On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

A smile flashed in Lin Zhen's eyes.

It is not easy to popularize the study of things, but it is rare that the Ministry of Works can send personnel to the market to preach.

He left quietly without disturbing her.

After passing through the market, we came to a relatively quiet street.

There are mostly residential houses here, with white walls and black tiles, and bluestone roads worn smooth by time.

Several children were chasing and playing at the alley entrance, their laughter ringing.

An old woman sat on a low stool in front of the door, squinting her eyes and mending clothes in the morning light.

In the corner, a few fat hens were leisurely pecking at the grains on the ground.

"Grandma Wang, has your family received the food for the elderly and lonely?" A woman carrying a vegetable basket passed by and stopped to ask.

"I received it, I received it..." The old woman raised her head, the wrinkles on her face smoothing out. "At the beginning of the month, the village head personally sent me a bushel of rice, half a catty of oil, and two hundred coins. It's enough for me to eat and live for a while."

"That's good!" the woman said with a smile, "The court really cares about us now..."

"Yes, yes..." The old woman nodded repeatedly, "I heard that it was His Majesty who personally issued an order to treat the elderly well."

Lin Zhen paused slightly.

Murong Yan...she really took this matter to heart.

The "Office of Relief for the Elderly and Orphans" was established, with funds allocated by the Ministry of Households and local village heads responsible for distribution to ensure that it truly benefited the elderly and helpless.

Although this matter is small, it shows kindness.

"Sir, are you looking for someone?" the old woman noticed him and asked kindly.

"Just passing by." Lin Zhen nodded slightly.

"Oh... my dear, take care..." The old woman continued to sew with her head down.

Near noon, Lin Zhen arrived at "Wenhuafang" in the south of the city.

There are many bookshops here, and the fragrance of ink is everywhere.

Many students in Confucian robes were walking around, some stopping to read, some chatting in low voices.

"Boss, do you have a new version of 'The Beginning of the Study of Things'?" asked a young student.

"Yes, it just arrived!" The shopkeeper pulled a plainly bound blue book from under the counter. "Compiled by Master Chu, and printed under the supervision of the Ministry of Works, it contains information on the principles of levers, the application of pulleys, and illustrations of simple waterwheels. It's all practical knowledge, and it only costs five hundred coins!"

"Five hundred wen? So cheap?" the student was surprised.

"The imperial court is subsidizing this to promote the study of things and benefit the people!" the shopkeeper said with a smile, "Your Majesty has said that knowledge cannot be confined to the study; it must benefit the people!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" The students stood in awe and paid for it.

Lin Zhen stopped outside the bookstore for a moment, watching the students rushing to buy practical books such as "Introduction to the Study of Things", "Essentials of Agriculture and Sericulture", and "Illustrated Book of Hundreds of Craftsmen", and a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

Murong Yan's move set a precedent by bringing knowledge from the academy to field workshops, which will benefit her in the long run.

As the sun rose higher, Lin Zhen returned to Zhuque Street and sat down in a window seat on the second floor of a teahouse called "Qingfenglou".

I ordered a pot of Biluochun and some exquisite snacks.

Looking out the window, you can see the bustling long street.

There are a lot of cars and people walking on the street.

The vendors were shouting, and the store was packed with customers. At the grain store entrance, shop assistants were unloading the newly arrived "Jiangnan tribute rice," the grains of which were plump and translucent.

In front of the cloth shop, a woman was selecting "new silk from Suzhou and Hangzhou" with bright colors.

In the pharmacy, the doctor was taking the patient's pulse while the apprentice was busy preparing medicine.

There were also peddlers carrying loads on their shoulders, shaking rattles and selling small items such as needles and thread, sugar figures, and clay whistles.

Children chased and laughed around the peddler, and their clear laughter filled the long street.

In the distance, towards the canal dock, masts stood in rows and the sound of horns could be heard faintly.

Those were the canal ships loading and unloading cargo, bringing in silk, tea, and porcelain from the south, and taking away furs, medicinal herbs, and coal from the north.

The blood of the empire flows along this ancient waterway.

Lin Zhen picked up the teacup and took a sip. The fragrance of Biluochun lingered on his tongue.

He quietly looked at the prosperous scene outside the window, his heart in turmoil.

