Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu exchanged a glance, and the latter also shook his head in bewilderment, clearly unaware of this matter.
Seeing this, Xie Shilan took the initiative to explain, "This matter was discussed privately between His Majesty and me and has not yet been announced. His Majesty was worried that after his demise, the new emperor's position would be unstable, and the borders would fall into chaos. He asked me to take charge of Xijiang after my return, to prevent Xiliang from invading Daqian, and I agreed. If nothing unexpected happens, I will return to Xiliang after the New Year. These past few months in Daqian, I have been grateful for your care. It is rare to have good news, and I am eager to share it with you both."
Xie Shilan appeared genuinely excited, but Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu did not truly believe that she would rush to the manor just to share such news. However, they had the patience for it.
"In that case, congratulations, General Xie," Lu Qingwan said to Xie Shilan with a poker face, "However, General Xie, you must have come to the manor in such a hurry for more than just sharing this good news, right?"
Xie Shilan's smile remained unchanged, but her expression became slightly solemn. "My former subordinates in Xiliang have sent word that Xie Shiyu has created something called gunpowder in Xiliang. Just one bowl of it can flatten a house. Because of this, several people she recommended have been appointed to important positions in the Xiliang court. Of course, these are matters I need to handle. I have come to inform the Princess Consort that Xie Shiyu is investigating your background, and someone has already drawn pictures of the strange things in Bai Xinglin and sent them to Xiliang. I have discovered that Xie Shiyu seems to be particularly interested in you. If you are targeted by her, there will be no good end. You must be extremely careful."
With Feng Qingheng's confession, and hearing that Xie Shiyu was interested in her, Lu Qingwan was not surprised. "Thank you, General Xie, for making this trip on my behalf. I will be careful regarding Xie Shiyu. As for you, it is a good thing that His Majesty is willing to let you return to Xiliang. But will Xiao Jing'an let you regain military power?" A person whose family was destroyed and who barely escaped death, if Xiao Jing'an's brain was not addled, he should not let her live. Let alone letting Xie Shilan regain military power. It would be good enough if she wasn't simply charged with a trumped-up crime and executed as soon as she returned.
Xie Shilan smiled confidently, "That will be out of his hands. I have my ways to make him reluctantly appoint me as a general." Her confidence, exuded with every movement, made Lu Qingwan's eyes widen. "I believe General Xie will achieve her aspirations. If there is anything I or His Highness can help with, please do not hesitate to ask. For the sake of being fellow women, I will certainly help you to the very end!"
Xie Shilan smiled faintly, "In that case, I thank the Regent Princess Consort in advance." She finished speaking and rose gracefully, "It is getting late, I must be going. Please do not see me out."
"Li Su, escort General Xie," Lu Qingwan said considerately, asking Li Su to see her out. As Xie Shilan's elegant figure disappeared from view, she felt a twinge of regret, only to hear a resentful voice from beside her, "Have you seen enough?"
"Not yet!" Lu Qingwan replied to Feng Xiwu with a face full of innocence, "The noble ladies of Shangjing are mostly delicate. Someone like General Xie, who can wear a qipao with such charm and heroic spirit, is truly rare. No, I must find someone to paint a portrait of General Xie and hang it in the Liren Workshop as a billboard."
Feng Xiwu saw that she was completely captivated by Xie Shilan's beauty, completely unaware of his own subtle feelings. He was momentarily dejected and frustrated. He bent down, scooped her up, and carried her into the inner chamber.
Lu Qingwan cried out in protest as her voice was completely swallowed by him. In a daze, she was taught a lesson by Feng Xiwu, and felt so wronged that she wanted to cry.
Freedom was regained only at dawn the next day. Lu Qingwan lay on the couch, gazing blankly at the familiar canopy. The familiar breathing beside her was gone. She called out, "Li Su." Her hoarse voice made Lu Qingwan herself blush. She instinctively touched herself, thankfully, that scoundrel knew to dress her. Just as she finished thinking this, Li Su pushed open the door and entered.
She said softly, "It is still early, and it is snowing outside. Does the Princess Consort want to sleep a little longer?"
Lu Qingwan grumbled from under the covers, "Where is His Highness? Where did he go so early in the morning?"
"Last night, before sleeping, His Majesty specially sent someone to inform us that His Highness needed to attend the morning court this morning. His Highness should be in the palace now."
Lu Qingwan's head was still a bit fuzzy, "To have His Highness attend the morning court, did Tang Xiao say what His Majesty would discuss at the morning court?" It was Tang Xiao who always came to relay messages when there was something in the palace, so Lu Qingwan assumed it was Tang Xiao who informed Feng Xiwu this time.
Li Su, however, shook her head, "Tang Xiao did not come. A subordinate of Tang Xiao came. However, I inquired and heard from him that His Majesty might be dealing with the ministers who participated in the palace chaos that day at today's morning court. In the early hours of this morning, Su Bojun has already been escorted into the city by the soldiers of the Divine Strategy Battalion."
Lu Qingwan immediately became energetic. Her back stopped aching, her head stopped hurting, and she was no longer sleepy. She quickly pulled on the clothes she had been drying by the warm stove and dressed herself nimbly. "Keep a close eye on news from the palace at all times. Also, closely monitor the Prince Chen's manor, the Prince Ning's manor, the Prince Jing's manor, and all the personnel His Highness previously instructed. Whether His Highness and His Majesty want their money or their lives, make them spit out everything they have, not a single one can escape!"
Li Su was startled by her sudden movement and quickly replied, "Princess Consort, please rest assured. His Highness gave the same instructions before he left. Li Qing is personally overseeing it, and there will be no delay. It is snowing heavily outside today. Even if you are fully dressed, you have nowhere to go. Why don't you sleep a little longer? I will wake you up if there is any news."
Lu Qingwan continued to dress herself, "That's fine. At such a critical juncture, I must stay alert and wait for news. If anyone is desperate, I can suppress them in time." Seeing her so excited, Li Su no longer tried to persuade her. She took the toiletries and served Lu Qingwan to wash up. As soon as she was done, she brought breakfast.
Lu Qingwan enjoyed a rare moment of leisure, and the breakfast prepared by the small kitchen was also extremely exquisite. Crystal clear clear soup noodles, refreshing side dishes, and Lu Qingwan's favorite braised meat, all were present. Various delicate and complex pastries and soups were laid out on a table. Lu Qingwan was both gluttonous and deliberately trying to pass the time. She ate this table of breakfast items, some cold, some hot, several times, until it was noon.
News from the palace had not arrived, but the long and solemn sound of the funeral bell did.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
...
Each chime seemed to strike directly at the heart. Lu Qingwan stood there, holding a cup of tea.
"How many times did the bell just ring?" Li Su, emboldened, took the teacup from her hand and said hoarsely, "Twenty-seven times. In the palace, only His Majesty is qualified to receive such an honorable mourning."