On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

"Husband," she said softly, her voice a little hoarse, softer than ever before, "Thank you for your hard work these days."

She was referring to the disputes at court, the threats from the northern border, and the pressures brought on by her own volatile temper.

Lin Zhen felt a pang in his heart and held her hand: "It's not hard. Being able to stay by Yan'er's side is my greatest blessing."

Murong Yan shook her head, her fingertips gently stroking his slightly furrowed brows: "I know I sometimes go too far."

She paused, as if she had made a great decision, "Especially, I shouldn't have been so harsh on you last time."

She was referring to the coldness and suspicion she had shown towards him because of Kong Xiren's bloody remonstration and the letter from Mobei.

Lin Zhen held her hand tightly: "Yan'er, your husband has never taken it to heart. Your husband understands your heart."

"No," Murong Yan interrupted him, her eyes stubborn, "I take it to heart."

She lowered her head and gently rested her forehead against his, her breathing audible. "So I will make it up to you tonight."

After saying that, she stood up and began to untie the belt around the waist of her Divine Phoenix Dress at an extremely slow and focused pace.

Lin Zhen looked at her in astonishment.

Murong Yan's actions did not contain any erotic provocation, but rather a solemnity that was almost pious.

As the dark gold belt loosened, the front of the nightgown opened slightly, revealing the lining made of the same material, embroidered with delicate lotus patterns.

She did not continue to undress, but took Lin Zhen's hand and led him to the extremely large dragon and phoenix couch.

"Lie down." She ordered, her tone still unquestionable, but her eyes were so soft that tears could drip from them.

Lin Zhen lay down as instructed. Murong Yan knelt beside him. She took a deep breath, stretched out her hands, and began to massage his shoulders and neck.

Her technique was still clumsy, but she was extremely attentive. The black jade ring on her fingertips was a little cold at first, but soon warmed by the warmth of his body.

She carefully kneaded his muscles, which were tense due to his long military career and recent hard work, from his shoulders and neck to his arms and back.

The wide bell sleeves brushed against his skin from time to time, bringing a silky touch and the cool plum scent of her body.

Part of the five-meter-long tail was spread on the couch, and part hung down the edge of the couch, like ink-gold brocade, surrounding them.

She seldom spoke, but focused on massaging, occasionally asking:

"Does it hurt here?"

"Is the force heavy?"

Lin Zhen closed his eyes, feeling the clumsy yet sincere strength coming from her fingertips, feeling the approach of her breath, and feeling the subtle sound of friction from the fabric of the Phoenix Dress.

The shock and emotion in his heart surged like a tidal wave. This empress, who controlled the universe and had the power of life and death, now put aside all her dignity and tried to soothe his fatigue in the way she was least adept at.

This contrast can hit the softest part of his heart better than any deliberate gentleness.

The massage lasted for a long time, until Lin Zhen felt relaxed all over, his tense nerves completely relaxed. Murong Yan stopped, beads of sweat already oozing from his forehead. She gently wiped the sweat with her sleeve, then leaned over and placed a light, feather-soft kiss on Lin Zhen's lips.

"Husband," she leaned on his chest, her voice hoarse with fatigue and unprecedented dependence, "I will try not to lose my temper with you in the future."

Lin Zhen's heart trembled, and he reached out and hugged her tightly. Her body was soft and warm, and through the cotton fabric of her Divine Phoenix Dress, he could feel her steady heartbeat.

"Yan'er," his voice choked, "You don't have to do this. You really don't have to."

"I am willing." Murong Yan interrupted him and buried her face in his neck. "You are my only husband. You are my only husband." Her voice was very low, with a hint of imperceptible fragility. "So you must stay by my side forever. You are not allowed to leave. You are not allowed to leave before me."

This almost childish and overbearing request revealed her greatest fear deep in her heart.

Lin Zhen's heart was filled with pain and love. He hugged her tighter, as if he wanted to rub her into his bones and blood. "Okay, I promise you. I will always be with Yan'er and protect her until the end of my life."

After getting his promise, Murong Yan seemed to feel more at ease.

