Reincarnation Hall.
Within the grand hall, no one understood what these three words meant.
Even less did anyone know the connection between Lu Qingwan and Reincarnation Hall.
For a time, everyone's attention was drawn to the figure who had yet to appear.
Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu exchanged a glance. Without them needing to say a word, Li Su quietly scurried over.
"The Master of Reincarnation Hall promised not to make things difficult for His Majesty and the Prince in public, and brought a personal letter from Liu Hanyan. After some discussion among the brothers, we let him in."
Lu Qingwan gestured for Li Su to retreat, and Liu Xunran's tall figure appeared in the center of the hall.
His purple attire was like a descending deity, moving without a trace, his robes and hair fluttering without wind, possessing a mystical aura of an otherworldly master. Behind him, figures in orange and green followed quietly.
As the three appeared, the hall instantly fell silent.
Curious eyes darted between Lu Qingwan and her husband, and the Master of Reincarnation Hall.
Lu Qingwan pretended not to see their gazes and met Liu Xunran's eyes calmly.
After a long pause, the latter spoke slowly, "I am pleased to hear of the Heavenly Phoenix Empress's ascension to the throne. I have come to offer my congratulations. As the Master of Reincarnation Hall, I present Reincarnation Hall to Her Majesty the Empress, wishing Her Majesty boundless prosperity and eternal merit!"
It was a simple congratulatory remark, but with the backing of Reincarnation Hall, it seemed to carry immeasurable power. The entire hall erupted.
To present Reincarnation Hall to Lu Qingwan, what did that imply? If Heavenly Phoenix was comparable to Great Qin, Southern Qi, or even the Turkic tribes, with the addition of Reincarnation Hall, Heavenly Phoenix would have turned the tide, transforming from the weakest to the strongest in an instant.
Lu Qingwan was also stunned. "Did the Hall Master misspoke? Reincarnation Hall has been passed down for a thousand years, with a bright future ahead. How can I accept accolades without merit?"
As she spoke, Lu Qingwan frequently exchanged glances with Liu Xunran, urging him to retract his words. But Liu Xunran acted as if his signal was lost, and stated earnestly, "Your Majesty thwarted the conspiracy of San Sheng Lou and Han Xiao Palace, and protected the thousand-year lineage of my Reincarnation Hall's Blood Wulian and Forbidden Library. How can this be called receiving accolades without merit? Moreover, Your Majesty possesses a benevolent heart. Ji Shi Tang and Qian Jin Fang have saved countless lives, and their operating principles align perfectly with my Reincarnation Hall's philosophy of aiding and saving people. I am willing to lead the entire Reincarnation Hall to pledge allegiance to Your Majesty. How can it be said that Your Majesty is receiving accolades without merit? Surely Your Majesty does not disdain us common folk from the martial world and is unwilling to accept us into the new Heavenly Phoenix dynasty?"
This subtle manipulation, akin to a thousand-year-old green tea, made Lu Qingwan feel nauseated. However, she could not ignore the ministers' covetous eyes on the immense wealth of Reincarnation Hall.
Before Lu Qingwan could respond, the Minister of Revenue, Chen Jianzhang, stepped forward. "Hall Master of Reincarnation Hall, you misunderstand. Reincarnation Hall is full of hidden talents. Their willingness to submit to our dynasty is a blessing to our people. How could Her Majesty disdain you?"
"Indeed, Hall Master of Reincarnation Hall. Her Majesty has shown boundless tolerance to former officials of Northern Wei, Western Liang, and Great Qian. How could she disdain Reincarnation Hall, which has no grievances with our dynasty?"
... Initially, they were merely being polite on behalf of Lu Qingwan and Liu Xunran. Seeing that Lu Qingwan did not object, some even directly bypassed her to ask Liu Xunran, "Reincarnation Hall submitting to our dynasty is, of course, a joyous occasion for all. However, Reincarnation Hall has always been mysterious. The world still does not know its location, nor its members. After the Hall Master submits, how will Your Majesty and the court interact with the other members of Reincarnation Hall? Have these matters been considered by the Hall Master?"
