On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

As noon approached, the autumn sun grew bright and warm, dispelling the morning mist.

The Regent's Palace's iconic black gilded carriage, pulled by four pure-colored horses, was escorted by a team of elite guards in plain clothes and drove smoothly on the wide concrete streets of the capital.

The carriage did not have many emblems that showed its status, but its extraordinary grandeur and the presence of its guards still attracted the attention of the people along the way, who respectfully made way for it.

The carriage is covered with thick cushions, and there is even a small heater in the corner that uses the principle of steam circulation to ensure that the carriage is as warm as spring.

Murong Yan sat upright, having already changed into her extremely luxurious formal attire - a dark black Suzhou embroidered phoenix robe. The dark golden phoenix pattern on the robe shone with a majestic and mysterious luster under the light coming through the car window.

The wide cuffs and hem were embroidered with intricate and delicate cloud patterns in gold thread. Most striking was the nearly two-foot-long train, which spread like an inky waterfall across the soft carpet inside the carriage, taking up almost half the space and embodying the utmost imperial grace.

Lin Zhen sat beside her, still wearing a low-key indigo work suit, forming a sharp contrast with Murong Yan's formal attire, yet strangely harmonious. He rested one hand casually on the window sill, while the other hand always held Murong Yan's hand, his fingertips occasionally stroking the smooth back of her hand.

"Husband, is that steam oven really that magical? It can control the heat level automatically without the need for manual fanning?" Murong Yan asked curiously, tilting her head. She always had a great interest in these novelties that Lin Zhen came up with, especially those related to "enjoyment."

"The principle is not complicated. It uses steam power to drive several regulating valves to control the amount of air and fuel entering the oven."

Lin Zhen explained with a smile, his tone relaxed, "The advantage is that the temperature is stable and the heating is even. The color and taste of the baked snacks should be better than the traditional method."

Murong Yan nodded, not quite understanding, but grasping the key point very accurately: "Then it tastes better?"

Her eyes lit up with pure anticipation, like a child about to receive her favorite candy, forming an interesting contrast with her majestic phoenix robe.

"In theory, yes." Lin Zhen pinched her fingers lovingly, "You'll know after you try it."

The carriage slowly stopped, and the captain of the guards whispered outside the window: "Prince, Madam, we have arrived at the bakery."

Lin Zhen got out of the car first, then turned around and carefully extended his hand to Murong Yan.

Murong Yan held his hand and slowly got out of the car with great grace.

When she stopped in front of the bakery, the two-meter-long black phoenix robe with a train flowed out from the carriage like mercury, spreading on the clean stone floor, sparkling with a low-key and luxurious light in the autumn sun, instantly attracting the attention of all passers-by.

"It's Her Majesty the Empress!"

"And His Royal Highness the Regent!"

People stopped and saluted respectfully, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.

They had long been accustomed to the empress who had retired behind the scenes occasionally appearing in new places in the capital with the regent, and each time she appeared like a moving royal landscape.

This newly opened "Steam Bakery" had a spacious storefront, and its bright glass windows displayed a variety of novel and attractive pastries. The owner and his staff had already been notified, and they knelt at the door to welcome him with trepidation and excitement.

"Everyone, please stand up." Lin Zhen said calmly, his tone calm but with a sense of authority. "Today, I am just here with my wife to try some new dishes. There is no need to be formal. We can just continue business as usual."

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!" The owner quickly stood up, bowed, and led the two inside.

The interior of the bakery is spacious and bright, and the air is filled with the sweet and tempting aroma of milk and wheat, as well as a faint metallic smell that belongs to steam machinery.

The most eye-catching thing is the large and peculiar oven at the back of the store, which is connected to several copper pipes and brass valves. It is now roaring softly and emitting warm heat.

As soon as Murong Yan entered the room, her eyes were drawn to the new oven and the dazzling array of pastries. She subconsciously wanted to walk over quickly, but she forgot about the two-meter-long trail behind her.

As soon as she took a step, the hem of her skirt stopped.

Lin Zhen had been keeping an eye on her. Seeing this, he immediately chuckled and put a little force on his arms, holding her waist and stopping her. "Slow down," he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, his voice full of indulgence.

"With such a long 'tail', do you still think you're wearing tight clothes?"

Murong Yan finally reacted, her face slightly reddened, she glared at him, but obediently slowed down her pace.

The two accompanying maids immediately stepped forward, carefully arranging and slightly lifting the end of her train, so as to maintain its elegant and graceful appearance without hindering her walking.

This has become her standard procedure when she travels in this phoenix robe.

