Returning to the palace, at first glance it seemed no different from usual. Yet Lu Qingwan could feel a palpable tension permeating the entire imperial city, a sense of impending storm.
Tang Xiao escorted Lu Qingwan directly to Weiyang Palace. The vast hall was not as crowded as it used to be.
This time, it was eerily quiet, not a sound to be heard.
Emperor Jingyou lay on the dragon couch, the eunuchs attending him by his bedside were new faces.
Lu Qingwan respectfully performed the courtesies, "This commoner greets Your Majesty, wishing Your Majesty peace!"
She had chosen to enter the palace as Lin Sa. Emperor Jingyou knew her true identity, and Duke Xiguo knew it, but there were still others who did not.
She could conceal it for as long as possible. This layered identity was her armor; she couldn't shed it before anyone else even made a move.
Emperor Jingyou glanced at her and instructed a eunuch, "Help me up."
The eunuch and Tang Xiao quickly stepped forward to support him. Just a few days ago, he was full of vigor, yet now, merely sitting up left him gasping for breath.
Emperor Jingyou himself clearly noticed his physical state. After sitting up, he rested for a while before saying, "Fu An, you may withdraw."
The eunuch bowed his head and retreated.
Emperor Jingyou cut to the chase, "I have seen many forms of disguise, but never one that can alter the voice. How did you achieve this?"
Lu Qingwan looked up at him, "Your Majesty is learned and knowledgeable. Do you know of a folk art called ventriloquism?"
She spoke these words in her original voice, her gaze fixed on Emperor Jingyou as she spoke.
Emperor Jingyou was direct, "I am very curious. For the past sixteen years, no one has taught you anything.
You claim your medical skills were taught by an Orange-robed Guardian of the Samsara Hall. Does the Samsara Hall also teach you how to disguise yourself and manage domestic affairs?"
He laid bare his doubts to Lu Qingwan, without any pretense.
Lu Qingwan was momentarily unsure if Emperor Jingyou was naturally forthright and unpretentious, or if he had ulterior motives. She could only take it as it came.
"Your Majesty's doubts only show that your understanding of the Samsara Hall is insufficient."
Lu Qingwan met Emperor Jingyou's gaze steadily, "May I ask Your Majesty, among the myriad schools of thought and professions in the world, is there any that the Samsara Hall has not delved into?
Furthermore, if an Orange-robed Guardian is willing to teach this subject, and considering the Samsara Hall's capabilities, isn't it perfectly normal that Your Majesty would not detect it?"
While feigning composure in her exchange with Emperor Jingyou, she silently prayed that the exaggerated tales of the Samsara Hall, which bordered on surpassing nations, would at least be effective enough, even if not entirely true.
At the very least, it should instill some apprehension in Emperor Jingyou. If he held the Samsara Hall in utter disregard, she would be doomed.
Her thoughts raced inwardly, while her outward demeanor remained calm.
Emperor Jingyou was equally calm, "If the Samsara Hall is so formidable, have they ever told you that some things are not to be brought out casually?"
Hmm...?
This response was beyond her expectation. Lu Qingwan exclaimed in bewilderment, "What does Your Majesty mean by that? This subject does not understand. I implore Your Majesty to clarify."
Emperor Jingyou scoffed, laboriously reaching under his pillow. When he raised his hand again, he produced the pistol that Lu Qingwan had gifted him at the birthday banquet.
The antique pistol rested in Emperor Jingyou's withered hand, so exquisite it was difficult to perceive it as a weapon of death.
Lu Qingwan was even more perplexed, "What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?"
"In the East, there is a superpower named Qin. This firearm is a top-secret weapon that only the personal guards of the Qin ruler are permitted to carry.
Do you know that from the moment you presented this firearm at the banquet, you, along with Xi Wu, and even the entire Da Qian, were plunged into danger?"
Lu Qingwan's eyes widened abruptly, "Does this mean that no one in this world, other than the Qin internal guards, can possess a pistol?"
"What do you think?"
Emperor Jingyou looked at her with a complex gaze. "The Qin Forge spent centuries to develop firearms.
Even members of the Qin royal family require the personal approval of the Qin Emperor to obtain a pistol.
Many surrounding smaller nations have desired to learn and replicate these firearms, but despite sacrificing countless spies, not a single pistol has ever left Qin.
Yet you openly presented one to me at the banquet, calling it a 'pistol.' What do you think the people of Qin will do when they find out?"
Lu Qingwan did not know what the Qin Emperor would do, but she knew that if she were in his position, she would tightly control such a weapon.
However, speculating now would be meaningless. "So much time has passed. Your Majesty would not be bringing this up again merely to tell me that my birthday gift has brought disaster, would you?"
Several months had passed since Emperor Jingyou's birthday. He had had numerous opportunities to tell her, yet he chose to speak only after Feng Xi Wu had departed the capital. Lu Qingwan immediately became wary.
Emperor Jingyou calmly continued, "Some time ago, news arrived that the Qin court received information and intends to send an envoy to verify if the gift you presented to me is indeed their property."
Lu Qingwan promptly denied it, "Of course not!
Before today, I didn't even know a country named Qin existed in this world. How could I possibly obtain equipment belonging to their internal guards?"
"I know it's not, but the Qin people may not accept that."
In the eyes of the world, only Qin possesses firearms. The Qin people would certainly not refuse something that is presented to them.
Emperor Jingyou's voice turned cold, "Therefore, there will be only two possible outcomes. Firstly, you will obediently admit that the pistol belongs to Qin, and I will have to respectfully present it to the Qin envoy.
Secondly, you will deny that the pistol belongs to Qin, and furthermore, you will reveal an identity that even Qin would fear, proving the pistol is yours, thereby protecting yourself, the pistol, and Da Qian."
This explanation, even when couched in polite terms, revealed his underlying intention. He was testing the depth of her connection with the Samsara Hall, hoping they would shield Da Qian from the threat of Qin.
Lu Qingwan harbored no affection for the Samsara Hall and felt no guilt in using them as a scapegoat.
However, "May I ask Your Majesty two questions?"
Emperor Jingyou feebly raised his eyes, "What questions?"
"Firstly, compared to the Samsara Hall, how does the strength of the Qin nation differ? Can the Samsara Hall withstand Qin?
Secondly, this news of the Qin envoy's impending arrival to Da Qian, Your Majesty must have received it before today.
Why did you not inquire with this subject as soon as you received the news, but instead waited until the Prince had left the capital?"
Whether the Samsara Hall could deter the Qin nation was a matter of her own life.
If the Samsara Hall was powerful, it would be well and good. But if they were easily defeated by Qin, even sacrificing the entire Samsara Hall would not save her from peril.
As for the second question, Lu Qingwan had personally witnessed Feng Xi Wu's regard for Emperor Jingyou.
Now, she wanted to see, for Feng Xi Wu's sake, if Emperor Jingyou was truly worthy of such high esteem.