Do not forget how much Lu Qing Wan once clung to the new emperor. Marrying the Regent King was merely an imperial decree she could not defy.
Now that the Regent King is dead, if she were to offer herself along with the Xuan Jia Army's token, even if the new emperor disliked her, he would have to accept her for the sake of the Xuan Jia Army!
These are the jealous individuals who failed to get a share from the new emperor's table.
The ripples caused by Feng Qing Heng's high-profile decree to take Lu Qing Wan as a consort, shortly after Feng Xi Wu's funeral, were no less than a minor palace coup.
However, regardless of external changes, Lu Qing Wan cared about only one thing: "Was Commander Lian Yu's appointment letter sent out?"
Li Jin had been specifically handling this matter these past few days. Upon hearing her, he replied without hesitation, "Your Highness, please rest assured. The strategist's appointment letter and the imperial decree for the consort were issued from the palace simultaneously.
The brothers from the Divine Strategy Battalion delivered the appointment letter, with support from the brothers of the Wu Feng Hall. It will reach the strategist in ten days at most."
Lu Qing Wan frowned, "No, ten days is too long. Have them think of a way. It must be delivered before the King's forty-ninth day memorial."
Once the new commander of the Xuan Jia Army was established, she could negotiate with Feng Qing Heng on equal footing.
Li Jin responded, "I will dispatch a team of Sky Horse scouts. I guarantee the appointment letter will reach the King before his forty-ninth day memorial. However, Your Highness, are you… truly intending to enter the palace as a consort?"
Sky Horse scouts were specialized personnel used by the Xuan Jia Army for urgent military intelligence. Equipped with Sky Horses that could travel a thousand miles a day and the best riders, they were the elite of all cavalry.
"Me, a consort?"
Lu Qing Wan let out a disdainful sneer, "Does he, Feng Qing Heng, deserve it?"
Li Jin shook his head without hesitation.
From the moment Feng Xi Wu acknowledged Lu Qing Wan as his princess, those around Feng Xi Wu had already decided that no one, except their own King, was worthy of their princess.
Of course, besides Lu Qing Wan, no one was worthy of their King.
"Then why are you asking?"
Lu Qing Wan rolled her eyes at him impatiently, "Keep an eye on the Ning King's manor. The Ning King's consort is due in six months. Don't let anything go wrong at such a time.
Tell the brothers watching the Ning King's manor that if there is the slightest abnormality with the Ning King's consort, call me immediately, without delay."
Li Jin understood Lu Qing Wan's intention to protect the Ning King's manor and acknowledged it seriously. Just then, Li Su arrived, looking quite indignant.
"Your Highness, people from the palace have come to measure your dimensions, saying they are making imperial auspicious robes for an imperial noble consort. They've also brought many gifts."
"Send them back. Tell Feng Qing Heng that the King's funeral rites have not yet passed. If he insists on me entering the palace, I will enter Feng Yi Palace clad in these mourning clothes.
If he is unwilling, he can wait for three years. After the three-year mourning period for the King and my father has passed, if he is still alive, then I will enter the palace as an imperial noble consort in auspicious robes."
Li Su almost burst out laughing upon hearing this. Li Jin also showed a hint of a smile, "Your Highness's words, the midwives taking measurements probably wouldn't dare to relay."
"If she dares not, then naturally there are others who dare. Do you all think that if I send them away this time, the new emperor will give up?"
"That is true."
Li Jin cupped his hands and said, "I understand. Leave this matter to me.
Until the appointment letter reaches the strategist, anyone from the palace will receive the same explanation."
"Very astute!"
Lu Qing Wan praised Li Jin sincerely, "Go, do as you planned."
Li Jin bowed and left. Li Su said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I just received news.
After Scholar Chi heard that the new emperor was appointing the strategist as the new commander of the Xuan Jia Army and was going to take you as a consort, he vomited blood on the spot and fell ill, apparently stimulated by something."
Lu Qing Wan was slightly surprised, "How is he now? If it's just anger, his body should be fine, right?"
Li Su sighed, "I asked the Chi family. He is not in serious danger, just angered as you said.
But for some reason, Scholar Chi would only allow his family to invite an imperial physician to his residence for treatment, and would not allow his family to alarm you, nor would he even permit going to the Jici Hospital.
I heard that Old Madam Chi, worried about his health, wanted Master Chi to invite you to his residence for treatment, but Scholar Chi flew into a terrible rage!"
As soon as Lu Qing Wan heard this, she understood. Scholar Chi clearly felt he had implicated her and was blaming himself.
"Send a bottle of Heart Protecting Pills to Scholar Chi. Say nothing else."
Li Su acknowledged and retreated. The room instantly became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Lu Qing Wan lay on the chaise lounge, bundled herself into the quilt, and called out softly, "Ru Yue."
A black, graceful figure appeared as if by magic, kneeling on one knee before Lu Qing Wan. "What are your orders, Master?"
Lu Qing Wan stared at him leisurely, "I have no orders, but do you… have nothing you want to tell me?"
Ru Yue raised his round eyes innocently, "I am dull-witted, please enlighten me, Master."
Seeing that she was still pretending to be innocent, Lu Qing Wan was amused to the point of anger. "If I remember correctly, it was you who patted your chest and told me you could get all the intelligence from Tian Xuan City for me, wasn't it?
How long has it been, and you've already forgotten?"
Upon hearing that Lu Qing Wan was asking about this, Ru Yue's small face crumpled, and he looked guilty, as if about to cry.
"Master~"
The single word "Master" was uttered with a wavering tone. Lu Qing Wan twitched her lips speechlessly, "Don't play that game. You are not Xiao Yuan. Acting cute won't work."
Her tactic of acting cute was rebuffed. Ru Yue pouted and said pitifully, "Master, please don't be angry. I didn't intend to act on my own.
It's just that when I sent people to investigate, Tian Xuan City had already fallen into the King's hands.
I also did not see the King. It was Shen Tang Zhou who sent a message saying that the King wanted to give you a surprise personally.
After thinking about it, although it was the King who took action, his objective was essentially the same as yours, so I just delayed the intelligence for a tiny bit."
As she spoke, she tried to gesture with her short, fat fingers, indicating "just a tiny bit."
Lu Qing Wan slightly lifted her chin, "Sit down and tell me."
This meant she would not pursue the matter.
Ru Yue's heart leaped with joy, and he quickly stood up and sat obediently opposite Lu Qing Wan, calling out to her ingratiatingly, "Master~"
"Stop acting cute and speak properly."
Lu Qing Wan lightly tapped the table, "Tell me, what is the situation with Tian Xuan City, or rather, with the King?"
Ru Yue immediately shook his head like a rattle drum, "Master, it's not that I intentionally hid it from you. I truly know nothing about the King's situation!
However, regarding Tian Xuan City, Your Highness, feel free to ask. I will tell you everything without reservation."
Her fawning demeanor was quite something.
Lu Qing Wan was speechless for a moment before regaining her ability to speak, "Tell me what you know. I only ask about Tian Xuan City."
Hearing that she only asked about Tian Xuan City, Ru Yue immediately relaxed.
"Reporting to Master, as of now, all defenses in Tian Xuan City have been replaced. Shen Tang Zhou is currently in overall charge.
The Tian Xuan Sect has been reorganized. Except for some individuals involved in core interests who are confined to the dungeon, other areas have returned to normal. Aside from a new owner, it is no different from before.
However, the position of City Lord has remained vacant. Shen Tang Zhou said that the King is waiting for you to come and be the City Lord!"