Lu Qing Wan was momentarily speechless.
Even Lian Yu, who had participated in the entire affair, felt that Feng Qing Heng’s scheme had ended rather anticlimactically. Seeing Lu Qing Wan’s predicament, he decided to give her some time to recover.
However, although the resolution of the matter was somewhat unexpected, the outcome was acceptable. Lu Qing Wan did not remain shocked for long.
She quickly found a new topic, "You mentioned earlier that the Fourth Miss of the Yong An Bo Manor, whom Princess Jinyang had people investigate, when did she return to the capital?
Why did I not see her at the funeral rites of the late Emperor?"
It was Feng Xi Wu, who had just finished washing up, who answered her.
"When Madam Shao was summoned by His Imperial Brother, he only knew that he was to be transferred to the Governor-General of the Northwest and did not know that His Imperial Brother would pass away, so he did not bring his family.
The Princess only learned of the news and rushed back after His Imperial Brother’s death.
Eleven days is the fastest possible time from Jiangnan to Shang Jing."
Lu Qing Wan actually didn’t care about how Princess Jinyang managed to return to the capital.
She only wanted to know, "Princess Jinyang is the late Emperor’s own sister. Will her sudden return to the capital impose any restraint on Feng Qing Heng’s constant petty schemes?"
Feng Xi Wu’s expression was complex, "Even if it can, it will only be temporary.
Madam Shao is to be transferred to the Governor-General of the Northwest, and she will likely accompany him to the Northwest soon. Once she leaves Shang Jing, the emperor's reach will be too short to make any significant moves."
She had hoped there would be someone to restrain Feng Qing Heng and prevent him from causing further trouble.
To receive such an answer, Lu Qing Wan could not help but feel disappointed.
Feng Xi Wu gently patted her hand, "No need to worry. Feng Qing Heng is nothing that requires Princess Jinyang’s help for me to deal with.
Let me share some good news. Before His Imperial Brother passed away, he left an imperial decree, appointing my father-in-law as the Governor-General of Liaodong. Prime Minister Wen announced it today.
If nothing unexpected happens, my father-in-law will be far away from the hustle and bustle of Shang Jing, and Feng Qing Heng will no longer be able to make things difficult for him."
In the vast Great Gan, there were only six Governor-Generals in total, each holding the power of a provincial official. Feng Qing Heng could not possibly make things difficult for them as he pleased.
Lu Qing Wan was overjoyed to hear this, "This is indeed good news. But what about the original Governor-General of Liaodong, Pan Fuxiang? Will he willingly cede his position?"
"Pan Fuxiang accepted one million shi of grain and fodder from Prince Jing. His crime of treason is thus confirmed."
Feng Xi Wu used the teacup on the table to represent various powers, "The title of Governor-General of Liaodong sounds impressive. Eight thousand troops are scattered across the seven prefectures of Liaodong, and it is impossible to form a powerful fighting force in a short period.
Once the Xuan Jia Army stationed at the border turns back, he will have to hand over his position whether he wants to or not."
Lu Qing Wan was slightly taken aback, "Isn't the Xuan Jia Army in the Northwest? It's hundreds of miles away from Liaodong. How can it possibly control Pan Fuxiang, who is far away in Liaodong?"
Feng Xi Wu and Lian Yu exchanged a look and burst into laughter.
Lu Qing Wan frowned in confusion, "What are you laughing at? Is what I said so funny?"
"Wang Fei, you may have some misunderstanding about the Xuan Jia Army's stationed location."
Lian Yu explained with a smile, "Since the Prince assumed command of the Xuan Jia Army, his most frequent battles have been in the northern frontier. Those who are unfamiliar with military affairs may think the Xuan Jia Army is stationed in the Northwest, and that is understandable.
However, Wang Fei, the Xuan Jia Army does not guard this small area of the Northwest, but the entire border of Great Gan.
All the areas bordering Great Gan with Yun Qiang, Xi Liang, Bei Wei, and even Tian Xuan City are guarded by the Xuan Jia Army."
