Alongside her family, she served her entire life the state of Cao Wei, a major faction in Three Kingdoms era.

Her actions were admired by her potential rival, Sima Yi, who gave her the role to continue the legacy of the Cao lineage.

In order to sever ties with Cao Wei, Xiahou Wenning decided to marry Lingnu into a new family.

So great was her desire to preserve her honor and her allegiance to the Cao family that she cut her hair and ears as a sign of refusal.

Sima Yi, a famous general who Lingnu's father admired, seized the opportunity to launch a coup d'état and take command of the military forces stationed in Luoyang.

When Sima Yi took control of the capital city of Luoyang and issuing a memorial which listed out the various crimes Cao Shuang had committed.

After this, Sima Yi then went to see Empress Dowager Guo and coerced her into issuing an imperial order for the arrest of Cao Shuang and his brothers under charges of treason.