"Xie Shilian, no, it should be Lu Qianhuang now," she shook her head in confusion. "To be frank, your subordinate was just about to ask the Princess this question."
From what she knew of Lu Qingwan, she wasn't someone who repaid wrongs with kindness. To keep her here after she'd made a mistake was puzzling.
Giving her such a conspicuous name was one thing, but to even adopt Lu Qingwan's own surname was another.
One had to understand that, given Lu Qingwan's current status, countless people would vie for a connection to her. To bear the Lu surname was now a rare and coveted honor.
And yet, Lu Qianhuang had been struck by this unexpected boon. How could she not be confused?
It wasn't just Lu Qianhuang; many around Lu Qingwan also couldn't understand why she, a woman known for her decisive and swift actions, would be so magnanimous towards someone who had once betrayed her.
Lu Qingwan, however, didn't hide anything.
She stated plainly, "Do you remember how Xie Shiyu's reputation was ruined, offending so many people that even your mother, a woman of such indecisiveness, had to make the decision to send her to the estate?"
Lu Qianhuang, not understanding, replied, "Of course, your subordinate remembers. Wasn't it because she spoke without restraint, spouting absurdities about equality, and demanding that women should also have opportunities to display their talents and not be mere appendages to men? These preposterous remarks angered the Censors. But what does Princess retaining my service have to do with Xie Shiyu?"
Lu Qianhuang's aversion to Xie Shiyu ran deep. Just mentioning her name caused her beautiful face, one that had once made even Lu Qingwan pause in admiration, to contort like a steamed bun.
Lu Qingwan even suspected that if she were to say she kept Lu Qianhuang for Xie Shiyu's sake, she might just walk away then and there.
However, Xie Shiyu didn't hold that much sway with her.
With a scoff, her calm, clear eyes held a confidence and ambition that could make Lu Qianhuang freeze, an ambition that was also chilling.
Lu Qingwan spoke slowly, "Everything Xie Shiyu said, those are the things I wish to accomplish. The new dynasty has just been established. While my words still carry some weight, I wish to carve out a place for us women in this court, which is entirely dominated by men. I don't seek immediate, complete equality and unfettered opportunity as Xie Shiyu proclaimed, but at least I can do my utmost to elevate the status of women in the future. No longer will those old fools think only of hens crowing at dawn whenever they see a woman doing anything of substance. No longer will the world take it for granted that only men can achieve greatness, and women are merely their appendages. Even if it's just to make people realize that what men can do, women can do just as well, then the risk I take in keeping you will be worthwhile."
Lu Qianhuang never expected Lu Qingwan to keep her for such a seemingly impractical reason.
Bound by Lu Qingwan's status and the kindness she had shown her, Lu Qianhuang dared not admonish Lu Qingwan as she had Xie Shiyu. However, the shock at Lu Qingwan's words was evident on her face.
"Are you mad?" Lu Qianhuang exclaimed, her voice laced with horror. "You know what Xie Shiyu did back then. If Xiao Jing'an hadn't protected her, Xie Shiyu would have been sent to a temple to become a nun! You are about to become the Empress. Do you know that those old fools will spare no effort to drag you down from your position as the principal consort if you propose such things?"
Lu Qingwan smiled. "I know! That's why I don't intend to speak to them directly. But if a woman stands in the imperial court through her own abilities, then those old fools will have to ask me if I agree before they can kick her out."
Lu Qianhuang looked at Lu Qingwan with an expression of "Is that even possible?", then, after a long moment, bowed her head and clasped her hands. "Your subordinate understands. Princess, please rest assured, your subordinate will do her utmost to establish herself firmly in the new dynasty's court, and won't leave until she has brought forth several female officials who can stand on their own in the front court. Your subordinate would rather die in the court."
Such a solemn vow didn't elicit much of an emotional response from Lu Qingwan. She calmly said, "Ying Yi, arrange her new identity."
Ying Yi quietly led Lu Qianhuang away. Li Su watched them depart before lowering her voice, "Princess, it's time to go back. Matters in Northern Wei are almost settled, and we should return to the capital."
Although a new capital had been proposed, the establishment of a new capital was a major undertaking. Most of the people who could be relied upon by Si Fengwu were still in the capital. Their return was to resolve the issue of the capital's location and the appointment of officials. Lu Qingwan could no longer remain in Northern Wei.
