Lu Qingwan left in a hurry, but Feng Xiwu did not stay put to nurse his wounds as she had instructed.
The moment Lu Qingwan stepped out the door, he summoned Li Su. "Go and investigate Lord Yong'an. If you find any communication between him and Consort Dowager Wen, immediately intercept all correspondence. If they continue to attempt contact or send servants with letters, detain Lord Yong'an. No one is to see him before the Princess Consort returns."
Li Su took the order but did not leave immediately. He bowed and said, "My Lord, some undesirable individuals have approached the Princess Consort. May I ask for your instructions?"
To be cautious, he did not speak the names directly but dipped his fingertip in water and wrote them on the table.
Feng Xiwu's face darkened as he saw the names. "Does the Princess Consort know their identities?"
Li Su shook his head. "They did give their full names, but as you know, my Lord, you personally taught the Princess Consort the genealogy of noble families. She is even less aware of the secret histories of royal families from various countries. However, from what my subordinate knows, Nie Wuming's nephew is in poor health. He sought out the Princess Consort, likely because he was impressed by her medical skills. Furthermore, when Prince Chen attempted to harm His Majesty and frame the Princess Consort, Nie Wuming even mobilized forces within the palace to protect her. It was only because my Lord returned in time that his men were prevented from acting. Based on this, my subordinate believes Nie Wuming poses no immediate threat to the Princess Consort."
Li Su's words did not reassure Feng Xiwu. His brow furrowed deeply. "Nie Wuming and his brothers are like fire and water. Where did he get a nephew?"
Seeing that he was about to strike someone, Li Su quickly explained, "My subordinate investigated. Nie Wuming initially claimed she was his wife, then later said she was someone related to his sister. She is likely Cheng Nan Shu, the granddaughter of Cheng Xiao Ru, former Prime Minister of Northern Wei. Nie Wuming joined the Wu An Palace with Cheng Nan Liu, Cheng Xiao Ru's eldest grandson, but left Cheng Nan Shu in the common folk. However, as Nie Wuming's influence has grown over the years, the Palace Master of Wu An has found it increasingly difficult to control him. I fear the Palace Master has developed inappropriate feelings towards Cheng Nan Shu. This is why Nie Wuming has gone to great lengths to send her to Bai Xing Lin, seeking protection from you and the Princess Consort for her and her child."
Feng Xiwu's expression cleared. "No wonder people from Wu An Palace were trying to kill me one moment and save me the next on my way back. I thought there was an internal conflict within Wu An Palace. So, the Princess Consort unintentionally saved my life again?"
Li Su smiled slightly. "Otherwise, the men below would not all say that the Princess Consort is your lucky star! As for the matter of Wu An Palace, it's one thing, but sending twelve people from the Samsara Hall solely to ensure your safe return to the capital is an honor that you, my Lord, are likely the first to receive in nearly a hundred years."
Feng Xiwu disliked flattery from those around him, but if it was about Lu Qingwan and how much she loved him, like Li Su's words, he could listen to it endlessly. He suppressed a smile and asked, "What about Hu Yan Che? What's his deal?"
Li Su immediately retracted his praise and said seriously, "This is the person I need to report to you about. He has not had much interaction with the Princess Consort. The few times they have met, she has always assisted him. Perhaps because of this, during his recovery at Bai Xing Lin, he has been constantly inquiring about the Princess Consort. From whom she learned medicine to your private affairs with the Princess Consort, he wants to know everything. My subordinate still cannot figure out his intentions, so I had Doctor Xiao Meng use his injuries as an excuse to keep him at Bai Xing Lin for further observation. However, as of now, we have found nothing."
Feng Xiwu narrowed his long, slender eyes. "If there's action, there must be a purpose. Continue to observe him closely." He then paused, as if remembering something. "Has the Princess Consort been informed of these matters?"
