“Before the house was searched, I hid it among the pots and pans to smuggle it out. Before my last campaign, my father gave me the token and told me that if anything happened, it would be the only thing my mother and I could rely on.”
Wang still feels lingering fear when she recalls the scene of her home being ransacked.
Lin Yan never expected that Second Master Xie would entrust such a precious item to his concubine.
Although she couldn't comment.
He had both a wife and a concubine.
But he must have been sincere towards Wang, otherwise he wouldn't have entrusted such an important thing to her.
Thinking of how the Xie family men had all died on the battlefield, Lin Yan couldn't help but sigh.
"General Xie must love his wife very much."
“I was sold to the Marquis’s mansion when I was ten years old. At first, I was just a kitchen maid. Later, the master saw me secretly going to the private school to audit classes. He asked me if I wanted to study, and then he took me to his side. He taught me to read and write every day. Although the master was two years older than me, he was a head shorter than me at that time! Yet he was as serious as a little tutor…”
Wang's eyes lit up immediately at the mention of Xie Fei.
She seemed to have returned to the days when he strictly taught her to study.
She came from a humble background.
Her parents sold all her sisters in order to get her younger brother a wife.
Compared to the time she was frequently beaten and scolded at home, life in the Xie family was something she never dared to dream of.
Even after his family was raided and he was exiled.
She never uttered a single complaint.
After all, she had enjoyed a life of luxury in the Xie family for two or three decades.
Realizing she had probably said too much, Ms. Wang felt embarrassed and quickly changed the subject.
"I apologize, I tend to ramble on when I think of you, sir. Let's not dwell on these old stories. These soldiers are currently in a secluded location, on standby at all times. With this token, these five thousand Xie family soldiers will be forever loyal to you. I wrote a letter yesterday, and someone will come to hear your instructions in a few days."
Although Lin Yan had never seen Xie's army on the battlefield.
But she remembered it being described in the book.
The Xie Family Army was formed by two Generals Xie four years ago.
He was extremely brave and skilled in battle, and had repeatedly made meritorious contributions. He could easily take on dozens of enemies at once.
These five thousand soldiers are enough to withstand an army of one hundred thousand...
In an instant, Lin Yan felt the iron plate in her hand was burning hot.
Although she really wanted to accept it regardless.
But this was a gift from Master Xie to Wang, and she couldn't take what belonged to someone else.
She could only reluctantly push the iron plate back.
“Madam, this brand is too valuable! I cannot accept it, and besides, I have no use for it…”
To everyone's surprise, Wang was only stunned for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.
He looked into Lin Yan's eyes with a smile on his face.
"I don't believe you for saying that. If you really had no ulterior motives, why would you hide so many weapons in the back mountain? Don't misunderstand, I didn't follow you on purpose. I just happened to get up in the middle of the night and thought they were thieves, so I followed them."
Thinking of what she had seen and heard in the past, Wang sighed softly.
“I once considered whether to hand the plaque over to the young master, but after thinking about it, I felt it would be best to give it to you. He already has the Marquis's army under his command. If I were to give him my army as well, what if he succeeds in rising to power in the future… Xiaoyan, you must never put all your strength into supporting a man. You are not like me. I was born a maid and concubine, and my potential is limited. But you are different. You are a phoenix that can fly freely in the vast sky.”
Wang's words were like a thunderbolt, striking the nail on the head.
Lin Yan remained in a daze for a long time.
He suddenly looked at Wang with new respect.
She doesn't seem like a concubine who came from a humble background at all.
Her insight has surpassed that of far more people...
It's true that having read books or not makes a difference.
When Master Xie was a teenager, he was eager to learn and teach, so it was impossible for him to teach her books like "Rules for Women" or "Admonitions for Women".
Otherwise, she would only become a noblewoman like Madam Xie.
Thoughts are forever confined to the inner quarters.
Instead of having such profound ideas...
Lin Yan solemnly accepted the plaque.
"Madam's insight is truly admirable! Rest assured, I will not let you and Master Xie down! May I ask your name, Madam?"
At that moment, she suddenly felt an urge to know Wang's name.
“Wang Yueshan, of course, this is the name my master gave me. He said he hoped I would be as tall and straight as a fir tree under the moon.”
Wang Yueshan couldn't help but recall the scene when she first entered the Xie family mansion.
Xie Fei was still young then, and after hearing her name, he just thought it sounded awful.
But when he turned fifteen and learned the meaning of the name, he forcefully changed it for her.
Thinking of her former name, Wang Yueshan's bright eyes dimmed, and she paused before speaking softly:
"My former name was Wang Pandi..."
Lin Yan was shocked when she heard the name.
She couldn't believe that the girl who was once seen by her parents as an appendage to her younger brother would break free from that cage one day!
She seemed to see her past self.
Although her name is not Pandi.
However, her parents' actions clearly showed a strong desire for a younger brother.
Watching Wang Yueshan's departing figure, Lin Yan gripped the iron plaque tightly in her hand.
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Before they knew it, it was time for Lin Yan and Xie Muqing's wedding ceremony.
Because it was a marriage of convenience.
The bride does not need a sedan chair or a veil.
After picking up the groom from the Xie family home.
The two rode their respective horses, Chasing the Wind and Chasing the Moon, dressed in bright red wedding attire, and paraded side by side through the village.
Behind the procession, accompanied by gongs and drums, were loads of betrothal gifts and dowries.
The people of Xiaolin Village had already met Xie Muqing many times.
Even though he is still incredibly handsome today, everyone has long since become immune to it.
Their eyes were almost entirely focused on Lin Yan!
Today, she wore an elaborate and exquisite wedding dress and a gilded crown on her head.
Arrogant and haughty!
Xie Muqing was no exception.
From the moment he first saw Lin Yan today, his gaze has never left her!
Because the bride and groom live in the same village.
The wedding procession walked from one end of the village to the other twice before returning to the Lin family home to perform the wedding ceremony.
Only Mr. and Mrs. Lin Zhenghong and Ye Lan should be seated in the main hall.
But they understood Mrs. Xie's difficulties.
So they reserved a seat for her next to them.
Because of what happened last time.
Madam Xie had been depressed all along, and on this joyous day, she didn't want her son to be disappointed or become estranged from her, so she could only force a smile.
Just as Lin Yan and Xie Muqing were about to complete their wedding ceremony, a series of exclamations suddenly came from the courtyard.
Everyone inside turned around to look curiously.
The two of them were no exception.
Then another gasp rang in their ears.
When Xie Muqing saw who it was, his brows furrowed tightly!
"Haha! It seems we arrived just in time and didn't miss your wedding ceremony!"
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