The Prefect of Jingzhao immediately dropped to his knees upon hearing Lu Qingwan's words, "Your Highness, please enlighten me.
Though Madam Yue Zhao did indeed help me greatly, I also provided the Wu clan with many conveniences within my purview, a collaboration between the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Wu clan's Tusi office.
We have no personal connection.
I, myself, must request an imperial decree before entering the palace; I would never dare to assist another in entering without summons!"
Lu Qingwan did not rush to respond to the Prefect of Jingzhao's defense. Instead, she turned to face Cheng Nanliu, "And you, Lord Cheng. Were the entry tokens given to the guards and the Shence Camp soldiers who received Yue Zhao into the palace by your Ministry of Personnel?"
Lord Cheng, among the principal officials of the six ministries, you are the latest to take office and the most controversial.
You would not disappoint me and His Highness, would you?"
Cheng Nanliu, as a renowned general of Northern Wei, had been recommended for the position of Minister of Personnel by Lu Qingwan against much opposition.
If he made a mistake, Lu Qingwan would also suffer a great blow.
Cheng Nanliu was calm and unhurried, "Reporting to Your Highness, I am not well acquainted with Madam Yue Zhao. If she did indeed use a token from my ministry, I will immediately investigate everyone in the Ministry of Personnel who has had dealings with Madam Yue Zhao.
However, I believe that at this point, how Madam Yue Zhao entered the palace is not as important as her purpose for entering.
Madam Yue Zhao, as the female Tusi of the Wu clan, holds a special position.
With the slightest misstep, the six million citizens of the Wu clan could cause great unrest in the court.
Would Your Highness and Your Highness be able to send someone to observe the internal affairs of the Wu clan, and investigate this matter further while ensuring the Wu clan remains peaceful?"
Lu Qingwan smiled and leaned back in her chair, "Investigate, of course, we must investigate. But gentlemen, do you know why I summoned you here?"
Her smile was mischievous, causing Cheng Nanliu to flinch, "Your Highness... you're not perhaps thinking of feigning rage and imprisoning both Lord Zhou and me to enact a plan?"
The Prefect of Jingzhao suddenly straightened up, "Im... imprison us?!"
Despite being a handsome middle-aged man, the words "imprison us" brought out a comical expression on his face.
Lu Qingwan found it amusing, "What, you're unwilling?"
The Prefect of Jingzhao stammered, "No, no, Your Highness, I am not unwilling.
Madam Yue Zhao's involvement in this matter, ultimately, means I am not entirely blameless.
It's just that..."
He furrowed his brow in distress, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.
Seeing him stammer, Li Su, who was attending them, suddenly spoke up, "Reporting to Your Highness, according to my subordinate's knowledge, Lord Zhou's wife is pregnant and due to give birth in the next few days.
If Lord Zhou were to be imprisoned, and the news were to reach Lady Zhou, it might greatly distress her."
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Tsk, becoming a father, are we?"
Lord Zhou smiled awkwardly, "Please forgive us, Your Highness and Your Highness. My wife has always been in delicate health, and after nearly forty years of age, she conceived this child, so..."
"Tsk, congratulations are in order first.
Secondly, your wife is of advanced maternal age, and as you yourself said, her health is not good. The risk of complications during childbirth is higher than for others.
I have opened a hospital specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the southern district of Xindu. Although it has not officially opened, it can already admit patients.
The doctors there are all female doctors I have personally trained, and they are exceptionally skilled in obstetrics and gynecology. There are no male doctors, which you may find reassuring. If you don't mind, you can have your wife examined there later."
After speaking, she clicked her tongue, "However, as for the prison, Lord Cheng will have to go himself.
Do you have any objections, Lord Cheng?"
Cheng Nanliu shook his head with a wry smile, "No objections, but when Lord Zhou's child has its full moon celebration, you must be my honored guest."
Lord Zhou nodded repeatedly, "Naturally, naturally..."
After saying this, he belatedly realized the deeper meaning behind Lu Qingwan's words.
He repeatedly thanked Lu Qingwan with elation, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your benevolence, thank you, Your Highness..."
He poured out a torrent of thanks, his excitement so great that he seemed eager to rush forward and embrace Lu Qingwan.
Si Fengwu, who had been observing Lu Qingwan's captivating demeanor while she worked, interjected with a subtle jab, "Don't celebrate too early. It's just that you won't be imprisoned.
Yue Zhao, as a commoner, has become embroiled in this courtly struggle. You provided the mastermind behind the scenes with a loophole.
The investigation must still proceed; you cannot escape it."
Lord Zhou nodded sheepishly, "Your Highness is correct, this subject understands."
"If you understand, then go back first. Let's stir up this matter.
As for when the imprisonment will occur, we will not inform you in advance, lest the plan be exposed."
Both men felt as though disaster had befallen them from the heavens. Hearing Lu Qingwan's words, they felt as if they had been granted a great amnesty.
They hastily bid farewell and hurried away, as if the imperial study were a den of wolves and tigers.
...
The next day, after the morning court.
Cheng Nanliu, the Minister of Personnel, the head of the six ministries, was taken away by the Shence Camp after the court session. The Dali Temple then directly dispatched to the Jingzhao Prefecture to investigate. Both events spread rapidly.
The ministers successively sought audience with Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan, but their requests were all denied.
For at this moment, a significant matter was being handled in the imperial study.
"April 18th?
Why choose such a date for the enthronement ceremony? Is there anything special about this date?"
It was only November, and the date for the enthronement ceremony chosen by Elder Wen was nearly half a year away.
Let alone Lu Qingwan, even Si Fengwu found it strange.
"Many matters concerning the enthronement ceremony have already been prepared. Why is the date set half a year later?
Are there no suitable dates within these six months?"
Elder Wen remained silent. The Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, who was respectfully waiting nearby, spoke cautiously, "Reporting to Your Highness, it is not that there are no suitable dates in these six months.
It is just that this year is a cold winter. It is already mid-November, and it will only get colder.
Furthermore, I have observed the celestial phenomena and found that there will be prolonged blizzards from the end of this month until after the New Year.
The enthronement ceremony involves numerous intricate details and a lengthy process. Your Highness, Your Highness, and all the officials would have to stand in the biting wind for a whole day. I fear everyone's health might not withstand it!"
For previous emperors, the Imperial Astronomy Bureau was a place to seek inner peace, pursue longevity, and ward off misfortune.
However, for Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan, the Imperial Astronomy Bureau was simply a walking weather forecast.
The Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau was also intelligent. Knowing what Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu were concerned about, he spoke entirely about the weather.
"There are a few suitable dates after the New Year, but they coincide with the spring plowing season.
When the court holds an enthronement ceremony, unless explicitly prohibited, local areas will spontaneously celebrate. This, inevitably, will delay spring plowing.
Therefore, I believe April 18th is a relatively suitable date."
By April 18th, spring plowing would have ended in most areas, and the autumn harvest would still be far off.
At the very least, it would not delay the people's livelihood for the sake of a ceremony.
Naturally, Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu were both persuaded by this reason.