On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

As the morning light faded, the clear chimes of bells echoed from within the palace walls, echoing through the numerous halls. Murong Yan stood before a gilded mirror, her court attire carefully prepared by eight maids.

Today, she chose a crimson court dress with golden phoenixes. It featured a base of cloud brocade, a tribute from Jiangnan, and was embroidered with gold thread to depict nine phoenixes facing the sun. Each phoenix had a distinct form, some stretching their necks to cry, others spreading their wings as if ready to fly. Their eyes, inlaid with pigeon-blood rubies, shone brightly in the morning light.

The tail, more than two meters long, spreads out behind it, densely embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns in dark gold thread, and dotted with tiny pearls on the edges. When it walks, it is like a phoenix soaring in the sky, and the pearls and jades collide with each other, making a crisp sound.

Her hair was tied up in a bun, and she wore a phoenix crown made of red gold and dotted with kingfisher feathers. On the crown were nine phoenixes holding pearls. The pearl curtain hanging in front of her forehead swayed slightly, half covering her majestic face.

"Your Majesty, your attire today is rather too grand." Lin Zhen entered the inner hall, wearing a dark blue court robe with silver phoenix embroidered on the cuffs. He carefully adjusted Murong Yan's jade belt, which was intricately carved with a phoenix holding a ring.

Murong Yan painted her eyebrows in the mirror, framed by an intricately carved painting of a flying phoenix chasing the sun. Her face reflected a serene expression. "Since I'm attending a banquet, I must act like one. Imperial Uncle Yong values ​​etiquette above all else. If I go dressed simply, it will only give him an excuse." As she turned, her tail rustled across the polished gold-tiled floor. "Besides, I want him to know who the true phoenix reigns."

The imperial carriage was already waiting outside the palace gates, accompanied by a grand procession. Sixteen palace maids, holding phoenix-tail palace fans, led the way, guards held golden phoenix banners, and musicians played the tune "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix." Upon hearing the news, the citizens of the capital flocked to the palace, kneeling in front of the road to greet the empress, all marveling at her dignified demeanor.

"Long live His Majesty!" Shouts echoed one after another. Murong Yan sat upright in the imperial carriage, nodding slightly. Lin Zhen rode beside him, his eyes scanning the crowd sharply, watching for any unusual signs.

Prince Yong's Palace sat on the eastern side of the capital, its vermilion gates and high walls adorned with a pair of majestic stone lions. Murong Hong, along with the others, knelt to greet him. He was dressed in his proper princely attire, embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon—a special favor granted by the late emperor, allowing him to wear the dragon pattern. The pattern stood out in the sunlight.

"Your Majesty's arrival brings honor to our humble home." Murong Hong bowed, but his eyes subtly swept over Lin Zhen behind Murong Yan, "Lord Lin is here too, how rare."

Lin Zhen returned the greeting with a smile, his demeanor calm and composed. "How could I not come when your Highness Prince Yong is so kind? Besides, I have long yearned for the Jiangnan shad served in your residence."

Murong Hong's eyes flashed with an unfathomable light, and he stepped aside to lead the way: "The banquet is ready, please come, Your Majesty."

The banquet was held in a pavilion overlooking the water in the palace gardens. It was early summer, and the lotus flowers in the pond were just beginning to bloom, their delicate fragrance filling the air. The bamboo curtains surrounding the pavilion were rolled up, a cool breeze blew, and koi could be seen swimming in the pond. However, upon closer inspection, the number of guards surrounding the pavilion seemed excessive, each one muscular and possessing a sharp gaze.

Murong Yan sat at the head of the table, her train spreading out behind her like the wings of a phoenix. She glanced across the banquet, seeing a dazzling array of delicacies. Suddenly, the corners of her lips curled up slightly: "Isn't Uncle Jing ill? Why is he here too?"

Prince Jing Murong Zhang emerged from behind a folding screen. He looked rather pale, and needed the support of an attendant as he walked. "I heard that Your Majesty was here, and I came to pay my respects despite my illness. I haven't seen Your Majesty for a long time, and I miss you very much."

A cold glint flashed across Murong Yan's eyes. "Both of the Imperial Uncles are here today. I heard you were both ill during the court meeting the day before yesterday, but you seem to be in good spirits today."

Murong Hong quickly tried to smooth things over, "Fourth Brother was indeed ill, but upon hearing that Your Majesty was coming, he forced himself to get up. Your Majesty, please take a seat and try the newly arrived Jiangnan shad."

After three rounds of feasting, accompanied by singing and dancing, Murong Hong ordered the presentation of hilsa. The fish, served on a jade plate, was silvery shiny and fragrant, and topped with chopped green onions, ginger, and garlic, it was truly appetizing.

