On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The first day of the first month of the first year of Shenghui.

The New Year's sun breaks through the clouds, spreading its golden light over the majestic imperial city. The snow begins to melt, and the icicles on the eaves drip with crystal water droplets, as if foreshadowing the cleansing of the old dust and the renewal of all things.

The "Qianyuan" era name, which lasted for several years, ended with Murong Yan's ambition to unify the world. It was replaced by "Shenghui", which means "the glory of holy virtue shines upon the four seas".

However, under this hopeful reign, the dark clouds in the northern border did not dissipate. Instead, with the beginning of the new dynasty, the tension of impending storm increased.

Inside Fenghuan Palace, there is an extremely quiet and warm atmosphere that is completely incompatible with the solemnity of the outside world and the noise of the festival.

The earthenware dragon was burning warmly, and the air was filled with the cool fragrance of plum blossoms, mixed with the light, soothing scent of styrax.

Murong Yan seemed to particularly prefer the tranquility of the beginning of the new era. She was still wearing the black and gold Su Jin cotton nightgown that had become her trademark - the Divine Phoenix Descent Dress.

She and Lin Zhen were lazily leaning on the couch by the window in the east warm room of the bedroom.

Outside the window, one can overlook most of the imperial city. In the distance, the sound of celebratory music can be faintly heard, but it is blocked by the thick curtains, becoming blurry and distant.

The Phoenix Dress glows with a different brilliance than before under the New Year's morning light.

Under the mixed light of pure snow and golden sunrise, the extremely dark black Su Jin base material presents an ink color as deep as the beginning of the universe, absorbing the light, restrained and heavy.

The woven golden cotton wool and real gold thread exude a brighter and purer dark golden glow, like the first ray of light penetrating the clouds at sunrise, mysterious and noble, carrying the hope and majesty of new life.

Above the nightgown, a towering phoenix, embroidered solely with red gold thread, towered over the sky. In the first rays of sunlight of the first year of Shenghui, its feathers cascaded, each scale reflecting a dazzling golden glow. Its noble majesty radiated an awe-inspiring, inviolable bearing, symbolizing a new era. The black diamonds in the phoenix's eyes, still icy cold, seemed to reflect a new beginning.

The wide, light-filled trumpet sleeves, with their gold tassels swaying slightly in the morning light, sparkled with tiny specks of light. The dark jade ring on her left thumb had a calming hue.

The five-meter-long Su brocade train was spread out with extra care today, dragging across the expensive Persian carpet in the warm room, which was woven with auspicious clouds and auspicious beasts in gold thread. The dark gold brocade and the golden carpet patterns were interwoven, and it was gorgeous and glorious to the extreme, like a magnificent painting unfolding by the new dynasty.

The softness of cotton and the comfort of the nightgown add a sense of peace and comfort at home at this moment.

Lin Zhen was wearing a dark red suit with cloud patterns, which matched the festive mood of the New Year. His black hair was tied up with a simple red gold hairpin, which made him look less cold than usual. There was a relaxation and gentleness between his brows as if he had just taken a bath.

He did not pay attention to the celebration outside the window, his eyes were always gently on Murong Yan in his arms.

In private, he naturally called himself "husband".

Murong Yan seemed to have not slept well last night, and there was a faint blue shadow under her eyes.

At this moment, she was facing away from Lin Zhen, leaning lazily in his arms, while Lin Zhen, holding an exquisite rhino horn comb, was very patiently combing her knee-length, jet-black hair like a waterfall.

His movements were extremely gentle, as if he was afraid of hurting her. His fingertips occasionally brushed against the sensitive back of her neck, causing a slight shudder.

"My husband's hands are especially gentle today," Murong Yan closed her eyes, her voice hoarse from waking up in the morning and filled with a strong sense of dependence, like a cat that was stroked and felt comfortable, without any of the majesty she had in the court.

Lin Zhen chuckled softly, his voice mellow and gentle: "Today is the first day of the first year of Shenghui. Naturally, your husband must serve my Yan'er well."

