The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

army.

Fei Wan's heart was greatly moved.

What kind of army? How many people? How many weapons? Where is it now? How can I contact and control it? Can I use it? ...

Many curiosities flashed through Fei Wan's mind, and she was eager to know.

Because she always understood that the goals she wanted to achieve must ultimately be supported by powerful military force.

All the palace struggles in the past and present are just preparations for the future.

But in an instant, she suppressed all thoughts and maintained a calm state of mind like still water.

Because the more you want something, the more secure you need it.

Fei Wan didn't say anything, waiting quietly for Concubine Qing to continue talking.

Noble Concubine He Qing had no intention of keeping the secret. After explaining the previous sentence, she said directly, "Due to my current status, I cannot do many things personally. I will hand this army over to you for the time being. You will decide how to use it and how to use it. If it is exhausted in the end and the task is not accomplished, then it is simply fate."

Fei Wan waited for a moment, and when she saw the other party pause, waiting for her response, she asked, "Since you have an army, why don't you go find your relatives yourself?"

During the last secret conversation, I told Concubine Qing that one of her relatives was trapped in Beiqu, and his whereabouts were unknown, and his life or death was uncertain.

Since we have an army, why not use it directly?

Concubine He Qing did not hide the truth: "Because this army belongs to the Xihe King of Beiqu. And the Xihe King was originally the power of the previous emperor of Beiqu. The current emperor of Beiqu came to power illegitimately and has been suppressing the former emperor's ministers. No one under the Xihe King dares to act rashly. The Xihe King's original wife and eldest son are both held hostage in the Beiqu capital. His current wife was arranged for him by the Beiqu Emperor. If you want to obtain this army, you must first rescue the Xihe King's wife and children."

After Emperor Beiqu ascended the throne, he suppressed many of the previous emperor's former subordinates. The situation in the Beiqu court was complicated, and Fei Wan had heard about it.

Then he asked, "Even with the power of King Xihe in Beiqu and your status as a goddess messenger, you couldn't rescue the hostages. Why do you think I can?"

"We are the ones in the open, and oftentimes, we have too many constraints. Prince Xihe has tried many times, but he was always afraid to act rashly, and ultimately failed to achieve his goal. And you—" Concubine He Qing looked deeply at Fei Wan and said slowly, "You are very capable, I believe you can do it."

"Sister believes it, but does King Xihe believe it?"

"I'll convince him."

"What if I fail to do so and instead alert the enemy and endanger the King of Xihe's wife and children?"

Concubine Qing said frankly, "Prince Xihe cherishes his wife and children very much. If you cause their loss, he will definitely not forgive you. He has assassins in Daliang who will assassinate him. So if you were not extremely alert and cautious, I would not tell you this."

Fei Wan lowered her eyes in thought.

Her cleverness and prudence in passing the scripture note should have satisfied Concubine Qing.

Delivering the message with a note was a test from Concubine Qing to her.

One of them is that a note can be found between the scriptures.

The second is that you can find the words on the blank note.

The third is that you can find the words and recognize them.

If I hadn't achieved any one of these, I might not have heard anything about the army and King Xihe while sitting here today.

but……

Fei Wan shook her head.

"Sister, I am deeply moved by your trust. However, no matter how clever I am, I can only strive for favor and position in the palace. Commanding an army is probably..."

Upon hearing this, Concubine He Qing was stunned for a moment.

Then he raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled helplessly.

"Fei Wan, your caution makes me feel more at ease."

But Fei Wan was not completely reassured about Concubine Qing.

Concubine Heqing clearly understood this.

"Sister." She sighed softly, "Because of my faith in the Goddess, there are some things I cannot tell you. I didn't tell you everything last time, not because I didn't want to."

Fei Wan looked at her and said, "Sister hasn't told me everything yet."

Prince Xihe and the army are not the only secrets between him and Concubine Qing.

Concubine He Qing nodded frankly: "Yes."

But she had no intention of revealing anything further.

Fei Wan didn't force her.

I just asked, "What else does my sister want besides family reunion?"

"Goddesses protect the common people, and Buddhas guide us to the other shore. Fei Wan, do you believe that I, trapped in the deep palace, am like a bird with broken wings, hoping for peace and happiness in the world?"

Fei Wan was a little surprised by Concubine Qing's answer.

Looking at her calmly, Fei Wan saw a faint self-mockery and a vague hope in Concubine He Qing's eyes.

