Li Qing and Li Jin crept closer, their movements a silent understanding as they nudged Li Yang and Li Su aside. Li Qing then spoke, a hint of awkwardness in his voice.
"What Li Yang said was rather jumbled, Your Highness. Perhaps you didn't quite understand.
What my subordinates meant to convey is that while we initially accepted you because of His Highness, our current respect and trust for you were earned through your own capabilities.
If we make any mistakes, please punish us as you see fit, without regard for His Highness's status, and without letting yourself suffer any injustice.
If you were to act otherwise, we would feel that Your Highness still doesn't consider us part of your inner circle."
Lu Qing Wan looked at their earnest gazes and silently scoffed, "Such theatrics."
She then retreated into the carriage, no longer speaking.
Li Yang was dumbfounded. "What does that mean, Your Highness? Does she still not consider us her own?"
Li Qing and the others shook their heads and chuckled. Was she mocking herself with that statement?
Regardless of who was being melodramatic here, the capital city was truly in an uproar.
Early that morning, over a dozen high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Works, and the Vice Minister of War, feigned illness and did not attend the morning court.
Feng Qing Heng, seething with suppressed anger, had barely exited the court when he was informed that his personal treasury had been emptied to the last coin.
Before he could even erupt in fury, Grand Tutor Chen, followed by a group of remonstrance officials, barged in.
With internal strife and external threats, the situation could only be described as utterly distressing.
Lu Qing Wan received the news when they were already close to Zhenyuan Pass.
Li Su, gloating, said, "Tang Xiao says the new Emperor has completely transformed into a fire-breathing dragon, flying into a rage every single day.
He's even vowed to kill you and is currently fortifying his troops and reorganizing the Imperial Guard."
Lu Qing Wan, having shed her ceremonial robes, had truly let loose.
She was now clad in a rather unisex flying fish costume, her high ponytail bouncing as she galloped her horse alongside Li Yang and the others.
Upon hearing Li Su's words, she said with surprise, "He found out about me so quickly? Has Li Jin's martial skill regressed?"
Li Jin's mouth twitched. He dared to defend himself, a rather seditious act. "Your Highness, I can guarantee that we covered our tracks meticulously.
However, given the extent of your direct opposition to the new Emperor, whenever he encounters something displeasing, even if it hasn't been investigated, he'll likely assume it's your doing, won't he?"
Lu Qing Wan looked to Li Su for confirmation, and he struggled to suppress his laughter.
"Our people haven't received any intelligence about them investigating us. Perhaps, it's truly the new Emperor himself who is blaming all his misfortunes on you."
Lu Qing Wan merely scoffed. "Let him blame me. What else can he do but rage impotently?
Am I afraid of him?"
"Naturally, we are not afraid."
Li Yang caught up, carrying a wild rabbit. "We're almost at Zhenyuan Pass. Once His Highness appears, Feng Qing Heng will undoubtedly receive the news, and that will be the peak of his rage.
Do you think he would dare to pursue us and engage in a battle with His Highness and Your Highness?"
"He certainly would not dare."
Li Qing walked beside Lu Qing Wan, carrying a pheasant. "Your Highness, we just received word that someone has infiltrated the imperial mausoleum, likely intending to silence Wen Ya Yi.
Lu Qing Wan's expression was calm. "An expected development. No need to concern ourselves with it."
Li Qing pursed his lips. "Duan Yue sent a message saying someone is inquiring about the young prince's whereabouts. He tracked them for a while and discovered two groups are looking for the young prince.
One group is from the royal lineage of the former kingdom of Gu Nanzhao, and the other seems to be from Da Qin."
Lu Qing Wan blinked in surprise. "People from Da Qin are also looking for Yuan'er's trace?
Have you reported this matter to His Highness?"
Since Lu Qing Wan embarked on her marriage alliance journey, the individuals around her had resumed normal contact with Feng Xi Wu.
The fact that Feng Xi Wu was still alive was no longer a secret among their trusted circle.
Li Qing nodded. "I had the golden eagle deliver a message to His Highness. We haven't received a reply yet, but I wanted to inform you first."
Lu Qing Wan pondered for a moment, then rode closer to the carriage and jumped onto the shaft. "Pass down the order to speed up. We aim to leave Zhenyuan Pass by this evening."
If Feng Xi Wu himself was being hunted, it was one thing. Now, even little Yuan'er, such a large child, was being targeted.
This forced Lu Qing Wan to re-evaluate the dangers Feng Xi Wu faced. Si Lan was not one of them, and his words lacked directness.
She needed to ask Feng Xi Wu herself who this formidable figure was, the one who caused him so much apprehension and pursued him so relentlessly.
More than ten days had passed since leaving the capital, and the army was not far from Zhenyuan Pass. Following Lu Qing Wan's instructions, Si Lan and Shen Qing Zhou cooperated to quicken their pace.
That day, Lu Qing Wan, bathed in the last rays of the evening glow, finally met Feng Xi Wu, whom she had not seen for several months.
Their hurried farewell at Bei Xiao Pass had been three months ago.
At this reunion, Lu Qing Wan wore a dignified and elegant ruqun dress, her hair styled in a neat yet graceful bun.
Feng Xi Wu, on the other hand, was in splendid robes, exuding an air of dashing elegance.
His white brocade robe fit him perfectly, accentuating his tall and straight figure. A delicate silver crown neatly held his hair in place, adorned with a dazzling purple gem in the center.
He stood there quietly, waiting. From a distance of several yards, Lu Qing Wan couldn't clearly see his expression, yet she felt as though she could already see the deep affection flowing in his eyes.
Behind him, tens of thousands of Xuanjia soldiers placed their left hands over their chests and respectfully saluted, "Greetings, Mistress. We wish Mistress well."
It was "Mistress," not "Princess Consort."
At this moment, Lu Qing Wan's identity was not Feng Xi Wu's Princess Consort, but the Mistress of the Xuanjia Army.
She suppressed the surging emotions within her and responded with elegance and grace, "All generals, rise."
In the time it took to utter that one sentence, Feng Xi Wu had reached her. In his joy, he reached out to embrace her.
Lu Qing Wan, however, acted as if she hadn't noticed Feng Xi Wu's intention and curtsied to him. "This concubine pays her respects to His Highness.
The sixty thousand soldiers of the Xuanjia Army's Tianzi Camp have all been brought here. I request His Highness to review them."
Feng Xi Wu's hand, which had been reaching for her, now hung empty, but he was not embarrassed. He helped Lu Qing Wan up. "This King has always been confident in the Princess Consort's capabilities.
However, since you brought these sixty thousand Xuanjia soldiers out of the capital, from this day forward, they shall be yours."
Lu Qing Wan looked up in astonishment. Feng Xi Wu, however, continued to speak loudly, "When the late Emperor was alive, you were the elite force guarding the imperial city.
With the new Emperor's ascension, you became hostages to restrain this King.
The Princess Consort worked tirelessly to bring you out of the capital. From now on, the Princess Consort is your new commander. Are you willing?"
No commander would willingly relinquish control of their troops. This was a common understanding among all those in power.
Yet, Feng Xi Wu defied this established norm.
Lu Qing Wan whispered, scolding him, "Are you mad!
Is this why I brought them out of the capital?
You are no longer the Regent of Da Gan. Why would they obey my orders..."
Just as she was about to ask Feng Xi Wu to retract his decree, she heard Shen Qing Zhou and the other leaders of the Tianzi Camp speak in unison, "We are willing to follow Your Highness and serve you with all our might!"