On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

West of Beijing, a land of towering mountains, stands atop the former imperial hunting grounds. Now, a vast complex, a blend of classical palaces and novel steel structures, the Xishan Imperial Garden for the Study of Things, stands.

Today is the day of its inauguration ceremony, with flags flying and ceremonial guards in full splendor.

On the white marble square in front of the main hall, officials stood in a solemn line, while selected craftsmen from various regions and students from the Academy of Gewu were all excited. All around the square, elite Imperial Guards and New Army soldiers, their helmets and armor shining, stood in solemn alert.

The auspicious time has arrived, bells and drums are ringing, and ritual music is resounding.

"His Majesty has arrived—the Regent has arrived—"

After the greetings were spoken, everyone's attention instantly focused on the high level.

Murong Yan, supported by Lin Zhen, slowly appeared in everyone's sight. In just a moment, she stole all the glory between heaven and earth.

Today, she wore not simple everyday attire, but the extremely solemn, dark black court robe with a hundred phoenixes, a symbol of supreme imperial power. Under the brilliant autumn sun, the extremely dark black brocade material exuded a profound texture that swallowed up all light, yet from its deepest depths, it reflected the deep blue and dark purple of imperial majesty.

On the robe, the one hundred phoenixes, woven with countless rare gold and silver threads, peacock feather threads, and using the peerless "gold-plated velvet" and "beaded embroidery" techniques, completely awakened in the sunlight, and each feather sparkled with dazzling brilliance: red gold like melting sun, rose gold like rosy clouds, silver like moonlight, and purple gold like auspicious clouds.

The phoenix eyes are inlaid with top-grade pigeon blood red and royal sapphires, sharp as lightning. The hundreds of phoenixes have different postures, stretching their necks and singing, spreading their wings and soaring, riding the wind and chasing the sun... Lifelike, gorgeous and complicated to the point of being breathtaking, as if they will break through the clothes in the next moment, soar into the sky, and look down on the world!

The extremely wide flared sleeves fell to the sides of the body, with layered cuffs, trimmed with gold thread, embroidered with intricate cloud and thunder patterns, and the fine black pearl tassels on the edges remained motionless.

The three-meter-long giant black jewel-studded train that was seamlessly connected to the robe became the most shocking sight of the day!

Twenty-four carefully selected palace maids dressed in black robes stood in two rows, lifting, unfolding and laying out the decorations with great care. Like a flowing inky galaxy, it slid solemnly and slowly across the cold white marble floor, and was finally perfectly spread out on the imperial steps and behind the higher steps.

Its area is so huge that it almost covers the ninth level of the imperial steps. The black diamonds, black jade and deep sapphires inlaid on it madly reflect the cold and dazzling star-like light that is impossible to look directly at. The visual impact is extremely shocking and noble to the extreme!

She wore a nine-dragon and nine-phoenix crown on her head. The weight of the oriental pearls, gems and gold ornaments forced her to raise her chin slightly to maintain her posture.

Her beauty is peerless, wrapped in the ultimate luxury and majesty of this court dress, so beautiful that it is breathtaking, and so noble that people dare not look directly at her.

Lin Zhen stood beside her, wearing a crimson prince's python robe, a gold and jade belt, and a coiled dragon crown. He had an upright posture and an imposing air. He scanned the entire room calmly, in control of everything.

Murong Yan sat gracefully on the specially designed phoenix chair, the train of her hair spreading out behind her like inky wings. Lin Zhen stood beside the chair.

The ceremony proceeded as planned, with the Minister of Works delivering an impassioned speech and Lin Zhen offering encouragement and rewards on Murong Yan's behalf. Murong Yan remained seated, her face impassive and her gaze calm. She uttered no more than the occasional nod or utterance of "approved" or "as agreed" at Lin Zhen's beckoning.

The gorgeous clothes were heavy and the phoenix crown was intimidating, but she maintained impeccable demeanor, like a national treasure, silent yet radiant.

