On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the joy of the New Year was shrouded in a sense of impending depression.

The aristocratic families, who had suffered successive heavy blows in the court, economy, and diplomacy, were like trapped beasts in a desperate situation. They finally turned their attention to the army, where they once had deep-rooted influence but were now gradually controlled by generals from humble backgrounds and royal confidants under Murong Yan's new policies.

This is their last and most dangerous card.

Eighty miles west of the capital is the Longwu Army camp.

The Longwu Army is one of the elite troops guarding the capital. Its commander, Lei Xiao, came from a humble background and rose to a prominent position through his military achievements. He is known for his strict military discipline and loyalty.

It was a dark night, and the barracks were completely silent except for the orderly footsteps of the patrolling soldiers and the sounds of fighting.

Inside the central army tent, candlelight flickered.

Lei Xiao did not go to bed, but wore casual clothes and studied the military intelligence reports sent from the border.

He was about forty years old, with a rough face and a scar running from his brow to his cheek, which made him look even more fierce and brave.

Suddenly, the captain of the personal guards entered quietly and whispered, "General, there is someone outside the camp who wants to see you. He claims to be an old friend of yours and has something important to discuss."

Then he handed over half a piece of ancient jade.

Lei Xiao took the ancient jade and his eyes narrowed slightly.

He recognized the jade. It was a token of gratitude that he had received from an elder of a branch of the Wang family in Taiyuan when he was down and out.

For many years, the Wang family had never asked for anything in this regard. Now that they sent someone to visit late at night with a token of trust, their meaning was self-evident.

"Bring him in through the small door and take him directly to the side tent. Search him and make sure he has nothing hidden." Lei Xiao said in a low voice with no expression on his face.

After a while, inside the side tent.

A middle-aged man with a capable face and dressed in ordinary merchant clothes stood a little awkwardly under the watchful eyes of two guards.

Lei Xiao dismissed his attendants and left only the captain of his personal guards to guard the tent entrance.

"I am Wang Lu, a humble man. I have come to pay a visit to General Lei on the orders of the head of the family." The man bowed and saluted with a humble attitude.

Lei Xiao sat in the main seat with a majestic look in his eyes, "Master Wang? Which master? What's so important that you need to visit me so late at night?"

Wang Lu smiled and said, "Of course it's Lord Wang Xun, the head of the Taiyuan Wang family. The general is a straightforward man, so I'll speak frankly. The court is currently in turmoil, with the female ruler in power. She favors treacherous officials and suppresses loyal and honest people. If this continues, the country will be in tatters. My Wang family and many other noble families are deeply concerned and are willing to work together to support the country and restore order. I've heard that the general is loyal and brave, a pillar of the country, so I've been sent here to explain the pros and cons."

As he said this, he took out a gift list from his pocket and presented it respectfully.

"This is a small gift from the head of the family. I hope the general will accept it. If the general is willing to stabilize the situation in the capital at this critical moment and help us purge the emperor and restore order, then afterward, you will be granted a title of nobility, a general, and a territorial division, without any problem!"

The gift list included thousands of taels of gold, tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, and countless jewels and antiques. It was indeed a huge fortune that was enough to tempt anyone.

Lei Xiao picked up the gift list and glanced at it, his expression unremarkable. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Clear the emperor's court? Rectify the world? How do we clear it? How do we rectify it?"

Wang Lu was delighted to see that he seemed ready to act. He lowered his voice and said, "General, all you need to do is close the camp gates, restrain your subordinates, and observe the events in the capital from the sidelines when the time is right. When we unite our forces and resolve the 'trouble' in the palace, you will be the first to achieve this! When the new emperor ascends the throne, you will be his loyal follower!"

Lei Xiao's fingers tapped lightly on the gift list, making a tapping sound that was particularly clear in the silent tent.

He raised his head and stared at Wang Lu sharply. "The 'trouble' in the palace? Are you referring to His Majesty?"

