On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The cold winter of the first year of Shenghui seemed particularly long.

The undercurrent of tension over grain prices in the capital had not yet subsided when an urgent military report from the eastern border of the empire sounded the alarm for Fenghuan Palace like another heavy hammer.

After completely purging the pro-Gyeongbu prince's forces, Goguryeo's regent, Go Un, actually sent an envoy headed by the military commander Park Yong-chung, known for his toughness and arrogance. The envoy has crossed the Yalu River and is heading towards Chang'an!

The mission was nominally to "inform the succession of the Goguryeo throne and restore the friendly relations between the two countries", but the secret report from the secret guards clearly pointed out that there were merchants in the mission who had secret contacts with the Taiyuan Wang family and the Qinghe Cui family, and that Park Yongzhong was very likely to take the opportunity to cause trouble, test Murong Yan's bottom line, and even create an excuse for possible border friction.

When the news arrived, Murong Yan was playing chess with Lin Zhen in the warm chamber of the bedroom. The black and white pieces on the chessboard were entangled, and murderous intent was everywhere, just like the situation surging outside the window.

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". Her slender jade fingers were holding a warm white piece, and she was pondering for a while.

Lin Zhen sat opposite her. Although his eyes were on the chessboard, a hint of solemnity appeared between his brows.

After hearing the secret guard commander's report, Murong Yan didn't immediately put down her chess piece. Instead, she tapped the white piece twice on the edge of the board with her fingertips, making a crisp sound. She raised her eyes, and a faint, cold smile flashed across them.

"Goguryeo's Park Yongzhong," she repeated the name softly, her tone as calm as if she were discussing the weather. "Is he the 'Goguryeo's greatest warrior' who was said to be able to fight a tiger with his bare hands?"

She turned to Lin Zhen, her lips curled up slightly, "Husband, do you think the tiger he fought was more powerful, or the deer I shot during the autumn hunt was more spirited?"

Lin Zhen put down the black piece in his hand, his eyes sharp as a knife: "A clown, a dead bone in a grave, is worthy of being compared with Yan'er's archery? This person has more courage than strategy. He is just a pathfinder thrown by Gao Yun, or even a discarded pawn."

Murong Yan chuckled and dropped the white piece on a vital spot on the chessboard with a "pop", instantly turning the situation around.

"Abandoned? That would save me a lot of trouble."

She leaned back lazily on the pillow, her wide trumpet sleeves brushing across the chessboard.

"I hereby order that I shall receive this 'warrior' envoy in Taiji Hall three days from now."

Her decision was understated, but it sent a chill through the hearts of the secret guard commander standing by. The Taiji Hall was the main hall used for grand court meetings, receptions with foreign monarchs, and extremely important envoys. His Majesty's use of such formality to receive an envoy with clearly ill intentions was intriguing.

On the day of the audience, Taiji Hall.

Inside the palace, all officials stood in awe. The gilded column bases and coiled dragon caisson ceilings fully displayed the majesty and luxury of the Celestial Empire. However, when Murong Yan appeared on the throne, everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to her, and they even temporarily forgot about the impending diplomatic turmoil.

She was not wearing the heavy and complicated imperial robes and crown, but was still wearing the black and gold Su brocade cotton nightgown with the pattern of "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" which had become her unique symbol - the dress of the divine phoenix descending to the world!

But the way I dress today is much more formal.

Over the nightgown was a long, dark black gauze embroidered with dark dragon patterns in gold thread, but the splendor of the Divine Phoenix Dress itself was still eye-catching.

The extremely dark black Su brocade base material is as deep as midnight under the illumination of countless candles in the hall. The golden cotton wool and real gold threads woven into it emit a quiet and dazzling dark golden glow, which complements the magnificent architecture of the hall. Instead of appearing out of place, it has a sense of absolute authority that overrides all traditional regulations.

Above the nightgown, the towering phoenix, amidst the solemnity of the palace, seemed even more majestic, its feathers folded as if ready to burst forth from the garment and soar into the heavens. The black diamonds in its phoenix eyes gazed coldly down below.

Her wide, light trumpet sleeves were faintly visible beneath the long veil, the gold tassels at the cuffs swaying slightly with her movements. She tapped the black jade ring on her left thumb lightly on the armrest of the throne.

