He spoke, reaching out to pinch Lu Qingwan's chin. Lu Qingwan slapped his hand away unceremoniously, but he was unfazed.
His gaze swept over every curve of Lu Qingwan's body with greedy, lewd intent. "Hand over the Xuanjia Army's military tally, and you can enter the palace as my Consort Chen. I will preserve the Xuanjia Army's designation. What do you say?"
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but scoff, "The sun hasn't even set, and you're already dreaming?"
"Don't rush to refuse."
The Great Qian's eight hundred thousand royal troops, half of them comprised the Xuanjia Army.
When the Emperor Father was still alive, the ministers had repeatedly memorialized, advocating for the division of the Xuanjia Army, to prevent such a large force from being concentrated in the hands of one person.
Therefore, if I wish to divide the Xuanjia Army, there will not be too many voices in opposition.
And regardless of whether the Xuanjia Army remains a united front or is divided into several factions, its military expenses will be a considerable sum."
Feng Qingheng circled Lu Qingwan at a distance, "For the few months between spring plowing and autumn harvest each year, the grain and fodder are scarce.
In previous years, Feng Xi Wu's fief could partially resolve this issue. Now that he is dead, the court will naturally reclaim the fief.
Guess, can those foolish brutes who only know how to fight, solve their own military expenses?"
Lu Qingwan knew he was speaking the truth. She didn't know what Feng Xi Wu was up to, but before Feng Xi Wu officially reappeared, she had to take care of the Xuanjia Army.
Thus, no matter how much she detested Feng Qingheng in her heart, she had to engage with him outwardly.
"You're insane. The Xuanjia Army guards the empire for you. You're threatening me with them. Has your brain gone waterlogged?"
The previous Feng Qingheng was easily provoked by Lu Qingwan. This time, for some reason, he could always pull back from the brink of fury.
This time was no different. Upon hearing Lu Qingwan's seemingly angry, yet actually sarcastic words, he spoke unhurriedly, "Great Qian is my Great Qian, and it is also their Great Qian.
Without the Xuanjia Army, there will still be this army and that army to help defend it.
With elders like Prime Minister Wen and the Prince of Nan, the Emperor Father's old retainers, no matter how much they detest me, they will not let Great Qian fall.
As for you, why not guess, between the Xuanjia Army and Great Qian, which will those old fellows choose?"
There was no need to even ask this question. People like Prime Minister Wen would feel sad and regretful about Feng Xi Wu's death, and they would sympathize with Lu Qingwan's plight. But in their hearts, the most important thing was always Great Qian.
However, "Are you not seeing yourself too highly?
You speak of Great Qian being yours, and also theirs, yet you equate yourself with Great Qian.
If I recall correctly, the Noble Consort's pregnancy is already four months along, and three other imperial consorts have also become pregnant.
You cannot possibly not know that you are merely a tool to temporarily hold the imperial throne, right?
Once those children are born, Great Qian will no longer need you."
Feng Qingheng's expression darkened, and then he burst into laughter, "Regent Princess, no, you should be my Consort Chen. I am truly grateful to you!"
He spoke, his face turning cold, "Rest assured, before I wield absolute power, those degenerate offspring will have no chance to be born."
Lu Qingwan was horrified, "Those are your own children, Feng Qingheng. You want to kill them?"
"They are merely unborn fetuses. What children are they?"
Feng Qingheng's face was devoid of any expression, "It is their honor to die for me, their Emperor Father.
Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. On the very day you brought the coffins of Feng Xi Wu and Lu Zhenting back to the capital, I had already issued an order to cut off all grain and military expenses for the Xuanjia Army.
When you agree to hand over the military tally and enter the palace to become my Consort Chen, I will then restore their military expenses."
Lu Qingwan's apricot eyes widened, her anger almost manifesting as a physical force to be spat onto Feng Qingheng's face.
"Feng Qingheng, have you forgotten that your life is still in my hands?"
A faint scent permeated the air. Feng Qingheng's face stiffened. He immediately remembered the pain of being tormented by the Gu poison.
However, this time, he was stronger than ever before, "Then let's see if the four hundred thousand Xuanjia Army can hold on before you nurture a new imperial heir.
Anyway, you dare not take my life. Can they endure it?"
With difficulty finishing this statement, Feng Qingheng convulsed and collapsed to the ground.
Just like Feng Xi Wu back then, his veins bulged, and the Manzhushahua pattern covered visible parts of his body.
Feng Qingheng had been suffering from the Gu poison for a long time, and it seemed he had figured out some methods of self-preservation.
He lay there on the ground, body spasming, but he still managed to issue a threat to Lu Qingwan.
"I await you to bring the military tally and beg me to take you as my consort, Consort Chen. I have kept your position for you..."
Lu Qingwan kicked him hatefully and turned to leave the palace.
The character "Chen" carried immense weight. Everywhere, it represented a special existence. But not in Great Qian.
The first Consort Chen of Great Qian was a seductive consort who brought disaster upon the nation. It was an understatement to say she was notorious.
Feng Qingheng offering her the position of Consort Chen was both an insult to Feng Xi Wu and an insult to Lu Qingwan.
She should have refused without hesitation and then killed Feng Qingheng, ending the matter. But thinking of the soldiers fighting desperately on the battlefield, she held back.
Lu Qingwan made a decision on the spot, murmuring to herself, Feng Xi Wu, you absolutely must not disappoint me!
Lu Qingwan entering the palace at this time terrified Li Jin and the others. The carriage stopped at the palace gate, and the four great guards by Feng Xi Wu's side gathered together.
Upon seeing Lu Qingwan, they immediately surrounded her, "Wang Fei, are you alright? Did the Emperor bully you..."
Their words were a flurry of questions, their concern for Lu Qingwan genuine. But Lu Qingwan only said one thing, "He said he wants me to hand over the military tally and enter the palace as a consort, otherwise he will cut off the Xuanjia Army's military expenses.
Furthermore, on the day we returned to the capital, his decree to cut military expenses had already been issued."
The few of them were immediately enraged, "This is simply too much!
Wang Fei, can we disregard any agreements? Kill him. At worst, can Prince Ning be the Emperor?
There are precedents in history of princes and grandsons who failed in rebellion making comebacks. Why must we endure this humiliation?!"
As Li Yang spoke, Li Jin and Li Qing, who were always calm, nodded in agreement. Li Su, of course, felt the same.
Lu Qingwan thus surmised that none of them knew Feng Xi Wu was still alive.
She pursed her lips and said, "Feng Qingheng is just blowing hot air. The Prince has just passed away, and he wouldn't dare to openly snatch a minister's wife. We still have time.
Li Jin, send a message to Lian Yu to ask how long the Xuanjia Army's strategic reserve supplies can last..."
Li Jin acknowledged the order. Lu Qingwan, supported by Li Su, boarded the carriage.
Avoiding the gazes of the crowd, Lu Qingwan's expression was no longer one of grief or indignation. She had made up her mind. She didn't care what Feng Xi Wu was doing.
If Feng Xi Wu received this news and could find a way to help her escape, preventing her from being torn between the Xuanjia Army and her own integrity, she would obediently wait for Feng Xi Wu to finish his affairs and return to find her.
If Feng Xi Wu abandoned her, pretending to be completely unaware of the situation here, then she would consider Feng Xi Wu truly dead.
The rise and fall of Great Qian, the life and death of the Xuanjia Army, would have nothing to do with her. From now on, she would act as if Feng Xi Wu had never existed.