On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

In the north, there were flames of war, and the smoke of war rose into the sky like a black dragon.

Murong Yan stood on the city wall, her jet-black phoenix robe rustling in the north wind, her two-meter-long tail spreading like a dark cloud, the dark golden phoenix pattern on it faintly visible under the gloomy sky, as if it was about to break through the air at any time.

"Report—" A scout arrived at full speed, raising a cloud of dust as he knelt. "The Northern Frontier coalition has breached Juyong Pass and is less than two hundred miles from the capital! The vanguard, under the banner of Prince Jing, numbers approximately fifty thousand!"

Murong Yan's face was as gloomy as water, and the hand in the dark sleeve of her robe tightened slightly: "What is the enemy's deployment?"

"Most of them are cavalry, equipped with siege equipment. Even more terrifying..." The scout's voice trembled, "They actually have firearms! Although not as sophisticated as ours, the number is astonishing!"

Lin Zhen's face changed when he heard this. "This must be the blueprint Murong De took away! Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to strengthen the city defenses and urgently dispatch troops from all over the country to support the king!"

Murong Yan turned, her dark tail sweeping across the bricks, leaving a faint mark. "Lu Bing, pass on my decree: Martial law is in effect at all nine gates, and all able-bodied men are assigned to the city defense. The Ministry of Works is working overnight to manufacture defense equipment, and the gunpowder depot is being doubled in guard."

She looked into the distance and said, "Lin Zhen, take your men to repair the telegraph lines and make sure that communication with all the other places is smooth."

"I obey your order!" the two responded in unison.

That night, the palace was brightly lit.

Murong Yan called an emergency court meeting. She wore a jet-black court robe, with nine dark-gold phoenixes entwined on it. Their eyes, inlaid with obsidian, shone like deep pools in the candlelight. All officials stood in a solemn atmosphere.

"You all are aware of the events in the northern border," Murong Yan said in a cold voice. "Prince Jing has committed treason and invited a wolf into the house. I intend to personally lead an expedition north. What do you think?"

Veteran minister Zhang Wenyuan was the first to step forward and said, "Your Majesty, your body is worth millions. How can you lightly venture into such a dangerous place? It would be better to send a general to fight, while Your Majesty remains at the helm."

"The Northern Frontier coalition is under the banner of Prince Jing. If I don't personally lead the army, wouldn't that be a sign of weakness?" Murong Yan's phoenix eyes swept across the ministers. "Besides..." She tapped the phoenix chair with her fingertips. "I must personally capture that traitor!"

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the palace. A general, covered in blood, rushed into the hall. "Your Majesty! This is bad! The commander guarding Xizhimen has rebelled and let the enemy vanguard into the city! Street fighting is underway!"

Murong Yan suddenly stood up, her dark phoenix robe spreading out like night wings. "Phoenix Feather Guards, follow me to meet the enemy! The rest of you, defend the Imperial City to the death!"

She strode out of the hall, her tail trailing across the jade steps. Lin Zhen hurriedly caught up with her, "Your Majesty, do not take any risks! I have mobilized the new army's musket battalion to protect you!"

Murong Yan had already mounted her warhorse, and with a wave of her dark black robe sleeves, a phoenix-feathered sword appeared in her hand. "Husband, are you willing to fight alongside me?"

The streets of the capital had become a battlefield. Northern Frontier cavalrymen rampaged through the streets, forcing the defenders to retreat. Murong Yan led the charge, her jet-black phoenix robe wielding like a ghost amidst the flames of battle, sending enemy soldiers tumbling to the ground wherever she passed.

"Look! It's the empress!" some people exclaimed.

Murong Yan's long sword flew like phoenix feathers, each strike piercing the enemy's throat with pinpoint accuracy. Its inky black tail whirled through the blood and fire, untainted by a trace of filth—that silkworm silk was not only blade-proof but also impervious to blood.

Suddenly, a cold arrow shot straight at him! Lin Zhen swung his sword to block it, but saw more arrows falling like rain!

"Protect His Majesty!" Lin Zhen shouted, and the new army's musket battalion lined up to fight back, with smoke everywhere.

Murong Yan suddenly reined in her horse and fixed her eyes on the window of the teahouse in the distance: "Over there!"

She rushed forward on her horse, her dark phoenix robe like a ghost in the night.

At the teahouse window, Murong Zhang put down his bow and arrow with a sneer: "Good niece, you came just in time!"

Murong Yan broke in through the window, pointing her sword at Murong Zhang: "Uncle, it's time to stop."

Murong Zhang laughed: "Do you think this is the end? Look outside the city!"

Suddenly, the ground shook, and a deafening explosion was heard outside the city! Murong Yan's face changed: "That's... the direction of the gunpowder depot!"

Murong Zhang said proudly, "Murong De has already infiltrated the Ministry of Works. Now is the time to succeed. Without gunpowder, your muskets are nothing but fire sticks!"

Murong Yan's eyes flashed with coldness: "Uncle, have you forgotten that my Phoenix Feather Guards are not best at using firearms?"