Wang Lu felt a chill in his heart when he saw his gaze, and forced a smile, saying, "General, be wise. A hen crowing at dawn is not good for the country. We are here for the eternal foundation of Daqian."

"Enough!" Lei Xiao slammed the table and stood up suddenly!

He was tall, and when he stood up, a murderous aura of a veteran on the battlefield instantly spread out!

He picked up the gift list, tore it into pieces in a few seconds, and threw it in front of Wang Lu!

"Old Wang Xun! And you, the aristocratic families! You're so audacious!" Lei Xiao's voice was like a bell, his eyes wide with anger. "How dare you plot to kill the king! And you want to drag me, Lei Xiao, into this?! Although I, Lei Xiao, come from a humble background, I know how to be loyal to the king and love the country! Your Majesty has worked hard to govern the country and rectify the military and political affairs. You are a wise ruler! You, the demons and monsters, are not worthy of talking about the country?!"

Wang Lu was so frightened that his face turned pale and he retreated repeatedly: "General, calm down! General, calm down! This matter can be discussed later."

"What the hell!" Lei Xiao shouted sternly, "Someone come!"

The captain of the personal guards outside the tent came in.

"Capture this traitor! Keep him under strict guard! Seal this token and the fragments of the gift list!" Lei Xiao ordered, then added, "Prepare the horses immediately! I will enter the palace tonight to meet His Majesty!"

At the end of midnight, the lights in the bedroom of Fenghuan Palace were still brightly lit.

Murong Yan was not asleep. She was wearing the black and gold Su brocade cotton nightgown with the pattern of "Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" - the "Divine Phoenix Descent" nightgown, with a soft black and gold Su brocade long gown on the outside. She was leaning on the warm couch, reading an ancient book under the bright palace lantern.

Lin Zhen sat on the edge of the couch, holding a pair of small silver scissors in his hand, carefully trimming the lamp wick to make the light softer.

The Divine Phoenix Dress exudes a quiet and luxurious luster in the bedroom late at night.

The extremely dark black Su Jin base material absorbed the warm candlelight, and its color became increasingly calm and profound. The golden cotton wool and real gold thread woven into it emitted faint dark golden waves, blending in with the tranquility in the hall.

Above the nightgown, the giant phoenix that towered into the sky had retracted all its sharpness at night, and the lines of its feathers had softened, making it look even more graceful.

One of the wide and light trumpet sleeves fell softly, brushing against the fox fur coat beside the couch, while the other rested on Murong Yan's wrist where she was holding a book.

The black jade ring on her left thumb was warm under the lamp.

The train of the Su brocade dress, together with the hem of the gown, stretched out to cover the large carpet in front of the couch. The dark gold brocade on the soft carpet was like a dark river flowing in the night, gorgeous and quiet.

Quick but light footsteps could be heard outside the palace, and the voice of the secret guard commander rang out: "Your Majesty, Prince, General Lei Xiao, the commander of the Longwu Army, has an extremely urgent matter and requests an audience late at night!"

Murong Yan paused slightly in turning the pages of the book, and Lin Zhen also put down the silver scissors. The two looked at each other, and a hint of understanding flashed in their eyes.

"Announce." Murong Yan put down the book and said in a calm voice.

Soon, Lei Xiao, covered in dust and still wearing armor, strode into the bedroom under the guidance of the secret guards.

Despite having traveled all night, his steps were steady and his gaze resolute. Entering this warm and luxurious chamber, he saw the empress, languid and elegant in her nightgown, lying on the couch, and the dignified prince beside her. He didn't hesitate at all, but knelt on one knee and saluted with his fists clasped.

"General Lei Xiao pays homage to His Majesty! Your Highness! To disturb your majesty so late at night is a capital offense!"

