Si Lan, seeing the two figures in their changed attire, paused for a moment before approaching them.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Highness and Her Highness the Consort."
Feng Xi Wu nodded, signaling him to rise. Si Han then asked with a hint of suspicion, "Are you two planning to go out?"
Having followed Feng Xi Wu and Lu Qing Wan for two months, Si Lan had already witnessed Feng Xi Wu's boundless favoritism towards Lu Qing Wan.
However, for a newly married couple, to sneak away from the plethora of guests before even consummating their marriage, was something that expanded his understanding once again.
Feng Xi Wu didn't even bother to answer his question. He directly addressed Si Lan, "You've come at the right time. I'm taking the Consort out for some fresh air. If His Imperial Brother seeks me, please inform him.
I will bring the Consort to visit His Imperial Brother and His Imperial Sister-in-law at the Crown Prince's residence tomorrow."
After speaking, without waiting for Si Lan's reply, he led Lu Qing Wan through a series of winding paths. Soon, Lu Qing Wan found herself in a small alleyway.
Seeing the bustling street at the mouth of the alley, Lu Qing Wan suddenly felt a sense of clandestine mischief. She excitedly rubbed her hands together, "Where are we going now?"
"Didn't you want some fresh air? The liveliest place in Zhongzhou is Qingyi River. Shall I take you there for a stroll?"
Lu Qing Wan gladly agreed.
Feng Xi Wu then led her by the hand. As they reached the alley's entrance, a discreet and unostentatious carriage slowly appeared before them.
Li Jin sat on the driver's seat, but the one driving was a new face.
The man jumped down from the driver's seat and paid his respects to Feng Xi Wu and Lu Qing Wan. "Your humble servant Si Han pays respects to Your Highness and Her Highness the Consort.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince worries that the brothers by Your Highness's side are unfamiliar with the situation in Zhongzhou. He has specifically ordered me to drive for Your Highness and help Li Jin familiarize himself with the environment of Zhongzhou.
Please, Your Highness and Her Highness the Consort, board the carriage."
Lu Qing Wan looked at Feng Xi Wu with an expression that said, "Wow, we've been found out."
Before he could speak, Si Han leaned in and said, "Your Highness, the second daughter of the Lan family is at the Ancient Road Workshop just outside the alley. If we linger here too long, Her Highness the Consort might be spotted by her."
Feng Xi Wu's eyes grew cold. He tugged on Lu Qing Wan's hand, signaling her, "Get in the carriage first."
Lu Qing Wan raised an eyebrow and obediently got into the carriage. Feng Xi Wu followed suit.
Once seated, he said, "To Qingyi River."
The carriage slowly set off. Lu Qing Wan leisurely gazed at Feng Xi Wu.
"That second daughter of the Lan family, isn't she the one the Emperor originally intended to bestow upon you in marriage?"
"It is she."
Feng Xi Wu responded with a hint of apprehension and then hastily explained.
"The Emperor's decree for the marriage had not yet been issued when my Imperial Brother and I refused.
However, she is the Empress's niece, so she might have gotten wind of it from the Empress.
I haven't even met her, nor do I know what she looks like. Consort, you have absolutely no need to pay attention to her."
In the past, Feng Xi Wu would not have explained himself so readily to Lu Qing Wan, eager to distance himself from other women.
But things were different now. In Da Gan, Lu Qing Wan had Lu Zhen Ting as her backing, and even elder ministers like Wen Xiang held her in high regard.
But here, Lu Qing Wan was truly alone. Feng Xi Wu was not afraid of Lu Qing Wan becoming jealous and throwing a tantrum, but he feared she would suffer grievances with no one to confide in.
Lu Qing Wan looked at Feng Xi Wu's flustered appearance and didn't offer any explanations. She spoke directly to the point.
"The Emperor bestowing his Empress's niece upon you clearly indicates his desire to monitor you. Logically, as you've only just arrived and lack a strong foundation, the Emperor shouldn't easily change his mind.
