On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Chapter 1098 The army returns in triumph, rewards and punishments are clearly defined.

The Northern Expedition was a great success, and Regent Lin Zhen returned in triumph.

This news was like a spring breeze, dispelling the war clouds that had hung over Chang'an for months.

However, for some people in the imperial court, this spring breeze felt even colder than the biting north wind of the dead of winter.

On the third day after the triumphant return, an unprecedented grand court assembly was held in the Taiji Hall.

This time, the phoenix throne atop the high imperial steps was no longer reserved solely for Empress Murong Yan.

Next to the phoenix throne, for the first time ever, a throne exactly the same was added, except that the phoenix totem was replaced with a qilin.

The emperor and empress sat side by side, receiving the homage of the officials.

Murong Yan was still wearing the Phoenix Descending to Earth dress, covered by the most solemn black and gold shawl.

The flowing, dark gold brocade train of her skirt, trailing behind her phoenix throne, intertwined with the train of Lin Zhen's black Qilin prince robe of the same material and length, cascading down and covering the entire massive imperial steps, forming a magnificent scene of black and gold interwoven with supreme majesty and absolute power.

Lin Zhen wore a matching black Qilin prince's robe, also woven with Suzhou brocade. The robe was embroidered with a Qilin riding on auspicious clouds and roaring to the sky, making it look majestic and extraordinary.

The two sat side by side, one with a natural grace and the other with a majestic bearing, an indescribable match and harmony, as if they were born to sit at the highest point of this empire.

"Summon this guilty subject to the palace!"

As the high-pitched voice of the eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial announced the order, a group of officials who had either attacked princes, spread rumors, or secretly colluded with the Cui family during the war were escorted one by one into the main hall by the fierce and ruthless Imperial Guards.

These people were once high-ranking and powerful figures in the imperial court, appearing respectable and dignified.

But now, one by one, they had their official hats and robes removed, and like stray dogs, they knelt on the cold gold brick floor, trembling like leaves.

The one leading them was none other than the Imperial Censor who had been the first to jump out and impeach Lin Zhen in the court that day.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I... I was just confused for a moment and was deceived by treacherous people!"

As soon as he was brought before him, he kowtowed desperately, begging for mercy and crying with tears streaming down his face.

Lin Zhen didn't speak, but just looked at him expressionlessly.

Murong Yan picked up the tea beside her and gently blew on it, as if she hadn't heard his cries at all.

Only when the wailing and pleas for mercy in the hall gradually subsided did Murong Yan put down her teacup and speak calmly.

"Imperial Censor Wang, I remember that just a few days ago, you were a man of great integrity. In front of the entire court, you tearfully impeached the Prince, your words resolute and filled with deep sorrow. How have you become like this today?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it struck Wang Yushi's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I deserve to die! I was blind to your greatness! Your Highness is a war god of the nation, a peerless hero. I... I was blinded by greed to utter such outrageous words! I beg Your Majesty to spare me this time, considering that I have contributed to the Great Qian Dynasty!"

"Spare you?" Murong Yan sneered. "When you were in the rear, attacking the commander-in-chief who was fighting bloody battles at the front for the sake of factionalism and your own ridiculous selfishness, did you ever think about sparing those soldiers who might have sacrificed their lives in vain because of the turmoil in the army?"

"When His Highness the Prince, with only three hundred men, was trapped in a desperate situation, fighting to the death for his country, you were here trying to cut off his retreat and ruin his reputation! Tell me, why should I spare you?!"

Murong Yan's voice grew harsher and colder with each word!

Censor Wang was refuted and rendered speechless, collapsing to the ground, his face ashen.

Murong Yan stopped looking at him and slowly swept her gaze over all the guilty officials kneeling on the ground.

"Today, before all the civil and military officials, and before the people of the world, I and the Prince are here to cleanse this court of all the demons and monsters!"

She turned her head and looked at Lin Zhen, her eyes questioning.

Lin Zhen nodded slightly to her, then spoke, his voice as steady as a mountain.

"Imperial Censor Wang, as an official responsible for remonstrating with the people, has not considered the plight of the people and the need to uphold the state. Instead, he has formed cliques for personal gain, framed loyal officials, and undermined the foundation of the nation. His crimes are heinous and unforgivable. By imperial decree, he is stripped of his official rank and titles, exiled three thousand li away, and never to be employed again!"

