On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Imperial Capital, Zichen Hall.

The warm sun of late winter shines through the towering glazed window lattices, onto the cold golden brick floor, reflecting the quiet yet busy scene inside the hall.

Empress Murong Yan, dressed in bright yellow formal attire, sat behind the imperial desk, concentrating on reviewing a mountain of memorials.

The charcoal brazier dispelled the chill, but it could not dispel the barely perceptible solemnity between her brows.

The situation in the northern border, the unrest in southern Chu, and the implementation of new policies all depend on the fate of the country and cannot be slacked off in the slightest.

The chief eunuch stepped forward and bowed, presenting a sealed, expedited document: "Your Majesty, His Highness has sent this urgent document from Chang'an, eight hundred miles away."

Murong Yan raised her eyes slightly, put down the red pen, and took the document.

The wax seal is intact, and the words "Secret Memorial of King Lin Zhen of Zhenbei" are written on the cover in powerful strokes.

She opened the seal, took out the letter, and glanced quickly over it.

Lin Zhen's steady, powerful handwriting on the letter clearly reported the final outcome of the Qin surrender negotiations: Emperor Yingji of Qin had agreed in principle to surrender, accepting the title "King of Qin." Qin would retain a high degree of autonomy, with Daqian stationing symbolic troops at the key passes of Hangu, Wuguan, and Xiaoguan, and paying an annual tribute of 100,000 taels of silver. However, there was an additional condition: Yingji would marry his legitimate daughter, Princess Yuhua, to Lin Zhen as his concubine, cementing the friendship between Qin and Jin.

Murong Yan's gaze lingered on the words "Princess Yuhua" and "Concubine Ping" for a moment. Her beautiful face was calm, except for a very faint, indescribable ripple in the depths of her phoenix eyes.

She put down the letter and her fingertips unconsciously ran across the smooth rosewood table.

"Your Majesty," the eunuch asked in a low voice, "what did Your Highness say in the letter?"

"Qin's submission has been completed." Murong Yan's voice was clear and calm, with no emotion to be heard. "However, Ying Ji and I must personally go to Hangu Pass to set up an altar and sign the credential."

"Hangu Pass," the eunuch chief was slightly surprised, "it's a thousand miles through the wind and snow."

"That's fine." Murong Yan interrupted him, "An iron dragon will arrive one day to pass on the order."

Her voice deepened, carrying an undeniable authority. "Immediately order the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of War to work with the Thunder Burning Division to prepare for the Hangu Pass oath-taking ceremony. Dispatch a special Iron Dragon train to escort me personally to Hangu Pass. Also, inform the Prince of Zhenbei that I approve his request for a marriage alliance."

"As you wish!" The chief eunuch bowed and accepted the order, then quickly withdrew.

Silence returned to the palace. Murong Yan's gaze once again fell on the secret letter, her fingertips lightly brushing over the name "Princess Yuhua."

A faint smile spread across her lips, carrying with it the broad-mindedness of an emperor who saw through the world.

"The Qin Kingdom's annexation and the stabilization of the northern border are a blessing for the nation," she whispered softly, her voice echoing softly in the empty hall. "If my husband's marriage to a concubine can save thousands of miles of territory and millions of lives from war, it will be worth it."

In her heart, Lin Zhen is her husband and the king of Daqian.

His residence, like the Purple Palace, carries not only the love between young men and women, but also the balance of the country.

Having another concubine of noble status who is a good friend of both countries will be beneficial to the overall situation and will not cause any harm.

As for how stunningly beautiful Princess Yuhua was and what her personality was like, in Murong Yan's view, it was just the icing on the cake.

She trusted Lin Zhen's determination and was even more confident in her position in his heart.

This trust and open-mindedness stems from her status as an empress and her deep understanding of Lin Zhen.

A few days later, Hangu Pass.

This majestic pass, which guards the gateway to Qin and has experienced thousands of years of war, stands tall in the cold wind of deep winter.

Above the city wall, flags fluttered in the wind.

On the open plain in front of the pass, a towering white marble altar rises from the ground. The three-tiered altar, adorned with coiled dragons and cloud patterns, exudes a solemn and awe-inspiring presence. In the center of the altar stands a massive bronze tripod, from which smoke curls upwards into the sky.

Around the altar, the Daqian black-armored imperial guards and the Qin black-armored warriors were stationed on both sides, with bright armor and swords and spears like a forest, and a murderous aura filled the sky and the earth.

The air was filled with the fragrance of burning pines and cypresses, the chill of weapons, and a sense of impending storm.

The cold wind blew up the remaining snow on the ground and lashed it on people's faces.

