The former emperor had passed away, and the crown prince would not immediately ascend the throne. Instead, after the former emperor's funeral procession returned, a temporary residence would be set up for the crown prince outside the city, referred to as the "temporary pavilion."
Ministers would perform the five bows and three kowtows to the crown prince outside the city, a ceremony known as the "Consolation Rite." Only after the Consolation Rite was completed would the crown prince be officially recognized as the new emperor, inheriting the great unified throne.
If it were merely this, it would suffice. The new emperor needed the ministers' acknowledgment and would not dare to cause trouble at such a time.
However, the founding ancestors of Daqian had initially established this rule not from the ministers' perspective, but to protect the legitimate succession of the new emperor.
Before his death, the reigning emperor would personally issue an edict of abdication. During the Consolation Rite, after the chosen minister read the abdication edict, the ministers would then perform the five bows and three kowtows to the new emperor.
This ensured that the ministers were obliged to accept the new emperor, compelled by the former emperor's abdication edict. This was the last act the former emperor did for his chosen successor.
Conversely, if someone were to rebel and attempt to usurp the throne, lacking an abdication edict and the acknowledgment of the officials, this regulation also served as a restraint against rebels.
Lu Qingwan, from the bottom of her heart, admired the wisdom and foresight of Daqian's ancestors. What displeased her was that Feng Qingheng was the one to receive the Consolation Rite this time.
This was a situation where all ministers had to kneel. Lu Qingwan strongly suspected Feng Qingheng would use this opportunity to make things difficult for Feng Xiwu.
Once Feng Xiwu angered him, a heavy charge of disrespecting the former emperor would befall him.
Li Su said helplessly, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Over the years, there have been many people in the court who have disliked our Prince. None of them have truly managed to trouble our Prince.
It is you, however, who is being eyed covetously by the Prince and Princess of Chen. Once Prince Chen ascends the throne, how triumphant will Princess Chen be?
If you confront her listlessly, will you not already lose a tenth of your morale?"
"That's true."
Lu Qingwan stood up and swayed towards the bathroom. Li Su followed, intending to continue her persuasive tactics until Lu Qingwan fell asleep.
Suddenly, she remembered something. "Right, Your Highness, you were not at the manor these past few days, so I temporarily did not report matters unrelated to the funeral to the palace.
The night Bai Xinglin attempted an attack, the other party intended to snatch those strange devices.
The opponent had too many people, andying Yi could not protect the devices. Before Wu Ying could intervene, all the devices were smashed.
Although the other party could not take away even a needle, Bai Xinglin now has no equipment to use."
Lu Qingwan's brow twitched. "All smashed, not a single one left?"
Given Bai Xinglin's current scale, there were at least twenty rooms equipped with various modern medical equipment. Even if the equipment were free, Lu Qingwan felt the pang of loss.
Seeing her reaction, Li Su thoughtfully added, "If I say that all the equipment in the special care ward survived, will Your Highness feel a little better?"
"I thank you!"
Lu Qingwan gritted her teeth. "That ward is called a special care ward precisely because it is different from other wards.
I had people reinforce the walls with steel plates. If someone could still break in, Bai Xinglin might as well close down!"
Li Su, seeing Lu Qingwan looking murderous and her hands hurting, felt extremely guilty.
But fearing that Lu Qingwan might lose her temper and kill Ying Yi, she gathered her courage to explain for her companion.
"It was mainly because Xie Shiyu is too peculiar. The brothers were afraid she would truly harm Your Highness with those things, so they dared not give the enemy any opportunity."
Lu Qingwan said tiredly, "Alright, I understand. Bai Xinglin will be rebuilt on the original site, with the same scale as before. Leave space for me to install the equipment..."
Despite her heartache, the profit from spatial transactions was not to be missed. Lu Qingwan, while patting her chest in self-pity, arranged for people to rebuild Bai Xinglin.
After a moment's thought, she said to Li Su, "While rebuilding Bai Xinglin, within the reach of our and His Highness's influence, find a location closest to Daqin and establish another Bai Xinglin hospital.
The same rule applies: the larger the place, the better. Leave space for the equipment. Do not put up a sign for now; I will think of a suitable name later."
Li Su was astute enough to immediately guess Lu Qingwan's intention.
"Your Highness is worried that Prince Chen already knows your identity and may make things difficult for Bai Xinglin in the future, hence you wish to emulate the cunning rabbit with three burrows?"
"If you know, then you know. Therefore, I don't need to remind you about the site selection and construction, do I?"
Li Su quickly agreed, "Your subordinate understands. Your Highness, please rest early. I guarantee that every task you have assigned will be completed."
Lu Qingwan glanced at her sideways. "Are you going to watch me bathe?"
In the capital city, it was common for noble ladies to have attendants while bathing. Given Lu Qingwan's status, having a few maids serve her was not unusual.
The key was that the Regent's manor had never had anyone attend to bathing, and Lu Qingwan herself had not set such a precedent. Saying this now was clearly a jest.
Li Su, her face as red as a beet, turned and retreated. Lu Qingwan chuckled mischievously and sank into her favorite hot spring bath.
While mourning in the palace, the days were long, meals were devoid of meat, and at night, one could only snatch three hours of sleep in a side hall.
Lu Qingwan's mind was preoccupied with court affairs, and she often slept poorly. After eleven days, she was utterly exhausted.
Barely managing to support herself to bathe, she collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
Li Su, afraid of disturbing her, followed from a distance. Seeing that Lu Qingwan had not fallen asleep in the bath as she had before, she breathed a sigh of relief.
After instructing Liangxia and Rendong to guard Lu Qingwan well, she turned to handle the various tasks Lu Qingwan had assigned.
Lu Qingwan had always slept soundly, she simply often lacked the time to sleep.
This time, as soon as her head hit the pillow, she slept as if in a stupor. When she opened her eyes, it was already noon the next day.
Liangxia, seeing her sleep for so long, thought she was ill and was touching her forehead when Lu Qingwan suddenly opened her eyes, startling the young maid.
She withdrew her hand as if stealing, "Your Highness is awake?!"
Her joy was so evident that an uninformed observer would have thought Lu Qingwan had suffered a serious illness!
Lu Qingwan blinked, trying to clear her mind. "What time is it?"
"It's noon."
Liangxia took a few steps back, answering from the side of the bed, "Your Highness slept for so long, this servant thought you were ill, so I came to check."
"Where is Li Su?"
Lu Qingwan had a clear understanding of the roles of those around her. Mancun and the others were initially trained as maids. Even when they were assigned to the shops, they did not handle intelligence or court affairs.
Therefore, when she needed to ask questions, she could only turn to Li Su.
Liangxia and the others had been well-trained by Feng Xiwu and did not add extra words, answering whatever was asked.
"About half an hour ago, Sister Li Su met with someone, and then she rushed out.
Before leaving, she only told this servant that Your Highness must not leave the manor. She did not tell us where she was going."