Lang Xuan was actually quite confused.
She constantly reminded herself of her identity, so after staying in Ren Yingying's room for a while, she came out and went to the women's quarters.
As expected, because of Linlin's identity, she instantly became the center of attention.
All sorts of scrutinizing, disdainful, questioning, and nervous gazes were cast at her.
Lang Xuan desperately wanted to escape, but she knew she couldn't.
She was Yuwen Duo's face.
This understanding was enough to support her.
She spoke to everyone with a smile, her attitude humble yet aloof, maintaining just the right amount of distance.
She speaks softly and gently, yet with a resilient strength that cannot be underestimated. Every movement, every smile, is dignified and proper, leaving no room for criticism.
She had practiced for a long time to prepare for this day.
On the way here, in the carriage, she showed Linlin the sweat on her palms.
Linlin laughed and said, "Why are you so nervous? They're the ones flattering you, not the other way around."
He hasn't asked her to beg anyone yet; there's no need for that.
"But I won't do it well, and I'll embarrass you," Lang Xuan said softly.
She suddenly felt a little ashamed of herself.
She knew perfectly well that Yuwen Duo would comfort her if she said that, but she still said it on purpose.
She was simply captivated by every bit of his tenderness.
Linlin, "Don't worry, your face isn't your own anymore."
Lang Xuan: Have you finished throwing them all away...?
"In the eyes of the world, your reputation is given to you by a man."
Lang Xuan lowered her head and smiled.
"But I think that's a bit biased." Linlin changed the subject. "You deserve it, it's just that only I can know this beauty. However, I'm happy to bring you honor, and I will continue to work hard."
Lang Xuan almost cried.
How could Yuwen Duo be so good, and so eloquent? Every word he uttered made her fall deeply in love.
"Even if you call a deer a horse, they can only agree with you." Linlin smiled and gently wiped her eyes, her fingertips glistening with moisture. "If they don't agree, it's because I haven't done enough, it has nothing to do with you."
Lang Xuan felt that even if Yuwen Duo were a bowl of poison, she would gladly accept it.
Whether he was a source of pride for her, she didn't know.
But without a doubt, he was her source of confidence, the strength that supported her.
She wanted to do better, to prove herself to those who thought she was marrying above her station, and to prove that Yuwen Duo's judgment was correct.
She also has a competitive spirit.
Everything was perfect.
At least Lang Xuan noticed that the subtle disdain towards her had lessened considerably, replaced by many more surprised glances.
She had to thank Yuwen Duo.
It was because she was by his side that she became a better version of herself.
There's a saying that goes, "Extreme joy begets sorrow."
Perhaps because she was too cocky today, she was suddenly taken hostage with a dagger by the wife of the commander of the Lüshun Guard, who had just been chatting and laughing with her at the next table.
Lang Xuan was very scared.
Her first thought was that she didn't want to die. She hadn't become a real husband and wife with Yuwen Duo, hadn't borne him children, and hadn't grown old with him.
They had such a good start, and their happy ending was just beginning, when this Cheng Yaojin suddenly appeared.
Pang Wanchun, the commander of Lüshun Guard, and his wife Lady Lei, are both forty years old this year and have been stationed in Lüshun Guard for many years.
Lady Lei was the daughter of Pang Wanchun's Master Wu and his junior sister.
Because of his family's long tradition of martial arts, Lady Lei.
However, Lady Lei himself is a warm, cheerful, and decisive person with a likable and straightforward personality.
Lang Xuan never expected that she would be able to kidnap her.
But why did she do it?
When some familiar flute music sounded, Lang Xuan instantly understood.
The Lady Lei has also been bewitched!
The women panicked and fled in all directions.
Fortunately, Jinse was also there, and Lang Xuan felt a little relieved when she thought of this.
She secretly raised her hand, preparing herself to save herself even if she held a sharp blade if Lady Lei were to slit her throat.
--She hasn't lived enough; she still has many good days ahead of her!
She didn't want to give Yuwen Duo to another woman!
Sure enough, the sound of the pipa, Jinse, soon rang out.
Linlin, Qu Nian, and others also arrived quickly upon hearing the news.
Ren Yingying also came out, but was scolded harshly by Qu Nian, "Go back inside! Go back right now!"
Ren Yingying didn't want to leave, but Yuanyang and the old woman pulled her away.
For some reason, the pipa music never drowned out the flute music this time, and Lady Lei kept Lang Xuan hostage with a blank stare in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Lang Xuan said softly, her lips forming the words.
She tried to force a smile to prove that what she said was true.
However, with the sword at his neck, that smile twisted in pain.
She was indeed too timid.
Linlin smiled at her, then said coldly, "Speak, what are your conditions?"
He wasn't looking at Lady Lei Lady Lei, but at the maid behind her.
Unexpectedly, the maidservant stepped forward and shouted, "Release all the White Lotus Sect members captured in Liaodong! Otherwise, you can expect to collect their corpses!"
Because Emperor Wen had ordered the White Lotus Sect to be eradicated nationwide, many of its followers were also arrested in Liaodong.
However, the majority of those who are deceived are ordinary people, and they are usually given a few days of education before being released.
The rest were key members of the White Lotus Sect, the kind of people who should be killed but not spared.
Clearly, these are the people the maid was referring to.
"Okay." Linlin agreed immediately without hesitation.
Not to mention everyone else, even the maid who had made the demands was stunned.
"You kidnapped the Princess Consort because you know she's important to me," Linlin said. "You are indeed very clever."
Lang Xuan almost cried.
That won't do.
How could we allow Yuwen Duo to be condemned by everyone for her sake?
Who knows how many evil deeds and how many people those White Lotus Sect members who were released will commit?
Linlin reassured her with just her eyes, preventing her from panicking.
At this moment, the sound of the flute outside gradually faded.
Suddenly, the maid pointed at Jinse, her eyes filled with malice, and said, "Make her stop! Make her stop!"
Jinse's men moved even faster, and it looked like they were about to completely suppress the flute.
Meanwhile, Madam Lei's eyes remained vacant.
"Jinse, stop." Linlin said coldly.
Jinse still didn't stop. Linlin raised her hand, and two guards stepped forward, grabbing Jinse's arms on either side and forcing her to stop.
The pipa music stopped abruptly.
The flute music quickly became smooth again.
"Don't arrest anyone from outside! Release the White Lotus Sect members right now, immediately!"
"Alright. Pass down the order to release all members of the White Lotus Sect."
"Yes!" Zhao Qing bowed and accepted the order without the slightest hesitation.
He knew that if anything happened to the Princess Consort, the Prince would likely unleash a massacre, and he himself would be held responsible.
"Madam, what's wrong?" Pang Wanchun, who had rushed over, said anxiously, "How could you take the Princess Consort hostage! Quickly, put down the knife!"