On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

After the rebellion was quelled, the imperial city was like a glass world washed by a rainstorm, regaining its former solemnity. Even because of the contrast of this storm, it showed an unquestionable authority and tranquility.

The bloody smell had long been dispelled by the rich scent of ambergris and cold plums. The palace servants walked lightly and with respectful expressions. Everything was in order, as if the shocking incident in Xishan was just a distant nightmare.

It was afternoon, and the sun shone through the clear glass windows at the highest point of the warm room, casting a warm and soft beam of light, dyeing the dust floating in the air into golden powder.

The floor dragon silently radiated warmth, forming a gentle contrast with the early winter chill outside the window. The warm room, far from being deserted by the previous turmoil, was instead even more cozy and luxurious with the return of its owner.

Murong Yan wasn't attending to government affairs—she never did. She lazily leaned on a chaise longue covered with thick, dark green peacock velvet by the window, her body stretched out, with the leisure and peace of someone who had weathered a storm.

She was still wearing the extremely gorgeous black and gold dress with a pattern of birds paying homage to the phoenix, which symbolized the supreme imperial power of Daqian.

The base color of the dress is extremely dark black. Under the abundant and soft light of the afternoon, it presents a texture that is quieter than the deepest midnight and softer than the smoothest black jade. It absorbs the light, but faintly reveals a faint blue and dark purple glow from the inside, mysterious and noble.

On the robe, a towering phoenix, woven with countless rare gold and silver threads and using the peerless "gold-plated embossed pattern" and "feather embroidery" techniques, rests safely. Every feather exudes a warm and restrained brilliance. The red gold is as bright as molten gold, the rose gold is as gorgeous as the sunset, the silver is as bright as the moonlight, and the purple gold is as noble as auspicious clouds. The gems on the phoenix's eyes reflect the steady starlight. The whole giant phoenix is ​​gorgeous and noble to the extreme, majestic, but with a kind of calmness and inviolable majesty that comes from having experienced a storm.

The immensely wide bell sleeves spread across the soft cushions of the couch, the dense black pearl tassels adorning the cuffs motionless, radiating a gentle sheen. And the massive, three-foot-long, black-gold, jewel-encrusted train, seamlessly integrated into the robe, remained unrolled. Instead, it was casually gathered and stacked on a wide, specially crafted low couch beside her, covered in dark, dark-patterned brocade. Like a dormant, dark-gold galaxy, its radiance temporarily subsided, the countless gems inlaid within shimmered with a discreet yet luxurious glimmer in the soft light, maintaining its unwavering splendor and profound tranquility.

She did not wear her hair in a complicated bun. Her cloud-like black hair was loosely tied up with a transparent black jade hairpin. The rest of her hair was like a waterfall, draped over her shoulders and flowing over the phoenix pattern on her black robe and the peacock velvet cushions.

She was barefoot, with a pair of jade feet sticking out from under the layers of her black robe. They were slender and beautiful, and naturally curled up slightly.

She was not holding a book or a painting album in her hand, but a steaming, newly tributed "Snow Top Green" tea. She looked blankly at the red maple trees in the courtyard outside the window that became more beautiful after the frost. Her eyes were calm and lazi, as if the rebellion against her and Lin Zhen not long ago did not leave any ripples or fear in her heart.

She is the empress, a vase. To her, the troubles of the world are nothing but passing clouds and smoke. Lin Zhen will wipe away the dust for her.

The door to the warm room was gently pushed open, and Lin Zhen walked in. He had changed out of his blood-stained battle robe and into a dark blue silk brocade cloud-patterned casual attire that perfectly matched her black robe. His dark hair was half-tied with a simple mutton-fat jade hairpin. He exuded a fresh scent from a bath, and the fierce and murderous aura between his brows had completely faded, leaving only the gentleness and composure he showed when facing her.

The moment he stepped into the warm room, his gaze fell precisely on the dark, elegant figure on the couch, his eyes instantly filled with warmth and a subtle hint of pride. This was how his Yan'er should be, living peacefully in this magnificent building, adorned with gorgeous clothes, protected from the elements.

"Yan'er." He called softly, walked lightly to the side of the couch.

Murong Yan heard the voice and slowly turned her head. She withdrew her gaze from Hong Feng and fell on him. The corners of her lips raised slightly in a shallow but touching arc: "Husband, are you done with your work?"

Her voice was soft, with a hint of lazy hoarseness, and there was no trace of shock at all.

"Well, some trivial matters have been taken care of." Lin Zhen sat down on the edge of the couch, stretched out his hand very naturally, and tidied up a slightly messy strand of hair on her cheek. His fingertips brushed across her delicate skin, bringing a warm touch.

His eyes lingered over the giant phoenix perched peacefully yet undiminished in majesty on her black robe, and his tone was filled with admiration and fondness, "This dress makes my Yan'er look even more majestic."

Murong Yan looked down at the gorgeous gown she was wearing. Her hands beneath the flared sleeves gently brushed against the cool, silky gold embroidery. Her tone carried a hint of self-righteous innocence as she said, "My husband did a good job."

She never thought that this majesty came from herself, but only felt that it was the glory bestowed upon her by him.

Lin Zhen chuckled softly, loving her like this. He noticed the three-foot-long tail of her hair tucked into the low couch and couldn't help but ask, "Does it feel uncomfortable to be tucked in like this?"

He knew the tail was extremely heavy.

