On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

In accordance with Murong Yan's instructions, the dragon boat fleet will slow down or make short stops as appropriate whenever it encounters important water transport passes, sluices or busy river channels during its subsequent journey.

She did not show up every time, but would order Lin Zhen or her personal guard to go and check the truth, listen to the oral accounts of the local water transport officials and boatmen, and then observe silently through the porthole in the cabin.

On this day, the dragon boat reached Anshan Gate, an important sluice gate in southern Shandong.

This sluice gate is of vital importance in regulating the water levels for irrigation and water transport in several surrounding counties.

It was early summer, a time when farmland needed water. A large number of canal boats and civilian ships gathered at the sluice gate waiting to pass through. It was very noisy and the order was a little chaotic.

Murong Yan stood by the cabin window and observed for a long time. She saw that although the lock officer tried his best to maintain the situation, the lock was narrow and there were many ships, making it quite difficult to dispatch them. The waiting boatmen were restless and their complaints were faintly audible.

She frowned slightly and said to Lin Zhen beside her, "The effectiveness of grain transport depends not only on the smooth flow of main routes, but also on the efficiency and fairness of these nodes. Judging from the current situation, I am afraid that it will delay farming and increase grain transport costs. I need to go and see for myself."

Lin Zhen knew she had made up her mind and nodded, "I'll accompany you. There are a lot of people here, so we need to send more guards."

Murong Yan shook her head. "There's no need to mobilize so many troops. It will only make the people nervous and prevent them from seeing the truth. You and I, along with two guards, will change into casual clothes..."

Before she finished speaking, her eyes fell on the bright yellow brocade phoenix robe she was wearing. She paused and changed her words, "Forget it. I'm afraid it's hard to establish my authority in ordinary clothes, and the gate officials and clerks may not be willing to respond to my questions. So let's go."

She decided to go in this imperial robe! She wanted to let those grassroots officials and the people clearly see that the emperor's eyes were watching the most subtle details of people's livelihood.

The order was given, and the dragon boats slowly approached the small pier used by the Anshan Lock Office. The local lock officer, already informed, was terrified and crawled to his knees on the pier to greet them.

Accompanied by Lin Zhen, Murong Yan stepped out of the cabin and onto land again. The magnificent two-meter-long train, carried by the palace maids, spread out on the simple dock, forming a stark visual contrast with the surrounding clutter, the rough-hewn boats, and the weather-beaten faces of the boatmen.

All those who were kneeling, and even those who saw from afar on distant boats, were stunned, and then filled with immense awe and fear - they had never imagined that the emperor would personally visit such a place!

"Stand up." Murong Yan's voice came through the pearl tassels, calm and unperturbed. "Take me to see the sluice gate control status."

The gate officer trembled as he stood up, bowing before him to lead the way. Murong Yan walked slowly, her heavy train moving across the uneven dirt floor, requiring the palace maids to be extremely cautious. Lin Zhen followed closely behind, scanning the surroundings with a sharp gaze.

She walked directly to the busiest part of the lock gate and, from her perch, looked down at the long queue of boats waiting to pass through and the lock officials directing and dispatching them. She watched carefully, occasionally asking them questions: the daily number of boats, the time it takes for different types of boats to pass through the lock gate, how to coordinate irrigation and water supply during the busy farming season, and how the boatmen's livelihoods were while they waited.

The gatekeeper was initially so nervous he was incoherent, but under Murong Yan's clear and calm questioning, he gradually began to answer the truth. The boatmen kneeling around him dared not even breathe, only glancing out of the corner of their eyes at the dazzling bright yellow figure and the magnificent river and mountains that seemed too beautiful to be real.

After a few inquiries, Murong Yan understood the crux of the problem: the dispatching method was outdated and inefficient; and there was a phenomenon of secretly favoring wealthy merchant ships and looking down on ordinary civilian ships.

She was about to speak when suddenly, there was a commotion and screams from the gate below!

A heavily loaded grain boat, due to improper operation and a fast current, suddenly tilted sideways while passing through the lock and became stuck between the gates! The boat tilted, and the grain bags fell into the water. The boatman panicked and cried for help!

What’s even more dangerous is that this ship is stuck and all the ships behind it are unable to pass, which is about to cause serious congestion or even collision!

The gate officials and clerks were suddenly panicked and shouted loudly, but they didn't know what to do for a while!

Murong Yan's eyes fixed, and without the slightest hesitation, she stepped towards the edge of the gate, as if she wanted to command the response more clearly!

"Your Majesty, be careful!" Lin Zhen hurriedly dissuaded him. The terrain over there was steep and the crowd was in panic.

"That's all right!" Murong Yan said decisively. She walked steadily and quickly to the gate, her long train following her. The palace maids desperately followed, striving to keep it spotless in the chaotic environment.