However, just as the ceremony reached its climax, when Lin Zhen was about to present the golden seal to the chief of the Institute of Gewu, and everyone's attention was focused on it—

A sudden change occurred!

Several whistling arrows shot into the sky, exploding into clouds of strange green smoke!

"Protect His Majesty! Protect His Highness!" The roar of the commander of the imperial guards was instantly drowned out by the shouts and sounds of weapons clashing from all directions!

Suddenly, dozens of assassins dressed in various costumes and holding sharp blades jumped out from the officials and the crowd who were originally standing solemnly, and rushed straight to the imperial steps!

At the same time, outside the square, some of the "Patrol Battalion" soldiers originally responsible for security turned against their own side, engaging in a fierce battle with the imperial guards and the new army! Farther away, smoke and dust billowed, clearly indicating that an unknown number of troops were rapidly approaching!

"There are rebels!"

"Escort! Escort!"

The scene erupted in chaos, officials screamed and fled, and craftsmen and students panicked.

Murong Yan was so shocked by this sudden change that her face turned pale. She subconsciously looked at Lin Zhen beside her. Her hands trembled slightly under her wide flared sleeves.

"Yan'er, don't be afraid!" Lin Zhen reacted quickly, pulling her up from the phoenix chair and protecting her behind him. His face was calm, his eyes sharp as an eagle, and he showed no sign of panic, as if he had already anticipated this. "Imperial Guards! Form a formation! Defend the imperial steps!"

"Clang clang clang!" Lin Zhen's most elite personal guards quickly shrank, forming an impenetrable steel wall with the imperial steps as the core. The new muskets in their hands spewed out deadly tongues of fire, and the assassins in the front fell down like wheat being cut!

Arrows flew in like locusts, most of which were blocked by the shields, making dull thuds.

"Murong Hong! Murong Zhang! How dare you plot treason!" Lin Zhen's voice, infused with his internal strength, rolled across the chaotic square like thunder, instantly suppressing some of the noise and also revealing the identity of the rebels.

In response to him, there was a loud and arrogant laugh coming from the rear of the rebels: "Lin Zhen! You are a traitor who has stolen the country! You have held the young lord hostage and disrupted the government! Today, Prince Jingbei and Prince Anping are going to purge the emperor's side and set things right! Your Majesty, don't be alarmed, we are here to rescue you!" It was Murong Zhang's voice, confusing right and wrong and trying to confuse the people.

Murong Yan was tightly protected by Lin Zhen behind him. Listening to the shouts, watching the flashing swords and flying blood and flesh in front of her, smelling the smell of blood and gunpowder in the air, her face turned pale, and her luxurious black robe was stained with a few spots of blood that had been splashed by someone unknown, which was glaring and shocking.

The three-foot-long train was trampled and pulled by the frantic movement, and the palace maids had already scattered in panic. Lin Zhen tightly grasped the wide bell sleeves to prevent her from moving inconveniently.

When had she ever seen such a bloody scene? Her body trembled slightly, but looking at Lin Zhen's steady figure in front of her, like a mountain, and feeling the firm strength coming from his palm, the fear in her heart strangely subsided a little.

"Your Majesty! Issue an edict immediately to execute this beast Lin Zhen! The rebels can retreat!" Murong Zhang's voice sounded again, full of cunning and coercion.

Murong Yan raised her head abruptly upon hearing this, a hint of anger appearing on her pale face. She could choose not to make a decision, could rely on Lin Zhen, but she would never allow anyone to force her or slander her husband like this!

She didn't know where she got the courage from, but she slightly broke free from Lin Zhen's hand, took a half step forward, and swung her trumpet sleeves. Although her voice trembled slightly, she shouted with extraordinary clarity: "Traitor! How dare you speak nonsense!"

This shout, coming from the mouth of the empress who was dressed in an extremely luxurious phoenix robe, carried a strange majesty on this chaotic battlefield!

