It was fortunate that they both took nearly two hours, and Li Yang and the others were diligently on duty, so no one disturbed them.
Lu Qing Wan carefully closed the door. Standing outside were Li Jin and Li Yang. Seeing her, they quickly asked, "Does the Princess Consort have any instructions?"
"The Prince is negotiating with all parties, having exhausted all strategies. Does he have a dedicated double?"
The two shook their heads in horror, "Who in this world would dare impersonate the Prince? Are they tired of living!"
Lu Qing Wan looked at them suspiciously, "Really none?"
The two shook their heads in unison, "Truly none."
"Then that's fine."
Seeing that they did not seem to be lying, Lu Qing Wan believed them. "Since there isn't one, find me one. Someone with a similar height and build to the Prince, preferably someone who knows the Prince's daily habits and can blend in seamlessly at any time."
The two looked at each other, vaguely guessing what Lu Qing Wan intended to do. However, finding someone to impersonate Feng Xi Wu was such a major undertaking that they dared not agree casually.
Seeing their hesitation, Lu Qing Wan rolled her eyes and flashed the Ten Thousand Phoenixes King in her hand. "What, has the Prince's command not been relayed to your subordinates?"
Li Yang's expression changed slightly. Li Jin quickly bowed, "Princess Consort, please do not be angry. Li Yang has already informed his subordinates. I will send someone to find the person the Princess Consort needs and deliver them to you before dawn."
Li Jin was Feng Xi Wu's most trusted subordinate, and his word was as good as a military order. Once he spoke, Lu Qing Wan knew the matter was settled.
However, she added, "The Prince is traveling to Saibei discreetly. You few who are familiar must remain in Shangjing to cover for him. Arrange for guards in advance, and do not let the Prince be without manpower when he is away. Also, take my token and find Wu Ying. Ask her to help gather provisions, medicinal herbs, winter clothing, and everything else needed on the battlefield. In the event of future chaos in the imperial court, the new ruler may not have the time to supply the soldiers in Saibei, so prepare in advance."
Da Gan also had a rule against women interfering in politics, and Lu Qing Wan's words were clearly overstepping. However, Li Jin, Li Yang, and the guards nearby showed no sign of defiance.
Li Jin even respectfully asked Lu Qing Wan, "For this great battle in Saibei, no matter which general the Emperor appoints to lead, the Military Advisor should also be dispatched as a supervisor. The provisions are usually handled by the Military Advisor. May I hand the token directly to the Military Advisor and let him negotiate with Miss Wu Ying? This way, we can avoid unnecessary delays and save time?"
Everything Lu Qing Wan said was for Feng Xi Wu's benefit, ensuring things were handled better. She didn't care who did the work. Without thinking, she nodded, "As long as the supplies can be gathered, it doesn't matter who handles it."
Li Jin readily agreed, "Yes, Princess Consort!"
Lu Qing Wan, worried about Feng Xi Wu, wanted to return to her spatial laboratory. She then instructed, "The Prince's residual poison has not yet been cleared, and he may need to detoxify all night. If there's anything, knock on the door. Do not barge in."
After her instructions, she slipped back into the spatial laboratory and stayed by Feng Xi Wu's side until she was drowsy. Thinking that the man was going to war, she went to prepare some more medicinal herbs.
For a full four hours, she did not rest. When Feng Xi Wu woke up, his recuperation was also complete.
The first thing Feng Xi Wu said upon opening his eyes was, "Will I no longer have to use a wheelchair?"
"It's not that fast." Lu Qing Wan took out the medicine she had prepared overnight. "I've inquired. From Shangjing to the Saibei front line, it takes half a month at a gallop. Take this medicine three times a day. Wear warm clothes on your journey, don't catch a chill, especially on your knees and head. After ten days, you can do whatever you want; no one will stop you."
Feng Xi Wu then saw the dark circles under his eyes and felt immense sympathy. "So much medicine, you didn't sleep all night, did you?"
"Who told me I married the God of War of Da Gan?" Lu Qing Wan blinked hard and sighed, "If I had married a Tanhua scholar, I wouldn't be so exhausted."
"Tanhua scholar?" Feng Xi Wu gritted his teeth. "Is that all you aspire to? Not even a Zhuangyuan scholar?"
Lu Qing Wan chuckled, "Does Your Highness remember what first caught my eye about you?"
Feng Xi Wu: ... Thank you, I really didn't want to be reminded of the importance of this face. However, "You, a literate person, can't even distinguish the duties of the Six Ministries, yet you know that Tanhua scholars are handsome and talented. It seems you've been preparing a lot? What, before I've even left, you've already chosen my successor?"
Da Gan's imperial examination had an unwritten rule that the Zhuangyuan was the most talented and knowledgeable person among those who took the exam that year. However, the Tanhua was not only judged on knowledge but also on his social grace and handsome appearance. Therefore, when the top three paraded through the streets, it was always the Tanhua, not the Zhuangyuan, who attracted the most attention from noble ladies. This was common knowledge among the young ladies in Shangjing. But for Lu Qing Wan, who couldn't even distinguish the duties of the Six Ministries and needed Feng Xi Wu to tutor her, this knowledge was a bit beyond her scope. As a result, when Feng Xi Wu discovered that Lu Qing Wan possessed this obscure knowledge, his first reaction was that Lu Qing Wan had been looking for a backup plan behind his back.
Lu Qing Wan was amused to the point of laughter, "I'm illiterate? Does Your Highness remember who organized the messy accounts of your estate?"
Since entering the Regent's Manor, Lu Qing Wan had naturally taken over the household management. She wouldn't comment on the ancient accounting methods, but with the help of Yue'er and Zhi Qiu, she had re-organized all the account books. This wasn't something worth mentioning again, but Li Jin, the chief steward, was a shrewd man. After seeing the account books organized by Lu Qing Wan and the two maids, he immediately borrowed them. Within a few months, all departments under Feng Xi Wu were using the accounting method taught by Lu Qing Wan. To call her illiterate was indeed speaking with her eyes wide open.
Yet Feng Xi Wu argued, "Illiteracy is relative. You are the legitimate daughter of a marquis and my Princess Consort, so you cannot be compared to illiterate women on the streets. Those from noble families are familiar with the ranks and responsibilities of court officials, the families of officials of the fourth rank and above, and the rules of etiquette for interacting with them. By that standard, how can you not be considered illiterate?"
Lu Qing Wan had been embroiled in various trivial matters since her transmigration. Her knowledge of official ranks and the status of ladies depended on what Yue'er and the other maids had told her during banquets. Later, for the sake of doing business, she had gained some understanding, but she still lagged behind the native ladies here. She herself didn't care about these things, but she was surprised that Feng Xi Wu had noticed and even remembered them clearly. Lu Qing Wan felt a pang of sadness. "Yes, I, an illiterate person, struck gold by marrying into the manor, which truly desecrated Your Highness. But don't be too anxious; I'll soon be out of your sight!"