Lu Qingwan appeared to be serious, but she had already been observing everything around her.
Upon arriving at the main hall, she took in all the details of the imperial palace.
However, upon seeing the words "Qianqing Palace" (乾清宫) emblazoned before her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of temporal displacement.
It felt less like she was in an unfamiliar era of warring dynasties and more like she was in a specific period from the historical records of the Great Dynasty.
Lost in thought, Lu Qingwan was led by Si Fengwu through winding corridors into the imperial study.
Lian Yu said from the side, "Your Highness and your Consort may rest for a moment. Elder Wen and the others will arrive shortly."
Lian Yu's orderly voice pulled Lu Qingwan back to reality. Seeing the furnishings and layout of the study, which were almost identical to the imperial study in Shangjing, the feeling of displacement finally vanished.
Lu Qingwan obediently sat down beside Si Fengwu and picked up a memorial from the table, flipping through it. Her movements were so practiced it was almost heartbreaking.
Si Fengwu couldn't help but chuckle, "So conscientious?"
"What else can I do?"
Lu Qingwan buried her head in the stack of memorials, speaking with a hint of helplessness, "If I'm not proactive, will these things handle themselves?"
Since the moment she and Si Fengwu's hearts became one, their affairs seemed inseparable.
Any documents or memorials laid out on the table were handled by her when she had time, and by Si Fengwu when he had time.
When traveling, intelligence from various sources inevitably overlapped. For instance, intelligence from the Banyue Pavilion might arrive in her hands, while intelligence from Buyezhou would go to Si Fengwu, and even messages from the Reincarnation Hall could end up with Si Fengwu.
Unless the intelligence was exceptionally specific, almost naming her or Si Fengwu as the recipient, there was no need to distinguish.
Now, these were simply court memorials. If she didn't handle them, Si Fengwu would have to. It was better to deal with them sooner rather than later.
However, after glancing at a few memorials, Lu Qingwan couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
"Speaking of which, Elder Wen and the others are quite considerate. They've already handled all the trivial matters themselves, leaving us only those things that absolutely require our personal attention."
Si Fengwu leaned in with interest, "What have you found?"
In a court with a mature structure and a complete system, it was rare to have matters that absolutely required a specific individual's personal attention.
No matter how important an issue was, if Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan were absent, Elder Wen and the other officials could gather their collective wisdom and resolve it.
Therefore, when Lu Qingwan expressed such an observation, Si Fengwu was genuinely curious.
Upon hearing this, Lu Qingwan unceremoniously handed him a memorial, "Take a look. Do you think these truly require our personal attention?"
Si Fengwu leaned over and saw a memorial suggesting the disbandment of the local army in Xiliang, with the soldiers returning to their hometowns to become farmers.
This was a matter concerning the most crucial military force of the new dynasty, so it was no wonder Elder Wen and the others hadn't dared to make a decision on their own and had left it for Si Fengwu to handle personally upon his return!
Lu Qingwan smacked her lips, "They've hit us with such a big move right after we've returned. Surprised? Thrilled?"
Si Fengwu gently pushed the gloating woman back, "Don't just stand there chuckling. It's not just Xiliang that needs to trim its military. The hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Beiwai and Yunqiang will also need to be demobilized.
The resettlement of retired soldiers will then become a major issue, and your purse strings, Consort, will likely be stretched thin again!"
When the court handled matters, of course, Lu Qingwan wouldn't have to pay out of her own pocket.
However, both Si Fengwu and those around him subconsciously entrusted the important task of generating wealth for the court to Lu Qingwan. Therefore, it was not unreasonable to say that money from the national treasury was equivalent to Lu Qingwan's expenditure.
Indeed, Lu Qingwan winced in pain, "Isn't the Minister of Revenue, Chen Jianzhang, quite good at managing finances? Let him discuss this with Shen Da himself.
If that doesn't work, find yourself an Assistant Minister of Revenue who knows how to make money. Someone like Chen Jianzhang, who only knows how to save but not earn, is no good.
The new dynasty's treasury is empty; we need someone to help us make money!"
...
"Reporting to Your Highness, Elder Wen, Elder Chi, Prime Minister Nan, and Prince Shao have arrived."
Lu Qingwan decisively put down her memorial and sat up straight, awaiting the arrival of the old officials.
Si Fengwu eyed her suspiciously, "Haven't you met these officials before? Why are you so nervous?"
"Ahem," Lu Qingwan replied with feigned seriousness, "That's different. The past is the past, and the present is the present. I need to establish the image of a proper empress."
Si Fengwu couldn't help but tug at the corner of his mouth. Lian Yu and Li Jin also struggled to suppress their laughter, successfully earning Lu Qingwan a fierce glare.
Fortunately, Elder Wen and the others arrived quickly, leaving her no room to elaborate further.
"Your subjects greet His Highness and Her Consort. We wish His Highness and Her Consort good health!"
Just like Lu Qingwan, the old officials had become more formal after entering the new dynasty.
Si Fengwu no longer casually granted dismissal of courtesies as he had in the past. Instead, he waited for them to complete their bows before leisurely instructing them to rise.
Lu Qingwan still felt unaccustomed to the idea of hundreds of years of combined age bowing to her, her backside almost wriggling on the seat as if it were on pins and needles.
But seeing everyone's accustomed demeanor, she had to restrain herself. Indeed, her experience was still lacking.
It seemed that apart from herself, everyone else had adapted well to their new identities and relationships.
After instructing the old officials to rise, Si Fengwu casually leaned back in his chair and ordered, "Please seat the honored officials."
Li Yang, who was usually lively, stepped forward silently and, along with Li Jin, carried chairs, making absolutely no sound.
Elder Wen and the others respectfully thanked Si Fengwu. Only then did he speak, "My Consort and I have returned a bit late. Have you all been well in the new capital these past six months?"
"Very well, thank you. Since arriving in the new capital, my cough has even been cured without treatment," Elder Wen said, stroking his beard and chuckling. "Your Highness and Her Consort should have returned earlier. Perhaps you would have fallen in love with the new capital even sooner!"
Lu Qingwan grinned at the side, like a lucky charm.
Si Fengwu, on the other hand, got straight to the point, "It's good that you all like the new capital. We are grateful for your diligent work in managing the court's affairs. After six months, many matters should have reached a conclusion, I presume? Do you have any advice for me?"
The purpose of Si Fengwu summoning them in advance was precisely this. Upon hearing his words, he immediately said, "You honorable officials may speak freely. I am all ears."