"It is my honor to assist Your Highness in serving His Majesty," Lu Qingwan said.
Lu Qingwan knew she couldn't avoid this task and hadn't intended to from the start.
Emperor Jing You was somewhat surprised by her swift agreement. After a moment, he added, "It is most commendable that you are willing. If you require anything, do not hesitate to tell me, and I will do my utmost to fulfill your requests."
Choosing consorts for two princes was not originally Lu Qingwan's responsibility. Emperor Jing You had his own considerations for assigning her this role. However, as Feng Xiwu's wife, he did not intend to make things difficult for her and offered generous terms.
Knowing this was not her duty, Lu Qingwan did not stand on ceremony with Emperor Jing You. "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. In principle, one should not make many demands when serving you. However, as Your Majesty knows, I was rather unruly in my youth and am not well-acquainted with the noble ladies of the capital. Therefore, I wish to request your permission to invite a few esteemed ladies to assist me. This will prevent me from becoming flustered and inadvertently delaying the princes' lifelong happiness."
If fortune favors you, it's a blessing; if misfortune strikes, you can't escape it. Since she couldn't escape it, she might as well find a few more people to share the burden. It would be too arduous to bear it alone. Fortunately, Emperor Jing You readily agreed to Lu Qingwan's request. "What difficulty is there in that? The Prime Minister's wife, the Prince of Nan's consort, and the wife of Academician Chi are all highly respected elder ladies in the capital. They are intimately familiar with the young ladies from various families. I believe it would be beneficial for you to seek their assistance."
To her surprise, the three individuals he recommended were precisely the ones she had in mind. She promptly replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will send invitations to the three elder ladies upon my return. May I inquire if Your Majesty has any specific instructions regarding the selection of the princes' main consorts?"
The selection of consorts was merely a formality. For esteemed princes, one of whom would soon be the Crown Prince and potentially the next Emperor, their principal consorts could hardly be chosen haphazardly by Lu Qingwan.
To her astonishment, Emperor Jing You dared to be the first in history to propose such a plan. "Those eligible to participate in the selection are daughters of officials ranked fifth grade or higher. Their talent and background are all commendable. You and the three elder ladies should focus on their character. Ultimately, let Prince Chen and Prince Jing make their own choices. However, one crucial condition is that both parties must be willing, whether it be for Prince Chen's or Prince Jing's consort. Such an absurd situation as the one between you and Prince Chen must not occur again."
Emperor Jing You did not shy away from mentioning the past incident in front of Lu Qingwan, and she responded with even greater composure. "Is that all, Your Majesty? Do you have no further instructions?"
Emperor Jing You raised an eyebrow and retorted, "If I were to do everything, why would I need you?"
His words were unassailable. Lu Qingwan then bowed slightly. "If that is the case, I shall take my leave."
Emperor Jing You nodded slightly, and Lu Qingwan departed directly. She had gained nothing from her visit to the palace, except for taking on an additional task.
Lu Qingwan exited the palace feeling somewhat dejected. As her carriage swayed back to the manor, she was struck by the sight of the widespread white. She instinctively exclaimed, "The capital has received such heavy snowfall. It must be even colder in the northern regions, mustn't it?"
"If my assumptions are correct, the northern regions should already be in a period of heavy snow that seals off the mountains," Li Yang replied with concern.
Lu Qingwan quickly entered the Wutong Courtyard and found the map left by Feng Xiwu. "I recall the Prince mentioning that the coldest period in the northern regions is approximately twenty days around the winter solstice. We are still twenty-six days away from the winter solstice. That should be enough time for Xue Hongyi to deliver the gathered provisions, shouldn't it?"
Li Jin pursed his lips. "If that Xue Hongyi is truly sincere about gathering provisions, then it should be enough. We simply don't know if he will put forth his full effort."
"You are right, we cannot rely solely on them." Lu Qingwan traced distances on the map to the northern regions. "Before the Prince departed, did the court arrange for winter clothing?"
"The court's provision of grain and winter clothing was intended for the eighty thousand Northern Army cavalry led by Marquis Xuanwu and his son, and the fifty thousand Black Armored Army led by the strategist. However, our Prince and the soldiers he brought with him have no such allocation. Although the Black Armored Army's own supplies can last for a while, over the years, a tacit understanding has been reached between various countries to cease hostilities during winter. The Black Armored Army has never fought in the harsh northern regions wearing winter attire. This year, their situation may be dire."
Lu Qingwan looked at the northern defense line on the map, which was several hundred meters higher than other areas, and gritted her teeth. "The Prince is resourceful and a brilliant tactician. Did he not make any prior military provisions?"
Li Jin lowered his head and spoke hesitantly, "There are indeed winter clothes stored in the warehouse. However, if we use our own people to transport them, it will inevitably alert Prince Jing and Prince Chen. In that case, the Prince's whereabouts may also be exposed."
"Then we won't use our people." Lu Qingwan decisively declared, "Li Su, immediately take the鲛纱 that Xue Hongyi gave me and tailor two sets of clothes according to the measurements of the Prince and the strategist. Li Jin, go to the warehouse and prepare winter clothes. I will find someone later to arrange a convoy and try to have the winter clothes transported out by tomorrow morning."
Ultimately, Lu Qingwan's efforts and risks were for Feng Xiwu and the soldiers under his command. Hearing Lu Qingwan's orders, Li Jin and the others immediately busied themselves. Lu Qingwan, meanwhile, changed into discreet men's attire. Li Yang looked at her return with concern and asked, "Where are you going, my Princess Consort?"
"I am going to discuss the transportation of winter clothes with Wu Ying. If I do not return tonight, you will deliver the three calling cards on my desk tomorrow morning. Ensure they reach the three elder ladies before His Majesty issues the decree announcing the selection of consorts."
"Your subordinate understands, my Princess Consort..." Before Li Yang could finish, Lu Qingwan had already darted out. Li Yang anxiously gestured to Ying Yi and Ying Er in the shadows. "Follow her, you two! If anything happens to my Princess Consort, your lives will be forfeit!"
Lu Qingwan hurried out but saw Li Jin, who should have been busy arranging the winter clothes, at the back door. Without Lu Qingwan needing to ask, he stepped forward himself. "It is the Princess Consort's first time going to Bu Ye Zhou. It would be best if your subordinate accompanied you. Rest assured, Princess Consort, Li Qing will handle the matter of winter clothes for me and will not delay our important tasks."
With everything so meticulously arranged, and it being Lu Qingwan's first time in Bu Ye Zhou, she really had no reason to refuse. "Then let's go." As she spoke, she prepared to leave.
Li Su chased after her from a distance. "Princess Consort, wear an extra layer of clothing. If you catch a cold, the Prince will worry."
None of them interfered with Lu Qingwan's decisions, yet they always offered her warmth when she least expected it, deeply touching her heart. Standing still, she allowed Li Su to help her put on a cloak, then mounted her horse and headed directly for Bu Ye Zhou.