On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The end of the first year of Shenghui is approaching, and Chang'an City should be immersed in the joy of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.

However, in the magnificent cage of the Honglu Temple, Goguryeo envoy Park Yongzhong was like a fly trapped in a spider web, anxious, angry, and with a hint of excitement about carrying out a vicious plan.

The secret contact with Mr. Wang Qi of the Wang family in Taiyuan was like a shot of adrenaline for him.

The oppressive feeling brought by Murong Yan and her strange phoenix dress seemed to be temporarily diluted by the pleasure of "imminent revenge".

All he was thinking about now was how to combine the resources provided by Master Wang Qi with the power in his own hands to deal a heavy blow to this prosperous imperial capital and that arrogant woman!

Mr. Wang Qi's plan is insidious and specific.

Taking advantage of the increased demand for supplies at the end of the year and the already tight supply in the official market caused by the imperial court, they created panic and chaos on a larger scale.

The first step was to create several "accidental" fires simultaneously in the capital's most important commercial areas - the East Market and the West Market. The goal was not to burn down the official market directly, but to burn down the important warehouses around it and several large businesses opened by upstarts from humble backgrounds and closely related to the official market!

This move kills three birds with one stone: it creates panic, strikes at the emerging business forces supported by Murong Yan, and diverts suspicion to possible "refugees" or "bandits" to confuse the public.

The second step was to use the chaos caused by the fire to spread more vicious rumors using the street rogues who had been bribed long ago and some grain transport coolies who were dissatisfied with the court. They said that the fire was a "warning from heaven" because "the female ruler was in the yang position, and the yin and yang were out of balance, so there was a fire from heaven as a warning." They also claimed that the grain reserves of the official market had been lost in the fire, inciting the people to rush to buy and hoard, completely destroying Murong Yan's efforts to stabilize prices.

The night is dark and the wind is freezing.

Park Yongzhong stood in front of the window of the Honglu Temple, looking at the flickering lights in the direction of the East Market that were faintly visible in the distance, his palms sweating slightly due to nervousness.

Standing beside him were his confidant, Master Jin, and a man in night clothes with fierce eyes. This was a "professional" sent by Master Wang Qi through secret channels, who was good at arson and creating chaos.

"Is everything arranged?" Park Yongzhong's voice was a little hoarse due to suppressed excitement.

The man in black bowed and whispered, "Messenger, we've already poured incendiary oil around the target warehouses and businesses in the three East Market and two West Market locations. We've also placed ignition sources in hidden locations. At three quarters past midnight, we'll attack both East and West Markets simultaneously. Then, our men will fan the flames among the crowds to ensure chaos."

Scholar Jin added, "Rumors have already been prepared. Once the fire is started, they will spread like a plague. Master Wang Qi will also cooperate, having his disciples in the court submit memorials at the appropriate time, exaggerating the 'astronomical warning' to put pressure on Murong Yan."

Park Yongzhong slammed the window frame, his eyes flashing with wolf-like ferocity. "Alright! Let this fire burn away Murong Yan's false illusion of peace! Let her know the consequences of offending Goguryeo and despising me, Park Yongzhong!"

He seemed to have seen the flames rising into the sky, heard the cries of the people, and saw Murong Yan's panic-stricken look in the Taiji Hall.

That dark golden dress that resembles a divine phoenix descending from the earth should have lost its abominable majesty under the reflection of the flames, right?

At three quarters past midnight, the night watchman's drum sounded dully.

Park Yongzhong stared at the direction of Dongshi, his heart pounding.

Suddenly, an abnormal orange-red color appeared faintly in the distant sky, and then it became brighter and brighter!

Faint exclamations and gong sounds came with the cold wind!

"It's on fire! The fire is on fire!" Bachelor Jin exclaimed in a trembling voice.

Almost at the same time, flames appeared in the direction of Xishi!

The two fires were particularly dazzling in the dark night!

Although the Honglu Temple is some distance away from the market, one can still feel the chaotic atmosphere drifting in the wind.

A ferocious smile appeared on Park Yong-chung's face. He succeeded!

He could almost imagine how the East and West Cities were in chaos at this moment, with panic spreading like a plague.

However, the smile on his face did not last long. The expected city-wide chaos did not occur.

