The imperial decree of marriage had been issued, and no matter how unwilling others were, it was futile.
However, they were not about to let it go. Someone began to stir up trouble.
"Regent Princess, there are rumors in the market that the person who married into the Zhaolie Marquis Mansion from Xiliang back then was not the real Princess Anyang. Is this true?"
Even in the highly aristocratic Chuxiu Palace, these words shocked everyone present into gasping.
Rumors remained rumors either because the information had not yet been confirmed or because the matter was too sensitive to be discussed in public.
As soon as the person spoke, everyone, instead of looking at Lu Qingwan who was asked, craned their necks to see who the brave soul was who dared to speak such truth in this setting!
Searching around, their gazes landed on a group of showgirls. "That must be Princess Shouan. This is going to be interesting!"
"Indeed. Princess Shouan has fancied the Regent for years. After accompanying the old Regent's wife on a trip to her maiden home, the Regent got married. Who could stand this!"
...
The young ladies were supposedly whispering, but their voices were no different from speaking directly into Lu Qingwan's ear.
Lu Qingwan scanned the room and her gaze met that of a radiant young woman in a bright purple gown.
The young woman met Lu Qingwan's eyes without fear, even raising her chin at her with a hint of provocation.
Lu Qingwan's gaze did not linger on her. Instead, she turned to the female official beside her and said, "The selection has ended. Order someone to escort all the showgirls back properly."
The female official eagerly received the order. "This servant obeys."
Lu Qingwan then walked over to Chen Ruoyu and Chu Yunshan. "You two should also return to your residences first.
When His Majesty's decree arrives, this Princess will have someone teach you palace rules. So, please try to stay home recently and avoid going out, so as not to delay your studies."
These two, being from noble families, had heard of Lu Qingwan's capabilities.
Seeing Lu Qingwan's politeness, they said with some trepidation, "This humble subject obeys the Princess's teachings."
Having just received the Emperor's decree of marriage, they were quite well-behaved, and none caused trouble.
Lu Qingwan nodded with satisfaction. Just as she was about to speak, that annoying voice rang out again.
"Why isn't the Regent Princess answering this Princess's question? Is my question making it difficult for you, Princess?"
Lu Qingwan suddenly looked up and said coldly, "Has anyone from the Guangchang Prince's Mansion come today? Isn't anyone going to manage this noisy Princess Shouan?"
Princess Shouan was ignored by Lu Qingwan like this, and she became angry. Her mother, the Guangchang Princess Consort, could no longer remain calm.
"What is the Regent Princess saying? It's just a bit of playful banter between the younger generation. Should we elders interfere?"
In her words, she was accusing Lu Qingwan of making a fuss over nothing.
Lu Qingwan shot her a sharp gaze. "Please understand, she is questioning the identity of a princess married for alliance.
The war in Saibei is already difficult. If the Xiliang people hear her words, what will be the consequences?
If Xiliang uses this as an excuse to attack, can your Guangchang Prince's Mansion afford to pay reparations to Xiliang on behalf of the court, or can Prince Guangchang and his heir lead troops to resist Xiliang?"
The Guangchang Princess Consort was merely instinctively protecting her own. She hadn't considered all these consequences.
She was rendered speechless by Lu Qingwan's questioning. Seeing her incompetence, the Duchess of Huaguo inwardly resented the Guangchang Princess Consort for being useless.
She spoke up, "Regent Princess, there's no need to be so alarmist. Anyway, Princess Anyang has already married into Daqian. No matter what, it's Daqian's business, what does it have to do with Xiliang?
It's not as serious as you say. The Regent Princess is making such a fuss, it makes one wonder, is the person who married into the Zhaolie Marquis Mansion truly Princess Anyang!"
If the identity of Princess Anyang was in doubt, Lu Zhenting would be the first to be implicated, and he would be held accountable for negligence.
Lu Qingwan's background would naturally also be questioned. If they could prevent her from becoming the Regent Princess, it would be even better for the Huaguo Duke's Mansion.
However, no matter how meticulously they planned, they did not anticipate that Lu Qingwan's reaction would deviate from their expectations at every turn.
Hearing this, Lu Qingwan's eyes were extremely cold. "Whether this matter is serious or not is not for you to say.
Just like whether Princess Anyang is real, it is not for you to say.
If any of you have evidence, feel free to present it to the authorities. Be it the Jingzhao Prefecture or the Ministry of Justice, or if worse comes to worst, this Princess can make arrangements to take you to His Majesty to file a complaint.
If you have no evidence, it is best to shut up. Anyone who dares to speak ill of my mother without proof, beware of being ambushed on the way."
*Pfft...*
Someone in the crowd couldn't help but burst out laughing in the court. Lu Qingwan glanced at Chi Yaoyao, who was chuckling, and strode out of Chuxiu Palace.
Someone behind her followed with muffled laughter. Lu Qingwan felt like she was being followed by a kettle on the verge of boiling over.
"Have you had enough laughing!"
She turned around fiercely, only to see an unexpected face.
"Who are you, and why are you following this Princess?"
Her fierce expression had not yet subsided, and Lu Qingwan's tone was equally fierce.
The young man, with a clear and refined appearance, wore a moon-white brocade robe. Half of his hair was tied up, and the other half fell loosely behind his head. His eyes curved into crescent moons as he smiled.
"I am Nan Wushang, greetings to the Regent Princess."
"A'wan, this is the heir of the Nan Prince's Mansion."
Chi Yaoyao peeked out from behind Nan Wushang. "I heard that among all the young noblemen in Shangjing, he is the only one who can fight on the battlefield with the Regent without joining the Xuanjia Army.
The soldiers of the Xuanjia Army all call him Young General. Moreover, he is known to be the Regent's only friend."
"Feng Xiwu's friend?"
Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow. "Are you looking for me for something?"
If Feng Xiwu was a cold and detached handsome man, Nan Wushang before her was probably the beloved 'little wolfdog' of the Great Dynasty.
Just standing there, he exuded an aggressive aura.
When he spoke, however, he was like a romantic young master who could pass through a hundred flowers without a single petal sticking to him.
Lu Qingwan could hardly imagine how Feng Xiwu and this person interacted.
Furthermore, with Feng Xiwu absent, she was unsure of the extent of his relationship with this person, so she remained somewhat distant.
Nan Wushang did not seem to mind. He leaned forward curiously. "Princess, are you really planning to stuff sacks for those who slandered Princess Anyang?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Let me do it!"
Nan Wushang excitedly pointed at himself. "For rough work and stuffing sacks, you can count on me! I'm the best at it!
I guarantee I'll beat them until their faces are swollen like peaches without leaving a single trace. Even if they suspect the Princess, they will never find out it was you, alright?"
Lu Qingwan: ...
She felt like she was about to explode!
"Did you follow this Princess just for this?"
Nan Wushang nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! This Shangjing city is so boring. Finally, there's something interesting happening. Princess, please let me handle it..."
He looked pitiful, like a big puppy.
Ahhh...
A piercing scream was heard. Lu Qingwan's lips curved slightly. "Thank you, Young Master Nan. However, I think the sacks can be put aside for now!"
If she wasn't mistaken, Teng Snake had entered Chuxiu Palace when they came out.