August fourteenth, only one day left until the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Early in the morning, an imperial decree arrived at the palace. "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: As the diplomatic mission includes several female guests, the Regent Princess Lu Qingwan is ordered to accompany the Regent King in entertaining the envoys. Respect this!钦此!"
After the eunuch read the contents of the decree, he didn't even ask Lu Qingwan to formally receive it. He rolled up the decree and thrust it into Lu Qingwan's hand, running as if being chased by dogs.
Lu Qingwan, with half a wonton still in her mouth, reacted a beat too late. She swallowed the wonton and was utterly stunned.
"These days, imperial decrees are this casual?"
The decree's content was in plain language, devoid of any refined wording. Furthermore, the young eunuch dared to shove the decree directly into her hand. Was he not afraid of losing his head?
Li Su, who was attending her, smiled and explained, "Your Highness, compared to disrespecting the decree, they are more afraid of the Prince refusing to accept it."
While serving food, Li Su enlightened Lu Qingwan about Feng Xiwu's various stunts throughout his life to refuse imperial decrees.
Such as shutting the gates tightly and pretending not to be home, or ordering Li Yang and others to intercept the decree midway. In short, anything he didn't want to do, he could always find a way to refuse.
Lu Qingwan gave Feng Xiwu a thumbs-up, full of admiration. "You're truly impressive!"
Feng Xiwu seized the opportunity to act cute. "Now you know how much I've suffered for you, don't you?"
"Tsk, what about the promise of silent sacrifice that moves the world?"
Lu Qingwan smacked her lips with disdain. "Seriously, when can I meet that skilled craftsman?"
"I have temporarily summoned him back to the manor. You can meet him anytime."
Feng Xiwu listened to her still thinking about the craftsman and felt a little helpless, but he arranged it nonetheless.
Instead, Lu Qingwan hesitated. "Now? His Majesty wants us to entertain envoys. Is there still time?"
"There's time."
Feng Xiwu handed her a small bowl of noodles. "Eat your fill first. He's in the manor, he won't run away."
"Oh."
Since he said so, Lu Qingwan didn't stand on ceremony and obediently satisfied her appetite.
After the meal, as the maids were clearing the table, the skilled craftsman arrived. He was a thin, elderly man who looked quite shrewd.
He stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Your subordinate greets the Prince and Princess."
Feng Xiwu nodded. The old man stood up. Lu Qingwan felt a bit awkward. "What should I call you?"
"Your subordinate is humbled. My colleagues in the manor all call me Tie Shou. If the Princess does not mind, please call me Tie Shou as well."
"Alright."
Lu Qingwan had thought Tie Shou was his nickname, but it turned out that was his actual name.
"Regarding the design for Bai Xing Lin, what do you think? Can it be built?"
She intended to make Bai Xing Lin a fully functional comprehensive hospital. The design she provided included a four-story building with an independent water and sewage system.
Lu Qingwan did not doubt Tie Shou's talent, given Feng Xiwu's trust in him. She was only concerned whether he could create some of the more modern facilities.
To her surprise, Tie Shou became excited upon hearing her words. "Yes, it can certainly be built. However, those water pipes... your subordinate will need some time and effort. It might take a bit longer."
"It doesn't matter if it takes longer, as long as it can be built."
Lu Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief. "Take a look at this. Can you make it?"
She handed him the drawing in her hand.
"This is..."
Before Tie Shou could speak, Lu Qingwan interrupted him. "Just tell me if it can be made. As for the design, it's confidential for now."
Tie Shou glanced at Feng Xiwu, who sat silently in his four-wheeled chair. A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, and he understood. "Princess, rest assured, such a good item, your subordinate will definitely be able to make it."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Lu Qingwan raised her eyebrows. "My Prince, shouldn't we be heading out?"
Before Feng Xiwu could speak, Li Qing arrived. "Your Highness, Princess, Marquis Lu has awoken."
Without a word, Lu Qingwan pushed Feng Xiwu towards Wan Ju.
In the somewhat feminine room, Lu Zhenting lay on the couch, extremely agitated. When Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu entered, Lian Yu was helping him stabilize his internal energy.
Lu Qingwan hurried forward to grasp Lu Zhenting's wrist and check his pulse. She found no abnormalities other than emotional agitation. Just to be safe, she asked Lian Yu, "How is he?"
"His internal energy is relatively stable, no major issues." Lian Yu withdrew his hand. "The Princess's acupuncture seems to have had a great effect on Marquis Lu. If Marquis Lu's internal energy is unstable in the future, the Princess can try using yesterday's needle technique to stabilize it. The effect is no less than that of a high-level warrior."
Lu Qingwan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her gaze lowered and met Lu Zhenting's pleading eyes. "Father~"
A concerned "Father" brought tears to Lu Zhenting's eyes.
"A'Wan, your father is useless!" Lu Zhenting closed his eyes, tears streaming from their corners. "As a husband, I couldn't protect your mother. As a father, I couldn't protect you. I'm a disgrace to fatherhood and husbandhood!"
"Loyalty and righteousness are hard to achieve in ancient times." Lu Qingwan comforted him while holding his hand. "Neither my mother's demise nor my ruined reputation is your fault. And Father, I have already avenged my mother."
Lu Qingwan held Lu Zhenting's hand, her voice filled with comfort. "If you truly feel guilty, then get well soon and protect me, protect your son-in-law, alright? I don't need your guilt. I just want my father to be healthy and standing before me, to fight back for me when others bully me!"
"You are right, guilt is useless. I must stand up again, to see your mother off, and to protect you." Lu Zhenting wiped his tears haphazardly. "You did well with the affairs of Marquis Wenchang's manor. If your mother's spirit in heaven knows, she will be proud of you."
Lu Qingwan snorted proudly. "Of course. Don't you see who my father is, and who my husband is? If I were still bullied despite all this, I'd just find a piece of tofu to kill myself!"
"Don't talk nonsense. What's this about dying?" Lu Zhenting chided her. "Your mother's remains have been properly collected, right?"
"They have been interred." Lu Qingwan lowered her head and pursed her lips. "I originally wanted a simple funeral, but His Highness said that at least your mother's friends and family should send her off on her final journey. So, we discussed it and decided to hold the funeral after the Empress Dowager's birthday."
Lu Zhenting looked at Feng Xiwu upon hearing this, his voice filled with gratitude. "Your Highness has taken great pains."
"Father-in-law, you are too kind. This is what this son-in-law should do." His tone was polite yet distant. "My Imperial Brother plans to announce your return during the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration. Will Father-in-law be able to make an appearance?"
When it came to the negotiations between the two countries, Lu Zhenting, as the former frontline commander, was the one who understood the details best. His appearance alone would be the greatest deterrent to Xiliang.
Lu Zhenting also understood this principle and readily agreed. "For the sake of the nation, this Marquis will not shirk his duty."
"No matter how important the matter, your health is paramount." Lu Qingwan pouted. "Since you must appear tomorrow, rest well. If you bleed again, I will report you to my mother's spirit!"
Lu Zhenting was taken aback, then chuckled. "Alright, alright, I'll do as A'Wan says!" His tone was doting, treating Lu Qingwan as a naive young girl who knew nothing.