"What's going on?" Nan Wushang turned to look in the direction of the scream and asked Lu Qingwan, "What did you do?"
Lu Qingwan blinked innocently and walked towards the palace gate. "Prince Nan, why do you ask such a strange question? We are both here. How would I know what happened in the Chuxiu Palace?"
Chi Yaoyao trotted over. "Awan, Grandfather wants me to tell you that the news about Princess Anyang is spreading like wildfire outside. Many officials are already preparing to impeach the Emperor on this matter. Once it's openly discussed in court, you and Marquis Lu will inevitably have to face each other for a confrontation. You must be mentally prepared."
Lu Qingwan thought Chi Yaoyao had followed her to inquire if she was going to stuff the Marquis Shou'an's people into sacks, but she was surprised by what she heard. "Why would Minister Chi tell you such things?" She had clearly seen before that the Chi family protected their only daughter very well, never revealing court affairs to her. This made Chi Yaoyao more straightforward and pure than ordinary noble ladies.
When Grand Scholar Chi suddenly had Chi Yaoyao deliver a message to her, Lu Qingwan became completely vigilant. It wasn't that she suspected Grand Scholar Chi's words were a trap, but she worried there might be some hidden truth she hadn't noticed or paid attention to.
"I don't know either. Anyway, before entering the palace this morning, Grandfather told me to remind you. But I couldn't find you earlier, so it's been delayed until now." Chi Yaoyao looked at Lu Qingwan nervously. "Did I delay anything?"
"No," Lu Qingwan shook her head decisively. "Please thank Minister Chi for me later."
"No need for thanks. If you have something, don't bear it alone. Tell me. I can't help much, but I still have my father, brother, and grandparents!" The news of Feng Xiwu's serious illness was spreading more and more exaggeratedly outside. Chi Yaoyao was worried about Lu Qingwan and afraid of saying something she shouldn't, causing sadness. The usually carefree girl was now cautious.
Lu Qingwan, preoccupied with her thoughts, didn't notice Chi Yaoyao's unusual behavior. "Li Su, I'm going back first. You stay here with Miss Chi and wait until she reunites with her family before returning."
Since Li Qing was driving and there were hidden guards following, Li Su didn't resist Lu Qingwan's order. Seeing Lu Qingwan's carriage speeding away, Chi Yaoyao pouted. "What's going on? She's so busy, and I wanted to chat with her!"
Li Su explained on the side for Lu Qingwan. "The Prince is seriously ill and is unconscious for most of the day. The Princess Consort is anxious to return to take care of the Prince, not to slight Miss Chi. Please be understanding."
Upon hearing that Lu Qingwan was returning to take care of Feng Xiwu, Chi Yaoyao shook her head like a rattle. "It's okay, it's okay. Why don't you go back too, Guard Li Su? I can wait with them for my grandparents to come out." She was afraid of delaying Lu Qingwan's important matters.
Li Su smiled without speaking, but his steps didn't deviate from Chi Yaoyao's side.
Meanwhile, Lu Qingwan was in a hurry to return to the manor, not to take care of Feng Xiwu. She lifted the carriage curtain, avoiding the sight of others. A small sparrow was perched beside the carriage, chirping incessantly. Lu Qingwan's heart sank. "Li Qing, was the strategist's horse trained in the same batch as Lightning?"
"Yes, Princess Consort. Lightning and Flame are both Northern Desert Heavenly Horses personally selected by the Prince. They are the finest warhorses in the Xuanjia Army. Why do you suddenly ask this?"
Lu Qingwan countered, "How long has it been since you last contacted the strategist?" Hearing this, Li Qing immediately became serious. "The strategist has high autonomy in the army and is only responsible to the Prince. Please allow your subordinate to contact the Prince."
"As soon as possible. Contact the strategist. I'm afraid something has happened on the strategist's end." Lu Qingwan squeezed the bridge of her nose, thinking about the sparrow's message. "Besides the Prince, try Shen Tangzhou as well. I received news that a large portion of the grain and fodder allocated by the imperial court to the strategist's fifty thousand Xuanjia troops and eighty thousand Beifu cavalry has been replaced with moldy rice. Quickly verify the accuracy of this intelligence."
Li Qing was shocked. "The grain and fodder arrangement this time is handled by the Ministry of Revenue. The Minister of Revenue is Prince Nan, who has always been diligent and responsible. Surely not, Princess Consort?"
"I also hope this intelligence is false, but what if it's true?" Lu Qingwan's voice was chilling. "Can you bear the consequences?"
"I apologize, Princess Consort. Your subordinate will contact the Prince and Shen Tangzhou immediately upon returning to verify the accuracy of the intelligence." Seeing Lu Qingwan remain silent, Li Qing added, "Although the Prince is not in Shangjing, Li Jin can utilize some of the Prince's connections, which have a certain influence in both the martial world and the court. Princess Consort, should your subordinate remind Li Jin to start preparing new grain and fodder to support the northern army?"
"Start preparing, but don't make too much of a commotion. After the intelligence is confirmed, I will report it to His Majesty and let him make the decision." Using her own power to procure grain and fodder for Feng Xiwu privately had already crossed a line. If she kept such a major event from Emperor Jingyou and it was revealed by someone else, even if Emperor Jingyou trusted Feng Xiwu greatly, he would still be displeased.
The matter was of great importance. Li Qing did not dare to delay for a moment. After returning to the manor, he handed the carriage to a servant and rushed to find Li Jin.
Lu Qingwan had just changed into casual clothes when Li Jin was already waiting outside. Seeing her emerge, he quickly said, "Princess Consort, the Prince's letter."
Lu Qingwan was surprised. "He replied so quickly?" Li Jin nodded subconsciously, then realized, "Princess Consort, you misunderstood. We haven't had a chance to inform the Prince about what you just instructed Li Qing to do. This is a letter the Prince sent before the incident."
"I was too anxious." Lu Qingwan took the letter and her heart warmed instantly, her expression softening. Li Jin added, "The Prince knew that Old Madam Hua intended to use Princess Anyang's identity to make things difficult for you, so he immediately contacted Princess Feifeng. Princess Consort, rest assured, no matter how many people question it, Princess Anyang will remain real, and your lineage will be beyond doubt."
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow. "You know what the Prince did?" Li Jin pursed his lips and smiled. "To be honest, Princess Consort, the Prince cares about you, so I told him your daily itinerary in detail. I naturally know more about the Prince's affairs." Knowing someone thousands of miles away cared for her made Lu Qingwan feel at ease. She then returned to the main topic. "You've spoken with Li Qing about the grain and fodder, haven't you?"
Li Jin nodded repeatedly. "I came precisely for this matter. I don't wish to ask how you obtained the intelligence, Princess Consort. I can also find a way to solve the grain and fodder problem, but I wanted to ask you, Princess Consort, can we borrow the grain transport team from Bu Ye Zhou this time?" This meant he already believed her intelligence.