Feng Xiwu and Lu Qingwan were not impulsive people. Even in their fury, every action they took was a calculated choice.
Lu Qingwan's retaliation, causing Bei Mingxue public humiliation, and Feng Xiwu’s subsequent act of crippling Bei Mingxue’s hand to avenge Lu Qingwan, were partly driven by the tit-for-tat mentality.
However, more significantly, it served as a warning to the Tianxuan Sect, showing them that Da Qian was not afraid of their power.
Hearing Feng Xiwu's words, Lu Qingwan knew she had understood his intentions correctly. The weight on her heart finally lifted, and the family of three slowly entered the Baohe Hall.
As the trio stepped into the hall, the eunuch announced loudly, "His Royal Highness the Regent, accompanied by the Princess Consort and the Young Heir, has arrived!"
A chorus of kneeling figures filled the Baohe Hall, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Regent, greetings to the Princess Consort and the Young Heir!"
Since Emperor Jingyou personally hosted the banquet and had permitted family members to attend, the Baohe Hall was already packed. The reverence shown was so powerful it startled Lu Qingwan.
Feng Xiwu remained unfazed. Holding their son in one arm and Lu Qingwan's hand in the other, he led them through the crowd to the first seat to the left of the imperial throne. Standing still, he calmly said, "You may rise."
The assembled guests did as they were told. Seeing Feng Xiwu standing steady, they displayed the same expression as those outside the palace gates. Clearly, not everyone had heard the news of Feng Xiwu's recovery, and many were still shocked to see him standing there so confidently.
Lu Qingwan secretly observed everyone's expressions, relishing the quiet joy of knowing the truth while others were astonished.
As she was secretly amused, a hearty voice called out, "I have long heard that His Royal Highness the Regent has recovered his health. Seeing you today, it is indeed so. I congratulate His Royal Highness the Regent!"
The speaker, clad in a crimson robe adorned with a qilin, strode with imposing grace. His appearance was that of a refined scholar, yet his gait and voice were robust and forthright.
Lu Qingwan found herself puzzled. When had such a frank official joined the court? She had received no prior indication.
As she pondered, Feng Xiwu said, "Thank you,驸马. My recovery is thanks to the Princess Consort's miraculous healing. Princess Consort, allow me to introduce you. This is 驸马 Shao, who currently serves as the Governor of Beizhiliao and is a close friend of my imperial brother."
Having only heard the name yesterday, Lu Qingwan was now meeting the person. Snapping back to attention, she quickly bowed to 驸马 Shao. "I have long heard of 驸马爷's reputation and imagined a robust general. I never expected a scholar, and thus failed to react promptly. I beg your pardon, 驸马爷."
驸马 Shao laughed heartily, "It's alright, it's alright. But speaking of generals who look like scholars, if your father doesn't claim second place, no one else can! Princess Consort, shouldn't you be accustomed to this?"
Lu Qingwan pursed her lips and gave a wry smile, "驸马爷 is joking. My father never wears armor at home, nor does he speak of battlefield matters. Aside from seeing him off for campaigns and welcoming him home, I too often forget he is a general!"
驸马 Shao found this even more amusing. "So that's how it is. Then I should learn from your father, lest I return home in armor and be disdained as uncouth by the Grand Princess, haha..."
Feng Xiwu scoffed, "I doubt that would be of much use, would it? Does 驸马 not yet understand that the Grand Princess disdains not the armor, but you yourself?"
驸马 Shao choked slightly and chided, "Ahem, you! You've already married the little Princess Consort, yet your words are still so sharp?" His demeanor suggested a close familiarity with Feng Xiwu, as if they were old friends, casual and at ease.
Lu Qingwan listened with curiosity. Not far away, Feng Qingheng, who had followed 驸马 Shao into the palace, nearly shattered his teeth watching their harmonious interaction. He had just received news that his father intended to appoint 驸马 Shao as the Governor-General of the Northwest, and Feng Xiwu was already engaging in such lively conversation with him. Was Feng Xiwu doing this solely to oppose him?
As Feng Xiwu and 驸马 Shao were engrossed in conversation, a playful finger tickled his palm. He glanced suspiciously at Lu Qingwan, only to hear a soft voice from behind him say, "If you keep chatting with 驸马爷 like this, Feng Qingheng will charge over here to kill you."
Even at her low volume, 驸马 Shao was close enough to hear her. Without hesitation, he glanced in Feng Qingheng's direction and said sarcastically, "A traitor. Princess Consort, you need not concern yourself with him."
Lu Qingwan offered an awkward chuckle. She had to admit that even with her forthright nature, she felt inferior to 驸马 Shao when it came to sharp repartee.
Just as she was fantasizing about the day she could retort as fearlessly as 驸马 Shao, she heard him grumble, "If only the Grand Princess were not away from the capital, he wouldn't have the chance to cause trouble."
Lu Qingwan's eyes suddenly brightened. A premonition told her that this Grand Princess was someone she would find interesting.
As she was about to delve deeper into the Grand Princess's illustrious past, the eunuch's voice rang out, "His Majesty has arrived!"
Immediately, everyone returned to their places, knelt to welcome him, and shouted "Long live!" Emperor Jingyou entered, surrounded by his retinue, strode to the main seat, and waved his hand, "All subjects, rise!"
Thanks to Feng Xiwu, Lu Qingwan only had to perform a half-bow. As she rose, she saw Emperor Jingyou clad in a black robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, his hair slicked back and secured by a golden crown. The jade pendants of his crown obscured his face, preventing her from assessing his complexion. However, his voice indicated that, at least for now, Emperor Jingyou's physical condition was acceptable.
The Emperor's arrival signaled the official commencement of the banquet. Once everyone was seated, Emperor Jingyou announced, "A great victory in the Western Borders! Marquis Lu and Marquis Xuanwu, father and son, are defending the peace of the region and will not return to court for now. However, this celebration banquet cannot be without its due. Let all my subjects join me in toasting the soldiers of the Western Borders and celebrating this grand victory!"
He got straight to the point, without any preamble, which genuinely surprised Lu Qingwan. The attending eunuchs, however, seemed to have been well-briefed. As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, they stepped forward to pour wine for the officials. When Emperor Jingyou had been unconscious, these ministers had been audacious, practically vying to be the sole authority in court. Now that Emperor Jingyou had awakened and appeared to be in good health, they had become timid.
As soon as the Emperor’s words fell, the ministers hastily raised their cups in agreement, "Celebrating the great victory in the Western Borders!" After speaking, they downed the wine in their cups. However, no sooner had they put down their cups than someone impatiently declared, "I have heard that Da Qian's decisive victory in the Western Borders was due to the Regent planting the seeds, and Marquis Zhaolie reaping the rewards. Yet the Princess Consort of the Regent did not even partake in this celebratory wine. Is she dissatisfied with the Regent and Marquis Zhaolie, or with His Majesty who proposed this celebration of victory in the Western Borders?"
The Emperor himself had proposed the toast, and Lu Qingwan had remained unmoved. This was a matter of lacking decorum at best, and extreme disrespect at worst. All eyes in the hall turned to Lu Qingwan.