On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Chapter 1403 Delivering Relics to the Slums

Tens of thousands of defenders shouted in unison, their voices like thunder, making the entire pass buzz.

Murong Yan, seated on her horse, nodded slightly. She was still wearing her signature black and gold phoenix-embroidered gown, the ultra-black Suzhou brocade flowing gracefully as she passed through the deep city gate, seemingly absorbing all the light and appearing even more profound and majestic. The five-zhang-long train glided silently across the rough cobblestones, like a black river, silently recounting the conquests and glory of her journey. The colossal phoenix woven from genuine gold thread on the hem of her skirt, its eyes darting about in the dim light, seemed to be scrutinizing the borders of her empire.

Lin Zhen rode alongside her, a faint smile on his face. Looking at the soldiers around them with almost fanatical eyes, he felt quite emotional.

Although this trip to the northern desert was perilous, the rewards were equally immense.

This not only completely crushed the arrogance of the Northern Desert, but also propelled Empress Murong Yan's prestige to an unprecedented peak.

From then on, no one would dare to question whether she, a woman, could hold this supreme position.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, you have had a long journey. This humble general has prepared a banquet at the General's Mansion to welcome all the soldiers and help them wash away the dust of their journey." A general guarding the pass stepped forward quickly and said respectfully.

"No need," Murong Yan shook her head. "Send the order down to let the soldiers rest first. Also, distribute the cattle and sheep we captured this time so that the brothers can have a good meal tonight."

"As for those soldiers who unfortunately died in this battle..." Murong Yan paused, a look of deep sorrow flashing in her beautiful phoenix eyes. "Double their compensation payments and make sure they reach their families, not a single penny less."

"Yes!" Upon hearing this, the general's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed to accept the order.

He felt that following such a monarch, even if he died, it would be a worthy death.

……

After the army entered the pass, they were placed in military camps within the city for rest and recuperation.

Lin Zhen and Murong Yan, accompanied by Yue Fei, Zhang Xian, and other generals, arrived at the General's Mansion.

Despite being called a general's mansion, it was really just a stone house that was a bit larger than an ordinary courtyard.

The furnishings inside were extremely simple; apart from tables, chairs, and beds, there was nothing else to be seen.

Everywhere you look, you can feel the simplicity that belongs to the soldiers stationed on the border.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the conditions are simple, please forgive us." Yue Fei looked at the somewhat shabby mansion in front of him, a hint of apology on his face.

"General Yue, you flatter me." Murong Yan waved her hand dismissively. "This place is much better than when we were on the grasslands, eating and sleeping in the open."

As she spoke, she walked to the head seat and sat down.

Lin Zhen followed and sat down next to her.

After everyone took their seats according to their status, the atmosphere became somewhat silent for a moment.

Everyone's face still bore the weariness of the battle and the joy of a triumphant return.

But many people were thinking of their comrades who remained forever on the northern grasslands.

"Your Majesty," Yue Fei finally spoke after a long silence, breaking the stillness. "Although our army achieved a great victory in this battle in Mobei, we also paid a considerable price."

"According to preliminary statistics, our army suffered a total of 8,321 casualties, of which nearly 5,000 were lost at the hands of that damned wolf cavalry unit."

As he said this, a fierce killing intent flashed in his hawk-like eyes.

"We must avenge this!"

"Revenge, that's for sure," Lin Zhen said, his voice calm yet carrying a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine. "But not now."

"Although the King of the Northern Desert suffered heavy losses in this battle, his main force is still intact. Moreover, the people of the Northern Desert are known for their fierce and valiant nature. Given time, he can quickly rebuild an army of hundreds of thousands."

"What we need to do now is not to rush to take revenge, but to recuperate and build up our strength."

Lin Zhen's gaze swept over everyone present. "When the strength of our Great Qian is sufficient to support a war of annihilation that will completely annex the entire Northern Desert."

“We will then take back this blood debt with interest.”

His words sent a jolt through the hearts of all the generals present.

War to destroy the country?

The prince's ambition is truly astounding!

"Your Highness is right." Yue Fei nodded. He knew that Lin Zhen was right.

With its current national strength, the Great Qian Dynasty is not yet capable of supporting a protracted war of annihilation.

What they need most right now is time.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Murong Yan said, not wanting the joy of this triumphant return to be overshadowed by this heavy topic.

She turned to look at Lin Zhen. "Husband, do you remember what we promised that soldier?"

"Of course I remember." Lin Zhen smiled and took out a wooden amulet that he had wrapped tightly in a brocade handkerchief from his pocket.

“You promised him that you would personally hand this to his mother.”

Murong Yan looked at the blood-stained amulet, a hint of tenderness flashing in her clear, cold phoenix eyes.

"Then let's go now."

"Now?" Yue Fei was taken aback upon hearing this. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, you've traveled a long way, why don't you rest first? It's just as good to leave it to me."

“It’s different.” Murong Yan shook her head, her voice carrying an undeniable firmness.

"This is my promise."

"I want to go myself."

Looking into Murong Yan's unwavering gaze, Yue Fei knew that any further persuasion would be futile.

He could only bow and accept the order.

"Yes, sir, I will make the arrangements immediately."

……

Soon, the home address of the young soldier named Wang Xiaoshi was found out.

His home was inside Yumen Pass, in a poor alley called "Willow Lane".

When Lin Zhen and Murong Yan arrived at Willow Lane, escorted by Yue Fei and a group of guards.

The sky had already darkened.

The entire alleyway was unusually quiet.

Only a few houses had dim lights shining from their windows.

The air was filled with the damp and musty smell that is unique to poverty.

This stands in stark contrast to the splendor of the imperial palace.

Murong Yan looked at the dilapidated scene before her, and a complex emotion flashed in her beautiful phoenix eyes.

She knew that this was the Great Qian Dynasty under her rule.

There are magnificent palaces, but also people who go hungry.

"This is it," Yue Fei said softly, pointing to a thatched hut at the end of the alley that looked even more dilapidated than the other houses.

The door to that thatched hut was ajar.

A faint light shone from inside.

You can also faintly hear an old man coughing.