On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The cold winter of the first year of Shenghui seemed to freeze in Chang'an.

For Park Yong-chung, the Honglu Temple had transformed from a temporary residence into a beautifully crafted prison from which he could not escape. The fires in the East and West Markets, which had started out strong but ended weakly, had been like a drenching cold shower, completely extinguishing his initial arrogance.

Murong Yan's lightning-fast response, her control as precise as a scalpel, and the reinforced defense that followed, which was called "protection" but was actually imprisonment, were all like a blunt knife, repeatedly cutting his nerves.

He realized that petty sabotage was nothing but child's play in the face of the woman's absolute strength and insight, which only exposed his own side and made him a laughing stock.

The humiliation of failure and the deepening fear entangled him like poison ivy, but also gave rise to a darker and more desperate ruthlessness.

He couldn't wait any longer, he had to play a bigger game, a game that could shake the foundation of the Daqian Kingdom!

The allies in this chess game are still the aristocratic families lurking in the shadows.

Late at night, in the most secret side room of the Honglu Temple, the crackling sound of the charcoal brazier could not dispel the solemnity in the air.

Park Yong-chung, Jin Xueshi, and Wang Qiye, who had ventured in again, sat around a small table on which lay a slightly worn map of the Daqian Canal. Their faces, under the flickering firelight, were unusually gloomy.

"Mr. Wang, we underestimated Murong Yan in our last defeat." Pu Yongzhong's voice was hoarse, with a hint of subtle fatigue, but his eyes were like poisoned knives. "Small fights won't hurt her. We must eliminate the root cause!"

Master Wang Qi twisted his beard, his eyes flashing with a cold and calculating light:

"Envoy Park is absolutely right. The foundation of Murong Yan's new policies lies in money and grain, and the lifeblood of money and grain lies in the grain transport. If we can cut off the grain transport, it would be like severing the backbone of the Great Qian Empire! By then, not to mention stabilizing the official market, even the hundreds of thousands of troops in the northern border and the millions of people in the capital will be plunged into despair!"

Scholar Jin added, "According to the intelligence we have, this winter is exceptionally cold, with the Yellow and Huai Rivers frozen in many places. Transporting grain is already several times more difficult than in previous years. If we create some 'accidents' along key river sections, such as the sudden collapse of a canal sluice gate due to years of disrepair, or the sinking of an important grain fleet by 'pirates,' and then coordinate with our people in the court to pressure Murong Yan by claiming 'frequent natural disasters and the interruption of grain transport require us to reduce military supplies in the northern border and suspend the new policy to protect the capital,'"

Master Wang Qi interjected sinisterly, "By then, Murong Yan will be caught in a dilemma! If she insists on the new policy and deploying troops in the northern border, the capital will be in chaos and the people will be filled with resentment! If she compromises, her prestige will be shattered, the new policy will fail, and we will have the opportunity to counterattack! This is an open conspiracy. Let's see how she responds!"

Park Yongzhong's heart began to beat violently. This was what he wanted!

It is no longer arson and rumors in the streets, but a fatal blow that directly shakes the lifeblood of the country!

He seemed to have seen the fragments of the grain ship floating on the canal, the panic in the capital due to food shortage, and Murong Yan's anxious look in the Taiji Hall.

Can that hateful divine phoenix dress still maintain that damn composure in the face of national crisis?

"Alright! Let's do it!" Park Yong-chung slammed his fist on the table, causing the blueprints to rustle. "What do you need me for, Goguryeo?"

Master Wang Qi lowered his voice:

"We need your country to create sufficient pressure on the border! We don't need a large-scale attack, but we need to frequently provoke and create tension to tie up Murong Yan's energy and prevent her from fully dealing with the internal crisis. At the same time, if this succeeds, the Liaodong land and money and grain promised by my family will be fully delivered!"

"No problem!" Park Yongzhong's eyes gleamed with madness. "I'll report this to the Regent immediately! The Goguryeo warriors have already sharpened their swords!"

In the next few days, Park Yongzhong sent an extremely detailed secret report out of Chang'an through a special channel provided by Wang Qiye in a state of extreme confidentiality, and sent it to Goguryeo via a complicated route.

In the secret report, he exaggerated Murong Yan's "tyranny" and the "loyalty" of the family, and pleaded with Regent Gao Yun to immediately exert military pressure on the border to cooperate with the "cut-off" plan.

While anxiously waiting for a reply, Park Yongzhong paced back and forth in the small space of the Honglu Temple like a trapped beast.

Sometimes he fantasized about the triumph of success, and sometimes he was startled awake by Murong Yan's all-seeing eyes, breaking into a cold sweat. He recalled the scene in the Taiji Hall countless times: the woman in the dark gold dress that resembled a divine phoenix descending from the earth. When she turned around, the skirt fluttered, revealing a startling glimpse of the golden lining. The scene held a strange, enchanting power that filled him with both hatred and fear.

He even began to morbidly imagine how Murong Yan would react in Fenghuan Palace when the news of the suspension of the canal transportation came.

Would she panic? Or would she still lazily nestle in the arms of the man called Lin Zhen, letting the five-meter-long tail cover the ground, as if the collapse of the outside world had nothing to do with her?

