Feng Xiwu was both a commander of the armies and a politician, so such a deal naturally aligned with his interests.
However, Lu Qingwan couldn't help but wonder, "You were set up by Bei Mingxue, yet it's Banyue Pavilion that profits.
Wouldn't this expose the connection between Banyue Pavilion and you to Tianxuan Sect?
Tianxuan Sect suffered such a silent loss, would they let it go?
If they reveal the relationship between you and Banyue Pavilion, wouldn't the influence of Banyue Pavilion be greatly diminished?"
As the Grand Counselor of Daqian, Feng Xiwu held the power of four hundred thousand troops and enjoyed the trust of Emperor Jingyou. His overt power was already sufficient.
The establishment of Banyue Pavilion was merely for convenience, to be used in times of need.
Once the existence of Banyue Pavilion was exposed to the public, it would be contrary to Feng Xiwu's original intention for establishing it.
Feng Xiwu smiled calmly, "Rest assured, before presenting these conditions to Tianxuan Sect, I deliberately borrowed five million piculs of military grain from Banyue Pavilion.
Therefore, in the eyes of Tianxuan Sect, all the demands I made were merely to repay the debt.
At most, I have some acquaintance with Shen Tangzhou, but it's not enough to completely link me with Banyue Pavilion."
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but give Feng Xiwu a thumbs-up, full of admiration, "I must say, you are indeed formidable!
With eight hundred schemes in your mind, it's a good thing I'm your wife. If I were your enemy, I would be crying!"
Feng Xiwu hugged her and laughed, "That wouldn't happen.
You saw me first after you woke up, which means fate destined you to be my wife, and you could never be an enemy."
Lu Qingwan made a face as if her teeth were sore, squirmed out of his embrace, and changed the subject, "Tomorrow is the victory banquet, and the matter of succession should be formally put on the table.
I don't know what the Emperor's plan is, but should we do something to give Feng Qingheng a gift?"
Emperor Jingyou's end was near. If they didn't do what they needed to do now, it would be difficult to make small moves after Feng Qingheng officially ascended the throne.
Feng Xiwu stood up, walked around to Lu Qingwan, and tidied her messy hair and clothes, ensuring nothing was out of place. Then, he called out, "Li Qing."
The latter arrived immediately, his gaze focused on his nose and his nose on his heart, as serious as could be.
Lu Qingwan looked at Feng Xiwu suspiciously. The latter took her hand and walked towards the pharmacy, saying as they walked, "Have the things you were asked to prepare all been made ready?"
Li Qing followed at a respectful distance and looked a bit bewildered, "May I ask what the Prince is specifically referring to?"
"Evidence of the crimes committed by Prince Chen's followers."
Feng Xiwu frowned with disdain, "Similar to those like Minister Lan and Qi Ping'an."
Li Qing suddenly understood, "They have all been prepared. Especially for Minister Lan, Ciyuan Hall used inferior products to pass them off as good, and the evidence of selling fake medicine is conclusive. Tangible evidence and witnesses can be produced at any time.
In addition, there are charges of private forging of weapons in the Ministry of War's forging workshop, the Dali Temple Vice Minister deliberately delaying the progress of the military grain case, and the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy intentionally influencing the Spring Imperial Examination, among many other charges that can be substantiated at any time."
As Li Qing spoke, it seemed no department was spared.
However, Feng Xiwu was still not satisfied, "What about Su Bojun? Prince Chen's greatest reliance is Su Bojun.
You haven't even mentioned framing Marquis Lu, attempting to assassinate me, or leaking military intelligence. Do you want him to return to the capital smoothly and become Prince Chen's regent?"
Li Qing shook his head repeatedly, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. Something unexpected happened with Su Bojun. I intended to report it last."
The underfloor heating in the pharmacy was extremely warm. Feng Xiwu led Lu Qingwan into the pharmacy and, as if familiar with the place, sat down with her on the carpet before speaking slowly, "What unexpected event has happened with Su Bojun?"
