But such words could not be spoken, so some adopted a roundabout approach.
"What does Your Highness mean? Qingzhou and Jizhou are both far from Zhongzhou. How would the Northern Army of Qingzhou and the Wei Wu Battalion of Jizhou engage with us?"
Lu Qingwan was amused. "You are the Emperor's personal guards, yet you know nothing about why the Lan family is rebelling?
How did Lan Huaxiao's ten thousand heavily armored cavalry of the Tiger Leopard Battalion reach Ziyang Pass?"
The Tiger Leopard Battalion guarded the capital, their operational area confined to within ten li of the imperial city. This was to prevent collusion between the Tiger Leopard Battalion and the Imperial Guards or Jinwu Guard within, and the local garrisons without, thereby threatening the safety of the imperial city.
Yet Ziyang Pass was thirty li from the imperial city. Without a legitimate reason, the imperial army would have marched before the troops stationed outside the imperial city could even move.
Those few generals were instinctively hesitant to fight, but they were not foolish.
After Lu Qingwan's reminder, they immediately understood. "Are the Kings of Qingzhou and Jizhou also rebelling?"
Lu Qingwan stopped at a pointed hint, and Feng Xiwu said no more.
However, there were always those who understood. The general who had first reminded everyone that the Jianzhang Battalion cavalry had received firearms training quickly reacted.
"This humble general has long heard that after the King of Qingzhou repeatedly requested to report to the capital and was refused by His Majesty, he came to the capital without summons, reportedly with a large retinue.
If his Northern Army colludes with Lan Huaxiao's heavily armored cavalry, then our situation will truly be difficult!"
That man seemed to hold considerable status among the Imperial Guards. When he spoke, others chimed in. "Indeed. The Prince's choice to launch a surprise attack on Ziyang Pass was likely out of concern that we would be outnumbered once the Northern Army and Wei Wu Battalion arrived.
Fine, let it be a surprise attack. With twelve hundred gunmen and so much explosives, it's enough!"
Indeed, sometimes to deter someone, one did not need to make them brave, but merely present something they feared more.
The two exchanged glances and saw mutual satisfaction in each other's eyes.
Lu Qingwan immediately ordered, "Liyang, take the deputy general to fetch the firearms at once."
Those Imperial Guard generals finally showed some foresight. "This humble general and his men will also go prepare."
With that, they left the main tent.
Feng Xiwu eagerly opened his arms and embraced Lu Qingwan. "I was so worried that every parting would be a final farewell. Come, let this prince hold you!"
"Jinx!"
Lu Qingwan patted his back lightly but still allowed him to hold her.
With a major battle imminent, Lu Qingwan only wanted Feng Xiwu to hold her for a moment before pushing him away. But Feng Xiwu held her tightly, refusing to let go. Lu Qingwan said helplessly, "Let go quickly, I have something to tell you."
Only then did Feng Xiwu reluctantly release her. He pulled Lu Qingwan to sit on the simple campaign bed, and she landed on his lap.
The frame of the bed creaked under the weight. Feng Xiwu said with satisfaction, "You can tell me whatever you want to say like this. This prince is listening."
Lu Qingwan said with a hint of helplessness, "I heard from Li Qing and the others that the only rebels you and the Crown Prince control are the Lan and Fan families. The King of Qingzhou is merely cooperating with Emperor Gengshi in a staged play, is that right?"
Feng Xiwu nodded. "On the surface, that's how it appears. But my imperial brother and I both believe that the King of Qingzhou would not pay such a heavy price simply to participate in a play with the Emperor.
It is more likely that both he and Emperor Gengshi believe they are using each other. Naturally, that is unimportant. With the King of Youzhou present, the King of Qingzhou is destined to cause no significant trouble this time.
However, the Wei Wu Battalion under the King of Jizhou has recently disappeared. I suspect that if Zhongzhou truly descends into chaos, the King of Jizhou might very well benefit from the ensuing disorder.
You ask this because you have received some other news?"
Lu Qingwan shook her head. "That's not what I want to talk to you about."
Feng Xiwu raised an eyebrow. "Is there anything more important than this right now?"
"It's not a matter of which is more important, but I've discovered that the one preparing to benefit from the chaos might not be the King of Jizhou alone."
Feng Xiwu's eyebrows arched with curiosity. "What else have you discovered?"
"The Internal Guard."
She explained with great deliberation, "That is, the Internal Guard which controls Da Qin's only formal firearms battalion. Its true master is no longer Emperor Gengshi.
They are loyal to Empress Lan.
From the moment Lan An's rebellion was discovered, Empress Lan, though confined to Gan Quan Palace, has been aware of everything we've done.
If Emperor Gengshi were to truly meet with an accident, and the various feudal lords were cornered outside Ziyang Pass by Lan Huaxiao, then the only ones who could legitimately inherit the throne, besides the Crown Prince, would be Prince Rui, Si Fengchi."
Si Fengming's status as Crown Prince placed him just one step away from the throne.
Although Prince Rui, Si Fengchi, was not the Crown Prince, he was the legitimate son of the Empress, and the eldest son of the Emperor. He still had the right to contend with Si Fengming.
Feng Xiwu's heart tightened upon hearing this. "Then isn't it dangerous for my imperial brother to remain in the palace at this moment?"
Lu Qingwan held his hand, her expression calm to the point of being cold. "You are just as much in danger on the battlefield."
Feng Xiwu gazed steadily at Lu Qingwan, a hint of confusion hidden in his eyes.
Lu Qingwan met his gaze earnestly. "Feng Xiwu, regarding what I am about to say, whether you agree with it or not, I have thought it through very carefully before deciding to speak. Will you listen first?"
Feng Xiwu blinked dazedly. "You speak."
Lu Qingwan took a deep breath. She knew her words might not receive Feng Xiwu's full support, but such matters were best addressed sooner rather than later.
The situation was before them, and she could no longer pretend to be blind.
Having prepared herself mentally, she said solemnly, "Feng Xiwu, you are the Crown Prince's full brother, and a prince of Da Qin. When you returned, I followed you back without hesitation.
But as you have seen, Da Qin is no more hospitable to us than Da Gan.
At this juncture, given your and the Crown Prince's positions, you are bound to contend. I believe that with your capabilities, you will be able to defeat all rivals and seize that position.
Lu Qingwan, as the Princess Consort, could, when necessary, adhere to protocol and protect the dignity of the Princess Consort of Qin.
However, she was not a serious or meticulous person at heart. Her sudden seriousness made Feng Xiwu feel somewhat unaccustomed.
He playfully reached out to lift her chin. "My imperial brother and I are certainly capable. Must you emphasize such an obvious fact so seriously?"
Lu Qingwan flicked his hand away from her chin irritably. "I'm being serious, so be serious!"
Feng Xiwu chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, speak, I am listening."
Lu Qingwan pulled his hands down and tried to adopt a serious expression before earnestly revealing her long-held concerns.
"The Crown Prince is both the eldest brother and the heir apparent. For him to be Emperor, and for you to be his subject, I have no objections.
Even if you were to carve out a path to greatness for him, I could help you.
But all of this is premised on him having the ability and the will to treat you as his brother.
If not, I will not allow you to spend your life working for the Emperor for free, just as in Da Gan. I will tie you up and drag you back to Tian Xuan City.
I will absolutely not permit anyone, for any reason, to tie you down and make you work for them for free. You are the man of me, Lu Qingwan, and I believe I have the right to say this."