A moment later, a knock sounded at the door, and Li Jin's voice called out, "Your Highness, the strategist requests an audience."
Remembering Lu Qingwan's instructions from the previous day, Li Jin added, fearing delay, "Your Highness, the strategist has been ordered to accompany the army on this campaign. Minister Wen is currently leading the civil and military officials in seeing off the Marquis of Xuanwu. The army departs in an hour."
Lu Qingwan silently brought Feng Xiwu out of the spatial laboratory. Feng Xiwu spoke calmly, "Let Lian Yu in."
Li Jin outside the door breathed a sigh of relief. Shortly after, Lian Yu pushed open the door and entered.
Feng Xiwu was dressed in resplendent robes, but with narrow sleeves and a short collar, clearly attired for a journey.
Lu Qingwan stood behind him, tying his hair. Neither husband nor wife spoke, but the peaceful aura surrounding them made one reluctant to disturb them.
Circumstances demanded it. Though Lian Yu was hesitant, he stepped forward, "Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that the Marquis of Xuanwu and his son shall lead eighty thousand Northern Army iron cavalry to campaign in the Northern Territories.
I will lead fifty thousand Xuanjia troops as a reserve force to coordinate the response.
The Ministries of War, Revenue, and Works have dispatched a million piculs of grain overnight, along with corresponding fodder, which is already en route.
I have come to bid you farewell, Your Highness."
Lu Qingwan's hand paused as she tied Feng Xiwu's hair. A million piculs of grain, plus fodder, indicated that Daqian's war preparations were sufficiently ample. The arrangements she had made last night would not be needed for now.
She exhaled in relief and then inserted a peach wood hairpin into his coiffure.
She moved to the side to pack Feng Xiwu's travel bag. Even though Feng Xiwu hadn't been on the battlefield for three years, his usual belongings were well-preserved, and Lu Qingwan finished packing with little effort.
After some thought, she took out several bottles of glucose. "When marching, it's inevitable to miss meals and go hungry. You two are the main generals, your physical strength must be maintained. If you are truly exhausted and hungry and can't bear it, drink some of this. It tastes unpleasant, but it's effective."
She handed a small pouch to Lian Yu. "Your Highness is seriously injured. I will trouble you, Strategist, to take care of him.
This contains some medicine I've prepared for you, just in case."
Lian Yu looked at Lu Qingwan in astonishment. "For me? Then what about His Highness...?"
"The Princess Consort has prepared yours, you may take it."
Feng Xiwu cast a slightly jealous glance at the pouch in Lian Yu's hand. "My Princess Consort has already prepared plenty for me, it won't fit in such a small bag."
The implication was that Lu Qingwan had prepared more for him, so much so that it couldn't be contained in a small bag.
Lian Yu was speechless and then, only belatedly, realized, "You are also going to the Northern Territories?"
Feng Xiwu raised his eyes to look at him. "If I don't go, should I wait for the Northern Wei cavalry to storm Shangjing and take us as prisoners?"
Lian Yu scoffed, "You think too little of me, Your Highness. Do you truly believe Daqian will become a fragile paper lantern without you, the Regent?"
"It's not that I think little of you, but that I don't trust the Northern Wei Emperor."
Feng Xiwu, when it came to serious matters, did not play coy. "The Northern Wei have always harbored ambitions towards Daqian. Yet they have been so unusually quiet these past few years. Do you not know what they are planning?"
Lian Yu smacked his lips. "They are merely biding their time, building up their strength for a decisive blow. Now, seeing Daqian's internal instability, they believe the time is ripe to strike."
A hint of worry flickered across his stern face. "If your health permits, it would be good for you to personally inspect the front lines. I've heard some whispers suggesting the Northern Wei Emperor might be colluding with certain individuals in our court. This campaign will undoubtedly be more challenging than the one against Xiliang. Your presence there is needed to steady the troops; only then will the soldiers feel secure."
Feng Xiwu remained silent, but Lian Yu knew he had taken his words to heart.
The carving on the wall, ticking away the moments, reminded them of the passage of time. Lian Yu coughed lightly. "I haven't had the chance to thank the Princess Consort for her substantial assistance. However, since the court has provided ample provisions, we shall not squander your private funds for now. On behalf of the soldiers, I thank you for your kindness."
With that, he bowed formally to Lu Qingwan.
Before Lu Qingwan could utter her polite words, Feng Xiwu suddenly said, "Since the Princess Consort has made arrangements, accept them."
"Is it necessary, Your Highness? You, a Regent, a renowned God of War, would not even let go of a bit of your Princess Consort's private funds?"
Lian Yu was utterly astonished. "If the court couldn't provide grain, fine. But His Majesty has been exceptionally generous, arranging a million piculs of grain at once. Even winter clothing and necessary armaments are being prepared with great haste. Why would you still have the Princess Consort dip into her own pocket?"
Lian Yu's usually impassive face clearly displayed, "I never expected you to be this kind of Your Highness!"
Feng Xiwu calmly instructed, "Wu Ying's business is extensive. Do not send the collected supplies to the capital. Store them at the various relay stations between Shangjing and the Northern Territories. Ensure that if the front lines require them, the supplies can be delivered to the soldiers with the utmost speed."
Complaints aside, no commander would refuse more provisions and supplies before heading into battle.
Lian Yu silently acknowledged, "I understand." He then added, "The army is about to depart. Your Highness, Princess Consort, please take care. I shall take my leave."
He was still wearing the same plain white robe he had worn when Lu Qingwan first met him, appearing as refined as a scholar. Yet his retreating figure exuded a sense of desolation, like the wind whistling mournfully, and a warrior's resolve to face inevitable doom.
Lu Qingwan wondered if Feng Xiwu had looked like this on past campaigns, and became lost in thought.
Her hand was taken, and naturally, she lowered her head to meet Feng Xiwu's tender gaze. She allowed him to look at her, stubbornly refusing to speak to him.
Feng Xiwu gently swayed her hand. "Are you angry?"
"How would I dare?" Lu Qingwan said with evident sarcasm. "Your Highness despises my illiteracy, so I can only diminish my presence and not offend your eyes."
"I don't despise you." Feng Xiwu hastily explained, "The Princess Consort is not illiterate; she is a woman of great talent that even I feel inferior to. Moreover, even if you were illiterate, you would be the most adorable illiterate in the world. I would never despise you."
Seeing his demeanor, Lu Qingwan still wanted to find fault. Feng Xiwu, like a child, buried his face in her embrace and nuzzled her, acting spoiled.
"I don't despise you, I just worry that you'll be consumed by longing when I'm gone. If I anger you, you'll only sulk and won't worry about me."
Lu Qingwan laughed and playfully tugged his ear. "So, despising my illiteracy was for my own good? Why aren't you acting anymore?"
"I can't bear it~" Feng Xiwu stretched out his long arms, pulled her into his embrace, and clung to her. "Besides, I remember the Princess Consort saying that if others' concern and care cannot be directly felt by you, then it is no different from having none. But I want you to know that even though I am going to the frontier, my heart remains with you."
"Hmph!" Lu Qingwan playfully bit his chin. "You'd best remember this always, otherwise, your so-called deep love, even if it moves the entire world, will not move me in the slightest!"