He put down the comb, dipped his fingertips in a little hair oil that exuded the scent of cold plum, and applied it carefully to the ends of her hair.

"Yan'er's hair is so fine, like satin and brocade."

Murong Yan moved slightly, found a more comfortable position, buried her face in his chest, and said sullenly: "It's all because my husband made me sleep poorly last night."

There was a hint of coquettish complaint in her tone, but a blush quietly appeared on her cheeks.

Lin Zhen's smile deepened. He tightened his arms, holding her in his embrace. He rested his chin lightly on the top of her head, inhaling the cool plum fragrance in her hair mixed with the scent of the hair oil he had just applied, a scent that belonged only to her. "It's my fault. Yan'er, how do you want to punish me today? I accept the punishment."

His tone was full of indulgence and pampering.

Murong Yan hummed softly in his arms. After a while, she raised her head, her eyes sparkling with a hint of cunning. "I punish you by not letting you leave me all day. I want you to paint my eyebrows and lipstick, and accompany me for meals."

She paused, lowering her voice with a hint of ambiguity, "Continue to serve me well tonight."

This is more of a stickier request than a punishment.

Lin Zhen loved her like this. He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead, solemnly swearing, "Okay, I will obey your command. Today, I belong to Yan'er alone and will do whatever Yan'er wants me to do."

Murong Yan smiled with satisfaction and nestled back into his arms.

The sunlight shines through the window screens and falls on the two people hugging each other, casting a warm halo on them. The dark gold color of the dress that resembles the divine phoenix descending from the earth becomes even more gorgeous under the light. The years are so peaceful that it seems as if the beacon fires in the northern border are just a distant legend.

However, this tranquility was destined to be short-lived.

Near noon, the palace servants quietly set out the lunch, all of which were exquisite and refreshing light dishes, obviously prepared according to Murong Yan's preferences.

Murong Yan had no appetite, so she lazily let Lin Zhen feed her a few mouthfuls of porridge and then pushed it away.

"Husband," she asked casually, leaning against the pillow and gazing out the window, "is there any new news from the north?"

Lin Zhen put down the jade spoon, picked up the warm handkerchief and wiped the corners of her mouth with natural and smooth movements.

His expression grew slightly more serious. "This morning, our secret guards reported that the Tatar Khan, Bater, has taken advantage of the Holy Hui era change and our dynasty's celebrations to dispatch several elite cavalry squads, disguised as merchant caravans or refugees, to bypass the Zhenbei Pass and infiltrate our heartland. Apparently, he intends to exploit our insecurity to harass or conduct reconnaissance."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan's lazy expression did not change at all, but a very faint, cold and sharp light flashed across the depths of her eyes.

She uttered a soft "Oh" and stretched out her index finger wearing the black jade ring, tapping it intermittently on the rosewood table in front of her.

"Also," Lin Zhen continued, his tone tinged with coldness, "Over in Shandong, although Kong Xiren's lineage has been eliminated, some of his disciples and old friends still refuse to give up. Secret guards have discovered that remnants of the Kong family have been secretly contacting secret envoys from Mobei in the Qingzhou area. Although the specific details have not been verified, their intentions are undoubtedly not good."

"Heh," Murong Yan chuckled softly, her laughter crisp but carrying a hint of chill for no reason, "It really is haunting."

She raised her eyes and looked at Lin Zhen, her eyes calm and unwavering. "My husband, what do you think we should do?"

Lin Zhen pondered for a moment, a murderous look flashing in his eyes. "Order the border troops to conduct a thorough investigation of the infiltrating Tatar cavalry. Once discovered, they will be killed without mercy and their heads will be hung on the walls! As for the remnants of the Shandong rebels, I suggest that the secret guards play the long game and catch the big fish. We will then be able to find out their contact network and plans, and then capture them all in one fell swoop, eliminating this threat forever!"

His suggestion was decisive and ruthless, completely in line with Murong Yan's style.

