On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The morning light of Qixia Garden shines through the intricately carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the rosewood floor.

The air is filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and elegant orchid, mixed with the coolness of morning dew, creating a solemn and peaceful atmosphere.

Shangguan Wan'er had been up for a long time. Her black hair was meticulously tied into a dignified bun, with a phoenix hairpin with kingfisher feathers and a pearl inserted diagonally. She was wearing a lilac-colored palace dress embroidered with a golden phoenix pattern and sat upright in front of the dressing table.

The bronze mirror reflected her calm face, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn water, her face lightly powdered, her lips dotted with cinnabar, her elegance and grace revealed a subtle majesty.

She was carefully drawing the tips of her eyebrows, her movements gentle and precise, as meticulous as when handling the complicated affairs of the mansion.

"Wan'er..." Lin Zhen's voice came from behind him, with the laziness of waking up in the morning and a hint of gentleness.

He had stood up, wearing a moon-white brocade suit, standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on several crabapple trees in the courtyard that were about to bloom.

"My husband is awake." Shangguan Wan'er put down her eyebrow pencil, stood up and bowed gracefully, her movements smooth and elegant. "I will help you change your clothes."

"No need." Lin Zhen turned around and walked to her side, his eyes fixed on the depths of her calm eyes, "Wan'er'er...did you get a good rest last night?"

"Thank you for your concern, my husband. I am fine." Shangguan Wan'er lowered her eyes, her voice calm, but her ears were slightly red, which was hardly noticeable.

Last night, he stayed in the main house of Qixia Garden.

Unlike Qingwen's liveliness and Zhang Li's enthusiasm, Shangguan Wan'er's gentleness is like a still stream, implicit and long-lasting.

She is serious and polite, but not unromantic. It's just that the affection is hidden beneath her dignified demeanor and can only be detected by careful appreciation.

"Wan'er, thank you for your hard work in the mansion." Lin Zhen raised his hand and brushed the cold phoenix hairpin and pearls in her hair with his fingertips, his movements gentle.

"It's my job, so why bother?" Shangguan Wan'er leaned slightly aside, avoiding his overly intimate touch, but her face showed no sign of displeasure. She simply said, "Breakfast is ready in the living room. Today we have your husband's favorite dishes, 'Crab Roe Soup Dumplings' and 'Chicken and Silver Sprout Porridge.'"

"Well, you understand me best." Lin Zhen nodded.

In the flower hall, on the mahogany round table, the bowls and plates are exquisite and the dishes are light and delicious.

Lin Zhen and Shangguan Wan'er sat opposite each other and had breakfast quietly.

There was no chattering of Qingwen, no lively conversation of Zhang Li, only the subtle clatter of dishes and chopsticks and the occasional bird song outside the window.

Shangguan Wan'er held the chopsticks and served the dishes with elegant and calm movements. She first picked up a soup dumpling for Lin Zhen, then poured him half a bowl of porridge, and finally added some side dishes for herself.

She ate silently, chewing slowly and carefully, her posture as perfect as a palace painting.

"Wan'er..." Lin Zhen put down his silver chopsticks, "How are the plans for the flower viewing banquet in the palace next month?"

Shangguan Wan'er also put down her chopsticks and wiped the corner of her lips with a silk handkerchief. "The invitations have been sent out according to the rank list. The banquet menu has been drawn up and is presented to my husband for his review."

She gestured to the maid standing beside her to hand over a piece of plain paper.

Lin Zhen took it and glanced at it. "Very good. But this crystal dragon and phoenix cake is not good. Yan'er doesn't like sweet things. You can try the 'Fuling Eight Treasures Cake' instead."

"Yes. I was negligent." Shangguan Wan'er bowed slightly. "Tell the kitchen to change it immediately."

"Guest seating arrangement..."

"According to the old rules, the order of princes, dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons is followed. Female relatives follow the rank of their husbands' families. However..." Shangguan Wan'er pondered for a moment, "Now that Daqian has promoted a duke, and he's also seriously ill, should his seating be determined according to his official rank?"

"Wan'er is very thoughtful." Lin Zhen's eyes flashed with approval. "Just leave it empty. Prepare a simple gift and send it over as a token of comfort."

