Lu Qingwan couldn't articulate if this was the scholarly integrity that moved countless people.
But she found that no matter how much she disliked Feng Qingheng, at this moment, she couldn't bring herself to tell the Chi family to stop being loyal to Feng Qingheng, to loyal to Da Gan.
So, after much consideration, she said to Old Madam Chi, "The times are turbulent, and I cannot assert where is absolutely safe.
However, if the Chi family has already made arrangements for the eldest young master's destination, I will do my utmost to ensure his safety."
Old Madam Chi smiled calmly, "Then I will trouble the Princess Consort to take Chuan'er to the northwest."
Lu Qingwan looked at Chi Jingchuan in surprise, "The northwest? Are you joining the Xuanjia Army?"
Da Gan had a total of 800,000 troops, distributed across Da Gan, and the northwest was the territory of the Xuanjia Army.
For Chi Jingchuan to go to the northwest at this time, there was no other possibility besides joining the Xuanjia Army.
Chi Jingchuan said with certainty, "Yes, throughout Da Gan, no army is more formidable than the Xuanjia Army.
If I go, I will be the best soldier in Da Gan, and in the future, the best general."
Lu Qingwan couldn't judge whether Chi Jingchuan's decision to join the army at this time was wise, but his determined attitude moved her.
Therefore, she nodded without hesitation, "Since the eldest young master Chi has made his decision, I will accept the old madam's request and take you to the northwest.
However, I never interfere in the internal affairs of the Xuanjia Army, so whether you can join the Xuanjia Army and your treatment are not things I can decide. Your future depends on yourself."
Old Madam Chi's expression remained unchanged, while Chi Jingchuan said confidently, "I understand. I chose the Xuanjia Army precisely because it never plays favorites and will not seek special treatment from the Prince or the Princess Consort for me.
If I harbored any such thought, I would have no face to see my father and grandfather."
Lu Qingwan was more than satisfied with Chi Jingchuan's understanding.
"However, you are currently still serving in the Imperial Guard. Leaving the capital without authorization would give the new Emperor an excuse to trouble the two lords, wouldn't it?"
Chi Jingchuan chuckled, "You don't need to worry about that, Princess Consort. I no longer hold a position in the army."
Lu Qingwan was startled for a moment, then quickly realized, "Is it because of the incident last time when you let me leave the capital?"
Feng Qingheng had issued a lockdown order, yet Chi Jingchuan had allowed Lu Qingwan to leave the city. If investigated strictly, Chi Jingchuan was indeed guilty of dereliction of duty.
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but suspect that Chi Jingchuan was forced to join the Xuanjia Army because he could no longer remain in the Imperial Guard due to her.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she had this thought, Chi Jingchuan hurriedly said, "Princess Consort, please do not worry too much. My father and grandfather made the decision for me to leave the capital long ago; it was purely coincidental.
After letting you leave the capital last time, the new Emperor did intend to hold me accountable, but it was only a few scoldings.
My grandfather deliberately instigated a conflict between me and that Du Huihuang, bringing it before the new Emperor. Several imperial censors jointly impeached my grandfather and father for their poor upbringing, which is how the new Emperor relieved me of my post.
This opportunity was hard-won. If the Princess Consort takes all the credit, the censors would be very upset."
Lu Qingwan looked at Li Su with half-belief. She had been immersed in researching new weapons during this time and was in a daze.
Apart from important intelligence concerning Feng Xiwu and Feng Qingheng, she hadn't paid much attention to these matters.
Li Su nodded secretly, indicating that it was true.
Lu Qingwan then said, "If the new Emperor knew that you siblings were willing to go to such lengths to avoid him, would he be so upset that he would abdicate and yield the throne?"
Chi Jingchuan scratched his head and smiled ingenuously, and Old Madam Chi also just smiled.
Lu Qingwan, however, stopped smiling, "Since we've decided to leave, let's not hesitate. My guards and carriages are outside. Shall we leave now?"
Old Madam Chi turned and took a bundle from behind her, stuffing it into Chi Jingchuan's hand, "Protect the Princess Consort on the road, and don't cause trouble for her when you arrive."
Her smooth movements stunned Lu Qingwan, "You were prepared long ago?"
Li Su poked his head out from the side, "Princess Consort, I didn't say anything. The moment I entered the Chi residence, Scholar Chi guessed everything."
Old Madam Chi and Chi Jingchuan burst into laughter. Lu Qingwan remarked, "The outside world says that one Chi is half an academic. I think Scholar Chi is a bit underutilized as just a Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Minister of Personnel.
He should also serve as the Director of the Imperial Observatory. Wouldn't being able to calculate fortunes be more lucrative than this obnoxious Minister of Personnel?"
Old Madam Chi smiled but said nothing. Lu Qingwan bowed to her, "Old Madam, take care. Please also convey my regards to the two lords."
Old Madam Chi said nothing, but tears welled up in her eyes.
Even after Lu Qingwan and Chi Jingchuan rode away from Bai Xing Lin, Old Madam Chi still stood by the window of that sickroom, her gaze lingering.
Lu Qingwan, finally able to leave the capital with peace of mind, didn't want to waste a single extra moment on the road and rode at full speed.
So much so that Chi Jingchuan, a man of seven feet, felt embarrassed to ask to rest.
It wasn't until they reached the northwest camp and saw the Xuan character flag that Lu Qingwan tumbled off her horse. Only then did Chi Jingchuan realize that Lu Qingwan was not incredibly healthy and tireless, but simply too anxious.
As she was being helped towards the camp by Li Su and Ru Yue, Lu Qingwan was still shouting, "Take me to see Shen Da."
Li Jin, who was stationed at the camp, said with anguish, "Princess Consort, His Highness is still trapped in the snowy mountains, and General Shen is fighting on the front lines and cannot come to see you."
"It's not Shen Da who will see me, it's I who want to see Shen Da."
Lu Qingwan grabbed Li Jin's collar and said hoarsely, "The snow has blocked the mountain. His Highness won't be able to wait for us to rescue him by conventional means.
I want to see Shen Da, I want to see the person who understands the battlefield situation the best, take me!"
The person, who was so exhausted she could barely stand, was anxious to save someone. Li Jin couldn't say anything more and bent down in front of Lu Qingwan, "I beg your pardon, Princess Consort, please come. I will take you to see General Shen now."
Li Su wanted to say that this was not according to protocol, but Chi Jingchuan stopped him, "If we delay any longer, she will die."
Li Su then cooperated with Chi Jingchuan to place Lu Qingwan on Li Jin's back. The group spent another half a day searching and found Shen Da, who was fighting on the front lines.
He was a middle-aged man, about fifty years old. Upon hearing that Lu Qingwan wanted to see him on the front lines, he immediately flew into a rage.
"What kind of joke is this?
What do you think this place is, to just come and go as you please, and demand to see this general?
If the war is delayed, who will bear the responsibility?"
"I will."
Lu Qingwan stood unsteadily before the sand table, "If we continue to fight like this, before the opposing army retreats, the 180,000 royal troops and His Highness will be trapped and die in the snowy mountains.
You haven't even reclaimed an inch of territory. What is the point of this war?"
Shen Da, already irritated by the unfavorable progress of the war, angrily retorted, "Princess Consort, you have quite the audacity. Since you are so capable, tell me, how should this war be fought?"