Lu Qing Wan looked at Feng Xi Wu in surprise, "I was wondering, with your forty thousand Xuan Jia Army, why did you have to personally lead the charge against Bei Wei.
So the Xuan Jia Army is not a regional garrison, but the border defense army of Great Gan?"
Forty thousand troops would be enough to crush the cavalry of Bei Wei or Xi Liang in the thirteen prefectures of the Northwest.
But if they were scattered across the twenty-eight prefectures of Great Gan's border, they would be insignificant.
"Border defense army?"
Feng Xi Wu pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement, "This name is indeed very fitting."
"Right?"
Lu Qing Wan raised her chin proudly, then turned serious, "Madam Shao is deeply trusted by the late Emperor and is Feng Qing Heng's uncle. His appointment as Governor-General of the Northwest should be fine.
But I have a mountain of new and old grievances with Feng Qing Heng. Will he willingly let my father peacefully become the Governor-General of Liaodong?"
"It's impossible for him to be willing, but the officials arranged by His Imperial Brother before his death were not just Madam Shao and my father-in-law. All officials who were dismissed or demoted because of Feng Qing Heng were arranged for by His Imperial Brother.
For example, the Prefect of Jingzhao, Han Guang, has been transferred to the Minister of Justice.
Grand Academician Zhao Xing Jian has been appointed as the Minister of Works..."
These were all arranged before His Imperial Brother's death. To facilitate their implementation, His Imperial Brother specifically left an imperial decree, appointing Prime Minister Wen to supervise the process.
With all the civil and military officials present at the time, even if Feng Qing Heng was unwilling, he had to accept it.
Unless he could find a way to legitimately cause my father-in-law's death before he took office.
"Pah, pah, pah, don't curse my father!"
Lu Qing Wan quickly spat several times, "But speaking of which, we really need to send someone to protect my father.
Feng Qing Heng, that idiot who has mood swings now and then, you never know what he might do."
Lu Qing Wan acted on her impulse and immediately called out, "Duan Yue!"
Duan Yue, dressed in black, walked in from outside and bowed respectfully, "What are your orders, Master?"
"Immediately send a team to the Northwest to find my father. Remember to bring someone who understands pharmacology to prevent poisoning."
Duan Yue pondered for a moment, "Shang Jing has been unstable lately. You cannot be without someone by your side. May I borrow some people from the Red Cloth Cult Leader..."
As she was speaking, a black figure quietly landed. Duan Yue did not hesitate, turning around and drawing her soft sword from her waist to attack.
The black figure rapidly retreated, and after exiting the room, engaged Duan Yue in combat.
Lu Qing Wan was stunned, "Where did this person come from?"
Feng Xi Wu’s lips curved slightly, "He followed us out of Wei Yang Palace. If I'm not mistaken, he should be a personal hidden guard of His Imperial Brother."
Lu Qing Wan: ...
"Why is the late Emperor's hidden guard following you?
I just said for Duan Yue to send someone to protect my father, and he came out to cause trouble. Does he have a grudge against my father?"
"Don't rush, let's go out and take a look."
Feng Xi Wu took Lu Qing Wan's hand and stood up. They went into the courtyard and saw two black figures leaping back and forth above the Wutong Garden.
In the short time they had been speaking, these two had already exchanged countless blows. All the flowers and plants in the courtyard, such as the Western mansion crabapples, had been stripped bare.
As Lu Qing Wan just settled under the eaves, a piece of rubble flew towards her, narrowly missing her forehead.
As it neared her, Feng Xi Wu quickly batted it away.
Duan Yue, on the other side, realized she had almost injured Lu Qing Wan and quickly retreated further away with the black-clad man.
The two figures exchanged blows, using both external and internal martial arts. Lu Qing Wan watched with dazzled eyes, and suddenly felt dizzy.
She unexpectedly coughed up a mouthful of blood, which greatly frightened Feng Xi Wu!
"Don't try to understand their moves and energy pathways. Your cultivation has not reached that realm. Forcing yourself to comprehend will lead to qi deviation!"