"I understand." Shangguan Wan'er replied.

Lin Zhen picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Shangguan Wan'er's expression was slightly tense, and her voice lowered a little: "My husband, the other day, the wife of Minister Li of the Ministry of Revenue came to visit and her words were quite probing. She asked about the war in Northern Yan and the matter of the Burning Sky Thunder. I simply declined, as a woman's duty, and did not ask about external affairs."

"Minister Li..." Lin Zhen tapped his fingertips lightly on the table. "Oh, who does he think he is? I guess Yan'er sent him to find out."

"Not only that, the spring dress material delivered by the palace clothing bureau yesterday was 30% thicker than last year," Shangguan Wan'er continued. "The eunuch who delivered the material spoke respectfully, but his eyes flickered."

"A generous reward must come with a request." Lin Zhen said calmly, "How should Wan'er respond?"

"I accept all the orders and give you double the reward," Shangguan Wan'er said. "The materials have been stored. Please tell me what to do with them, my husband."

"You handled it very well." Lin Zhen nodded, "Distribute the materials to each hospital and make a few more suits. Don't worry about it."

"Yes." Shangguan Wan'er replied, and then added, "There is one more thing. A chief sent his son to deliver a gift, saying that it is to congratulate my husband on his great victory in Northern Yan. The gift list is here." She handed over another piece of plain paper.

Lin Zhen glanced at the gift list: ten hu of eastern pearls, fifty sable skins, twenty hundred-year-old ginsengs, and ten Western Region horses, which were of great value.

Lin Zhen's lips curled up in a cold arc, "Wan'er, what do you think?"

"No merit, no reward. Furthermore, the Feng Falcon Tribe has been rebellious before." Shangguan Wan'er said in a cold voice, "I have already declined. My husband has ordered that no gifts from outsiders be accepted. The gift has been returned intact."

"Wan'er is very much in my heart." Lin Zhen's smile deepened.

"I am stupid. I only know to do my duty and not give others any advantage." Shangguan Wan'er lowered her eyes.

"This is the greatest wisdom." Lin Zhen stretched out his hand, crossed the table, and gently covered her hand on her knee.

Her hands were slightly cool, her knuckles were slender, but there were thin calluses on her palms (from years of writing as a housekeeper).

Shangguan Wan'er's body stiffened slightly, but she did not pull her hand back, only the blush on her ears deepened.

"My dear husband, you are too kind."

In the afternoon, in the Qixia Garden study.

Lin Zhen did not handle official business, but leaned on the soft couch by the window, closing his eyes to rest.

Shangguan Wan'er sat at her desk, a thick volume of "The Imperial Palace's Internal Affairs" spread out before her. Holding a red brush, she carefully reviewed it. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting a soft shadow on her calm profile.

The room was quiet, with only the rustling sound of the red brush scratching across the paper and the ticking of the clock.

"Wan'er," Lin Zhen opened his eyes and his gaze fell on her focused profile.

"Husband." Shangguan Wan'er stopped writing and looked up.

"How about playing a game of chess with your husband?" Lin Zhen pointed to the rosewood chessboard in the corner.

"Okay." Shangguan Wan'er put down her red brush, stood up, walked to the chessboard, and knelt on the cushion. The black and white jade chess pieces were warm and gleaming.

Lin Zhen plays black and makes the first move, placing a piece at the Tianyuan position. Shangguan Wan'er plays white and makes a piece at the Xing position.

The two players had very different styles of play. Lin Zhen's moves were swift, his moves wide open and wide, his attacks fierce and fierce, like a battle on the battlefield. Shangguan Wan'er, on the other hand, was calm and reserved, carefully planning each move, her defense impenetrable, and her occasional counterattacks often concealed ulterior motives.

On the chessboard, black and white are intertwined, and murderous intent is hidden.

"Wan'er's chess skills are getting better and better." Lin Zhen placed a piece, blocking a big dragon of white chess.

"My dear husband, thank you for your kindness." Shangguan Wan'er's expression remained unchanged. She picked up a white piece with her slender fingers and gently placed it down. It seemed insignificant, but it quietly neutralized the black chess's offensive. "I am just being humble."

