On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The setting sun dyed the sky a gorgeous orange.

As dusk fell, gauze lanterns were lit in the Bi Bo Xuan waterside pavilion.

The warm yellow light reflected on the pool water, making it sparkle and contrast with the sunset glow in the sky.

On the low table, there were a few light side dishes: steamed sea bass, blanched choy sum, crab roe tofu, and a plate of crystal clear lotus leaf glutinous rice cake made by Huanbi herself.

A pot of warm osmanthus wine exudes a sweet aroma.

"Bi'er, will you join me for a drink?" Lin Zhen picked up the wine jug and looked at Huanbi, who sat across from him. She had freshly washed and dressed in a plain, moon-white nightgown. Her eyes were slightly red, but her expression had returned to calm, with only a hint of indescribable gentleness between her brows.

Huanbi nodded gently: "Okay."

Lin Zhen poured her half a glass of amber wine.

Huanbi held up the small white jade wine cup with both hands and took small sips.

The sweet and refreshing osmanthus wine, with a rich osmanthus aroma, slid into her throat, bringing a hint of warmth and quickly turning her slightly cold cheeks red, as if she had applied the finest rouge.

After a few glasses of warm wine, the atmosphere in the pavilion became more peaceful and warm.

The two of them ate quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words, their voices were very low, as if they were afraid to disturb the tranquility in the twilight.

Huanbi served food to Lin Zhen, her movements still gentle and delicate, but there was a little more attachment in her eyes.

"Bi'er..." Lin Zhen put down his silver chopsticks, his eyes fixed on her slightly tipsy face. "You said earlier that you wanted to stay in the palace for the rest of your life. So, what wish, Bi'er, can be fulfilled in the palace?"

Huanbi raised her hazy, drunken eyes and looked at him with sparkling eyes.

The candlelight danced in her clear eyes like twinkling stars. She tilted her head, thinking seriously, her red lips slightly parted, her voice soft with a hint of drunkenness and unprecedented frankness:

"Bi'er's wish is very small..."

"May my husband be healthy, safe, and prosperous, and no longer suffer from the harsh harshness of the north."

"May there be peace and harmony in the mansion, no disasters or misfortunes, and may all my sisters be well."

"I wish Bi'er could always accompany her husband quietly like this, watching the lotus flowers in the pond bloom and fade, fade and bloom again, watching the willows in spring, listening to the lotus in summer, admiring the chrysanthemums in autumn, and watching the snow in winter..."

Her voice was as soft as a dream, carrying the simplest wishes, without lofty words or grand ambitions, but only cherishment and protection for the people in front of her and for her current life.

This wish is like a water lily in a pond, which does not fight or compete, but has its own tranquil and long-lasting fragrance.

Lin Zhen listened quietly, his deep eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight and her serious face.

He reached out his hand, reached over the low table, and gently placed it on her hand on her knee.

Her hands were slightly cold and trembled slightly under his warm palms.

"Okay." His voice was low and solemn, carrying the weight of a promise, "I, your husband, promise Bi'er."

Huanbi smiled contentedly, her smile pure and warm, like the moonlight that parted the clouds.

She took his hand in hers, her fingertips tentative yet timid. She rested her head gently on his shoulder, feeling his steady breath and warm body temperature.

As the night deepened, the water in the pond turned as dark as ink.

Lin Zhen took Huanbi's hand and walked to the railing beside the waterside pavilion.

Huanbi took out two small and exquisite lotus lanterns that she had prepared long ago from her sleeves.

The wick was lit, and the warm orange light swayed in the darkness.

......

In the autumn in the capital, the sky is high and the clouds are light, and the golden wind brings a cool breeze.

The heavy vermilion lacquered gate of the palace slowly opened. Lin Zhen was wearing a plain indigo brocade casual suit, with a silk sash of the same color tied around his waist. He wore no jade ornaments, only an inconspicuous ebony waist badge.

He stood at the steps, his hands behind his back, his dark cloak fluttering slightly in the wind, his deep gaze sweeping across the long street. Behind him, only two guards, also in casual clothes, followed, their aura reserved, like ordinary servants.

"Your Highness, would you like a carriage prepared?" the butler asked, bowing.

"No need." Lin Zhen said calmly, "Let's go."

He walked down the stone steps and stepped onto the bluestone pavement of Zhuque Street.

