Si Fengming did not believe it. "Is it really just like this?"
Feng Xiwu and Lu Qingwan nodded in tacit understanding. Lu Qingwan helped to confirm, "It's really just like this. Otherwise, why would Your Highness go to such lengths to conquer Tianxuan City for me?
I have long wanted to leave all the disturbances behind with Your Highness and live a simple life in seclusion. I beg Your Majesty to grant us our wish."
After the previous palace coup and this recent misstep by the Prince of Yuezhou, those who openly disagreed with Si Fengming in the court had already been cleared out.
He couldn't even find a suitable excuse to keep them.
After pondering for a while, he said, "Let's wait a little longer. At least let everyone remember that Da Qin still has a Prince Qin and his consort, so they won't be forgotten when you return."
Si Fengchi hoped her brother would always be noble. Even if he lacked current talent, others would remember him as a noble prince.
She knew that the best way to make the world truly respect Feng Xiwu was to make everyone remember him deeply.
Feng Xiwu had been back in Zhongzhou for less than five months, and he had spent more than half of that time in court, helping Si Fengming deal with the ministers and Emperor Gengshi. The common people had too few opportunities to understand him, let alone respect him.
Even though Feng Xiwu had implicitly gained the reputation of a God of War in this rebellion, it was still not enough.
If he left now and returned in a few years, the world would have to reacquaint themselves with him, and respect would be even harder to attain.
Feng Xiwu and Lu Qingwan did not refuse. They did not know Si Fengming's thoughts.
However, they knew that if they left so soon after Si Fengming ascended the throne, it would make people think Si Fengming was ungrateful and intolerant.
This was not a good example for officials who had seized power amidst the chaos.
They agreed readily, but their attitude was clear: after this period, they would still leave. Si Fengming did not know how to persuade them.
Seeing this, Lu Qingwan stepped in to smooth things over. "Don't look like that. We're not leaving tomorrow.
I think Your Majesty should be thinking about tomorrow's morning court. I am impatient and have beheaded many officials. While it was satisfying, the subsequent troubles will be yours to handle.
I don't need to guess that tomorrow morning, many people will impeach me for interfering in politics and arbitrarily executing court officials. Has Your Majesty thought of how to appease them?"
"Appease?"
Si Fengming smiled. "Which of the people you beheaded deserved to live?
I only wish they would impeach me. More than half of the positions of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers are vacant. Whoever impeaches me, I will assign them to investigate and verify the crimes of those rebellious officials.
If they succeed, they will be promoted. If they fail, they will be dismissed. It saves me the trouble of finding excuses."
Lu Qingwan looked at Feng Xiwu with surprise. The latter could not help but chuckle. "What, do you really think our Imperial Brother is a indecisive, weak scholar?"
Yan Ruozhao chimed in with a light laugh. "Emperor Gengshi was watching closely. Practicing martial arts would cause too much commotion and attract attention, so His Highness posed as a scholar.
But if he lost his strategy, how could he dare call himself the only surviving heir of the late Crown Prince?"
Si Fengming smiled reservedly and held Yan Ruozhao's hand. "It's not that I have any strategy, but I have always remembered the teachings of my father and mother.
Goodness, if it lacks edge, it becomes a knife aimed at oneself.
Moreover, you two have already been too high-profile in clearing the path for me. If I were to continue to concede, wouldn't that be putting you both on the spot?"
The expected negotiation turned into a genuine night of heartfelt conversation. Lu Qingwan and Yan Ruozhao watched the two brothers care for each other with relief, their lips curved upwards even as they fell asleep.
However, such warmth did not last long.
After the enthronement ceremony, all the regional kings were to return to the capital. The Prince of Ji Province and the Prince of Yue Province both failed in their reckless endeavors. All the regional kings behaved themselves, and no one dared to use excuses to remain in Zhongzhou and bicker with Si Fengming.
On this day, Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu brought the little bun to see off the Prince of You Province.
It was unclear if the regional kings had coordinated or not, but they left the imperial city together.
Seeing Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu emerge, the Princess of Liang Province, who was sitting in her carriage, suddenly spoke from inside.
"This consort has a question for the Princess of Qin. I wonder if Princess Qin would be willing to grant me the honor of a private conversation?"
Lu Qingwan remained impassive. "I dare not accept your 'question.' Princess Liang, please."
Ever since she learned that the Princess of Liang Province might be involved with those people, Lu Qingwan had been waiting for the Princess of Liang Province to approach her.
She thought she would never get the chance, but persistence pays off. The Princess of Liang Province finally lost her patience.
Handing the little bun to Feng Xiwu, Lu Qingwan exchanged pleasantries with the Prince of You Province. "His Majesty and the Empress are unable to leave the palace and have specifically entrusted us, husband and wife, to see off Your Highness with the little Imperial Prince.
You two chat first, I'll be back shortly."
The Prince of You Province nodded. Feng Xiwu lightly scratched Lu Qingwan's palm with the hand he was holding, reminding her to be careful.
Lu Qingwan winked at him and then went to find the Princess of Liang Province, who had already disembarked and was waiting.
Seeing the Princess of Liang Province up close, Lu Qingwan realized that her initial feeling of familiarity was not mistaken.
The person before her bore some resemblance to her Master Sister Ziyi, whom she had only seen in paintings.
However, Xue Hongyi, that unreliable person, had said that Master Sister Ziyi was the only daughter of the Great Elder. Seeing the person before her, she began to feel suspicious.
Just as she was about to subtly inquire about the woman's maternal lineage, the Princess of Liang Province was more straightforward. "The first time I saw Princess Qin, this consort found her familiar.
I shouldn't be so presumptuous, but with our parting imminent, I truly do not wish to return to Liang Province with doubts.
Forgive my boldness, but I wonder if Princess Qin knows someone named Liu Hanyan?"
"Liu Hanyan, who is that?"
Lu Qingwan feigned innocence, but her heart was pounding with excitement. "Yo, she looks like Master Sister Ziyi and knows Liu Hanyan. This person is truly extraordinary!"
The Princess of Liang Province sized up Lu Qingwan. Seeing that her expression did not seem feigned, she shook her head. "An old acquaintance. Princess Qin looks a bit like her, so I thought Princess Qin might be her daughter!"
"Then Princess Liang may be disappointed. My mother is Princess Xiao Liangyin of Xiliang, a fact known to all in the southeastern three kingdoms."
"Yes, it was my mistake."
The Princess of Liang Province seemed to have asked casually. After Lu Qingwan denied it, she said no more.
However, just as Lu Qingwan was about to turn away, she added, "I have heard that Princess Qin never learned medicine, yet her skills are extraordinary.
She has also never taken martial arts instructors, yet her combat prowess is remarkable, and she can even construct firearms and artillery.
I wonder who is Princess Qin's teacher? It truly makes this consort admire you greatly?"
Feng Xiwu was chatting enthusiastically with the Prince of You Province, but in reality, his ears were perked high, afraid that Lu Qingwan would be bullied.
Hearing this, he called out from a distance, "My consort was taught from childhood at the Palace of Glazed Tiles by Madam Glazed Tiles herself. Does Princess Liang have any other questions?"