It was clear that Feng Xi Wu also appreciated such an open attitude.
However, he was, after all, the current Regent. Personal impressions would not change the impact on the overall situation.
Therefore, his first words were, "Princess Fei Feng, why did you attack Nie Ming Yang? Even you don't know?"
Jiang Jin Zhou also appeared helpless, "Before the Princess came to your country, she was a female general. I believe the Regent also knows this.
The Princess herself is a woman, and while she strongly opposes the bullying of women, she has never been so extreme.
Frankly, I was hoping the Regent would investigate and clarify what actually happened!"
While their openness was genuine, the ball was truly passed to Feng Xi Wu.
Feng Xi Wu gazed steadily at Jiang Jin Zhou for a long moment before speaking, "Let's go see Princess Fei Feng."
Having been able to stun Lu Qing Wan at first sight, Xie Shi Luan was naturally not lacking in beauty. Furthermore, as a former female general who had gallantly fought on the battlefield, her demeanor was far beyond that of ordinary women.
Yet, when Lu Qing Wan saw her, she was still taken aback.
Xie Shi Luan was reclining on a chaise lounge by the window, appearing at ease, her eyes cast downwards in silent contemplation, exuding an extreme sense of decadent beauty.
However, as a healer, Lu Qing Wan practically lunged forward and grasped the other woman's wrist.
Xie Shi Luan recoiled almost as Lu Qing Wan reached her, but Lu Qing Wan's grip was exceptionally precise.
At that very moment, Lu Qing Wan sensed Xie Shi Luan tremble violently.
Despite her efforts to suppress it, Lu Qing Wan, holding her hand, could still feel the fear emanating from her.
Turning around, she saw Feng Xi Wu and the others entering.
Recalling Han Guang's words, Lu Qing Wan had a sudden realization. She quickly stood up, walked to Feng Xi Wu, and her voice faltered as she began to speak.
Then, she curtsied and said, "Your Highness, Princess Fei Feng is, after all, a woman. Could you and the esteemed officials wait outside and allow this concubine to speak with Princess Fei Feng?
This concubine guarantees to convey the Princess's words verbatim, without affecting Your Highness's and the officials' judgment."
Feng Xi Wu raised an eyebrow, looking at her. Lu Qing Wan nodded solemnly.
Han Guang also chimed in cooperatively, "His Majesty originally intended for the Consort to entertain the envoys, considering this very matter. In that case, we shall trouble the Consort!"
Minister Jing was more than happy for someone to take the blame. As long as responsibility did not fall on him, he would agree to anything.
Feng Xi Wu patted Lu Qing Wan's hand, "Do what you can, don't force yourself."
Lu Qing Wan stood still, watching Feng Xi Wu turn and lead everyone away. Only then did she turn back to Xie Shi Luan.
"Princess Fei Feng, or perhaps you prefer me to call you General Xie?"
"Feng Xi Wu's consort?"
Xie Shi Luan leaned against the chaise lounge, her eyes lifting as she asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Matters of the court are not for a mere woman like myself to interfere with. I wish to discuss with you, General, why you attacked Nie Ming Yang."
Lu Qing Wan pulled a chair over and sat opposite Xie Shi Luan. "General Xie's name is renowned. On the battlefield, you were as cunning as a fox and as fierce as a tiger.
With your great wisdom, even if you saw Nie Ming Yang molesting a maidservant, a gentle dissuasion would have sufficed. I believe Nie Ming Yang would have given your status some face.
Yet, the General chose the method most disadvantageous to you.
I surmise that it is because you, or someone dear to you, was once humiliated by a man, leaving an indelible scar, which has made you so extreme?"
As soon as Lu Qing Wan finished speaking, Xie Shi Luan's wolf-like gaze fixed upon her.
She asked, almost word by word, "How did you know?"
"That is not important.
I will request His Highness to make a mountain out of a molehill regarding this matter. However, please remember, General, you are a princess from Xi Liang marrying into Da Qian. If trouble arises, both Xi Liang and Da Qian will be in great difficulty."
Lu Qing Wan stood up. "Oh, and your inner energy has not been crippled. It has merely been suppressed by a special medicine.
When you become extremely agitated, all your inner energy will surge forth, reaching its peak destructive power. Simultaneously, your life will enter its countdown.
If this medicine was not taken by your own volition, I hope that before you confirm your marriage partner, you can first confide in my Prince, or perhaps, His Majesty."
"This time, on the grounds of us both being women, I will pretend I discovered nothing.
However, once we leave this room, I am the Regent's consort of Da Qian."
Xie Shi Luan's eyes seemed about to pop out of their sockets. "I-my inner energy is really still there?"
"My Prince said so himself. Do you believe his judgment would be mistaken?"
Xie Shi Luan repeatedly shook her head, and under Lu Qing Wan's leisurely gaze, she covered her mouth and wept tears.
Lu Qing Wan turned to leave. Xie Shi Luan suddenly stood up, her voice hoarse, "Wait."
Lu Qing Wan paused. "Does the General have something else?"
"There are spies of Nie Ming Yang among those escorting your father back to Shangjing. They contact each other through messengers from Wuan Palace. If you don't believe me, you can investigate."
Lu Qing Wan's lips curved slightly. She walked out without a word.
Outside the door, only Li Qing was waiting. Seeing Lu Qing Wan emerge, he quickly bowed.
"Consort, His Highness is meeting with the Third Prince of Northern Wei. He instructed me to take you directly to the main courtyard once you came out."
Following Li Qing to the main courtyard, she found Han Guang, Minister Jing, and Nie Ming Yang all present.
Nie Ming Yang, covering half his face, was arrogantly declaring, "I was injured on the land of Da Qian. In any case, you must give me a reasonable explanation.
Otherwise, I will immediately write a letter to my father, the Emperor, to let him know how your Southern Qian disrespects my Great Wei!"
In this land, apart from Yun Qiang, which clung to its own corner and was forced to show weakness to the other three sides, Northern Wei, Da Qian, and Xi Liang had always been this way.
Da Qian referred to itself as Da Qian and the other two kingdoms as Northern Wei and Xi Liang.
Northern Wei and Xi Liang were the same, calling themselves Great Wei and Great Liang, referring to Da Qian as Southern Qian. None of them bowed to each other.
Upon hearing this, Feng Xi Wu sneered, "Very well, Third Prince should also remember to clearly state in his letter how he impatiently and lustfully harassed a palace servant of my Da Qian.
To the point that even Princess Fei Feng, an outsider, could not bear it and felt compelled to strike you severely."
Nie Ming Yang had already suffered a setback at Feng Xi Wu's hands that morning, and his arrogance was palpable. He was about to retort, but when he saw Lu Qing Wan return, his eyes fixed on her face and he fell silent.
Lu Qing Wan whispered a few words to Feng Xi Wu. Feng Xi Wu's expression changed slightly, and then he took control of the situation.
"Ultimately, Third Prince was not seriously injured. Your matter with Princess Fei Feng can be temporarily set aside.
I have heard that Third Prince has close ties with the renowned Wuan Palace of the Jianghu. I wonder if Third Prince has heard about the matter of my father-in-law being wounded by an ambush in Xijiang?"
Upon hearing of Lu Zhen Ting's injury, Nie Ming Yang first froze, then murmured in a daze, "Wasn't the Regent's father-in-law injured on the battlefield in Xijiang?
At that time, Princess Fei Feng was leading the troops for Xi Liang. Why are you asking me instead of her?"