She blew a phoenix whistle, and suddenly dozens of dark figures leaped from the rooftops, all dressed in dark, tight-fitting outfits with golden phoenix patterns embroidered on their sleeves. Hidden weapons rained down, and the Northern Frontier soldiers fell to the ground one after another.

Seeing this, Murong Zhang tried to flee, but was stopped by Murong Yan with a sword: "Where are you going, uncle? The ancestral temple is waiting for you."

Suddenly, a poison dart shot out! Murong Yan dodged it, only to see Murong De emerge from the shadows, holding a strange iron pipe in his hand. "Your Majesty, would you like to try this new thing?"

The iron pipe spewed out flames, rushing straight towards Murong Yan's face! At the critical moment, Lin Zhen rushed forward and blocked it with his scabbard, which melted instantly!

"Steam ejector!" Lin Zhen was shocked. "You actually made this!"

Murong De sneered: "Thanks to the drawings left by Lord Lin."

As he said this, he was about to launch again.

Murong Yan suddenly swung her tail, and the inky black cloth unfolded like a curtain, temporarily blocking the flames. She took the opportunity to throw her Phoenix Feather Sword, hitting Murong De's wrist!

Taking advantage of the chaos, Murong Zhang suddenly took out a whistle and blew it violently. Instantly, all the Northern Frontier soldiers retreated like a tide, disappearing into the streets.

"They must have secret passages in the city!" Lin Zhen said anxiously, "We must find all the exits!"

Murong Yan stared at the mess on the ground, her dark phoenix robe gleaming faintly in the embers of the fire. "Orders: Search the entire city, focusing on any areas marked with the Black Phoenix." Suddenly, she remembered something. "Go to the Heavenly Prison!"

Deep within the prison, a new secret passage was discovered. This time, not only was a black phoenix carved into the walls, but also Northern Frontier characters. The accompanying interpreter's face changed drastically after deciphering it: "Your Majesty, this reads... Phoenix Blood Sacrifice to Heaven, Eternal Prosperity of the Grasslands!"

Murong Yan's fingertips traced over the inscription, her hands trembling slightly beneath her dark sleeves. "They want my life as a sacrifice."

She suddenly sneered, "That depends on whether you have the ability!"

Returning to the palace, she immediately changed into her battle armor. This time, it was a jet-black, light armor with a phoenix pattern outlined in gold thread, and the tail was shortened to the knees for better mobility. She adjusted her armor in front of the bronze mirror while Lin Zhen silently tightened the belt for her.

"Is my husband scary?" she suddenly asked.

Lin Zhen shook his head: "Being able to fight alongside Yan'er, I have no regrets in this life."

Murong Yan turned around and gently stroked the scars on his face: "When this war is over, I want to share a peaceful and prosperous era with you."

Suddenly, war drums roared and horns blew. A scout reported, "Your Majesty! The main force from the Northern Frontier has begun the siege! The catapults have been set up and are bombarding Desheng Gate!"

Murong Yan put on a jet-black cloak, her eyes flashing like lightning: "Let's go, let's show the grassland the power of the Daqian Phoenix."

Arrows rained down from the towers. Murong Yan stood on the battlements, her jet-black cloak dancing wildly in the wind. She raised her telescope and saw the enemy approaching like a tide, the banner of Prince Jing fluttering in the wind.

"Prepare the artillery!" she ordered coldly.

However, the artilleryman's face turned pale: "Your Majesty... the gunpowder has been damp and most of it is unusable!"

Murong Yan's pupils suddenly shrank, but she quickly regained her composure. "Then use rolling logs and rocks, tung oil and gold! Soldiers of Daqian, follow me and defend the city walls to the death!"

She personally drew her bow and arrows, and the phoenix-feathered arrows shot into the enemy formation like meteors, each arrow hitting the enemy general. Seeing the empress personally leading the army, the soldiers' morale was greatly boosted, and they fought to the death.

The fierce battle lasted until dusk, when the enemy retreated temporarily. Murong Yan leaned against the battlement, her jet-black armor splattered with blood. Lin Zhen bandaged her arm wound, his heart aching, "Your Majesty should not have taken such a risk."

Murong Yan looked at the enemy campfires outside the city and said, "They are waiting."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for the signal from inside the city." Murong Yan's eyes were deep. "I want to see how many evil spirits are hiding in the dark."

That night, she secretly summoned her confidant. In the dark room, candlelight flickered, and the bloodstains on the inky black battle robe bloomed like dark plum blossoms.

"Tomorrow the enemy will attack the city with all their might." She pointed at the sand table, "We must set up an ambush here..."

Suddenly, there was a strange noise outside the window! An arrow flew through the window and shot directly at Murong Yan's face! She turned her head to avoid it. The arrow was nailed to the wall, with a piece of paper tied to the shaft.

When it was unfolded, there was only a line of blood-stained words: "Phoenix dies, city falls."

Murong Yan sneered and threw the note into the brazier. "Order: Prepare according to the plan. I want to meet this Phoenix Hunter in person."

She walked out of the dark room, her inky black tail brushing the threshold.

There was no moon in the night sky, only the beacon fire reflected her resolute face.

The phoenix rises from the ashes and is reborn.

And she, the black phoenix, was already prepared to face the flames.