After the words were spoken, a large hand pressed against Lu Qingwan's back, channeling internal energy.
Lu Qingwan barely stabilized herself, gripping Feng Xiwu's hand and shouting, "Tell them to stop fighting!"
Watching two people use moves she had never seen before right before her eyes, how could Lu Qingwan not want to understand? And if she wanted to understand, how could she not try? If they continued fighting, her life would be forfeit.
Feng Xiwu had the same intention. Hearing her words, he simultaneously helped Lu Qingwan regulate her breathing and roared, "Stop fighting, all of you! Halt!"
Duan Yue also saw Lu Qingwan's condition and intended to withdraw. The black-clothed man, however, stopped fighting upon hearing Feng Xiwu's command.
The two of them landed in front of Lu Qingwan and the other two. Duan Yue asked worriedly, "Mistress, are you alright?"
Lu Qingwan shook her head, signaling she was fine.
Supported by Feng Xiwu, she was taken back to her room. Feng Xiwu shot the two men a fierce glance. "Get in."
Duan Yue and the black-clothed man obediently followed into the dining room. After watching Lu Qingwan rinse her mouth and recover her strength, Feng Xiwu finally spoke.
"Why are the people by my imperial brother's side following me to the prince's manor, and why did you choose to reveal yourselves at this time?"
The black-clothed man was built to the highest standards for an imperial guard: average looks, average build. Even his voice was utterly nondescript, the kind of person you wouldn't notice in a crowd.
Upon hearing the question, he knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and said, "I am Meng Qi, the sect master of Wufeng Hall. I, Meng Qi, was ordered by the late emperor to protect Your Highness. This is the late emperor's decree; please examine it, Your Highness!"
Lu Qingwan was stunned to find the renowned sect master of Wufeng Hall standing before her. Excitedly, she patted Feng Xiwu's arm. "Quickly, see what the late emperor said to you."
Feng Xiwu also had not expected Emperor Jing You to reveal Wufeng Hall to him. Curiously, he took the decree and began to read. The bright yellow silk was filled with neat, forceful zhuānhuā xiǎokǎi script. Between the lines, there was a palpable sense of the heavy and helpless task of settling posthumous affairs.
Lu Qingwan, leaning on Feng Xiwu's shoulder, murmured with emotion, "The late emperor was righteous and upright his entire life; how could he have sired such useless sons? If Feng Qingheng weren't so wicked, and Prince Jing and Prince Ning weren't so foolish, wouldn't that be much better?"
Lian Yu couldn't help but sigh. "He knew the new emperor would surely make things difficult for Your Highness, which is why he left Wufeng Hall to you. I just didn't expect him to have considered even the matters on that side. He had Wufeng Hall assist Your Highness in escaping entanglements from there, yet he left Wen Yayun as a witness, for any future necessity. This is something even I and Your Highness didn't consider, but he thought of it for us."
Lu Qingwan blinked in confusion. Feng Xiwu squeezed her hand, sighing deeply.
"In my twenty-fourth year in Daqian, if I were ever to return there, I would be in an illegitimate position. Wen Yayun's background is very special. As a spy for the other side, she confirmed my identity. Although it brought me danger, if I truly need to return there, Wen Yayun is precisely the most powerful witness to prove my identity." He paused. "Moreover, if I'm not mistaken, she also possesses quite a few material proofs of my identity."
"One Wufeng Hall, one Wen Yayun. The late emperor did everything he could for you." Even though Lu Qingwan was still displeased that Feng Xiwu, due to the dying wishes of Emperor Jing You and the late empress dowager, wouldn't let her kill Feng Qingheng, all her resentment dissipated at this moment. Holding Feng Xiwu's hand, her heart was filled with inexpressible emotion.
Feng Xiwu felt the same. That an elder brother with whom he shared no blood connection could do so much for him, Feng Xiwu himself hadn't anticipated it. He sighed and asked Meng Qi, "Since my imperial brother arranged for you to protect me, you should have followed quietly. Why did you suddenly attack people?"
Meng Qi cupped his fists. "This subordinate intended to say that if the Consort is worried about Marquis Lu, this subordinate can send people to the northwest, and there would be no need to trouble the people of the Reincarnation Hall." Attacking Duan Yue was to prove that he indeed possessed the strength to protect Feng Xiwu and Lu Qingwan.
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow. "As expected of the sect master of Wufeng Hall, you know quite a lot. You want me to not use people from the Reincarnation Hall, but you must give me a reason. That is my father; if you don't have a legitimate reason, how can I safely entrust my father's safety to you?"
Following this, Meng Qi offered a startling answer. He said, "The late emperor specifically instructed that the Reincarnation Hall is feared by all nations precisely because it does not casually interfere in the state affairs of various countries. Once the Reincarnation Hall interferes in Daqian's affairs and leaves traces, if Your Highness needs the Reincarnation Hall's assistance in the future, it will be used as leverage against him, becoming an excuse for others to prevent the Reincarnation Hall from helping Your Highness. Therefore, the late emperor ordered this subordinate to do his utmost to protect Your Highness, and to remind Your Highness that unless Your Highness and the Consort face matters of life and death, they should not casually rely on the Reincarnation Hall's power."
This statement silenced everyone. Lu Qingwan wearily rubbed her face. "This is indeed an impeccable reason. Alright, Sect Master Meng, in that case, I entrust my father's safety to you."
Meng Qi quietly accepted the order. Li Su knocked on the door. "Consort, dinner is ready. May we serve it?"
"Yes." Lu Qingwan responded loudly. Li Su, followed by a group of maids, entered. The heavy and complex discussion came to a temporary halt.
At Lu Qingwan's command, the kitchen prepared Feng Xiwu's favorite plain noodles. The noodles were distinct and separate, and the broth was rich and fragrant, looking appetizing. Accompanied by a sumptuous spread of dishes, those who had worked hard all day cast aside all their worries.
After leisurely enjoying a delicious meal, before the servants could even clear the cups, plates, and bowls from the table, Li Jin hurried in.
"Your Highness, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review requests an audience. He claims there is an urgent matter that must be reported to you in person."
Lian Yu immediately said, "Your Highness has been the regent for so many years and has never met with external officials at the manor; this is known throughout the empire. Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Gu Chaoci is the most disciplined; if he requests an audience at this time, it must truly be an urgent matter."
Feng Xiwu made the same guess and decisively said, "Invite him to the warm chamber. I will be there shortly."
Li Jin turned and ran out. Feng Xiwu took Lu Qingwan's hand and walked towards the warm chamber, saying as they went, "Everything that has happened these past few days revolves around my imperial brother's passing and the new emperor's ascension. You should all come and listen."
As the group arrived at the warm chamber, before they could even settle down, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review entered. He was still wearing his official robes, carrying the same smoky scent as Feng Xiwu had earlier. Upon entering, he immediately knelt on the ground, his face full of urgency. "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The palace gates are already locked. I can only come to request your decision!"