She had no idea why the Duchess of Hua suspected she would agree to her absurd request, and was even more curious, "Does Madam Hua know the crime Duke Xu committed?"
"This old woman certainly knows."
The Duchess of Hua replied with an air of confidence, "But it was Prince Ning who plotted treason. Duke Xu's mansion was misled by Prince Ning.
They had no military power, nor were they powerful officials. If they weren't misled by others, how would they have plotted rebellion?
With the execution imminent, please, Your Highness, save them. There are over three hundred people. To lose them all at once, how could Your Highness bear it?"
"I apologize, but traitors who rebel are not someone this consort will save, nor can I save them."
Lu Qingwan directly ushered her out, "If Madam Hua came to this consort solely for this matter, then there is nothing more to say.
Li Jin, escort her out!"
Having said that, she picked up the teacup that the maid had just served, her intention to dismiss the guest was quite clear.
"Regent Princess!"
Madam Hua called out a respectful title, but it sounded more like she was gritting her teeth as she said Lu Qingwan's name.
"Today, whether you save them or not, you must save them.
Otherwise, do you believe this old woman will have your entire Marquis Zhaolie's household buried with Duke Xu's family!"
"Presumptuous!"
Li Jin immediately reprimanded her, "How dare you threaten the Princess! Madam Hua, do you know that for these words alone, I can accuse you of disrespecting royalty and the imperial prestige?"
Lu Qingwan was the Regent Princess, her status second only to the Empress Dowager and Empress in the palace.
However, in the Great Qian palace, there was neither an Empress Dowager nor an Empress. Lu Qingwan was the most distinguished woman in Great Qian.
Accusing Madam Hua of disrespecting royalty and belittling the imperial throne was not an exaggeration.
Madam Hua, however, was not worried at all. "There's no need for this guard to rush to protect his mistress. The one standing before you might not be the true Regent Princess!"
Madam Hua said, her eyes pointedly looking at Lu Qingwan.
Lu Qingwan's heart skipped a beat. This old woman was about to reveal a secret she had hidden for so many years just to save Duke Xu's family.
Her expression remained unchanged, and she feigned panic, "Madam Hua, what do you mean by that?
This consort was personally betrothed by His Majesty and brought into the Regent Prince's mansion with a grand procession. Does the Prince himself not know whether it's true?"
Her tone revealed a hint of nervousness, which was perfectly placed.
Seeing her like this, Madam Hua's thoughts became active.
Her tone immediately became more arrogant, "That's not necessarily true.
After all, His Majesty betrothed, and the Regent Prince married with a grand procession, the daughter of Marquis Zhaolie and Princess Anyang.
Some audacious individuals dared to steal and replace even a princess sent for a political marriage. Whether the Prince and His Majesty would acknowledge a Regent Princess obtained through deception is uncertain!"
As expected, Madam Hua thought she had grasped Lu Qingwan's weakness, and her words were filled with smugness.
However, she still spoke indirectly and ambiguously, saying half and leaving half unsaid.
This was both a common trait of these aristocratic families and a deliberate attempt to torment Lu Qingwan, to make her anxious, confused about her origins, and afraid.
But she had underestimated Lu Qingwan's composure.
Furthermore, from the very beginning, she had assumed that the one who replaced the real Princess Anyang must be a woman of low status, who took a desperate risk for wealth and status.
She never expected that Liu Han Yan's background was beyond what Xiao Liang Yin could even dream of reaching.
Therefore, Lu Qingwan could not be as flustered and controlled by her as she had imagined.
Instead, Lu Qingwan curled her lips with a touch of coldness, her tone slightly chilling.
"Since Madam Hua knows that my mother was audacious enough to steal and replace a princess for a political marriage, haven't you considered that, as her daughter, I might be even more audacious than her?"
The coldness in her eyes and the undisguised murderous intent flowed out so directly that even Madam Hua, who prided herself on having weathered many storms, was startled.
She managed to maintain the composure of a first-rank lady, but failed to notice her voice tightening, like a prisoner being interrogated in the Ministry of Punishments.
Her voice was so tight it was as if her throat was being choked, "You, what do you want to do?"
"With just this little courage, you dare to come here and threaten someone?"
This consort wants to do nothing, I only want to remind Madam Hua that some things are not as simple as you think.
Let alone the entire Duke Xu's mansion, even Madam Duke Xu alone, this consort will absolutely not save."
She played with her fingernails, saying with a touch of coldness, "You can certainly go and accuse this consort of having an unknown background to His Majesty. But one thing, don't blame this consort for not reminding you.
Princess Anyang was a princess of Xiliang sent for a political marriage. This concerns the relations between two countries.
Especially now that war has broken out in the Northern Desert, if you dare to make this matter public, giving Xiliang an excuse to trouble Great Qian. This consort guarantees that Marquis Zhaolie's household will be safe and sound, but your Hua Duke's mansion, and even your maternal family, the Guangchang Prince's mansion, will not be able to escape blame!"
Madam Hua was not stupid. She had simply been blinded by the flattery and fawning of various parties over the years, believing herself to be noble and elderly, and that everyone would show her some respect.
That's why, when Lu Qingwan resolutely refused her request, she had become enraged and resorted to threats.
However, she could distinguish how much truth there was in what Lu Qingwan said.
If nothing else, Great Qian was currently at war with Northern Wei. If she were to expose Princess Anyang's identity at this time and provoke Xiliang to blame Great Qian.
Regardless of whether Princess Anyang was real or fake, the court would definitely assume Princess Anyang was real.
Since the person was already dead, there was no one to confirm the truth, and she, who caused discord between the court and Xiliang, would be a source of disaster for the nation.
However, Lu Qingwan's attitude made Madam Hua feel extremely uncomfortable.
"You do have a good mind, but don't get too smug. Princess Anyang's identity cannot be revealed to Xiliang, but it can be revealed to His Majesty.
His Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, his imperial might is sacred and inviolable.
Your family of three committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. This old woman doesn't believe that His Majesty can tolerate your blatant defiance!"
"Then Madam Hua, feel free to lodge a complaint!"
Lu Qingwan stood up directly, "Li Jin, escort her out."
After speaking, she deliberately instructed Li Jin, "The Prince is gravely ill and is not receiving visitors. From now on, do not let any troublesome people in.
If you disturb the Prince's peace, you will go to the Dark Hall to receive punishment."
Li Jin bowed in agreement, "Yes, Princess, this subordinate knows his mistake."
Then he gestured to Madam Hua, "Madam Hua, please!"
Madam Hua stood up furiously, "No need for you to escort me, this old woman can walk herself!"
One old and one young came with full confidence, and left in a huff. It seemed Lu Qingwan had won this round, but Lu Qingwan couldn't relax.
"Immediately send people to monitor the Hua Duke's mansion. If any unreliable rumors spread, they are to be suppressed immediately.
Send this letter to the Xijiang Moon Teahouse."
She handed the pre-written letter to Li Yang, "Prepare the carriage, I need to go to the post station."