On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Chapter 1126 Faceless

Amidst the cheers of the people, the imperial carriages slowly entered Chang'an City.

The ten-mile-long street from Zhuque Gate to Chengtian Gate was once again packed with enthusiastic people.

Flowers, ribbons, wine, and fruit were showered down from the rooftops and windows along the street like raindrops.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Prince!"

Welcome home, our hero!

The people welcomed their god in the most simple and enthusiastic way.

This was the second time they had welcomed the emperor and empress's triumphant return on such a grand scale.

The first victory was a great triumph in the Northern Expedition, which pacified the northern deserts.

This time, the mission was to march south to quell the rebellion and pacify the Jiangnan region.

In the hearts of the people, the young emperor and empress had become the guardians of the Great Qian Dynasty. As long as they were there, any natural disaster or man-made calamity could be easily averted.

Inside the carriage, Murong Yan looked through the gauze curtain at the faces outside, each beaming with genuine smiles, and her heart was filled with a myriad of emotions.

She was still wearing that phoenix descending to earth dress, covered by the most solemn black and gold shawl.

At this moment, she was leaning lazily in Lin Zhen's arms. The dress, which was her only nightgown, was made of soft Suzhou brocade and clung tightly to her body, bringing an incredibly reassuring touch.

Because it was inside the spacious imperial carriage, the five-zhang-long dark gold brocade train behind her was not held up by the palace servants. Instead, it naturally and magnificently covered the entire floor of the carriage, and a part of it even hung down from the side of the carriage door, leaving a magnificent and majestic trail on the ground as the carriage moved forward.

"My husband, look, this is the land and the people we have protected." Her voice carried a hint of satisfaction and pride.

"Yes." Lin Zhen pulled her closer, lowered his head, and gently kissed her temple. "This is everything we've fought for."

Looking at the simple, smiling faces outside the window, he felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

Having absolute power and possessing the entire country, none of these things could compare to the smile of the woman in his arms or the support of the people outside the window.

However, beneath this seemingly peaceful and joyful scene, an unseen and deadly undercurrent is surging wildly.

Right there in the cheering crowd, on the rows of rooftops, in the dark, unknown corners.

Pairs of eyes filled with resentment, madness, and destructive desire were fixed on the magnificent dragon carriage that was slowly moving forward amidst the throng of people.

They are the remnants of Kong Zhiqian's "nihilistic party".

They had infiltrated the capital of the empire from all directions, like a pack of hyenas that had caught the scent of blood.

They are waiting.

Waiting for the best opportunity.

They would wait until the triumphant celebration three days later to deliver the most fatal blow to the emperor and empress, whom they considered "hypocritical and shameless"!

They want to turn this most prosperous city in the world into a blazing inferno!

They want to turn this triumphant celebration of the adulterous couple into their grand funeral!

……

Qifeng Pavilion.

As soon as Lin Zhen and Murong Yan returned to the palace, they didn't even have time to change out of their elaborate formal attire before immediately summoning Du Ruhui and Zhao Wuji, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"How is the situation?" Lin Zhen asked bluntly.

Zhao Wuji immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and reported in a steady voice, "Your Highness, Your Majesty! As per your orders, a net has been cast across the entire city of Chang'an!"

“From the city gates to the palace, the sides of all the streets have been secretly replaced by our people. In every shop, every restaurant, and even every house, there are our ‘Night Owls’ disguised as ordinary people, monitoring day and night.”

"All the high points in the city, such as the bell tower, the drum tower, and the watchtowers of the major markets, have been taken over by our people. No suspicious activity can escape our eyes."

"In addition, the Twelve Guards of the capital, as well as the elite of the Valiant Cavalry and the Tiger Guard, have all entered a state of combat readiness. They have broken into smaller units, disguised as patrolling city clerks or ordinary merchants and laborers, and are distributed in every corner of the city. In the event of any change, they can be assembled within half a quarter of an hour and launch a thunderous strike against any target!"

After listening to Zhao Wuji's report, Lin Zhen nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good. Have all the rats gone into their cages?"

"Your Highness, according to the intelligence we have, at least three hundred core members of the 'Nihilistic Party' in the capital, as well as remnants who have infiltrated from other places, have all come under our surveillance." A cold killing intent flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes. "Among them is the person mentioned in Kong Zhiqian's diary, codenamed 'Faceless,' the number two figure in the 'Nihilistic Party.'"

"Faceless?" Lin Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly.

He remembered the name.

According to the diary, this "Faceless" was Kong Zhiqian's most trusted confidant and the only person in the "Nihilistic Party" besides Kong Zhiqian who knew all the core secrets.

Capturing him is tantamount to completely uprooting the "nihilistic party".

"Where is he now?"

"He's disguised himself as a jewelry merchant from the Western Regions and is staying at the largest inn on Zhuque Street. It's less than a mile from Chengtianmen Square, where the celebration will be held in three days," Zhao Wuji replied. "Our men have already surrounded that inn three layers deep. If he dares to show his face, he'll have no chance of escape!"

"No, don't alert them." Lin Zhen waved his hand. "Our target isn't just him. We want to wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

He turned to look at Murong Yan, a questioning look in his eyes.

Murong Yan understood immediately. She looked at Du Ruhui and asked, "Prime Minister Du, what is the situation in the court?"

Du Ruhui stepped forward, bowed, and replied, “Your Majesty, ever since you swiftly and decisively purged those rebellious aristocratic families in Jiangnan, not a single dissenting voice has been heard in the court. Those officials who had colluded with the aristocratic families in Jiangnan or harbored disloyal intentions are all terrified and have submitted petitions to plead guilty or feigned illness at home, daring not to attend court.”

"As you instructed, I have recorded all these people. We can deal with them all after the celebration!"

"Okay." Murong Yan nodded.

The powerful families of Jiangnan were purged, their cronies in the court were intimidated, and the remnants of the "nihilistic party" were trapped.

All preparations are complete.

Now, only the final act remains.

"Prime Minister Du, Commander Zhao," Murong Yan's voice turned icy and chilling, "proceed with my decree. The triumphant celebration three days from now shall proceed as planned! The Prince and I shall personally ascend the Chengtian Gate tower to celebrate with the people!"

"At the same time, bring all the ringleaders of the rebellion captured in Jiangnan, as well as the treacherous officials arrested in the capital, to Chengtianmen Square! I will pronounce their crimes in front of the whole world! I will make them pay the most terrible price for what they have done!"

"I want their blood to be used to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country in the north and south!"

"I will make their wails the most magnificent prelude to the prosperous era of my Great Qian Dynasty!"

"My lord, I obey your order!"

Du Ruhui and Zhao Wuji responded in unison, their eyes blazing with fierce flames!

They knew that a final battle that would determine the future of the Great Qian Dynasty was about to begin!

And they will have the privilege of witnessing firsthand how this legendary emperor and empress used the most ruthless methods to create an unprecedented and glorious era!