After one last glance at Guihua City, Lu Qingwan turned and descended Zhaixing Tower. "Regarding what I just said to Lu Qianhuang, what are your thoughts?"
Li Su pursed her lips. "To alleviate some of the suffering of women in the world, your subordinate is naturally willing. However, your subordinate believes Lu Qianhuang's concerns are not entirely unfounded. This matter will be very difficult. Your subordinate worries that with one misstep, you could suffer the same fate as Xie Shiyu, being reviled by all. Even if His Highness can protect you, you are not like Xie Shiyu, who cried out against being a man's appendage while simultaneously seeking favor. But if this matter escalates, it might not only put you in a difficult position but also His Highness."
Since coming to this world, Lu Qingwan had encountered many challenges, but previously, Si Fengwu had protected her at every turn. Now, with her own humble status, many people who might have had objections dared not speak out. Therefore, she only knew that this era had many injustices towards women, but she was unaware of the intense opposition to improving the status of women. Li Su, however, who was living and growing up here, knew too well how difficult it was for women to gain a foothold in court or compete fairly with men in business, and how relentlessly those so-called wise ministers in court suppressed women. As a woman herself, especially one who had been influenced by Lu Qingwan and respected by the Xuanjia Army soldiers and some court officials, Li Su naturally wished for the status of women to improve. But the thought of the difficulties and obstacles Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu might face in achieving this goal made her worry for her masters.
Lu Qingwan smiled and patted Li Su's hand holding her. "Why think so much? I'll ask you this: do you want to be called 'General' like Shen Qingzhou, Li Jin, and Li Yang?" The few people around Si Fengwu had all gone through life and death. Li Jin and the others were guards to Si Fengwu, and generals on the battlefield. Only Li Su, even when she was fighting on the battlefield with a saber in hand, was still called "Guard Li Su" by the soldiers. It wasn't due to her lack of ability or skill, but simply because she was a woman, and everyone automatically ignored the fact that she too was fighting for her life.
###0###Chapter 589 Sudden Change
Li Su didn't need to recall the differential treatment she had received. Driven by her desire to be a general, she nodded without hesitation. "I do, Princess. To be honest, your subordinate dreams of being a general. When Xie Shilian was fighting on the battlefield, your subordinate thought, if only I could lead troops openly like her, I would be content even if I died on the battlefield then."
Lu Qingwan chuckled. "Don't worry, you won't be a one-time general. I will do my best to ensure you all can stand in the court with proper titles."
Li Su nodded, then sighed. "The same words, when I heard Xie Shiyu say them, I thought they were empty talk. Now, hearing Princess say them, though I feel the difficulty, I am also filled with hope. Does this make me a bit biased?"
Li Su's expression was relaxed, her tone playful, but Lu Qingwan knew she genuinely had doubts. These people around her were Lu Qingwan's arms. If they couldn't figure things out, Lu Qingwan's affairs wouldn't be accomplished. Thus, she explained to Li Su quite earnestly. "Theoretically speaking, what Xie Shiyu said is not wrong. People in this world should not be divided into classes, and women should indeed not be appendages to men. What men can do, women can indeed do. But elevating the status of women isn't just about talking. Even if you treat all the maids like young mistresses, if they don't see themselves as people, others will only treat them as slightly valuable commodities. No matter how valuable an object is, how can it be compared to a living person?"
Li Su nodded repeatedly. "Princess is right. Your subordinate heard that when Xie Shiyu first spread those ideas, she didn't let the household servants kneel and told the maids that she was their equal, even inviting them to eat at the same table. But in reality, the consequence of her actions was that the maids were severely punished by the stewards for not knowing the rules, and their monthly wages were even withheld. Xie Shiyu, who constantly cried for equality, only dared to yell at Madam Xie and did nothing to help the poor maids who were punished because of her."
...
As they were talking, Li Yang hurried over. "Reporting to Princess, the carriages are all prepared. Please board, Princess."
It was noon, and even with the bright sun shining, a cool breeze still blew across the land of Northern Wei. Lu Qingwan stood in the downwind, her eyes squinting against the wind. "Didn't you say we were leaving tomorrow morning? Why the sudden change?"
