The one sentence directly touched Lu Qingwan's heart.
She did not wish to be the Saintess of the Samsara Hall, but she became one for Feng Xi Wu's poison.
She did not want to be indebted to anyone from the Samsara Hall, but she owed them in order to ensure Feng Xi Wu's survival on the frontier.
She simultaneously rejected the Samsara Hall and benefited from its kindness, a pretense Lu Qingwan herself disdained.
Therefore, when Wu Ying asked her to use her token to seek help from the Samsara Hall, she had already decided to accept this identity, regardless of her inner feelings, and fulfill her duties as the Saintess of the Samsara Hall.
She had not expected that someone, in consideration of her feelings, had already made such thorough arrangements.
In that instant, Lu Qingwan felt an overwhelming curiosity about this grand-uncle she had never met.
However, in the end, she restrained herself from inquiring about his worldly identity and instead asked, "How many of you are there in total?"
The other replied, "There are twelve of us, two men and ten women, named after the twelve months.
Your subordinate's name is Duan Yue, the chief of the twelve months. Whatever the Saintess commands, your subordinate will obey without fail."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qingwan laughed, "What a coincidence. You are named after the twelve months, and my four great generals are named after the four seasons. It seems you are destined to be my subordinates.
Come inside with me, let me collect my thoughts, and then I will assign you specific tasks."
Duan Yue readily bowed, "All according to the Saintess's command."
Lu Qingwan's brow twitched slightly, "To prevent my identity from being revealed, you, like them, should call me 'Master.'
The title 'Saintess' can be called again if I ever return to the Samsara Hall, it's not too late."
Duan Yue raised his eyebrows in surprise, "The Saintess is willing to return?"
He knew very well the good deeds Lu Qingwan had done in the Samsara Hall, and she had clearly been extremely resistant to it.
"Is it useful to be unwilling?"
Lu Qingwan said with some helplessness, "Liu Xun Ran bestowed a medicinal guide to help my Prince resolve the curse, and Xue Hong Yi provided ten million piculs of grain to help us turn the tide from the brink.
Now that I have summoned you to meet, it is also to ask you to escort my Prince for a part of his journey.
If I still act coy and say I am unwilling to be the Saintess of the Samsara Hall, wouldn't you all mock me in your hearts for being a hypocrite?"
Lu Qingwan spoke casually, but it greatly startled Ying Yi and Duan Yue.
Duan Yue had just agreed to call her Master, but this scare made him pick up the title he had temporarily abandoned.
"Saintess, you must never speak such nonsense. Since you have already completed the succession ceremony, you are our Saintess. No one in the Samsara Hall will question whatever you do.
If outsiders dare to speak disrespectfully to the Saintess, your subordinates will do our utmost to protect the Saintess's dignity."
Ying Yi also appeared startled, "Princess Consort, you can scold others if you are unhappy, or even put on a night-walking outfit and mug Prince Chen. But please, do not scold yourself.
If the Prince were to find out, he would think we had not taken good care of you. We would be in deep trouble when he returns!"
One was protective, the other timid, but their stance was clear: they would not allow Lu Qingwan to scold herself.
Thus, a world where only Feng Qing Heng suffered was achieved!
Lu Qingwan chuckled, "Alright, it was just a casual remark, it's not that serious."
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the Wutong Courtyard. Before entering the inner chamber, Lu Qingwan instructed Ying Yi, "Summon Li Qing to come and thoroughly brief Duan Yue and me on the Prince's current situation.
We must ensure that Duan Yue and his group can locate the Prince as quickly as possible and escort him back to the capital safely."
Ying Yi quickly responded and left. Lu Qingwan then entered the room, intending to change back into her women's attire. However, she suddenly remembered her promise to Emperor Jing You and did not change.
Upon returning to the living room, she saw Duan Yue standing there like a pine tree. He looked the same as when she had left.
Li Qing and Ying Yi also stood beside him, perfectly straight as if on guard duty.
Lu Qingwan burst out laughing, "Are you guys being punished?"
Li Qing curved his lips, "Since the brothers from the Samsara Hall are so diligent, we subordinates cannot bring shame to the Prince and Princess Consort, can we?"
Thus, a meaningless competition began.
Lu Qingwan pouted speechlessly, "Didn't you say this morning that Prince Chen had already realized the Prince was not in Shangjing?
You are all the Prince's close retainers, so the other party would undoubtedly be paying close attention to you.
I summoned Duan Yue and the others because I want them to escort the Prince away from the capital. You arrange for someone to guide them."
Calling it "guiding" was essentially a way to make Feng Xi Wu believe that Duan Yue and his group were indeed there to protect him.
Li Qing was quick-witted and immediately said, "There is a brother who came from Shen Tang Zhou's side and is familiar with the roads around the Great Banquet.
He was the one who brought the news from the Prince's side. Why not have him guide the brothers from the Samsara Hall?"
"That can be done."
When it concerned Feng Xi Wu's safety, Lu Qingwan knew that Li Qing and the others would be even more dedicated than she was.
Without hesitation, she agreed to Li Qing's suggestion and then said to Duan Yue, "The remaining eleven people should not show themselves for now.
Especially, do not let anyone notice your contact with the people from the Prince's manor.
If any of you need to contact me urgently in the future, go to Wu Ying in Bu Ye Zhou.
Or you can go to Fan She or Fan Lou. Just present your token, and someone will help you deliver a message."
Duan Yue responded in silence. Lu Qingwan nodded, "Time waits for no one. Li Qing, immediately send someone to lead them out."
The two turned to leave in silence. Lu Qingwan suddenly called out, "Duan Yue."
He stopped in his tracks and turned back, looking at her with confusion, "Does Master have any other instructions?"
Lu Qingwan's eyes fixed on his, "The way I became connected with the Samsara Hall was rather unpleasant.
But since I promised to be the Saintess of the Samsara Hall, I will not break my word.
Therefore, I hope that you, who have agreed to my request, will also fulfill it to the letter."
Entrusting Feng Xi Wu's safety to someone she had never met, Lu Qingwan felt uncertain.
She said this hoping Duan Yue would give her a promise.
The latter was also sharp. After locking eyes with Lu Qingwan for a moment, he resolutely replied, "Master, please rest assured. Your subordinate will bring the son-in-law back completely unharmed."
It was a simple sentence, without any grand oaths or promises.
Yet, Lu Qingwan was inexplicably soothed by these words. She showed several expressions of genuine relief, "Then I will await your triumphant return."
Duan Yue's visit was brief but resolved Lu Qingwan's new major worry.
Thinking that Emperor Jing You's patience must be wearing thin, she instructed Ying Yi, "Prepare the carriage. I need to go to the palace."
Lin Sa's identity was renowned in the medical field, but it was not as convenient in the solemn grounds of the imperial palace.
The carriage stopped at the palace gate, and Lu Qingwan alighted. After explaining the situation, she was led by an eunuch, panting and puffing, towards the Weiyang Palace.
Even though he had worn many layers, as he walked along, he broke out in a sweat, while his ears had gone numb from the cold.