The five-meter-long Su Jin train was not lifted by the palace servants, but was spread out on the high steps under the throne in a winding and very natural manner. The dark gold brocade was spread layer by layer along the white marble steps, like a dark gold river hanging from the clouds, luxurious, majestic, and carrying an unquestionable sense of oppression.

The softness of the cotton and the comfort of the nightgown allowed her to maintain a reserved composure even on such an important occasion.

Lin Zhen did not stand at the head of all officials as usual. Instead, he wore the formal attire of a first-rank prince, held a cymbal in his hand, and stood one step behind the throne. His eyes scanned the entire audience like an eagle, especially the Goguryeo envoys who were about to enter the palace.

This position clearly declared that he was not only a subject, but also the Empress's most trusted barrier and sword.

"Announcement - Goguryeo envoy Park Yongzhong, come to the audience -!" The eunuch's shrill and long voice echoed in the hall.

The palace door opened wide, and a tall, dark-skinned, bearded, middle-aged man dressed in traditional Goguryeo military uniform strode in. He was followed by several deputy envoys, all with arrogant expressions.

Park Yongzhong bowed according to etiquette, but his movements were rough and there was no reverence in his eyes. Instead, he looked straight at Murong Yan on the throne with a hint of provocation.

When he saw that Murong Yan was only wearing a gorgeous dress similar to a nightgown to meet him, his eyes flashed with undisguised contempt and doubt.

"Foreign minister Park Yongzhong, on behalf of the Regent of Goguryeo, comes to see His Majesty the Emperor Daqian." His voice was loud and even a little deafening, which seemed particularly abrupt in the silent hall.

Murong Yan lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze vaguely sweeping over him. She didn't call out immediately, but instead extended her index finger, which was adorned with a black jade ring, and gently brushed across the dragon head carved on the armrest of the throne. Her voice was lazy and cold, yet it clearly spread to every corner of the hall:

"Envoy Park, you have come all the way here, thank you for the hard work. But I heard that the old king of Goguryeo has just passed away, and the crown prince is young, so the regent Gao Yun will temporarily manage the country's affairs?" She deliberately paused on the word "temporarily manage".

Park Yongzhong frowned, straightened his back, and spoke a little louder:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please do not worry about the affairs of our Goguryeo! The Regent is a man of great talent and vision, deeply loved by the people, and his ascension to the throne is the universally desired choice! I have come here to inform you of the ascension of our new monarch, and secondly, to ask Your Majesty why you have recently deployed additional troops to the border and closed trade. Could it be that you have coveted Goguryeo? Although our Goguryeo is small, we have a hundred thousand soldiers under our command, and we will never allow ourselves to be bullied!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was in an uproar!

This is not just rudeness, it is a naked provocation and a scapegoat!

Many ministers looked angry.

Murong Yan laughed, her laughter was crisp and contained a hint of amused sarcasm.

She did not get angry, and even adjusted her sitting position to be more comfortable, and the five-meter-long train that stretched along the steps slid slightly.

"One hundred thousand armored soldiers?" she repeated softly, turning her gaze to Lin Zhen beside her, her tone filled with a hint of innocent doubt. "My dear, I remember that General Lin of the Northern Frontier reported last time that his men accidentally shot a few wild geese that had crossed the border during a drill. Could it be that the one hundred thousand armored soldiers of Goguryeo were those frightened geese?"

Lin Zhen's lips curled up in a cold arc, and he said in a deep voice, "Yan'er, that's right. The soldiers in the northern border are not good at archery, and they disturbed the 'geese' of the neighboring country. It's because I didn't discipline them strictly. When the envoy returns, I will prepare a generous gift and apologize to the Regent."

His words reduced the hundred thousand brave soldiers to the level of frightened geese, bringing them great humiliation.

Park Yongzhong's face flushed with rage, his curly beard practically standing on end! He suddenly took a step forward, seemingly ready to charge the steps! The guards in the palace instantly unsheathed their swords, their blades gleaming coldly!

"Your Majesty! Although I am a crude foreign minister, I also know that the relationship between two countries should be based on sincerity! Your Majesty is joking like this, do you think Goguryeo is nothing?!" he roared.

At this tense moment, the smile on Murong Yan's face suddenly faded. She slowly stood up.

The movement was not fast, but it carried a great weight!

