There was no Empress in Da Qian. Consort Ye had always managed the inner palace, so the Kunning Palace was no different from the central palace.
Lu Qingwan bid farewell to Feng Xiwu and entered Kunning Palace, led by palace attendants.
Consort Ye, who was sitting on a Luohan bed drinking tea, saw Lu Qingwan and smiled with joy. "I've been waiting and waiting, and you're finally here. Where is Xiwu? Why didn't he come with you?"
"Greetings to Noble Consort."
As the Regent's wife, Lu Qingwan was not required to perform the full kneeling kowtow to Consort Ye. She merely curtsied.
"The Prince was going to accompany me to offer tea to Noble Consort, but as we reached the outside of Kunning Palace, someone called him away.
They said it was an urgent military dispatch from the border, and His Majesty requested his presence in the Imperial Study for discussions."
"I see."
Consort Ye warmly beckoned Lu Qingwan. "Men are always like this, with endless official duties. Let's chat amongst ourselves and not mind him."
Lu Qingwan could not fathom the Consort's intentions and could only force a smile.
Consort Ye did not seem to mind and stared intently at Lu Qingwan.
Lu Qingwan did not mind being looked at, but the Consort's expression of having something to say but hesitating was too obvious.
She could only prompt her to speak. "Why are you looking at me like this, Noble Consort?"
"After the wedding yesterday, news spread that you were like a changed person overnight, beautiful as a celestial fairy. How could I not take a closer look?"
Consort Ye stared curiously at the spot on Lu Qingwan's face where a birthmark had once been. Although her words were full of praise, her questioning gaze was even clearer.
Lu Qingwan inwardly mused that she was indeed the reigning queen of palace intrigue, even asking questions through others.
But it was a performance, after all. Who couldn't act?
She covered her face and lowered her head sadly. "I wish that birthmark had stayed forever."
Without further words, the unspoken message was one of deep sorrow, leaving her unable to speak of anything else.
Consort Ye indeed did not press her further and instructed someone to serve pastries and tea.
Lu Qingwan was relieved to have passed this hurdle. As she looked up, a fleeting red mark on her neck caught Consort Ye's eye, and a glint of cunning flashed in her gaze.
"I don't know what your preferences are, but I thought you young ladies all love beauty. Take this bolt of flowing brocade and make two outfits.
You've just gotten married, so you shouldn't dress too plainly. We wouldn't want people to think Xiwu has neglected you, his new Princess Consort..."
"Thank you, Noble Consort. I gratefully accept your kind gift!"
Lu Qingwan signaled Yue'er to take the fabric. She politely accepted the tea offered by Consort Ye's attendant, but a mechanical prompt sounded in her mind from her spatial laboratory.
"Attention. Toxic substance detected."
The teacup was already at her lips. Setting it down now would be too conspicuous. Lu Qingwan nonchalantly took a sip before placing the cup back.
She subtly observed Consort Ye's expression, but saw no change. Lu Qingwan was puzzled.
If it wasn't her, who else could have poisoned her within Kunning Palace?
"Noble Consort, the Regent has sent someone to fetch the Princess Consort. He says there's something at the manor and wishes to leave the palace early."
The eunuch's sharp voice pulled Lu Qingwan back from her wandering thoughts.
"He himself has official duties and needs to leave the palace early, but why can't he let you stay a moment longer?"
Consort Ye chuckled, teasing Lu Qingwan. "I never realized our Regent was so clingy before. Princess Consort, you truly are blessed!"
Lu Qingwan feigned shyness. "Noble Consort, please don't make fun of me. The Prince is worried I'll embarrass him if I stay in the palace too long!"
Consort Ye also laughed. In a battle of wits, wasn't it about who could act better?
Only when she was seated in the Regent's carriage did Lu Qingwan feel her cheek muscles stiffen. She rubbed her face ungratefully and stealthily glanced at Feng Xiwu's expression.
"Didn't you say you had official duties? Why did you leave the palace so soon?"
Despite the tense atmosphere, he had arrived in less than an hour after she had been at Kunning Palace. Clearly, things hadn't gone as anticipated.
Feng Xiwu hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. Lu Qingwan, being understanding, said, "I just asked casually. If it's inconvenient to talk about, please pretend I didn't ask."
After all, she was not a native of this era and was still unaccustomed to the restraints placed upon women.
Women were not supposed to interfere in state affairs. Her casual question might have been a transgression.
Lu Qingwan silently reminded herself to mind her own business and avoid trouble.
Then she heard Feng Xiwu say in a husky voice, "I need to tell you something. Listen, and try not to get too agitated."
His words made it clear that it was not a topic she could possibly remain calm about.
She sat up straight, as obedient as a primary school student. "Your Highness, please speak."
"We achieved a great victory in the Western Border. The seven cities of Hexi, which Xiliang had occupied, have all been recaptured."
"Isn't that good news?"
Even though Lu Qingwan was unaware of Da Qian's current military situation, she knew that a victory was good news!
However, "Did something happen to my father?"
If it were just a report of victory, Feng Xiwu wouldn't have this expression.
The only thing that could make him so troubled was likely the misfortune of the original owner's father.
"In the final battle, Marquis Lu was ambushed while pursuing fleeing soldiers. He was severely wounded and likely does not have much time left."
Her heart gave a sharp twist, and Lu Qingwan cried out in pain.
She knew this was the original owner's distress for her father. She was helpless against this pain that transcended medical understanding.
Clutching her chest, she managed to ask, "Not much time left, does that mean my father is still alive?"
Feng Xiwu nodded with difficulty. "Yes."
In truth, according to the urgent dispatches from the front lines, Lu Zhenting's chances of survival were extremely slim.
But looking at Lu Qingwan's suddenly pale face, he could not bring himself to utter such cruel words.
"I want to go save him."
Lu Qingwan looked at Feng Xiwu with firm eyes. "Have someone send my father back to the capital as quickly as possible. I will meet him on horseback, and we can save some time."
Upon hearing that her father was gravely injured, her first reaction was not to cry or be afraid, but to go save him herself.
Feng Xiwu didn't know what to say to Lu Qingwan. "Don't get agitated. The Shence Battalion's personal guards accompanying the army have already secretly sent your father back to the capital. He will arrive within three days at the latest.
Your father commands a large army, and there are many who wish him dead.
The route the Shence Battalion guards are taking him back to the capital was meticulously planned. If you go rashly, you will only expose his whereabouts and bring him more danger."
Carried away by the original owner's emotions, Lu Qingwan, despite never having met this father, felt an inexplicable sense of urgency.
Her fair hands clenched into fists on her lap. "Alright. Since you have made arrangements, I won't interfere.
Can you tell me where my father is wounded and his current condition?
I want to prepare as thoroughly as possible so that I can begin treatment immediately upon his arrival."
This reasonable request was something Feng Xiwu could not and would not refuse.
"All the information is here. Take your time to read it. If you need any medicinal herbs or equipment, just say the word, and I will have people prepare them immediately."
In a waterproof goatskin tube lay a stack of papers detailing the cause and effect of Lu Zhenting's injury, as well as his daily symptoms. It was truly exhaustive.
It was only missing basic information like name and age, compared to the medical records Lu Qingwan had personally taught Meng Sheng to write.