On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Guangling Palace, inside the side hall.

Murong Yan took off her heavy and complicated nine-dragon and four-phoenix court robe and its two-meter-long, ornate train and changed into a lighter dress. Although it was still in accordance with the imperial regulations, it was extremely simple and more like everyday wear.

This is a marigold long skirt, made of top-grade Su silk, as smooth as water, and emitting a soft and noble luster under the lights of the palace.

The hem of the skirt is embroidered with several phoenixes of various shapes using gold, silver and colorful silk threads with extremely delicate craftsmanship.

Rather than the majestic, soaring poses of court dress, the phoenix appears perched on a sycamore branch, bowing its head to preen its wings, or looking back, appearing graceful and elegant. The phoenix pattern is spread across the skirt, but the arrangement is sparse and dense, not appearing overly cluttered, but rather possessing a unique charm and elegance.

She wore a long gown of gauze, thin as a cicada's wing, with wide sleeves, which slightly neutralized the bright red color and added a touch of elegance. Her hair was also much simpler. She did not wear a phoenix crown, but only a red gold and kingfisher phoenix hairpin with pearls and a few small pearl flowers.

She twirled gently, her skirt rising slightly, and the embroidered phoenix on it seemed to come alive. She looked at Lin Zhen, who was watching her with a smile, and said, "Husband, dressed like this, do you still look like an ordinary woman out for fun?"

Lin Zhen walked forward, examining her carefully, his eyes filled with admiration and tenderness. "My Yan'er, you are always the most beautiful no matter what you wear. This dress is gorgeous yet lively. It lacks the majesty of the court and adds a touch of the delicate beauty of a girl in the boudoir. Very good. But..."

He paused, his smile deepening, "This whole demeanor, especially the elegance between his eyebrows and eyes, can't be concealed after all."

Murong Yan glanced at him in reproach, but couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips: "You just want to make me happy."

She straightened her sleeves and said, "You are not allowed to address me as Your Majesty today. You..."

She looked at Lin Zhen and her personal maid, Sheyue, and said, "Is it okay if you treat me as an ordinary lady of decent family background, traveling with your husband to Guangling?"

Musk Moon smiled. She had also changed into a water green skirt today, looking pretty and lovely: "Yes, Madam! Sir!" She changed her words cleverly.

Lin Zhen also smiled and bowed: "I will follow my wife's orders."

Murong Yan was in a very good mood. "Then let's go. Yesterday I checked the market prices for granaries, and today I'm going to see the skilled craftsmen and delicious food in Guangling, and truly experience the atmosphere of this 'famous capital of the Huai River'."

The three of them did not set up a grand ceremonial procession. They only brought a few elite guards in plain clothes to escort them from a distance. They quietly walked out of the side door of the palace and merged into the bustling afternoon crowd in Guangling City.

Murong Yan, after changing out of her phoenix robe, was still dressed in luxurious attire and had an outstanding temperament, but after all, she no longer wore the imperial robes and the huge train that people could not bear to look directly at. The people around her thought that these three people (especially the woman in red) were stunning in appearance and bearing, and most of them thought that they were the relatives of some noble family and their sons out for a trip. While they were amazed, they did not kneel down in fear, but just glanced at them and admired them in a low voice.

This allowed them to observe urban life more closely.

Walking to the foot of an ancient stone arch bridge, Murong Yan saw a group of people gathered around the bridge hole, exclaiming from time to time. She was curious: "What are they doing over there?"

Musk Moon was the most lively. She stood on tiptoe to take a look. "Madam, it seems an old craftsman is making sugar paintings! His skills look excellent!"

"Sugar painting?" Murong Yan, who had grown up in the imperial palace, had only heard of this folk art, but had never seen it in detail. She immediately became interested and said, "Let's go take a look."

As the three approached, they saw a vigorous, white-haired elder sitting before a small stove. Atop a small copper pot sat a golden syrup. With a flick of his wrist, the elder held a small copper spoon, and a trickle of syrup fell onto the polished stone slab, where it quickly solidified into various shapes. In a moment, a lifelike sugar dragon emerged, drawing cheers from the surrounding children.