Murong Yan listened quietly without making any comment.

She suddenly stood up, and the five-meter-long train slid on the gorgeous carpet with her movements.

She walked to the window and looked towards the north. Her back looked slender in the sunlight, but she exuded an unquestionable aura of dominance.

"Kill without mercy, capture them all," she repeated softly, as if savoring the words.

Suddenly, she turned around!

The action is swift and decisive!

The light and elegant five-meter-long Su Jin train was suddenly lifted up by the sudden turn, and the huge dark golden skirt spread out like the wings of a phoenix that sensed the threat, sweeping across the soft carpet with a swish!

As the hem of the skirt suddenly fluttered up, the "gold woven all over the ground" lining was revealed, which became more and more dazzling and radiant in the sunlight!

Under the light of the first year of Shenghui, the patterns of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun and entwined lotus on the lining seemed to be infused with life, with golden light flowing and brilliance and brightness reaching the extreme!

It forms a thrilling contrast with the deep ink color of the nightgown, noble, dazzling, and with a sense of determination to crush all evil spirits and monsters!

The skirt fell, and the brilliance was restrained in the quiet ink color.

But Murong Yan's killing intent was as cold as ice unsheathed: "No."

She opened her red lips slightly and uttered a word, clear and cold.

Lin Zhen was slightly stunned.

Murong Yan walked back to him, her eyes blazing as she stared at him. "We don't have to kill all the Tatars who sneaked in. Pick a few who are still alive, break their legs, gouge out their eyes, cut off their tongues, and then let them go."

Her voice was calm, but every word was bloody!

"Let them crawl back to Mobei, crawl back to Bater's royal court," she said, a cruel smile curling her lips. "Tell their Khan that I do not welcome uninvited guests like him in the first year of my Holy Glory. Let him wait until I personally come to 'visit' him."

This move is no longer a simple defense or revenge, but a naked and extremely humiliating psychological warfare!

"As for those bugs in Shandong," Murong Yan tapped the tabletop lightly with her fingertips, "let them jump around. I want to see how big a fuss they can stir up. Tell the secret guards not to alert the enemy and keep a close eye on them. I want to see how many monsters and demons will inevitably pop up at the beginning of this new dynasty."

Her strategy is full of ruthlessness and patience, like a cat and mouse game. She wants to take this opportunity to lure out all potential enemies inside and outside, and then solve them once and for all.

Lin Zhen looked at her, a hint of understanding and admiration flashing in his eyes.

His Yan'er has never been a passive defender, she is an active hunter.

"I understand. I'll make the arrangements right away."

"No hurry." Murong Yan reached out and grabbed his sleeve, her tone instantly returning to its previous lazy tone, as if she wasn't the one who had just issued the bloody order. "Today is the first day of the first year of Shenghui, and my husband promised to accompany me for the whole day."

She looked up at him, her phoenix eyes filled with a hint of unquestionable willfulness: "Let the people below take care of those trivial matters. My husband should draw my eyebrows now."

As she spoke, she pulled him towards the dressing table.

The five-meter-long tail behind her slid silently across the carpet like inky golden water.

Lin Zhen's heart softened and he followed her obediently.

Yes, today is New Year, the day his Yan'er wants to be warm and cozy.

As for the barbarians in the northern border and the remnants in Shandong, they will sooner or later become sacrifices to Yan'er's Holy Glory Era.

He picked up the ink and drew her eyebrows in front of the mirror with great concentration.

Murong Yan closed her eyes, feeling the tenderness of his fingertips, with a satisfied, faint smile on her lips.

The mirror reflected the figures of two people cuddling together, one majestic and beautiful, the other handsome and gentle. The gorgeous background of the divine phoenix dress made the picture look like a carefully painted picture of love between the emperor and the empress.

However, beneath the surface of this ultimate love, the wind and snow in the northern border and the undercurrent in the Central Plains had already quietly surged on the first day of the first year of Shenghui.