On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

On a summer night in the first year of Shenghui, the sultry heat was accompanied by a hint of oppression, as if a storm was about to come.

The bloody atmosphere of the extermination of three clans of the Lu family had not yet dissipated, and everyone in the government and the country was silent.

But Murong Yan knew very well that this thundering method could only deter overt resistance. Those centuries-old families with complex connections were like wounded poisonous snakes, which would only bury their hatred deeper and their counterattacks would become more insidious and difficult to defend against.

In the northern border, Bater occupied Shufeng City. Although he was trapped, he still fought hard. The extent of his collusion with the aristocratic families in the territory remained unknown.

However, inside the bedroom of Fenghuan Palace, there was a quietness that was in stark contrast to the tension outside.

The huge ice mirror exuded a chilling cold air, dispelling the summer heat. The candlelight in the hall was bright, but it only illuminated the figures of the two people leaning on each other.

After Murong Yan took a bath, her skin was still moist with moisture, so she was served by the palace maids and put on the black and gold Su Jin cotton nightgown with the pattern of "Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" that was inseparable from her - the Divine Phoenix Descent Dress.

The silky cotton fabric hugs the body for a comfortable, cooling feel.

She lay lazily on the soft couch by the window, which was covered with a cool and smooth jade mat.

Lin Zhen did not sit aside, but half-knelt on the carpet in front of the couch, holding one of her snow-white jade feet in his hand, and was wiping and massaging her very carefully with a warm wet towel soaked in rose water.

His movements were focused and gentle, as if he was treating a fragile treasure. His fingertips applied just the right amount of force as he massaged the acupuncture points on the soles of her feet.

The Phoenix Dress radiates a quiet glow under the candlelight.

The extremely dark black Su Jin base material absorbs the light, and its color is as quiet as midnight; the golden cotton wool and real gold thread woven into it exude warm dark golden waves.

Above the nightgown, the towering phoenix, bathed in the indoor light, shed its battlefield aggression, its feathers layered, appearing even more regal and graceful. One of its wide, light trumpet sleeves draped softly over the edge of the couch, the other draped over her bent calf.

The black jade ring on her left thumb shone with a warm luster in the candlelight.

Part of the five-meter-long Su Jin train was spread on the couch, while more of it hung down to the edge of the couch, covering the expensive Persian carpet in front of Lin Zhen's knees. The dark gold brocade formed a sharp and harmonious contrast with his moon-white casual clothes.

"Husband," Murong Yan closed her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyelids, and her voice was lazy and hoarse with a bath, "Please try harder, my ankle is a little sore."

"Okay." Lin Zhen responded in a low voice, slightly increasing the strength in his hands, and pressing her slender ankles with his fingertips accurately, which seemed a little stiff from standing for a long time or some subtle tension.

"Is it here? But you've been reviewing memorials for a long time today?" His tone was full of heartache.

"Yeah," Murong Yan responded vaguely without saying much.

She enjoyed this rare tranquility and service, as if the war in the northern border outside the window and the undercurrents in the court had nothing to do with her.

Only her slightly furrowed brows revealed a hint of her inner thoughts.

At this moment, there was a very light knock on the door outside the palace, followed by the deep voice of the commander of the secret guards: "Your Majesty, Prince, the latest secret reports from the Northern Frontier and other places have arrived."

Murong Yan slowly opened her eyes, the laziness in her eyes faded away, and she regained her clarity.

She did not stand up immediately, but just gently moved the foot that Lin Zhen was holding.

Lin Zhen understood and carefully put on the soft silk shoes for her. Then he stood up, walked to the door of the palace, took several secret letters handed in by the leader of the secret guards, and waved his hand to let him leave.

He returned to the couch, but did not rush to present the secret letter. Instead, he poured a cup of warm ginseng tea and handed it to Murong Yan.

"Yan'er, drink some tea to moisten your throat first."

Murong Yan took the teacup and sipped it, but her eyes were already on the secret letter in Lin Zhen's hand.

After she finished her tea, Lin Zhen unfolded the secret letters one by one and spread them on the small table on the couch so that she could read them conveniently.

The contents of the secret letter were complicated: it contained information about Bater strengthening the city defense and collecting food and fodder in Shufeng City.

There are signs that other prominent families (such as the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Cui family of Qinghe) were unusually quiet after the Lu family was exterminated, but there were frequent secret capital flows; there is also a summary of the overt and covert resistance encountered in the implementation of new policies in various places.

Murong Yan watched quietly, with no expression on her face. She wore a black jade ring on her fingertips, which lightly slid across the secret letter.

