On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

In the late autumn of the first year of Shenghui, the sky was high and the clouds were light, which was a good time for hunting.

According to ancestral rules, the emperor had to hold an autumn hunting ceremony at this time. Firstly, it was to train troops and demonstrate martial virtues; secondly, it was to have fun with his ministers and consolidate the relationship between the monarch and his ministers.

However, in Murong Yan's opinion, this year's autumn hunt is destined to be troubled.

The war in the northern border has not yet been resolved, undercurrents are surging in the eastern border, and the domestic aristocratic families are like dormant poisonous snakes. The autumn hunting, with its complicated personnel and grand scenes, is the perfect stage for them to stir up trouble.

Sure enough, on the eve of the autumn hunt, various "auspicious" signs began to spread quietly among the accompanying princes and ministers.

Some say that the West Mountain Hunting Ground was covered with colorful auspicious clouds at night, some say that a rare pure white spiritual deer appeared in the imperial garden, and even more so, some quote the saying of prophecy, suggesting that "the female ruler needs to be matched with good deeds in order to ensure the longevity of the country." The implicit meaning is that Murong Yan needs to restrain her edge and treat the gentry well in order to gain God's blessing.

These remarks, wrapped in the guise of auspiciousness and destiny, are more misleading and inflammatory than the previous curse rumors.

On the eve of the autumn hunt, candles were brightly lit in the "Qifeng Hall" of the Xishan Palace.

Compared with the extreme luxury of the Fenghuan Palace in the imperial palace, the furnishings of the temporary palace were more simple and elegant. However, among the items Murong Yan carried with her, the black and gold Su brocade cotton nightgown with the pattern of "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" - the Divine Phoenix Descent Dress, was still the most eye-catching.

She had just finished bathing, her long hair was slightly wet, and she changed into this nightgown and was lazily leaning on the soft couch in the warm room of the palace.

Silver bone charcoal was burning in front of the couch, dispelling the mountain chill, bringing warmth.

Lin Zhen was not wearing military uniform, but a black casual dress embroidered with gold. He was half-kneeling in front of the couch, carefully wiping and maintaining the imperial bow that Murong Yan would need for tomorrow's hunting.

His movements were focused and gentle, as if he was handling a treasure.

The Divine Phoenix Dress presents a unique beauty against the backdrop of the slightly rough wooden structure of the palace and the warm light of the warm room.

The extremely dark black Su Jin base material absorbs the warm light of the candlelight, and its color is as calm as the abyss. The golden cotton wool and real gold thread woven into it exude a warm and restrained glow, forming a wonderful harmony with the wood color of the palace.

Above the nightgown, the giant phoenix towering into the sky appears even more noble and extraordinary in the relatively simple environment. Its feathers are layered, and under the light, it seems as if it is ready to take off with the wind at any time.

One of the wide and light bell sleeves fell softly, brushing against the wolfskin mattress beside the couch, while the other rested on Lin Zhen's wrist as he was wiping the bowstring.

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

The five-meter-long Su brocade train was spread out on the thick woven carpet in the palace. The dark gold brocade was interwoven with the intricate hunting patterns on the carpet, exuding a wild tension in the magnificence.

The comfort of cotton allowed her to relax after a long journey.

"My husband, is this bowstring tighter than in previous years?" Murong Yan narrowed her eyes slightly, watching Lin Zhen's skillful movements, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue.

Lin Zhen tested the bowstring and nodded, "Well, the new dragon tendons we added this year are more resilient. I've already adjusted them, and I guarantee Yan'er will hit her target tomorrow."

He looked up and smiled at her tenderly.

"Yan'er, are you worried about tomorrow's autumn hunt?"

Murong Yan snorted softly, a hint of a smile appearing on the corner of her mouth. "Worried? I'm just looking forward to seeing what kind of show those rats hiding in the gutter will put on for me tomorrow."

She stretched out her index finger, which was wearing a black jade ring, and lightly tapped a secret report on the small table beside the couch. It was a collection of rumors about the "auspicious signs" of the autumn hunt compiled by the secret guards.

Lin Zhen's eyes flashed coldly. "It's just some tricks to deceive people. Yan'er, don't take it to heart. With your husband here, I will definitely not let anyone disturb you."

"Shock your majesty?" Murong Yan chuckled, a hint of coldness in her voice. "They don't have the guts yet. I suspect they're hoping to use the Autumn Hunters' numerous eyes to confirm these 'auspicious signs' and force me to bow down to their aristocratic families before the world, or at least suspend my new policies."

She sat up straighter and looked out the window at the dark night sky with the faint outline of the mountains: "White deer? Auspicious clouds? What an old-fashioned method." Her tone was full of contempt.

At this moment, the voice of a trusted palace maid came from outside the pavilion: "Your Majesty, the secret guards have urgent news regarding the arrangements for tomorrow's hunting grounds."

"Come in." Murong Yan replied lazily.