This sentence, though seemingly lighter than beheading, was the cruelest punishment for a scholar like Wang Yushi, who considered himself a paragon of integrity and valued his reputation more than his life.

"No! No!" Imperial Censor Wang cried out in despair before fainting.

Lin Zhen did not stop; his gaze fell on the next criminal.

"Li Si, an assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, spread rumors during the war, claiming that 'Yanran has been lost and the Northern Expedition will fail,' thus misleading the people. His intentions are despicable. He is hereby sentenced to immediate execution!"

"Zhao Qian, a principal officer in the Ministry of War, has illegally seized military equipment and resold it for profit, causing a shortage of military supplies at the front. His entire family is hereby executed!"

"..."

Lin Zhen's voice echoed calmly within the main hall.

With each name he read out and each charge he announced, the officials below trembled with fear.

Only then did they truly realize that this usually gentle and refined regent, once he got serious, was just as ruthless and decisive as the empress!

After the last criminal was sentenced, the entire Taiji Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All the standing officials felt a chill down their spines.

Those who had been involved with the Cui family and these disgraced officials were so frightened that their legs went weak and they could barely stand.

They knew that from this day forward, no one in the court would dare to challenge the authority of the emperor and empress.

After settling accounts with the disgraced officials, Murong Yan's voice rang out once more.

This time, her voice carried a warmth like a spring breeze.

"A country has both treacherous and virtuous officials. The great victory of this Northern Expedition was not only due to the bravery of the soldiers on the front lines, but also to the strong support of the ministers in the rear."

Her gaze fell upon several important officials, including Du Ruhui and Zhou Xing.

"Prime Minister Du Ruhui, with his skillful command and strategic planning, has made invaluable contributions. He is hereby granted the title of Grand Tutor and awarded ten thousand taels of gold and a thousand bolts of brocade!"

"Zhou Xing, Minister of Revenue, has devoted himself wholeheartedly to ensuring the supply of grain and provisions. He is hereby promoted to Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and awarded..."

One after another, decrees of bestowal and honor were promulgated from her mouth.

Rewards and punishments are clearly defined.

This couple used the carrot and stick approach to its fullest extent.

Everyone understood that an era belonging to the old aristocratic families had completely passed.

A new era centered on absolute imperial power has arrived.

After the meeting is over.

The tranquility of Qifeng Pavilion has returned.

Lin Zhen had changed out of his heavy princely robes and was now wearing only a black soft satin casual dress.

He was sitting by the couch, holding a warm jade comb in his hand, somewhat clumsily combing Murong Yan's long, black hair that cascaded down like a waterfall.

Murong Yan also changed out of her wedding robes and wore only the close-fitting, soft, and comfortable Phoenix Descent Dress.

She leaned lazily against Lin Zhen's chest, closed her eyes, and enjoyed this rare, peaceful tenderness.

The long, dark gold silk train cascaded down her body, covering the entire phoenix couch, and then flowed down to the ground, gently enveloping the two of them like a tranquil and luxurious black-gold cloud.

"Husband, where do you think Kong Zhiqian will run to?" she suddenly asked, her voice muffled.

“The world is vast, there’s bound to be a place for him.” Lin Zhen gently combed through the last knot in her hair and said softly, “But don’t worry, I’ve already sent the top experts from ‘Night Owl’ to track him down. I won’t let this menace have another chance to hurt you or the Great Qian.”

"Mmm." She snuggled closer to him, finding a more comfortable position. "With my husband here, I'm not afraid of anything."

He smiled, put down the jade comb, and held her tightly in his arms.

“Oh, right, Yan’er,” he suddenly remembered something, “where’s your Persian cat? Didn’t the letter say that it tore the train of your dress? I want to see what kind of creature it is that dares to touch my wife’s Phoenix Descent dress.”

His tone carried a hint of a joke.

Murong Yan chuckled, opened her eyes, and gave him a reproachful look.

"I locked it in the side hall a long time ago. What? You want to avenge me and settle scores with it?"

"Of course," Lin Zhen said seriously. "Anything that makes my Yan'er unhappy, whether it's a person or a cat, deserves a good scolding."

Seeing his serious expression, Murong Yan smiled even more happily.

She leaned in and gently placed a kiss on his lips.

"My husband, it's so good to have you."