"Ah!"
Lu Qing Wan leaned against the carriage wall and yawned lazily. "So tired. Banquets like these are never easy. I never want to come to another one!"
Feng Xi Wu pulled her closer, his large hand resting on her back and performing a series of movements. Lu Qing Wan felt a warmth spread throughout her body, an unparalleled comfort.
"Is this inner strength?"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Feng Xi Wu, her expression full of curiosity.
Feng Xi Wu's heart fluttered like a cat's tail being swept across it, feeling both ticklish and soft under her gaze.
"Yes. If you wish to learn, this king can teach you."
His little princess was a determined woman, and she would likely be delighted to be able to practice martial arts.
Lu Qing Wan's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? I can practice inner strength too?"
"Naturally."
Feng Xi Wu held her hand, caressing it gently. "I discovered long ago that your meridians are very clear. You have the makings of a martial artist."
"Right?"
Lu Qing Wan's excited body swayed like a penguin. "Am I exceptionally gifted, a genius at martial arts?"
Feng Xi Wu chuckled. "You're this happy just to be able to practice martial arts?"
Lu Qing Wan did not deny it. "Everyone has a yearning for strength, don't they? Besides, to snatch the enemy's head amidst thousands of soldiers, to vanish into the martial world like a ghost – that's so cool!"
"This king never knew the Princess had dreams of being a valiant female knight."
He toyed with Lu Qing Wan's slender fingers, smiling with great amusement. "It's rare for the Princess to have a request for this king, so I must teach you no matter what.
However, the cultivation technique I practice is too vigorous and not suitable for you.
Please wait patiently for some time. This king will have someone find suitable cultivation techniques for women to practice for you.
Practicing the correct technique will yield twice the result with half the effort."
"Mhm mhm." Lu Qing Wan nodded cutely, then remembered something she had been pondering. "How are the relations between Da Qian and Bei Wei?"
The shift in topic was so abrupt that Feng Xi Wu almost couldn't keep up.
He asked blankly, "Not good, not bad, just average. Why do you suddenly ask this?"
Lu Qing Wan did not answer, only continuing to question him. "Then, with Da Qian winning this war, obtaining many tribute items from Xi Liang, and forging a marriage alliance with Xi Liang, wouldn't that, to some extent, pose a threat to Bei Wei?"
"Naturally."
Although Feng Xi Wu didn't understand why Lu Qing Wan was suddenly interested in the political landscape of various countries, he was pleased that she was willing to chat with him.
He patiently explained, "Da Qian, Xi Liang, and Bei Wei were roughly evenly matched. In recent years, Xi Liang has repeatedly provoked trouble, leading to constant warfare between Da Qian and Xi Liang. Bei Wei, meanwhile, was recuperating and initially held the advantage.
But now, with Da Qian's victory and their marriage alliance with Xi Liang, uniting the strength of two nations, Bei Wei is naturally at a disadvantage.
See, they refused Da Qian's earlier proposal for trade before. Now, upon seeing the marriage alliance between Da Qian and Xi Liang, they themselves have sent over the trade agreement."
Feng Xi Wu's tone was normal, but Lu Qing Wan could tell he was quite pleased with the matter of trade.
After all, it was beneficial for boosting Da Qian's economy, and as the regent, he should be happy.
Lu Qing Wan, however, frowned. "May I see the specific content of the trade agreement?"
Feng Xi Wu gazed at her intently. "You think there's a problem with the trade agreement?"
Da Qian's customs were open, but the rule of the imperial harem not interfering with politics was ironclad. Lu Qing Wan had always sensibly kept her distance from state affairs.
This was the first time she had proactively inquired about court matters.
Lu Qing Wan pursed her lips. "Whether there's a problem or not, I need to see the specific content of the trade agreement to determine.
But what I am certain of is that Bei Wei had always refused trade. Now, they are suddenly proactively sending over a trade agreement. They won't budge when pulled, but retreat when pushed – there must be a problem here."
After several days of interaction, Feng Xi Wu knew that Lu Qing Wan was by no means an ignorant young lady from the inner chambers, nor would she make such a request rashly.
Without further hesitation, he said, "That trade agreement should still be on the Emperor's desk. This king will bring it to you tomorrow to see."
Lu Qing Wan smiled. "There's no rush. As long as it's before the two countries officially sign the trade agreement."
Feng Xi Wu nodded, a certain guess forming in his mind. When he returned to the princely estate, news had already reached the palace.
"The Regent asked His Majesty to temporarily suspend the signing of the trade agreement. Did he say why?"
Emperor Jing You had drunk a lot of wine today, and he rubbed his temples, feeling quite weary.
The eunuch respectfully replied, "Your Highness, the Prince did not say."
"Alright, you may withdraw."
Emperor Jing You waved his hand and carefully examined the trade agreement brought by Nie Ming Yang.
Meanwhile, at the Regent's estate, Lu Qing Wan returned to Tong Tong Yuan with Feng Xi Wu and immediately slumped onto a couch like a deflated doll.
But Feng Xi Wu was followed by a string of followers, preventing her from getting any sleep.
"Your Highness, we found this in a corner not far behind the Young Master."
Li Su respectfully presented the found object. "Your subordinate examined it carefully. The hairpins of Princess Ru Ge have this kind of leaf ornament.
Also, after Princess Ru Ge was expelled from the palace, your subordinate specifically went to check. Her hairpin was indeed missing a leaf."
Lu Qing Wan lay on the chaise lounge like a dead fish. "Wen Ru Ge wanted to embarrass me, and I'm not surprised.
But to use something so small to take down Young Master Yuan, the force involved must have been significant. Does Wen Ru Ge have that capability?"
Li Su added, "Your subordinate asked Princess Ru Ge, and she indeed denied injuring the Young Master.
Furthermore, when your subordinate took her hairpin, she did not resist, appearing to know nothing about the hairpin incident."
"Those hairpins are for show and not for practical use. It wouldn't be difficult for someone to detach a leaf from it without Wen Ru Ge knowing."
Feng Xi Wu played with the small gold leaf, turning it over and over, but found nothing unusual.
Lu Qing Wan was so sleepy her eyelids were drooping, but Meng Sheng arrived.
After treating Lu Zhen Ting's injuries last time, Meng Tang and his son finally realized that their master was actually a beautiful woman. After a moment of shock, the father and son accepted it.
Whether a handsome young man or a beautiful woman, anyone who could teach them medical skills was a good master.
And so, Meng Sheng came to visit, was brought before Lu Qing Wan, and was still trembling nervously.
It was Lu Qing Wan who took the initiative to ask him, "Why are you looking for me at this hour? What happened?"
Only then did Meng Sheng find his voice, which had been nearly scared out of him.
Meng Sheng stammered, "Grand-master, a rather peculiar patient has come to Bai Xing Lin. My father said he cannot treat this illness.
But that person said my father couldn't cure him, and threatened to tear down Bai Xing Lin and send my father to prison. So, there was no other choice, and my father sent me to find you."
Such arrogant words – it was clear the person was wealthy.
Lu Qing Wan's interest was piqued. "Who is this person, what is their illness, and can your father really not treat it?"
Meng Sheng's face reddened as he spoke hesitantly.
Lu Qing Wan suddenly sat up. "Stop stuttering and speak. If I'm interested, I'll make an exception and go tomorrow."
Then, she heard Meng Sheng, blushing and fidgeting, say, "A venereal disease, and it seems to have mutated."