Hearing Linlin say this, Lang Xuan remained silent for a long time, as if deep in thought.
"Lang Xuan?"
"Oh." Lang Xuan came to her senses. "Your Highness really doesn't need to worry about my parents' accommodations. My mother is very happy with her life now and is familiar with everyone around her."
Moving to a bigger house and a better environment will inevitably elevate the social standing of those around them.
Ultimately, Madam Lang was somewhat insecure.
After all, she was a concubine who had just been officially recognized as his wife.
Now everyone is praising her, and no one will investigate these things; but in a different environment, it's hard to say.
Linlin listened to her detailed explanation without pressing her further, only saying that if she changed her mind in the future, she could tell her at any time.
Lang Xuan seemed to be asleep, and remained silent for a long time.
But Linlin knew that she didn't.
Little crybaby, there's probably something you're having trouble telling yourself.
It's okay, he's patient.
In the darkness, all was silent; they could hear each other's breathing.
"Prince--"
"Wait a minute," Linlin said, "I want to ask you, what is your nickname? Xuan'er?"
"Yes, it's called by the given name, there's no separate 'little' syllable," Lang Xuan said honestly.
Linlin: Tell him to think it over carefully and come back with a good name for her.
"You calling me Prince is far too formal, especially when we're all alone..."
Lang Xuan: We weren't that close to begin with.
This is embarrassing.
She did know his nickname, but she still needed the courage to call him that.
Fortunately, Linlin didn't immediately issue an ultimatum demanding that she call her that. Instead, she suggested that Rinrin think about what would be a more appropriate way to address her in the future.
Lang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief after being given a suspended sentence.
Linlin said again, "Continue."
Lang Xuan hummed in agreement and said softly, "Although saying this is a bit self-contradictory... it's been less than nine months since the late emperor passed away, and you, you should still be observing mourning..."
So Lang Xuan was very shocked when he arranged the wedding time.
Later she thought, "I guess they'll just carry me in a sedan chair, that'll be it."
I never expected it to end so grandly.
In fact, Lang Xuan knew that if she wanted Yuwen Duo to like her more, she shouldn't raise such questions; she should just obediently listen to him.
But the thought of him being criticized and attacked by others made her feel very uncomfortable.
Moreover, Lang Xuan couldn't hold back any longer when he mentioned today that he wanted to take her on a trip.
After much internal struggle, she decided to offer honest advice, even if it was unpleasant to hear.
Linlin's voice turned cold. "If he doesn't treat me like his own grandson, then I won't treat him like my own grandfather."
"Although... but... I think we have to put on an act; after all, what happens after death is for the living to see."
Linlin listened to her cautious yet worried words, her heart softened like the seafood porridge she had enjoyed that night, its sweet and savory flavor lingering in her heart.
He suddenly asked, "Do you want to be empress?"
Lang Xuan was so frightened she almost rolled off the bed. She hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you mustn't have such thoughts! That's utterly rebellious! Besides, the Emperor and Empress are extremely kind to you!"
In her past life, it was the kind of family love she envied.
Linlin chuckled, "What are you thinking? It's not that I want to be emperor, but that my father wants to retire gracefully."
Don't assume he can't see through things.
Lang Xuan: "Your Majesty, does Your Majesty intend to retire early with the Empress?"
Isn't that a bit too early?
Linlin said solemnly, "That's exactly what Father Emperor thought, and that's what he did."
If he hadn't volunteered to come to Liaodong, his father would have definitely made him the crown prince.
My father has an uncompromising arrogance and rebellious spirit; even if the world opposes him, he will still go his own way.
Linlin broke down her words and fed them to her little crybaby bit by bit.
"It's not worth it," he said. "This empire will be mine sooner or later. There's no need to fight with the courtiers now."
"You disagree with the Emperor?"
"Um."
Lang Xuan thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "So you deliberately want to smear yourself and have people attack you, so that the Emperor might not be able to promote you to the forefront as soon as possible?"
"Clever."
Lang Xuan blushed when he praised her.
He's lying.
She's so stupid, how can she be smart?
"That works too," Lang Xuan said softly. "Do you plan to stay in Liaodong for a few more years?"
She had never understood why Yuwen Duo wasn't in a hurry to go back even after the Tatars had been driven away.
So, he wanted to hide here.
"I'll stay a little longer; after all, I'm going to marry you."
Lang Xuan: "..."
She was also part of his plan?
She couldn't believe it.
Wasn't it because she came to their door to force them to marry her?
Lang Xuan was in a state of confusion.
"Besides, there are indeed problems in Liaodong. Look at the Prince of Liaodong, he's so incompetent, yet he's still the father, able to keep Mu Ziyu in check; and Goryeo is stirring up trouble... I guess I'll have to stay here for at least another year and a half, I'm sorry to trouble you."
"No, I'm not wronged. I'm happy to be here with my parents and brother."
She's an exiled woman, living the life she has today, and she dares to complain about being wronged?
That's truly shameless.
Linlin chuckled softly, "You'll stay by my side, and your heart will stay with me too. So don't worry, your parents and younger brother won't leave you."
He made a promise to himself.
Lang Xuan's eyes welled up with tears again, much to her dismay.
"We're newlyweds, so I should spend more time with you. Yanran mentioned before that she wanted to go to the beach, so I'll go with you for a few days."
"I didn't want to go..."
"So Yanran lied, hehe."
Hearing him grit his teeth, Lang Xuan quickly said, "No, I've thought about it."
Linlin: This little fool, she falls for everything.
"Then let's go," Linlin said. "Do you understand what I told you today?"
Lang Xuan: "It's clear now."
Understand what?
Should we stay for another year or two?
Fortunately, Linlin knew she was confused, so she explained carefully, "Don't be like a frightened deer, looking around hesitantly, afraid of me or anyone else; even if you did something wrong, I'm still here for you."
What late emperor? There's no need to care about him at all.
He can do it, and he can take responsibility for it!
The words "I'm still here" were so powerful and impactful that they brought tears to Lang Xuan's eyes.
"Lang Xuan, remember, tell me everything that happens; don't compare yourself to Yanran. If Yanran makes a mistake, I will discipline her, because eventually she will have to leave the protection of her father and brothers; you are different, we have a long future ahead of us."
For the rest of their long lives, they will witness the changing world hand in hand.
Lang Xuan sobbed, "So, if I was wrong, it's all over?"
That's not a good idea.
"I will teach you little by little, just like this. Have you ever heard of 'pillow talk to your wife'?"
Don't be foolish and punish yourself; it will hurt his feelings.
If Yanran were even a tenth as obedient as her, she wouldn't have been punished at all.
They didn't listen to what they should have heard, but instead trapped themselves in their own self-imposed limitations by what they shouldn't have listened to.
She's such a pitiful little Jiaojiao.
Lang Xuan's face instantly turned bright red.
(March is over, but there are still some loose ends left, including everyone's side stories. Everything will definitely be finished in April~ I'm looking forward to the end, I'm so excited~)