After hearing Qin Yining recount everything that had happened over the past few days, Bingtang and Song Lan were both stunned.

“You mean that Young Master Yao is actually the Great Zhou Prince Zhongshun? The legendary bloodthirsty killing demon from the rumors?” Bingtang’s eyes widened.

Qin Yining nodded. “However, he doesn’t seem to be as the rumors describe.”

“Heavens! I had so many opportunities to kill him with one needle!” Bingtang began pacing in circles. “No wonder his bearing was different from ordinary people, and he had such superior martial skills. But this servant doesn’t understand – Grand Preceptor clearly was the one who used the sowing discord stratagem to cause the death of the Defender of the Nation General back then. By rights, you are exactly the enemy’s daughter to Young Prince Pang. The hatred of a father’s murder is irreconcilable, yet he still treats you so specially. This is truly incomprehensible.”

Song Lan stroked the little rabbit Qin Yining was holding and smiled: “What’s incomprehensible about that? Even heroes cannot overcome the beauty trap. Our young lady was born with such looks – never mind others, even we who serve by your side every day sometimes can’t help but steal a few extra glances. How much more so Young Prince Pang? Miss, look how thoughtful Young Prince Pang is, even sending you a little rabbit to keep you company. This little rabbit is truly adorable.”

Er’Bai seemed to understand Song Lan’s praise, nuzzling Song Lan’s palm with its little head, then twisting its small bottom as if wanting to jump down to the ground.

Qin Yining bent down to place it on the floor. Er’Bai hopped to the door, looking like it wanted to go out but couldn’t.

“Does it need to go out?” Bingtang approached curiously and helped Er’Bai push open the door. Er’Bai then hopped out, wiggling its round little bottom.

In just a moment, Bingtang returned carrying Er’Bai, laughing: “Young Prince Pang certainly knows how to give gifts. This little rabbit has become a spirit, hasn’t it? It even knows to go out to relieve itself.”

Soft, adorable, and fluffy little animals naturally attract affection. Not only did Qin Yining like it, but Bingtang and Song Lan also loved Er’Bai. They carefully cleaned it up before bringing it back to Qin Yining’s hands.

Qin Yining held Er’Bai, looking at the bright red plum blossom cord around its neck. Remembering how that arrogant man had bent over with what could be called gentleness to tie the cord on the little rabbit, she couldn’t help but furrow her delicate brows, though her cheeks were tinged with crimson.

Bingtang and Song Lan exchanged glances.

Bingtang smiled: “Miss, don’t overthink it. Didn’t you say yourself that when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight? Previously we thought this peace talk mission had a dark future, but didn’t it pass safely in the end? Moreover, this servant has something to say from the heart – please don’t be angry with this servant.”

As Bingtang spoke, she squatted beside Qin Yining, using one finger to stroke Er’Bai’s head while saying: “This servant feels that Young Prince Pang is not a bad person. Now the gossip spreading through the city – if it were about you and that Liang fellow, this servant would want to kill that lecher. But the gossip about you and Young Prince Pang, this servant actually thinks you two are a perfect match of talent and beauty.”

Song Lan nodded in agreement: “Yes, Young Prince Pang has saved you repeatedly. Now it’s not just that one time at the Immortal’s Temple when he saved your life. In the military camp, if Young Prince Pang hadn’t muddied the waters, never mind you being unable to escape that Liang fellow’s clutches – even with the Grand Preceptor protecting you, His Majesty would have blamed him. After all that commotion, who could His Majesty blame?”

Qin Yining’s face grew even redder at their words.

They hadn’t seen how outrageous that man was. She couldn’t tell people how Pang Xiao had spoken frivolously to her or forcibly kissed her. That person had previously had a sharp tongue and always liked to tease her, but his actions were still those of a gentleman. Who would have thought that in the military camp, he would show his true colors, truly appearing like a devil-may-care rogue.

Seeing Qin Yining’s red face and silence, Song Lan and Bingtang tactfully said no more.

After all, in this world women were inherently disadvantaged. A woman of Qin Yining’s status could never control her own future. Speaking more now and stirring their young lady’s emotions would only cause unnecessary heartache if fate had other arrangements.

The two ordered servants to prepare hot water for Qin Yining’s bath.

Qin Yining declined Prefect Liu’s dinner invitation and fell into deep sleep as soon as she lay down. Having been on edge in the military camp, unable to eat or sleep properly for several consecutive days, this time she slept deeply until bright daylight the next morning.

Meanwhile, Qin Huaiyuan and Cui Wenqing consulted and decided not to delay long in Xihua City. They quickly sent people back to the capital with news of the successful peace talks, then after brief preparations, led everyone to leave Xihua.

Upon departure, the people lined the streets to see them off, with some shouting the nickname “Wise Pan An” like thunder.

Qin Yining, Bingtang, and Song Lan sat in the carriage, unable to resist the excitement outside as they curiously lifted a corner of the curtain to peek out.

Bingtang whispered: “We two did nothing yet get to bask in the glory alongside the master and young lady, tasting what it feels like to be beloved by the people. This is truly ‘the fox borrowing the tiger’s power.'”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining gently grasped Bingtang’s hand.

Bingtang had a bitter fate – no one from the Tang family survived. If they had survived, the people would have loved Imperial Physician Tang just as much.

Bingtang seemed to understand what Qin Yining was thinking and gave her a bright smile.

Song Lan had been watching outside, but suddenly said: “Miss, look, isn’t that Young Prince Pang outside?”