The thought gave him a chill.

No, he would never allow it! He had to see that woman collapse!

The opportunity finally came.

Mr. Wang Qi sent a secret letter saying that everything has been arranged. Three days later at midnight, the key gate "Qingyan Gate" in the Xuzhou section of the canal will collapse due to an "accident". At the same time, a fleet loaded with military supplies will encounter "mysterious pirates" in the waters of Weishan Lake.

The letter also included a small piece of torn silk with a special mark, saying that this was a signal for action and a witness to the alliance between the family and Goguryeo.

Holding the cold piece of silk, Park Yongzhong trembled with excitement.

Success! The plan has been launched! He could almost hear the roar of the canal bursting its banks and the wailing of the grain ship sinking!

However, he did not know that almost at the same time he received the silk, a more detailed secret report had been placed on Murong Yan's desk in Fenghuan Palace.

The secret report not only included the entire plan of Pu Yongzhong and Wang Qiye, but also recorded clearly when the "Qingyan Gate" was tampered with and the true identity of the "water bandits" in Weishan Lake.

In the warm room of Fenghuan Palace, the floor heating was burning warmly, and the air was filled with the soothing fragrance of frankincense.

Murong Yan had just taken a shower, her long hair was slightly wet, and she was wearing a dry and comfortable black and gold Su Jin Phoenix Dress. She was lying lazily on a soft couch covered with white tiger skin.

Lin Zhen sat on the edge of the couch, holding a box of cream that exuded a refreshing fragrance, and gently massaged her back, shoulders and neck. His movements were focused and skillful, and the strength of his fingertips was just right.

The Phoenix Dress exudes a quiet glow under the warm candlelight.

The extremely dark black Su Jin base material absorbs warmth and has a calm color. The golden cotton wool and real gold thread woven into it emit a soft dark golden shimmer.

Above the nightgown, the towering phoenix had lost all its edge in the room, its feathers soft and graceful. One of the wide, light trumpet sleeves draped softly over the edge of the couch, while the other rested on Lin Zhen's busy wrist.

The black jade ring on her left thumb was warm in the light.

The five-meter-long Su Jin train stretched out and covered the expensive carpet in front of the couch. Its dark gold color blended strangely with the warm indoor atmosphere.

The leader of the secret guards silently presented the secret report, then lowered his head and retreated behind the pearl curtain.

Lin Zhen stopped massaging, picked up the secret report, and after a quick glance, his eyes turned cold, but he did not speak immediately. Instead, he took a warm wet towel to wipe his hands, and then handed the secret report to Murong Yan.

Murong Yan didn't even raise her eyelids, but just hummed lazily: "Read it to me, husband."

Lin Zhen then whispered the contents of the secret report, clearly and steadily reading it out. From the conspiracy between Pu Yongzhong and Wang Qiye to the plans for the "Qingyan Gate" and Weishan Lake, he did not miss a word.

After hearing this, Murong Yan remained in her prone position, only letting out a very soft chuckle, as if she had just heard something trivial. "Removing the fuel from under the cauldron? That's a bit more clever than starting the fire."

Her voice was nasal, as if she was about to fall asleep.

"Yan'er, what should we do? Should we capture her in advance?" Lin Zhen asked, with murderous intent in his tone.

Murong Yan finally moved. She turned over, stretched lazily, and her wide flared sleeves stretched out.

She did not answer Lin Zhen's question, but instead stretched out her hand wearing the black jade ring and gently tugged at Lin Zhen's sleeve.

"Husband, keep pressing. I still feel a little sore under my left shoulder blade."

Lin Zhen was slightly startled, then a hint of understanding and a smile flashed in his eyes. He sat down again, his fingertips accurately found the spot she mentioned, and continued to massage gently. "Okay."

Murong Yan squinted comfortably, like a cat with its fur stroked. After a long while, just when Lin Zhen thought she was about to fall asleep, she spoke slowly, her voice lazy but every word clear:

"Send a message to the Xuzhou Governor and the Grand Canal Governor. Have them 'repair' the Qingyan Lock ahead of time, making it stronger than ever. At Weishan Lake, have the navy disguised as merchant ships and wait at the designated location. If any 'water bandits' arrive, capture them all in one fell swoop. Remember to take them alive."

Her orders were understated, yet they had already averted a crisis that could have shaken the nation's foundation. This was no longer a response, but a joke! She wanted Park Yongzhong and the noble families to witness firsthand how their self-proclaimed foolproof plan turned into a self-defeating joke!

After giving the order, Murong Yan seemed to relax completely. She turned around, facing Lin Zhen, put her arms around his waist, buried her face in his arms, and said sullenly, "My husband, I'm sleepy."

Lin Zhen hugged her tightly, pulled the quilt over her, and whispered, "Go to sleep, Yan'er. Your husband is here."

Murong Yan hummed softly in his arms, and her breathing soon became even.

Lin Zhen lowered his head to look at her peaceful sleeping face. His eyes were gentle as water, but deep in his eyes, there was a layer of cold frost.

He knew that it was time to close the game.