After this analysis between father and daughter, both their hearts became clear as mirrors.

Li Qitian was secretly instructing Li Helan on one hand, using Li Helan to provoke Madam Lu to achieve the current situation, while secretly observing which side held the stronger momentum on the other hand.

“Once the Qin family and Lu family start fighting legally, not only will it stir up the muddy waters of the imperial court, but more importantly, even if the Qin family’s combat power is unexpectedly astonishing and can suppress the aristocratic families without needing His Majesty to provide timely assistance, His Majesty will still benefit.”

When Qin Yining spoke to this point, her eyes sparkled brightly, and she gained several points of admiration for that exalted Emperor.

“If the Qin family and Lu family form a grudge, they will definitely need a powerful backer. His Majesty is the undisputed choice for a backer, and he can still achieve his goals as usual. His Majesty truly possesses unparalleled wisdom and strategy, truly admirable.”

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining with complete approval. “Father knew that once I told you these things, you would immediately be able to analyze the situation thoroughly, and your chosen course of action would certainly be appropriate.”

Qin Yining’s face flushed completely red from the praise, and she hurriedly waved her hands modestly.

“Father, then our most appropriate course of action next is to not offend the aristocratic families while also punishing Madam Lu?”

“Exactly.” Qin Huaiyuan said, “We cannot let a woman suppress us and be looked down upon by others, but we also cannot offend the Lu family aristocrats. We must grasp this balance well. Moreover, according to father’s analysis, this matter with the Lu family will explode within a few days. But you don’t need to be afraid—father naturally has ways to deal with them.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining’s expression became somewhat heavy.

“Father, with the imperial court in such chaos and our footing still unstable, the upcoming affairs will certainly be even more complicated. Can we handle it?”

Seeing Qin Yining rarely display such a vulnerable young lady appearance, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but laugh. “Silly girl, when water is too clear, there are no fish. It’s precisely because it’s chaotic that it’s good.”

Qin Huaiyuan stood up and dusted off the wrinkles on his sleeves and hem.

“Father will assign you several loyal and steady silver-masked spies from among those by my side to protect your safety. The people trained by the Cao clan not only each have their specialties, but they also keep their mouths tight. As long as the silver payment is adequate, they can be as devoted and loyal unto death as they were when serving the late emperor.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled at this point: “As for the silver to hire them, father won’t be responsible for that. Now Sister Yi has become a major landowner, much wealthier than father living on official salary.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but giggle upon hearing this. “Father is such a formidable person, yet you still care about this bit of silver?”

Qin Huaiyuan waved his hand and said seriously: “What are you saying? The houses at home were all bought by you. Father maintains clean governance as an official, and my salary is limited. Sigh! These days, having to pay silver to the silver-masked spies has nearly emptied my old savings. Now that I’m passing this to you, it’s just perfect.”

Qin Yining laughed: “Father, you’re too cunning!”

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining and also laughed, but from the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the empty space at the washroom doorway behind them and saw a tall human shadow reflected on the ground. Qin Huaiyuan first froze, then smiled knowingly.

He casually picked up the silk lantern and placed it on the side table near the washroom. The bright lamplight drew closer, immediately diluting the shadow on the ground.

Qin Yining had her back to the washroom, so she had never seen the shadow there. Still thinking that Pang Xiao had already climbed out the window and left, she curiously asked Qin Huaiyuan.

“Father, why are you moving the silk lantern?”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled gently and stood beside the side table where he had placed the silk lantern, with his back to the washroom.

This position was only two steps away from where Pang Xiao was hiding behind the door frame.

“Silly girl, look, with the lamplight placed here, haven’t the light and shadows in the room changed?”

Qin Yining looked around in all directions and nodded bewilderedly: “There have been changes.”

“So, light and shadow are born together. When you see darkness, there’s no need to panic—the light source must be nearby. Moreover, this imperial court changes in an instant. Isn’t it just like this lamp? With a casual movement of the hand, blocked by a few tables, chairs, and furniture, those dark shadows will also become different.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled at Qin Yining as he spoke and walked outside. “It’s getting late. You should also rest. Father is going back now.”

Today’s analysis with Qin Huaiyuan had made everything very clear to Qin Yining, except for this last statement which she didn’t understand.

What light, what shadow?

The room door creaked open, and she heard Qin Huaiyuan’s voice outside instructing the servant girls to keep good watch through the night and not be negligent.

Qin Yining shook her head in confusion and turned around.

She glanced at the silk lantern’s position, curiously picked up the lamp and placed it back in its original position, then stood in Qin Huaiyuan’s previous spot to observe the light and shadows throughout the room.

Who would have thought that when she turned around, from the corner of her eye she would see the tall human shadow reflected on the ground in front of the washroom door.

With a roar, Qin Yining’s face instantly burned red.

She quickly rushed into the washroom and lifted the door curtain hanging at the washroom entrance, only to see Pang Xiao leaning against the wall by the doorway with a thoughtful expression. She couldn’t help but punch him once and whispered: “What are you thinking about! Didn’t you leave? My father already discovered you!”

Pang Xiao looked somewhat bewildered.

“What?”

Qin Yining pointed at a pushed-open rear window not far away. Tonight’s moonlight was exceptionally bright, generously streaming through the open window into the washroom, also casting Pang Xiao’s figure standing at the doorway as a tall shadow on the ground.

Pang Xiao immediately slapped his forehead. “Aiya, mistake, mistake! I had just pushed open the window thinking to leave, but then I thought that father-in-law is supremely intelligent, and his seeking you out must have important matters to discuss, so I stayed to listen. Father-in-law’s words indeed brought me sudden enlightenment, but this shadow could also be seen by father-in-law. His lordship is truly too formidable!”

Qin Yining glanced sideways at Pang Xiao and viciously pinched him.

“Pretend, you’re still pretending! What kind of personality you have—do you think I don’t know? If you were really this stupid, not knowing that such bright moonlight would leave a shadow on the ground, you would have been devoured down to the bones by others years ago! You clearly did this on purpose!

“It’s because of Yan Imperial Consort Princess coming to my house, isn’t it? Pang Zhixi, can you not be so petty? I have nothing with Prince Yan! Don’t mention that he’s now a prince—even if he were formerly an emperor wanting to make me empress, I wouldn’t care for it!

“You’re actually still this petty. You even used this method to indirectly tell my father that our relationship has already become very close. You, you—how do you want my father to speculate? And where does this place me?”

Qin Yining was so angry she nearly cried. Just thinking that when she was confidently discussing matters with her father earlier, her father very likely had already seen the shadow on the ground and speculated whether she was having a late-night private meeting with Pang Zhixi only to be caught in the act, she felt extremely ashamed.

Seeing Qin Yining’s eyes reddening, Pang Xiao was frightened and quickly embraced her to comfort: “I was wrong, I was wrong, alright? Don’t cry. Father-in-law is so intelligent, he must know we had nothing going on, and moreover, his final words were also specifically hinting to me, which shows he didn’t think much of it.”