"Since there's a report, whether I'm innocent or not isn't up to me to decide," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But one thing is very clear: My Unnight Continent is raising all the war orphans left behind in various regions. We have enough food, so there's no need for Yao Yao to divert military provisions.
Moreover, Yao Yao is determined to become the first female general of our dynasty. She wouldn't be so foolish over such a minor matter. I, Shen Tang Zhou, and even Wu Ying, any of us can lend money and grain. Why would she need to divert military provisions? Is the female Zhuge personally cultivated by Elder Minister Chi so foolish?"
Although Lu Qing Wan's words couldn't entirely rule out the possibility of Chi Yao Yao making a mistake out of confusion, Elder Minister Chi's heart finally settled. They actually didn't approve of Chi Yao Yao joining the army. However, after the ordeal she went through, since Chi Yao Yao had finally made up her mind to do something, they couldn't bear to say a word of discouragement, for fear that any misspoken word might push her back into the abyss she had barely climbed out of. They thought that letting her do what she liked would help her escape the entanglements of romance, only to be suddenly drawn into the more dangerous machinations of the court. Elder Minister Chi's old heart had been severely stimulated. Hearing Lu Qing Wan's words brought him some solace.
The matter was then discussed in depth. Lian Yu habitually proposed a conspiracy theory, "If only Lu Qian Huang or Miss Chi were in trouble this time, we could understand it as their own missteps. But with both of them having problems simultaneously, and at the very juncture when the Princess Consort is reopening the Lu Manor, isn't it too much of a coincidence?"
Lu Qing Wan quickly added, "There are two possibilities. First, Yao Yao has a deep-seated enmity with the Prefect of Gu Zhou. Upon discovering that Yao Yao was aiding those war orphans, the Prefect of Gu Zhou, making a hasty assumption, believed she had misused military provisions and reported it to the Ministry of War, intending to strike at Yao Yao. As for Lu Qian Huang, she might have accidentally learned something she shouldn't have, and thus, someone wants to use this Princess Consort's hand to eliminate Lu Qian Huang, or at least force her out of the Vermillion Bird Camp."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Si Feng Wu naturally chimed in, "And the second possibility?"
"The second possibility is that someone doesn't want me, the soon-to-be Empress, to establish a firm footing in the court." Lu Qing Wan's words carried a touch of sarcasm. "Originally, court officials were quite displeased with women entering officialdom. Lu Qian Huang and Yao Yao are specimens of women entering officialdom in our dynasty. Both were recommended by me. If something happens to them, it's not a direct slap in my face? If their affairs escalate, wouldn't the path for women to enter officialdom be cut off? Naturally, I, as the soon-to-be Empress, could at most only remain in the inner chambers and no longer have the right to interfere in court affairs. If their ambitions were even greater, they might not spare me as Empress either. Do you agree, esteemed officials?"
The truth of the matter was indeed debatable, but it had to be admitted that what Lu Qing Wan said was the most plausible. However, "If this is truly the case, then this matter might not be entirely the work of outsiders." Elder Minister Wen pondered for a long time and said with great sorrow, "Although the Vermillion Bird Camp was newly established after military reforms, most of its principal officials are still old members of the Black Armored Army. To be able to conceal it from Lu Qian Huang, imitate her handwriting, and write a letter to the Princess Consort, and then entrust an old general of the Black Armored Army to deliver the letter to the Princess Consort in Lu Qian Huang's name. It's hard to say how many hands this letter passed through in between." He sighed, "As for the Prefect of Gu Zhou, Lin Qing Shan, I also have some impression of him. Although that man is a bit stubborn and pedantic, he would never let personal matters interfere with public duty. Furthermore, Lin Qing Shan is a disciple of Elder Minister Chi, so in principle, he shouldn't make things difficult for Elder Minister Chi's beloved daughter. Since the incident has occurred, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. However, I still suggest that the Prince and Princess Consort send people to investigate whether the memorial accusing Chi Yao Yao of misusing military provisions was indeed written by Lin Qing Shan."
Elder Minister Wen's words were tactful, but everyone present understood. He was implying that not only was the letter Lu Qian Huang wrote to Lu Qing Wan forged, but even the memorial by the Prefect of Gu Zhou, Lin Qing Shan, accusing Chi Yao Yao, was written by someone impersonating Lin Qing Shan. Strangely, when Elder Minister Wen uttered such a shocking matter, no one seemed surprised, as if it were all as it should be. Si Feng Wu even said very naturally, "All matters in the court have been settled. I will trouble the two elder ministers with this matter. Once the truth is ascertained, you two may handle it as you see fit. I will lead the Princess Consort away from the capital tomorrow. When we return, it will be the day Tian Feng is founded."
Yes, after repeated discussions in the court, the national title of the new dynasty was finally decided as "Tian Feng." This was not only because the foundation for Si Feng Wu's current position was laid when he was Feng Xi Wu, but also to express gratitude for Emperor Jing You's nurturing grace. Si Feng Wu was willing, and old ministers of Da Qian like Elder Minister Wen were also happy to see that the national title of the new dynasty still retained a trace of Da Qian.
The national title was thus decided. Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan's departure from the new dynasty was not concealed from Elder Ministers Wen and Chi. After all, their trip would not be a matter of a few days, and who knew how long it would take. If sufficient authority were not left to the two elder ministers, the court would likely descend into chaos. Elder Minister Chi shook his head and gave a wry smile, "You two truly trust us! Entrusting the entire nation to us two old fellows. Speaking of which, the Wen family is a century-old lineage, and the Chi family is not without its foundations. Aren't you two afraid we will usurp the throne?" Elder Minister Wen also looked at them with amusement, "Elder Minister Chi speaks the truth. Having been greatly wronged before, how can you still delegate power so freely?" While serving other emperors, the two had suffered greatly from the emperor's paranoia, always sighing about the emperor's suspicion whenever encountering matters. Yet, when faced with such hands-off rulers like Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan, the two elder ministers wished Si Feng Wu would be more suspicious. To casually hand over the entire kingdom to them, these two old men, this heavy trust was truly unbearable! Lu Qing Wan chuckled slyly, "Isn't it because we trust in the personal charm of the two elder ministers? If it really doesn't work out, the two elder ministers can support another wise ruler, and my prince and I can just be idle rich, eating and drinking without a care!" Her words were a bit forced, but Lian Yu mercilessly exposed her pretense. He said, "This is probably your true wish, isn't it? Wake up, it's not dark yet, stop dreaming! Given Tian Feng's situation, those who dare to seize the throne are not people you would dare to offend. Those suitable to be emperor already have their own kingdoms to inherit. This hot potato, you should hold onto it yourselves, don't think about passing it to others, it's impossible!" If anyone understood Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan the best, it had to be Lian Yu. He actually knew very well that Si Feng Wu only wanted to be a dashing prince who expanded territories, the kind who only caused trouble and didn't clean it up.