Lu Qing Wan knew that Feng Xi Wu intended for Emperor Geng Shi to confess his crimes in front of the various vassal kings and officials, to make Si Feng Ming a veritable Crown Prince, and even to ascend the throne directly.
Therefore, Lu Qing Wan was not surprised when Empress Lan and Consort Li, who could best prove Emperor Geng Shi's crimes, appeared here.
"What about the Empress Dowager? You haven't found her yet?"
To prove Emperor Geng Shi's crimes, she was enough.
But to allow Si Feng Ming to ascend the throne, Empress Lan and Consort Li alone were not enough.
With Lan An's rebellion and Si Fan's confession, Si Feng Qi and Si Feng Chi had very little chance left.
However, they were still Emperor Geng Shi's own sons. While Empress Lan might be able to prove that Si Feng Chi had no claim to the throne, there was still Si Feng Qi.
This man, with his countless schemes, though useless, was still quite a nuisance.
If they really left him unchecked, he might pop up again in the future and cause trouble.
Thinking of the intelligence sent by Wu Ying, Lu Qing Wan thought that this play could only be performed well when everyone was present.
Feng Xi Wu understood her thoughts, "The secret passage exits at the villa south of the city. Si Lan has already taken people there. Don't worry, once all the vassal kings are here, the Empress Dowager will certainly not be absent."
As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch at the door announced, "The King of Youzhou has arrived!"
"The King of Qingzhou has arrived!"
The two eunuchs announced one after another, as if competing, the arrival of the various vassal kings into Zichen Palace.
Lu Qing Wan looked over with curiosity. Besides the familiar King of Youzhou, the other vassal kings entered the palace one after another.
The older ones, like the King of Yuezhou, were nearing seventy, while the younger ones, like the King of Yongzhou, looked like mere teenagers.
The seven vassal kings each had their own characteristics. However, what was different was that standing beside the King of Liangzhou was a woman whom Lu Qing Wan recognized very well.
Lu Qing Wan stared at the woman intently. The other party also seemed to see her, and a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes, but it vanished in an instant.
Soon, she averted her gaze and, along with the other vassal kings, bowed to Si Feng Ming, who was seated at the head of the hall, "Your vassals pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
In such a formal setting, the etiquette of the vassal kings was flawless.
However, before Si Feng Ming could say "Rise," the eldest, the King of Yuezhou, stood up on his own and looked directly at the empty high seat in the center. "When we vassal kings enter the palace, we should first and foremost pay our respects to His Majesty. May I ask His Highness the Crown Prince, where is His Majesty?"
The main seat in Zichen Palace belonged only to the reigning emperor.
Even if Emperor Geng Shi was absent, Si Feng Ming, as the supervising Crown Prince, could only sit in the secondary seat, one step lower than the main seat.
Many people in the hall had been intimidated into submission by Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu, these two gods of death. Now, seeing someone giving Si Feng Ming a hard time, they couldn't help but show expressions of onlookers eager for gossip.
Unexpectedly, Si Feng Ming, who had always seemed like a frail scholar, even somewhat cowardly, sat there completely unfazed.
"Chancellor Lan An harbored treacherous intentions and plotted rebellion. He has been long instigating the Daoist sorcerer to administer potent elixirs to His Majesty.
His Majesty has fallen into a coma due to the poison. I, in my capacity as Crown Prince, am receiving the vassal kings on behalf of His Majesty. Does the King of Yuezhou have any objections?"
The King of Yuezhou was tall and thin, with white hair. The imperial robe, exclusive to kings, looked imposing on him. However, Lu Qing Wan felt he was like those nagging officials in court.
In fact, he was indeed talkative. After being retorted by Si Feng Ming in a neither soft nor hard manner, he paused for a moment and then said, "His Majesty is indisposed. Is the Empress Dowager also unwell?
Although the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, he is, after all, a junior.
It is one thing not to invite female relatives to the welcoming banquet. It is another to invite the Empress and Consort Li but treat the Empress Dowager as if she does not exist. What is the reason for this?"
Upon hearing this, a collective gasp filled Zichen Palace.
Those officials who had thought the King of Yuezhou would help them regain some face turned pale and were almost angered to death by the King of Yuezhou.
Lu Qing Wan almost couldn't hold back her laughter. She pinched Feng Xi Wu's arm and hid beside him, trying hard not to lose composure in public.
Who is this great idiot? Did he come here to be funny?
Then she heard Si Feng Ming say loudly, "I invited the Empress and Consort Li because I heard that the King of Liangzhou brought his Consort. Therefore, I had the Empress and Consort Li attend to show respect.
As for the Empress Dowager, I would have liked to invite her, but I worried that if she appeared, more than half of the female guests in this hall might storm out.
Therefore, I ask the King of Yuezhou to be more understanding."
News of the rebels entering the city and the Empress Dowager abandoning the women of Yangquan Palace to flee for her life had already spread like wildfire to every corner of the imperial palace.
It was likely that most of the vassal kings had received this news. Yet, the King of Yuezhou, for some reason, still wanted to use the Empress Dowager to pressure Si Feng Ming.
However, he inadvertently handed Si Feng Ming the perfect opportunity.
Seizing the opening, Si Feng Ming did not hesitate to say, "Since the King of Yuezhou has mentioned the Empress Dowager, I should also explain to all the princes.
Just yesterday, Chancellor Lan An led the Tiger and Leopard Camp in rebellion.
His eldest son, Lan Hua Xiao, led ten thousand heavily armored cavalry of the Tiger and Leopard Camp and twelve cannons to guard Ziyang Pass.
Do you all know why he guarded Ziyang Pass? With all the civil and military officials, including His Majesty and myself, the Crown Prince, in the imperial city?"
The vassal kings and ministers exchanged glances. The King of Liangzhou, tall and elegant, with a royal python robe making him look like a celestial公子, cupped his hands and said, "Please enlighten us, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Si Feng Ming was taken aback. He had not expected someone to respond.
He was not afraid of no one responding. He knew very well that no matter what, what was to be done today would be done.
But the King of Liangzhou's cooperation surprised him greatly. Yet, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he quickly regained his composure and said loudly, "I dare not presume to enlighten you.
I merely wish to tell you all that if it were not for my imperial brother and sister-in-law fighting desperately to defeat the Tiger and Leopard Camp and destroy the twelve cannons,
You would all now be at the gates of Ziyang Pass, welcoming the cannon fire from Lan Hua Xiao."
These words were too blunt, as if he were seeking credit from the vassal kings.
A person in the middle snorted coldly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince says the Lan family rebelled, and this king has no reason to doubt it.
But to say that Lan Hua Xiao held Ziyang Pass to intercept the vassal kings, that statement does not hold water.
Regardless of who becomes ruler, the vassal kings are all pillars of Great Qin. What qualifications does Lan Hua Xiao have to dare to bombard us vassal kings?"
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Ziyang Pass is a strategically important place. It is not surprising that the rebel Lan occupied it.
But to fabricate a savior for your imperial brother, Prince Qin, it is unnecessary, is it not?"
The speakers were the King of Qingzhou and the King of Yongzhou. One was tall and burly, the other young and handsome, but their words were unpleasant.
Si Feng Ming's expression visibly soured. He was about to argue on behalf of Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu, when Lu Qing Wan spoke from a distance, "Since Your Highnesses are unwilling to admit that you were saved by this humble woman, the Crown Prince should not force them.
Please directly ask Lan An and Lan Hua Xiao to speak for themselves, Your Highness the Crown Prince."