For many years working as an undercover agent, Lu Qingwan's most formidable abilities were not her medical skills, combat, or marksmanship, but her capacity to manage her negative emotions.
No matter how sorrowful or infuriating the experience, she could, in the next moment, appear before those she loathed most with a placid expression, engaging in lively conversation and hearty eating.
It was the same now. When Li Su mentioned it, she nodded, "Go and prepare."
The meal was soon prepared, but accompanying it was Xue Hongyi, clad in red.
February in Shangjing had yet to warm up, but he still fanned himself cheerfully, saying, "Others only visit when they have something to ask, but you're asking for a favor and have me, the leader of this cult, come to see you?
Speak up, what do you need this cult leader's help with now!"
Lu Qingwan sat calmly at the dining table, looking at the man whose flamboyant attire was beyond compare, with a hint of helplessness.
"I asked Duan Yue to contact someone influential in the Reincarnation Hall, and I expected to see a new face. How come it's you again?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Hongyi snapped his folding fan shut.
He sat down unceremoniously at the dining table and said with a touch of pique, "What a thing to say, do you find my status not high enough?
The seven great disciples of the Reincarnation Hall, no matter which sect or country they go to, are honored guests who can sit as equals with the lord, right?
You still find my status insufficient, not worthy of seeing me?"
He seemed immensely proud of his status as one of the seven great disciples of the Reincarnation Hall. While his tone sounded exaggerated, Lu Qingwan could tell that Xue Hongyi was genuinely a little displeased.
She calmly took out Lu Zhenting's suicide note and said with a solemn expression, "It's not that I find your status low, it's just that this matter is beyond your authority."
"I'd like to see what this matter is that I, the Cult Leader Hongyi, cannot decide..."
As Xue Hongyi spoke, he opened the envelope and, with an exaggerated gesture, held the letter high to read. The moment he looked, he was dumbfounded.
"No, what does this mean?
What do you mean the deceased was his wife, but not your mother?"
In reality, Xue Hongyi understood, he just couldn't believe it.
The Reincarnation Hall had already accepted the news of Liu Hanyan's death, but now, they received word that she might still be alive.
If this news were to reach the Reincarnation Hall, it would surely stir up a new wave of unease.
"My father's last letter to me should not be false."
Lu Qingwan ate calmly, and even while picking up food, she reminded Xue Hongyi.
"I think you can try to investigate first, at least confirm she's alive before telling that old man.
More than ten years have passed, no one knows if she's still alive. If by some unfortunate turn of events she died in a foreign land, the old man will be disappointed again."
The plate in front of her suddenly moved. Lu Qingwan looked up indifferently and met Xue Hongyi's angry gaze.
"She is your biological mother, and you are so indifferent to whether she lives or dies?"
Because Lu Qingwan was the Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall, the daughter of their most respected Senior Sister, he had from the beginning treated her with the leniency and affection of an elder towards a junior.
Even when Lu Qingwan occasionally spoke disrespectfully of Liu Xunran, he had never shown his displeasure. This time, however, his face displayed unmistakable anger.
Lu Qingwan unceremoniously snatched her food back, picking up dishes as she spoke, "I don't know her, a complete stranger, yet I'm supposed to care about her life and death. Who will care about my father's life and death?
He could have lived a glorious life as Marquis Zhaolie, and now he is a high-ranking official of the first rank.
Because of me, he incurred the wrath of the new Emperor, contracted a mad dog disease, and became a laughingstock.
That's why he would rather die than let me save him. He died..."
Lu Qingwan, in her extreme anger, swept all the cups, plates, and bowls on the table to the ground. The scalding hot broth splashed onto her hands, forming a chain of blisters at a visible rate.
Li Su and Xue Hongyi were startled. "Princess Consort!"
Li Su rushed over with cold water to rinse her hands.
Lu Qingwan did not struggle, allowing Li Su to tend to her.
Xue Hongyi frowned, watching. "What are you doing?
I am also very sorry about your father's sacrifice, but it wasn't the Senior Sister's fault. Did you call me here just to vent your anger on me?"
Lu Qingwan glared at him with red-rimmed eyes, hesitated for a moment, and swallowed the words she had intended to say.
"I just wanted to tell you that the Saintess you all dearly miss might still be alive. You can leave now."
Xue Hongyi looked at her, her eyes clearly red but stubbornly refusing to let tears fall. For some reason, he felt that Lu Qingwan had not sought him out merely to tell him that Liu Hanyan might be alive.
He pursed his lips and volunteered, "I've heard about your father and Feng Xiwu's situation in the northwest. If you need any help, just say the word. I..."
"No need, you can leave."
Lu Qingwan interrupted him without hesitation, even issuing a polite dismissal.
Xue Hongyi, as Liu Xunran's youngest disciple, had always been a figure of admiration in the martial world. This was the first time he had offered help and been refused.
He couldn't bring himself to linger, his handsome face darkened, and he promptly left the Prince's manor.
Lu Qingwan leaned back in her chair, tilting her head to look at the ceiling. "Is the portrait you asked for ready?"
Li Su was carefully treating Lu Qingwan's blistered hands.
Hearing the question, she did not stop her movements and calmly replied, "It's ready. Ying Yi is showing the portraits of several generals to Xia Qiong and Su Su for them to recognize. The golden eagle is intelligent and has likely finished recognizing them by now."
Lu Qingwan paused, "Su Su?
Is that the name you gave your golden eagle?"
"Ah, don't you call Shen Tangzhou's golden eagle Zhou Zhou? The subordinates simply followed suit and learned from you."
Li Su looked at Lu Qingwan's piteous hands and grinned. "The Prince of Nan sent a message just now. The Ministry of War's transfer order has been dispatched.
Seeing that the Princess Consort had not yet returned, I took the liberty of sending a team of hidden guards to follow, to ensure the order reached General Shen as quickly as possible."
"Shen Da, General Shen?"
"Yes."
Li Su beckoned a servant to clean up the mess on the floor, while explaining, "General Shen is the father of Shen Tangzhou and Shen Qingzhou.
Among the Xuanjia Army not yet besieged, he holds the highest rank and is most trusted by the Prince.
Furthermore, Shen Qingzhou is also in the snow mountains of the northwest. General Shen must be extremely anxious. If he receives the order, he will undoubtedly provide support to the Prince with the utmost speed."
The Xuanjia Army was loyal to Feng Xiwu, but their loyalty manifested in different ways.
Lu Qingwan currently needed someone who could rescue Feng Xiwu and the Xuanjia Army. Li Su's arrangement was most appropriate.
She looked at her hands, which were scalded like pig trotters, and walked towards the desk. Li Su said anxiously, "What are you looking for, Your Highness? Let me get it for you, your hands..."