The confusion in her heart resolved, Lu Qing Wan lay on the massage bed and slept exceptionally soundly.
To the extent that when Duke Wen and many other ministers heard the news of Lu Qing Wan's assassination attempt and rushed to the palace to visit, she was still asleep.
When Li Su entered the sleeping quarters and didn't see anyone, she knew Lu Qing Wan had gone to the space laboratory again.
Long accustomed to Lu Qing Wan's unpredictable comings and goings, Li Su calmly stood by the couch and pretended to call her, "Your Highness Consort, it's time to get up. The ministers heard about your assassination attempt and have come to visit you."
Lu Qing Wan slept sweetly, completely unaware of the situation outside.
However, she couldn't account for a sensible butler cat.
When Da Bai, whose body looked fluffy but was actually quite plump, pressed down on Lu Qing Wan's chest, Lu Qing Wan not only opened her eyes immediately but even felt as though she saw Lu Zhen Ting coming to pick her up.
"Da Bai!"
Lu Qing Wan roared weakly, "Da Bai, haven't I told you not to jump on me anymore? Do you have any clear understanding of your tonnage? You almost got me a new owner, do you know that?"
The almost roaring series of three questions indicated that Lu Qing Wan was on the verge of exploding with anger.
From a fist-sized kitten a few years ago, easily held in the palm of her hand, she had now become a significant mass of unknown creature. Just lying there made one feel its considerable weight.
Yet, Da Bai seemed unfazed by Lu Qing Wan's fury, and with a prim lick of its paws, meowed.
"Those old guys are here to see you. If you don't go out soon, they'll be coming in."
...
This brutally realistic statement completely dispelled the invading player's thought of grabbing a certain cat and beating it up.
Crawling up with a resentment heavier than that of a condemned man on the guillotine, she quickly tidied herself up and exited the space laboratory.
Li Su was waiting outside. Seeing Lu Qing Wan appear out of nowhere didn't startle her, and she calmly walked forward.
"Early this morning, rumors spread that His Highness the Prince was assassinated and died in Da Qin. The people spreading the rumors spoke with such conviction that the ministers are already in a panic. Even Prime Minister Nan and Duke Wen couldn't dissuade them. Everyone is now waiting outside the Imperial Study. Also, I delivered the message you asked me to convey. That person said to ask you and His Highness to hold on a little longer, they will return, but not yet."
Everything was as expected, and Lu Qing Wan wasn't flustered at all, only finding it a bit ironic. "Did you tell him that, given the current situation, His Highness and I might not even be alive to see them return?"
The treacherous Da Qin, the Turks who had been plotting for a long time, and the Southern Qi who were always lurking, not to mention the Grand Elder of the Han Xiao Hall whom they had provoked, were enough to keep Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Wu struggling to cope. It was like two children holding a priceless treasure, surrounded by a group of insatiable bandits.
It was already difficult enough, but their parents not only didn't step forward to protect them but kept saying, "Hold on, we believe you're the best, you can do it. Your parents love you, they just can't come out to protect you." Such empty words lose their meaning after being repeated too many times.
Lu Qing Wan asked with a cold laugh, "Did you deliver the things I asked you to?"
Li Su, with a delicate movement, took out a long, narrow box from her ornate clothing and presented it to Lu Qing Wan. She told the subordinate that the Consort wanted a personal belonging to ease her longing for connection, and that person gave her this hairpin. It was a simple jade hairpin, seemingly unremarkable, but Lu Qing Wan could tell it had been nurtured for many years with countless precious medicinal ingredients. Such a small item was priceless and unobtainable. However, she merely glanced at it before storing it in the space laboratory.
Seeing this, Li Su added, "I was worried that if this hairpin stayed with me for too long, that person's aura would fade. So, I had Da Bai scratch her opportune moment. Now, even if this hairpin doesn't work, Da Bai should be able to find her. Also, last night before I left, I saw Da Bai interacting with some small sparrows, and then those small sparrows left with that person."
Having her sleep disturbed by Da Bai early in the morning and then hearing a series of bad news that almost made her lose control of her expression, Lu Qing Wan finally showed a hint of a smile upon hearing this. She said with satisfaction, "You and Da Bai did well. Tell Li Qing to investigate who spread the rumors about His Highness's assassination and arrest that person directly, awaiting summons."
Li Su, finally seeing Lu Qing Wan smile, nimbly retreated. As soon as she stepped out, Chun, Xia, Qiu, and Dong were waiting at the entrance. Li Su draped a cloak over her. Outside the palace gate, a group of palace maids and eunuchs were waiting, and Lu Qing Wan also spotted a phoenix carriage. She looked at Li Su speechlessly, "Did you arrange all this? What is all this?"
Man Chun quietly explained on behalf of Li Su, "There are widespread rumors outside that His Highness the Prince is dead. The ministers claim they are coming to the palace to investigate. It's possible some might use this opportunity to attack you. Sister Li Su is afraid you might be bullied and is trying to support you!"
Lu Qing Wan understood Li Su's concerns, but she politely declined Li Su's arrangements. "It is widely known that I am uninhibited. When I go out, I don't bring anyone except you few. Suddenly bringing so many people would make others misunderstand, thinking I'm guilty or lack confidence, wouldn't it? If we lose our momentum before we even start, how can we continue this act?"
Although Lu Qing Wan spoke eloquently, she actually just didn't want so many people following her. There was no reason; she simply disliked it. In front of Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Wu, Li Su had always been obedient. This time, however, she uncharacteristically held her ground. Lu Qing Wan had patiently explained so much to her, yet she still insisted, "But if you are going to put on this act, shouldn't you make them think I am also in trouble, and you lack confidence? It is precisely by making you appear lacking confidence that they will reveal their true colors!"
Lu Qing Wan suddenly stared intently at Li Su, "You haven't lost contact with His Highness during this time, have you?"
Li Su's face startled, then her small face drooped, revealing a bitter expression. She lamented, "Your Highness Consort, must you be so clever? When you're like this, I truly have no sense of accomplishment!"
Lu Qing Wan didn't respond to her words, only continuing on her own, "Since it is His Highness's arrangement, I will naturally obey. Let's go, dispatch the carriage to the Imperial Study."
...
A moment later, civil and military officials in the Imperial Study were greeted by Lu Qing Wan, who arrived with a grand entourage, radiating extreme dignity. Putting on the airs of an empress, the ministers instinctively bowed, "Your humble servants greet Your Highness Consort, and wish you well."
Since she had already assumed the airs, Lu Qing Wan didn't rush to let them go. Sitting in the phoenix carriage, she looked down from above and said, "Today is neither a festival nor a grand court assembly, yet quite a full gathering of attendance."