The fire started quickly, but seemed to be contained even faster!

The imagined scene of people frantically buying things and storming the government market did not happen.

On the contrary, through the window, he saw teams of imperial guards in distinctive armor, as if they had been prepared long ago, quickly pouring out from the streets, methodically blocking the main intersections leading to the east and west cities, directing the crowds and maintaining order.

In addition, several elite troops under the banners of "Longxiang" and "Hu Ben" drove directly into the fire scene and cooperated with the firefighters of Jingzhao Yin to put out the fire efficiently!

What shocked Park Yong-chung even more was that there was no panic buying in the market.

Although the official market has increased its security, it still opens on time. Although stricter purchase restrictions have been implemented, order is maintained!

The rumors he had placed high hopes on were like stones thrown into the water, causing only a tiny ripple before being quickly smoothed out by a more powerful force.

There were occasional sporadic disturbances, but they were quickly quelled by patrolling soldiers and those eloquent "propagandists" who suddenly appeared.

The preachers repeatedly stressed that the court had sufficient food reserves and the fire was an accident. His Majesty had ordered a thorough investigation to reassure the people.

"How is it possible? How could they react so quickly?!" Park Yongzhong roared in disbelief and slammed his fist on the window frame.

This was completely beyond his expectations!

Murong Yan's response was as if she had known their plan for a long time!

An icy chill instantly ran up his spine from the soles of his feet.

He suddenly remembered Murong Yan's eyes in the Tai Chi Hall, which seemed lazy but seemed to be able to see through everything.

Could it be that she and Lin Zhen had been together for a long time?

At this moment, a burst of orderly and heavy footsteps came from outside the building!

A team of palace guards, fully armored and holding long spears, led by a stern-looking general, came straight to the gate of the Honglu Temple!

The general did not rush in, but announced loudly, his voice was particularly clear in the silent night:

"Your Majesty has issued a directive! The capital has been hit by a sudden fire, and there are fears of treachery! To ensure the safety of the four inns, effective immediately, the Honglu Temple will be fortified. No one is allowed to enter or leave without Your Majesty's written order! Envoys from all countries, please remain in your inn and refrain from wandering around to avoid any accidents!"

It’s called protection, but it’s actually stricter house arrest!

Park Yongzhong's face turned pale in an instant. He knew that this was not a coincidence!

Murong Yan was warning him!

She knows everything!

He slumped in the chair in despair. The pleasure of revenge he had felt before was gone, leaving only deep fear and frustration.

Master Jin and the man in black looked at each other, panic written all over their faces.

"We've been discovered?" Master Jin's voice trembled.

Park Yongzhong did not answer, he just clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Murong Yan's figure appeared in front of him again. This time, it was no longer the majesty in the Taiji Hall, but some more terrifying imagination.

Deep in the palace, Murong Yan might be lazily leaning on the soft couch covered with white tiger skin, still wearing the black and gold Su brocade dress that resembled a phoenix, with wide flared sleeves hanging down and a black jade ring flickering in the candlelight.

Lin Zhen might be sitting next to her, peeling fruit for her, or quietly reporting on the ridiculous farce that he, Park Yongzhong, had led tonight.

Murong Yan was probably just listening nonchalantly, with a knowing, mocking smile on her lips, as if she was watching a shadow play whose ending she already knew.

The five-meter-long train stretched out on the warm carpet, symbolizing her far-reaching control.

He even imagined that Murong Yan might suddenly turn around, her skirt fluttering, revealing the golden lining. The golden light seemed to be able to penetrate the palace walls and directly illuminate the darkest corner of his heart!

"That devil woman is a devil!" Park Yongzhong squeezed out these words from between his teeth, his whole body cold.

For the first time, he truly realized what a formidable opponent he was facing.

His so-called revenge plan may just be a boring game in the eyes of the other party.

That night, the fires in the east and west cities were finally put out and the losses were contained within a limited scope.

Although there were some turbulence in the market, it soon returned to calm.

However, inside the Honglu Temple, Park Yongzhong's heart seemed to have been burned by the fire, filled with burnt despair and a chill that penetrated deep into his bones.

For the first time, he felt that he was so close to death, and the fatal thread was in the hands of the woman wearing the dress of the divine phoenix.