"Actually, it's not entirely an unexpected event.
It's just that Tang Xiao just brought news that His Majesty has already issued an imperial decree summoning Su Bojun to the capital. The messenger was Long Fei of the Shence Army, accompanied by secret guards from Wufeng Hall.
The decree stated that if Su Bojun showed any intention of disobeying, the secret guards of Wufeng Hall were to forcibly escort him to the capital.
Additionally, His Majesty wishes to appoint Prince Consort Shao as the new Governor-General of the Northwest. Although the imperial decree of appointment has not yet been issued, several of Prince Consort Shao's former subordinates have already rushed to the Northwest."
Li Qing's every utterance brought astonishing news, and this time was no exception.
After he finished reporting, Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu were stunned for a long time.
"His Majesty summoning Su Bojun to the capital, most likely to hold him accountable, I can understand that.
But Prince Consort Shao, if I recall correctly, he is the Provincial Governor of Beizhili, right? Appointing him as the Governor-General of the Northwest, isn't that a promotion in name but a demotion in reality?
And moving from the prosperous Beizhili to the cold and barren Northwest, would the Eldest Princess agree?"
Thanks to her family lineage, Lu Qingwan wasn't completely clueless about Prince Consort Shao.
However, even though she clearly knew Prince Consort Shao's identity and official position, and the place of his appointment, she still couldn't understand Emperor Jingyou's arrangements.
Feng Xiwu sighed, "Prince Consort Shao is a young and promising man. At his coming-of-age ceremony, he pacified the rebellion of the vassal kings on the battlefield, making great contributions.
Later, he married the Eldest Princess, and to avoid suspicion, he voluntarily gave up his military power. In recent years, he has governed Beizhili with great success.
The Northwest is a strategically important region, and my imperial brother has sent his most trusted person to guard it."
Perhaps it was because Emperor Jingyou, despite his lifelong reputation, was living such a difficult life as his end approached, Feng Xiwu looked quite wistful.
Lu Qingwan also furrowed her brows, "How do I remember that Daqian has a regulation that a prince consort cannot hold substantive positions?
How did Prince Consort Shao become the Provincial Governor of Beizhili?"
Many dynasties had similar regulations, and few dared to break them.
Yet Prince Consort Shao not only held a substantive position but also became the Provincial Governor of Zhili, holding the rank of a second-grade official, which Lu Qingwan found very perplexing.
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiwu's eyes sparkled with pleasure, as if he had thought of something.
"Prince Consort Shao was a good friend of Prince Nan and my imperial brother since their youth.
The former Empress Dowager died early, and the late Emperor was busy with court affairs, neglecting the marriage of my imperial brother and the Eldest Princess. My imperial brother intended to find a good husband for the Eldest Princess and personally vetted all eligible young men in the capital at the time.
Prince Consort Shao was not well-acquainted with the Eldest Princess then, let alone mutual affection.
Purely to relieve my imperial brother's worries, he voluntarily married the Eldest Princess."
Lu Qingwan clicked her tongue and exclaimed, "So His Majesty also has such a loyal brother, I thought our Emperor had severed all emotions for the sake of becoming a renowned general!"
Feng Xiwu chuckled, "My imperial brother is indeed cold and unfeeling, but Prince Consort Shao is truly worthy of his loyalty.
In return for Prince Consort Shao's kindness, and despite the pressure from all the court officials, my imperial brother asked the former Emperor to make an exception for Prince Consort Shao.
Prince Consort Shao, however, voluntarily surrendered his military power. The former Emperor and the officials were moved by Prince Consort Shao's actions and agreed to my imperial brother's request.
Therefore, Prince Consort Shao became the only prince consort in the three-hundred-year history of Daqian to wield great power."
Lu Qingwan understood, "So, before His Majesty passes away, he wants to replace important positions with people he trusts the most?"