Feng Qing Heng was clearly aware of the societal preference for men, especially men of his high status and power.
Once the news of Lu Qing Wan deliberately seducing him was released, regardless of the truth, it would be the recently widowed Lu Qing Wan who would suffer.
Lu Qing Wan's small head spun rapidly, her tone of feigned indignation laced with anger as she berated Feng Qing Heng, "Feng Qing Heng, you are too overbearing!
Don't think I don't know that you took me as your consort precisely for the military authority of the Black Armored Army.
Don't forget, the prerequisite for the Black Armored Army to honor me as their Matriarch was that I was still Feng Xi Wu's Princess Consort. If I were forced to become someone in your harem, they would still respect me as their Matriarch.
But if it became as you say, they would only hate me for betraying Feng Xi Wu, and how could they still obey my command?
In that case, even if you took me, apart from disgusting Feng Xi Wu, all your other plans would fall through!"
Feng Qing Heng had indeed spoken such a foolish idea in a moment of careless triumph. Upon Lu Qing Wan's reminder, he immediately realized his mistake.
His tone softened somewhat, "Since you understand the implications, do not make such an impossible request of me.
That I would agree to enfeoff you as Consort Chen, ranking first among the imperial consorts, is already a great favor.
In return, you will help me sow discord within the Black Armored Army and prevent the Chi family, the Wen family, and Prince Nan from opposing me."
Perhaps it was Lu Qing Wan's unintentionally revealed hint of compromise that misled him, as Feng Qing Heng boldly reached out to touch Lu Qing Wan's cheek.
Lu Qing Wan deftly dodged his hand. He was not angered, "Woman, in the end, one needs a patron.
Now that your husband is dead and your father is gone, and you have offended so many people, Lord Wen and the others intend to help you, but it is out of respect for Feng Xi Wu.
When people are dead, how long can such sentiment last?
Lu Qing Wan, be sensible, it will do you no harm."
Lu Qing Wan bit her lip as if in humiliation, "Consort Chen regards me as a thorn in her side. If I were to be below her, could I survive in this harem?"
Feng Qing Heng paused, "So you are worried about this!
You have no need to fear her; with me here, she cannot bully you."
Lu Qing Wan scoffed, "You are in the front court, how can you always pay attention to the inner palace?
Everyone knows that a higher official can crush a lower one; it is the same in the harem.
It is inconvenient to easily shake the position of Empress, but even for a consort's title, one must scheme like this. Feng Qing Heng, do you think I am still the foolish girl who chased after you, unaware of the consequences?"
The temptation of the four hundred thousand Black Armored Army was too great, and Feng Qing Heng was too eager to vex Feng Xi Wu through Lu Qing Wan.
The more Lu Qing Wan bargained with him, the more he believed that Lu Qing Wan had only married Feng Xi Wu for the honor of being the Regent Princess Consort.
Therefore, the more Lu Qing Wan insisted on the importance of rank, the more confident he became. Hearing this, far from being angered, he asked patiently, "Then what do you want?"
"Since you cannot give me the position of Empress, then I want a position below Empress but above Noble Consort."
Lu Qing Wan's ambitious gaze fixed on Feng Qing Heng, "I want you to enfeoff me as the first Imperial Noble Consort of Da Qian, with the authority to assist in managing the six palaces, holding a rank equal to the Deputy Empress."
Before Feng Qing Heng could say anything more, she said resolutely, "After Feng Xi Wu's forty-ninth-day memorial service, Lian Yu will send people to escort me to the Northwest.
Feng Xi Wu's fiefdom is there. As his widow, my going to the Northwest is only natural; there is no reason to refuse.
If you agree to enfeoff me as Imperial Noble Consort, everything can be discussed. If not, then there is nothing to talk about.
When I reach the Northwest, I believe that with the respect the Black Armored Army has for me, my life will not be difficult. But whether you will have nightmares every night and toss and turn, I cannot say for sure."
"Good, I promise you."
After Feng Xi Wu's incident, Lu Qing Wan first went to Xi Liang, then killed Cheng Jiu Xiao. Time had passed.
The forty-ninth-day memorial service was less than ten days away. Feng Qing Heng had no room for hesitation.
"I agree to enfeoff you as Imperial Noble Consort, grant you a rank equal to the Deputy Empress, and the authority to assist in managing the six palaces.
You had best keep your word and ensure the Black Armored Army is used by me, otherwise, I will personally dismantle your weaknesses one by one, making you wish you were dead."
"It's a deal."
Lu Qing Wan retrieved her hairpin dagger. "But I am still the Regent's widow. You must handle the officials yourself; I will not concern myself with the troubles in between."
Feng Qing Heng nodded, "Naturally.
You only need to prepare to be my Imperial Noble Consort. The rest, I will handle."
Lu Qing Wan eyed him coldly, "Do not blame me for reminding you that the conditions we have agreed upon also include the Chi family.
I don't care how you handle me, but do not lay a hand on the Chi family."
Feng Qing Heng opened a drawer and took out a pill, handing it to Lu Qing Wan, "You cannot have everything good.
I know you are agreeing so readily now entirely because of the mess Feng Xi Wu left behind. Eat this, and everything will be fine."
Before the pill even fell into Lu Qing Wan's hand, alarms blared repeatedly from the spatial laboratory.
The repetitive mechanical sound gave Lu Qing Wan a headache, clearly indicating that the pill Feng Qing Heng had produced was quite potent.
Lu Qing Wan took it, tilted her head back, and swallowed it. "Now can you let me take him away?"
"Open your mouth?"
Feng Qing Heng said as a matter of course, "Don't blame me for being cautious. You are too cunning; I must guard against it."
The spatial laboratory had already produced the toxicological analysis of the pill, so Lu Qing Wan calmly opened her mouth. "I'm not a hamster, am I going to hide the medicine in my mouth?"
Feng Qing Heng examined her closely, confirming that Lu Qing Wan had not hidden the pill in her mouth before a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Lu Qing Wan said with a cold expression, "Can I take him away now?"
"Not yet."
Feng Qing Heng reached to embrace Lu Qing Wan's waist. "Once you are truly deserving of the title of Imperial Noble Consort, I will naturally let you go."
As he spoke, his lecherous hand reached for Lu Qing Wan's waist, but before his hand could touch her, a sharp dagger-like hairpin sliced through his palm.
Lu Qing Wan angrily demanded, "What did you give me?"
The toxicological analysis report from the spatial laboratory showed that Feng Qing Heng had given her the "Bewitching Serpent Toxin Pill."
As the name suggests, this poison was made from the venom of the female bewitching snake. Anyone who took it would, upon smelling the blood of a male bewitching snake, transform into a lustful wench, insatiable.
The most terrifying aspect was that this poison only stimulated desire, while the brain remained clear.
This was tantamount to forcing someone to watch their own violation, a dual torment of body and soul for the poisoned victim.
Lu Qing Wan's expression at this moment was a mixture of shock and panic, exactly as Feng Qing Heng had anticipated. He was immensely pleased.
"Aren't you a divine doctor? You don't know this?"
Feng Qing Heng watched Lu Qing Wan stagger, unable to stand steadily, still trying to struggle. Having bested Lu Qing Wan multiple times, he finally savored the taste of victory.
As if deliberately tormenting her, he walked over slowly, ignoring his injured hand, and reached to touch Lu Qing Wan's face again.
Unexpectedly, Lu Qing Wan, who had appeared weak and unable to stand, suddenly unleashed a flying kick aimed at his lower body.
Feng Qing Heng, caught off guard by the kick, let out a scream that echoed through Weiyang Palace.