On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

As the dawn breaks, the 108 huge red-lacquered pillars in the Golden Throne Hall sparkle in the morning light.

Murong Yan sat upright on a nine-phoenix golden chair, its back carved with a soaring golden phoenix, its eyes inlaid with rare rubies. She wore a crimson phoenix robe that trailed two feet to the ground. Embroidered with gold thread, a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix shone with her movements. Tiny pearls adorned the hems of her robe, swaying like a phoenix's tail as she walked.

Twelve strings of oriental pearls draped across her forehead, unable to obscure her majestic eyes. Murong Yan's fingertips gently stroked the phoenix carving on the armrest of the golden chair, a symbol of the lineage of the Daqian empresses.

"Everyone is safe."

The clear voice echoed in the hall, and all the civil and military officials stood up and lined up on both sides according to etiquette.

On the left stood the traditional civil officials, headed by Prime Minister Zhang Wenyuan, wearing robes with wide sleeves, while on the right stood a number of young officials wearing new-style narrow-sleeved court robes - these were all technical bureaucrats promoted by the empress and Lin Zhen in recent years.

"Your Majesty," the Minister of Works stepped out and bowed, holding a jade tablet engraved with a phoenix pattern. "The Gyeonggi Railway was fully operational yesterday. The first steam locomotive, the Xuanyuan, departed from the South Gate at noon and is expected to reach Hejian Prefecture, a hundred miles away, by noon."

A slight commotion erupted in the court. The veteran officials exchanged glances, some stroked their beards and nodded, while others frowned and remained silent.

Murong Yan raised the corners of her lips slightly, and her phoenix eyes swept over the ministers: "Lord Lin, have you been working all night in the Ministry of Works again?"

Before he finished speaking, a clear and loud voice suddenly came from outside the palace gate: "I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission!"

Everyone looked back and saw Lin Zhen striding into the hall.

He wasn't wearing court robes today, but instead a navy blue work suit, the cuffs still stained with grease, which looked completely out of place in the magnificent palace. Several veteran officials couldn't help but shake their heads and look sideways.

"I have just returned from the Xuanyuan's test run," Lin Zhen bowed to the throne, looking up and exchanging a look with Murong Yan that only they understood. "A round trip of 200 miles took only two hours, more than three times faster than the fastest post horse."

A smile flashed across Murong Yan's eyes, but her face still maintained the dignity of an emperor: "Lord Lin, you have worked hard and made great contributions. However, you are late for today's court meeting."

"I acknowledge my guilt." Lin Zhen apologized, but there was a hint of cunning in his eyes. "I am willing to use my merits to atone for my sins. Your Majesty and all my colleagues, please move to the South Gate to witness the grand opening of the Xuanyuan."

Before the old ministers could object, Murong Yan stood up with a flick of her sleeves, her phoenix robe spreading out like clouds: "Approved."

Outside the South Gate, a bustling crowd erupted. A dark steam locomotive, draped with red silk, spewed white smoke like a giant beast. People watched from afar, horrified and apprehensive. Vendors seized the opportunity to sell "train-repelling charms."

When the procession appeared, the crowd knelt down.

Murong Yan changed into a simpler golden-red phoenix robe that still dragged on the ground for more than a meter. The robe was embroidered with a phoenix with spread wings. With the help of Lin Zhen, she climbed onto the high platform in front.

A phoenix flag was hung in front of the stage, fluttering in the wind.

"No need to be so polite." Murong Yan raised her hand, the gold and jade phoenix bracelet on her wrist gleaming, but her eyes fell on the front of the motorcycle. "Husband, is this the power of industry you spoke of?"

She lowered her voice for the last four words so that only Lin Zhen beside her could hear them.

"This is just the beginning, Yan'er." Lin Zhen pointed at the locomotive, his voice tinged with excitement. "Once railways are spread across the country, government orders can be issued overnight, military deployments can be swift, and merchants can travel easily. Daqian will usher in an unprecedented era of prosperity."

Murong Yan stared at the steam-belching steel behemoth and nodded slightly: "I hope it's as you say."

The opening ceremony went smoothly. When the locomotive roared to life, the crowd roared with delight, many of them kneeling in worship, exclaiming, "The Iron Dragon has appeared!"

Lin Zhen was excitedly explaining the principles of steam when a young eunuch suddenly rushed onto the stage and whispered something in Murong Yan's ear. The empress's smile faded slightly and she nodded.

"The two imperial uncles are claiming illness and can't come?" Murong Yan frowned slightly as she returned to the palace carriage after the ceremony. The carriage's interior was intricately carved with phoenix designs, and the seats were covered in golden phoenix-embroidered cushions. "The grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is imminent, and they've both fallen ill."

Lin Zhen poured her a cup of newly developed scented tea from a teacup with a phoenix-peony pattern, specially supplied by the imperial kiln. "Prince Yong and Prince Jing have indeed rarely been out lately. I heard that Prince Yong has been recuperating at home all day, while Prince Jing often visits the imperial mausoleum, allegedly to pay homage to his ancestors."

Murong Yan took the teacup, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the phoenix pattern on the cup wall. "Ever since the implementation of the new policy and the reduction of royal family privileges, the two uncles have been holding a grudge. This time, the railway has been completed, and it has occupied a large area of ​​fertile farmland in Prince Yong's fiefdom."

"The compensation was paid at three times the market price." Lin Zhen shook his head. "And after the railway passed through, the land prices along the line doubled. They actually made a lot of money."

