Lu Qingwan said one thing but thought another, dismissing the idea as impossible.
But in reality, after she finished speaking, Xue Hongyi merely said, "Don't say that. They have their reasons."
"So what?
Their reasons are their reasons, but my reasons aren't?"
Even though Lu Qingwan already knew that Xue Hongyi was a fervent supporter of Liu Hanyan, she was still somewhat disappointed.
"I don't know what reasons they could have for not appearing when my life was repeatedly threatened, only to casually say they believed I could handle it.
But I do know that as an orphan, becoming the Empress of a newly established dynasty would invite so much covetousness.
Without the support of a powerful maternal family, the position of Empress would not be an honor for me, but a deadly poison.
That is why the Prince rushed to reopen the Lu Manor for me before his ascension, and why Lian Yu was willing to abandon his own surname to become sworn brothers with me.
Everyone was trying to protect me, yet you are asking me to push away the genuine affection presented to me by them, all to avoid hurting your precious senior sister's feelings."
Despite Lu Qingwan's efforts to control her emotions, as she spoke, she couldn't help but become agitated.
"They don't know when they will return, and they have never protected me in the slightest, yet they have put me in constant danger.
Xue Hongyi, you may have a screw loose, but that doesn't mean I'm as foolish as you are.
If you want to be a saint, no one will stop you, but don't try to guilt-trip me here.
My moral debt to them was long ago exhausted by their repeated failures to save me. The door is there, now get out!"
Si Fengwu gently rubbed Lu Qingwan's back, his gaze towards Xue Hongyi devoid of any emotion.
"Leave here immediately, or this Prince will not hesitate to mobilize the Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Palace, and also the Demonic Cult."
Xue Hongyi instantly became enraged, "Mobilize the Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Palace? How dare you!"
He showed no reaction when it was said he would mobilize his own Demonic Cult.
But when it was mentioned he would mobilize the Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Palace, he became as agitated as a ruffled rooster.
Lu Qingwan suddenly found it strange, "Why are you so agitated?
What do the Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Palace have to do with you?"
Xue Hongyi, however, suddenly choked as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat, unable to articulate anything.
But with his demeanor, who couldn't see that he had something to hide?
Lu Qingwan, though unwilling to accept it, still voiced the guess that both she and Si Fengwu wished to deny.
"Could it be that Liu Hanyan, that man, and even Crown Prince Chengan and his wife have close ties to the Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Palace?"
Xue Hongyi's eyelids quivered slightly, but he remained silent.
Lu Qingwan now lacked even the energy to be angry. "You can say nothing.
I might as well tell you directly: a month ago, I already sent people to determine the exact location of that island.
You are aware of the means at my disposal and Si Fengwu's. Once we confirm its location, I will subject that island to a comprehensive artillery bombardment.
Simultaneously, the New Dynasty, Great Qin, Southern Qi, and Turkic Khanate will conduct a complete crackdown on all strongholds of the Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Palace.
If your precious senior sister gets hurt then, don't blame me for not warning you in advance."
Xue Hongyi's expression changed drastically, and he finally deigned to speak. "Lu Qingwan, I've told you they have their reasons.
They are your birth parents. And Si Fengwu—if it weren't for protecting you, Crown Prince Chengan and his consort would not have ended up in such a place.
You are unfilial yourself, and you want to drag him down with you to be an unfilial son?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Si Fengwu raised his hand and slapped Xue Hongyi across the face.
He was so stunned that stars danced before his eyes, and his hair bun was even disheveled.
"This Prince has wanted to strike you on A'wan's behalf for a long time.
Don't forget, it was your Reincarnation Hall that forced her to become this Saintess out of fear of losing your lineage, not because she sought it.
The Reincarnation Hall has helped us a lot over the years, but what A'wan has done for you is enough to repay that meager kindness.
You still dare to lecture us on filial piety? Do you not know how grave a crime it is for the reigning Empress to be branded as unfilial?"
Si Fengwu, breathing heavily with anger, suddenly flicked a silver needle, puncturing Xue Hongyi's neck.
Xue Hongyi felt a sharp pain in his neck and instinctively reached to touch it, only to find he couldn't lift his arm.
He quickly demanded, "Si Fengwu, what do you intend to do to this Cult Master?"
Si Fengwu ignored him and directly instructed Duan Yue, who was standing by, "Hand him over to Liu Xunran.
Tell Liu Xunran exactly what he did and said to the Princess Consort.
Tell Liu Xunran that he can dote on and indulge his precious daughter, and let this fool out to disrupt this Prince's and the Princess Consort's affairs.
Before this Prince's matters are completely resolved, if I see him anywhere outside the Reincarnation Hall, I will exhaust my lifelong efforts to silence him forever."
Although the Twelve Moons had long since recognized Lu Qingwan as their mistress, they were originally from the Reincarnation Hall.
Xue Hongyi's shameless behavior was quite exasperating to them.
Upon hearing Si Fengwu's words, they didn't hesitate in the slightest.
"Your subordinates obey the Prince's arrangements.
However, he is a disciple of the Demonic Cult and possesses considerable cultivation. May the Prince send brethren from the Wufeng Hall to assist us?"
Earlier, the Twelve Moons had only referred to themselves as subordinates when addressing Lu Qinwu and as "this humble one" to Si Fengwu.
It was unclear when this form of address had changed.
Neither party paid attention to such minor details, and Si Fengwu directly turned to Lu Qingwan. "Do you have any medicine that can make him behave?"
The latter directly produced a silk pouch and handed it to Duan Yue. "Give him one pill from the red bottle every three days. When he reaches the Reincarnation Hall, he doesn't need to take an antidote specifically; the effect will wear off automatically with time.
If there are any urgent situations along the way, administer the medicine from the green bottle, which can quickly negate the drug's effect."
The latter solemnly took the medicine, and Si Fengwu continued, "This Prince has ordered Wufeng and Shen Zhou to keep an eye on the route. If anyone attempts to snatch him, there will be people to help.
Now, depart immediately, do not delay for a moment."
Duan Yue responded, turned, grabbed Xue Hongyi's chin, and forced the pill into his mouth.
Xue Hongyi still wouldn't give up. "Lu Qingwan, you can't do this!
She is your mother, you will regret this.
She is doing all this for you; this is ingratitude..."
Xue Hongyi roared hoarsely, desperately afraid that Lu Qingwan would do something that would hurt Liu Hanyan.
Duan Yue, extremely annoyed, pulled out the silver needle from his neck, covered his mouth, and dragged him away.
As soon as they exited the Kunning Palace, sounds of fighting could be heard.
Lu Qingwan's face darkened. "He's not content with going mad in the palace alone, he's brought people here too.
Does he really think we're soft targets, that he can come and go as he pleases?
Wufeng, put aside other matters for now. Break the legs of those few outside and throw them out.
Let Xue Hongyi watch, let him see the consequences of making unreasonable demands from me."