On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The tranquility of the Royal Academy in the twilight was left far behind. In the imperial study of the Imperial Palace, the candlelight was about to go out and the light was slightly dim.

Murong Yan took off her bright yellow regular clothes and put on a simple and elegant moon-white soft satin nightgown. Her black hair was like a waterfall, loosely tied up with only a jade hairpin. She had shed the majesty of an empress and gained a bit of homely gentleness.

She was leaning on the rosewood couch by the window, holding a book in her hand, but her eyes were not on the pages. Instead, she was looking through the half-open window lattice at the sparse stars and moon in the courtyard.

Lin Zhen sat on the edge of the couch, having changed his dark casual clothes into a comfortable indigo silk shirt, holding a cup of warm ginseng tea in his hand.

"Husband," Murong Yan put down the book, her voice soft and soft, with a barely perceptible hint of weariness, "I was very happy today at the academy watching those children listen to you talk about levers and see them put them into practice."

Lin Zhen handed the ginseng tea to her: "As long as Yan'er likes it."

Murong Yan took the teacup, and her fingertips accidentally touched his palm, bringing a slight warm throbbing.

She lowered her eyes and sipped the warm ginseng tea. The warmth dispelled the chill of late autumn.

"My dear husband, do you know?" She raised her eyes, her light like water reflecting the flickering candlelight, "I love to see you teaching the most."

"Oh?" Lin Zhen raised his eyebrows.

"At that time," Murong Yan's lips curved slightly, a gentle smile on her face. "There was a light in your eyes. It wasn't the deepness of the court, nor the sharpness of the battlefield. It was a pure focus and passion. It was as if those levers, pulleys, and waterwheels were living spirits in your eyes. You were conversing with them, exploring the ultimate truth of heaven and earth."

Her voice was soft, like a dream whisper: "Looking at you like this, I feel peace and pride in my heart. This is my husband, King Zhenbei, Lin Zhen."

Lin Zhen's heart moved slightly, and he stared at her with his deep eyes.

In the candlelight, her fair face was glowing with a soft halo, and her eyes, without the imperial crown, revealed complete trust and attachment.

He reached out his hand and gently brushed away a strand of hair from her cheek, his fingertips stroking her delicate skin.

"Yan'er," his voice was low, with a barely perceptible hoarseness.

"Hmm?" Murong Yan looked up at him.

"I am the same," Lin Zhen said. "I love to see Yan'er speaking with great vigor in the Purple Palace, or talking to children in the academy about governing a country. The light in Yan'er's eyes at that time is the great love and wisdom that seeks the welfare of the world. This is my Queen Murong Yan."

Murong Yan's cheeks were slightly red and her eyes were shining.

She set down the teacup and gently placed her hand on the back of his, which rested on the edge of the couch. Their palms pressed together, conveying silent warmth and affection. No further words were needed; the silence and understanding they shared at this moment was the most profound confession of love.

In the imperial study, the flickering candlelight cast the figures of the two people leaning on each other on the wall, stretching them out very long.

After a brief moment of tenderness, Murong Yan sighed softly, a trace of solemnity between her brows.

"Husband," she said in a low voice, "something has changed in Nanchu."

Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed: "What's the matter?"

"King Gu Beichen of Southern Chu is dead," Murong Yan said. "He was assassinated. The murderer is unknown."

Lin Zhen was silent for a moment. Gu Beichen, the hero of Southern Chu, though hostile to Daqian, was still considered a great man.

His death will undoubtedly stir up the situation in southern Xinjiang.

"The Southern Chu court has determined that it was Daqian who did this," Murong Yan continued. "They have officially notified us of the suspension of annual tributes and deployed troops on the border as a threat."

"The annual tribute is a promise made after a defeat." Lin Zhen said calmly, "The severance is expected. The deployment of troops is just a bluff."

"My original intention was to conquer." A fierce look flashed in Murong Yan's eyes.

She paused, her voice tinged with fatigue. "My dear husband, for the past two years, the Great Qian Dynasty has been engaged in campaigns against the Guifang in the north, pacified the Rouran in the west, pacified pirates in the east, and suppressed the Miao rebellion in the south. Wars have been raging year after year. Although the treasury is full, the soldiers are exhausted, and the people need to recuperate. Another southern expedition might not be a good idea."

"Yan'er has thought it through." Lin Zhen nodded, then took her hand in his. "Southern Chu is a scabby mess. There's endless internal strife there. Gu Beichen's death has only exacerbated the situation. Deploying troops on the border is just a diversion. An expedition at this time would be exactly what they want. It would be a waste of national and civilian resources."

"However, the annual supply cut-off will lead to border instability, which is a hidden danger." Murong Yan frowned.

"No rush." ​​Lin Zhen said calmly, "The most urgent task is the northern border."

"Northern Frontier?" Murong Yan was slightly stunned.

"Although the Rouran have retreated, their vitality remains intact." Lin Zhen's eyes were deep. "Gaochang and Tubo are also eyeing us covetously. The northern border is a serious threat. Southern Chu is a minor problem. We must prioritize our responsibilities."

"What do you mean, my husband?" Murong Yan asked.

"Strengthen the northern border, connect with the Western Regions, unite with the tribes of the northern desert, and build the northern Great Wall." Lin Zhen said, "Once the northern border is united, Southern Chu will have nothing to fear. At that time, whether to pacify or suppress will be entirely up to me."

