Lu Qingwan teased her deliberately, "I know, His Majesty has said that all noble ladies in the capital city, aged fifteen and above and unmarried, must participate in the imperial concubine selection. But if you didn't want to, you could have acted carelessly from the start, to have me eliminate you. Why go to such lengths to showcase yourself, only to think of being eliminated at this stage?"
"How can that be the same?" Chi Yaoyao grumbled, "I am, after all, the granddaughter of the Grand Scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, and I was personally tutored by my grandfather. If I were eliminated right away, wouldn't it be too shameful for my Chi family?" Fearing Lu Qingwan wouldn't accept this reason, she muttered, "Don't you believe me? Actually, not everyone among the remaining candidates wants to be a consort. Most of them are vying to showcase themselves for the honor of their families and their own reputation, but they also hold back somewhat. Only those aiming for the position of consort will do their utmost to impress you. If you don't believe me, look closely, you'll definitely be able to tell." The young girl was desperately afraid of becoming a consort and losing her freedom.
Lu Qingwan, having had enough of the fun of teasing a puppy, finally said with a smile, "Alright, I know you don't want to be a consort, and I won't force you. But don't be too obvious. Tomorrow, whatever they ask you to do, just perform normally. I will grant your wish."
"Really?" The young girl's eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Qingwan, "Will it not cause any trouble?"
Lu Qingwan looked at her playfully, "Isn't it a bit late to ask that question now?"
"The Regent's Consort has eyes and ears everywhere; how could she be troubled? It is I, this humble woman, who underestimated the Consort's abilities. I know my mistake!" The young girl performed a humorous bow to Lu Qingwan and then dashed away.
Lu Qingwan shook her head and smiled, "Bring me the list of the remaining selected ladies." Li Su presented the roster, a list of selected ladies, detailing their identities, family backgrounds, and cultivated talents. Lu Qingwan tapped on a few names and then whispered a few words to Li Su. The latter raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Consort, if this were to reach His Majesty's ears, would it not incur his displeasure towards you?"
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow, "Did I say that they were the predetermined candidates for the consort position?" Li Su shook her head. Lu Qingwan winked, "Then aren't you going to carry it out?" Li Su nodded in a daze and departed.
The next day, which was supposed to be the third day of the selection, Lu Qingwan, as the main person in charge of the selection, claimed to be ill and did not appear, allowing all the selected ladies to rest for a day. Before noon, news spread that Lu Qingwan favored the eldest daughter of the Duke of Pei's mansion, Chu Yunshan, as the Consort of Prince Chen, and the legitimate granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, Chen Ruoyu, as the Consort of Prince Jing.
Lu Qingwan's feigned illness and postponement of the final decision on the consorts were not merely for procrastination. While the outside world was in an uproar over the rumored candidates for the consorts, Lu Qingwan, confined to bed with her illness, was enjoying a leisurely nap in her residence. Seeing Li Su enter, she didn't even move, "How is it? What are the reactions of those selected ladies and their families?"
"Actually, most people know that only a few can ascend to the position of consort. They didn't have any particularly strong reactions upon hearing that the positions were decided. However, you, knowing that the Duke of Pei is a supporter of Prince Jing, and Grand Tutor Chen is a supporter of Prince Chen, deliberately spread the rumor that Chu Yunshan, the daughter of the Duke of Pei, is to be Prince Chen's consort, and Chen Ruoyu, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Chen, is to be Prince Jing's consort. This flurry of seemingly random moves might have left Prince Chen and Prince Jing's factions somewhat bewildered." Li Su leisurely walked over, closed the drafty window, and then gently pulled the blanket over Lu Qingwan. She continued in a calm tone, "On my way here, I received news that both Prince Ning and Prince Jing have held emergency meetings with their respective factions. Your actions today may have truly hit a nerve. You must be cautious in dealing with them afterward."
"Anxious, are we?" Lu Qingwan shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position, and squinted, "They should be anxious. Does this mean I chose the right people?" Li Su thoughtfully considered and nodded at her, "Whether you chose the right people, I cannot say for sure, but His Majesty will likely be very pleased with this outcome."
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?" She had merely intended to annoy Feng Qingheng. Li Su's serious demeanor made her feel as if she had unknowingly accomplished something significant. "Currently, there are only two adult princes who can inherit the throne. The civil officials led by Grand Tutor Chen support Prince Chen, while the military officials led by the Duke of Pei support Prince Jing. If Prince Chen were to marry Chen Ruoyu, or Prince Jing were to marry Chu Yunshan, their respective powers would become too concentrated. However, if, as you suggested, Prince Chen were to marry Chu Yunshan, and Prince Jing were to marry Chen Ruoyu, do you think Prince Chen and Grand Tutor Chen, or Prince Jing and the Duke of Pei, could remain without suspicion between them?"
Lu Qingwan was truly astonished this time. She stirred and looked at Li Su as if she were looking at a monster. "I never realized, Li Su. I always thought that although you often entered and exited Shence Camp, you were fundamentally like Li Jin and the others, primarily a female guard focused on combat. I didn't expect you to have the potential to be a strategist. Tell me, what else don't I know about you?"
Li Su blushed at her praise, "Consort, you flatter me. In truth, by staying by the Prince's side for so long, one picks up a thing or two through osmosis. I am just an ordinary little guard; I have no secrets."
"Alright, since you want to remain low-key, I won't pry any further." Lu Qingwan clicked her tongue and slid off the couch. "Have there been any updates from Wu Ying and Xue Hongyi? With two groups of people, surely one batch of goods will reach Sai Bei successfully, right?" She asked Li Su, but it was Li Jin who replied, "I happened to be here, Consort. The leader of the Hongyi Sect has sent a letter."
"Quick, let me see it." Lu Qingwan reached out from a distance. Li Jin quickly stepped forward and handed her the item. Upon opening the envelope, Lu Qingwan chuckled. "Xue Hongyi looks so carefree, I didn't expect him to be so reliable." She continued reading the contents of the letter with a joyful mood, giving Li Jin and Li Su a live broadcast. "The Reincarnation Hall also has business in Sai Bei. They bought grain directly in Sai Bei, bypassing the snow disaster and the rioters. It will be delivered to Sai Bei in a few days. Li Jin, immediately send a message to the Prince to discuss the plan for receiving the goods and accept the grain and fodder sponsored by the Reincarnation Hall as soon as possible."
"Yes, Consort!" Feng Xiwu was far away at the border, and without grain, Li Jin and the others were worried. Hearing such good news finally, Li Jin was extremely excited and ran out immediately. However, less than fifteen minutes after leaving, he returned with a dejected expression. Lu Qingwan looked at him curiously, "Why did you come back so quickly? Have you made arrangements already?" Li Jin said with a heavy expression, "The messenger has already been sent. However, Consort, Dowager Consort Wen has arrived."