Lin Zhen accompanied her to the glass counter, where a variety of pastries were displayed: fluffy golden sponge cakes, puffs dotted with fresh cream, egg tarts with distinct layers of puff pastry, and cookies made into various cute shapes...

"Try everything?" Lin Zhen suggested when he saw her eyes shining.

Murong Yan shook her head and pointed at one of the round cakes that was sprinkled with fine powdered sugar, looked as white as snow, and had a simple shape: "Let's take this one first."

She pointed to another one with caramel color and chocolate sauce.

"and this."

The choice was decisive, showing her usual neat style.

"Okay." Lin Zhen nodded to the owner.

Soon, two exquisite pastries and freshly brewed floral black tea were delivered to an elegant seat specially cleared for them in the store.

Murong Yan sat down gracefully, her wide skirt and long train naturally spread around the seat like a blooming black flower.

She first picked up the silver spoon, scooped a spoonful of the snow-white cake sprinkled with powdered sugar, and carefully put it into her mouth.

The delicate taste, sweet but not greasy cream and soft cake base melt in your mouth instantly, accompanied by a rich milky aroma and just the right amount of sweetness.

"Hmm!" She opened her eyes wide in surprise, looked at Lin Zhen, and nodded vigorously, "Delicious! Better...better..." She seemed to be searching for the right words, "lighter!"

Lin Zhen smiled at her satisfied expression, then tried another chocolate cake himself and nodded in approval, "Your control of the heat is indeed excellent."

Murong Yan ate happily, taking small bites after small bites, and accidentally got a little white powdered sugar on the corner of her mouth. She didn't notice it herself, but the white spot was particularly conspicuous on her bright red lips.

Lin Zhen looked at her, his eyes darkening slightly. He pulled out a soft cotton handkerchief he always carried with him, leaned over, and gently and naturally wiped away the powdered sugar for her.

His movements were gentle, and his fingertips brushed the corner of her lips through the fabric as if unintentionally.

Murong Yan was slightly stunned, then looked up to meet his deep, smiling eyes that were so close to her. Her cheeks suddenly flushed, as if she had applied the finest rouge.

She subconsciously licked the lips that he had just wiped, and this unconscious little action seemed particularly tempting.

The shopkeepers and waiters standing around had already lowered their heads, their eyes focused on their noses and their noses focused on their hearts. The maids also lowered their eyes slightly, but the corners of their mouths could not help but rise slightly.

"Good... It's delicious..." Murong Yan felt a little embarrassed when he looked at her. She muttered softly, trying to hide her accelerated heartbeat by eating. She scooped another spoonful of cake, but almost brought it to her nose again.

Lin Zhen chuckled softly and stopped teasing her, lest his Majesty, the Empress, be so embarrassed that she would hide in his arms. He instead picked up a small, uniquely shaped cookie and handed it to her: "Try this, it's called 'Cat Tongue Biscuit'."

Murong Yan took it, looked at it curiously, and took a careful bite. It was crispy and had a rich buttery aroma. "It's delicious too."

She narrowed her eyes and shook her head contentedly like a cat being stroked, and the hairpin on her bun swayed gently.

She enjoyed her meal and didn't forget to share. She pushed the cakes she thought were delicious in front of Lin Zhen and insisted that he try them too. The two of them sat in the bakery filled with sweet aromas, sharing cakes, talking in low voices, and occasionally smiling at each other.

The sunlight filtered through the glass windows, shining onto her dark phoenix robe and his indigo work clothes, as well as onto the delicate snacks and the steaming hot black tea, creating an incomparably warm picture.

The gorgeous train, which was two meters long, was now quietly spread on the ground, as if it was just the most luxurious background in this warm picture, setting off the sweetness of the couple in the center.

When she finally left, Murong Yan was very satisfied. She not only packed up several kinds of her favorite pastries, but also watched the working process of the steam oven through the glass with great interest for a while, and once again expressed her high appreciation and admiration for Lin Zhen's "wonderful ideas".

On the return carriage, she leaned on Lin Zhen's shoulder, playing with the brass buttons on his work clothes, her tone lazy and happy: "Husband, next time... let's try something else? I heard there's a place in the south of the city that makes ice cream using a steam engine?"

"Okay." Lin Zhen put his arm around her shoulders and answered without hesitation, "I'll accompany you wherever you want to go and whatever you want to eat."

The carriage swayed gently, carrying the sweet fragrance of the two people snuggling together as it headed towards home. The train of the gorgeous black phoenix robe swayed softly within the carriage, just like their long and happy daily life, with no end in sight.