This speech, Lu Qingwan couldn't help but turn to meet Si Fengwu's gaze, "Is His Highness showing mercy?"
Regardless of whether it was deliberate brainwashing by Wen Yayi, a large part of Wen Ruge's short first half of her life was spent chasing after Si Fengwu.
Objectively speaking, aside from being a bit overbearing, Wen Ruge was otherwise fine.
After all, she came from a prominent family and had been personally tutored by Old Madam Wen, so she couldn't be that bad.
Lu Qingwan could understand if Si Fengwu had ever wavered, she just found it a little unsettling.
Si Fengwu was first startled, then poked Lu Qingwan's forehead with a finger, "What are you thinking?
Am I the kind of person who changes his mind so easily?"
Lu Qingwan pouted, covering her forehead, "Then why are you thinking so much about her? When have you ever paid attention to such matters?"
Si Fengwu chuckled, "Aren't you trying to bring those commoners into the court?
They have no power, no influence, and no background. You, as Empress, cannot openly insert people into the court.
Without the patronage of elders like Minister Wen and Minister Chi, who come from good families and do not form factions,
Do you think those commoners will ever stand in the imperial court by their own efforts?"
Minister Wen and Minister Chi both came from prominent families but, for various reasons, were not burdened by complex clan and nepotistic ties.
In Si Fengwu's opinion, they were the most unusual among the prominent families and the stepping stones for commoners to enter the court.
Lu Qingwan was greatly shocked, "I've always heard that politicians are never simple-minded. Today I've learned something. Your Highness is wise, and this concubine admires you!"
Although Lu Qingwan wanted officials to perform their duties without being hindered by complex relationships,
She had already begun to vigorously support and cultivate those commoner disciples. She had never considered that the prominent families, feared by the court, could also serve as a ladder for commoners to enter the court.
This move by Si Fengwu, it had to be said, truly impressed Lu Qingwan.
However, Si Fengwu was not the type to do something and then wait for Lu Qingwan's effusive praise.
He naturally accepted Lu Qingwan's admiration and then very naturally said, "My Consort is no less impressive!
You said you were going to deal with the Lin family's business, and now you've gone deep into the Wu clan.
You made Madam Yue Zhao and Chieftain Nazhen eat closed doors. For so many days there's been no movement, what are you thinking?"
Logically speaking, although Chieftain Nazhen's attitude was a bit rude, she was an outsider, and the Wu clan was an important force that the new dynasty urgently needed to win over.
A mere show of displeasure would have sufficed. Directly making them eat closed doors was a bit excessive.
If it were just a normal birthday banquet, it would be fine. But Lu Qingwan also intended to compete with the Wu clan and Lin Dongye for a piece of commercial territory.
At this time, offending two women of the Wu clan with the highest status was, in the eyes of most people, not a wise move.
Lu Qingwan, however, answered a question with a question, "When I had Wen Rusong chase those two women away, did Your Highness notice the reaction of the court officials?"
"Naturally."
Si Fengwu was sitting less than three feet from the main seat, so it was difficult not to observe the attitudes of the civil and military officials.
"They were quite excited. Does this have anything to do with my Consort chasing away the two female chieftains?"
"Of course it does."
Lu Qingwan said with delight, "I want to do business with the Wu clan, but I need the court officials to work for me even more.
The attitudes of these officials largely represent the attitudes of the people of the new dynasty.
The Wu people, though their ethnicity is different from the majority, are still subjects of the new dynasty.
They are meant to be governed by the new dynasty, unless, as Wen Rusong said, they fight against the Wen dynasty and establish a kingdom within a kingdom.
Otherwise, it is their duty and responsibility to cooperate with the court's suggestions.
Even if negotiation is needed, it should be an equal discussion and negotiation, not the court flattering and coaxing them."
Lu Qingwan's mood became somewhat complex as she spoke.
"As you saw today, when Chieftain Nazhen took out her knife, the officials were all watching your and my attitude.
If you and I had shown fear because we temporarily needed the Wu clan's help, not only you and I, but also the people and officials of the new dynasty would have been subservient to the Wu clan.
I am dealing with the Lin family's business to better build the new dynasty, not to find an ancestor to worship.
I believe that the civil and military officials and the people of the new dynasty saw today's attitude, and the Wu people saw it even more clearly.
Madam Yue Zhao is a smart woman. I want to cooperate with her, but this time, I want her to come to me for cooperation."
Si Fengwu particularly liked Lu Qingwan's calculating demeanor. He gently stroked the tip of Lu Qingwan's ear and said with a smile, "Do you already have a plan?"
Lu Qingwan arrogantly raised her chin, "The heavenly secrets cannot be revealed!"
Si Fengwu chuckled. The two lingered on the beauty couch, each with their own thoughts, yet neither let go of the other.
The next day, as planned, Si Fengwu led his men to leave the capital. Lu Qingwan, dressed in her finest, saw him off.
Wearing her long-lost red dress, Lu Qingwan stood outside the palace gate and bid farewell to Si Fengwu, "This journey is long, and who knows how my Imperial Brother is doing. You must be careful.
Save my Imperial Brother, and be careful yourself.
I will wait for you to hold my hand and attend the enthronement ceremony together."
Si Fengwu had said that the enthronement ceremony and the empress coronation ceremony would be held together, and he would accept the homage of all sides hand in hand with Lu Qingwan.
Si Fengwu lovingly caressed Lu Qingwan's face as if he were truly leaving for a distant land.
After a prolonged display of affection, the two finally parted.
To play their part in this act, Li Yang and Li Jin followed Si Fengwu.
Lu Qingwan was left with only Li Qing and Li Su by her side.
As the group watched the carriages depart, Li Su cautiously said, "My Consort, we should go back."
Lu Qingwan withdrew her gaze with a sigh and, without warning, asked the two a peculiar question.
She said, "Do you think I have any remaining weaknesses that can be exploited now?"
The two pondered for a long time. Li Qing said with difficulty, "It seems... besides His Highness, there is nothing that can be used to hold you, Consort, hostage, right?"
Lu Qingwan thought it was indeed true. She was born to be alone. Before, there was Lu Zhenting, but now Lu Zhenting had perished in the northwest snow mountains. The only person she cared about was Si Fengwu.
Sighing at her solitary fate, Lu Qingwan actually let out a light laugh.
"Do you want to make a bet? Before long, there will be news that His Highness has had an accident in Great Qin, and I will have to rush to save him?"
Li Su was truly scared of Lu Qingwan's jinxing. Upon hearing this, she wished she could cover Lu Qingwan's mouth, "Pah, pah, pah, so early in the morning, what nonsense are you spouting, Consort?
Why would His Highness have an accident when he is perfectly fine?"
Lu Qingwan chuckled and shook her head, "I said we would hear news of His Highness having an accident, not that His Highness would really have an accident."
Li Su grumbled with deep resentment, "That's still unlucky."
Every time these two were injured, they almost lost half their lives. She was truly afraid.