"What exquisite craftsmanship!" Murong Yan couldn't help but admire in a low voice, staring intently.

The old craftsman finished making the sugar dragon, carefully glued it together with bamboo sticks, and handed it to a child who had been waiting anxiously for a long time. He looked up and saw Murong Yan and the others. Seeing Murong Yan's extraordinary clothing and elegant temperament, the old craftsman smiled and greeted her, "Madam, young master, would you like to try it? My sugar painting skills are unique in Guangling. I can draw 72 different patterns!"

Murong Yan was somewhat tempted, but she didn't know how to choose. She looked at Lin Zhen with a questioning look in her eyes.

Lin Zhen smiled and said to the old craftsman, "Old man, could you draw a picture for my wife that reflects her zodiac sign?" He whispered to Murong Yan, "Yan'er, you were born in July and are a goat, right?"

Murong Yan was slightly surprised. She didn't expect that Lin Zhen could remember such a small detail so clearly. She felt warm in her heart and nodded slightly.

The old craftsman smiled and said, "Okay! Your wife's zodiac sign is sheep, so I will draw a 'lucky and auspicious' sheep!"

With that, he scooped up a spoonful of syrup and, with a steady yet deft movement, spread it across the surface. The syrup flowed like golden threads, sometimes rapidly, sometimes slowly, outlining the goat's curved horns, its gentle face, its voluptuous figure... Finally, a gentle touch added the finishing touch. A naive, auspicious sugar goat was complete, gleaming in the sunlight, its crystal clear, golden glow.

"Good!" The people around cheered in unison.

The old craftsman handed over the sugar sheep. Lin Zhen took it, paid for it, and then turned around and handed the sugar painting to Murong Yan.

Murong Yan carefully took it, as if she were holding a treasure. She looked at the exquisite candied sheep, feeling somewhat hesitant about how to start, yet also intrigued. She imitated the child next to her and gently licked it with the tip of her tongue.

"So sweet!" Her eyes lit up slightly. It was a pure and direct sweetness, different from the delicate pastries in the palace, with a hint of caramel aroma. She handed the sugar painting to Lin Zhen's lips: "Husband, you try it too."

Lin Zhen took a small bite of the croissant from her hand and said with a smile, "It's really sweet, crispy and delicious. I'm glad Yan'er likes it."

Murong Yan handed it to Musk Moon again, and Musk Moon took a bite with a smile.

The three of them shared a sugar painting and were having a great time, as if they were just ordinary people out for fun.

Murong Yan was in a very good mood and started chatting with the old craftsman again: "Old man, how many years have you been doing this craft? How is your business? Is your family well off?"

Seeing the lady so accommodating, the old craftsman became more talkative. "Madam, I've been making sugar paintings for almost fifty years! When I was young, I traveled extensively, and now, in my old age, I've set up a permanent stall right here at Guangling Bridge. Thanks to you, business is good. Besides making a living, I can even save a few copper coins to buy candy for my grandson." A satisfied smile spread across his face. "The world is doing well these days, and Her Majesty the Empress is wise and virtuous, with low taxes. As long as we ordinary people are willing to work hard, we can always get by."

Murong Yan felt a sweeter feeling than eating a sugar painting when she heard this simple praise. She gestured to Sheyue to give the old craftsman some more money as a reward, saying softly, "Your craftsmanship is exquisite, and your kindness is even better. May you live a long and healthy life, and may this sweet craft be passed down through the generations."

Leaving the sugar painting stall, Murong Yan held the half-painted sugar painting, licking it occasionally as she walked, completely disregarding her image with a relaxed smile on her face. Lin Zhen looked at her like a little girl, and his eyes were filled with doting.

As she walked, Murong Yan was suddenly drawn in by an extremely tempting food aroma. It was a mixture of the scorching aroma of noodles, the savory flavor of meat filling, and the rich flavor of broth, which was very appetizing.

