Lu Qing Wan cast an admiring glance.
"It's not surprising that the Emperor Geng Shi's most favored eldest son isn't his biological child. Old Prince, you truly have remarkable composure. Your granddaughter-in-law is impressed!"
The younger generation in the You Zhou Royal Estate were mostly well-behaved and hadn't encountered someone as lively as Lu Qing Wan.
Upon hearing her words, they were first stunned, then humbly shook their heads. "It's nothing, it's just that I've experienced a bit more than you all."
"You certainly have experienced a lot."
Feng Xi Wu quickly finished reading the intelligence report from Wu Ying and handed it to Lu Qing Wan, his gaze fixed on the Prince of You Zhou. "Did you know that Empress Lan and the Prince of Ji Zhou were once betrothed?"
"Naturally, I was aware of it."
It was precisely because of this knowledge that the Prince of You Zhou's shock quickly subsided.
"In fact, not only were they betrothed.
The Prince of Ji Zhou and Empress Lan were childhood sweethearts, inseparable.
If Emperor Geng Shi hadn't used the Lan family's military strength to pacify the realm after ascending the throne, and forcibly bestowed the title of Empress upon Lan Ting Shuang, Lan Ting Shuang would likely be the Princess Consort of Ji Zhou by now."
The Prince of You Zhou stroked his beard, filled with emotion.
Lu Qing Wan also put away the intelligence report she had finished reading. "No wonder I heard that the Prince of Ji Zhou was already married before Empress Lan entered the palace.
Did Emperor Geng Shi, fearing criticism, arrange a marriage for the Prince of Ji Zhou to silence the public before taking Lan Ting Shuang as his consort?"
The Prince of You Zhou nodded, "Precisely as you said.
But how easily can the public's mouths be silenced?
Moreover, Lan Ting Shuang and the Prince of Ji Zhou knew each other in their humble beginnings; it was a bond forged through hardship.
This Prince heard from the Princess Consort that the Prince of Ji Zhou's consort fell ill not long after their marriage and has been bedridden for the past twenty-three years.
Emperor Geng Shi, under the guise of showing concern for his younger brother, bestowed many concubines upon him, yet the Prince of Ji Zhou refused to touch any of them.
Honestly speaking, among the eight vassal kings of Qin, the Prince of Ji Zhou being the one to rebel is something I find not at all surprising."
The old prince, who had endured much in his military career, recounted these imperial secrets beside the army. Lu Qing Wan felt like laughing but was also filled with dread.
"I was wondering how Empress Lan, who couldn't even lift a chicken, and Prince Rui, who didn't seem capable, managed to have the Imperial Guard, who have always been loyal to the emperor, defect to their side.
Now it seems this is also the Prince of Ji Zhou's doing?"
Feng Xi Wu and the Prince of You Zhou both nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Lu Qing Wan stood up directly. "With the two of you here, the Prince of Ji Zhou's sixty thousand troops are nothing to fear, but his move towards Dong Huang Pass still puzzles me.
Your Highness, I wish to personally investigate Dong Huang Pass."
The fact that Empress Lan and the Prince of Ji Zhou had been intimately involved before she entered the palace, and that Prince Rui Si Feng Chi was the Prince of Ji Zhou's biological son, was indeed shocking. However, it still couldn't resolve Lu Qing Wan's doubts.
Because she knew that regardless of the relationship between the Prince of Ji Zhou and Lan Ting Shuang twenty-three years ago, in the current complex situation, they would not publicly reveal Si Feng Chi's true parentage.
Therefore, this matter, apart from informing Lu Qing Wan that Empress Lan and the Prince of Ji Zhou were colluding, would not change the current situation in any way, nor could it justify the Prince of Ji Zhou's risky move towards Dong Huang Pass.
She had to understand why the Prince of Ji Zhou dared to lead a mere sixty thousand troops into Dong Huang Pass; otherwise, she could not rest easy.
Feng Xi Wu could somewhat guess Lu Qing Wan's thoughts. He knew that Lu Qing Wan was not the kind of person who needed to hide in his embrace like a delicate vine. Since he couldn't stop her, he wouldn't.