How did you manage to persuade Emperor Sheng Wu to abandon the idea of marrying that second daughter of the Lan family to you, and also agree to my marriage alliance with Da Qin?"
Throughout their journey, Lu Qing Wan had observed with utmost clarity.
As the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhaolie in Da Gan, in the eyes of the Da Qin people, she might not even be as esteemed as the daughter of a minor official.
Regarding her marriage to Feng Xi Wu, from the Da Qin people's perspective, it was undeniably a step up for her. She truly couldn't understand how Feng Xi Wu had convinced the Emperor to agree to a marriage alliance with her.
Feng Xi Wu cast a peculiar glance at Lu Qing Wan. "Didn't Xue Hong Yi tell you?"
This was indeed strange. "Our marriage alliance is a state affair between Da Qin and Da Gan. What does Xue Hong Yi have to do with it?"
Feng Xi Wu thought about the message Li Jin had relayed to him and vaguely guessed something.
"The Samsara Hall has a much stronger presence in Da Qin than in Da Gan.
Just as Emperor Geng Shi was preparing to bestow the second legitimate daughter of the Lan family upon me, Grand Tutor Lan An learned from a branch leader of the Samsara Hall that you could craft cannons and firearms. Emperor Geng Shi then changed his mind.
I had always assumed you had learned of this and had Xue Hong Yi help me escape the arranged marriage."
Lu Qing Wan shook her head, "I haven't contacted Xue Hong Yi for a very long time."
"I see.
However, you are, after all, a Saintess of the Samsara Hall. Even if it wasn't Xue Hong Yi, it would be natural for others in the Samsara Hall who learned of the situation to lend you a hand."
Feng Xi Wu took her hand and idly played with her fingers.
"Since we're on the topic, cannons and firearms are also extremely valuable items in Da Qin.
Moreover, your cannon's range is even greater than Da Qin's Red Barbarian Cannons, and its destructive power is larger. Emperor Geng Shi will undoubtedly try his best to obtain the manufacturing methods for cannons and firearms from you.
If he were to demand them in my presence, I would handle it.
But once you refuse, he will surely attempt to demand them privately. At that time, you can simply push the matter onto me. Self-preservation is paramount; nothing else matters."
Lu Qing Wan knew that the reason Emperor Geng Shi would abandon the idea of marrying Feng Xi Wu to another and agree to his marriage alliance with her could not be simple.
Therefore, she was not surprised by Feng Xi Wu's words, only perplexed.
"Emperor Geng Shi doesn't fear you like a fierce flood or monstrous beast, yet he agreed to a marriage alliance with me, a person carrying the design plans for cannons and firearms.
Doesn't he fear that all your cannons and firearms will become a tool for you to oppose him?"
Since Emperor Geng Shi could find Feng Xi Wu, he naturally should also know the relationship between her and Feng Xi Wu.
How could he not know that her marriage into Da Qin would only serve as an advantage to Feng Xi Wu?
Knowing this, he still agreed to a marriage alliance with her. Lu Qing Wan expressed that she completely couldn't comprehend Emperor Geng Shi's thought process.
"It's not difficult to explain.
Our Emperor shares a common flaw with most emperors: blind self-confidence.
Even though he hasn't succeeded in eliminating my Imperial Brother and me for twenty-three years, he still believes in his heart that he can make me bow to him.
As long as I submit to him, the cannons and firearms you bring, as well as your medical skills, will all be at his disposal.
Therefore, he would rather expend more effort to monitor me than waste such a valuable asset as you."
Compared to Lu Qing Wan's bewildered expression, Feng Xi Wu was much calmer.
His handsome face showed no concealment of his sarcasm towards Emperor Geng Shi. "After all, our Emperor is an ambitious man with grand aspirations, wishing to expand his territory and surpass my father's reputation!
How could he stand by and watch such powerful weapons fall into the hands of others?"