Yet, at this moment, there was total silence, one could hear a pin drop. Everyone's eyes were focused on the altar.

At the exact time of Chen, the trumpets blew long and the drums roared to the sky.

On the east side, Empress Murong Yan of Daqian, surrounded by civil and military officials and elite imperial guards, slowly stepped onto the altar.

She was dressed in a bright yellow court gown embroidered with golden phoenixes, covered with a sable fur cloak of the same color, and a red gold crown with nine dragons and nine phoenixes on her head. A pearl curtain hung down, shading her beautiful and majestic face.

She walked steadily and gracefully, each step carrying the grace and demeanor of an emperor, as if a phoenix from the sky had descended to the mortal world.

On the west side, Emperor Ying Ji of Qin, accompanied by Prime Minister Qin Xiang and important officials of Qin, also ascended the altar.

He was wearing a dark black robe with a coiled dragon pattern and a dark sable fur coat. Although he was still tall and strong, his hair and beard were all white, his face was old, and his brows showed fatigue and loneliness that was difficult to conceal.

His steps were a little heavy, and every step seemed to be stepping on the history and dignity of the Qin State.

The two emperors stood facing each other in front of the bronze tripod at the center of the altar. Their gazes met, calm and composed, yet imbued with immense power.

"Your Majesty Yingji." Murong Yan's voice was clear and pierced through the cold wind.

"Your Majesty Murong." Ying Ji's voice was low and hoarse.

The simple title already indicates the change in status.

The title of Qin emperor came to an end from then on.

The Minister of Rites held a scroll of bright yellow brocade in his hands and read aloud: "Empress Murong Yan of Daqian and King Yingji of Qin respectfully address the spirits of heaven, earth, mountains, rivers, and the state."

"Now, Qin, grateful for Daqian's benevolence, is willing to submit to Daqian and become a permanent vassal. Daqian has promised Yingji the title of King of Qin, a hereditary successor, to rule Qin territory forever. Qin will govern itself and collect its own taxes. Daqian will not send any officials. Daqian will station 5,000 troops to help defend the three key passes of Hangu Pass, Wuguan Pass, and Xiaoguan Pass to protect the territory and the people. Qin will pay an annual tribute of 100,000 taels of silver as a token of submission. Trade routes will be opened to share the benefits of studying all things. Yingji will marry his legitimate daughter, Princess Yuhua, to Daqian's Zhenbei King, Lin Zhen, as his concubine to solidify the friendship between Qin and Jin. The two countries will form an eternal alliance, vowing non-aggression and mutual resistance against foreign aggression. This oath is witnessed by heaven and earth, and the sun and moon will shine forth! Anyone who betrays will be punished by both gods and men!"

The ceremony is over.

The Minister of Rites presented two copies of imperial letters, each embroidered with a dragon in gold thread and mounted on a jade scroll, to Murong Yan and Ying Ji respectively.

Murong Yan picked up the imperial brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and signed her name on the imperial letter, right where "Daqian Empress Murong Yan" should be. The handwriting was clear and powerful, carrying the decisiveness of an emperor.

Ying Ji took a deep breath, took the imperial pen with trembling hands, and his eyes lingered on the signature "King Qin Ying Ji" for a long time. Finally, he wrote his own name heavily.

The writing is vigorous, yet reveals an indescribable sadness and helplessness.

The two letters of credence were exchanged.

Murong Yan handed the letter of credence signed by Ying Ji to the Minister of Rites, and Ying Ji took the letter of credence signed by Murong Yan, symbolizing the formal conclusion of the alliance between the two countries.

"The ceremony is over!" the Minister of Rites sang loudly.

The sound of drums and music resounded through the sky.

Beneath the altar, the generals and soldiers of Daqian and Qin shouted in unison: "Long live! Long live! Long, long live!"

The sound waves were like tides, shaking the ancient Hangu Pass.

Under the guidance of the ceremonial officer, Murong Yan and Ying Ji slowly walked down the altar.

Murong Yan's gaze naturally fell on the dark figure not far behind Ying Ji.

Princess Yuhua.

She was still wearing a dark black palace gown with a gilded phoenix pattern, her black hair was tied into a stunning bun, and she wore a red gold and kingfisher phoenix hairpin in her hair.

The half-gold fire phoenix mask on her face shone with an even hotter and more mysterious light under the cold winter sun, covering her right eye and half of her cheek, revealing only her smooth forehead, straight nose, graceful jaw, and the left eye that was as clear as the sun reflected in a cold pond, and as bright as a lone star in the dark night.

The cold wind lifted up her dark skirt, making a rustling sound like a flame surging in the dark night.

