The day for the enthronement ceremony was set, and preparations would commence.
Invitations to other countries and the submission of credentials would be handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial. However, this meant Xiao Yuan'er could not return to Da Qin for the time being.
Lu Qingwan smiled and asked Si Fengwu, "If the child is fine at the Reincarnation Palace, but now that he's back, we don't send him back, will Your Royal Brother and Sister-in-law come with knives to snatch him from us?"
Si Fengwu chuckled, "Given the current state of Da Qin, Your Royal Brother and Sister-in-law would probably wish he'd stayed away longer. If he were to return, a group of people would flock to stand by the Crown Prince, and he'd be embroiled in trouble even if he did nothing."
Lu Qingwan nodded in agreement, "Indeed, those in Da Qin have never given up on trying to place people in Your Royal Brother's palace. The Yan family behind Sister-in-law is also in a precarious situation. In that case, Your Royal Brother and Sister-in-law have it much harder than us."
Comparing their situations, Lu Qingwan even felt that her own life wasn't that difficult.
While she was silently feeling fortunate, a guard announced, "Duanyue seeks an audience."
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow, "It seems there's news about the Yue Zhao affair. Let's guess if this matter involves Yan Heling?"
Si Fengwu looked at her with amusement, "With something this obvious, is there still a need to guess?"
After the downfall of the Sansheng Tower and the Hanhxiao Hall, they temporarily had no real enemies. The only one constantly observing them was the ambitious Yan Heling. When the matter of Yue Zhao entering the palace without summons occurred, both Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu had no doubt about who was behind it. Sending Duanyue and Wen Ruge to investigate was merely to seek proof.
Lu Qingwan, hearing this, also felt she was being rather bored and said directly, "Let him in."
As expected, Duanyue reported on the matter of Madam Yue Zhao, and it was as they had thought, "After interrogation, the news that the Princess Consort wanted to ascend the throne was leaked from Elder Wen's mansion. Upon receiving the news, they immediately sought out Lian Chun, the eunuch on duty in the Imperial Study, to verify. After confirming the truth of the news, they forged the Ministry of Personnel's documents overnight, instructing Madam Yue Zhao to enter the palace. The token for entering the palace was also arranged by them. The reason they didn't let Madam Yue Zhao hold the token herself was to make it impossible for her to defend herself, thus provoking the Prince and Princess Consort to anger her. This would completely enrage the Wu clan, making it impossible for the Princess Consort to ascend the throne."
"Huh?" Lu Qingwan looked utterly bewildered, "It was aimed at me?"
Duanyue nodded, "Based on the clues found so far, the temporary summoning of Madam Yue Zhao this time was indeed aimed at you."
Lu Qingwan was completely perplexed, "When did I offend this young master of the Prime Minister's family? I have no recollection whatsoever!"
Si Fengwu patted her head sympathetically, "Just consider it being bitten by a dog. Your husband will immediately go to deal with the big dog..."
Their affectionate display was almost unbearable to watch. Duanyue rubbed his nose awkwardly, "There's something that, while unrelated to this case, I believe might explain why Yan Heling has been unreasonably targeting Your Highness and the Princess Consort all this time."
Lu Qingwan shot him a glare, her meaning clear, "Stop rambling, speak!"
Duanyue awkwardly withdrew his hand, "According to our men, the Princess Lianhua, who wanted to marry Your Highness but failed, somehow caught Yan Heling's eye, making Yan Heling extremely infatuated with her and even directly requesting the Empress for a marriage decree. The Empress did not agree, so he asked Prime Minister Yan and his wife to propose on his behalf, but neither of them fancied that Bai Lianhua. Yan Heling has been making a scene for over a year, but his private correspondence with Bai Lianhua has not ceased. Given Bai Lianhua's jealousy towards the Princess Consort, it's entirely possible she incited Yan Heling to oppose Your Highness and the Princess Consort at every turn."
Lu Qingwan blinked and glared fiercely at Si Fengwu, "It's your rotten桃花 again! You caused this, you deal with it yourself. If you can't, I'm leaving home right now!"
Si Fengwu was amused and exasperated by her antics. He turned and threw the stern look at Duanyue, "Have people thoroughly investigate the matter between Bai Lianhua and Yan Heling, and compile all evidence in writing. I want the evidence to be such that once it reaches Da Qin, Bai Lianhua and her entire family will surely die, and Yan Heling will be unable to cause further trouble."
Duanyue suppressed a smile and retreated. Before he had even left, he bumped into Li Qing, who looked travel-worn.
Gesturing cautiously to the other, Duanyue slipped away quickly, leaving Li Qing feeling tense. He tiptoed forward and reported, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, news has arrived from Southern Qi. Emperor Nan Gong Lie of Southern Qi is gravely ill and feels his time is short. He wishes to abdicate the throne to King Wulie, Nan Gong Che, to atone for the mistakes he made in his youth."
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow, "Liu Hanyan and Nan Gong Che just returned, and the Emperor of Southern Qi is gravely ill, wanting to return the throne to Nan Gong Che? What a coincidence!"
Li Qing seemed to be suppressing a smile, "The brothers who followed them to Southern Qi sent back word that the Southern Qi imperial palace is currently under Liu Hanyan's control. Strangely, Liu Hanyan has not harmed the lives of the Southern Qi royals. She has merely placed the Emperor, the princes and princesses, and even the ministers under house arrest. Furthermore, the news of abdicating to Nan Gong Che has been circulating for a long time, but the edict of abdication has not yet been issued. Our brothers also find this very strange."
Liu Hanyan's actions had bewildered everyone.
Lu Qingwan mused, "The throne is within reach, yet she's in no hurry to take it. What is she waiting for?"
"Based on the intelligence we currently possess, rumors have consistently suggested that the Emperor of Southern Qi will pass the throne to Nan Gong Che, but the edict of abdication is nowhere to be seen. This only causes the matter to escalate. Over time, the Southern Qi officials and populace will no longer believe the claim that the Emperor of Southern Qi will abdicate to Nan Gong Che, and will instead assume Nan Gong Che is forcing the abdication. Even if Nan Gong Che eventually achieves his goal and truly becomes the Emperor of Southern Qi, he will never be considered a legitimate emperor in the historical records."
Si Fengwu said, his expression quite grave, "There are likely other hidden circumstances that we are unaware of. Let's wait and see; the situation may become clear."
Lu Qingwan heartily agreed. However, no one expected that after waiting, there would be no further news from Southern Qi.
Days turned into months, and another year began. With less than a month until the enthronement ceremony, the entire court was a hive of activity. Lu Qingwan had already emerged from the Golden Luan Hall for the umpteenth time. As the ministers behind her prepared to proceed to the Imperial Study, a woman carrying a child rushed forward.
"Your Highness, this consort has brought the child to see you..." As she spoke, she rushed towards the crowd with the child, her eyes fixed on Si Fengwu, heading straight for him. Fortunately, the guards were quick. Before she could get close, they quickly formed a shield with their spears, crossing them to block the woman.