The maid entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, the secret guards have ascertained that the location where the 'auspicious sign' will appear in the hunting grounds tomorrow has been secretly arranged by the Wang family of Taiyuan. The 'white deer' is actually an ordinary elk dyed with drugs. They will be driven to the path Your Majesty will pass. Furthermore, they have ambushed men in the forest. When the 'auspicious sign' appears, they will lead some pre-bribed officials and scholars to chant slogans such as 'Heaven bless the holy emblem, the lady should cultivate virtue.'"

The plan was meticulous, using people's fear of "God's will" to create public pressure.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhen's face darkened instantly. He stopped tending to the bowstring, his knuckles turning white from the strain. "Shameless as hell! How dare you plot against Yan'er like this! I'll go right away."

"Husband, why are you so anxious?" Murong Yan reached out and pressed his arm. Her fingertips were slightly cold, but with unquestionable calmness.

Instead of a scowl on her face, she had a playful, almost excited smile.

"Now that they've set up the stage, how can I not do them the honor of accompanying them through this drama?"

She turned to the maid, her tone lazy but clear, "Pass on my secret orders. First, keep a close eye on the ambushes in the hunting grounds, but don't alert them. Second, when the 'white deer' runs up to me, have the lurking 'night owl' use a blowpipe dipped in a special potion to suddenly change back to its original color right before my eyes. Well, let's make it a mottled, variegated color. The more distressed it looks, the better."

This move is to expose the scam on the spot and turn "auspiciousness" into a joke!

"Third," Murong Yan's eyes flashed with a cold gleam, "Those who are about to cheer, write down the names of their leaders for me. After they finish, I will personally 'reward' them and have them go to the frontier military camps to sing praises to the soldiers!"

This is a reckoning after the event, exile thousands of miles away!

"Fourth," she paused, a cruel smile curling her lips, "tell the young man in the Wang family who's in charge of this matter that I admire his ingenuity and will invite him to the palace for a good chat after the autumn hunt."

This is to catch the leader first and kill the chicken to scare the monkeys!

The palace maid obeyed the order solemnly and retreated quickly.

There were only two people left in the pavilion again. Lin Zhen looked at Murong Yan, his eyes filled with wonder and love.

His Yan'er always manages to remain calm in the midst of conspiracy and come up with the most deadly counterattack in an instant.

"Yan'er, you really are..." He didn't know how to describe it for a moment.

Murong Yan leaned back lazily on the pillow again, as if the decisive statement she had just made was just a casual remark.

"My husband, have you taken good care of the bow? I will use it for hunting tomorrow." She stretched out her hand and motioned Lin Zhen to hand her the bow.

Lin Zhen handed over the shiny imperial bow.

Murong Yan took it and casually pulled the empty string, and the bowstring made a clear "clang" sound.

She nodded in satisfaction and placed the bow beside her.

"Husband," she suddenly called out, her voice lowered. "Hold me for a while. It's a little cold in the mountains at night."

Lin Zhen's heart suddenly softened, and he immediately stepped forward and hugged her and the blanket in his arms.

Murong Yan snuggled obediently in his chest, absorbing the warmth from his body, like a bird seeking shelter.

Her hands, beneath the wide flared sleeves, were wrapped around his waist.

"As long as my husband is here, I'm not afraid of anything." She said sullenly in his arms, her tone full of complete dependence.

Lin Zhen hugged her tightly, his chin resting on the top of her head, and whispered like a vow: "As long as I am here, I will always be here. Tomorrow, I will stay by Yan'er's side, and no evil spirits will dare to get even a step closer."

Murong Yan nodded gently in his arms. After a while, she seemed to remember something and raised her head, a cunning light flashing in her phoenix eyes: "By the way, my husband, if there really are blind beasts rushing towards us tomorrow, you must protect me, the 'female mistress of Dangyang'."

She actually joked about the rumors herself, speaking in a relaxed tone, not caring about tomorrow's turmoil at all.

Lin Zhen laughed, lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "Okay, as a husband, I will protect my 'female protagonist' well."

After a few more tender moments, Murong Yan seemed sleepy.

Lin Zhen wanted to carry her to the bedroom, but Murong Yan stood up by herself and walked towards the inner room.

Just as she reached the door of the inner room and was about to step into a more private space, she suddenly turned around!

The movements convey a sense of ease and relief as if one has taken off all disguises and returned to one's true self!

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 like the wings of a phoenix returning to its nest, sweeping across the animal skin carpets laid inside and outside the threshold 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 shimmered brilliantly under the candlelight, was revealed!

The pattern of Hundred Phoenixes Facing the Sun shone in an instant, shining with golden light, noble and dazzling, and carrying a kind of calmness and confidence as if one had seen through all the conspiracies and was about to deal a fatal blow to the enemy!

The skirt falls, and the brilliance is restrained in the quiet ink color.

Murong Yan stood at the door, turned around and smiled at Lin Zhen: "Husband, wait and see the show tomorrow."

After saying that, she turned and walked into the inner room. Her long train finally drew a thrilling dark gold arc at the door and disappeared behind the door.

Lin Zhen stood there, looking in the direction where she disappeared, his heart filled with indescribable emotions.

Tomorrow's autumn hunt is destined to be a game without the flash of swords and sabers, but extremely dangerous.

But he firmly believed that his Yan'er would once again defeat all enemies.