Li Yang shook his head. "Your subordinate doesn't know the specifics. All I know is that a letter arrived from Zhongzhou, and His Highness ordered an immediate return."
The words "a letter from Zhongzhou" immediately struck the sensitive nerve that had been taut for days. Lu Qingwan decisively mounted her horse. "The carriage is over there, take me." All complex thoughts were interrupted. Lu Qingwan had only one thought: she hoped the Yan family's scheme hadn't succeeded. No matter what they had done, if they succeeded in even one move, the brotherly affection between Si Fengwu and Si Fengming would never be the same, and their lives would never be peaceful again.
As the horses galloped towards the palace gate, Lu Qingwan saw a familiar figure standing before the carriage from afar. Her wildly beating heart immediately calmed down. Dismounting, she ran towards him. Before she could ask what had happened, Si Fengwu said, "Let's talk in the carriage."
The attendants and drivers were all ready, truly prepared for departure, waiting only for her. Lu Qingwan didn't say a word and got into the carriage. The warmth of the brazier enveloped her. Lu Qingwan skillfully nestled into her exclusive spot before asking, "What happened? Why the sudden change to leave early?"
Si Fengwu directly handed her a piece of paper. "Look at this." Lu Qingwan took it and her expression immediately became that of a confused old person. "What in the world is this?" Calming herself, she continued reading. "Yan Lixing sent people to help us govern the Southeast Three Kingdoms and a part of the region. They only told us after they had already set off, and we asked him for help?"
Si Fengwu's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot that hadn't been cleaned in eight hundred years. "Imperial brother sent news via golden eagle. Yan Lixing mentioned it to him once before, and after he rejected it face-to-face, Yan Lixing never brought it up again. This morning, Yan Lixing's wife went to the palace to urge Imperial sister-in-law to have another child and let it slip out. Imperial brother immediately wrote a personal letter and sent it."
Lu Qingwan, however, was relieved. As long as Si Fengming himself hadn't wavered and harbored different intentions towards her and Si Fengwu, everything else could be managed. "This isn't a big deal. We'll write a letter to Minister Wen and tell them to ignore those uninvited guests. Then we can just send them away."
Si Fengwu nodded. "This King has already written to Minister Wen and also sent a letter to the Governor's Office. The urgent summons for you back was to see what was going on with those people. Those are quite talented individuals selected by the Great Qin imperial court. Logically, after gaining enough experience in the local regions, they should enter the central government. Yet, one by one, they are being ordered around by Yan Lixing. This King suspects there might be something fishy going on."
Lu Qingwan immediately transformed into a nodding doll. "It's not just these people who are fishy. I even suspect Yan Lixing is fishy. Generally, when an imperial relative suddenly gains great power, they become arrogant and forget who they are, meddling in court affairs. I can understand that, but there should at least be a transition period, right? How long has the Emperor been on the throne, and he's already impatiently interfering in the Emperor's personal affairs, sowing discord between your brothers, and even extending his reach to the Southeast Three Kingdoms and a part of the region? This change is too abrupt!"
Before Si Fengming ascended the throne, from any perspective, Yan Lixing's performance could be recorded in history as that of an upright official. But in just half a year, he had intervened in matters that the Emperor should handle without any warning, and extended his hand to Si Fengwu. This was a stark contrast to his previously upright and incorruptible image.
"Imperial brother is already investigating." Si Fengwu sighed heavily at the sudden incident. "Imperial sister-in-law also specially wrote to us, begging us to spare the lives of Yan Lixing and his wife, and not let the Yan family perish. She told us to handle the rest as we see fit, and not to let personal feelings disrupt the hard-won stability of Zhongzhou." The tear stains on the letter clearly showed the entanglement and sadness Yan Ruozhao felt while writing it.
Lu Qingwan looked at Yan Ruozhao's letter and felt helpless. "Why are they so troublesome? It's difficult for Imperial sister-in-law to have such an unthinking father. She must regret becoming Empress."
Si Fengwu didn't respond to that. Suddenly, he said something astonishing. "Today, Li Yang and the others caught an assassin who was trying to slip through the chaos. Do you know what he confessed?" If it were before, Lu Qingwan would have been clueless, but now, what couldn't she guess? She directly replied, "Did that assassin tell you he was sent by Imperial brother or Imperial sister-in-law?"