"To secure the northern border, we need a lot of troops and money." Murong Yan said.

"Our Great Qian now has a strong army and sufficient food supplies." Lin Zhen's eyes flashed with confidence, "Burning Sky Thunders are deployed on the border troops. Iron Dragons transport troops and food. Telegraphs are communicating instantly. The power of studying things is no longer what it used to be. We are more than capable of holding our ground."

He paused and said, "Not all of the northern borders need weapons."

"Oh?" Murong Yan's eyes lit up slightly, "What's your plan, husband?"

"Qin State." Lin Zhen uttered two words.

"Qin," Murong Yan pondered, "Qin is a land of bitter cold and fierce people. King Yingji of Qin is a man of great talent, but he has no close ties with our Great Qian. How can I get him to help me?"

"It's not to help me." Lin Zhen shook his head, "but to make them surrender."

"Submit?" Murong Yan was shocked. "How could Ying Ji be willing to submit?"

"Ying Ji is old," Lin Zhen said. "His son Ying Si is cowardly. His brother Ying Qian is ambitious. There are undercurrents in the Qin court. This is one of them."

"Secondly," Lin Zhen continued, "Qin is located in the northwest. To the east, it borders Daqian. To the west, it borders Tubo. To the north, it resists the Rouran. To the south, it faces Southern Chu. It's a place surrounded by four enemies and has no strategic location to defend. The heroic leader Yingji could still maneuver. Without Yingji, Qin would be in danger."

"The third one," Lin Zhen said with a deep gaze, "is also the most important point. Wan'er is Yingji's biological niece."

Murong Yan understood instantly: "Shangguan Wan'er's mother is Princess Ying Yu of Qin."

"That's right." Lin Zhen nodded. "Although Wan'er grew up in Daqian, we are related by blood. Yingji cares deeply about her. When Wan'er entered the palace, Yingji secretly sent an envoy with generous gifts."

"My husband wants to use Wan'er as a bond to persuade Yingji to surrender." Murong Yan said.

"It's not just about persuasion," Lin Zhen said, "but about finding a way out for Qin. Submitting to Daqian, the Qin territory will still be governed by the Ying clan. Daqian will help them resist Tubo and Rouran. Opening trade routes will allow them to share the benefits of studying things. The people of Qin can enjoy peace, and the Ying clan can protect their ancestral temples. This is a win-win situation."

"How could the heroic Lord Yingji be willing to live under someone else's roof?" Murong Yan still had doubts.

"So what if you're unwilling?" Lin Zhen said calmly, "This is the general trend. Qin can't stand alone. Submission is the only way to survive. Yingji, a seasoned statesman, should understand this."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I, your husband, am willing to go to the State of Qin to serve as a lobbyist."

"Husband is going there personally?" Murong Yan was shocked. "It's a thousand miles away and there might be risks due to the undercurrents in the Qin court."

"That's all right," Lin Zhen said. "With Iron Dragon and telegraphs, communication is fast. And as a token of my sincerity, I will go. When Yingji sees me in person, he will know our Daqian sincerity."

Murong Yan was silent for a moment, looking at Lin Zhen's firm and deep eyes, the worries in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a warmth and trust.

"My husband, if you can accomplish this," she said with a hint of excitement, "and conquer Qin without a single soldier, expanding the territory by a thousand miles and alleviating the worries on the northern flank, it will be a blessing for Daqian and the people."

"Don't worry, Yan'er." Lin Zhen held her hand tightly, "I will do my best for your husband."

"I will wait for my husband's triumphant return." Murong Yan interlocked her fingers with his, her eyes flashing with trust and expectation.

It was getting late and the dew was heavy. The candlelight in the imperial study was flickering.

Murong Yan snuggled in Lin Zhen's arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, feeling at peace in her heart.

"The annual tribute from Southern Chu has been cut off and the border is unstable. What do you think we should do?" she asked softly.

"Send an envoy to question whether Daqian was responsible for Gu Beichen's death," Lin Zhen said. "Deploying troops to the border is a provocation. Order the southern border troops to be on high alert and not to initiate provocation. Send more Embroidered Uniform Guards to infiltrate Southern Chu to investigate. If they dare to intrude, strike them head-on with Burning Heaven Thunder."

"Good." Murong Yan nodded, "Use stillness to control movement and then strike back."

"The priority is to defend the northern border," Lin Zhen continued. "Speed ​​up the construction of the railway and telegraph line between the Imperial Capital and Yanmen Pass. Ensure the smooth flow of troops, supplies, and information. Order Mao Mengji to organize the army, cultivate land, and comfort the people. Unite with the various tribes in the northern desert to subdue the Rouran."

"Qin State affairs," Murong Yan asked, "When will my husband leave?"

"After Wan'er's letter reaches Qin and Yingji responds," Lin Zhen said, "I will set off."

"Wan'er..." Murong Yan was a little worried.

"That's all right," Lin Zhen said. "Wan'er understands the greater good. She'll understand if it's for Daqian and Qin."

"Yes." Murong Yan nodded, "I will summon Wan'er to the palace tomorrow to discuss in detail."

"Thank you, Yan'er." Lin Zhen said.

"Husband," Murong Yan raised her head, her eyes like water, "The journey to Qin State is long and the mountains are high. Please take care."

"Don't worry, Yan'er." Lin Zhen lowered his head and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead. "Your husband will definitely return safely."

Murong Yan closed her eyes contentedly and buried her face in his chest.