Feng Xi Wu, despite knowing Lu Qing Wan's intentions, deliberately ignored her question and turned to ask Li Jin, "Have the Grand Princess and County Princess Fu Jia been found?"
Li Jin nodded vigorously. Li Yang, beside them, grinned like an idiot and asked, "Your Highness, guess where that fellow Feng Qing Heng hid the Grand Princess and County Princess Fu Jia?"
As if to spice things up, he added, "Feng Qing Heng's IQ has finally caught up. You'll never guess where he hid them!"
Li Jin, seeing this, didn't stop him, indicating that Feng Qing Heng had indeed hidden the Grand Princess and County Princess Fu Jia in a place an ordinary person would never think of.
Distracted for a moment, the small steamed bun in her hand was torn open, its soup splashing out and scalding Lu Qing Wan, making her jump.
Without thinking, she blurted out, "Could it be that he hid them in the Regent's Manor?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Xi Wu's eyes lit up, and he looked at his two subordinates who were holding back information.
Li Yang's face fell, while Li Jin smiled, "Your Highness Consort guessed correctly. The Grand Princess and County Princess Fu Jia are indeed in the Regent's Manor. Moreover, they are in the Wutong Courtyard, where His Highness once resided."
"The most dangerous place is the safest. This 'hiding in plain sight' tactic has some skill to it." Lu Qing Wan said sarcastically, "I must say, that Feng Qing Heng fellow, he's brainless when it comes to serious matters, but when it comes to these schemes, he's quite skilled, isn't he?"
While she was still appreciating Feng Qing Heng's schemes, Li Yang pouted, unwillingly saying, "Your Highness Consort, how did you guess they were in the Regent's Manor? Did I reveal any flaws?"
Lu Qing Wan smiled mysteriously, "The fact that you dared to ask us this question implies that the place Feng Qing Heng used must be somewhere familiar to us, but somewhere you thought we wouldn't guess. The Grand Princess is of noble status, and Prince Shao holds heavy military power. Feng Qing Heng wouldn't truly mistreat the Grand Princess and County Princess Fu Jia unless he wanted to die. This capital city is only so big. A place that is both safe, can guarantee the living standards of the Grand Princess and County Princess Fu Jia, and is unexpected, how many can there be?"
The Regent's Manor was indeed not the only place to hide someone, but coupled with Li Yang's cheeky expression, it was perfectly natural for Lu Qing Wan to guess they were in the Regent's Manor.
Li Yang pouted, resigned to his fate.
Lu Qing Wan's eyes curved with pride, "The timing should be about right. When do you plan to let Feng Qing Heng know that we are back?"
"Let's go to Xiangguo Temple first to pay respects to my Imperial Brother and the Empress Dowager. I will officially reclaim my name and meet Feng Qing Heng and all the officials of Da Gan as a Prince of Da Qin. Lest they still think of me as the Regent who cleans up their messes, and not recognize my true identity."
Lu Qing Wan nodded seriously, "As you wish, we'll do just that."
After quickly satisfying her hunger, she looked at herself, "Since we are going to pay respects, shouldn't I change my clothes?" She was wearing a bright orange quju deep-sleeved robe. It wasn't exactly somber, but going to pay respects to the deceased, she felt it was a bit too flamboyant.
Feng Xi Wu didn't seem to care much, "It's fine. Today is the last time I will see them as Feng Xi Wu, and the first time I will see them as a Prince of Da Qin. For me, it is a new beginning, and I should wear something festive." He pointed to his ornate silver and purple brocade robe, indicating for Lu Qing Wan not to worry.
Since he had said so, Lu Qing Wan didn't bother changing her clothes. Li Jin and the others had already prepared the carriages and horses. The two, carrying offerings, then left the courtyard and headed straight for Xiangguo Temple.
The ancestors of the Da Gan imperial family were buried in the imperial mausoleum, which was too far from the imperial palace, making it inconvenient for the Emperor and Empress to visit for sacrifices. Therefore, their spirit tablets were kept in Xiangguo Temple. This was convenient for Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu, saving them a trip to the imperial mausoleum.
They had sent word in advance, so when they arrived, the abbot of Xiangguo Temple personally led them to the room where the spirit tablets of Emperor Jingyou and the former Empress Dowager were enshrined.
The departed were gone, and Feng Xi Wu didn't say much. After offering incense to the two, he clearly stated, "Mother, Imperial Brother, today is the last time I will see you as Feng Xi Wu. In the future, I may return, and at that time, I will be Si Feng Wu, the Prince of Qin of Da Qin. If you are willing, bless my Consort and me with good fortune. If not, then pretend you never saved me."
After speaking, he silently bowed three times and kowtowed nine times. Lu Qing Wan, without a word, followed him in his bows. She silently prayed, "Even the greatest kindness has its day of repayment. The dead owe nothing, and he owes you nothing now."
After finishing their silent prayers, the two rose simultaneously and walked out of the room without hesitation, intending to leave. However, as they exited, the kind-faced abbot was waiting outside the door. Seeing them, he slowly recited a Buddhist chant.
"Amitabha, may I ask the benefactor, are you the Consort of the Regent?"
Lu Qing Wan looked at Feng Xi Wu, no, at Si Feng Wu, with surprise, then slowly replied, "It is I. However, my husband is no longer the Regent of Da Gan. Master may address me as the Consort of Qin, or Benefactor Lu. May I ask why the Master seeks me?"
The abbot chanted another Buddhist phrase, "About a year ago, your father prayed at the temple for me to light a long-burning lamp for the two of you to ensure your well-being and peace throughout your lives. However, last night, someone broke into the temple, knocked over your long-burning lamp, and left. I am extremely remorseful. I intended to relight the lamp for you, but I found this in the overturned incense burner. Please examine it?"
It was a small brocade pouch, simple and with no discernible origin. It was stained with a bit of incense ash. Lu Qing Wan took the pouch and handed it to Si Feng Wu, while she asked, "Master, you said my father lit a long-burning lamp for us last year?"
The abbot slowly nodded, "Yes, Consort."
Lu Qing Wan had never imagined that a rough man like Lu Zhenting would do something like this for her. She was surprised, "May I ask Master, do you remember the specific date my father came?"
The abbot recalled for a moment, then said, "It should have been a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Because many people came to offer incense around that time, but only your father lit a long-burning lamp, so I remember it particularly clearly."
"It must have been done by my father-in-law before he went to Xijiang." Si Feng Wu placed a hand on Lu Qing Wan's shoulder, patting it reassuringly, "Take a look at this."
Lu Qing Wan took it suspiciously and saw a dragon-shaped ring. She didn't know what material it was made of; it looked like gold, but as soon as Lu Qing Wan grasped it, she knew it wasn't gold. The ring band was the body of a dragon, its head held high, looking lifelike.