"The imperial uncles don't care about this," Murong Yan sighed. "They only see the ancestral property being sold at a low price and the royal dignity being trampled upon by these steel monsters."

The carriage suddenly stopped, and a commotion was heard outside. Lin Zhen lifted the curtain and saw several men who looked like scholars kneeling in front of the carriage, holding up a letter written in blood.

"Your Majesty! The railway disturbs our ancestors' tombs, and the steam pollutes the pure air of heaven and earth. I beg Your Majesty to abolish this evil technique and restore a clear and bright world to us!"

The guards were about to drive her away, but Murong Yan raised her hand to stop them. She slowly stepped out of the carriage, her two-meter-long phoenix robe spreading out behind her like clouds, exuding majesty.

"I am aware of what you have said." Her voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority. "However, destiny changes, and the great principles are anew. If the late emperor saw today that the Great Qian cavalry is marching across thousands of miles, the granaries are overflowing, and the people are living in peace, he would be pleased."

She glanced at the kneeling crowd, her golden phoenix hairpin trembling slightly. "Considering your loyalty, I will not punish you. Please withdraw."

The scholars were intimidated by the emperor's aura and were speechless. They could only kowtow and retreat.

Back in the car, Murong Yan rubbed her brows and asked, "Which month has it started?"

"The third time." Lin Zhen handed back the teacup, the phoenix pattern on it flowing in the light. "The first two times were hand-weavers protesting the textile factories that were taking their livelihoods away. They've already been settled. This time, it seems like someone is deliberately inciting it."

Murong Yan's eyes shone, and a sharp glint flashed in her phoenix eyes: "Investigate."

That night, the Yangxin Palace was ablaze with candlelight. Murong Yan finished reviewing the last memorial and finally put down her red brush. The engraving of a phoenix holding a pearl on the pen holder complemented the phoenix hairpin in her hair.

Lin Zhen was drawing some blueprints at his desk. When Murong Yan approached, she saw some strange-shaped iron tools.

"What is this?"

"Improvement plan for steam-powered looms." Lin Zhen looked up and smiled. "The current batch of machines is still too inefficient and prone to malfunction. Once I complete the improvements, production can double again."

Before he could finish his words, Murong Yan had already put her arms around him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. "My husband, you've only been thinking about these iron lumps all day long. Do you know what day it is today?"

Lin Zhen was stunned, then suddenly slapped his forehead: "Ah! It's our third wedding anniversary!"

Murong Yan chuckled, turned to sit in his arms, and said, "I thought you had forgotten."

Under the candlelight, she lost her imperial dignity during the day, and her eyes revealed a hint of girlish innocence. Lin Zhen's heart softened, and he hugged her tightly: "How could I forget? Three years ago today, I was still wondering if it was all a dream."

He had indeed had his doubts. Suddenly, he had gone from being a 21st-century engineer to the grandson of the regent of a fictitious dynasty, betrothed to the empress. Three years later, he had gradually adapted to this role and, using modern knowledge, had driven Daqian's industrial revolution.

Murong Yan played with the buttons on his lapel, which were also shaped like a small phoenix. "If this is really a dream, I don't want to wake up. Today, Daqian is prosperous and strong, and the border is peaceful. All of this is due to my husband's efforts."

"Your Majesty is wise, daring to use my unique skills." Lin Zhen joked.

"Nonsense again," Murong Yan said angrily, then turned serious. "It's just that what happened today has me worried. The two imperial uncles are claiming illness and I'm kneeling to make a plea. I'm afraid this isn't a good sign."

Lin Zhen stroked her long hair, which exuded a faint phoenix marrow fragrance: "Reform will always affect the interests of some people. But the general trend cannot be stopped by a few people."

"I hope so." Murong Yan sighed softly, "The Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony is approaching, I hope nothing unexpected will happen."

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew outside the window, causing the candlelight to flicker. Murong Yan shuddered inexplicably and hugged Lin Zhen even tighter.

Meanwhile, in the secret chamber of Prince Yong's mansion, candlelight flickered. Hanging on the wall was a golden phoenix painting bestowed by the ancestors, now blurred in the dim light.

"The railway is complete. The next step is to fully implement the telegraph." Prince Yong, Murong Hong, slammed a glass of wine on the table. The glass was engraved with a coiled dragon pattern—a gift from the previous emperor, hinting at his rightful imperial status. "If this continues, Lin Zhen will ruin our ancestors' legacy!"

Across from him, Prince Jing Murong Zhang slowly stroked his beard, "Second brother, please be patient. The Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony is approaching, and it's time for us to make our plans."

Murong Hong sneered, "Your Majesty has been bewitched by that demon and is implementing the so-called New Deal, curtailing the privileges of the royal family and seizing our fiefdoms. Now they're even building a railway near the imperial mausoleum! How can Fourth Brother still sit still?"

"So what if I can't sit still?" Murong Zhang's eyes flashed coldly, "Unless..."

"Unless someone else sits on the Phoenix Throne," Murong Hong lowered his voice. "Your Majesty has no son. If something unexpected happens, according to ancestral rules, the Emperor's uncle should succeed him."

The candlelight crackled, casting a gloomy look on the two people's faces.

Outside the window, night crows were startled and flew over the beasts on the eaves of the palace. Those statues that were supposed to be phoenixes had been replaced with dragons at some point.