Murong Yan sat up slightly straighter, her eyes fixed on Lei Xiao, soft and scrutinizing. "General Lei, what's so urgent? Please stand up and talk."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lei Xiao stood up, still bowing, and reported everything that happened in the military camp tonight in a clear and concise manner, including how Wang Lu came to visit with a token of trust, how he bribed, how he hinted at the conspiracy to kill the king, and how he responded.

Finally, he presented the half piece of ancient jade and the fragments of the gift list he had carefully collected with both hands. "This is the token of the traitor and the evidence of his crime. I dare not take it upon myself to report it to Your Majesty! The entire Longwu Army will follow Your Majesty's lead and swear allegiance to you until death! Anyone who has any other intentions will be punished by heaven and earth!"

His voice was loud and resounding, echoing in the silent bedroom.

Murong Yan listened quietly, her face showing no surprise. A faint, almost gratified smile even curved her lips. She didn't immediately reach for the evidence, but instead nodded gently to Lin Zhen.

Lin Zhen understood, stood up and walked forward, took the ancient jade and fragments from Lei Xiao, and after carefully examining them, nodded slightly to Murong Yan to confirm that they were correct.

Murong Yan then turned her gaze back to Lei Xiao, her voice lazily approving, "General Lei's loyalty and bravery are commendable, and I am deeply pleased."

She paused, her tone becoming calm yet carrying an invisible weight.

"I know about this. General, please return to the camp and stabilize the situation. Don't spread the news of tonight's events. I trust the Longwu Army."

There was no excessive praise, no excited emotions, but this calm trust made Lei Xiao feel more heavy and honored than any reward.

He knew very well that this would completely tie his and the Longwu Army's future to the Empress's chariot.

"I obey your order! I'll take my leave!" Lei Xiao bowed again, took a few steps back, turned around and strode away, his back as straight as a pine tree.

After Lei Xiao left, the hall returned to peace. Murong Yan sighed softly, leaned back against the pillow, and rubbed her brow.

Lin Zhen walked back to the couch, placed the evidence on a small table beside him, and gently massaged her temples. "The aristocratic families really haven't given up yet, and have even extended their hands to the military."

Murong Yan closed her eyes, enjoying his massage, and hummed softly: "It's just a last-ditch struggle. The more they do this, the faster they will be exposed."

The curve of her mouth deepened, "But Lei Xiao is a man who can be used."

"What are you going to do with Yan'er?" Lin Zhen asked.

Murong Yan opened her eyes, a cold light flashing in them. "No rush, let Lei Xiao go back and stabilize the Wang family first. I want to see what exciting performances the Wang family will have next."

Her tone was playful, like a cat and mouse game.

As she spoke, she seemed to have thought of something, turned over and sat up, and stretched out her hand to Lin Zhen: "Husband, help me up."

Lin Zhen immediately reached out and helped her up.

Murong Yan walked barefoot on the soft carpet, walked to the window, and looked out at the dark night. The long, winding tail slid silently behind her.

Suddenly, she turned around abruptly!

The action is decisive after understanding the overall situation!

The light and elegant dark-gold skirt and the hem of the long gown were suddenly lifted up by the swift turn, like a dark lotus blooming in the dark night, sweeping across the thick 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 shimmered brilliantly under the candlelight, was revealed!

The pattern of a hundred phoenixes facing the sun shone in an instant, golden light flowed, noble and dazzling, and with an absolute confidence that all conspiracies could be seen through and laid out calmly!

The skirt falls down, and the brilliance is restrained.

Murong Yan looked at Lin Zhen, her eyes gleaming with wisdom and coldness. "My husband has given me a secret order to have Night Owl keep a close eye on the movements of all the core members of the Taiyuan Wang Clan, especially those with ties to the various military garrisons. Report any unusual activity immediately!"

"Okay." Lin Zhen nodded in agreement.

Murong Yan walked back to the bed, a trace of fatigue appeared on her face, and she yawned slightly: "Okay, I'll think about my troubles tomorrow. Come and rest with me, my husband."

Lin Zhen held her in his arms and walked towards the dragon bed.