She stood tall and straight, in front of the solemn military formation, without a trace of cowardice, but instead exuded an aloof arrogance and coldness that was independent of the world.

The lips exposed under the mask were tightly pursed, and their color was bright red, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow, with a kind of stubborn beauty.

Murong Yan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and a hint of imperceptible admiration flashed in her eyes.

This girl has an extraordinary demeanor and is indeed not comparable to ordinary girls in the boudoir.

No wonder my husband likes it.

At this time, Lin Zhen was standing one step behind Murong Yan.

His gaze also fell on Princess Yuhua.

The wind and snow at Hangu Pass seemed to have no effect on her. Her dark black dress and fire phoenix mask, set against the backdrop of the vast sky and the awe-inspiring military formations, actually added a thrilling visual impact.

The skin exposed under the mask is so white that it is almost transparent in the winter sun, forming a strong contrast with the dark black dress, which is breathtakingly beautiful.

The uncovered left eye was clear, deep, and sharp. It was now gazing calmly ahead, as if the surrounding clamor, the honor and disgrace of the oath, and even the turning point of her own destiny had not caused much waves in her heart.

This calmness and pride are like the eternal glaciers on the snowy plateau, carrying an awe-inspiring and inviolable temperament.

Even wrapped in heavy palace attire, her figure still had those amazing curves.

She has a slim waist, long legs, and graceful and smooth shoulder and neck lines, like a carefully crafted work of art.

The unique temperament, which is a combination of wildness, mystery, coldness and pride, is infinitely magnified against the backdrop of the iron cavalry at Hangu Pass, forming an extremely aggressive beauty.

Lin Zhen's heart was in turmoil again.

When I first saw her at the Chang'an Palace Banquet, the lights were brilliant and she was like a flame burning in the dark night, mysterious and charming.

At this moment, in front of Hangu Pass, the wind and snow are vast, and she is like a snow lotus proudly blooming on the frozen snowfield, lonely, cold and beautiful, with a kind of pride that looks down on the world.

This beauty lies not only in appearance, but also in the indomitable spirit and pride in one's bones.

She is like a sword drawn from its sheath, sharp and daring, impossible to ignore.

Princess Yuhua seemed to feel Lin Zhen's gaze.

She tilted her head slightly, and her clear left eye, piercing through the wind and snow, accurately met Lin Zhen's deep gaze.

Their eyes met, there was no dodging, no shyness, only calm scrutiny and a hint of imperceptible inquiry.

That look seemed to say: I know why you are here, and I know where you will take me.

However, I, Yuhua, will never be someone who can be manipulated by others.

Lin Zhen's lips curled up slightly.

Interesting. This sharp blade from Qin is indeed very sharp.

Taming her may be more challenging than conquering the Qin State.

The oath-taking ceremony ended.

The wind and snow at Hangu Pass were still biting, but the dark clouds of war that had shrouded the northern border had quietly dissipated.

Murong Yan and Ying Ji met briefly again under the altar and finalized specific matters such as subsequent trade, garrison, and handover.

Then, they each boarded the "Iron Dragon" special train waiting on the side.

It was as warm as spring inside Murong Yan's special train.

She took off her heavy court robes and phoenix crown, changed into comfortable casual clothes, leaned back on the couch, and closed her eyes to rest.

"Yan'er, you've worked hard." Lin Zhen sat beside her and handed her a cup of warm ginseng tea.

"My husband has done the hard work and achieved the greatest success." Murong Yan opened her eyes, took the teacup, and a gentle smile appeared on the corners of her lips. "Without a single soldier, you conquered Qin State, expanded its territory by a thousand miles, and relieved the worries of the northern flank. This is an unprecedented achievement."

"This is Yan'er's great blessing and God's blessing on Daqian." Lin Zhen said.

"Princess Yuhua," Murong Yan's eyes turned slightly, with a hint of mischief, "is indeed as my husband said, a goddess with extraordinary grace and bearing."

Lin Zhen's expression was calm: "The pearl of Qin has its own character."

"When does my husband plan to marry me?" Murong Yan asked.

"We'll discuss this after the handover of Qin territory is smooth." Lin Zhen said, "There's no rush."

"Yeah." Murong Yan nodded and said no more.

She knew very well that although the marriage was decided, Princess Yuhua had a special identity and a strong personality, so she needed to be cautious in how to accommodate her and how to get along with her.

This matter cannot be rushed.

The "Iron Dragon" special train roared forward in the wind and snow, heading towards the capital.

Outside the window, the mountains of northern Xinjiang roll up and down in the twilight, like a sleeping dragon.

The smoke of the Hangu Pass has turned into the incense of the oath.

The submission of the Qin State built a solid barrier for the northern border of Daqian.