"This is the freshly arrived Jiangnan shad this morning. It was brought here on ice." Murong Hong personally took the chopsticks, his attitude respectful. "Your Majesty, please try it."

Murong Yan didn't rush to pick up her chopsticks. Instead, she asked, "I heard that the railway in Hejian Prefecture was vandalized, which happens to be within the territory of the emperor's uncle's fiefdom. I wonder if the emperor has heard about it? It is said that the vandal's method is professional and not an ordinary person's."

Murong Hong paused for a moment, then returned to normal. "I, your Highness, have heard something as well. I've ordered the palace guards to assist in the investigation and to bring down the daring individual. They dared to disrupt Your Majesty's new policies while he was implementing them. They truly deserve the death penalty."

"Oh?" Murong Yan raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint flashing in her phoenix eyes. "Uncle, who do you think is responsible? Is it related to those scholars who oppose the railway?"

At this moment, Lin Zhen suddenly interrupted and took out something from his sleeve: "This item was found at the scene. It seems to have been produced by the royal workshop." He unfolded the silk cloth, revealing the burnt wooden plaque with half a phoenix pattern clearly visible on it.

Murong Zhang coughed a few times, his voice weak, "This... this is indeed the workshop's marking. However, the workshop has been busy producing artifacts for the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony recently, and there are many people coming and going, so it may be difficult to verify. Moreover..." He paused, "Although the workshop is under the jurisdiction of the royal family, I am responsible for its daily operations. Does Your Majesty suspect that I am not overseeing it properly?"

Murong Yan glanced at the two of them and suddenly chuckled, "Never mind. Today we're here to try something new. Don't let government affairs spoil our fun." She picked up her silver chopsticks and was about to taste the fish when Lin Zhen suddenly said, "Your Majesty has been suffering from stomach discomfort lately, and the imperial physician has advised you to avoid fishy and smelly foods. This fish looks incredibly fresh. How about I try it for you? It would then be a token of your Highness's kindness."

Murong Yan understood and put down her silver chopsticks. "I had forgotten about that. I'll have to trouble you, my husband." She turned to Murong Hong and smiled. "I hope your uncle doesn't mind?"

Murong Hong's face darkened slightly, but he couldn't stop her: "Of course...of course not."

Lin Zhen took a bite, savored it carefully, and praised: "It is indeed delicious. The reputation of Jiangnan shad is well-deserved." But he secretly tested the poison with a silver needle in his sleeve. Seeing that the needle did not change color, he nodded slightly.

Halfway through the banquet, the music gradually died down. Murong Yan suddenly said, "I want to go to the Buddhist temple in my uncle's mansion to burn incense and pray for a smooth ceremony. I heard that the Guanyin statue in my uncle's mansion is very effective."

Murong Hong quickly stood up and led the way: "Your Majesty, please follow me." His eyes met with Murong Zhang for a moment, and the latter nodded slightly.

A Buddhist temple sat deep within the palace. Amidst the lingering curls of incense, a white jade statue of Guanyin, its form solemn and majestic. Murong Yan, offering incense and kneeling in worship, her gaze drifted subtly to the corner of the temple—there seemed to be a hidden door there, fused with the wall and difficult to detect without careful observation. Even more suspicious, she heard a faint sound of metallic collision coming from behind the door.

On the way back to the palace, Murong Yan dismissed her attendants and left Lin Zhen alone in the imperial carriage. The carriage was spacious, its interior walls inlaid with gold and jade, and carved with a picture of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun.

"My husband, have you discovered it?" she asked softly, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the golden phoenix embroidery on the robe.

Lin Zhen nodded: "There must be a secret room behind the Buddhist hall. The metallic sound is like the sound of weapons clashing, it is definitely not an ordinary object."

"And the shad." Murong Yan sneered, "It takes five days to travel from Jiangnan to the capital even if you gallop. But this fish is as fresh as if it had just been taken out of the water. Unless..."

"Unless they use the latest refrigerated trucks," Lin Zhen said. "But refrigerated trucks are currently only for official use, and their numbers are limited. Each one has a number."

The two exchanged glances, each seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes. Murong Yan pondered for a moment, then suddenly lifted the curtain and instructed the accompanying female official, "Pass on my oral order. Order the Ministry of Revenue to immediately count the whereabouts of all refrigerated trucks and report back within three days."

"Yes." The female official took the order and left.

As the imperial carriage approached the palace gate, a rider suddenly appeared, galloping towards them. The rider dismounted and knelt, saying, "Your Majesty, we have to rush to the border, which is eight hundred miles away!"