Li Su subconsciously shook his head. "Although I have been investigating Nie Wuming and Hu Yan Che, it is because they appeared by the Princess Consort's side that I began my investigation. I was worried that the Princess Consort would be displeased if she knew I was investigating people around her..."
"If you knew she might be displeased, you should have reported to her before investigating. The Princess Consort is never unreasonable. She can distinguish between your good intentions and malicious ones. Furthermore, whether it is Nie Wuming or Hu Yan Che, since they have gone to great lengths to approach the Princess Consort, regardless of their motives, these matters are related to her. She has the right to know."
Li Su immediately knelt. "This subordinate acknowledges his mistake and begs for punishment, my Lord."
"Go and receive thirty military strokes yourself. Additionally, compile all the information you have secretly gathered about the Princess Consort into written reports. I will deliver them to her for you. This is a one-time occurrence; it will not happen again."
Li Su quickly knelt and expressed his gratitude. "Yes, my Lord!" Thirty military strokes were nothing compared to the punishments Li Yang often received.
Meanwhile, Lu Qingwan, accompanied by Li Qing and Ying Yi, left the prince's mansion. Only then did she belatedly realize, "Where are we supposed to go to see Consort Dowager Wen now?"
Emperor Jing You had stripped Consort Dowager Wen of her title and demoted her to commoner status, sending her to guard the imperial mausoleum. But who knew if the Shen Ce Camp had already departed? Were they to chase after her on the road?
Li Qing chuckled at her words. "Princess Consort, you need not worry. The Shen Ce Camp, when escorting prisoners, will surely make them confess everything they should before escorting them to the designated location. We only need to go to the Shen Ce Camp prison. Consort Dowager Wen should be there."
Lu Qingwan felt extremely embarrassed. "Fortunately, you are here. Otherwise, I might have arrived at the imperial mausoleum before Consort Dowager Wen today. I must say, having someone familiar with the environment and rules of engagement by your side makes things much easier!"
Without further delays, they boarded the carriage and headed straight for the Shen Ce Camp prison. Tang Xiao happened to be there and, upon seeing Lu Qingwan, quickly stepped forward. "Princess Consort, why have you come?"
"Where is Consort Dowager Wen, no, Wen Ya Yi? I have a few words I wish to ask her."
"Wen Ya Yi?" Tang Xiao was stunned. "She has gone to the imperial mausoleum. She should be arriving soon! His Majesty demoted her to commoner status and sent her to guard the imperial mausoleum. Did you not know this, Princess Consort?"
Li Qing's expression changed drastically, and he quickly looked at Lu Qingwan. However, he saw her face remained impassive. "I understand." Having said that, she turned and left without a hint of hesitation.
Li Qing hurried to follow. After Tang Xiao said, "Farewell, Princess Consort," Lu Qingwan had already exited the Shen Ce Camp prison. Upon leaving the building, she hurriedly jumped into the carriage. "Quickly, to the South Manor annex."
Ying Yi quickly turned the carriage around, only to see a group of people dressed in an ethereal manner approaching on horseback. The leader held a whisk, exuding the air of an otherworldly master. Li Qing, with his sharp eyes, saw the approaching figures and jumped onto the carriage shaft to report to Lu Qingwan in a low voice, "Princess Consort, it seems the people from the Tian Xuan Sect have arrived."
"They are likely here to demand the person, but it won't be easy for them to snatch someone from the Shen Ce Camp prison. Don't mind them. Let's go to the South Manor annex first."
"Yes, Princess Consort!" Ying Yi replied, flicking the whip on the horse's hindquarters. The carriage rumbled and began to move. However, before it could go far, they saw Li Su approaching on horseback from the distance.
Before Lu Qingwan could ask, Li Su spoke, "Reporting to Princess Consort, the South Manor annex caught fire. All of Consort Dowager Wen's servants perished in the blaze. Furthermore, Lord Yong'an died of sudden death an hour ago. The Yong'an Marquisate has just issued an obituary."