow oriole, she ran out with her skirt lifted up and rushed into Lin Zhen's arms. She hugged his waist tightly, buried her little face in his chest, and cried, "You're finally back! I missed you so much!"

The corners of Lin Zhen's hard lips curled up slightly, and his big hand gently stroked Qingwen's soft hair. His voice was low and gentle: "Qing'er, don't cry. Your husband is back."

"Husband..." Huanbi followed closely behind, her gentle face flushed with shyness. She bowed gracefully, her voice as soft as a mosquito, "Huanbi pays her respects to husband."

"Bi'er, no need to be polite." Lin Zhen reached out to help her up, his fingertips brushing across the back of her slightly cold hand.

"Husband." Yue Wu held the pipa in her arms, moved lightly with lotus steps, and a faint smile bloomed on her cold face, as if ice and snow had just melted.

"Wei'er." Lin Zhen nodded with a gentle look.

"Husband." Zhang Li stepped forward gracefully, a confident smile on her bright face as she handed over the account book. "The trade route to Beiyan is now open. Li'er is fortunate to have fulfilled her mission."

"Li'er, you've worked hard." Lin Zhen took the account book and handed it to his attendant behind him. His eyes fell on her cheerful face. "With Li'er in the mansion, there's nothing to worry about."

"My husband," Shangguan Wan'er stepped forward last, bowing gracefully. Her voice was steady and composed. "You must have traveled hard on this journey. I have prepared a fragrant soup to welcome you home."

Lin Zhen stretched out his hand to support her, his eyes fixed on the depths of her calm eyes.

Finally, his gaze turned to Chu Xiling.

She was still standing there, her cold face calm, only her focused eyes were looking at him quietly.

The sling on his left arm was particularly eye-catching.

"Ling'er..." Lin Zhen's voice was low, with a hint of imperceptible pity, and he strode towards her. "The injury... is getting better."

"It's okay." Chu Xiling said calmly, "As long as my husband is safe."

Cheng Xuan quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, Lord Chu, the remaining poison has been cleared. He just needs to rest."

"Yeah." Lin Zhen gave Chu Xiling a deep look, his eyes sweeping over her pale face and her hanging left arm, and finally turned to the crowd, "Let's all go in. It's very windy outside."

The main house of Qixia Garden, the warm room.

In the huge copper bathtub, hot steam is rising, and precious spices and nourishing medicinal herbs are floating in it.

Lin Zhen closed his eyes and leaned against the edge of the basin, letting the warm water wrap around his tired body.

The wind and frost of Beiyan seemed to be slowly washed away at this moment.