The only sounds in the hall were the crackling of candlelight and the occasional soft sound of her turning pages.

After a long time, she let out a sigh, leaned back into the pillow, and rubbed her temples.

"Bater is quite patient. It seems that he wants to use Shufeng City to fight with me." Her tone did not reveal whether she was happy or angry.

"A trapped beast's fight is futile. My army has surrounded him and his food supply has been cut off. He won't be able to hold out for long." Lin Zhen said in a deep voice with a firm tone.

"I know he can't hold on for much longer." Murong Yan turned her gaze to another secret report on the movements of the noble families, and a cold arc appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"I'm curious about how the Wang and Cui families will rescue their 'allies' this time? Or are they eager to distance themselves from their ties?"

She extended her index finger and pointed at the words "Unusual Fund Movement" on the secret report.

"Find out where this money went. Did it go to Mobei? Was it used to bribe our officials? Or was there some other motive?"

"My husband has ordered the secret guards to intensify the investigation. Report back immediately as soon as we have any news." Lin Zhen replied, and at the same time reached out to massage her temples with gentle force.

Murong Yan closed her eyes comfortably, enjoying his massage, but her mind was unusually clear: "Send a message to the generals besieging the city, don't attack violently, so as to avoid too many casualties.

Continue the siege, and at the same time, spread the word that the Lu family has colluded with the enemy and has been executed. Bater is isolated and if he surrenders the city, I may spare the lives of his soldiers."

This is a tactic to win over people's hearts.

"Besides," she continued, her voice lazy but with unquestionable determination.

"Tell those officials who are still on the sidelines, or secretly trying to trip me up, that the Lu family is a lesson for us. Those who fail to implement my new policies will be dismissed from office; those who pretend to obey but secretly disobey will be treated as accomplices! I want to see who is more stubborn, or who is more ruthless."

The iron fist on the internal front will not be relaxed at all.

"As for the Wang and Cui families."

Murong Yan suddenly chuckled, opened her eyes, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes.

"Don't touch them yet. I need to keep them for bigger fish. Send an order. I want to select talented people to fill the Hanlin Academy and the six ministries, especially to give more opportunities to those children from humble backgrounds who have little connection to aristocratic families."

This is like cutting off the source of the problem, fundamentally shaking the foundation of the aristocratic families' monopoly on official positions.

Instructions flowed from her languid posture, each one precisely pointing to the core of the problem. She did not ignore the internal hidden dangers because of the war in the northern border, nor did she relax her pressure on the enemy because of internal struggles.

After giving the order, Murong Yan seemed exhausted, a trace of fatigue on her face. She waved her hand, signaling Lin Zhen to take the secret letter away.

Lin Zhen quickly packed up everything and returned to the bedside. Seeing that she looked tired, he said softly, "Yan'er, you've been working hard. It's late, you should rest."

Murong Yan nodded and held out her hand to him. Lin Zhen leaned over and tried to pick her up.

However, Murong Yan shook her head, supported herself on the edge of the couch, and slowly stood up. As soon as she stood firm, she seemed to think of something and suddenly turned around to look in the direction of the sand table!

The action carries a sense of relief and majesty after making a decision!

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 gracefully and powerfully like a phoenix flapping its wings, sweeping across the soft couch and carpet with a swish!

As the hem of the skirt suddenly floated up, the "gold woven all over the ground" lining, which was densely woven with gold threads and sparkled brightly under the candlelight, was revealed!

The pattern of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun shone in an instant, golden light flowed, noble and dazzling, as if all her plans and decisions just now were condensed in this stunning glimpse!

The skirt falls down, and the brilliance is restrained.

Murong Yan stopped looking at the sand table and turned around, walking towards Lin Zhen with a somewhat stumbling step, her voice full of weariness: "My husband, hold me."

Lin Zhen immediately stepped forward and picked her up sideways.

Murong Yan snuggled obediently in his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her face against his warm chest, like a child seeking support.

The five-meter-long tail hung down and swayed behind Lin Zhen as he walked.

"Husband," she said sullenly in his arms, "you are the only one I have."

Lin Zhen felt a pang in his heart and hugged her tighter, walking towards the dragon bed in the depths of the bedroom: "As long as your husband is here, he will always be here. Yan'er, go to sleep. Everything is up to your husband."

The candles in the hall were extinguished one after another, leaving only one lamp burning forever.

Outside the window, the night is deep, and the war in the northern border and the conspiracy of the aristocratic families are still going on.