"Remaining simple is also the right path." Lin Zhen's eyes were deep. "Just like this palace, which appears calm but actually has undercurrents. Wan'er is the stabilizing force."

"My husband, you are too kind." Shangguan Wan'er shook her head slightly. "I am only doing my duty. The peace and tranquility of the mansion are due to your prestige and virtue."

"Power and virtue..." Lin Zhen dropped his son and said in a low voice, "Power can deter villains, but virtue needs to be accumulated over time. Wan'er's ability to manage the household effectively is the greatest virtue of a husband."

Shangguan Wan'er paused slightly while holding her son's hand, and a ripple appeared in her cold eyes.

She was silent for a moment, then placed a move: "Husband... this game is a draw."

Lin Zhen looked down and saw that the black and white pieces on the chessboard were evenly matched, indicating a draw.

"A draw is a good one." Lin Zhen raised his eyes and looked at her. "As long as Wan'er is here in this mansion, it's a draw."

Shangguan Wan'er lowered her eyes, avoiding his burning gaze, her cheeks slightly reddened, "My husband, it's time for lunch."

After dinner, in the warm room of Qixia Garden.

Red candles burned brightly, and warm fragrance filled the air. Shangguan Wan'er removed her hairpins and rings, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall. She wore only a plain white dress. She knelt on the soft couch, gently massaging Lin Zhen's shoulders and neck.

Her technique was not very skillful, but her strength was just right, with a cautious tenderness.

"Wan'er..." Lin Zhen closed his eyes, feeling the coolness and strength of her fingertips.

"Hmm?" Shangguan Wan'er responded softly.

"You've worked hard these past two years." Lin Zhen said in a low voice, "A large palace attracts the wind. You've been working hard both inside and outside the palace."

"It is my duty to share my husband's worries," Shangguan Wan'er said softly, "I only wish my husband peace and tranquility in the mansion."

"Peace..." Lin Zhen opened his eyes and held her hand on his shoulder. "Wan'er, you know this peace is hard-earned. Bei Yan's actions have added so much blood debt to her husband's hands."

Shangguan Wan'er shuddered slightly, then tightened her grip on his hand. A hint of tenderness lingered in her voice, "My husband fought for the country, and he rid the people of harm. Gu Beichen deserved what he got. That's not a blood debt, it's meritorious service."

"Achievements..." Lin Zhen smiled bitterly, "Behind all achievements are countless bones. Have you ever been afraid of your husband?"

Shangguan Wan'er raised her head, her calm eyes gazing directly at him, her gaze clear and resolute. "In Wan'er's heart, my husband will always be that invincible young man. No matter how much blood is stained on your hands, I only know that everything you do is to protect those you should protect. I'm not afraid. I only feel sorry for you, for the heavy burden you shoulder."

Lin Zhen's heart trembled, and he held her in his arms.

Shangguan Wan'er snuggled up to him meekly, her cheek against his solid chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

At this moment, she was no longer the dignified and steady queen, but just a wife who loved her husband.

"I feel at ease as long as Wan'er is with me." Lin Zhen's low voice sounded above her head.

"Wan'er will always be with her husband." Shangguan Wan'er murmured softly.

late at night.

The brocade curtain hangs low.

Shangguan Wan'er had fallen into a deep sleep, breathing evenly.

Lin Zhen, however, was not sleepy at all. He stared at her peaceful sleeping face in the dim light coming in from the window.

The dignity and solemnity she had during the day faded away, and in her sleep, there was a barely perceptible hint of weakness and dependence between her brows.

He recalled her efficiency in handling government affairs during the day, her composure in responding to temptations, her subtle moves on the chessboard, and her gentle words just now: "I only feel sorry for my husband."

She is his legal wife, his good helper, his most solid support in times of trouble, and the softest harbor in his heart.

He gently brushed away a strand of hair from her forehead and stroked her smooth cheek with his fingertips.

Outside the window, the moonlight is like water. The undercurrent of Beijing surges in the night, but at this moment, within this warm brocade tent, only the breathing and heartbeat of each other are real and peaceful.

He closed his eyes and hugged her tighter.