"Peace under heaven—these four words require only a dozen strokes to write, yet they carry a weighty weight, a burden few can bear. And making everyone happy is even harder. Even in a peaceful and prosperous age, there are still sorrows and resentments caused by separation and death, so how can there be joy?"

He Qing Guifei spoke slowly, and finally smiled: "It's just a little wishful thinking of mine."

"Sister, I have the same obsession as you do." Fei Wan also smiled. "Sister, tell me the truth. Why do you dare to tell me about the military? If you tell me, I will consider accepting your 'gift'."

This is a test of the other party's sincerity.

Until now, the identity of Concubine He Qing has been gradually revealed. From a divine messenger, to a descendant of Xuan Nu, to a person who controls a secret army, perhaps there are more unexpected things to come.

She didn't want to tell it all at once, so Fei Wan left it to her own devices.

Everyone has their own secrets and considerations. It is not necessarily a good idea to reveal everything. It is better to cooperate with each other and get what they need.

But Fei Wan wants the other party to be a little more honest.

At the very least, she should explain clearly why the other party trusts her.

Otherwise, no matter how attractive this army is, you cannot accept it.

"If you dare to arrange for Lan Zhaoyi to go north, I will trust you." Concubine Heqing said.

Oh?

Fei Wan was a little surprised.

Such a secret matter was actually discovered by Concubine Qing.

Since she knew this...

"Sister, do you know how many Beiqu spies there are in the palace, and who they are?"

Fei Wan did not ask how Concubine Qing knew about Concubine Lan Zhaoyi, but only asked more useful questions.

I only heard the other party say, "My knowledge is limited. Take these. You'll have to look up the rest. If you have any questions, please come back and discuss it. I'll do my best to help you."

Concubine Heqing took a piece of paper from under the paperweight on the table and opened it. There were four names on it, with their positions and life stories noted at the end.

Fei Wan accepted it, stood up and saluted: "Thank you, this is enough."

Recently, I and Empress Yan have been secretly investigating the spies in Beiqu, and we have some clues. Comparing this list, Fei Wan has a plan in mind.

He also talked with Concubine Heqing for a long time, asking about the situation in various parties in Beiqu. He stayed for half an hour before leaving.

This visit was worthwhile.

Fei Wan and Concubine He Qing were both cautious people. When Fei Wan said goodbye, Concubine He Qing personally saw her off to the palace gate, took out two handwritten scriptures, and instructed her to send them to the nunnery in the palace for worship.

This can be regarded as an external explanation of this meeting.

Meditate and read scriptures, and make friends through Buddhism.

"Your Highness, should we go to the nunnery first, or should we return to Chunxi Palace and offer sutras at the nunnery another day?"

Xiangyi asked for directions.

Fei Wan sat in the sedan chair, leaning against a large pillow, feeling a little tired.

Although talking with Consort Heqing required sitting still and didn't require physical effort, it was very draining. Testing each other's offense and defense, as well as analyzing the situation in Beiqu, were all mentally taxing.

"Let's go back to the palace first. I'll rest up, take a bath, and burn some incense before I go to offer sutras."

"Yes, ma'am."

So the team returned to Chunxi Palace.

Feiwan leaned on her elbows and closed her eyes to rest.

Silently planning the next move.

The sedan suddenly jolted, almost causing her to fall off her seat.

"What's going on? Who dares to offend the imperial concubine?"

Xiangyi's scolding came from outside.

A strange voice shouted in panic, "I didn't mean to do that! Sister, which imperial concubine is this? Is it Imperial Concubine Zhao, the one who helps manage the harem?"

"How dare you! This is of course Consort Zhao. Which palace are you from? How dare you rush in here without knowing etiquette?"

"Sister! I'm the maid who looks after the garden at Shanglin Garden. I've come to report to Her Majesty that a young lady has committed suicide by drowning herself in the lake at Shanglin Garden! Please send someone to rescue her!"

Fei Wan sat up straight and whispered, "Get out of the sedan chair and let her explain herself."

Xiangyi then ordered the palace maid to speak in detail.

Ask her who jumped into the lake and why.

"No, I don't know what it was. It was just a young lady. I think her surname was... What?" The little maid stuttered. "It seemed like her surname was Hu. I didn't hear it clearly! I was terrified! I quickly ran to find the Imperial Concubine! My Lady, go and save her!"