The light and elegant five-meter-long Su Jin trail slid down the Danbi layer by layer as she stood up, making a subtle and heart-pounding friction sound.

She looked down at Park Yongzhong with a cold gaze. The lazy and playful expression just now disappeared without a trace, replaced by a bone-chilling chill and absolute oppression.

"Cheng?" She opened her red lips slightly, her voice was not loud, but it was like an ice cone, piercing everyone's eardrum.

"Park Yong-chung, you, the Regent of Goguryeo, Gao Yun, murdered the regnal and usurped the throne, placing the Crown Prince under house arrest. This is disloyalty and injustice! Those who secretly colluded with our traitors have infiltrated your delegation. This is dishonesty and lack of trust! You roared and threatened in front of the palace today. This is disrespectful and fearless!"

Every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting Park Yongzhong's heart, and also the hearts of all the officials in the palace who had connections with the aristocratic families!

She actually knew everything about the inside story of Goguryeo and the details of the diplomatic mission!

"You are a small, barbaric nation. I, in consideration of our past vassalage, am allowing you to bark here. This is already a great favor from Heaven!" Murong Yan's voice suddenly turned harsh.

"How dare you presume to guess the will of the Celestial Empire and question me?! Who gave you the courage?!"

The last sentence was like a thunderclap!

A powerful aura swept through the entire Taiji Hall, causing Park Yongzhong to turn pale. He involuntarily took a half step back and opened his mouth, but found that he could not make a sound!

Murong Yan stopped looking at him and turned around suddenly!

The action is decisive and full of disdain!

The huge dark golden skirt was lifted up by the swift rotation, like the wings of an enraged phoenix, sweeping across the cold Danbi with a swish!

As the hem of her skirt suddenly rose, she suddenly revealed the densely woven gold lining inside. It was so dazzling under the light in the hall that it was impossible to look directly at it!

The patterns of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun and ten thousand blessings and longevity suddenly burst out with dazzling golden light, noble and brilliant, and carrying the absolute power to crush all provocations!

This fleeting glimpse of golden light was like an invisible judgment, declaring that the power of heaven was inviolable!

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

Murong Yan had returned to the throne, as if the thunderous wrath just now was just an illusion.

She waved her hand lazily and instructed the officials of the Ministry of Rites, "The envoys from Goguryeo have come a long way and must be taken to the Honglu Temple to rest. They must be treated well and not allowed to leave the capital or see anyone without my permission."

This casual remark was equivalent to placing the entire Goguryeo delegation under house arrest!

Park Yong-chung wanted to say something, but was "asked" to leave the hall by the ferocious palace guards.

The entire hall was filled with dead silence, all of them stunned by the fierce tactics and unfathomable majesty that the empress had just displayed.

After retiring from court, he returned to Fenghuan Palace.

Murong Yan dismissed her attendants, a trace of fatigue instantly appearing on her face. She quickly walked towards Lin Zhen, who was approaching, and practically threw herself into his arms.

"My husband, the noise of those barbarians is giving me a headache." She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled and coquettish, completely different from the majestic empress in the Taiji Palace just now.

Lin Zhen hugged her tightly and stroked her back lovingly: "I know that Yan'er has been wronged. Those idiots are not worth Yan'er's anger."

He could feel her body trembling slightly, not because of fear, but because of relaxation after being highly concentrated.

"I'm not angry," Murong Yan raised her head in his arms, her eyes sparkling with light, "I'm just a little tired, my husband, carry me and rest for a while."

Lin Zhen picked her up and carried her sideways into the inner room.

Murong Yan leaned against him obediently, her arms wrapped around his neck. The five-meter-long dark golden tail drooped down, swaying behind him with his steps.

Lin Zhen gently placed her on the soft dragon couch and covered her with a brocade quilt. However, Murong Yan held his hand tightly and refused to let go. "Husband, stay with me for a while. I don't want to be alone."

"Okay, your husband will accompany Yan'er." Lin Zhen lay down beside her with his clothes on and held her in his arms.

Murong Yan found a comfortable position in his arms, and soon fell into a deep sleep with even breathing.

Lin Zhen gazed at her sleeping face, his eyes full of love and determination.

The jackals in the East Territory have already bared their fangs, but the phoenix in his arms has already revealed an edge that is enough to tear apart all conspiracies.