Lin Zhen glanced at her in surprise, a hint of admiration and heartache flashing in his eyes. He immediately pulled her back into his protective circle: "Don't be impulsive!"

The battle intensified. The rebels were numerous and well prepared, but Lin Zhen's guards and the new army were well-equipped and well-trained, and their firearms were powerful. For a time, they were able to keep the rebels at bay.

Suddenly, a cold arrow pierced through the gap and shot directly into Murong Yan's face!

"Yan'er!" Lin Zhen's pupils suddenly shrank, and without thinking, he threw her to the ground!

"Swish——" a crisp sound of silk tearing!

The arrow grazed Lin Zhen's shoulder, leaving a trail of blood. As he fell to the ground protecting Murong Yan, her three-meter-long, ornate, and incredibly heavy train was violently pulled, and the intricate embroidery on the edge, inlaid with gemstones, was caught on the armor of a nearby guard, tearing a hole!

Murong Yan screamed and fell into Lin Zhen's arms. Seeing the blood oozing from his shoulder and the glaring crack on her black robe, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. It was not because of the pain, but because the robe he gave her, which symbolized their supreme glory and bond, was damaged, and she was also hurt for him.

"Husband! Your injury! My clothes..." Her voice was filled with tears.

"Nothing! Just a superficial wound!" Lin Zhen quickly checked her condition, then glanced at the torn tail, a flash of anger in his eyes. He helped her up and held her tighter, his anger at the damage to her robe seeming to outweigh his concern for his own injury.

"Murong Hong! Murong Zhang!" Lin Zhen's voice was as cold as ten thousand years of ice. "You...are seeking death!"

He suddenly took out a peculiarly shaped metal tube from his arms and pulled the fuse towards the sky!

A stream of crimson light shot up into the sky with a sharp roar, exploding into a huge dragon pattern in the sky!

Signal! He had already laid out a backup plan!

In the distance, there was a dull, thunderous roar. It was the reinforcements equipped with the latest artillery that were quickly closing in!

The rebels' rear was in chaos!

"Impossible! How can their artillery be so fast?!" Murong Hong's voice was filled with shock and anger.

"Telegram... It's a telegram!" Murong Zhang's voice was filled with desperate fear. They had calculated the distance, but they hadn't calculated the speed at which Lin Zhen could mobilize his troops using new communication technology!

The balance of victory and defeat tilted in an instant.

Lin Zhen no longer paid attention to the battlefield. He carefully helped Murong Yan up, his eyes falling on the torn part of her black robe and her pale face. His voice instantly became extremely gentle: "Are you scared? It's okay, Yan'er, it's okay." His fingertips brushed across her cheek, wiping away the tears that had slipped down her face at some point.

Murong Yan shook her head, clutching his uninjured arm tightly. She watched the situation gradually coming under control, a lingering fear in her heart. She lowered her head, looking at the hideous tear on the gorgeous train, heartbroken. "Husband... your clothes are ruined..."

"It's just a piece of clothing. The most important thing is that Yan'er is safe." Lin Zhen comforted her in a low voice and hugged her. "After returning to the palace, let the best embroiderer in the embroidery workshop repair it. It will definitely be restored to its original state, or even... embroidered better."

He held her in his arms and walked down the blood-stained imperial steps. The guards quickly wiped out the remaining enemies.

Murong Yan snuggled in his arms, her torn but still gorgeous and stunning black robe with a hundred phoenixes, the broken trumpet sleeves, and the three-meter train that was torn but still stretched out, stained with dust and blood, forming a very impactful picture on the battlefield where the smoke had not yet dissipated - the ultimate luxury and cruel fighting were intertwined, and the broken splendor was set against the unshakable imperial power and the deep protection between lovers.

The rebellion will eventually be quelled, and after this battle, Murong Yan may still be the empress who "ignores state affairs", but her dependence and trust in Lin Zhen, and the courage that burst out at that moment to protect him, will surely be deeper.

And the damaged phoenix robe will become another testimony to the hardships they have experienced together.