Murong Yan ordered someone to bring the military report. When she opened it, her face darkened. Lin Zhen asked with concern, "What's going on?"

"There's unusual activity in the northern border," General Murong Yan handed him the report. "The three tribes on the grasslands have suddenly assembled in large numbers, and their purpose is unclear."

Lin Zhen carefully examined the military report, his brow furrowed. "The northern border has always been controlled by Prince Yong's former subordinates. The tribes gathering at this time is definitely not a coincidence." He suddenly remembered something. "Although Prince Jing claimed to be ill at the banquet today, I noticed ink marks on his fingers, as if he wrote frequently. And when he coughed, he was full of energy, not like he was truly ill."

Murong Yan narrowed her eyes slightly: "It seems that the two uncles are going to put on a big show."

That night, Lin Zhen secretly summoned Jinyiwei Commander Lu Bing. In the dark room, candlelight flickered. A map of the Daqian territory hung on the wall, with different colors marking the various garrisons.

An incense stick later, Lu Bing delivered startling news: "A large amount of ice has indeed been flowing in and out of Prince Yong's mansion recently, far exceeding common sense. Furthermore..." He lowered his voice, "My spies report that the secret room behind the Buddhist temple has been heavily guarded lately, with even the daily cleaning servants barred from approaching."

"Keep a close watch," Lin Zhen ordered, "especially near the Buddhist temple, but be sure not to alert the enemy. Also, check the recent correspondence of Prince Jing's Mansion, especially any connections with the Northern Frontier."

"Yes." Lu Bing took the order and left.

The night deepened, the dew thickened, yet Murong Yan felt no sleep. She dismissed her maids and leaned against the railing, gazing at the moon alone, clad only in a light gauze nightgown embroidered with a phoenix. The night breeze blew, her sleeves fluttering, the silver phoenix embroidery faintly visible in the moonlight.

"Your Majesty." The female official hurried over, her voice low, "A secret report has arrived from the spies at Prince Jing's residence."

The secret report contained only one line: "Unusual movements have occurred in the northern border. The grassland tribes are gathering, and they have sufficient food and fodder. They seem to be preparing for a long-term war."

Murong Yan's palms felt slightly cold. The northern border had always been controlled by Prince Yong's former subordinates. The tribes' gathering at this moment was no coincidence. She suddenly remembered the late emperor's dying words: "Yan'er, your two uncles are no ordinary men. If they ever harbor rebellious thoughts, remember to strike first."

The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the silver phoenix embroidery on her nightgown, and the phoenix seemed to be spreading its wings as if ready to fly.

Meanwhile, in the secret room of Prince Yong's mansion, Murong Hong and Murong Zhang were inspecting the newly arrived weapons. The cold, sharp blades reflected the solemn expressions on their faces.

"The Imperial Guard's rotation on the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony is our only chance." Murong Hong stroked the blade of his sword, his voice low, "The grassland tribes have gathered at the border, awaiting the signal. Once the internal and external forces unite, great things can be accomplished."

Murong Zhang frowned, "Your Majesty suddenly wanted to enter the Buddhist temple today. Did you discover something? I always feel that she came suddenly today and left in a hurry."

"So what if they found out?" Murong Hong sneered, "The arrow is on the string and must be shot. Are you afraid, Fourth Brother?"

"It's not fear." Murong Zhang shook his head. "I just feel that Your Majesty is too calm today, as if he's well prepared. And that Lin Zhen, he seems casual, but he's actually very careful. He tasted the shad today, so I'm afraid it's not just a simple stomach upset."

Murong Hong was about to speak when three bird calls were suddenly heard from outside the secret room - this was a signal of change.

Their expressions changed as they hurriedly gathered their weapons and restored the Buddhist hall to its original state. Murong Hong quickly walked out of the secret room and saw his trusted guard kneeling outside the door. "Your Highness, we just discovered someone sneaking into the mansion. Their martial arts skills were excellent and they disappeared in the blink of an eye."

"Useless!" Murong Hong shouted angrily, "Strengthen the guards. If anyone shows any suspicious behavior, kill them without mercy!"

Outside the window, a dark shadow quietly passed over the eaves, like a phoenix soaring into the sky, and disappeared into the night in an instant. The figure landed lightly on the roof of the neighboring street, lifted the veil, and revealed a beautiful face - it was Murong Yan's female official.

She took out a small metal device from her sleeve, carefully recorded what she had just seen, and then blended into the night, rushing towards the palace.

On the palace wall, the lanterns of the night watch guards swayed in the wind. In the interweaving of light and shadow, it seemed as if the shadow of a phoenix with spread wings was passing through the palace, foreshadowing an impending storm.