Qin Yining curiously leaned forward to look in the direction Song Lan pointed, seeing two men leading horses unhurriedly following behind the convoy. Both wore ordinary fine cotton cloaks with their faces half-covered by fur collars. Looking carefully at their figures and appearance, who else could it be but Pang Xiao and Huzi?

What were these two up to now?!

As if sensing Qin Yining’s gaze, Pang Xiao, who had been maintaining a cold expression, looked toward the carriage. The moment their eyes met, he suddenly broke into a grin.

Qin Yining’s heart trembled at his smile, and she quickly dropped the warm curtain.

Pang Xiao touched his nose and resumed his cold expression.

He had practiced that smile in the bronze mirror for quite some time – it couldn’t be that ugly, could it?

Inside the carriage, Song Lan said: “Disguising themselves like this to follow out of the city – are they going to the capital? This doesn’t seem proper.”

Qin Yining unconsciously stroked Er’Bai, smoothing its fur. After a long while, when her heartbeat had steadied, she said: “Now that the peace talks have succeeded, Great Zhou has withdrawn troops from the pass, and diplomatic relations between the two countries have been restored. Even if they freely travel on Great Yan territory, no one could find fault with it.”

Bingtang said: “Perhaps they’re just traveling the same route. Miss, don’t worry about it. As long as they harbor no ill will toward you, there’s nothing to fear.”

Hearing this, Song Lan also nodded.

After leaving Xihua City, the convoy quickened its pace. Qin Yining observed several times and found that Pang Xiao and Huzi hadn’t kept up with the group. Though she found it odd that their pace was so slow, she only thought briefly before dismissing it.

When coming, the future seemed rocky and the journey endless. When returning, everyone was eager to go home, even their steps much lighter. So the journey that took two days coming required only a day and a half returning. By noon on the twenty-ninth, the convoy had reached the outskirts of the capital.

The emperor, knowing the peace talks had succeeded and everyone was returning, had already arranged for eunuchs to wait at the city gates.

Upon seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s group, the eunuch in iron-gray robes respectfully performed a grand salute, saying with an ingratiating smile: “Grand Preceptor Qin, Minister Cui, His Majesty’s oral decree says to please have everyone camp outside the city for one night. Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will hold a welcoming ceremony and personally lead the ministers out of the city to greet you.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “Yes, please trouble this eunuch to relay my words to His Majesty – His Majesty’s thoughtfulness moves this minister deeply.”

“Grand Preceptor Qin is His Majesty’s most valued minister. His Majesty’s regard for you is only proper.” The eunuch then looked toward the carriage at the rear of the convoy, smiling: “His Majesty also has an edict requesting Grand Preceptor Qin to arrange for Miss Qin to enter the city first, considering tomorrow’s ceremony will have many people with loose tongues.”

Was the emperor afraid people would gossip behind his back about using a woman for peace negotiations?

However, Qin Huaiyuan was eager to send Qin Yining back first anyway, to spare his daughter from being subjected to everyone’s suspicious and speculative gazes.

So Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “His Majesty is indeed thoroughly considerate – this minister never would have thought of it. I’ll immediately arrange for my daughter to be sent into the city. Thank you, Eunuch.”

The eunuch respectfully saluted Qin Huaiyuan and Cui Wenqing before taking his leave to return to the palace and report.

Qin Huaiyuan and Cui Wenqing ordered camp to be made outside the city and arranged for over ten people to escort Qin Yining back to the residence first.

“When you see the Old Madam, comfort her well. Tell her Father will return to the residence after tomorrow’s ceremony,” Qin Huaiyuan instructed Qin Yining.

“Your daughter understands and won’t let the Old Madam worry.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded and added: “Regarding some matters from the peace talks – some things can be spoken of, some cannot. Be careful yourself.”

“Your daughter has proper judgment and won’t speak carelessly. After all, these are court secrets.” Qin Yining agreed with a smile.

Knowing Qin Yining was quite intelligent, Qin Huaiyuan smiled with relief: “Fortunately we’ve all returned safely. The days ahead can be lived well, and there’s still hope.”

“Yes.” Qin Yining looked at Qin Huaiyuan and smiled, unable to help smiling herself. This peace talk journey had given Qin Yining deeper understanding of Qin Huaiyuan, and her filial affection for her father had grown even stronger.

After speaking a few words with Qin Huaiyuan, Qin Yining boarded the carriage and entered the capital with her escort.

Passing the Stepping on Clouds Inn, Qin Yining first got out to see Manager Zhong.

Seeing Qin Yining’s return, Manager Zhong was so overjoyed he immediately knelt down and kowtowed to all the gods and buddhas: “Now that Miss has returned, I can be at peace!”

Qin Yining helped Manager Zhong up, smiling: “You’ve been troubled these past days. During my ten-odd days away from the capital, did anything major happen in the capital?”

“Nothing else really, just heard that the Crown Prince and Prince Ning had a big fight, and Prince Ning was so angry he drove the Crown Prince out of the prince’s residence. Our people also just heard the wine patrons talking privately – we don’t know if it’s true or false. Anyway, everyone’s saying the Crown Prince is unclear in his head, having such a backer yet causing such a falling out himself. What will he use to compete against the Demon Empress in the future?”

Qin Yining recalled the Crown Prince’s absurd behavior on the day of departure, and combining it with these words, understood everything. She couldn’t help saying: “One also cannot guarantee Prince Ning was reliable from the beginning.”

Manager Zhong was also a shrewd person who understood immediately, smiling and nodding. Then he became serious: “There’s one more matter concerning your residence.”

“Oh? What matter?” Qin Yining raised her eyebrows in confusion.