Yan Ruo Zhao saw this, her expression one of disappointment that steel could not be forged from tin. "Ah Wan, how can you be so patient?
Bai Lian Hua is the daughter of the Ping Ning Marquis's mansion. Though she herself has little ability, her father and brothers are most adept at flattering the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Since the Empress Dowager dared to mention it, it means they have truly considered it. If she enters the household, how will you, the legitimate princess consort, position yourself?"
Generally, when officials of the court marry a secondary consort or take a concubine, they will not take someone whose status and power are higher than their main wife, all to maintain balance within the inner chambers.
But now, objectively speaking, Lu Qing Wan is merely an orphan of Da Qian's Zhao Lie Marquis, while Bai Lian Hua is the daughter of Da Qin's Ping Ning Marquis.
With the vast Bai family behind her, and conferred the title of County Princess, Bai Lian Hua's status is undoubtedly much nobler than Lu Qing Wan's.
If Feng Xi Wu, as the husband, were any less capable, the roles of main consort and secondary consort would be reversed sooner or later.
Gu Xing Zhi and Yan Ruo Zhao were genuinely worried for Lu Qing Wan.
Lu Qing Wan merely smiled without speaking. Feng Xi Wu, however, scoffed, "You all seem to have already decided that Bai Lian Hua will definitely enter the Qin Prince's mansion?"
Although this was Gu Xing Zhi's first time entering the Qin Prince's mansion, he had a good relationship with Si Feng Ming, and thus naturally cared for Feng Xi Wu, his cousin.
Upon hearing this, he frowned and said, "Are you going to defy the imperial edict?"
The implications of this were serious. Si Feng Ming, who was leisurely brewing tea nearby, couldn't help but glance over.
Lu Qing Wan, however, said with a helpless expression, "No, everyone. The Prince and I are very grateful for your concern.
But have you truly never considered, first Lan Yun Yi, then Bai Lian Hua, why Emperor Geng Shi and the Empress Dowager only hinted at betrothing someone to the Prince, but never actually issued an imperial decree for marriage?"
All of them were stunned. Gu Xing Zhi said coldly, "Indeed. Even before the Prince indicated he wanted to marry you, the Emperor only spoke of bestowing Lan Yun Yi upon you, but never issued a formal marriage decree.
This time, the Empress Dowager also merely said Bai Lian Hua was suitable for the Qin Prince, but still no formal decree.
Both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are willful individuals. Once they have an idea, they disregard the wishes of those involved. When have they ever been so considerate?"
Si Feng Ming, holding an exquisite teapot, poured tea for everyone.
He then said gravely, "Bestowing Lan Yun Yi upon Feng Wu is easily understood; it was merely to show his care for the former Crown Prince's orphan, and to have Lan Yun Yi monitor him.
If possible, it would be even better to win him over now that he has returned.
As for Bai Lian Hua, the Empress Dowager daring to speak suggests it was likely Emperor Geng Shi's intention.
Yet, after Feng Wu and his wife merely resisted, the Empress Dowager dropped the matter. Does this not strike you as very strange?
When did the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's arranged marriages become negotiable?"
Everyone's expressions varied, clearly finding the two instances of arranged marriages by Emperor Geng Shi and the Empress Dowager too casual.
As they were contemplating, Lu Qing Wan leisurely said, "Unless, their objective from the very beginning was not a genuine marriage arrangement."
"If not for marriage, then for what?"
Gu Xing Zhi was confused. "There are many ways to monitor the Qin Prince. Marriage is not the only option.
Since they didn't intend to arrange a marriage, why go through the trouble? Isn't this alerting the enemy and losing more than gaining?"
Lu Qing Wan, with an air of self-assurance, dangled her slender fingers. "Young Master Gu, with all due respect, you are mistaken. Think carefully, is it truly so easy for news from the imperial palace to leak?
With such strict security around the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, how difficult is it for ordinary people to gather any information?
Yet, Emperor Geng Shi bestows Lan Yun Yi upon the Prince, and the Empress Dowager intends to bestow Bai Lian Hua upon the Prince. These matters are discussed privately, so how did they so easily spread outside the palace?"
"Are you suggesting they did it intentionally?"
Gu Xing Zhi, as the Young Master of You Zhou, was forced to remain in Zhong Zhou, ostensibly appreciated by Emperor Geng Shi and serving as an official, but in reality, he was a hostage.
Having survived safely in Zhong Zhou for so many years, his intelligence was naturally sharp.
Listening to Si Feng Ming, Lu Qing Wan, and Feng Xi Wu meticulously unravel the situation, he quickly pieced things together.
"I understand. The Crown Prince is in the court. Although he has not explicitly expressed a desire for revenge for the former Crown Prince, the former Crown Prince's loyal officials occasionally speak up for him, touching upon Emperor Geng Shi's sensitive point.
And the Prince's reputation as a God of War in the Qian Dynasty is widely known. He fears a strong alliance between the Prince and the Crown Prince, which could threaten his position. Therefore, he intends to strike first by making enemies for the Prince.
The Lan family and the Bai family are perhaps just the beginning. In the future, there may be more people who fall out with the Prince for various reasons.
In this way, the Prince becomes despised by everyone in Zhong Zhou. If the Crown Prince still wishes to protect the Prince, it will disappoint those old officials who supported the former Crown Prince.
But if the Crown Prince does not protect the Prince, it will lead to fratricidal strife. In any case, the other party wants to break one of the Crown Prince's arms."
"Well said!"
Lu Qing Wan snapped her fingers crisply. "So everyone, what are your plans next?
Do we continue to play along with our Emperor's act, or do we tear down this stage and perform ourselves?"
Her confident demeanor left Si Feng Ming and Gu Xing Zhi bewildered. Gu Xing Zhi humbly asked, "What does it mean to play along with the Emperor's act?
And what does tearing down his stage and performing ourselves mean?"
Feng Xi Wu gently clasped Lu Qing Wan's hand in his, playing with it without any pretense.
"Playing along with Emperor Geng Shi's act naturally means continuing to be subservient and humble, watching Emperor Geng Shi dig his own grave step by step.
As for tearing down his stage and waiting to perform ourselves, it naturally means killing Emperor Geng Shi first and then taking over his empire. Is this difficult to understand?"
Si Feng Ming's eyes widened in horror. "Of course, we should continue to play along with him.
Have you considered the consequences of directly killing him?"
"What consequences? At most, the officials will call us rebels."
Feng Xi Wu said unhurriedly, "As long as we make him admit before his death what he did to my father and mother, and to my imperial grandfather and grandmother, who will care if we are rebels?"
"Immature!"
Si Feng Ming said angrily, "Do you think I endured twenty-three years of cold nights and solitary existence just for my reputation?
Out of Da Qin's 2.4 million royal troops, Zhong Zhou alone accounts for 800,000.
The other eight provinces have between 300,000 and 200,000 troops. Although these forces are scattered normally and not particularly united,
if Zhong Zhou is in trouble, they will not stand by idly, even if only for their own sake.
Even if the You Zhou King is willing to help us, can his 300,000 troops stand against the remaining two million fierce wolves?"
Si Feng Ming wiped his face heavily, but could not hide his anger. "Even if you don't care about the people of Da Qin, you should at least consider yourselves.
After struggling hard for twenty-three years, if you were to perish like this, what face would you have to see your father and mother, and your beloved imperial grandfather and grandmother?"