The twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Little New Year.
Lu Qingwan slept soundly through the night. After getting up and washing, as Manchun was helping her with her makeup, Feng Xiwu spoke from beside her, "Imperial Brother has summoned you and me to the palace. Wear something thick, don't catch a cold."
Manchun, understanding his intention, changed Lu Qingwan's attire for going out.
A bright red jacket and skirt with phoenixes and peonies, paired with an orchid-colored horse-face skirt embroidered with plum blossoms and winding branches. Over it, she wore a pure white fox fur cloak.
To facilitate wearing the cloak's hood, her hair was also styled into a neat flat bun.
From behind, she looked like a snowball.
"It's cold, don't let your hands out. I'll support you," Feng Xiwu said, extending his long arm and wrapping it around Lu Qingwan's waist, almost holding her entirely in his embrace.
As they walked, it stirred envy among the maids in the mansion, who forgot to watch their steps.
They tumbled down, one after another, and were consequently punished by Li Qing, who was temporarily in charge of the household.
Summoned by Emperor Jingyou, the two rode in the Regent's carriage, a spacious vehicle drawn by two horses.
Lu Qingwan, finally regaining her freedom, was about to move aside when Feng Xiwu again leaned closer.
Before Lu Qingwan could shift her seat, two memorials were placed on the small table in front of her.
"One is Wen Yayyi's confession, and the other is from Li Su to you. Shall we read them before entering the palace?"
"From Li Su?"
Lu Qingwan picked up Li Su's memorial and waved it in front of Feng Xiwu. "You can tell me the highlights of Wen Yayyi's confession. I'll read this one."
Feng Xiwu was more than happy to oblige.
He happily became Lu Qingwan's exclusive announcer, "Let's not mention past events for now. After I left the capital, Wen Yayyi tested you repeatedly, inquiring about my whereabouts. It was indeed at Feng Qingheng's instigation.
The reason is very simple: she, like everyone else, believed Feng Xiwu was the most likely candidate for crown prince.
Feng Qingheng had also promised her that if she helped him, he would make Wen Ruge empress after ascending the throne and bring her back to the palace, honoring her as a noble consort dowager."
Lu Qingwan still held the memorial from Li Su, but her eyes were already fixed on Feng Xiwu.
"During the selection of consorts, she wanted me to recommend Wen Ruge as the Princess of Jing. Now she's set her sights on Feng Qingheng. Even a reed is not as flexible as she is.
But it's understandable. After all, everything she does is to gain a high position, right?
What about the moldy rice case? Did he say anything?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Qingwan saw Feng Xiwu's expression turn somewhat grim.
She keenly observed, "What's wrong? Is the outcome of the moldy rice case unfavorable to us?"
Feng Xiwu, with a darkened face and displeased tone, said, "Do you remember, when the military grain substitution occurred, was Prince Jing not yet implicated by Jiang Dingkun? Did he still have the right to compete for the position of crown prince with Feng Qingheng?"
"Of course, I remember. Let me think, it was probably not long after the news of the military grain substitution reached the capital that Jiang Dingkun stormed into Bai Xinglin...
No, are you saying this because the military grain substitution incident is now related to Prince Jing?"
Feng Xiwu sighed, "This time, it's not an unfounded connection.
As you know, Prince Jing's birth mother, Noble Consort Jiang, was originally a palace maid. He has no maternal clan support, and his faction, including the Duke of Pei and Duke of Xu, are mostly opportunists.
With Prince Chen having Imperial Tutor Chen for civil affairs and Su Bojun for military affairs, and after Prince Ning's incident, his competition with Feng Qingheng became increasingly fierce. Prince Jing grew anxious.
Coincidentally, there was a war in the northern frontier, and he set his sights on the military provisions."
Lu Qingwan became even more confused after Feng Xiwu's explanation. "Is Prince Jing muddle-headed? He has no soldiers. What use is so much military grain to him?
If he truly intended to seize the throne by force, could he conjure soldiers from beans and have those provisions fight the soldiers under Feng Qingheng's command?"
Feng Xiwu was amused by her vivid analogy. "Don't overthink it. We are discussing state affairs, not listening to fairy tales.
Conjuring soldiers from beans is impossible, but military grain can be exchanged for soldiers!"
Lu Qingwan's wide, innocent eyes revealed great confusion. "Su Bojun of the Northwest is Feng Qingheng's man. The Xuanjia Army on the northern frontier is all yours.
The Governor of Liaodong, Pan Fuxiang, has more gold mines than farmland in his jurisdiction..."
Lu Qingwan's words trailed off. "Don't tell me Prince Jing wants to use military grain to bribe Pan Fuxiang? The land of Liaodong is richer than the state.
Although Pan Fuxiang is a nouveau riche, he has managed to hold the position of a powerful regional official, so he should be a smart nouveau riche.
He shouldn't be bribed with a million shi of military grain, should he?"
She analyzed with little confidence: "But as far as I know, the Governor of the Southern Territory is the eldest son of Prime Minister Wen, and he inherits his father's temperament, devoted to the sovereign and country, so it's absolutely impossible for him to be bribed.
So, who is Prince Jing trying to bribe with a million shi of grain?
It couldn't be the King of Nan, could it?
As the Minister of War, he oversees the capital's garrison. Although he has soldiers, wouldn't such a risky transaction under the eyes of His Majesty and you be too audacious?"
Feng Xiwu listened to her earnestly analyze the governors of the four regions, not even sparing the King of Nan, finding it both amusing and endearing.
"Then do you still remember Pan Meixian, whom you ruthlessly eliminated in the selection ceremony?"
Lu Qingwan thought for a moment and recalled, "The one who wore phoenixes and peonies all over, practically screaming 'I'm rich' as she went to the selection?"
Feng Xiwu chuckled, "She is Pan Fuxiang's cherished daughter. The Pan family has had only male heirs for six generations, and she is the only daughter. Almost the entire clan dotes on her.
Pan Fuxiang would do anything for her.
He once declared that his daughter would surely be the most distinguished woman in the world."
Lu Qingwan, being very intelligent, immediately understood Feng Xiwu's implied meaning.
"So, Prince Jing doesn't need that million shi of military grain to bribe Pan Fuxiang? As long as he grants his daughter supreme status, Pan Fuxiang might be willing to risk his life for Prince Jing?"
After saying this, she shook her head repeatedly. "No, that's not right. Isn't Prince Jing planning to take Chu Yunshan as his Princess?
The Duke of Pei's mansion is not to be trifled with either. If he promises the position of empress to that Pan Meixian, would the Duke of Pei's mansion agree?"
"That's why the Duke of Pei sided with Prince Chen yesterday?"
Lu Qingwan's mouth opened slightly, feeling that something was off.
"If you hadn't returned yesterday, wouldn't the Duke of Pei and his son be considered meritorious officials for their contributions to the dragon's ascent?"
Feng Xiwu just smiled without speaking. Lu Qingwan was speechless. It was fortunate she hadn't impulsively tried to win over Prince Jing; this pig teammate was truly impossible to lead!
A sharp voice from an attendant outside the carriage called out, "The roads are slippery due to the snow. His Majesty has specially granted permission for the Regent and the Princess's carriage to proceed to Weiyang Palace."
The carriage did not stop and entered the palace directly. Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu fell silent in tacit understanding.
The magnificent carriage seemed particularly out of place in the quiet imperial city. Upon seeing the plaque bearing the word "Regent," people, however, were accustomed to it.