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

So, was Zheng Zhuyi able to escape from the prison because she was rescued by foreign spies? What was their purpose in saving her?

How were they rescued?

After Zheng Zhuyi disappeared, the Huben Guards pursued her while conducting an internal purge. Many suspects and responsible persons were dealt with or transferred. The final verdict was that she bribed and seduced the jailer.

It doesn’t seem that simple now.

"Capture Zheng Zhuyi at all costs!"

Fei Wan gave this instruction to the people outside the palace.

She had a vague premonition that catching Zheng Zhuyi would clear up the fog in front of her.

On the day Fei Wan issued the order, a large group of troops sent by the imperial court defeated the bandits who attacked Empress Yan's carriage in the wilderness 200 miles away from the capital.

Of the hundreds of bandits, more than 90% were killed on the spot, and the rest were captured and interrogated.

So the identities of these people were found out.

There were refugees who had settled down after the disaster, bandits who had already gathered in the mountains, and foreigners.

Attacking the phoenix carriage was a serious crime of treason and provoking the imperial family. Even if the empress was being sent outside the capital for recuperation, she was still the empress, and the dignity of Daliang could not be challenged.

The next day, these people were sent to the execution ground and beheaded in the street.

Zheng Zhuyi was not among them.

But this was not important to the emperor and the court, as they did not know that Zheng Zhuyi was among the bandits.

Because the phoenix carriage was openly attacked, a wave of national humiliation swept across the court and the country.

Since the Tartars entered the city last year, there have been several major incidents of Tartar disruption. If Daliang continues to tolerate this, wouldn't that be the height of cowardice?!

Not only did many censors submit petitions to the court, but a large number of civil and military officials also supported the campaign against foreign countries, and some military generals even wrote blood oaths to volunteer to fight.

The people are even more resentful.

Many academy students gathered at the gates of government offices and even outside the imperial city, and jointly wrote a letter requesting the court to send troops to avenge the humiliation.

In the recent teahouses and restaurants, people can be seen everywhere talking about the injustice of Beiqu.

On the streets, children were running around singing ballads, implying that the star of generals was shining in the sky and this year was the most favorable for sending troops.

The general situation was like this. During the morning court session, the emperor asked his ministers about their attitudes towards attacking Qu. Many of them supported it, but the important ministers held two different attitudes and could not reach a consensus.

A group of officials headed by the Prime Minister advised everyone to be patient and not to be impatient. They said that the war must be fought, but not now. They needed to be fully prepared and take their time.

These people hold quite high official positions.

After several days of unresolved arguments in the morning court, the emperor summoned several cabinet ministers to the Chenqian Hall to report on their arguments.

After listening to them argue for a while, the emperor asked:

"Lord Li, you insist on not sending troops yet, which is quite reasonable. However, I want to ask you, when is the most appropriate time to send troops?"

Prime Minister Li Yao replied, "Your Majesty, I believe that conquering the enemy without fighting is the best strategy. Daliang has tolerated the Qu Kingdom for a long time, and a campaign is imperative to enhance our national prestige. However, a hasty military campaign would be detrimental to the war, and once it breaks out, it would be costly and cumbersome. Therefore, I humbly suggest that while we prepare for war, we should also send a letter to the Qu Kingdom, threatening and accusing them. If the Qu Kingdom bows and apologizes and pays compensation, our national prestige will be enhanced without a fight. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

The emperor stared at him deeply.

Then he smiled and nodded.

"My dear minister, you have always been prudent. This method is feasible. However, what if the Qu Kingdom refuses to apologize?"

Li Shoufu said: "Then I will be the first to support the immediate dispatch of troops to attack!"

The emperor then asked, "Who do you think is suitable to go to the Kingdom of Qu to deliver the letter and hold them accountable for their unjust actions? This is a serious matter, and I would like to send an important official."

Several cabinet ministers were stunned.

Daliang and Beiqu were allies, regularly exchanging letters of greeting. This was a long-standing tradition, often accompanied by permanent envoys. When the other side witnessed major events like the enthronement of a new emperor, the enthronement of a queen, or the appointment of a crown prince, they would dispatch important officials to offer congratulations as a gesture of friendship. Such envoys enjoyed lucrative positions, often earning substantial rewards and often being highly valued upon their return.

But this time, delivering the letter of credence was to demand accountability, a difficult task. The alliance between the two countries was now in name only, and the only thing left was war. While the two countries didn't kill envoys during war, they were already sending spies to stir up trouble. How could they still talk about morality? There was a chance they'd be killed.

"Lord Li, are you willing to go?" asked the emperor.

Prime Minister Li bowed quickly.

"I shall be loyal to my country, and I have no choice but to do so. However, I am not good at speaking, and I am afraid that if I go, I will not be able to list the worst of the Qu Kingdom and seek justice for Daliang. I will also not be able to persuade the other party to voluntarily atone for their sins, and I will miss the real purpose. I believe that among all the civil and military officials in the court, there is only one person who can take on this task."

"Who is it? My dear, please tell me quickly."

"Your Majesty, Lord Lu Guinian can take on this important task."

Lu Guinian: “…”

……

"Sister, I heard that Lu Guinian is going to the Kingdom of Qu as an envoy. Now, he won't have to bother you all day long."

Queen Yan said to Fei Wan who came to visit.

This was an exaggeration; Lu Guinian wouldn't have bothered the concubine every day. But it was true that among all the officials who loved to report others, Lu Guinian was the most dissatisfied with the concubine. Fei Wan had been favored the longest, and he had reported her the most often.

Three days after Li Shoufu proposed Lu Guinian's mission to Qu State, the matter was finalized. No matter how much officials friendly to Lu Guinian objected, officials from Li Shoufu's faction strongly supported it, and with the emperor's approval, the matter was a foregone conclusion.

Fei Wan and Lu Gui Nian had already discussed it in advance.

But Queen Yan didn't know the relationship between the two.

Fei Wan smiled and said, "I heard about it. It also saves him from causing trouble for my sister and the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion."

Empress Yan snorted coldly after hearing this: "I'd rather he cause trouble for the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, so that the Duke won't be too idle and cause trouble for me. But then again, Lu Guinian is a capable minister. If I can recruit him for my own use, it would be better than letting him go to Beiqu to die."

"If he returns safely, would you dare to use him?"

"dare."

Empress Yan thought for a moment and said, "Although he has caused you trouble, he performed a great service when the enemy entered the city. We can be considered to have received his kindness. One thing is for another. A journey to Qu State is likely to be dangerous. I will send someone to protect him. Sister, I know you have people outside the palace. If possible, put aside your grudges for now and send some people to him."

Fei Wan smiled and nodded.

This is the loveliness of Queen Yan.

Don't be confused about important matters.

"There's one more thing, sister. Our ship hasn't made any money yet. But now the time to spend the money is coming. What can we do?"

After Queen Yan was attacked by bandits, her desire for power became even stronger.

Fei Wan advised her: "Sister, please be patient and deal with the current issues first."

What was made public was that the refugees and bandits were instigated by Qu people to assassinate Feng Jia, but everyone knew that it was the Duke of Zhenguo who was in collusion with the bandits.

What is the intention of the Duke of Zhenguo?

"I have requested permission to return to the Duke's Mansion tomorrow to visit my father, and His Majesty has approved it."

Queen Yan's brows and eyes were frosty.

He took Fei Wan's hand and said, "Sister, please go with me."