As night fell, the return of Dabai and Tengshe was not anticipated, but Feng Xiwu arrived instead, having seen off the guests. He dangled the familiar bamboo tube that Lu Qingwan knew so well, "From the capital, want to guess if it's good news or bad news?"
Lu Qingwan wrinkled her nose and jumped over, snatching the bamboo tube and opening it directly, "Guess, guess, guess, your head! I've already used enough brain cells today. I want to be a brute force with quick hands, no one better force me to think!"
As she spoke, she opened the letter in her hand and was stunned by what she saw. "Nearly a third of Daqian's territory has been lost, yet few officials have accused Feng Qingheng of misgovernance. Even Yue Yuanting, that defeated general, still holds the position of Left Commander and is still pontificating on the current war. When did Feng Qingheng gain such authority?"
Continuing to read, Lu Qingwan understood, "It's Wuan Palace again. How can they be everywhere? They're like persistent ghosts!" Lu Qingwan angrily slapped the intelligence report onto Feng Xiwu's thigh, "They're even imitating us, investigating the crimes of civil and military officials to control them? They're learning from our example!" The methods she had once used against enemies were now being used against her, and Lu Qingwan felt as if she had swallowed a fly, utterly disgusting.
"Don't be angry. Such methods can deter for a while, but they won't be effective long-term." Feng Xiwu flipped through Lu Qingwan's report. "When we threatened people, we were prepared for a change of ruler and a change of officials. But Feng Qingheng still wants to use these people to guard his empire. Do you think those people will still serve him wholeheartedly after this stunt?"
Lu Qingwan chuckled, "How is that possible? If they were wholeheartedly dedicated to Feng Qingheng, how could they have left so many loopholes for him to exploit? Now, these people probably wish for Feng Qingheng's demise even more than we do."
Feng Xiwu looked at her, her nose and eyes contorted whenever Feng Qingheng was mentioned, and amusingly pinched her chin. "It will take some time for the Northern Wei army to reach the Jade River. During this period, do you want to add a little more pressure on Feng Qingheng?" Feng Xiwu would be more than happy to exchange Feng Qingheng's suffering for his little princess's happiness.
Lu Qingwan, indeed, gleefully said, "Of course, we need to add pressure. Don't bother with other efforts, just have someone transcribe these things and post them all over the streets and alleys of the capital? We're struggling here, it wouldn't be right to let Feng Qingheng be too idle, would it?"
"Alright, I'll do as you say." Having successfully caused trouble for Feng Qingheng, Feng Xiwu, in a good mood, carried her back to the inner chamber. Lu Qingwan relaxed her limbs, like a flaccid salted fish. "So, Feng Qingheng's detention of Minister Wen and house arrest of the Chi family and the Southern Prince's manor were not solely to use them as hostages to force Daqin to send reinforcements to Daqian. It's also because Wuan Palace couldn't find any leverage against these three families, and he was afraid they would disrupt his plans?" Feng Qingheng chose this timing to seek Wuan Palace's help and seize the handles of all civil and military officials, clearly intending to consolidate all power. But with his capabilities, Minister Wen, Scholar Chi, and the Southern Prince would never willingly be obedient puppets as he wished. He knew himself that these three looked down on him, and he couldn't kill them, so he could only place them under house arrest and utilize their talents to the fullest.
"Mmm, that's about right." Feng Xiwu replied lazily. As his voice fell, Lu Qingwan was about to speak when she realized she had unknowingly been placed in a steaming hot spring. Blinking, she came back to her senses, pushed Feng Xiwu away, and found a comfortable spot to recline in the spring, continuing to be lazy. Feng Xiwu was not annoyed by this and removed his outer robes, following her and holding her in his arms like a pillow. "Everything you said is correct, but you've overlooked one thing."
Lu Qingwan, her head feeling heavy, asked lazily, "What is it?"
"Chen Ruoyu's child is about to be born." Feng Xiwu said in a low voice, "Prince Ning's children have already had two born, and the third is also about to arrive. Feng Xiwu knows our previous plans, and it's hard to guarantee that Minister Wen, Scholar Chi, and Prince Nan won't have this thought in the future. And what about Grand Tutor Chen? He has offended too many people. Before Chen Ruoyu's child is born, he must have all the court officials under his control to feel at ease."
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but laugh, "I was talking about this before I came. He's almost at the capital, and yet I've forgotten about this. But, come to think of it, Feng Qingheng is probably the only emperor in history who wishes he had no heirs for many years, right?" Everyone was waiting for Daqian to have a legitimate heir, and then they would get rid of him, the temporary custodian of the throne. Feng Qingheng was bound to be anxious.
Feng Xiwu grunted noncommittally. Just as Lu Qingwan was about to say something else, her unvoiced words were swallowed by him. Lu Qingwan whimpered and pushed him, "We haven't finished discussing important matters, don't fool around~" Feng Xiwu gently but forcefully pinned her in a corner of the hot spring. "With such a beautiful night and scenery, you insist on talking about that detestable person. My beloved concubine, who is fooling around?" After he finished speaking, without waiting for Lu Qingwan's response, he dominantly and forcefully consumed all her sounds.
...
After a night of pleasure, Lu Qingwan didn't know how she got back to the bed. When she woke up, she was, as expected, being held tightly in someone's arms like a pillow. She was woken by the tickle of a fluffy tail against her nose. A sneeze was held back, wanting to sneeze but unable to, which finally woke her up. As soon as she opened her eyes, she met Dabai's pair of emerald green cat eyes. She raised her hand to punish the culprit who had disturbed her dreams, but the black cat meowed and gave her a surprise. In just one night, all of Nie Wuming's secret caches hidden along the border of Daqian and Northern Wei had been found. Not only was there enough grain to support the Xuanjia Army for several years, but also countless gold and silver treasures.
Without thinking, Lu Qingwan slapped Feng Xiwu's face. In her excitement, she forgot to retract her strength, and his face, worth at least a thousand gold pieces, was slapped with a loud smack. Feng Xiwu opened his eyes in a daze and saw an excited Lu Qingwan. "Quick, get up, I'll take you to a good place." Feng Xiwu helplessly sat up, resting his chin on her shoulder and humming, "Why are you so excited so early in the morning?" Lu Qingwan, like a child seeking praise, grinned and exclaimed. "Dabai and the others have found Nie Wuming's secret caches hidden in the cities along the Daqian border. Not only are there grain and military supplies, but also gold and silver treasures. With those things brought back, we'll have money to support the Xuanjia Army!" Feng Xiwu instantly woke up. Looking at the overly excited Lu Qingwan, and then at the black cat proudly flicking its tail beside them, Feng Xiwu was both surprised and delighted.