She adjusted herself to a more comfortable position in his arms, and gradually relaxed like a bird that had found its home.

The flickering candlelight cast the figures of the two people embracing on the wall, and the long train of the phoenix-like dress spread out in the light and shadow to form a gorgeous background.

Outside the hall, summer insects are chirping and the moonlight is like water.

Inside the hall, there was a warm and affectionate atmosphere, as if time had stopped.

The tyrannical empress, in the arms of her only beloved, restrained all her sharpness and showed the deepest dependence and tenderness.

......

The sandstorms in the northern desert seemed to carry a hint of salty air, and military reports from the border were flying into the imperial city like snowflakes, with the smell of gunpowder becoming increasingly strong between the lines.

However, in Fenghuan Palace, a world shrouded by Murong Yan's absolute will, time seemed to be stretched and stagnant, immersed in an extremely sticky warmth and tranquility that was completely opposite to the tension in the outside world.

Murong Yan seemed to have devoted all of her last and most precious time before the Northern Expedition to Lin Zhen without reservation.

That kind of "compensation" is no longer a simple gesture of goodwill, but has been sublimated into an almost paranoid possession and confirmation that wants to brand each other into their bones and blood.

It was almost dusk, and the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a gorgeous orange-red. Through the open carved windows of the Fenghuan Palace's bedroom, it cast long, warm spots of light on the floor.

There were no candles lit in the hall, relying entirely on the natural light from the sky, making it appear particularly peaceful and tranquil.

Murong Yan was still wearing the black and gold Su brocade cotton nightgown with the pattern of "Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" - the Divine Phoenix Descent Dress, and was sitting side by side with Lin Zhen on a large rosewood couch by the window.

The couch was covered with a cool and smooth jade mat, and on the low table in the middle was a set of exquisite tea sets, with the aroma of tea wafting in the air.

In the warm and soft light of dusk, the Phoenix Dress presents a different kind of splendor than during the day.

The extremely dark black Su Jin base material absorbs the golden sunset, and its color becomes increasingly deep and restrained, as if it contains endless power; the golden cotton wool and real gold thread woven into it reflect a warmer and more flowing dark golden glow under the oblique light, revealing a rare warmth in its mysterious and noble style.

On top of the nightgown, the giant phoenix that covers the sky is embroidered only with red gold thread. In the sunset, it is less solemn and majestic. The layered phoenix feathers are plated with a layer of gold edges, which makes it more graceful and luxurious, like an auspicious bird stretching its wings in the afterglow of the setting sun, with a hint of lazy peace in its noble majesty.

The black diamonds in her phoenix eyes also reflected a warm light, less cold. One of her wide and light trumpet sleeves casually draped over the edge of the couch, while the other covered the back of Lin Zhen's hand on his knees.

The black jade ring on her left thumb shone with a gentle luster under the warm light.

The five-meter-long Su Jin train was not deliberately spread out, but naturally and windingly hung down to the edge of the couch, with part of it spread on the smooth floor. The dark gold brocade looked like a flowing river of molten gold in the sunset, quiet and gorgeous.

The skin-friendly cotton and loose nightgown make her feel more comfortable in this home atmosphere.

Lin Zhen was wearing a moon-white casual suit with dark patterns. His black hair was loosely tied up with a simple ebony hairpin. He had a calm expression and his eyes fell gently on Murong Yan who was making tea.

He naturally changed his self-proclaimed name from "minister" to "husband". This subtle change marked a deeper integration of their relationship in private.

Murong Yan didn't ask the palace maids to wait on her. Instead, she personally held the kettle and poured tea for Lin Zhen. Her movements weren't exactly fluid, but they were incredibly focused and serious. As the hot water poured into the white porcelain cup, the tea leaves expanded, their fragrance filling the air.

She gently pushed the teacup in front of him, raised her phoenix eyes slightly, and looked at him: "Husband, try it. This is the new tribute cloud mist. It is said that it grows on the cliffs and absorbs the essence of heaven and earth. Try it and see if it tastes good."

Her tone was calm, yet it carried a homely, wifely, natural concern.