On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The extremely wide bell sleeves spread out on the dark green satin cushions on the couch, and the fine black pearl tassels on the cuffs remained motionless.

The giant black jewel-studded train, which was three meters long and seamlessly connected to the robe, was not fully spread out, but was gathered up by her somewhat casually. Part of it was stacked on the edge of the couch, and part of it was winding down on the floor covered with shag carpet, like a lazy and resting black galaxy. The black diamonds, black jade and deep sapphires inlaid on it sparkled with cold and bright starlight under the soft light.

Her hair was untied, letting its cloud-like black hair flow freely across the phoenix pattern of her black robe and the shimmering satin cushions. Her feet were bare, a pair of delicate, graceful, and slightly curled up, peeked out from beneath the folds of her dark robe.

Her eyes were not on the books or account books, but she tilted her head slightly and looked through the open glass window at the newly planted crabapple sapling not far outside the window.

The saplings stretch out their tender green leaves in the spring sunshine, full of vitality.

Lin Zhen sat on a rosewood armchair beside the couch, holding a memorial about the new regulations for grain transport in his hand. However, his eyes did not linger on the words, but instead he stared at the focused silhouette of the person on the couch with a smile.

Today he was wearing a simple and elegant moon-white cloud-patterned gown, which made him look tall and graceful, and his temperament was elegant and noble.

"Yan'er has been reading it for almost half an hour." He put down the memorial, picked up the iced plum soup beside him, took a sip, and said in a gentle and smiling voice, "Has that sapling grown a little taller?"

Murong Yan heard the voice and slowly turned around, her flared sleeves brushing against the couch as she moved. She pouted slightly, complaining with a hint of innocent sweetness, "It seems not... I see, it's about the same height as yesterday."

There was a hint of disappointment in his tone.

Lin Zhen laughed, stood up, walked to the couch, and sat down naturally on the edge. He followed her gaze and looked at the crabapple tree: "Plants and trees have their own growth period. How can the naked eye see changes in a day? Yan'er is too impatient."

"But..." Murong Yan lightly frowned, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, and her fingers curled unconsciously under her trumpet sleeves. "Didn't my husband say that things grow fastest in spring?"

She was like a child who expected a gift but did not receive it immediately.

Lin Zhen's heart softened, and he reached out to gently smooth her slightly furrowed brows. "He's growing the fastest, but it's not a thousand miles a day. After some time, Yan'er will be able to see the difference."

He paused, his tone coaxing, "How about... we give it some water? Maybe if it drinks water, it will grow faster?"

Murong Yan's eyes suddenly lit up and she nodded immediately: "Okay!"

Lin Zhen chuckled, but did not call the palace maid. Instead, he stood up and walked to the jade basin cooled by ice. He took the small pure gold spray bottle that Murong Yan used exclusively, poured in clean water of suitable temperature, and even added a few drops of "flower liquid" newly made by the Gewu Academy, which was said to promote plant growth.

He returned to the couch and did not hand the spray bottle directly to Murong Yan, but looked at her with a smile.

Murong Yan understood, propped herself up slightly, and stretched out her hand from under her flared sleeves expectantly.

Lin Zhen shook his head, leaned over, carefully put one hand under her knees and back, and with the other hand firmly supported her waist, and easily picked her up sideways.

"Ah!" Murong Yan cried softly and subconsciously hugged his neck, "Husband?"

"The ground is cool, and..." Lin Zhen lowered his head, nuzzled her nose, and smiled, "Isn't it just right to hold my little tree officer while he inspects her saplings?"

Murong Yan's cheeks flushed slightly, but she couldn't help but smile. She buried her face in his shoulder, and her wide flared sleeves fell, brushing against his arm.

Lin Zhen held her in his arms and walked steadily to the window.

The three-meter-long black train then slid off the couch and dragged across the carpet. The gems inlaid on it reflected flowing starlight as it moved.

He adjusted his posture so that Murong Yan could lean comfortably in his arms, with her view just facing the crabapple seedling outside the window.

Then, he handed the golden watering can to her, and placed his big hand on the back of her hand, steadying the can: "Come, Yan'er, water it."

Murong Yan carefully tilted the watering can in his arms and under his guidance.

A thin stream of water, carrying an almost inaudible fragrance, evenly sprinkled on the soil at the roots of the crabapple seedlings and quickly seeped in.

She was extremely serious about it, her long eyelashes slightly lowered, her red lips pursed, as if she were performing an extremely important ritual. The cuffs of her flared sleeves swayed slightly with her movements.

"Okay, that's enough." After pouring just a little, Lin Zhen reminded her softly, took the golden pot from her hand and put it aside, but did not put her back on the couch immediately. Instead, he still held her and stood in front of the window.

"Husband, when will it bloom?" Murong Yan leaned in his arms, her eyes still lingering on the saplings that had drunk enough water, and asked softly.

"Next spring," Lin Zhen assured, his chin gently rubbing the top of her hair, "the flowers will surely bloom like brocade, and the fragrance will be overwhelming."

"Next spring..." Murong Yan murmured, her eyes filled with longing, "That will take a long time..."

"Soon," Lin Zhen chuckled, his voice low and gentle. "Time flies. With Yan'er by my side, every day passes by like a fleeting moment. When the flowers bloom, I'll have a banquet with Yan'er under the tree, and we'll drink and admire the flowers. Is that okay?"

"Yes!" Murong Yan nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. She seemed to have already seen the scene of branches full of flowers next year, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up sweetly.

The two stood, hugging each other, by the window, quietly watching the crabapple sapling swaying gently in the spring breeze, whispering small, beautiful fantasies about the future. Sunlight filtered through the window screen, gently enveloping them, lengthening their shadows and blending with the dark trail of light that snaked along the ground.

After a long while, Lin Zhen said softly, "Yan'er, it's time to rest."

Murong Yan shook her head and rubbed against his arms: "Wait a little longer...Husband, can you sing a song for me? Just like last time..." She raised her face, with anticipation and coquettishness in her eyes.

Lin Zhen laughed, looking at her sparkling eyes. How could he bear to refuse? He cleared his throat and hummed the simple, even slightly off-key, Jiangnan children's song in his deep, hoarse, unmelodious yet magnetic voice.

Murong Yan leaned peacefully in his arms, closed her eyes, listened to his discordant humming, felt the vibration and warmth from his chest, with a sweet smile always on her lips.

That luxurious and heavy black robe seemed to be just the warmest swaddling clothes at this moment.

As she hummed, her breathing gradually became even and long, and she actually fell asleep in his arms.

Lin Zhen noticed the change in the breath of the person in his arms, stopped humming, lowered his head to look at her peaceful sleeping face, his eyes filled with endless pampering and love.

He carefully adjusted her position to make her sleep more comfortably, then held her in his arms and slowly walked back to the couch. He gently put her back on the couch and carefully covered her with a thin quilt.

He carefully arranged the three-meter-long tail and spread it out beside the couch.

He sat down beside the couch, his eyes lingering gently on her sleeping face, his fingertips lightly brushing the delicate phoenix feather embroidery on her black robe.

Outside the window, the crabapple saplings are growing quietly in the spring light.

Inside the window, an ink-colored phoenix rests beside his lover, sinking into a peaceful dream, his dream filled with the splendid scene of flowers blooming in the coming year.