After a moment's thought, he added, "We'll cover the Si Feng Pond. As for that mysterious organization she mentioned, send someone to investigate. It feels like some kind of cult. While it might not cause major turmoil, their constant petty actions are quite irritating. If possible, deal with them all at once, alright?"
From the Qian Dynasty to the Great Qin, Lu Qing Wan's greatest gain wasn't transforming from a regency princess constantly under constraint to the Qin King's consort, now holding power second only to the King. It was the realization that in this unfamiliar time and space, various forces intertwined, but no single organization's power could rival a fully established and well-structured dynasty. Especially over the past month, in helping Feng Xi Wu and Si Feng Ming stabilize their positions, she had thoroughly understood the operational styles and military and political strength of all the feudal lords. This further solidified her belief that even the lauded Samsara Hall was insignificant compared to the vast machinery of the Great Qin. The reason Samsara Hall was feared was simply that no dynasty's ruler and subjects, nor its citizens, had ever presented a united front. Now, with both her and Feng Xi Wu holding immense power, and Si Feng Ming practically wishing to trade places with Feng Xi Wu, the Great Qin's national strength would only be greater than before. For those hidden forces to trouble her and Feng Xi Wu now would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The thought made Lu Qing Wan feel all the troubles she had experienced since transmigrating into this era were worth it.
"I will immediately send someone to investigate the King and Queen of Liang Zhou," Feng Xi Wu said, his fingertips caressing Lu Qing Wan's, his mood excellent. "Tomorrow is my elder brother's enthronement ceremony. Shall we visit our maternal grandfather? After the ceremony, he might have to leave."
Feudal lords could not linger in the capital for too long. This time, it was only because of Si Feng Ming's enthronement ceremony that they had been allowed to stay this long. After the ceremony would be the time for the feudal lords to haggle and demand benefits from Si Feng Ming. At that point, the King of You Zhou would be the first to leave to avoid troubling Si Feng Ming. Feng Xi Wu still held fond memories of the straightforward old man.
"Alright!" Lu Qing Wan rose with him. "Coincidentally, the gifts I prepared for the mansion of the King of You Zhou have arrived. We can send them over."
As Feng Xi Wu finished speaking, Ying Shi, who was attending them, silently withdrew to retrieve the gifts. Lu Qing Wan leaned half her body against Feng Xi Wu, lazily saying, "Since we're investigating, let's also investigate Nie Wu Ming."
Feng Xi Wu looked surprised. "Weren't you cooperating well with him? Why the sudden thought to investigate him?"
"I don't believe someone who never paid attention to me could precisely intercept you when I was in trouble, leaving me to face the crisis alone. But, likewise, I don't believe anyone could have been watching me for so long without being detected. Even if it were people from Samsara Hall or Wu Feng Tang tailing me, I would have noticed immediately. The one who has been watching me all along, and whom I never guarded against, is Nie Wu Ming. Before, with so much going on around us, although I had my suspicions, I thought since his most important sister and nephew were in my hands, he wouldn't be foolish enough to act. So, I didn't pay much attention. But now it seems, perhaps I should pay attention."
When the two first met, Feng Xi Wu had thoroughly investigated everyone who appeared around Lu Qing Wan, and Nie Wu Ming was no exception. But later, seeing their good cooperation, out of respect for Lu Qing Wan, Feng Xi Wu had stopped his subordinates from continuing the investigation. Now that Lu Qing Wan herself proposed it, Feng Xi Wu wouldn't hesitate and immediately dispatched the elite forces of Wu Feng Tang. Thus, as the two leisurely made their way to visit the mansion of the King of You Zhou, their subordinates were already busy.
Although the feudal lords resided in their own territories, to demonstrate the court's importance towards them, they each had a princely mansion in the capital. Gu Xing Zhi resided in the mansion of the King of You Zhou, so the spacious residence did not feel empty. The moment the two arrived, they were warmly welcomed. From the gatekeepers to the guards and servants, everyone greeted them with joy, so much so that by the time Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu reached the main hall, the King of You Zhou and Gu Xing Zhi were already waiting with their hands behind their backs.
Seeing the two arrive, the King of You Zhou's smile stretched from ear to ear. He said politely, "Tomorrow is the new Emperor's enthronement ceremony. You've already worked hard to prepare for it, why the rush?"
Lu Qing Wan found it amusing, and Feng Xi Wu played along. "Then shall we go back first?"
"Go back where? Sit down," the King of You Zhou's face stiffened. "You brat, just like your father, you can't take a joke!"
Lu Qing Wan laughed. "Old King, please don't tease him. If you want to have some fun, I can have someone bring Xiao Yuan'er back. That little fellow is lively and playful; you'd surely like him!"
"Really?!" The King of You Zhou had long known that Si Feng Ming had a son and that he had been raised by Feng Xi Wu. He had been longing to see the child for a long time. However, he also knew that keeping the child hidden was out of necessity, so he never asked Si Feng Ming or his brother to see the child. Hearing Lu Qing Wan voluntarily mention the child, he knew the child was no longer in danger and became extremely excited.
"How could your granddaughter-in-law lie to you?" Lu Qing Wan said earnestly. "We have found a master for Xiao Yuan'er, and the apprenticeship ceremony is complete. Tomorrow, during the enthronement ceremony, we will announce the child's existence, allow him to bond with the new Emperor and his consort, kowtow to you, and then he will go to study."
Upon hearing that the child would leave again after the enthronement ceremony, the King of You Zhou immediately felt heartbroken. "A child of only five years old, what master to apprentice, what art to learn? Did his Emperor Father and Empress Mother agree?" The King of You Zhou knew that Si Feng Ming and his wife had been separated from their child for several years. Hearing that the child was leaving, he felt pity for both Si Feng Ming and the child.
Lu Qing Wan intended to explain, but Feng Xi Wu spoke before her. "My brother and I have only one child between us. If he remains in Zhong Zhou, he will be a target for all factions. We wish to protect him with all our hearts, but we cannot guarantee there won't be any slip-ups. My brother and I have lived in fear for so many years; we don't want him to suffer the same fate. Moreover, the master Ah Wan has found for him is someone who, if missed, will be impossible to encounter again in this lifetime. My brother and sister-in-law have also agreed."
In fact, after Feng Xi Wu finished the first half of his sentence, the King of You Zhou had already lost the will to object. The King of You Zhou knew very well the hardships Feng Xi Wu and his brother had endured. How could he bear to let such a young child repeat their brother's mistakes? He immediately waved his hand. "Fine, since you have made arrangements, I will not interfere. I just want to see the child once. The rest of the time, let it be for their family of three." The old king wished to fulfill the father-son time for Si Feng Ming's family of three, yet he himself was reluctant, feeling quite dejected.