The dukes of Duke Hua and Prince Guangchang both inherited their titles. In their youth, they both possessed some spirit.
Years of comfortable living had worn away their edges, and on ordinary days, they would cry out in pain at the sight of a little blood. Going to the battlefield for them was essentially asking for death.
Both men knelt on the ground, struck by Emperor Jingyou's sudden command, and kowtowed in fear, "Your Majesty, we are terrified!"
Prince Guangchang understood that Emperor Jingyou was warning them to shut up and stop mentioning Princess Anyang.
He regretted it deeply. If he had known, he wouldn't have stuck his neck out for his elder sister. He gained no benefits and only displeased the Emperor.
Duke Hua also couldn't help but inwardly blame his mother and wife for meddling. Unfortunately, it was too late for them to regret it now.
Emperor Jingyou's words were clear: the so-called arrangement of grain and fodder was simply asking them to pay out of their own pockets.
Emperor Jingyou looked weak, his eyes half-closed, "Minister Wen and the Regent's Consort, stay. Everyone else, leave!"
The officials retreated in trepidation, and soon the sleeping quarters returned to silence.
Emperor Jingyou suddenly spoke, "Xi Wu left the capital. How much grain and fodder did he take?"
Lu Qingwan looked up in surprise. Emperor Jingyou, with a knowing look, said, "The moment he left the capital, I knew he was heading for Sai Bei. Xi Wu has always been thorough. He wouldn't go alone. Tell me, how much grain and fodder did he bring? Is it enough for the Sai Bei army's emergency needs?"
Lu Qingwan shook her head repeatedly. "Your Majesty has truly misunderstood this time. To cover his tracks, the Prince brought almost nothing. The grain and fodder were collected and sent by this consort after I had Li Jin gather some. But then, didn't we have that blizzard in the northwest? The refugees needed to snatch the grain, so I had it sold. There's a little left now, but for thirteen thousand troops, it's probably just a drop in the bucket. It can serve as an emergency, but to truly sustain the army in its war with Bei Wei, I'm afraid we'll still have to trouble Prime Minister Wen."
Minister Wen sighed. "Grain and fodder has always been the responsibility of the Southern Prince. Even with the Southern Prince's caution, problems arose. I truly find it difficult to guarantee everything will be foolproof!"
"My Prince also believes that the Southern Prince's ability and character are absolutely trustworthy. The problem likely lies in the transportation and warehousing process. How to deliver the grain and fodder collected by Prime Minister Wen to Sai Bei in its entirety is indeed a problem."
Lu Qingwan wore a distressed and helpless expression.
Emperor Jingyou looked at her thoughtfully. "How did you send the grain and fodder for Xi Wu before?"
"The escort agency, of course. Didn't it almost get robbed and not delivered?" Lu Qingwan spread her hands innocently. Then, a thought struck her. "However, I heard that Li Jin and Lian Yu were responsible for the Xuan Jia Army's grain and fodder before, and there were never any problems. If Your Majesty and Prime Minister Wen don't mind, this consort can lend Li Jin to Prime Minister Wen for a few days."
Prime Minister Wen's eyes lit up, and he looked excitedly at Emperor Jingyou. "Your Majesty?" Prime Minister Wen was not foolish. If Li Jin was in charge, wouldn't it be equivalent to the Xuan Jia Army helping? Who in Da Qian would dare to snatch anything from the Xuan Jia Army? It wouldn't be because they weren't tired of living. This was simply a deal with no downsides!
Emperor Jingyou nodded with a half-smile. "In that case, I will have to thank the Regent's Consort then!"
Lu Qingwan chuckled. "Your Majesty is too kind. Isn't this all for the greater good? Then, Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, may this consort take her leave?"
Lu Qingwan, being a woman, had very little say in state affairs. Emperor Jingyou did not keep her.
Lu Qingwan strolled out of the palace. The most important matter had received Emperor Jingyou's support, and Duke Hua and Prince Guangchang had also been warned by Emperor Jingyou. No one dared to mention Princess Anyang again. She was in a good mood.
"Hey!"
A sudden voice rang out. Lu Qingwan, speechless, turned her head. "Is the Southern Young Master three years old this year?"
"Tsk, as expected of Feng Xi Wu's little consort. You speak just like him, so sharp." Nan Wu Shang sauntered over. "I say, they're already calling you a demon and a monster outside. Aren't you worried at all?" His impertinent expression suggested he was eager to see Lu Qingwan cry in distress so he could watch the show.
Lu Qingwan was exasperated. "Your father is about to face disaster, and you have time to worry about me? You are so unfilial. Does your father know?"
Nan Wu Shang suddenly moved in front of her, blocking her path. "What do you mean? My father, who practically grew by the book, can also make mistakes?"
"You'll know when you go home..." Before Lu Qingwan could finish speaking, Li Qing arrived, his mouth twitching. "Reporting to Consort, Jiang Ding Kun led people to surround Bai Xing Lin. He said that if you don't see him, he will raze Bai Xing Lin. Little Doctor Meng came to the mansion looking for you, but missed you. He has returned now." After speaking, he cupped his hands towards Nan Wu Shang. "Young Master Wu Shang."
Lu Qingwan's precious head went blank for a moment. "Jiang Ding Kun? That commander of the Capital Guard who rescued His Majesty with Prince Qin? Wasn't he in the northwest for disaster relief? Why is he trying to raze my Bai Xing Lin?"
Li Qing shook his head. "This subordinate only received the news from the guards at the mansion to report to you. I don't know the specifics of what happened yet."
Lu Qingwan turned and pointed at Nan Wu Shang. "Chi Yao Yao said he is your Prince's close friend. Is he reliable?"
Li Qing thought for a moment and nodded. "Young Master Wu Shang is the Prince's junior fellow apprentice. Consort can consider him another strategist."
Understanding dawned on Lu Qingwan. She didn't care that Nan Wu Shang was an outsider and asked Li Qing, "Did the guard who delivered the message say whether Jiang Ding Kun wanted to see the Regent's Consort or Divine Doctor Lin Sa?"
"Naturally, Divine Doctor Lin." Li Qing answered this question much more readily.
Lu Qingwan nodded. "I understand. Hurry back to the mansion. Summon Ying Yi and Ying Er back, and accompany me to Bai Xing Lin."
The guards accompanying the carriage sped away on their horses without a word. Nan Wu Shang, however, sat down on the carriage shaft. "Did my ears deceive me? What did I just hear? Your Bai Xing Lin, you are the..."
"You can be louder, so I have a legitimate reason to kill you and silence you." A casual remark blocked Nan Wu Shang's words. "I wasn't joking with you earlier. The military provisions for the thirteen thousand troops at Sai Bei were replaced with moldy rice. The grain and fodder at the time was the Southern Prince's responsibility. Your father cannot escape blame for this. Shouldn't you hurry back to help the Prince devise a countermeasure? Are you following me because you want me to give you a bite to eat?"
"Oh my god, don't scare me! Such a big thing happened, how could this Young Master have heard no news at all?" Even before meeting her, Nan Wu Shang had heard of Lu Qingwan's cunning reputation and always suspected Lu Qingwan was teasing him. It wasn't until Li Qing said, "Young Master Wu Shang, Consort is not lying to you. The intelligence was personally delivered by the Prince," that he jumped off the carriage shaft and ran home as fast as he could.