Lu Qing Wan was to visit the Wen family. Before she even left the palace, Li Su had already sent word to the Wen residence.
By the time she arrived, everyone in the Wen family, except for Elder Wen and his wife, had come out to greet her.
Though they were all servants, the procession was quite imposing.
Wen Ru Song, as if afraid that no one knew the purpose of Lu Qing Wan's visit, loudly announced, "The Princess Consort has graciously come to prepare a birthday banquet for my grandfather. The entire Wen family is eternally grateful. Princess Consort, please!"
Lu Qing Wan’s lips twitched as she entered the Wen residence, surrounded by the family. She felt so embarrassed that her toes were almost digging a subterranean palace with Si Feng Wu.
Not far away, Lian Yu, sitting on the carriage driver's seat, couldn't help but chuckle. "Wen Ru Song's move is something else. Do you believe the Princess Consort is cursing him in her heart right now?"
Si Feng Wu smiled and didn't respond to Lian Yu's words, simply stating, "Let's go."
Although Wen Ru Song's actions were excessively ostentatious, given Lu Qing Wan's current status, she could bear it.
As long as Wen Ru Song didn't do anything else foolish, this display, while exaggerated, wouldn't draw much criticism.
Lu Qing Wan also thought of this, so despite her embarrassment, she didn't ask Wen Ru Song to dismiss the servants.
Only after being escorted into Madam Wen's courtyard by a throng of people did the servants begin to disperse, leaving only two elderly maids by Madam Wen's side.
Wen Ru Song also accompanied Lu Qing Wan. "Grandfather went to the yamen. Before he left, he told me that regarding anything concerning my younger sister, I am to obey the Princess Consort's instructions."
Elder Wen and Elder Chi, two veteran officials, had fully embodied the principle of trusting those you employ and not employing those you distrust.
Since deciding to follow Si Feng Wu, the two old officials had pledged their lives and fortunes to Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan, their trust in the couple unwavering.
Lu Qing Wan was touched by Elder Wen's consistent trust. At the same time, thinking of that troublesome Wen Ru Ge, she felt it was even more unfair to Elder Wen.
Not wanting to embarrass the Wen family, Lu Qing Wan, though extremely displeased with Wen Ru Ge, maintained a polite demeanor. "Where is County Princess Ru Ge?"
"To facilitate the Princess Consort's affairs, Grandmother summoned my younger sister to her courtyard overnight. Princess Consort, this way please."
Wen Ru Song led Lu Qing Wan into the house. She simply raised her hand, and the few attendants behind her immediately blocked the entrance to Madam Wen's courtyard.
Wen Ru Song was already accustomed to this and directly led Lu Qing Wan inside.
The new Wen residence was different from the prime minister's mansion in Shangjing, but both were spacious and comfortable.
The courtyard where Elder Wen and his wife lived was particularly meticulously designed.
Even in the late autumn weather, the courtyard was filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery, showing no signs of desolation.
Madam Wen was already waiting in the small hall. Upon seeing Lu Qing Wan, she came forward to greet her from afar. "Princess Consort, your presence graces us. This old woman has failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me!"
Madam Wen was only two years younger than Elder Wen and was about to reach eighty. As she curtsied, her whole body trembled, as if she wouldn't be able to stand up again.
Lu Qing Wan quickly stepped forward to support her. "It's understandable outside the palace, but here at home, why must Madam go to such lengths?"
Madam Wen, with a pained expression, took Lu Qing Wan's hand, her eyes full of apology. "Ru Ge, this child, has caused you trouble..."
Lu Qing Wan helped Madam Wen walk into the house. "Please, Madam, do not say such things. If not for the support of Elder Wen and Elder Chi, there would be no me or the Prince today. Who owes whom, and who has benefited whom, would be unclear."
Wen Ru Ge was indeed troublesome, but in terms of gains and losses, the troubles caused by ten Wen Ru Ges could not compare to the loss incurred by losing Elder Wen.
As long as Elder Wen and the entire Wen family could be retained, Lu Qing Wan was willing to deal with Wen Ru Ge.
Madam Wen also knew Elder Wen's position in court and was afraid of saying too much and causing annoyance, so she didn't say more.
She slowly led Lu Qing Wan into the inner room and pointed to a small space covered by a curtain. "Princess Consort, please look. She is always like this, confining herself in a small, enclosed space day and night. Apart from myself and the two maids who used to serve her, if anyone approaches, she screams and flails about erratically..."
Madam Wen had many descendants, but Wen Ru Ge was the only one she had watched grow up personally. How could she not be heartbroken to see the child she raised become like this?
Lu Qing Wan recalled Si Feng Wu's words and turned to Madam Wen. "The County Princess has been traumatized. Proximity to others may cause her fear. Could Madam and Commander Wen please step aside? The medicine I use might be harmful to normal people."
Regardless of whether Lu Qing Wan's stated reason was true, the Wen family had begged her to save their relative, so they naturally followed her instructions.
Upon hearing this, the grandmother and grandson nodded in unison. "In that case, we shall trouble the Princess Consort. I will wait outside the door. If the Princess Consort needs anything, just call."
Saving the person was paramount, so Lu Qing Wan didn't stand on ceremony and immediately gave orders. "Li Su and Ru Yue, stay and help me. Ying Shi, go get a clean set of clothes for the County Princess..."
Madam Wen, hearing that Wen Ru Ge needed clothes urgently, volunteered and went with Ying Shi to fetch them.
Lu Qing Wan glanced outside, then strode forward a few steps and, without warning, yanked open the curtain that Wen Ru Ge used to hide herself.
The heavy Shu brocade curtain was pulled away, and the light in the room flooded in. Wen Ru Ge instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes, then began to shriek and howl.
"Go away, don't touch me! Bastard, I am a County Princess of the current dynasty..."
Her voice carried undisguised fear and confusion, as if she truly had a psychological scar.
However, Lu Qing Wan trusted Si Feng Wu's judgment more than her own eyes. So, she signaled to Ru Yue and Li Su, who quickly stepped forward, grabbed Wen Ru Ge's arms, and pressed her onto the couch.
"What are you doing? Let me go! I'll have my grandfather kill you..."
Wen Ru Ge struggled more intensely, but after losing her cover, Lu Qing Wan realized that her fear and panic had a significant element of pretense.
She casually grasped Wen Ru Ge's wrist, narrowed her eyes, and then released her grip.
"I know you are lucid right now. Listen to me. I've had people clear the area before coming. Everyone in this room and outside is my subordinate. No one will threaten you. So, stop pretending to be crazy. Tell me clearly what those people want you to do. Only I can help you. If you still insist on playing tough, I guarantee that once the new dynasty is stable, the Wen family will be the first to face trouble."
Wen Ru Ge's clouded eyes suddenly widened, and her violent struggles ceased. She didn't ask Li Su and Ru Yue to release her, maintaining the pose of being held, and asked with a cold expression, "What if... what if those people want me to ascend to the imperial harem?"