Not a sound was heard for a long time after the words were spoken.
Lu Qingwan raised her head suspiciously and met Emperor Jingyou's leisurely gaze. Seeing her look up, he asked with an inscrutable expression, "Besides asking Xi Wu to save the Duke of Xu's mansion and recommending Hua Yunyao as the Crown Prince's Consort, did she make any other demands?"
Lu Qingwan replied truthfully, "She hadn't before, and I don't know about afterwards."
Emperor Jingyou scoffed, "If she didn't mention it, she didn't mention it. What's the difference between 'before' and 'after'?"
Lu Qingwan straightened up unconsciously, "How can there be no difference?
Before, I never agreed to any of her unreasonable demands, which showed that I wouldn't be swayed by her tactics, and naturally, she wouldn't dare to make more demands.
But once I agreed to one of her demands, she would think she had a hold over me, and would naturally ask for whatever she wanted.
After all, who would refuse a free laborer?
Moreover, the benefits this laborer could secure for her are things others could not obtain."
Emperor Jingyou pursed his lips and did not respond, "What do you plan to do about this matter?"
Lu Qingwan played coy, "Your Majesty, this concerns my background and the diplomatic relations between Da Gan and Xi Liang. I dare not act on my own.
Therefore, I have come to ask for your decision. Please, Your Majesty, make a decision for me."
Lu Qingwan dodged the question, and Emperor Jingyou, being equally cunning, replied, "If Old Madam Hua has already spread this matter, and I am gravely ill and cannot advise you, how will you resolve this matter?"
"Then, of course, I will deny it to the death!"
The stage was set, and Lu Qingwan had no choice but to play this role, whether she wanted to or not.
"Officially, Da Gan is currently engaged in a fierce battle with the Northern Wei cavalry. The soldiers of Da Gan are not adept at winter warfare, and the battle is already arduous.
Once it is acknowledged that a princess of Xi Liang who came for a marriage alliance has been harmed in Da Gan, and the news has spread from Da Gan, it would undoubtedly provide Xi Liang with an excuse to trouble Da Gan.
At best, they would demand money and apologies; at worst, Xi Liang would directly raise an army, and Da Gan would be fighting on two fronts."
Having said this, she sighed and continued with a hint of helplessness, "Privately, it is even simpler.
In my early years, my father was away on a distant expedition, and my mother passed away early, leaving me to endure all sorts of bullying.
If I were to admit today that Princess Anyang is a fake, and that I am merely a nobody with an unknown background, I can imagine what those gossips in the imperial court would say without even closing my eyes.
While I do not have a fragile heart that would break at a few words, if these controversies can be avoided, why should I not do so?"
She analyzed the situation thoroughly from all angles. Emperor Jingyou raised an eyebrow, "Have you not considered fulfilling her wish and allowing Hua Yunyao to become the Crown Prince's Consort, thus settling the matter peacefully?"
Lu Qingwan's eyes widened abruptly, and she stated decisively, "Never."
"Why?"
Emperor Jingyou coaxed, "Do you not think this is the method that would result in the least loss for you?"
"I do not think so at all, and as for the reason, I have already given one.
Old Madam Hua is not easily satisfied. Once I agree to her first demand, she will have second and third demands waiting for me.
I do not wish to nurture a tiger that will eventually devour me."
Emperor Jingyou leisurely pressed, "Then what is the second reason?"
Lu Qingwan pursed her lips, "I beg Your Majesty to forgive my presumptuousness before I dare to speak."
"You sly fox!"
Emperor Jingyou chuckled and conceded, "Alright, speak, and I shall forgive you."
He wore an expression that seemed to say, "I want to see what marvels you can conjure up."
Prime Minister Wen also looked at Lu Qingwan with a smile. Lu Qingwan felt a sense of frustration, as if she were a monkey forced to perform in front of these two, unable to resist.
"I ask Your Majesty to forgive my rudeness, but the facts are before us. The imperial family now only has two adult princes, the Crown Prince and Prince Chen, who can inherit the throne.
I do not know which one you will choose as the Crown Prince, but whoever inherits the throne, their consort will be the one who embodies the virtues of a queen.
As for the consort of the other prince, she must be sensible, capable, and possess the character to assist the Empress."
As soon as she said this, Emperor Jingyou narrowed his eyes, and Prime Minister Wen wore an expression of "How dare you?"
Lu Qingwan, however, remained calm and composed. There was no turning back now. Since she had decided to remove Old Madam Hua as a stumbling block, she had to pay a price.
Thus, she continued to speak fluently, "Moreover, Hua Yunyao is shallow in her learning and superficial in her virtue.
She possesses neither the talent to embody the virtues of a queen nor the character to assist one. If I allow her to become the Crown Prince's Consort, it will not only harm the Crown Prince but also the future of Da Gan.
My Prince has fought for Da Gan for many years, enduring hardship and suffering. My father also nearly paid with his life for Da Gan.
I cannot and will not do something that harms Da Gan in this way."
After she finished speaking, she stared intently at Emperor Jingyou, fearless.
"Well said, that you cannot do anything that harms Da Gan."
Emperor Jingyou's long, narrow eyes narrowed, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
"Hua Yunyao is also a daughter of a noble family. Tell me, in what way is she shallow in her learning and superficial in her virtue?"
Lu Qingwan raised her chin with utmost confidence, "It is very simple. When Old Madam Hua came to threaten me, she was standing nearby but did not show the slightest intention to stop her.
If she had a modicum of intelligence, she would know that threatening me with such matters, even if successful for a moment, would inevitably lead to my Prince finding fault with the Duke of Hua's mansion.
If she had any emotional intelligence, she would not have remained indifferent and stood by idly when Old Madam Hua, in front of me, spoke of Your Majesty's grave illness and how no one in the court would support me if he were to pass away."
With a bang, Emperor Jingyou struck the bedpost with his palm.
"How dare she curse Xi Wu to die soon! This Old Madam Hua is truly senile!"
He cursed under his breath and decisively said, "Prime Minister Wen, you will visit the Duke of Hua's mansion later and properly inform Duke Hua of what his mother has been up to!"
Prime Minister Wen hastily accepted the order, "This old minister obeys!"
Then Emperor Jingyou instructed Lu Qingwan, "If she dares to spread it, do as you said. The one who married into Da Gan is Princess Anyang. Whoever dares to question it, I will send them to confront Princess Anyang in person!"
Lu Qingwan was so shocked that she almost bit her hand in front of Emperor Jingyou and Prime Minister Wen. Emperor Jingyou's brotherly affection was undeniable!
If she had known that mentioning Feng Xi Wu would be so effective, why would she have wasted so much effort? She should have just complained that Old Madam Hua cursed Feng Xi Wu.
As she was lost in thought, she heard Emperor Jingyou ask again, "Since you believe that Hua Yunyao is not fit to be a consort, then who do you think among the remaining ladies is most suitable for Prince Chen's mansion and the Crown Prince's mansion, respectively?"
"Uh, for those suitable to be consorts, I think it would be Miss Chu Yunshan, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Pei's mansion, and Chen Ruoyu, the legitimate granddaughter of Grand Tutor Chen.
However, who will be the Crown Prince's Consort and who will be Prince Chen's Consort depends on Your Majesty's wishes. I dare not make any decisions on my own."