As the morning light faded, the long street gradually came to life. Shops on both sides opened one after another, shop assistants unloaded shutters and swept the steps. The sounds of hawkers, greetings, and the rumble of wheels over stone slabs blended into a bustling atmosphere.

The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked Hu pancakes, the steaming heat of breakfast, and the moist vapor wafting from the distant canal.

Lin Zhen walked slowly, his eyes calmly scanning the street scene.

Compared with the imperial capital before the Northern Expedition in my memory, the long street in front of me seemed to have a bit more vitality.

"Exclusively for the sale of Beiyan Coal." A newly made sign with gold letters on a black background comes into view.

The shop was small, but neat and orderly. A long queue lined up at the door, mostly porters, hawkers, and ordinary people in coarse shorts.

Inside the shop, the clerk was skillfully weighing the black coal blocks, while the shopkeeper was loudly announcing the weight and price.

"Boss, give me fifty kilograms of honeycomb coal!" A middle-aged man handed over copper coins.

"Okay, old customer, would you like to keep the account?" the shopkeeper asked with a smile.

"Keep the accounts and settle them at the end of the month!" the man said readily.

"Okay, old rules!" The shopkeeper took note and called out, "Next!"

Lin Zhen stopped for a moment.

He recognized the man; he was the kitchen helper at the Fulai Inn in the south of the city.

Beiyan coal is cheap and durable, and much easier to burn than firewood. It is especially popular among small businesses and ordinary people.

It seems that Zhang Li's strategy of opening up trade routes and setting up exclusive outlets has been very effective.

"Sir, would you like to buy some coal?" The waiter greeted him warmly when he saw him stop.

"Let's see." Lin Zhen nodded, his eyes sweeping over the coal blocks and specially made honeycomb briquettes piled up in the store. "Is this coal good to burn?"

"It's great!" the waiter perked up. "It burns long-lastingly, produces little smoke, and burns brightly. It's much better than firewood, and cheaper too. You see, these honeycomb briquettes are specially made, making them both economical and easy to use!"

"Yeah." Lin Zhen nodded, turned around and left without saying anything more.

Behind me came the waiter's enthusiastic voice of seeing me off.

Not far ahead, there is a bustling market.

There is a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, needles and thread, cloth and groceries.

The sounds of hawking and bargaining are heard one after another, full of the atmosphere of fireworks.

"The newly arrived improved plow from the north is light and labor-saving, and can be used to reclaim wasteland and cultivate fields with twice the result with half the effort!" A vendor shouted loudly, and many people who looked like farmers gathered in front of the stall.

"Is this plow as easy to use as you said?" An old farmer picked up a curved plow made of iron and wood and looked at it carefully.

"My dear, you'll know after you try it!" the stall owner patted his chest. "This is a new one from the Ministry of Industry, using the blueprints of Master Chu from the Hundred Workers' Pavilion. It's lightweight, maneuverable, and uses half the effort of an old straight-beam plow. It creates deep, straight trenches!"

"How much is a pair?" asked the old farmer.

"It's not expensive, only three taels of silver! There are subsidies from the government! The price can be reduced by half if you are a farmer!" said the stall owner.

"Really?" The old farmer's eyes lit up.

"It's absolutely true. Look, here is a notice from the Ministry of Industry!" The stall owner pointed to a wooden sign next to him.

Lin Zhen glanced at the notice, which clearly read "Promote new agricultural tools to help farmers increase production and income", and was signed with the seal of the Ministry of Industry.

He nodded slightly. Chu Xiling's drawings for improved agricultural tools, effectively promoted by the Ministry of Industry, benefited agriculture and sericulture. This was fundamental.

"Sir, would you like to buy a plow?" the stall owner asked tentatively, noting his extraordinary demeanor.

"Take a look." Lin Zhen said, his eyes falling on an inconspicuous corner nearby.

There, a young man dressed in the uniform of a clerk from the Ministry of Works was patiently explaining the structural principles of a new waterwheel to several farmers who were watching, with a simple blueprint spread out on the ground.

"This waterwheel uses gear transmission to increase water-drawing efficiency by three times, which is especially useful in the dry season..." The clerk explained it a little haltingly, but in a serious manner.

"Little sir, what is this gear?" a farmer asked, scratching his head.

"It's...it's the iron wheels that bite into each other..." The clerk gestured, sweat breaking out on his forehead with anxiety.