Lu Qingwan was rather surprised, as she hadn't confided her plans to Elder Wen due to frequent leaks recently.
Meeting Elder Wen's strategically thoughtful expression, she suddenly understood.
There was a reason some people became revered elders of three dynasties.
Elder Wen, over eighty, still held a firm position in court. Even the Prime Minister, the head of all officials, treated him with utmost respect.
This was not solely due to his status as a three-dynasty elder, but more so because he possessed the talent and wisdom befitting such a title.
Just as now, upon hearing that the person who struck the Dengwen Drum was the young master of the Lin family's merchant house, he deliberately ignored Lin Tianmu.
He also intentionally mediated the conflict between the drum striker and Mo Bei, thus buying time.
To those who underestimated her, this action clearly appeared as an evasion of Lin Tianmu's demands.
Many officials present had close ties with Lin Tianmu.
They were now eagerly awaiting to witness Lu Qingwan's embarrassment, so overjoyed that they had forgotten their own limitations.
However, in the hearts of Elder Wen and others who understood Lu Qingwan, the saying held true: to make something perish, one must first make it soar with arrogance.
The longer Lu Qingwan delayed, the more Lin Tianmu would believe she feared him, and the more people he would gather.
Consequently, Lu Qingwan's counterattack would naturally be even more powerful.
Therefore, the truly anxious ones were precisely those ministers who had no hidden agendas and merely wanted to do their jobs diligently.
Lu Qingwan felt a pang of guilt seeing that group worry for her, and she waited no longer.
After witnessing the reconciliation between Mo Bei and the drum striker, she declared loudly, "The sound of the Dengwen Drum signifies either great sorrow or great joy.
This is the first time someone has struck the Dengwen Drum in our dynasty. With the Prince absent, why don't all you ministers accompany this consort to witness the wronged party's grievance."
Her virtuous appearance suggested she hadn't heard the drum striker mention that Lin Tianmu's target of accusation was herself.
The ministers were eager to witness the spectacle, and with Lu Qingwan's invitation, refusal was out of the question.
They hastily replied, "The Consort is wise!"
The grand display of flattery almost made Lu Qingwan lose her bearings.
She smiled and nodded, "Then let us go."
Although the Dengwen Drum was meant to uphold justice for the common people, its ultimate purpose was to provide the emperor, who was distant from their affairs, with a more direct channel to understand their plight.
Thus, the Dengwen Drum of the new dynasty was situated outside the Zhengde Gate.
While it was close to the imperial palace, it did not prevent ordinary citizens from approaching.
As it was now, news of the Dengwen Drum being struck had spread, and within an hour, over ten thousand people had gathered outside the Zhengde Gate.
The sight was a sea of heads.
The Prefect of Jingzhao, who had come to join the throng, was immediately overwhelmed. "Consort, this cannot continue. It will lead to trouble.
This humble official should go down to oversee..."
The Prefect of Jingzhao was the father-figure official to the people of the new capital and an invisible guard arranged by Si Fengwu for Lu Qingwan.
If anything were to happen to Lu Qingwan here, he would forfeit his official hat and his head.
Elder Wen was also somewhat surprised. He advised, "In just one hour, so many people have gathered. The other party is clearly well-prepared.
Among these onlookers, who knows how many are hidden assassins from the opposing side? This is far too risky.
Historically, emperors only deliberated on Dengwen Drum petitions in the imperial court. Even if the Consort returned to the palace, no one could criticize her."
The vast crowd, if it were to erupt into chaos, would be no different from a small-scale war.
Elder Wen was concerned for Lu Qingwan's safety and also for the stability of the court.
However, Lu Qingwan remained calm and collected. "Esteemed ministers, do not panic.
This consort dares to stand here today because I am fully prepared. Please consider this merely as watching a good show."
As she spoke, she ascended the palace walls and called out loudly, "Where is Lin Tianmu, the young master of the Lin family's merchant house?"
Below the city wall, a crowd was intently watching the movements on the ramparts.
Among them, a young man of about twenty years old drew the most attention.
He was dressed in a yellow, round-collared robe with flame patterns, giving the initial impression of wearing a dragon robe.
He was surrounded by a throng of people showering him with praise.
"Our young master left home to travel at thirteen, and by fifteen, he had his own merchant house. Even the chieftain of the Wu tribe shows him respect. What is this insignificant Lu Qingwan compared to him?
Tonight, she will serve our young master, ha ha..."
The young man in the center was surrounded by a group of well-groomed, decadent young men, appearing completely full of himself.
"What's so great about Lu Qingwan? She's just a worn-out shoe. If you like her, take her..."
The yellow-robed youth was spouting obscenities when he heard Lu Qingwan calling his name.
He subconsciously looked up and shouted, "Lin Tianmu is here!"
At the same time, he saw the radiant woman in a red dress fluttering in the wind on the palace walls.
A hint of infatuation flashed in his eyes involuntarily.
Even Lu Qingwan's cold, condescending gaze from above was fully perceived by Lin Tianmu.
A man in black beside him slapped his shoulder fiercely and said with a hint of disappointment, "Young Master Lin, don't forget why we are here.
She is Lu Qingwan, our greatest enemy at present."
"I know, you don't need to nag!"
Lin Tianmu grumbled impatiently, then cleared his throat and shouted up at Lu Qingwan on the palace walls, "I am Lin Tianmu!
It was I who struck the Dengwen Drum.
I accuse Consort Lu Qingwan of abusing her power, of bombing my Lin family's merchant ships, and of abducting my father, Lin Dongye, and three important guests of my Lin family's merchant house.
Not only that, Lu Qingwan also uses her affiliated Jici Hospital to traffic young men and women to Daqin for exorbitant profits.
I request the court to provide an explanation to the Lin family's merchant house and to the common people of the realm!"
Even though Lin Tianmu had already stated this when he struck the Dengwen Drum, the assembled commoners were still shocked to hear him speak of it again.
Originally, some were questioning the truth of the matter, but after being guided by provocateurs hidden within the crowd, those people lost their reason and were left with nothing but their mouths.
"How cruel! To commit such heinous acts under the guise of a doctor, they are utterly evil!"
"What good people can be in a court managed by such individuals? I don't think this court can be trusted."
"Exactly, that sorceress should die!"
"If they can't compete in business, they directly arrest the other party's shopkeepers and abduct their guests? Isn't this forced trade?"
...
Before long, the cries shifted from "Sorceress, die!" to "Infamous ruler, abdicate!" Lu Qingwan couldn't help but feel sympathy for Si Fengwu; he was likely the first emperor in history to be asked to abdicate before even ascending the throne.
Someone then said, "Don't you all know? This sorceress is ruthless enough to not spare even her own man.
It is said that Si Fengwu died long ago, and this sorceress intends to become Empress herself!"
This single sentence truly stirred up a hornet's nest.
How could a group of men with inflated self-importance accept a woman to rule them?
This conflict, initially based on verbal disputes, suddenly escalated into a physical confrontation.
A group of men rolled up their sleeves and charged towards the palace gate, shouting, "You heartless, venomous woman! We would rather die today than let you rule over us!"