The thunder of Beiyan, the shadow of Burning Sky Thunder, and the smoke of war on the border all seemed to have gone far away.

The picture of peace and prosperity before him is the final destination that he has been striving for after fighting so hard and exhausting all his energy.

The new policy has begun to show results, people's livelihood is gradually improving, the seeds of the study of things are sown, Murong Yan is a model mother of the country, sympathetic to the people's feelings, and everything is developing in a good direction.

However, he knew very well that this peace was like thin ice in autumn.

The Rouran and Gaochang were eyeing the situation covetously, the undercurrents in the court were still lingering, there was still resistance to the implementation of the new policies, and it would take time to improve people's livelihood.

The road ahead is still long.

The sun was setting in the west, and Lin Zhen got up and went downstairs.

The guards have quietly settled the bill.

He walked slowly out of the teahouse and blended into the bustling crowd.

The golden glow of the setting sun sprinkled on the long street, casting a warm halo on this prosperous imperial capital.

Returning to the palace, he passed through the numerous palace gates and headed straight for the imperial study.

The hall was brightly lit with candles.

Murong Yan was wearing a bright yellow casual dress, without a phoenix crown. She only had a simple bun on her head and a golden phoenix hairpin in her hair. She was reviewing memorials at her desk.

She has picturesque features, a graceful temperament, and a look of concentration with a barely perceptible hint of fatigue.

There was a mountain of memorials piled on the desk, and next to it was a plate of almost untouched snacks and half a cup of cold ginseng tea.

"Yan'er..." Lin Zhen walked into the hall with a low voice.

Murong Yan looked up when she heard the voice and saw him. A gentle smile instantly spread across her eyes, like ice and snow just beginning to melt: "My husband is here."

She put down her red brush and stood up to greet him.

"Yeah." Lin Zhen walked to the desk and glanced at the pile of memorials. "I went for a walk on the street to see the effectiveness of the new policy."

"Oh?" Murong Yan's eyes flashed with interest, "What do you think, my husband?"

"Beiyan coal benefits the people, new agricultural tools are being promoted effectively, pensions for the elderly and orphans are being provided, and the study of things is gaining popularity." Lin Zhen said succinctly, "The streets are prosperous, the people are living in peace, and Your Majesty is governing the country wisely."

Murong Yan's face flushed slightly, but her eyes were filled with genuine joy. "This is the result of the concerted efforts of my husband and all the ministers. I am merely enjoying the fruits of their labor."

"Your Majesty is too modest." Lin Zhen's eyes fell on her slightly tired face. "The implementation of the new policy has encountered many obstacles. Without Your Majesty's coordination and strong support, it would be difficult to achieve the results we have today."

"Husband..." Murong Yan's heart warmed as she held his hand. "I only wish to be your strongest support. This country was conquered by you, sword and spear. I only hope to govern it well, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and live up to your bloody efforts."

"I understand Yan'er's feelings." Lin Zhen held her hand, and a slightly cool temperature came from his fingertips.

Murong Yan nodded obediently and pulled him over to the table. "My dear, please take a look at this new 'Capital Water Conservancy Dredging Map' submitted by the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue's proposal for 'Jiangnan Flood Relief'."

Lin Zhen stood side by side with her at the desk, examining the drawings and memorials together.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the figures of the two people leaning on each other.

He pointed out the direction of the river on the blueprint and analyzed the pros and cons of the dredging project; she added details on the allocation of disaster relief funds and food, and proposed a plan for the resettlement of refugees.

The two men talked in low voices, in perfect understanding, like the most tacit partners, planning together the future of this land.

The palace maid quietly served hot tea and reheated snacks.

Murong Yan picked up a piece of exquisite osmanthus cake and handed it to Lin Zhen's lips: "Husband, try it, it's freshly made from the imperial kitchen."

Lin Zhen took a bite from her hand. It was sweet, soft, and had a strong sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance. "Hmm, not bad."

Murong Yan's eyes curved, and she picked up a piece and took a small bite.

The pile of memorials on the desk and the dark night outside the window seemed to be isolated from this warm moment.

At this moment, they are not the feared Prince of Zhenbei and the queen who is the mother of the country, but just an ordinary couple who understand each other and work hand in hand. In this imperial study with flickering candlelight, they share simple sweetness and plan their common future.