"The Pavilion of Liuli?"
The King of Liang's Consort glanced at Lu Qingwan in surprise. The latter immediately got into character, "That's right, Madam Liuli is my master. Does the King of Liang's Consort have any issues?"
The King of Liang's Consort repeatedly shook her head, "No, no wonder Princess Qin is so talented. As expected, a good teacher produces a good student. This consort admires you!"
After speaking, she hastily curtsied and turned to leave.
Lu Qingwan silently pinched Feng Xi Wu, "When did I get a master called Madam Liuli? How come I didn't know?"
"Madam Liuli's given name is Bi Yi. Although not your master, she's close enough."
As Feng Xi Wu spoke, he furrowed his brows, "Do you think she looks a bit like our Uncle-Master Zi Yi?"
He addressed the people from the Samsara Hall as uncles and aunts without any hesitation, as if they were truly his relatives.
Lu Qingwan found it amusing but nodded, "Exactly. Moreover, she inquired about Liu Hanyan, seeming to know something. But you say I'm Madam Liuli's disciple, yet she appears unaware of Madam Liuli's identity. It's strange."
"Xue Hongyi will be here to pick up Yuan'er soon. We can ask him then."
Feng Xi Wu put his arm around Lu Qingwan's waist and they walked towards the King of You Prefecture. They temporarily put aside their thoughts and solemnly bid farewell to the King of You Prefecture.
The old man had returned, his daughter and son-in-law's vengeance was avenged, and his most beloved grandson was the new emperor. He was truly content.
He squinted at Lu Qingwan and her husband, "Go back. Visit You Prefecture when you have time..."
The little bun hid in Feng Xi Wu's embrace, waving vigorously to make his presence known, "See you later, Great-Grandpa!"
This made the King of You Prefecture laugh heartily, "Good, good. Farewell, Little Prince. You go back too!"
Even the closest friends must eventually part.
Lu Qingwan and Feng Xi Wu watched the King of You Prefecture go a long distance before returning to the city.
The two were in good spirits, walking back hand in hand. Their carriage and attendants followed behind.
On the now orderly streets, people often looked on with curiosity. With attendants protecting them on both sides, no one dared to accost them.
Lu Qingwan recounted what Yan Ruo Zhao had told her on the morning of the enthronement ceremony to Feng Xi Wu. He was slightly surprised for a moment, then understood.
"No wonder my imperial brother has been subtly asking me when I plan to have children, and how many, these past few days. So, he's been waiting for us here!"
He found it amusing, yet also quite emotional, "Yuan'er, this brat, is truly fortunate!"
In Da Gan, he and Lu Qingwan, while not excessively doting, at least hadn't forgotten about the little bun at home. They were afraid that without their parents around, the little bun would suffer any grievances, and they were constantly careful about his emotions.
Si Feng Ming and his wife were even more extreme. To avoid hurting the little bun's feelings, they simply decided not to have any other children.
Lu Qingwan chuckled upon hearing this, "What a coincidence! That morning, I said the same thing to the Imperial Sister-in-law."
"Otherwise, why would they say we are a match made in heaven?"
Feng Xi Wu's happiness was palpable. He glanced back at the little bun peeking out from the carriage, took Lu Qingwan's hand, and got into the carriage, "Let's go. We'll take this boy back to the palace!"
As they were seeing off the King of You Prefecture on behalf of Si Feng Ming and his wife, and with the little bun present, there were quite a few escorts on this trip out of the palace.
At Feng Xi Wu's command, a large group returned to the palace in a grand procession.
Lu Qingwan was still contemplating what she would do after returning the little bun to his parents, when she was stopped at the palace gates by Li Qing, who rushed to meet them.
"Princess, there's a letter from Da Gan. You must see this!"
Perhaps too urgent, Li Qing didn't even have time to dismount and bow. He directly handed it to Lu Qingwan, who had peeked out upon hearing the commotion.
Seeing Li Qing's urgency, Lu Qingwan didn't delay. She opened the letter and, upon reading it, was almost angered into laughter.
"He wants me to use my identity as the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhaolie to ally Great Qin with Great Gan and send troops to assist them. Feng Qing Heng, he actually dares to ask!"
Upon hearing Feng Qing Heng's name, Feng Xi Wu immediately took the letter to read it. He saw that the letter stated the Great Wei army was forcefully marching south, Da Gan's army was in disarray, and Beixiao Pass had already fallen. Vast tracts of land within the pass were occupied by the Great Wei cavalry.
Feng Qing Heng, somehow aware that the Prince of Qin Lu Qingwan was marrying, was the very same Feng Xi Wu, shamelessly sent an envoy to request Lu Qingwan, using her dual identity as Princess Qin and the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhaolie, to forge an alliance between Great Qin and Great Gan, and have Great Qin send troops to help him deal with Great Wei. If Lu Qingwan refused, he would have the envoy inform the Emperor of Great Qin of Lu Qingwan's past misdeeds, thus ruining her reputation in Great Qin.
Feng Xi Wu couldn't help but scoff after reading it, "After my death was announced, Feng Qing Heng never provided a single stone of grain or a sliver of military pay to the Black Armored Army. After I specifically instructed several generals to make a public fuss about unpaid wages with no results, I had them disband and integrate into Tianxuan City and Yunzhong Forest. Now it seems the last batch of the Black Armored Army is no longer at Beixiao Pass."
Lu Qingwan, who had long stopped paying attention to Da Gan's affairs, was surprised to hear this, "Giving up Beixiao Pass to Great Wei, could you bear it?"
Feng Xi Wu grinned slyly, "How is it that I gave up Beixiao Pass to Great Wei? Clearly, Feng Qing Heng listened to biased reports, withheld military pay, and disheartened the soldiers. The generals sent to garrison Beixiao Pass were incompetent. How can you blame me?"
His smile didn't reach his eyes, "Go back and tell the people of Da Gan not to stop that so-called envoy. Let Feng Qing Heng have his fun."
Li Qing withdrew as instructed. The carriage leisurely entered the palace directly, a privilege Si Feng Ming had granted to the couple.
Upon entering the palace, they had the little bun taken to Yan Ruo Zhao, and then the two of them went directly to see Si Feng Ming.
He was sitting in the imperial study, his brow furrowed as if contemplating something.
After Si Lan announced their arrival, Si Feng Ming smiled at them, "You've seen off the King of You Prefecture?"
"Yes."
Feng Xi Wu stepped forward, "We encountered something on the way back and specifically brought Ah Wan to ask for your favor, Imperial Brother."
"Sit down and tell me."
Si Feng Ming motioned for them to sit, then asked, "What happened that you've come to ask for a favor?"
Feng Xi Wu, suppressing his disgust, briefly explained Feng Qing Heng's threat to Lu Qingwan and then directly stated his request.
"Your brother knows that matters concerning foreign states should be handled by the Court of State Ceremonial. However, Feng Qing Heng's envoy was not sent for legitimate reasons. Your brother requests that Your Imperial Majesty allow my wife and I to handle all matters concerning the Zhao Dynasty exclusively. If necessary, I will kill Feng Qing Heng."
"What is so difficult about that? Since it concerns your wife's mother country, you can handle it yourselves. There is absolutely no problem."
Si Feng Ming said as a matter of course, "What about your four hundred thousand Black Armored Army? If you fall out with the Zhao Dynasty, they cannot help you fight the Zhao Dynasty, as that is their mother country after all, isn't it?"
Feng Xi Wu shook his head, "Your Imperial Brother's words are mistaken. The Black Armored Army, from generals to soldiers, belongs to no one."