To allay Lu Qingwan’s doubts, he added, “When I rescued people within the new dynasty, I acted discreetly according to the Princess Consort’s instructions, so as not to alert the enemy.
However, when rescuing people in Great Qin, Tujue, and Southern Qi, I made a great show of force, compelling the local officials to severely punish the child snatchers. I also had the wanted posters and arrest warrants brought back.
But please rest assured, Princess Consort, I have coordinated with Shen Tangzhou and Wu Ying.
Before the enthronement ceremony, Buye Island and Banyue Pavilion will do their utmost to suppress the news, ensuring that the information about the rescued individuals does not reach the new dynasty.”
Lu Qingwan finally felt at ease.
Considering the importance of the enthronement ceremony, she still gave a reminder, “Take some time to meet with Han Guang. We must ensure that once the matter is revealed, there are no loopholes.
We cannot give those with ulterior motives any opportunity to exploit.”
Although Tang Xiao was the commander of the Shence Camp and was responsible for intelligence gathering, he was not familiar with the law.
Different professions have their own challenges. To win gracefully in a formal setting, one had to rely on the three judicial departments.
Currently, among the three judicial departments, Han Guang, the Minister of Justice, was the only person Lu Qingwan could trust.
Tang Xiao, having had prior dealings with Han Guang, was aware of his character and immediately agreed, “Your subordinate obeys.”
Only then did Lu Qingwan turn her attention to Li Qing, “What about you? You came with Tang Xiao. Have the matters concerning the Wu tribe been mostly resolved?”
Li Qing nodded vigorously, “As per the Princess Consort’s instructions, your subordinate has investigated the Wu tribe’s specific armed forces and obtained evidence that Lin Dongye, along with the couple Mu Ge and Nazhen, colluded to betray the Wu tribe and invite trouble.
However, Princess Consort, the Wu people are inherently xenophobic. How can this evidence be made believable to the Wu people, Madam Yue Zhao, and Chief Longan? That is a problem.”
The Wu tribe was not like the three judicial departments; they would not believe just because they were given evidence.
Who they believed largely depended not on evidence, but on whom they chose to believe.
Therefore, although Li Qing had done what he was supposed to do, he was not as happy as Tang Xiao.
Lu Qingwan was not worried, “No rush. First, share what you’ve found with Wu Ying and Shen Tangzhou, and let them find ways to cause trouble for Lin Dongye.
As for the Wu tribe, I will personally handle it when the time comes.”
With breakthroughs in the two most troublesome matters since returning to the new capital, the heavy burden on Lu Qingwan’s heart finally lifted.
She then recalled a previous matter, “Wen Ruge, have you made the arrangements?”
No one had expected that Wen Ruge, whom they had been tirelessly searching for, was in the new capital. Lu Qingwan had wanted to meet him since she learned of his whereabouts, but her identity and his situation made the meeting extremely difficult.
Li Qing had been trying to find a way for the past few days. Hearing her question, he quickly replied, “Shen Tangzhou has arranged for a pleasure boat for Princess Consort Ruge. The day after tomorrow night, Princess Ruge will board the pleasure boat.
At that time, Princess Consort will have the entire night to have a long talk with the Princess.”
After handing over the King of Myriad Phoenixes and the True Dragon Token, the chaotic affairs that befell Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan decreased by more than eighty percent. Now that Si Fengwu had left, Lu Qingwan’s life was completely peaceful.
Even the court ministers were no longer causing trouble. Lu Qingwan’s days were simply spent doing whatever she wished, aside from eating, drinking, and attending to her basic needs.
Her life was exceptionally comfortable.
However, “Princess Consort, the New Dynasty’s slavish theory is becoming increasingly intense. Your subordinate overheard several palace maids discussing it today. If we do not intervene, will it spiral out of control when it erupts later?”
Indeed.
Although Lu Qingwan was angry when the New Dynasty’s slavish theory first emerged, she had never intervened.
Her intention was to clarify the rumors with the strongest stance when they were most rampant, so that even if more outrageous rumors appeared in the future, the people would no longer believe them.
But as the rumors escalated, Li Su was truly worried that before they could issue a clarification, the people misled by the rumors would lose control first.
The imperial palace was a place where information was heavily filtered. Even someone like Lu Qingwan, surrounded by informants, found it difficult to know everything. The fact that the rumors had reached the palace indicated how intensely they were spreading outside.
Lu Qingwan pondered for a moment and asked, “I have been paying attention to this wave of rumors. Did it resurface after Elder Wen’s birthday banquet?
These rumors are spreading faster this time. Is there any involvement of our Tongzheng Shi’s wife in this?”
Li Su held the position of the head palace maid by Lu Qingwan’s side, but acted as an advisor. Since she was offering advice to Lu Qingwan, she had naturally investigated the matter thoroughly.
Upon hearing the question, she replied without hesitation, “The Princess Consort is wise.
Those rumors indeed originated from the business establishments under the Tongzheng Shi’s wife.
Besides that, she also spread the rumors at the banquets of other ladies in the court, but she was interrupted by other ladies, and no one dared to listen to her.”
The Tongzheng Shi was a third-rank official of the current dynasty. The attendees at the banquets where his wife was present were certainly of high status, and there were few who were foolish.
Even if they had their doubts, who would be foolish enough to openly respond to her?
However, this also proved that the people behind the Tongzheng Shi’s wife were getting anxious, forcing her to disregard caution to complete her mission.
Lu Qingwan contemplated for a moment and instructed Li Su, “Have someone invite Cui Wanyuan, Grand Chancellor Nan, Elders Wen and Chi, Han Guang, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censor-in-Chief to the palace. Also, find an excuse to summon the Tongzheng Shi’s wife to the palace.”
Li Su quickly agreed and turned to take a memorial from a bookshelf nearby, “This contains the investigation records of Madam Cui. Princess Consort, please take a look first.”
As soon as Lu Qingwan gave the order, Li Su knew that Lu Qingwan intended to decisively address the Tongzheng Shi’s wife’s actions.
After all, it involved a third-rank official of the current dynasty and his principal wife. If Lu Qingwan did not clarify the entire situation and provide a reasonable explanation to the Tongzheng Shi, and if Cui Wanyuan refused to accept Lu Qingwan’s proposed resolution, it would be disadvantageous to Lu Qingwan.
Therefore, before summoning the officials, Li Su had made all the necessary arrangements for Lu Qingwan.
Lu Qingwan was not someone who would directly confront others without thought. She had also shown some strategic cunning.
When the officials, bewildered, entered the palace, Lu Qingwan went straight to the point, “Recently, the New Dynasty’s slavish theory has resurfaced, and it seems to be intensifying. Have you all noticed this?”
In the vast Imperial Study, apart from Lu Qingwan, only Elders Wen and Chi were seated. The other officials stood behind the two elders.
At that moment, both elders wore expressions of deep concern, “Replying to the Princess Consort, this wave of rumors is indeed fierce. It is difficult for us to not hear about it.
Has the Princess Consort summoned us to the palace to resolve these rumors?”
The one speaking was Grand Chancellor Nan. He had been present when Si Fengwu arranged for Wu Feng to rescue people and quell the rumors, so he was somewhat puzzled by Lu Qingwan’s grand summoning of the officials.