Murong Yan shook her head and even adjusted her sitting position slightly to make the stacked tails smoother: "I'm used to it. Its weight makes me feel at ease."

She whispered, expressing her reliance on this magnificent garment, a sentiment she rarely expressed. This heaviness wasn't a burden, but rather a tangible proof of their close connection, the cornerstone of her supreme honor, allowing her to be content with her role as a mere "vase."

Lin Zhen's heart softened when he heard this. He reached out and took her slightly cool hand beneath her trumpet sleeves, taking it into his warm palm: "That's good."

He stroked her fingertips carefully, as if he wanted to transfer all his warmth and strength to her.

"Have those rebels... been dealt with?" Murong Yan suddenly asked softly, her tone as calm as if she was asking what today's snack was.

"Well," Lin Zhen said calmly, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "The main culprit has been executed, and all nine clans have been exterminated. The remaining culprits have been liquidated, and those implicated have been exiled or demoted. The capital and its surrounding areas have been completely purged."

Behind his light-hearted words were countless deaths and the overthrow of families, but he did not want her to know these bloody details. He just wanted her to know that the outcome was decided and the world was at peace.

Murong Yan only said "Oh" softly, showing no interest. Instead, she pointed her free hand out the window and said, "Husband, look at the maple leaves. They are so beautifully red."

Lin Zhen looked in the direction she pointed, and the coldness in his eyes instantly melted away, turning into tenderness: "Yeah, it looks good. It's even redder than the one in Xishan Villa."

He tacitly stopped mentioning those unpleasant things.

"In a few days, let's go pick some maple leaves and put them in the book, okay?" Murong Yan looked up at him with a hint of childlike expectation in her eyes.

"Okay," Lin Zhen agreed without hesitation, "Whatever Yan'er wants to do, then do it."

At this time, the palace maid quietly served snacks, which were the newly made golden thread yam cake with jujube paste and chestnut flour cake steamed with osmanthus sugar from the imperial kitchen. They were extremely delicately made and had a sweet aroma.

Lin Zhen personally picked up a piece of jujube paste cake and handed it to Murong Yan's lips: "Try it? They said that the jujube paste is made with a new method and is more delicate."

Murong Yan took a small bite from his hand, savored it carefully, and nodded: "Hmm, sweet but not greasy, delicious." Her wide flared sleeves swayed gently with her movements.

Lin Zhen looked at her satisfied expression, his smile deepening. He placed the remaining half of the cake into his own mouth, following the spot where she had bitten it, and nodded in agreement, "It's really good."

The two of them stayed like this, one feeding while the other ate, occasionally whispering a few words, the topics of which were nothing more than flowers, birds, insects, fish, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess, without the slightest mention of the political affairs of the court. The atmosphere in the warm room was warm and tender, as if all the turmoil outside had nothing to do with them.

After finishing the snack, Murong Yan seemed a little tired. She yawned lightly, her flared sleeves covering half of her face, her eyelashes drooped, and she looked a little sleepy.

"Are you tired?" Lin Zhen asked in a low voice, reaching out to brush away a strand of hair from her forehead.

"Hmm..." Murong Yan responded softly, leaning slightly towards him.

Lin Zhen understood and adjusted his position, letting her rest comfortably in his arms. Murong Yan found a more comfortable position in his arms, closed her eyes, and her nose was filled with the reassuring cool scent of his body and the faint fragrance of cold plum blossoms on his black robe. Soon, her breathing became even and she fell asleep.

Lin Zhen gazed down at her peaceful sleeping face, his eyes so gentle they could drip tears of water. He carefully pulled the soft, thin quilt from the side and covered her with it, even carefully covering a corner of the gorgeous train.

He held her like this, motionless, letting time slip by quietly. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, enveloping the two embraced in a warm glow. Regal black robes intertwined with simple, elegant casual attire, their winding trains stacked like clouds, creating a scene of ultimate luxury and incomparable tranquility.

It was not known how long had passed, until the breathing of the person in his arms became longer and longer. Lin Zhen then got up slowly and carefully, trying not to disturb her, and gently placed her on the couch and tucked in the corners of the quilt for her.

He stood quietly by the couch for a moment, confirming she was sound asleep, before turning and heading out. As he left the warm room, the gentleness on his face instantly vanished, and he regained his usual calm, stern, and imposing aura of a regent.

"Your Highness." The steward waiting outside immediately bowed.

"Have all the people on the list been dealt with?" Lin Zhen's voice was low and calm, but with a hint of cold murderous intent.

"Your Highness, everything has been properly handled and there will be no further trouble."

"Hmm." Lin Zhen replied calmly, "How's the test going on with the Institute of Physical Science's newly improved 'Chain Gun'?"

"Your Highness, the tests have been completed. The power and range far exceed those of the old muskets. We are expediting their production, with priority given to deploying them to the Imperial Guard Battalion and the new army in the capital."

"Very good." Lin Zhen looked into the distance, his eyes deep, "I want this world, no one dares to disturb your majesty's peace."

"Yes!"

In the warm room, Murong Yan unconsciously turned over in her sleep, her wide, trumpet-shaped sleeves slipping down, revealing a section of her snow-white arm. Her black and gold dress, embroidered with the pattern of birds paying homage to the phoenix, still shone brilliantly in her sleep, the giant phoenix peacefully resting, its tail swaying.

Outside the pavilion, there are undercurrents, all for the sake of protecting the tranquility and luxury inside, and her worry-free face forever.