This matter was no secret to Li Jin and the others, nor did they care about Liu Hanyan's life or death, so their expressions remained unchanged.
Only December looked up in surprise, as if in disbelief.
Lu Qingwan continued calmly, "Back then, Liu Xunran, the Hall Master of the Reincarnation Hall, mistakenly believed she was dead, which is why she hastily passed the position of Saintess to me.
But now, she has returned.
Not only has she returned alive, but she also wants to eliminate me, this stumbling block, and reclaim the position of Saintess."
December was all surprised, and Duan Yue was the first to express her loyalty, "Mistress, whether she returns or not is of no concern to us subordinates.
From the day the Hall Master bestowed the Twelve Months upon you, we have had no connection with the Reincarnation Hall. We have only one master, and that is you."
December echoed in unison, "That's right, you are our only master."
Li Jin and the others nonchalantly said, "Princess Consort, if you don't wish to be the Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall, you don't have to be.
Without the Reincarnation Hall, we can still protect you and His Highness.
Moreover, you and His Highness are both exceptionally talented individuals. We believe that in no time, you will both be able to stand at the pinnacle on your own.
The Reincarnation Hall can be a temporary aid for you and His Highness, but it will not be the limit of your capabilities."
"Exactly!"
Compared to Li Jin's reasoned trust and encouragement, Li Yang, this foolish child, was simply indulging in blind praise.
"What's so great about the Reincarnation Hall? They're all so arrogant, and they even want to snatch our future little county princess.
It's better if the Princess Consort isn't the Saintess..."
Each of them was indignant, conveying only one message: no matter if Lu Qingwan was the Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall or not, they would remain loyal to Lu Qingwan.
Lu Qingwan was very touched, but she did not end this solemn conversation there.
She simply said calmly, "I know that almost every one of you has risked your lives for me, and you may continue to do so in the future. Therefore, there is something I must make clear to you in advance.
I must let you know who it is you are risking your lives for."
As she spoke, she met Feng Xiwu's uneasy gaze, her tone becoming even more serious.
"I know that when Emperor Jingyou initially decreed the marriage between me and His Highness, you had already investigated me, even suspecting that I was not the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhaolie, Lu Qingwan.
Now, I am telling you that your suspicions are correct; I am indeed not that Lu Qingwan from Marquis Zhaolie's manor."
Feng Xiwu's fists suddenly tightened, and Li Yang exclaimed, "Princess Consort!"
He then didn't know what else to say, as their investigation and suspicion of Lu Qingwan were indeed true.
She thought Lu Qingwan was angry about their past investigation of her, but Lu Qingwan had already begun a new explanation.
"I am indeed not the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhaolie, Lu Qingwan.
The reason you found no anomalies is because this body truly belongs to the Lu Qingwan you know.
And on the day you met me on Mount Xiangguo, the owner of this body was killed by that scumbag and slut, Lu Siwan and Feng Qingheng.
That is why I had the opportunity to take her place.
In terms you can better accept, this should be called - possession."
Feng Xiwu suddenly understood, "No wonder, no wonder some of the childhood experiences you told me about differed greatly from that Lu Qingwan.
No wonder you knew so many things without any guidance.
And no wonder you were determined to kill Lu Siwan and Feng Qingheng. You weren't seeking revenge for yourself, but for that Lu Qingwan?"
"That's right."
Although that Lu Qingwan was a bit foolish, she didn't deserve to die so disgracefully.
Lu Siwan hated her for occupying the position of Feng Qingheng's principal wife, but she never considered that without that Lu Qingwan, she, a concubine's daughter, wouldn't even have the right to see Feng Qingheng.
Lu Qingwan gritted her teeth in hatred as she spoke of her first enemies.
"Feng Qingheng was even more despicable and shameless. He coveted the military power of Marquis Zhaolie's manor, yet he looked down on Lu Qingwan's ugliness.
He deliberately made ambiguous gestures, causing Lu Qingwan, who had already been afflicted with the Lovesick Gu, to fall deeply in love with him.
He enjoyed Lu Qingwan's adoration while feigning aloofness and keeping a distance from her in public, causing her to endure endless mockery.
These two people deserve a thousand deaths!"
Even Feng Xiwu, Li Jin, and the others, who had seen much, were stunned by the bizarre event of possession.
Li Su said with difficulty, "To call it possession, isn't it just skipping a few steps during reincarnation?
We met the Princess Consort from the beginning; it was the Princess Consort who saved His Highness's life and led us in battle. Thinking about it this way, possession is not entirely incomprehensible, is it?"
Lu Qingwan had seen people brainwash others, but never someone so forcefully brainwashing themselves. For a moment, she felt like crying and laughing.
Yet, there were indeed people who bought into it. After Li Su finished speaking, Li Jin chimed in, "Li Su is right. The Princess Consort we know is you.
As for that Lu Qingwan, forgive her sins. We will go back and kill Feng Qingheng to avenge her, and also light a perpetual lamp for her in a temple.
Li Qing could only nod enthusiastically, while Li Yang timidly asked, "Then Princess Consort, who were you before?"
Suddenly, all eyes fell on Lu Qingwan.
Feng Xiwu gave Li Yang a look of approval. After all that rambling, he finally said something useful.
The group stared at Lu Qingwan like searchlights. She said with amusement and helplessness, "I said, the key to possession is the soul, isn't it?
I am a ghost now, aren't you afraid?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Feng Xiwu walked to her side at some point and playfully pinched the flesh on her neck, reprimanding her.
"In my opinion, Li Su is right.
So-called possession is merely skipping a few procedures during reincarnation. You did not possess that Lu Qingwan as an evil spirit, so how could you be a ghost?"
"Exactly, Princess Consort, you mustn't say you're a ghost. No one speaks of themselves like that."
As Li Su said this, he was suddenly struck by a memory, "Moreover, ghosts and spirits are most afraid of black dog blood mixed with cinnabar.
Don't you remember, when you first possessed that body, Lu Siwan, in order to slander you as a monster, poured a large basin of black dog blood mixed with cinnabar on you?
If you were truly a ghost, how could you have been unharmed then?"
"Right, Princess Consort. Although this might sound a bit unfair to that young lady Lu, we are truly glad that you are our Princess Consort.
If it had truly been that young lady Lu marrying into the Prince's manor, to put it bluntly, she might have been widowed long ago.
This is all fate; it was destined that you should be His Highness's perfect match.
If you mind, we will help you kill Feng Qingheng and avenge that young lady Lu together.
We will also help you offer incense to Marquis Lu and Madam Lu. As long as you continue to be our Princess Consort with peace of mind, we will do anything."