Lu Qing Wan, however, had no intention of letting her off the hook.
She tossed the woman towards the edge of the bathing pool with a casual flick of her wrist, then turned her back. With a stern voice, she said, "Remember this feeling of shame, and do not forget who brought it upon you.
You are Prime Minister Wen's only granddaughter. The Prince and I have shown you considerable forbearance.
But if you continue to act foolishly and bring shame upon Prime Minister Wen, then we will have no reason to tolerate you any longer."
Lu Qing Wan held the utmost respect for Prime Minister Wen, a peerless statesman whose heart was solely for the realm, unmarred by any personal ambition.
She genuinely felt for Prime Minister Wen's misfortune, not only having the nefarious Wen Ya Yi as an adopted daughter but now also seeing her own granddaughter led astray by her.
It was truly a streak of terrible luck.
"Do you think I want this?"
Wen Ru Ge's agitated voice came from behind her. "My parents were posted away when I was less than three years old, before I could even walk.
She took me in and cared for me diligently. But how could I have known that for the next thirteen years, she would constantly tell me how wonderful her son was, and how well suited I was for her son?"
For thirteen years, for a full thirteen years, I believed I would be Cousin's only wife. I took it for granted that he would marry me.
Even when he was injured and disabled, my resolve never wavered."
As Wen Ru Ge spoke, whether out of accusation or resentment, she began to sob softly. "Why did you come and steal the person I had set my heart on for thirteen years?
I always thought that without you, I would eventually stand by Cousin's side..."
Lu Qing Wan delivered a fatal blow with a dismissive remark, "Even if it were in this way?"
This question successfully provoked Wen Ru Ge, who retorted with a hysterical shout, "I did not!
I come from a prime minister's household, with free access to the imperial palace. How noble I am! How could I do something so lacking in self-respect?
I just..."
"You just didn't expect that Wen Ya Yi, whom you believed loved you like a daughter, only wanted a bargaining chip to control the Prince.
As a result, when she fell from grace, she only wanted to cling to you, the only lifeline she had, without any regard for your reputation or how the Prince would treat you...
Indeed, she didn't even care how you would live if this secret were to be exposed!"
Lu Qing Wan cruelly and bluntly exposed the truth that Wen Ru Ge had been desperately avoiding. "In her mind, if you and the Prince consummated your relationship, she would have leverage over Prime Minister Wen and the Prince.
For the sake of Prime Minister Wen and the Prince, His Majesty would most likely retract the order, and she could continue to be the high and mighty Imperial Consort.
And your niece, whether she lived or died, who would care?"
The sound of splashing water behind her grew increasingly chaotic. Lu Qing Wan, having achieved her goal, smirked and walked out of the bathroom with her arms crossed.
She closed the sliding door, which usually served as mere decoration, and ensured that no sound from the bathroom could be heard from the room before she, satisfied, skirted around the screen to find Feng Xi Wu.
On the spacious bed, the 'Dragon and Phoenix Present Auspiciousness' quilt was spread out neatly.
Two sets of clothes, one large and one small, were arranged on top. Feng Xi Wu stood at the foot of the bed with his hands on his hips, his expression inscrutable, his mood unreadable.
Lu Qing Wan walked over, her brow furrowed with suspicion. "Why the long face? Don't you like it?"
"I like it. Everything you give me, I like," Feng Xi Wu replied without a hitch, offering the standard answer. Then, his expression grew complex. "These two sets of clothes, one large and one small, must have used up all the merman silk you obtained.
Why didn't you save any for yourself?"
Lu Qing Wan picked up the smaller set of clothes and held it against herself. "You know as well as I do that I dislike this kind of flimsy, slippery fabric.
I prefer materials that are soft and plush to the touch. This material, while warm in winter and cool in summer, is too smooth.
It always feels like I'm wearing nothing, and I don't like it."
"So you used all the merman silk to make two outfits for that boy Yuan'er, and then used all the remaining fabric to make this soft armor for me?"
Lu Qing Wan shook her head. "And my father, he's on the battlefield all year round. Like you, he needs protection against blades and spears!"
Feng Xi Wu bent down and nuzzled her with his nose, his tone a mixture of helplessness and doting affection. "Do you know that merman silk is priceless and unobtainable?
The noble ladies and wives in the capital would flaunt a purse or a handkerchief made of it for three days straight!"
This little woman had used it all on him and their child, leaving none for herself. Feng Xi Wu was so touched he didn't know what to say.
Lu Qing Wan chuckled, "What's so great about merman silk?
I have the most loving and understanding partner in the world. Am I not proud?"
"You..."
Feng Xi Wu sighed softly, his heart filled with emotion and contentment.
Lu Qing Wan grinned, appearing endearingly foolish, and spoke with a hint of regret.
"It's a pity that this soft armor can't be worn openly. Otherwise, once people were aware of it, they would adjust their tactics and attack the parts of you and my father that are exposed outside the armor.
Otherwise, we should let you two swagger around in this soft armor for a while. My business, Li Ren Fang, would become incredibly popular!"
Feng Xi Wu laughed heartily. "This must have cost my little Princess Consort a great deal!
To compensate you, I'll have some top embroiderers from Da Qin brought over to help you create the latest styles of clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and perfumes. I guarantee they'll help you earn a fortune, alright?"
Lu Qing Wan's eyes widened with surprise. "You have businesses in Da Qin too?"
"It's about knowing your enemy and yourself!"
Feng Xi Wu said dismissively. "In the past, Da Gan was constrained by other nations due to a lack of intelligence.
I've specifically sent people to infiltrate various places over the years. In critical moments, they are quite useful."
"Then let's not do that. Money can be earned anytime. Don't expose your hidden operatives for a small matter; the loss would outweigh the gain."
Feng Xi Wu merely smiled without speaking. Lu Qing Wan was about to offer a few more words of caution when Wen Ru Ge, now fully dressed, emerged from behind the screen.
She was completely covered in an orange-red qipao, her hair casually tied back.
However, her shoes were not the horse-hoof style that would typically match a qipao. Lu Qing Wan frowned, "What is this mismatched attire?"
The clothes and shoes were found by Li Su. Lu Qing Wan was displeased with Li Su, but before she could speak, Wen Ru Ge said, "It's not her fault; I requested it myself."
Lu Qing Wan suddenly realized that after experiencing such an ordeal, Wen Ru Ge didn't care about looking good; she only wanted to protect herself.
Her heart filled with mixed emotions. "Since that's the case, then speak.
We don't know what you've been through, so asking would be aimless. Tell us whatever comes to mind, and we will sift through it for what is useful."
Wen Ru Ge nodded. "It was probably during dinner. My second aunt came to see me and gave me a letter.
My aunt wrote that she had angered His Majesty, who intended to demote her to commoner status, and asked me to beg Cousin— no, to beg the Prince to intercede for her.
She also said that Consort Lu and the Prince did not like her, and that if Consort Lu were present, she would surely stop the Prince from saving her. She asked me to avoid Consort Lu and see the Prince."