On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Murong Yan pondered for a moment, and a complex light flashed in her phoenix eyes, with surprise, scrutiny, and perhaps a very faint touch that she herself had not even noticed.

She turned to look at Lin Zhen, her tone filled with questioning and dependence: "Husband, what do you think?"

Lin Zhen's eyes were gentle as he spoke softly, "Yan'er's kindness has finally paid off. The people may be foolish, but they understand each other's needs best. They are truly grateful. It would be a good opportunity to meet them. It would also demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence and win the hearts of the people."

Murong Yan nodded and stood up. The dark golden trail slid across the stone slabs as she moved.

She instructed her guards, "Pass on my order. Have them nominate a few elders to come to the gate to see me. The rest of you, wait where you are and don't make any noise."

"Yes!"

Murong Yan did not change her clothes. She was still wearing this nightgown and shawl. Accompanied by Lin Zhen, she walked slowly towards the headquarters gate.

The five-meter-long tail dragged messily across the clean courtyard ground behind it, leaving a winding trail.

He came to the temporary chair set up inside the gate and sat down, while Lin Zhen stood solemnly beside him.

Soon, several old men from Goguryeo with white hair and beards and ragged but clean clothes walked in tremblingly under the guidance of guards.

In their hands were rough bamboo baskets filled with what were obviously the best things they could offer: a few red-shelled eggs, a handful of fresh wild vegetables, and even a live chicken with its feet tied and flapping its wings.

As soon as the old people saw Murong Yan sitting there, and saw her gorgeous dark gold nightgown and mink shawl that looked like a goddess, and felt her invisible majesty, they immediately fell to their knees, raised the baskets in their hands high above their heads, and said something excitedly in Goguryeo.

His voice was choked with sobs and tears streamed down his face.

Although they did not speak the same language, their deeply bowed heads, trembling hands, and the sincere gratitude and awe on their faces were more contagious than any fancy words.

The interpreter whispered, "Your Majesty, they expressed their gratitude for not killing you and for sending you grain so they can continue farming and survive. These are their small tokens of gratitude. Please accept them. They wish you a long life and good health."

Murong Yan listened quietly, her eyes sweeping over the simple tributes and the weathered faces of the old people, which were now filled with humble gratitude.

A very faint, almost imperceptible blush gradually appeared on her originally calm face.

She didn't speak immediately, but unconsciously stroked the soft fur of the shawl with the hand wearing the black jade ring.

After a long moment, she slowly spoke, her voice much softer than usual. Through the interpreter, she said, "Tell them that I have received their kindness. I cannot accept these things. Let them take them back home to feed their children."

She paused and added, "Please pass on my decree that each household of the villagers who come to express their gratitude today will be rewarded with an additional dou of millet to show their sincerity."

After the interpreter conveyed the message, the old people were even more grateful and kowtowed frequently, with sobs ringing in their ears.

Looking at the scene in front of her, Murong Yan took a deep breath.

She turned her head and looked at Lin Zhen beside her. Her eyes revealed a rare expression of helplessness and seeking affirmation, as if she was a child who was praised for doing good things.

In a voice that only the two of them could hear, she asked in a weak, uncertain, and coquettish tone, "Husband, am I doing this right?"

Lin Zhen looked at the rare tenderness in her eyes, his heart filled with infinite love and pride.

He leaned over slightly and whispered in her ear in an extremely gentle yet firm voice, "You have done very well for Yan'er. Very well. This is the true way of an emperor. You use both kindness and power to win the support of the people."

After receiving Lin Zhen's affirmation, Murong Yan's face instantly bloomed with a bright and genuine smile, like the first melting of ice and snow, breathtakingly beautiful.

She turned around and waved to the old people, indicating that they could leave.

The old people retreated with many thanks. A louder, grateful noise could be heard faintly outside the gate, and then gradually faded away.

After everyone dispersed, Murong Yan was still sitting there, looking towards the gate, a little absent-minded.

The sunlight shone on her, and the dark golden color of her divine phoenix dress seemed to be shrouded in a warm halo in the sunlight.

Lin Zhen walked over to her and gently held her hand: "Yan'er, are you happy?"

Murong Yan came back to her senses, looked up at him, and nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling: "Yeah! Happy! Even happier than taking down ten cities!"

As she spoke, she stood up and threw herself into Lin Zhen's arms like a little girl, hugging his waist tightly and burying her face in his chest. She said sullenly, "Husband, so this is how it feels to be truly thanked by someone."

Lin Zhen's heart softened. He hugged her back and gently stroked her back: "My Yan'er is the best person in the world who deserves the most gratitude."

The two hugged each other for a moment before Murong Yan raised her head from his arms with a blush of satisfaction on her face.

She seemed to remember something, turned around, and wanted to go back to the pavilion to continue her meal.

The moment she turned around——

The movements are filled with a lightness and joy that comes from the heart!

The messy dark-golden train and shawl that were hanging on the ground and stained with morning dew and grass debris were suddenly lifted up by this light turn!

The luxurious brocade and mink fur drew graceful arcs in the sunlight, and with a swish, they brushed across the bluestone floor!

As the tail suddenly floated up, the densely woven gold thread inside was revealed. It shone like the rising sun in the bright morning light and was extremely warm!

The patterns of Hundred Phoenixes Facing the Sun suddenly burst out with dazzling and vibrant golden light. The light was no longer cold, but full of warmth of acceptance, blessing and harvest. It was noble, brilliant, and carried a real joy and peace from the inside out!

This fleeting glimpse seemed to be the truest reflection of her mood at the moment.

The hem of her skirt fell, absorbing the warm golden light and the joy in her heart.

Murong Yan held Lin Zhen's hand and walked towards the pavilion with light steps, the train of her divine phoenix dress swaying happily behind her.

Perhaps, deep in her heart, which she herself had not noticed, in addition to revenge and conquest, she also began to quietly nurture a more complex emotion as a ruler.

And all of this was witnessed and shared by her beloved husband.