He called out to the person behind him, "Wu Feng."
A young man dressed as an Imperial Guard responded and appeared. "Your Highness, Princess Consort."
Lu Qing Wan was surprised. "Have the people from Wu Feng Tang followed us all the way here?"
Feng Xi Wu answered indirectly, "I know I cannot stop what you intend to do, nor will I. Take them with you, and be careful."
"Understood."
Lu Qing Wan replied with a bright smile, "Keep an eye on Da Bai and Jin Diao at all times. If necessary, I will have them relay messages to you."
Feng Xi Wu nodded silently and gave her a strong embrace. "Go."
His Princess Consort was a phoenix soaring through the heavens. If he couldn't keep her by his side, he could only help her fly freely.
Lu Qing Wan didn't linger and turned her horse to leave.
Feng Xi Wu stood in place for a long time, unmoved. The Prince of You Zhou chuckled playfully, "Your soul will surely follow your little Princess Consort away. Look at your paltry capabilities!"
"This Prince truly only has these capabilities!"
As Feng Xi Wu spoke, he stood up and bowed deeply to the Prince of You Zhou. "Grandson wishes to ask Grandfather for one thing, please grant it."
The Prince of You Zhou was startled. "What mischief are you up to again, boy?"
"This Prince wishes to bring the Xuan Jia Army into the city."
Feng Xi Wu stated with firm resolve, "The various factions in the Central Plains are deeply entrenched. To resolve this unrest without significant losses would take at least three to five months, or five to six years. This Prince cannot wait.
I intend to sweep away all obstacles at the fastest speed and help my elder brother ascend the throne."
These words were audacious indeed. The smile vanished from the Prince of You Zhou's face, and he said gravely, "Are you serious?"
Feng Xi Wu nodded decisively. "Never in my life have I been more serious than I am now."
The Prince of You Zhou stared at him for a long time, then lowered his gaze with a sigh. "If you wish to go, then go. This Ziyang Pass, I will hold it for you."
Ziyang Pass was originally built to contain the vassal kings. Having a vassal king guard Ziyang Pass was unprecedented and a risk for both individuals.
But Feng Xi Wu knew clearly that as long as Si Feng Ming or he succeeded in ascending the throne, the Prince of You Zhou would be credited rather than blamed.
And he truly couldn't bear to see Lu Qing Wan toil endlessly for him any longer.
Having people and strength, yet still letting Lu Qing Wan suffer grievances because of him, Feng Xi Wu felt that if Lu Qing Wan ever grew tired and wanted to leave, he would have no face to ask her to stay by his side.
Thinking of Lu Qing Wan's determined departure just now, Feng Xi Wu's heart ached. He bowed deeply to the Prince of You Zhou, then turned to Li Yang and said, "Contact Qin Shi Guan immediately. Within half an hour, he must lead his troops to Dong Huang Pass."
He didn't mention what would happen if they were late. In the Xuan Jia Army, there was no such thing as being late.
Li Yang jumped for joy, "Your command!"
After responding, he turned, jumped onto his horse, and galloped away.
After being stifled for so long, His Highness was finally ready to go all out. The thought alone was exhilarating!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Lu Qing Wan led the members of Wu Feng Tang into the city and, without stopping, rode through the city straight towards Dong Huang Pass.
As she exited the East Flower Gate of the Imperial City, Ying Shi, who had received the news long ago, rode up and reported by Lu Qing Wan's side.
"Duan Yue has obtained the Imperial Guard roster from Emperor Geng Shi. There are five thousand in total, with three thousand dispersed throughout Qin. Currently, two thousand are in the Central Plains.
Under the orders of Empress Lan, they are stationed in Prince Rui's estate, Gan Quan Palace, and Zi Chen Palace, as well as various locations within the Imperial City.
Duan Yue has already led his men to eliminate all the Imperial Guards within the palace. Those dispersed in the Imperial City have also been largely apprehended.
However, at least one thousand of the remaining Imperial Guards are by the Prince of Ji Zhou's side. Therefore, my lady, you will have to wait a little longer if you intend to kill the Prince of Ji Zhou."