Murong Yan, standing high above, took in the stuck boats and the chaotic waters, instantly assessing the situation. She didn't personally direct the details—that wasn't her forte—but instead, she turned sharply and shouted at the panicked lock officer, "What are you panicking about? Order all lock officials to follow my orders immediately!"

Her voice, imbued with inner strength and the authority of someone long in a superior position, instantly drowned out the clamor at the scene! The gatekeeper, as if finding his backbone, quickly knelt to listen.

"First, immediately lower the backup water barrier to slow down the impact of the water coming from upstream!"

"Second, mobilize the two nearest empty ships and use cables to secure the stuck ship from both sides to prevent it from tilting further and sinking!"

"Third, organize those who are good at swimming to go into the water and assist the boatman. Push the most vulnerable grain bags back into the hold or move them to other boats first!"

"Fourth, order all ships in the rear to drop anchor and remain stationary, awaiting dispatch!"

She spoke very quickly and clearly, and every command went straight to the point.

The gate officer was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what was going on. He nodded in agreement and ran to deliver the order.

Under Murong Yan's authoritative command, the chaotic situation was quickly brought under control. With clear instructions, the lock officials sprang into action. The reserve barrier was lowered, slowing the current. The two empty boats were quickly brought together and secured. Several skilled lock officials and boatmen jumped into the water and began handling the grain packages. The boats behind them also gradually stabilized.

Murong Yan remained stationary, closely monitoring the rescue efforts, occasionally adding a command or two based on the situation. The river breeze ruffled her pearly tassels and robe sleeves. Her bright yellow figure, trailing behind the sprawling river and mountains, became the most stable and reassuring presence in these chaotic waters. Every now and then, when the busy crowds looked up and caught sight of that figure, they felt a sense of peace of mind.

Lin Zhen stayed by her side, keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings while watching her decisiveness and control in this critical moment, his eyes filled with pride and love. His wife, whether high up in the government or far away in the underworld, always remained the absolute core.

About half an hour later, the stuck grain ship was finally successfully rescued. Although some food was lost, the hull was intact, no one was injured, and the waterway was restored to normal.

The boatman escaped death and knelt at the bow, kowtowed towards Murong Yan.

The crisis was resolved, and Murong Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She turned to the pale-faced gatekeeper, her tone cold. "I'm here today, so we can still handle the emergency. If I weren't here, what would you do? You've mismanaged the situation, been chaotic, and even appeared to favor relatives and friends. This is all your fault!"

The gate official fell to his knees and kowtowed profusely: "I deserve to die a thousand times! I deserve to die a thousand times!"

Murong Yan pondered for a moment and said, "I'll fine you half a year's salary as a warning to others. Immediately, follow my example and formulate detailed emergency procedures. Post them prominently at the lock gates, requiring all lock officials to memorize them and all ships to be aware of them! The dispatching methods also need to be improved. After I return to Beijing, I'll have the Ministry of Works send someone to inspect and supervise. If you slack off again, you'll be severely punished!"

The gate official felt as if he had been pardoned and was extremely ashamed, and he obeyed the order again and again.

Murong Yan then looked at the boatmen who were watching from afar with grateful expressions on their faces, and said to the accompanying eunuchs, "Reward the lock officials and boatmen who went into the water to rescue today with ten taels of silver each. The losses of the damaged grain ship will be compensated from the government warehouse."

As the order was passed down, it immediately attracted a wave of gratitude.

After handling all of this, Murong Yan turned around and prepared to return to the dragon boat. After all this walking, standing, and directing, the heavy phoenix robe and its huge train clearly took a heavy toll on her. Her steps slowed down slightly, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Lin Zhen immediately stepped forward and calmly let her lean some of her weight on his arms. He whispered, "Are you tired?"

"Yeah," Murong Yan responded softly, and under the cover of her wide sleeves, she gently pinched his wrist. "You need to get some rest when you get home. This outfit is really not meant for walking in the mud or standing by the river."

However, when she boarded the dragon boat and looked back at the gate where order was gradually being restored, and at the officials and people who were still kneeling on the ground and watching her, a glimmer of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

Returning to the cabin and removing her pearl crown, she looked at the dusty tail of her phoenix robe and smiled at Lin Zhen, "It's tiring, but it's worth it. My husband, you see, sometimes this country needs this outfit to keep things in check and take charge."

Lin Zhen handed her some warm tea and said softly, "You, as an emperor, have personally visited the humblest places and saved the people from suffering. They will be forever grateful."

The dragon boat sets sail again.

Murong Yan sat by the window, looking out at the now-open river, and whispered, "The capital is in sight. I wonder how many memorials are piled up in the court, waiting for me to review them in this outfit."

The two-meter-long train embroidered with vast rivers and mountains lay quietly aside, as if it had also been stained by the moisture of the canal and the smell of human life, becoming more substantial and real.