"What's that smell? It smells so good!" She followed the scent and saw a long line in front of an inconspicuous shop on the corner of the street. The sign read "Huangqiao Shaobing" in large letters.

"It's Huangqiao sesame cake," Lin Zhen explained. "It's a Guangling specialty, famous for its crispy crust and fresh meat filling. It's most delicious right out of the oven. Judging by the number of people lining up, it must be a long-established shop."

Murong Yan looked at the long line, then at the sugar painting in her hand, feeling a little hesitant. As the empress, why should she ever need to wait in line for food?

Musk Moon was quick-witted and said immediately, "Madam, you and the young master can go sit in the tea stall over there. I will go and queue up."

Murong Yan shook her head. Since she was going to be an "ordinary lady" today, she should act like an ordinary lady. She took a deep breath. The fragrance was too tempting. "No need. Since we're here, let's experience it for once. Husband, let's go together."

As she spoke, she actually took Lin Zhen's hand and walked to the end of the line.

This action not only surprised Musk Moon and the guards in the dark, but also drew the attention of the people queuing around them. These two people, who were obviously either wealthy or noble, were actually queuing up to buy sesame cakes?

Murong Yan, however, seemed oblivious. She stood in the group, tiptoeing slightly to peer forward, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. The phoenix-beaded hairpin swayed gently with her movements, its tassels swaying gracefully. Lin Zhen stood behind her, protectively, his eyes filled with a smile and indulgence.

The queue was a bit long, but Murong Yan didn't get impatient. She listened to the small talk of the people in front and behind her, their praise of the sesame cake shop, and their discussions about family matters and daily necessities, and found it extremely fresh and interesting.

Finally, it was their turn. The shopkeeper greeted them warmly: "Madam, Sir, how many would you like? Fresh from the oven, they are the best!"

Murong Yan looked at the golden, crispy, steaming sesame cakes in the oven and asked, "What's so special about these sesame cakes?"

The shop owner proudly introduces: "Our sesame cakes have 18 layers of skin, and the filling is carefully selected pork front leg meat, and the filling is seasoned with old soup. When you bite into it, it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and your mouth is full of broth!"

"Then we need six." Murong Yan said.

Lin Zhen paid the bill and Musk Moon stepped forward to take the hot sesame seed cake wrapped in oil paper.

The three of them walked to a place where there were fewer people. Murong Yan couldn't wait to pick one up, blew it carefully, and then took a light bite.

"Ouch!" she cried softly, and sure enough, the rich broth overflowed, and the puff pastry fell. She quickly caught it with her hands, eating it a little awkwardly, but she couldn't help but praise it, "Delicious! It really lives up to its reputation! Husband, come and try it!"

Lin Zhen also picked up one and ate it very politely, but his eyes were full of praise: "It's crispy, fragrant, fresh and tender. It's really delicious."

Murong Yan was so engrossed in her meal that she even forgot to pay attention to her manners, and a little pastry crumb stained the corner of her mouth. Lin Zhen naturally stretched out his finger and gently wiped it away for her.

This intimate gesture brought a faint blush to Murong Yan's cheeks, which, against the backdrop of her crimson dress, made her even more charming. She looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with a thousand emotions. At this moment, she was no longer the reigning empress, but merely a young woman, sharing delicious food with her husband and being doted upon by him.

Musk Moon watched from the side, smiled secretly, and consciously turned her gaze away.

Murong Yan distributed the remaining sesame cakes to Musk Moon and the guards in the dark, allowing everyone to taste this delicious local delicacy together.

The setting sun lengthened the shadows of the three people. Murong Yan held the unfinished sugar painting in one hand and gently held Lin Zhen's arm with the other. The lively phoenixes on her skirt seemed to be about to take flight in the afterglow.

"Husband, today is great." She said softly, her tone showing complete relaxation and satisfaction.

"Yeah," Lin Zhen responded, gently holding her hand, "If I have the chance in the future, I'll walk with you like this more often."