The speaker was a former official from Western Liang, now serving as the Imperial Chancellor, Dong Xuan. His words caused a variety of expressions in the hall. The ministers of Heavenly Phoenix were divided into two factions: one, entirely supportive of Lu Qingwan, showed displeasure at someone overstepping their bounds. The other faction, unconcerned with party disputes and solely focused on elevating Heavenly Phoenix's strength to no longer be subordinate to great nations like Great Qin, looked at Liu Xunran with anticipation. With the complete submission of Reincarnation Hall, Heavenly Phoenix's strength would soar, and they would no longer have to face the condescending gazes of envoys from Great Qin, Southern Qi, and other countries. Even though, from the beginning, the envoys of various countries had not shown them any disrespect, they yearned to be superior. Hearing that Reincarnation Hall was about to submit to Heavenly Phoenix, they became overly excited.
As everyone remained in a stalemate, Liu Xunran spoke slowly, "Have you gentlemen misunderstood something? I am presenting Reincarnation Hall to Her Majesty the Empress personally, not submitting to Heavenly Phoenix. There is a fundamental difference between the two. You are all pillars of the state, selected through rigorous processes. Surely you do not require Her Majesty to meticulously guide you on such basic phrasing?"
At this, the Imperial Chancellor and his faction turned red with shame. Lu Qingwan then slowly spoke, "Hall Master of Reincarnation Hall, I appreciate your kind intentions. However, Reincarnation Hall, as a sect passed down for a thousand years, has its own rules of operation. I shall not rashly interfere. Guards, please fetch seats for the Hall Master of Reincarnation Hall and the two envoys."
The guards below quickly brought chairs and placed them directly opposite the southern facade. For a moment, everyone's gaze followed Liu Xunran. However, since even the Imperial Chancellor had been publicly embarrassed by Liu Xunran, others dared not cause trouble.
The ceremony for the enthronement had passed. During the banquet, with Liu Xunran and Si Fengwu acting as guarantors, a scene of universal peace prevailed. The ministers flattered, envoys congratulated, and an atmosphere of harmony filled the air.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Lu Qingwan finally returned to the main topic. "My Lords..." She had only spoken two words when the hall immediately fell silent. The dancers in the center of the hall retreated on cue, and Lu Qingwan directly stated, "Two years ago, the Southern Prime Minister requested that the Prince and I bestow a marriage upon the Crown Prince of Southern King and the Princess Fujia. Today, I am to fulfill that promise! However, times have changed, and I must first ask for the opinions of the individuals involved." She then looked playfully and asked, "Where are the Crown Prince of Southern King and the Princess Fujia?"
The two stepped forward and knelt respectfully in the center of the hall. Without Lu Qingwan needing to ask further, Nan Wushang voluntarily stated, "This humble servant, Nan Wushang, earnestly requests His Majesty and the Prince to bestow marriage upon my fiancée, Princess Fujia."
Lu Qingwan chuckled slyly, "Why is Crown Prince Wushang in such a hurry? Marriage is not solely your affair. Princess Fujia, what are your thoughts on what Crown Prince Wushang has said?" Shao Minmin, dressed in her princess consort robes, her face flushed, looked at Lu Qingwan. "This humble subject wishes to join with Crown Prince Wushang in a harmonious union, to emulate Your Majesty and the Prince, to be faithful to each other until death. I earnestly request Your Majesty's fulfillment!" Nan Wushang grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, like a foolish twenty-year-old. Lu Qingwan immediately ordered, "Guards, bring ink and brush." Li Su quickly presented the writing materials, and Lu Qingwan, with a flourish, wrote the imperial decree for the bestowal of marriage and handed it to Wu Ying. The latter immediately read the imperial decree, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shao Minmin, daughter of the Governor-General of the Northwest..."