Qin Yining couldn’t help but stand up and pace back and forth, finding the situation increasingly troublesome the more she thought about it.

“His Majesty’s move is too sinister. Just now I heard His Majesty tell Your Highness not to decline, but what if at tomorrow’s grand court assembly, the Northern Ji old officials and the great families’ connections unite to publicly oppose Your Highness?”

“His Majesty originally favored the Northern Ji old officials quite a bit. If they unite, His Majesty would have no choice but to give up.” Xu Weizhi shook his head. “What would outsiders say then? Your Highness fails to enter the cabinet and instead gets mocked for overestimating yourself. Your Highness’s illustrious reputation spreads far and wide, but it can’t withstand such loss of face. If your reputation suffers, it will be absolutely detrimental to Your Highness’s future development.”

“More importantly, His Majesty is granting Your Highness this official position under the pretext of rewarding you for pacifying Great Yan. His Majesty granted it, but if Your Highness lacks the ability to occupy this position, then you can’t blame His Majesty.” Xie Yue’s brow was already tightly furrowed as he spoke, cold sweat covering his forehead. “In this old man’s view, His Majesty wants to take this opportunity to knock Your Highness to rock bottom and make you a laughingstock, thereby solving the problem once and for all.”

The three people’s analysis was meticulous and incisive. Even though Pang Xiao had been somewhat stirred up by Li Qitian’s provocation, when he calmed down and thought again, he realized the impropriety of the situation.

The study fell into silence.

After a long while, Xie Yue finally said: “Old Xu, quickly think of a solution. We can’t have Your Highness publicly refuse tomorrow—that would be defying the imperial decree.”

Xu Weizhi stroked his chin: “Defying the decree is naturally impossible. Entering the cabinet is naturally a good thing, but ultimately Your Highness’s future is what matters most. We still need to think long-term.”

Pang Xiao nodded: “I naturally can’t go along entirely with His Majesty’s wishes in this matter. I definitely can’t wait until tomorrow when His Majesty announces the decree at the court assembly and let people publicly slander me.”

“Ultimately, this isn’t just a conflict between Your Highness and His Majesty, but rather His Majesty’s power struggle with the Northern Ji old officials.” Qin Yining sat back down, her eyes bright and clear, obviously having formed an idea.

Xu Weizhi was skilled at planning and had always been the best at offering strategies to Pang Xiao. Now seeing a young girl more quick-witted than himself, he asked with great interest: “Does Miss Qin have an idea?”

Qin Yining’s eyes sparkled brightly as she answered indirectly: “Tell me, what would you do if someone robbed you of a string of coins?”

Xie Yue said: “Naturally I’d snatch the money back, beat up the robber, then report to the authorities.”

Qin Yining nodded and asked again: “But what if someone not only robbed you of a string of coins, but also captured your wife to sell her, and threw your child down a well? What would you do then?”

This analogy was rather bloody, but everyone present was intelligent and no one minded the inappropriateness of the metaphor. Everyone seemed to have a flash of insight in their hearts.

Pang Xiao exchanged glances with Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi. The three looked at Qin Yining together and couldn’t help but smile.

Xu Weizhi stood up and cupped his hands toward Qin Yining: “Miss Qin is truly a female Zhuge. This old man admits defeat—I’m convinced, thoroughly convinced of you this time.”

“Master Xu, you’re too kind.” Qin Yining quickly stood up to return the courtesy.

Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining with eyes full of admiration and pride, then turned to look questioningly at Xie Yue.

Xie Yue was good at making decisions and could always choose the most appropriate one among several options.

Xie Yue smiled and nodded: “Your Highness, I think Miss Qin’s method is excellent. When His Majesty announces that you’ll enter the cabinet, for the Northern Ji old officials, it’s equivalent to being robbed of a string of coins. They won’t do anything to His Majesty—at most they’ll strongly refuse your inclusion and try to push you out.”

“But if we make the matter bigger, that would be different. We immediately spread rumors outside, letting the Northern Ji old officials and great families all know that at tomorrow’s grand court assembly, His Majesty will replace all Northern Ji old officials in the cabinet with his own confidants.

“This way, it won’t be as simple as just being robbed of a string of coins. If there are no positions for Northern Ji old officials in the cabinet, it would be equivalent to having your child thrown down a well and your wife sold off. These Northern Ji old officials and great family members will definitely fight desperately. Your Highness can just sit back and watch the show.”

Pang Xiao smiled and nodded: “You’re absolutely right.” He looked tenderly at Qin Yining: “Moreover, this prince won’t just have a good show to watch—I’ll also get a benefit.”

Qin Yining blushed under his gaze and lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.

Seeing this, both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi tactfully stood up and bowed: “Since the plan is decided, we’ll go make arrangements.”

“Thank you both, masters.” Pang Xiao politely saw the two men to the door.

When he returned to the study, Pang Xiao immediately picked up Qin Yining like a child, his strong arms supporting her hips as he spun around several times while holding her.

Qin Yining was so frightened she nearly screamed, wrapping her arms around his neck and gripping his shoulders to steady herself.

“What are you doing? Put me down quickly!”

“Good Yi jie’er, you’re truly my virtuous helper. Just now you really brought me honor. Now Master Xu and Master Xie must be very envious of me!”

“What are you saying? I’m not a child anymore.” Qin Yining laughed, not expecting Pang Xiao to act like a child, harboring such showing off and pride over such a matter.

Pang Xiao put her down, planted a big kiss on her cheek, and held her while swaying.

“Yi jie’er, it’s so wonderful having you by my side. It seems like no matter what trouble I encounter, I have the ability to solve it. I’m not worried about myself at all because I’m full of motivation and have enthusiasm for everything. Yi jie’er, don’t leave—stay and accompany me, alright? As for the imperial selection, let’s set it aside for now. Let me investigate thoroughly first, and you can decide after we understand the situation, alright?”

That iron-blooded and domineering person was now acting like a large dog, practically wagging his tail at her. How could Qin Yining bear to disappoint him?

She could only say: “Alright, I won’t leave today. You go investigate first, and we’ll talk after you’ve gathered clear information.”

Pang Xiao nodded joyfully: “Then don’t go to the imperial selection either, alright? You just promised me that you’d only follow me. You can’t go back on your word.”

“You’re so domineering.” Qin Yining felt warm inside and pretended to be angry as she lightly punched his shoulder.

Pang Xiao said with utmost seriousness: “Yes, I am domineering, but there’s only one thing I’m domineering about with you—you must belong to me! As long as you satisfy this one condition of mine, in my world, if you want to climb on the roof and tear off tiles, I’ll get you a ladder. If you want to go down to the river to catch fish, I’ll be your assistant. I can go along with everything you want!

“I don’t ask you to do anything for me. I can even cook delicious food for you—my cooking skills aren’t bad. I can make many delicious things. Even my grandfather praises my culinary skills.

“I can also take you places to have fun. I won’t restrict your freedom or bury your talents. You can do whatever you want, as long as you satisfy this one condition of mine. Yi jie’er, you’re so smart—this deal is profitable. Just agree to it, alright?”

Qin Yining buried her blushing face in his shoulder, nodded, and said: “Such a profitable deal—naturally I agree. Don’t worry, I’ll handle the imperial selection matter.”