Lu Qing Wan's words were pregnant with meaning, and Lian Yu was momentarily confused, "What does the Consort mean...?"
"Throughout the Da Qin court, no one is unaware of the deep brotherhood between His Majesty and His Highness the Prince.
Given the current situation, as long as no major incident occurs, His Highness the Prince has everything in Da Qin except for a legitimate throne, almost on par with His Majesty.
His Majesty is so much older than His Highness. If His Majesty were to pass away, how many people do you think the strategist believes would truly trust His Highness to sincerely assist Xiao Yuan'er and not harbor any selfish ambitions?"
When Yan Li Heng was a Censor, Si Feng Ming's position as Crown Prince was uncertain. Coupled with his father-in-law relationship with Si Feng Ming, Emperor Geng Shi also distrusted him, forcing him to maintain a reputation for integrity.
But now, he had become Cheng En Gong, his daughter was the Empress, and his only grandson, at only six years old, was already named Crown Prince. The Prime Minister's ambitions began to stir.
Lian Yu, upon hearing this, felt a chilling realization, "If that's the case, then the Yan family's real-time investigation of His Highness's whereabouts and their seeking out the Crown Prince… their intentions are truly venomous."
His expression abruptly turned serious, and Lu Qing Wan sensed that this almost-supernaturally intelligent strategist had thought of something.
She subconsciously asked, "Strategist, what do you think the Yan family's purpose is in tracking His Highness's movements and seeking out Xiao Yuan'er?"
Lian Yu gravely analyzed, "His Highness and His Majesty share a deep brotherly bond; only matters of life and death can fracture their relationship.
The Yan family wishes to firmly grasp power within their own circle. There are two methods: First, His Highness dies, and after His Majesty's natural demise, the throne is passed to the Crown Prince.
Second, both His Majesty and His Highness meet with misfortune, and the Crown Prince ascends the throne."
Lu Qing Wan slowly shook her head, "You are mistaken. There is another way."
Lian Yu raised his eyebrows suspiciously, "Consort, please elaborate. I am eager to hear your insights."
Lu Qing Wan's expression was calm, but her words were chilling.
She parted her red lips and said, "Xiao Yuan'er dies at the hands of His Highness, leading to strife between brothers."
At this point, seeing Lian Yu's terrified expression, Lu Qing Wan said casually, "The Empress and His Majesty are still young anyway. Having another child is not a big deal, don't you agree?"
Lian Yu: …
He was stunned for a long moment. Upon regaining his senses, he decisively turned, "I will go and find His Highness immediately."
Lu Qing Wan watched him gallop away. She then summoned Ying Shi, "Send someone back to the Samsara Hall. It is imperative to personally confirm Xiao Yuan'er's safety. Upon their return, the person should report directly to Wu Ying and should not return here for the time being."
The frequent leakage of important intelligence around her indicated that the enemy's ears and eyes were truly everywhere.
If they were to discover Xiao Yuan'er's whereabouts, it was hard to guarantee they wouldn't extend their reach to the Samsara Hall.
Thinking of the confession from that Da Qin person, and then recalling her and Lian Yu's various speculations, Lu Qing Wan felt as if she were already half-dead from fear before anything had even happened.
The sounds of fighting within gradually subsided. Li Su stepped forward, "Reporting to the Consort, as per your instructions, only one sample of those strange individuals was kept; the rest were executed on the spot.
Of the eleven commanders, besides the one you took, three are dead and the rest are severely wounded. Duan Yue is recording their confessions.
Based on the sounds, their origins are quite mixed. Your subordinate suspects that the Turks are behind this matter."
Lu Qing Wan deeply agreed with Li Su's words, "Indeed, apart from the Turks who were well-prepared, others would not be able to dispatch so many subordinates of different appearances and bloodlines in a short time.
Once the confessions are recorded, tidy up and announce to the public that all of them have been apprehended. Do not let anyone know that we kept a live specimen."
Li Su responded with a nod and waved her hand. The dark guards behind her went to relay Lu Qing Wan's latest orders.
Li Su volunteered, "These people caused trouble, and His Highness ordered the city gates closed. These individuals didn't have time to transfer the items they looted. Your subordinate requests a thorough search of the Wanyan mansion."
As she spoke, she suddenly revealed a money-lover's expression, "Even a mosquito's leg is flesh, Consort, wouldn't you agree?"
Lu Qing Wan had been solely focused on capturing those strange individuals, and then was driven to distraction by the Da Qin people who had taken advantage of the chaos. She had truly not paid attention to this.
Reminded by Li Su, she decisively activated her clairvoyance and surveyed the entire Wanyan mansion.
Immediately, Lu Qing Wan was surprised to find that the range of her clairvoyance had more than doubled.
She stood still, and the entire Wanyan mansion, from every corner to every nook, came into view.
The Wanyan mansion, which had supposedly been plundered by Murong Tao, actually had seven secret chambers hidden underground, each filled with countless treasures of gold and silver.
And this did not even include the items looted by those strange individuals that morning.
Even with the immense anger she had harbored, Lu Qing Wan's mood involuntarily brightened under the calming influence of myriad treasures.
She beckoned, signaling Li Su to come closer, and told her the exact locations of several secret chambers.
Li Su was so shocked she almost cried out, but Lu Qing Wan, with foresight, covered her mouth, "Shh, keep it low-key.
Prepare the convoy first, and we'll move them tonight."
Having said this, she deliberately raised her voice, "Take back everything that belongs to the people and move it to the small square for them to claim.
For anything that can prove ownership, it must be returned unconditionally. No private withholding is allowed!"
Li Su was also clever and immediately understood Lu Qing Wan's little plan. She also raised her voice and shouted, "Yes, Consort!"
Thus, that evening, everyone saw the Xuan Jia Army transporting the lost property of the common people out of the Wanyan mansion.
Once outside the Wanyan mansion, the items were moved to the small square in Guihua City for the people to claim. Very little remained in the hands of the Xuan Jia Army.
The people of Guihua City repeatedly benefited. Even though there were still many unrepentant old loyalists of Northern Wei and troublemakers from various countries in the city who spared no effort in slandering the Xuan Jia Army and disrupting the management of Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan, the people of Guihua City gradually began to align with the new dynasty.
As for how much gold and silver the Xuan Jia Army transported out of the Wanyan mansion under the cover of night, that remained unknown to anyone.
At that time, Lu Qing Wan once again rode her horse and patrolled Guihua City for a week, finally stopping at the highest point in Guihua City with the best view, the Star-Gazing Tower.
Li Su quietly approached and reported in a low voice, "Reporting to the Consort, Xie Shi Luan has been brought here."
Lu Qing Wan turned around and saw Xie Shi Luan, dressed in winter attire, ascending the stairs.
Although Xie Shi Luan had her own selfish intentions, she had not caused any substantial loss to Lu Qing Wan, so Lu Qing Wan had not treated her harshly.
These past few days, apart from sealing her internal energy and restricting her freedom, her food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were all adequate.
At that moment, Xie Shi Luan was wearing a deep sapphire blue Shu brocade robe, men's black boots, and a crimson fox fur cloak.
Her hair was styled into a high bun and secured with a neutral-toned silver hairpin, making her look like a noble young master who had run away from a prominent family.