Li Su nodded, "I heard Consort Chen has been confined to Yi Kun Palace. Those consorts who were pregnant have all returned to their respective palaces, and the children are currently safe. However, my lady, I initially thought the new Emperor only proposed to make you a favored consort to spite His Highness. Now, it seems he wants you to treat him under a new identity, so he can save face. If that's the case, his idea of forcibly making you a consort might not be easily abandoned."
Concern for Lu Qing Wan instantly overshadowed her schadenfreude towards Feng Qing Heng.
Lu Qing Wan, however, was not worried. "How did you get this information, and how many people know about it now?"
"Cough, the news came from Tang Xiao. Someone as proud as the new Emperor, how could he let outsiders know? The maids and eunuchs present last night were sent to Ye Ting Palace overnight; they are most likely dead. As of now, only you and I outside the palace know. As for the Chen family, I can't be sure."
Lu Qing Wan raised an eyebrow. "Does Empress Yue know?"
"Empress Yue does not know yet." Chen Ruo Yu, having gone from being the Prince of Chen's principal consort to a noble consort, was overshadowed by Yue Wu Xia. The new Emperor, to appease her, granted her the authority to manage the affairs of the six palaces. Empress Yue arrived late, and her maternal clan is not in Shang Jing. Although her capabilities are unknown, her influence has not yet extended to Consort Chen and the new Emperor. Li Su tried to explain clearly, "What happened last night occurred in Wei Yang Palace, and Empress Yue is completely unaware. However, whether she will uncover any clues later is uncertain."
Lu Qing Wan, however, only cared about one thing. "Empress Yue has been in the palace for almost three months. Could it be that Feng Qing Heng is having others visit her on his behalf?"
Li Su grinned awkwardly. "I don't know about that. As for Tang Xiao, he could inquire about other consorts brought to Wei Yang Palace, but the Empress is in Kun Ning Palace, so he couldn't investigate either!" Although Lu Qing Wan was a little disappointed, she understood Tang Xiao and did not make things difficult for Li Su.
She changed the subject, "Was it truly Consort Chen's own idea to drug Feng Qing Heng?" She was clearly a spoiled noble lady. If she had that much courage, Feng Qing Heng wouldn't have driven her half-mad.
Li Su looked guiltily at Lu Qing Wan and remained silent.
The latter looked at her with a half-smile. "What, you still can't tell me?"
Li Su quickly waved her hands. "Well, my lady, please don't be angry. Feng Qing Heng's poison was indeed administered by Consort Chen, but the matter of the new Emperor wanting to make Yue Wu Xia the Empress, and her losing composure during the late Emperor's mourning, these were revealed to Consort Chen by the Prince's men. As for the aphrodisiac that made the new Emperor impotent, that was also sent to Consort Chen by the Prince's men."
An answer that was unexpected but within reason. Lu Qing Wan chuckled, a mix of crying and laughing. "He's always been one for direct confrontation, when did he start resorting to such underhanded tactics?"
Li Su looked crestfallen. "The new Emperor has repeatedly tried to kill you and harmed Marquis Lu. You could have killed him long ago for revenge. But His Highness, due to the dying wishes of the late Emperor and the former Empress Dowager, has repeatedly asked you to spare his life. His Highness feels guilty, so he is indirectly tormenting Feng Qing Heng to vent your anger."
For someone like Feng Qing Heng who valued his reputation, such an embarrassing and unspeakable matter was the greatest torment. Moreover, the only one who could save him was Lu Qing Wan, which only added to his suffering. It had to be said that Feng Xi Wu's petty scheming this time had hit the mark with Lu Qing Wan.
As she felt a surge of emotion, Li Jin's voice was heard, "My lady, Old Madam Chi wishes to see you!"
"It's so late, why would Old Madam Chi come?" Lu Qing Wan exclaimed in surprise and quickly said, "Please invite the old madam to the warm chamber to wait for a moment, I will be out immediately."
Lu Qing Wan hastily washed up and changed her clothes. Even though she was quick, it still took the time of two cups of tea. As soon as she entered, she saw Old Madam Chi sitting there, wringing her handkerchief. The teacups and pastries on the table appeared untouched. Seeing this, Lu Qing Wan skipped the pleasantries and walked straight in. "It's so late, why has Old Madam Chi come?"
"My lady, I am truly desperate. Please save my son!" Old Madam Chi bent down as if to kneel, but Lu Qing Wan quickly stepped forward to support her. "What is this, old madam? Tell me what happened first, and I will resolve it if I can. If I cannot resolve it myself, I can find a way!"
Old Madam Chi returned to her seat, sighing despondently. "My son entered the palace yesterday, saying he was to draft the Empress Dowager's memorial eulogy. But he has not left the palace until today. My husband sent someone to inquire, and those who entered the palace with my son have all left. Upon further inquiry, the new Emperor's attendant said that the eulogy drafted by my son offended the Empress Dowager. He told my husband to find you, my lady. My son's life is in your hands."
Old Madam Chi tried to maintain the dignity of a noble lady, but as she spoke, tears streamed down her face. "My husband refused to come to you, nor did he let us come, but how can I bear it? Please, my lady, understand an old woman's longing for her son and save him!"
Lu Qing Wan was stunned to hear this. It was no wonder Grand Tutor Chi had sent his children, Chi Yao Yao and Chi Jing Chuan, away so early. He must have known Feng Qing Heng's intentions long ago. Lu Qing Wan had never imagined that, besides Feng Xi Wu and the people of the Reincarnation Hall, so many unrelated individuals were silently protecting her. She felt both touched and pained. After a moment, she said to Old Madam Chi, "Old madam, please return home first and stay with Grand Tutor Chi at all times tonight. Rest assured, Minister Chi will return tomorrow morning." Since Feng Qing Heng was acting unscrupulously, she did not need to be polite. Having transmigrated, she had done everything, both proper and improper. Why not do something big? Holding the emperor hostage to command the lords, that shouldn't be too much, right?
Old Madam Chi looked at Lu Qing Wan's confident expression and felt an inexplicable unease, sensing that Lu Qing Wan seemed about to stir up trouble. However, her concern for her son ultimately made her ignore this unease, and she said gratefully, "In that case, I thank you in advance, my lady." Lu Qing Wan held Old Madam Chi's hand and repeatedly reassured her, "Please do not be so formal with me, old madam. Be sure to keep a close eye on Minister Chi, and for the next few days, it would be best not to let him be alone." Old Madam Chi did not understand, but as it was late and the prince's manor had just held a funeral, she was indeed not convenient to stay too long, so she left with a heart full of doubt.
After seeing Old Madam Chi off, Lu Qing Wan narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Xuan Jia Army, the Chi family, Prime Minister Wen, and… Little Yuan Er, you truly aren't afraid of scaring me, are you? Then I shall grant your wish." She tapped the armrest of the grand tutor's chair with her fingertip and murmured, "They all say I, a hen, crow at dawn and a woman meddles in politics. I am also very curious, if I were to truly sit in that high position, what would those old beancurd-brains react like?" Lu Qing Wan then chuckled to herself, her smile radiant, but it sent chills down Li Su's spine, giving him goosebumps.